The Ultimate Passive Paradigm [LitRPG Adventure, Epic Progression]

"Dude, that's not how you start a conversation." Nathan glanced at his friend, raising his hand.

"Uhhh," Zeryn paused, dragged out the word. "Then how should I?"

"No. You don't have the right to ask about other topics now. Tell me about the Obsidian Fang Sect."

Zeryn pursed his lips, looking for a place to sit down. His hand grabbed Nathan's water bottle from the table and took a long drink.

"I just received the news," Zeryn said. "But when I saw your message, I came here immediately. Nate, do you remember when I told you not to enter the inner sect too early? Before you joined the Outer Sect Tournament?"

"I think you did say something like that," Nathan nodded.

"I think the time has come for something unpleasant to happen."

Nathan grew thoughtful. He had assumed the warning Zeryn had mentioned before had been resolved or pushed back, which was why it hadn't come up again.

"The whole sect disappeared!" Zeryn exclaimed. "It's unbelievable. Even if there was a stronger organization, it would be difficult to accomplish something like this."

"What do you mean the whole sect?" Nathan asked. "The people or the entire structure? Like the whole terrain just evaporated?"

"Oh no." Zeryn waved his hand. "Just the people disappeared. Even so, it's still terrifying."

"And how do you know about this?"

"My network," Zeryn said. "I'll tell you about that more later. After one night, all the disciples, elders, and sect leader vanished without a trace. And no one knew enough to prevent it."

"So how did you find out?"

"My intelligence source wasn't actually inside the sect, but outside. When they didn't see any disciples coming out, they went in to investigate. The formations and protective dome had all disappeared. Inside was just an empty place without a single footstep. Even the monsters were nowhere to be found."

"Teleportation?" Nathan placed his hand on his chin, thinking.

"At that scale, it would be very difficult to avoid the attention of others. Spatial fluctuations aren't something easily concealed."

"Especially when there's an organization constantly watching them," Nathan said. "The Thousand Stars Pavilion was also caught off guard?"

"Exactly. Our leadership will surely know about this soon enough."

Nathan fell silent. Inside him was a hint of dread. How effective could Zeryn's information network be that it could know things before Alaric or Darkan? Remembering his friend's gaze at Maelivar's square, as if looking at someone specific, he became even more convinced that the force behind Zeryn was no less formidable than anyone else's.

He wouldn't feel weak or distant because of this; on the contrary, he was glad. Having such backing meant Zeryn wouldn't have to worry too much about his own safety.

"How they did it, you probably don't know clearly," Nathan said. "So you must have already thought about the reason, right? A few hypotheses?"

"War," Zeryn said concisely.

Nathan's eyes widened, feeling like he was plummeting from the peak of a rollercoaster track. And this drop was from outer space.

"You gotta be kidding," he burst out.

"I wish that weren't true," Zeryn said with a fallen expression. "Believe me."

"Elaborate." Nathan straightened, focusing.

Zeryn requested a PsiLink connection. Before Nathan's eyes suddenly appeared various screens, charts, drawings, and icons prepared beforehand. It looked no different from a detective's analysis board.

"What do you understand about the Obsidian Fang Sect?" Zeryn asked.

After some thought, Nathan replied, "From what I can see, they're being isolated. Not just under the influence of a Tier 6 from The Thousand Stars Pavilion."

"Why do you say 'not just'?" Zeryn continued asking like a guiding teacher.

"Because of our own Verdant Spire Sect," Nathan continued. "Though outwardly allies, clearly we don't have any deep connections. The Shifting Trials showed everything—not a single disciple from our side helped the Obsidian Fang Sect. They left empty-handed. From what I know, this is unprecedented in history. From your story about them antagonizing The Thousand Stars Pavilion before, Obsidian's current situation faces difficulties from the older generation's leadership down to this generation's youth. So the future looks quite bleak for Obsidian."

"Drawing such conclusions from just a little information is quite good." Zeryn gave a thumbs up. "They're isolated, that's certain. They're under the oppression of one of the strongest organizations. A situation absolutely no one wants to get caught in. And you know what cultivators are like."

"Once you strike, you must strike at the root," Nathan said with a slight frown.

"Exactly."

