Spirit's Awakening: The Path of Lightning and Water

Chapter 160: Strengthening Bonds

Lassim drifted serenely along on the back of the colossal shark, the undulating rhythm of its movement a soothing counterpoint to the tumult of thoughts within his mind as the darkness greeted the ocean denizens with the sun setting.

Inside his mind, he felt a deep connection with Marinelle and Zaphyrella, his elemental companions, through this bond. He had always believed this bond to be stable, fully developed, and incapable of further growth. He could communicate fully and even share emotions and instincts through the bond with both of them.

Yet, since learning the art of underwater breathing and spending time inside the southern ocean’s coastal region, he noticed an intensification of Mari’s shared instincts and control over the water element. It was as if the sea itself or the abundance of water mana surrounding them was enhancing their connection. This gave birth to an idea in Lassim’s mind.

With his spirit sense that reached inwards to his inner heart world, Lassim strained to try and actually see or visualize the bond between his elemental companions and him. As if removing a veil—a glowing tether that linked his soul to those of Marinelle and Zaphyrella—appeared within his heart world.

This tether appeared to stem from the large soul crystal that resided within the core of his inner heart world. The radiant beacon that had been generated as a culmination of his cultivation up into his advancement upon reaching the Spirit Transformation stage. It filled itself slowly with motes of light of his soul until he reached the peak of the stage.

It felt complete, but there was still no sign of how to continue to advance to the Spirit Ascension stage. His further meditation only refilled his energy stores and barely strengthened his physique the tiniest amounts. It was nothing worth even wasting time on in his eyes.

Riding the giant shark through the depths, Lassim closed his eyes, shutting out the surrounding waters to focus entirely on this newly appeared ethereal connection that he could now see.

The tether itself was a thin, delicate vein, its passageway narrow. He observed that it was often congested with the flow of soul fragments between him and Marinelle. This must be the shared instincts and information between them.

He could see fragments of his soul shooting towards her, while hers would then travel back to him, a constant exchange hampered by the constricted channel. Each time fragments attempted to pass simultaneously, they would momentarily clog the passageway, causing a stutter in their exchange.

Determined to strengthen this bond, Lassim received inspiration to see if he could somehow widen this passageway.

Summoning all his mental fortitude, he envisioned his hands physically taking his end of the passageway and expanding it; its walls stretching to allow a smoother flow.

The effort was immense as an intense mental burden manifested as a sharp headache immediately. But Lassim was determined and persevered, feeling the tether’s entrance widen bit by bit, if only slightly. It was a very, very minor change, yet he sensed it was a step in the right direction. The correct path to take.

After fully using up as much energy as he could before he felt his world start spinning, he checked in with Mari, "[Marinelle, can you feel that?]" he mentally projected.

The reply was immediate, a warm, soothing wave of emotion that signified her acknowledgment. "[Yes. The tether feels... a tiny bit different. It’s more open, but there’s no pain on my end. However, along with your headache, the crystal in the center appears much dimmer.]"

Lassim nodded. His head throbbed with the effort he had expended, but it appeared he had a physical way to observe his limits. He spent a mere 5 minutes on enhancing the tether, but that was all he was capable of for now. "[I’ll need to rest. This might be beneficial if I can strengthen the entire tether, but my head feels like it’s about to explode.]"

Marinelle’s concern was palpable through their now ever-so-slightly enhanced bond. "[Take your time. We have a long life together ahead of us, after all. We’ll be able to get it done eventually.]"

As he floated in the dark depths, Lassim pondered the implications of this discovery and potential new way to progress, even if he wasn’t able to keep cultivating to the next stage for now. It would at least keep him a bit busy in the meantime.

Thinking about how strengthening the soul tether had drained his mental strength, a new aspect of his cultivation, his thoughts were all over the place. Like his [Storm Bringer] cultivation technique, there must be techniques to enhance one’s soul power too.

He wondered if there were these kinds of methods buried within the archives of the Lightning Sect. He was looking forward to reaching there as soon as possible.

For now, he took a mental inventory of his current goals. Develop a more versatile battle art technique that is more complex and powerful, uncover what the barrier to the Spirit Ascension stage is, and now, find a way to increase his soul power to fortify his bonds with Marinelle and Zaphyrella. These tasks loomed ahead like distant peaks, challenging but something to hone in on and focus towards.

The night passed in a meditative haze. Sleep, though brief, rejuvenated him. Five hours, he noted, were sufficient for his soul to recover its strength. Perhaps a few more minutes would ensure complete restoration.

Awakening from his meditation, Lassim stretched within the confines of his harness, feeling the lingering ache in his mind dissipate completely. Korro, his ferry-guide, turned towards him with a warm smile.

"Good morning. We’ll be heading into the coral network soon," Korro said, his voice muffled as it reverberated through the water towards him. "The beasts this deep in the ocean are more formidable. It’s safer within the network."

Lassim nodded, appreciating the wisdom in Korro’s words. "Thanks for the heads up, Korro. I’m ready whenever you are."

The shark began a rapid descent, guided expertly by Korro. Lassim, securely leashed to the beast’s back, marveled at the sight before them.

A massive coral branch rose from the ocean floor, forming an entrance into the intricate network. This was a sanctuary for the young sea beasts, yet the shark, despite its size, navigated through with surprising ease.

"Korro, how can the shark fit in here? Isn’t this just meant for the young sea beasts?" Lassim asked.

Korro chuckled. "This one here is only forty years old. By sea beast standards, it’s akin to a four-month-old toddler if you compare it to the rest of us. They grow large quickly to be able to survive the ocean’s dangers. An adult of this species is... overwhelming to say the least."

Lassim tried to imagine a fully grown version of the shark and shuddered at the thought.

"That’s part of the reason why I help raise them through their early stages," Korro explained, his tone reverent. "With my taming technique and innate sea telepathy, I help them grow until they’re too big for my needs. Then I set them free and find another to nurture. I owe my life to this species. One saved my family from an attack when I was a child on my father’s fishing vessel.

Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to learning how to care for them and protecting them as a way to give back a bit as thanks."

The bond between Korro and the sharks was now more clear; a mix of respect, admiration, and gratitude. It reminded Lassim of his connection with Marinelle and Zaphyrella, though forged under different circumstances as he also raised them from their egg forms.

As they delved deeper into the coral network, Korro shared more about his family since it was brought up. "My grandfather was a Sahagin you see, a fierce sea warrior, who fell in love with a human woman. Their child, my father, married a siren. So, I’m a third-generation mix, part human, part Sahagin, and part siren. It’s a unique blend, but it gives me an affinity for both land and sea."

Lassim found Korro’s story fascinating, a testament to the diverse and interconnected world they inhabited. "That’s pretty interesting, Korro. It makes you uniquely suited for this life I guess."

Korro nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It does. And it’s also why I try to forge relationships with both sides, whether with sea creatures or with people. It’s these connections that make life easier for all of us. I didn’t have such a great childhood as I felt like I didn’t belong to either side, but I’ve made amends with that as I’ve gotten older and found my place as an ambassador to both."

As they navigated the beginning of the coral network, Lassim couldn’t help but reflect on his own journey. The path ahead was uncertain, filled with challenges and mysteries. But with the allies he’d made so far, lots of different species as well, he felt more prepared to face whatever lay ahead that the gods foretold.