Chapter 1192: Image Training, Traits of the Mark of Corruption

Image Training—just as its name revealed, it was a skill dedicated to aiding in one’s training.

Unfortunately, despite its usefulness, there was a major drawback to Image Training.

Unless Izroth experienced physical contact with an external source, he was completely cut off from the outside world. This meant that, even with his Energy Vision Sense, Izroth would be unable to tell what was going on outside the mental space. Therefore, if he were suddenly attacked, there would be no way to know until the damage was already done.

Of course, Izroth used Image Training before in places like his Mystical Realm Palace, which was a safe zone. However, it was not something Izroth was able to use often. After all, he had too many enemies to let his guard down while traveling outside of safe zone areas. Not to mention, even if he had no enemies, there was always a chance of running into those with ill intentions. As a result, Izroth rarely used Image Training.

"Let’s hope this works." Izroth said as he extended his hand outward.

Needless to say, Izroth was not suddenly in the mood to train while treating Nova. The reason he used Image Training was for something outside of its originally intended purpose. Though he had no idea whether it would work properly or not.

Out of nowhere, a cloud of white smoke appeared a couple of meters in front of Izroth. At first, the smoke was formless. But, after several seconds passed, it began to take the form of a humanoid being.

Once a few more seconds passed by, the humanoid shaped smoke finally completed its transformation. As for its appearance, it bore a striking resemblance to Nova!

The only difference was its ethereal like existence. Instead of Nova’s exact appearance, its entire being, from hair, skin and attire was a mixture of light and dark blues with shades of black and white. Furthermore, its eyes mirrored white clouds of smoke.

But, there was something more to this ethereal copy of Nova and that was the strange markings on its body that seemed to embed itself into the copy’s very existence.

Izroth took a moment to closely examine the ethereal copy. And, after doing so for a couple of minutes, he gave a small nod of approval as a carefree smile appeared on his face.

’It worked.’

〈System Alert: You have created x1 «Training Specter: Nova(Semi-Corrupted)»!〉

"Although it’s not the true mark of corruption, it behaves in an identical manner to the real thing." Izroth said as he reached his hand to touch the Nova Specter.

The moment he performed this action, the mark of corruption immediately responded, moving rapidly toward his hand. However, before it was able to do so, Izroth removed his hand from the Nova Specter. Not long after, the mark of corruption calmed down and receded back onto the Nova Specter’s skin.

"It seems to react aggressively to living beings, but pays no attention to anything else. Although I’ve only made a brief observation, if I’m not mistaken, it was created with the sole purpose of dominating sentient life." Izroth said to himself.

’Relying on ingredients like the Wing of the Ambrosia Tree and Immortal Nectar as core materials every time is impractical. There has to be a more efficient way to deal with the mark of corruption. Or, perhaps...’

"...Instead of trying to cure the mark of corruption on a massive scale, what if there was a way to increase one’s initial ability to resist it?" Izroth muttered to himself as a certain spark flashed through his eyes.

The mark of corruption was a type of poison and curse; however, it fell into neither of the categories. If anything, its existence reminded Izroth of how the laws of nature worked. That being said, it still acted in the same way as an invasive substance that originated from an external source. If so, Izroth believed that it should be possible to stop the mark of corruption before it latched onto its target and infected them!

"If I can start by securing a steady supply of cherry blossom leaves from the Ancestral Thousand Blossoms Tree of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms... No, maybe it’s better if the branches and leaves can be soaked together in a substance similar to the Liquid of Renewal..." Izroth began to brainstorm a path forward for dealing with the mark of corruption.

...

In the blink of an eye, more than half an hour had gone by.

Izroth was still in the mental space of Image Training. He spent his time experimenting with the mark of corruption. And, not long ago, he allowed the mark of corruption to latch onto him.

Izroth looked down at his arm infected by the mark of corruption as he was rapidly spreading to every area of his body.

’Despite its outer appearance of spreading everywhere, most of its attention is focused on going straight for the heart, followed by other vital organs. The rate at which is spreads can be slowed if one channels their mana or energy; however, it also causes the mark of corruption to become increasingly aggressive. Even with my Heavenly Golden Body, Might stat and the Strength of the Primordial Colossus effect active, the mark of corruption is still managing to overtake me. Although I already expected it, even the effects of the Evil Cleansing Pill and Hundred Death Poisoning Pill are ineffective. I can also feel myself becoming weaker with every passing moment.’

"I see... It’s no wonder a cure to the mark of corruption has not been found. It is not simple by any means." Izroth commented as he released a light sight.

He then said, "Reset mental space with Nova Specter."

When he uttered those words, the mental space shook and turned into a blur. Then, in the blink of an eye, the mark of corruption that covered Izroth disappeared without a trace.

Since he was in the mental space, of course, he could get rid of the fake mark of corruption whenever he pleased. And, after running a few tests and experiments, Izroth managed to get a decent understanding of the mark of corruption.

Unfortunately, the base structure of the mark of corruption was incredibly complex. Nevertheless, it was not the complexity that slowed Izroth’s progress on discovering a way to resist the initial infection. After all, he had come across things many times more complex during his time in the Seven Realms.

Rather, it was how many redundancies seemed to be built into the mark of corruption. In other words, even if someone discovered a vulnerable point to exploit, the mark of corruption would immediately cut that part off. And, since it had the powerful adaptive trait of the shadahi, it would be impossible to use the same method a second time.

’If I want to create a method of prevention for the mark of corruption, I will need something capable of targeting all the redundancies simultaneously. If even one redundancy is missed, the prevention method will fail and be rendered useless. I will have to research a bit further to find a suitable approach.’

"It should be about time..."

Just as those words left Izroth’s mouth, he felt a small tremble echo throughout the mental space.

’I will have to end things here. Right now, there is a more immediate matter to attend to.’

The small trembles Izroth felt in the mental space was caused by Aurie’s attempt to contact him. This meant that there were only ten minutes left until they would be forcibly ejected from the building where Nova resided.

"It should have completed its metamorphosis by now. It’s time to see the results of my efforts." Izroth said as he closed his eyes and the mental space faded away rapidly.

The moment Izroth opened his eyes again, he was back in the room where Nova resided.

"Commander Izroth, is there something troubling you? If so, although I am unable to help in manners of healing, I will gladly do what I can to assist you. Just say the word." Aurie said calmly, but in a slightly rushed tone.

She hid it well, but Izroth could hear the traces of anxiousness in her voice.

Kalmesia’s expression also did not look too good. As the person who gave away a part of her life essence, she appeared even more anxious than Aurie.

There were only ten minutes left until they would have to leave; however, there had been no visible results since they arrived. Even though Aurie trusted Izroth, it was difficult to keep her doubts at bay with every minute that passed by.

Izroth glanced over at the place where he left the cocoon-like object. The following moment, he turned his gaze to Aurie and said, "While I appreciate the offer Commander Aurie, there is no need for you to take action. Everything is going according to plan. I ask that you hold onto the trust you placed in me for a little longer. I, Izroth, am a man of my word."

Aurie released a heavy sigh, "My apologies, Commander Izroth. It is not that I do not trust you, I merely find myself fighting off some less than savory thoughts."

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