Aksai couldn’t refine his Spirit bloodline any further using his previous Spirit bloodline experiments after the completion of the transfusion process.
He wouldn’t have been able to refine it any further after the bloodline origin had been decided by the primer liquid. Extracting more of the same bloodline origin from the druid’s corpse and pairing it with vials of primer liquid wouldn’t help.
However, the corrupted druid’s bloodline refinement method was fundamentally different from that of Aksai’s. It was related to triggering bloodline evolution or atavism. And since it was a Spirit bloodline, Aksai’s very soul would also see some transformation.
Due to various reasons and failures in the Spirit bloodline experiments he had conducted in the past, Aksai had thought that he would not be able to level up his druid powers. However, the corrupted druid’s bloodline refinement method provided Aksai with a way out. It enabled him to carry out his experiments and to constantly improve his bloodline using the method mentioned in it.
“Hehehe. There’s a possibility that refining the Spirit bloodline will level up my Spirit Root Aptitude in the future as well.” As he closed a spectral window, Aksai felt a surge of excitement and determination.
He basically had everything he needed to proceed. The integration of the druid’s language and knowledge into his own mind had opened a door to possibilities he had never imagined.
The problem was his current circumstances in Dadangar.
As one of the island owners of Emerald Cove, Aksai had some responsibilities to carry out. He couldn’t just act like a turtle and retreat in his shell at a moment’s notice.
Furthermore, there were serious restrictions that would be placed on him once the process started, which was why he needed to plan many things in advance first.
What were these restrictions?
Firstly, Aksai could not leave the vicinity of the demon tree for the duration of the refinement process. The bond required his constant presence, and any prolonged absence would disrupt the process, causing all progress to be lost.
Secondly, his daily routine would need to include specific cultivation practices to maintain the energy balance between him and the demon tree. This meant adhering to a strict schedule, with no room for deviation.
The first stage of the druid bloodline refinement would allow Aksai to awaken at least one bloodline power for himself. However, the process would last anywhere from 10 to 30 years, depending on his talent, surroundings, and other external factors.
The problem with this long duration was that Aksai could not leave the vicinity of the demon tree during that time. He needed to stay as close to the demon tree he had bonded with for the bloodline refinement process to continue.
It meant that once the bloodline refinement process started, Aksai couldn’t leave Emerald Cove until the first stage of the bloodline was completed. During that time, even within the island, his movements would be highly restricted.
The process was simple yet strict at the same time. If Aksai failed to meet the requirements even at the last hour, all his progress would be nullified, failing the bloodline refinement.
***
“So, once the process starts, I won’t be able to leave Shamrock Peak unless I find ways to extend that range,” Aksai caressed his chin in contemplation as he thought.
“I don’t mind being in my palace and staying close to the demon tree I’ll be planting. But things would become difficult for me if Nuya asked me to leave the island for some business. I have to plan ahead if I don’t want anyone on the island to disturb me during my retreat,” Aksai concluded.
If Aksai hadn’t found a way to explore the second world using an alternate method, he would have postponed the idea of the druid bloodline refinement.
After all, a new world meant new opportunities that only he was privy to. He didn’t want to miss out on such perks after being forced to stay near the demon tree.
However, things were different after Aksai visited White Mountain City. He had the versatile Anahat Soul Splitting Technique to rely on. If things went as per Aksai’s plans, he would be able to complete the first stage of the bloodline refinement and explore the new world at the same time.
“That corrupted druid’s background isn’t something I can scoff at,” Aksai’s face turned serious as he murmured to himself, looking at the contents of the bloodline refinement procedure on the third spectral screen.
“Once I complete the first stage of the bloodline refinement, I will visit Martial World Sharang again to find out more about the recurring tree devil calamity. Maybe I can capture more corrupted druids and get additional information from them.
I have a long lifespan. I can certainly wait until the next calamity strikes in Sharang. Or maybe I can trace back the origins of the corrupted druids themselves. With my current Spirit cultivation foundation, it wouldn’t be too difficult,” Aksai concluded to himself.
Aksai knew that Martial World Sharang had a shallow foundation when it came to the body cultivation path. Even though it had a distinct path to power, it was not developed enough. At least not to the level where it would pose a threat to the Spirit cultivators’ society in Dadangar.
The martial artists of Sharang were talented. However, the tree devil calamity hindered their possibilities to unlock new realms in the body cultivation path. Or perhaps the World’s Will itself did not allow the existence of entities stronger than the Argent Body Realm martial artists.
After all, the world itself was relatively low in terms of special qi-enriching resources. Only the martial artists at the peak of their power were able to claim these resources. This was how Aksai was able to gain hold of various treasures from Sharang despite their rarity. He had made ideal use of the Tree Devil Calamity falling on Serenity Peak.
Limited growth as a martial artist. Low resources. And the threat of the corrupted druids. Sharang had problems of its own.
As such, Aksai did not have much hope of gaining anything too significant from Martial World Sharang in terms of advancing his path in body cultivation. For the time being, he was content to stay in the initial stage of the Argent Body realm and focus all his time and efforts on Spirit cultivation instead.
However, the origins of the corrupted druid intrigued Aksai, especially after he realized how profound their techniques were when it came to Spirit bloodline refinement.
Even if Aksai gained nothing to further his body cultivation path, he would benefit greatly if he uncovered more secrets of the corrupted druids.