Zeryn raised two fingers to zoom in on a chart. It showed comprehensive data about the Obsidian Fang Sect, from revenue to disciple registrations to rankings in recent events. Though it looked complex, a clear downward trend was visible. On all fronts.

"They had a moment when they turned the situation around a bit," Zeryn said, pointing to the chart section that went up a few years ago, "when they allied with the Verdant Spire Sect. But our Sect Leader is a cunning old fox."

Nathan immediately covered his friend's mouth with his right hand, eyes wide, his left hand pointing toward Darkan's basement.

Zeryn hunched his neck, nodding repeatedly.

"Our Sect Leader is a wise, talented, knowledgeable, perfect person—"

"Too much," Nathan grumbled.

"Anyway, we did that just to keep the Obsidian Fang Sect stable. But they quickly realized their situation when the survival indicators of an organization declined. The Shifting Trials were their final test."

"A test for what?" Nathan asked.

"To take a desperate gamble," Zeryn answered.

This time, the charts changed again, showing a timeline of different periods between organizations. The Verdant Spire Sect appeared somewhere around the time the Kingdom of Caelindor was established, about three hundred years ago. Obsidian had been there much longer. All the names appeared in full.

"You see," Zeryn explained, "sects or organizations being eliminated is normal. People coming and going is as common as daily meals. The problem is that the Obsidian Fang Sect has a history long enough to make everyone wary. That's why The Thousand Stars Pavilion hasn't led an expedition to destroy them yet."

Then Zeryn returned to Obsidian's overall decline.

"So what needed to be done was wear it down, make it weak. Through years, decades, centuries. And this plan succeeded. The Obsidian Fang Sect suddenly became a fat prey not just for The Thousand Stars Pavilion. Other forces would get involved. That's why even disciples were isolated in The Shifting Trials."

"They were driven to a dead end, so they had to gamble," Nathan assessed.

Zeryn temporarily pushed away the screens, facing his friend.

"But by disappearing? Of course not. My biggest hypothesis is that they found backing."

"Your face looks so troubled, you don't have any clue who it might be, do you?" Nathan tilted his head.

"That's exactly right," Zeryn said seriously. "Because what the Obsidian Fang Sect took wasn't just disciples. But also their treasure. Like the Verdant Spire, Obsidian Fang has also vanished without a trace."

Nathan recalled information about this powerful artifact. Supposedly, it was one of the most powerful weapons in all of Caelindor, capable of withstanding a full-force attack from a Tier 6.

"Why don't you think this is the work of a Tier 7 or Tier 8?" Nathan spoke up.

Zeryn made a disgusted face. "Though I really hate our Emperor, there are ways for them to prevent that from happening. It's taboo when a Tier 8 clashes with another Tier 8's territory. To do that, before you know it, it could be the end of this whole continent."

Nathan pressed his lips together. Just thinking about what the Ehyrian Empire had done to him made his desire for revenge grow. However, it seemed there were still many limits he didn't know about.

Seeing his friend's expression, Zeryn cleared his throat.

"The main issue is who the Obsidian Fang Sect has cooperated with. I'm waiting for information from other places, but I suspect it won't be anyone within Caelindor."

"You mean an entire nation is backing an organization?"

"That, or this is a decoy to mislead."

Zeryn began pulling at his hair, squinting in his thoughts. He waved his hand up, once again bringing up the geographical map of various countries. He circled a region.

"Caelindor belongs to twelve vassal states of Ehyrian," Zeryn said. "Simply put, all twelve countries formed around the power center belonging to the Emperor."

Zeryn pointed outside this circle.

"Next to the Ehyrian Empire are the Arxian Empire and Umbral Dominion."

Another zoom and adjustment to clearly see Caelindor's position.

"You see," Zeryn said, "Caelindor borders four countries, with half the land adjacent to the emperor's territory. On the remaining sides, we have Thyralden to the northeast, Mirothea to the east, Kelthara and Astenmoor respectively to the south and southwest. Among these, Thyralden, Mirothea, and Astenmoor all belong to the Ehyrian Empire. Kelthara belongs to the Arxian Empire."

"So Kelthara is the highest suspect?" Nathan asked like a student answering.

