Power of Runes Chapter 445: Immortal Seal

Ash remained seated within his chamber, his consciousness submerged in his Soul Space while his physical form lay motionless, his mind delving inward with unwavering focus.

On the loftiest bough of the Soul Tree, he occupied a vantage point, surveying the entirety of his soul. Below, naught but an endless, tranquil, and silent dark sea stretched out, imbued with an inexplicable depth.

Ash contemplated, drawing the Legacy crystal closer to his forehead. He held it with care, his thoughts centered upon it. Accessing the crystal's knowledge necessitated a password; without it, the contained information would perish alongside the crystal itself.

As the password was entered, a torrent of information surged into his mind. The crystal in his hand crumbled to dust. Yet, in comparison to the ordeal of Rune Comprehension, this influx of data felt straightforward and manageable.

Fifteen minutes sufficed for Ash to fully absorb and comprehend all the imparted knowledge. He processed it with ease, experiencing no mental fatigue. Had Elizabeth been aware, she would have been astounded, for she had required an entire week to achieve the same.

Taking a slow, deliberate breath, Ash opened his eyes. His gaze gained a subtle sharpness, a faint luminescence appearing within them, as if a profound, ineffable truth had just dawned upon him.

Simply put, the awakening of a Soul Flame requires the formation of an Immortal Seal within one's consciousness.

The creation of this Immortal Seal is an exceedingly intricate process. However, armed with the knowledge he had acquired, Ash felt certain of his ability to forge it, the necessary steps now clearly etched in his mind.

This Immortal Seal then serves as the core, with the individual's will manifesting as its flames.

Thus, the Soul Flame is brought into being.

It sounds simple, does it not? Yet, the true challenge lies not in the formation itself, but in what precedes the seal's creation.

To condense an Immortal Seal, beyond mere Will Power, one must determine the intrinsic nature of their Soul Flame—a choice that, once made, is immutable.

Each individual's soul flame possesses a unique character, some more potent, others less so. A seal can be forged from any concept, emotion, element, bloodline, trait, fighting spirit, killing intent, aura, or even the world's very laws.

Individuals resonate differently with various principles and exhibit distinct aptitudes. Consequently, they select that which embodies them entirely and instills their confidence to form the Immortal Seal. Any misstep risks the destruction of the Soul.

Consider this: a person whose singular life ambition is vengeance might choose the emotion of anger or rage to condense their Immortal Seal, imbuing the Soul Flame with the nature of fury. Consequently, their power would surge manifold whenever they are angered, their flame responding directly to that intense emotion. This is a fundamental example, yet it effectively illustrates the concept.

The augmentation of power is but one function of the Soul Flame; its utility extends far beyond. However, the crystal primarily detailed the awakening process, offering limited insight into these other applications.

Therefore, each person crafts their Immortal Seal from distinct facets of their being. The general form of this Immortal Seal resembles a lotus, signifying stability and layered complexity.

An individual possesses the capacity to condense up to Nine Immortal Seals, each corresponding to a petal that comprises the lotus structure.

Immortal Seals are categorized into distinct orders, ranging from the First Order to the Ninth Order.

While many struggle to form even a Second Immortal Seal, exceptional talents have successfully manifested Nine Immortal Seals. This translates to a Nine-Petal Lotus serving as the core of their Soul Flame, establishing a significantly more robust foundation.

As a result, their Soul Flame can exert a dominant influence over others, potentially rendering them incapable of effectively wielding their own Soul Flame, provided the disparity in cultivation level isn't excessively vast.

However, even the possessor of a Nine-Petal Lotus or a Ninth Order Immortal Seal might not surpass an individual with merely a First Order Immortal Seal if the chosen concept is too rudimentary. The inherent nature of the seal carries as much weight as its ordinal level.

Compared to Immortal Seals derived from emotions or elements, those forged with the assistance of universal laws may prove superior, as laws intrinsically connect to the fabric of existence and possess a more unshakeable basis.

Nevertheless, in exceedingly rare instances, when the intensity of emotions escalates to an extraordinary degree, it can rival even the world's laws. Such occurrences, however, demand a profound depth of feeling, to the point where emotions find resonance with the cosmic order itself.

Such instances are exceptionally uncommon, practically unheard of for the vast majority.

Upon successfully forming a First Order Immortal Seal, one ascends to the Demi-God rank within the Path of Transcendence, as their will solidifies into a tangible form.

And should one achieve a Ninth Order Immortal Seal, they gain the capacity to contend with, and even evade, beings of the God rank.

With your foundation achieving a completeness far surpassing others.

Those who tread both the Path of Transcendence and the Path of Genesis can achieve the Demi God state twice. The first is by transforming one's soul into a Divine Soul, and the second by forming an Immortal Seal. This dual cultivation may grant them strength superior to those who focus on a single path.

However, mastering two paths is a formidable challenge, demanding immense resources, time, and double the dedication to reach one's aspirations. It's a precarious balance, and few can maintain it without faltering.

By embracing the Path of Transcendence, one gains the ability to contend with opponents a level higher, despite the vast chasm between cultivation levels. This inherent advantage is precisely what makes the path so coveted, yet so arduous.

Typically, individuals capable of forming a Nine Petal Immortal Seal are hailed as unparalleled geniuses. And among them, those who forge all their petals from the laws of nature before ascending to Demi God status? Such a feat is unprecedented.

Comprehending the laws of the universe is exceptionally difficult before reaching the Demi God or even God realm. Consequently, these prodigies usually dedicate vast resources to grasping a single law, forming a petal with it, while crafting the remaining eight using other facets of their being.

They adopt this strategy because establishing a high 'ceiling' for their Immortal Seal allows for future modifications. Should they comprehend more laws later, they can replace existing petals, paving a continuous path for advancement.

For instance, if one's nine petals are solely constructed from emotions, even future comprehension of laws won't permit their replacement. The fundamental nature of emotions and laws differs greatly, rendering them incompatible for substitution.

Conversely, if even a single petal is formed from a high-ceiling concept, such as the world's laws, it becomes possible to replace all petals with laws once they are understood. This foundational petal dictates the ultimate potential.

This crucial detail was reiterated countless times in the teachings Ash received, underscored as if it were the paramount lesson.

Now, the pivotal question loomed: What would Ash ultimately utilize to forge his own Immortal Seal?

"Is that even a question? I possess Runes. I shall employ Runes to construct my Immortal Seal..."

Ash murmured, a subtle smile gracing his lips. The very notion felt intrinsically right, almost self-evident. He could vividly envision the immense height a ceiling forged from the world's laws would achieve, yet regarding Runes, the sheer potential remained immeasurable.

This very uncertainty amplified the allure, akin to embarking on an uncharted yet profoundly significant journey.

"The true dilemma lies in which Rune to select for my First Order Immortal Seal..."

Deep in contemplation, Ash remained still within his Soul Space for an extended period. His mind tirelessly sifted through his accumulated knowledge, meticulously re-examining every piece of information without haste.

He observed how the nature of the Soul Flame transformed when disparate concepts or elements converged. Through this introspection, he uncovered a previously overlooked detail: the necessity of selecting concepts that harmonized, avoiding any inherent conflict. Even a minuscule imbalance could jeopardize the Immortal Seal's stability, potentially leading to fatal consequences.

Upon this realization, a singular thought solidified in Ash's mind, an idea that refused to dissipate.

"I shall utilize the Rune of Harmony for my First Order Immortal Seal."

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