Retracing their steps, Jake's group retreated without major incident, though not without a lingering sense of peril.
The gradually thickening, coppery scent of blood in the air signaled their approach to the fringe of the spatial convergence point.
Rolly and Sam had been in a continuous state of bewildered shock throughout the journey, everything feeling like an absurd dream.
Rolly licked his cracked lips. "Big boss... when are we coming back? I'll do it for free, just take me with you, yeah?"
Silence was the only reply, broken only by the simultaneous ding from their devices—a notification confirming their payment had been processed.
The wordless rejection left the "Roly-Sam Duo" visibly dejected for a good while.
Sensing the shift in the ambient energy, Jake suddenly halted. His voice pulsed directly into Soly's mind via mental transmission:
[The ambient Ki-Energy from these two worlds... it feels completely identical!?]
[Soly, have you discovered anything about this convergence point? Opportunities like this are rare.]
A true millennium-old Archmagus, Soly instantly understood Jake's intent: he wanted to find a way to locate other worlds, to pave the way for future treasure hunts.
[Lord, this little one also perceives no difference. Perhaps this very similarity is a reason the two planes can connect. I fear sensing the aura alone will not guide us to other worlds.]
[Mn. Do you possess any spatial secrets arts of this kind?]
Lord Solarius offered an embarrassed mental chuckle.
[This little one does possess a rare treasure for detecting interplanar spaces. However, the current cultivation level of this body is insufficient to retrieve it from my spatial pouch.]
[Oh?]
[Well... that spatial detection treasure is stored in the layer accessible only to an Initiate Mage. This body currently possesses not a shred of cultivation power and cannot retrieve it.
This little one observes that Lord is in a similar predicament, if I may be so bold to ask... how did you manage to seize this Omni-Mind Affinity? It is a chance encounter seen only once in ten millennia.]
[Is there such a restriction?]
Jake immediately sent his divine sense into the spatial ring. Aside from the few items Soly had just placed inside, he found it utterly empty.
[I see. By borrowing Arthur's magical power, I was previously able to open this ring. But now, with this body devoid of any mana, I can only rely on my divine sense from the soul to perform simple storage and retrieval.]
[Spatial artifacts are exceedingly precious treasures in our Arcadia Planes. They are typically heirlooms of great families or sects, granted only to core members.
To incentivize the cultivation of direct disciples, items within are often restricted by realm requirements—a customary practice passed down by each generation of users.]
[Your ring is quite different from the spatial artifact I once possessed.] Jake nodded inwardly, finding the explanation reasonable.
[Lord... could it be that you are not from Arcadia?]
Jake listened to Soly's mental "accent," which vaguely resembled the London tone of a magical nation he once knew, and fell into a moment of deep contemplation.
A moment later, Jake glanced at Soly.
[There is no need for repeated probing. I know you have many questions. I will explain them to you in time, because I trust you as I trust myself.]
[This little one is undeserving of Lord's favor! Soly would die ten thousand deaths to repay….]
[Enough brown-nose. You likely do not yet fully understand your own situation. The journey back is long; I can offer some clarity.]
[First, you may have sensed it already: though I am not you, you are now part of me. Once my Soul Brand is applied, it is for eternity—unless you undergo rebirth into a new cycle.]
Soly nodded, feeling no discomfort at the statement, only a sense of natural inevitability.
[In truth, it was also a confluence of opportunity. Had you not been a rootless soul, and had you not been nourished by the Soul-Nurturing Wood for so many years, the brand would not have taken hold so perfectly.]
Soly's old face flushed with shock. [did I become Rootless?....]
[Heh. A 'rootless soul' refers to one who lacks a physical body yet is not a mere wandering spirit; one who retains their consciousness yet has not embarked on the path of ghosts.
They are exceedingly rare in this world. Even when found, they are rarely worth the application of my Brand.]
[How fortunate I am….]
[Precisely.]
[....]
[Thus, I have no reason to conceal anything from you. Likewise, you need not worry—the Soul Brand will not hinder your cultivation in the slightest.]
[This lowly one thanks the Lord for the grace of rebirth!]
[That is not incorrect. You were at the initial stage of the ArchMagus realm. I can indeed offer some guidance on the path of cultivation. However, given the current state of Silas Von's body, your re-cultivation will present certain... difficulties.]
[Lord speaks truly. I have observed that the people of this world seem to tread a Demonic Path—forging extremely powerful physical vessels, often relying on external tools, yet their soul strength is lacking. Their comprehension and application of the world's energy remains at a rudimentary stage.]
[Furthermore... Silas's spiritual root seems to have mutated. My previous cultivation methods will likely be….]
[Do not concern yourself. I have already examined it. This mutated Magical-Spiritual root is not a detriment. I will tailor a new cultivation art suited to your new affinity.]
[Modify a cultivation art? In all of Arcadia, no one has ever been able to create a custom art for a mutated Magical-Spiritual Root!]
A trace of reminiscence flickered across Jake's expression.
[Where I come from, it isn't particularly difficult. You may set your mind at ease.]
[Lord... you truly are from another plane? Then, this Jake Nickelson…]
[Correct. I am indeed not from Arcadia, nor am I a native of Blue Star. However, this physical vessel was not obtained through Soul-Seize. It seems... my soul from a previous life has fused with the soul of this one….]