"Completely opposite," Zeryn firmly waved his hand. "Kelthara is the first to be eliminated from the list. Because they belong to a different Empire. Our Emperor wouldn't let that happen."

"What do you mean?" Nathan frowned. "Shouldn't the Emperor protect the vassal states? You're implying that within Ehyrian, they fight each other internally."

Zeryn snapped his fingers. "Exactly. Conflict from the Arxian Empire isn't ruled out. But I lean more toward the other three countries: Thyralden, Mirothea, and Astenmoor. Because they have the Emperor's permission."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Permission to fight each other?" Nathan couldn't believe it.

"That's right. Having subject nations tear each other apart is one of the easiest ways to manage them. The Emperor just needs to send the Judge of The War to render final judgment. All sides benefit."

"Benefit? War is beneficial?"

"When has it not been?" Zeryn asked back as if it were obvious. "It's a tool of those in power. Competing for resources is unavoidable in the cultivator world. Only this way can special individuals be born and grow strong. And the weak also have their opportunities."

"And you're okay with that?" Nathan asked slowly.

"Yes." Zeryn's voice was certain.

Taking a deep breath, Nathan held it for a full minute to calm his mind. He knew once again that the contrasting thoughts from Earth were clashing with what was considered normal here.

He looked around, his gaze falling on the weights, sandbags, and training equipment around him. Wasn't everything around him already preparing for killing, survival, and competition?

Nathan exhaled, a long breath like separating a whole lifetime. Inside him, it was as if he had to lock away the old Nathan in a corner.

"If they want to attack, where would they attack?" Nathan became focused again. "And why would they want to wage war with Caelindor?"

"Caelindor is arguably the most livable place among the four kingdoms. If we consider lack of cultivation resources, we're left with Mirothea and Thyralden. One kingdom that's all desert, and one kingdom that's only mountains and snow."

Astenmoor was removed by Zeryn like a piece of cake from the display screen. The borders of the three countries lit up, winding like different colored snakes on the map.

"If Thyralden attacks, they'd have to cross The Great Lake to reach Caelindor or take the mountain route. The Great Lake belongs to Nethyros. Even if successful, they'd have to enter the Emperor's land before reaching Caelindor. Such a roundabout way is too obvious, laborious, and wasteful. Convincing Nethyros to ally would be quite difficult. Even if they got through, they'd encounter the territory of Azure Lake Academy. Not wise."

"So they only have the option of going through the mountain pass to Goldspire Junction to their South," Nathan squinted, reading the text appearing on the map. "This is also a strategic location, blocking a trade route for all three nations."

A golden triangle was placed by Zeryn at the border between Caelindor and Thyralden.

"Next is Mirothea, the desert kingdom. This place is even harsher than Thyralden. The cultivators born here can be said to share a common religion. They fight precisely because they want to become stronger at any cost. Only this way can they block enemies from the remaining directions that don't border Caelindor. The territories belonging to The Umbral Dominion."

Nathan pulled up information about the Umbral Dominion. When he read the description, he was stunned.

"The Umbral Dominion uses Demon Energy?"

Zeryn looked at his friend in confusion. Nathan's face was currently changing constantly between panic, disbelief, and shock.

"Yeah, so?" Zeryn asked. "Those born and raised in the Umbral Dominion are a bunch of lunatics. They use everything they can get their hands on. And Mirothea is the defense line against them. Because even if they step onto Mirothea's territory, the Umbral Dominion forces still collapse when the heat burns water and blood. Without withstanding a few years, the Umbral Dominion army also falls. Because of lifespan—"

"Very short." Nathan completed the sentence for his friend.

Then he looked seriously at Zeryn.

"Is there any possibility of connection to the Umbral Dominion?"

"What do you mean?" Zeryn stiffened, sensing something ominous.

Nathan then recounted the events at Emberwood. This information hadn't had time to spread widely because everything had happened quite quickly. The police side might still be establishing reports before official conclusions. Even if they did, Nathan figured the matter would be suppressed, keeping everything quietly resolved.

At the same time, he didn't mention being able to use Demon Energy, or nora. When still in the basement, Darkan and Alaric had been very careful about this issue. So even though he trusted his friend, he still needed to be cautious. Without a secure communication method, he shouldn't be reckless.

