Theo struggled against his restraints, his mind racing with possible escape plans when Aksai’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Theo, do you want my help?” Aksai asked.
“Of course, I do!” Theo replied desperately.
Aksai’s tone became serious. “If I intervene, I’ll have to go into a deep slumber afterward. You won’t be able to talk to me until I regain consciousness.”
Theo hesitated.
Aksai was more than just a helpful ally; he was the source of Theo’s unique edge, something that made him special among his peers. Losing Aksai meant losing that edge.
But then he thought about the consequences of staying captured, about the fate of his friends, and the intentions of New Dawn. His hero complex won over him. He gritted his teeth and nodded.
“Do it, Sir Aksai.”
By this time, the abductor had finished intimidating the young seedlings for his entertainment. He turned around and was about to leave the compartment, his hand reaching for the scanner that would slide the door open.
Aksai’s voice urged, “Act now, Theo.”
Theo, following Aksai’s instructions, struggled to his feet and yelled out, “Hey! You can’t just leave us like this!”
The abductor turned, an amused smile spreading across his face. “Oh, it’s the spirited one,” he chuckled. “What do you want, kid?”
Theo stumbled forward, the AetherTech shackles hindering his stride. “I want to know why you’re doing this,” he demanded, his voice shaking with a mix of fear and determination.
The abductor crossed his arms, enjoying the defiance. “You really think you can do anything in those shackles? You’re just a kid. Sit back down before I make you.”
Meanwhile, Aksai’s woodland clone was busy planning his attack. He channeled energy into the Blood Soul Lamp, preparing for a potent spiritual attack.
This was the same soul-related artifact the original Aksai had “lent” from the deceased Lian before turning him into one of his puppets. He had used it on the corrupted druid as well. Thankfully, the original Aksai had handed this artifact to his woodland clone, thinking it could act as a trump card if the clone was in a pinch.
Aksai’s woodland clone decided to use the soul-related artifact after considering his options. He knew it was foolish to start a full-fledged fight on the flying ship. Even if he won against the abductor in front of him, the enemies aboard the ship would be alerted by the commotion.
The Blood Soul Lamp was practically useless for the original Aksai anyway because he had become a Foundation Building Expert, while the Blood Soul Lamp was still a 1st-order artifact. The original Aksai could use his potent Spirit Sense to achieve similar effects thanks to his 2nd realm Spirit cultivation.
The Blood Soul Lamp needed to be upgraded to a 2nd-order artifact for the original Aksai to use it himself, which was practically impossible given Aksai’s current capabilities in artifact creation.
After all, the Blood Soul Lamp was the prized possession of the Lakir Clan when it practiced the demonic path in the past. Unless Aksai obtained more inheritances related to Bloodfiend techniques, upgrading the artifact was not possible.
Using the soul-related artifact was straightforward. It would unleash a powerful spiritual pulse, making everyone in the vicinity lose consciousness except its owner. The effects of the artifact were immediate, and there were no known methods for regular cultivators to stop this spiritual attack.
Of course, Aksai could choose his targets selectively as well. However, he deemed that making everyone lose their consciousness was in his best interest.
The Blood Soul Lamp had one disadvantage: it needed to be charged with potent Spirit essence just before use, which required time. Thankfully, Theo bought Aksai the time he needed to charge the lamp.
Theo continued to engage the abductor in conversation, giving Aksai the time he needed. “You’re nothing but cowards, hiding behind masks,” Theo spat, trying to provoke the abductor.
The abductor sneered. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, boy. We’re the future of Acarnis. You’ll see.”
As the abductor was about to push Theo down, Aksai acted. He transformed from the wooden ring on Theo’s finger into his woodland clone form.
The transformation was swift; Aksai appeared as a ten-inch humanoid figure with bark-like skin, twigs sprouting from his body, and glowing green eyes. His limbs, slender but sturdy, resembled tree branches.
The abductor’s eyes widened in surprise, but before he could react, Aksai took out the Blood Soul Lamp and triggered an area-wide spiritual attack. The potent wave of energy swept through the compartment, making all the abducted students, including Theo, lose consciousness almost instantly.
The abductor, stronger than the kids, clutched his head, his eyes turning red as he struggled to stay conscious. He saw Aksai’s transformation clearly, his mind racing with the realization that this was no ordinary entity. He assumed Aksai to be an otherworlder due to the Spirit essence aura he sensed.
“What… are you?” he managed to choke out, but Aksai channeled even more Spirit essence into the Blood Soul Lamp. The abductor’s consciousness slipped away, and he collapsed to the floor.
With the abductor neutralized, Aksai took a breath of relief.
“This Aether cultivation path is really something. It enables its practitioners to have a relatively stronger mind. I wouldn’t have been able to use this lamp on this abductor to make him unconscious if his Aether Wisp was a tad bit stronger,” Aksai thought to himself.
Aksai knew that he wouldn’t have struggled to make the abductor lose consciousness if he was just a late-stage Spirit Refiner. After all, the current woodland clone was as strong as a Spirit Refining Perfectionist in terms of Spirit cultivation and a peak Bronze Body realm martial artist in terms of body cultivation. And yet, the abductor had put up a strong resistance against the lamp.
Aksai could only associate this resistance capability to the man’s Aether cultivation, which was quite unique from Spirit or body cultivation.
“Now let me understand my surroundings before I make a move.”
Aksai looked around him and saw that everyone, including the abductor, had lost consciousness. This was the right time for him to act.
“The coast is clear. I should hurry.”
He quickly walked over to the unconscious abductor and placed his hand over the latter’s forehead. He closed his eyes and started chanting some mantras while performing hand signs with his other hand.
The woodland clone was using the soul-searching technique on the man that he had learned from the original Aksai during his last visit to Everwood Farm.