The features on Zeryn's face wrinkled together.

"So that party wasn't a welcome party," Zeryn said bitterly. "But a celebration of the plague, an offering to the gods, celebrating the day of revelation."

"Pretty much so," Nathan said wearily.

"Poor Gideon." Zeryn shook his head.

The swordsmanship genius tapped his hand on the table, his gaze contemplative again with the screens before him.

"We won't be able to understand how demons could penetrate so deeply," Zeryn analyzed, "and hide for so long. But one thing is certain—this plan was seeded from ancient times. Only recently has some factor appeared that made them act."

"Not Gideon?" Nathan wondered.

"Most likely," Zeryn answered. "If you hadn't participated, that demon would have hidden in Gideon's body. Emberwood village would have been completely erased without a trace. Like—"

Zeryn stopped, his eyes widening as he stared into the air in disbelief.

Nathan didn't see this, thinking he needed to complete the sentence, so he spoke up.

"Like how the Obsidian Fang Sect disappeared."

Zeryn didn't respond immediately, his eyes narrowing in calculation. After a while, he finally spoke.

"Detecting Demon Energy fluctuations was because you caused a fight. Otherwise, it could have been completely concealed. Without any clues."

"But would the Obsidian Fang Sect really connect with the Umbral Dominion? Bringing such dangerous entities deep into a territory full of civilians?"

"When driven to a dead end, you don't know what a person might do. But you make a good point. This connection is too weak. The incident at Emberwood had been rooted for hundreds of years. If the Obsidian Fang Sect was really brewing this plan, it's too far-fetched. The Umbral Dominion has always been clashing with both the Ehyrian and Arxian Empires anyway. Is there really a connection between these two events?"

Nathan stood up, stretched his back, and walked to stand before the map.

"I think we should consider the immediate situation. Looking at terrain, motives, and connections to the Umbral Dominion, how would Mirothea attack?"

Zeryn also stood shoulder to shoulder with Nathan, waving his hand to place triangle icons.

"First, through the Silverrun River angling toward southeastern Caelindor," Zeryn said. "They could march by both water and land routes. Mirothea's army would love this when near such abundant water sources. The Silverrun River would be like a paradise they want to reach."

"But this is war, so the commanders wouldn't want their troops to become complacent."

"That's why we have the second target. A place where both of us have unpleasant memories. Especially you."

"Maelivar," Nathan said bitterly.

Below the icon Zeryn placed, the drawing of the square city appeared in gray-black with floating architecture above for air defense.

"Though not too close to the border," Zeryn continued, trying to help Nathan not dwell on discomfort too much, "Maelivar is a strategic position. Once captured, it would be easy to supply and then expand in different directions. Speaking objectively, Maelivar is the most inviting place for enemies. Including Thyralden. So the hypothesis remains a hypothesis. One more dangerous possibility than all others is that both Thyralden and Mirothea are involved, wanting to take a good piece of meat from Caelindor. Whoever possesses Maelivar will have a long-term economy. Initially, recovery will be needed, but this place isn't just a low-level gathering spot. You saw last time—several Tier 7s also appeared."

Nathan began mimicking Zeryn, scratching his head repeatedly, making his hair tangled.

"But Maelivar won't fall easily," Nathan said. "I saw their army was all fierce. Their technology is also superior." He pointed to the distance between Maelivar and the border with Mirothea. "This distance is also no small problem."

Zeryn nodded.

"With the world situation covered by PsiLink networks, it's very difficult to execute attack campaigns on Caelindor. It's not without reason that the Sect Leader chose this place for the Verdant Spire Sect. Not only does it have a friendly environment, but the location is also advantageous. Clashes won't be easily executed at all, regardless of the enemy's greed or hatred."

"So there won't be war?" Nathan asked hopefully.

Zeryn burst into laughter, patting his friend's shoulder.

"I really hope the Obsidian Fang Sect disappeared without any consequences for us. Whether they were thrown to the Umbral Dominion or whatever. But I wouldn't bet on that. You know who the most persistent enemies are?"

"Ourselves," Nathan slumped his face and said. "Don't tell me we're not cultivators too."

"Haha." Zeryn clutched his stomach, swaying. "Living long for what if not to vent one's anger on those who caused it? The Obsidian Fang Sect basically appealed to all of Caelindor. And all of us turned a blind eye. Though Alaric has made many right choices, I'm not sure about this one."

"You're really outspoken," Nathan snorted, then his voice still clung to hope. "But it won't happen that quickly. War can't just come suddenly like that, right?"

"War coming suddenly is the first step to success," Zeryn said coldly. "That means the aggressor has succeeded in getting ahead of everyone, their schemes working right under the enemy's eyes. In the past, just because of one noble's life, a country could rage war against another due to a leader's personal decision. And we're facing collective will."

"For cultivation resources," Nathan said lifelessly.

"I really hope it's not like that. I really do, Nate. What we need to do now is prepare for the worst-case scenario."

Nathan couldn't close his eyes for sleep for the next few days. Every time he closed his eyes, the events at Emberwood came flooding back. The cries of the children and their dark future kept him awake. Especially after breaking through to Tier 2 Spirit Cultivation, his need for sleep had decreased significantly. Combined with Physical Cultivation, even without those moments of lying still, he didn't feel tired either physically or mentally.

The Obsidian Fang Sect matter was still being debated between him and Zeryn. After dismissing suspicions about Maelivar, both gradually found other possible options if enemies were to attack. The map on both their PsiLinks was now dense with notes, attached images, and the pros and cons of each attack direction.

Both concluded to set the matter aside to gather more information.

Darkan sent word that Gideon had been moved to special care. When asked, Darkan took a long silent moment before confirming that the Obsidian Fang Sect incident was true. At the same time, the Emberwood incident was being tightly controlled rather than letting the public know widely. Nathan was therefore not sought out, though the court was still fiercely searching for the source of the incident, but had to act carefully and secretly.

Nathan spent time cultivating a bit, using the combination of nora and mana. When using it combined with essence, he found the growth speed much faster. When nora was almost gone, he had reached phase 1.5 in just a few days.

A week after the Emberwood incident, the sect staff announced that Gideon had awakened from his coma.

Nathan immediately went to visit the unluckiest young man he had ever known.

Gideon was positioned sitting up, leaning against pillows behind his back in a completely closed and isolated sick room. Though not revealing that Gideon was infected with demon energy, Alaric had instructed the doctors and nurses to be strictly preventive.

When Nathan entered, he was stopped but after recognizing his position and Alaric's prior instructions, they let him in.

Once inside the room, Nathan could observe Gideon clearly. The young man now possessed lifeless eyes, staring straight ahead without moving, even when Nathan entered. His head was completely bald, or more accurately, all the hair on his body had fallen out. His whole body looked even thinner and more haggard than when he was first brought back to the Verdant Spire Sect. His hands and feet were covered with various tubes for nutrients, with veins that seemed ready to burst from the weak, pale white skin, while Gideon before had been a healthy young man with tanned skin.

Nathan pulled up a chair and sat down beside him.

"Hello, Gideon," he began.

Hearing his voice, Gideon finally blinked, his head slowly turning, his mouth dry and voice hoarse when he spoke.

"Nathan, when did you arrive?"

"Just got here," Nathan replied. "How are you feeling?"

Gideon didn't answer, his gaze once again becoming distant. Outwardly, those two black pupils were looking at Nathan, but it was as if looking toward some distant place.

Nathan sat quietly, giving his once teammate of just a few days time to process.

After a minute of silence, Gideon spoke again, the sound escaping his throat as lifeless whispers.

"Since waking up, I can't sleep, Nathan. And I don't know who to talk to about this except you."

"You can talk to me," Nathan said.

Gideon adjusted his gaze. Only now was he actually looking at the person sitting across from him.

"I can still hear them." Gideon's eyebrows furrowed, his nose wrinkling in pain. "You know, the villagers. Elder An, Taru, the aunts and uncles who used to help me. They scream. They curse. They wail. And all that hatred. For me."

"No, not you," Nathan quickly said. "They were just misguided."

"But the son should bear the sins of his parents, right? That hatred is for the person who gave birth to me. I know. But it's still so real. Like I can touch it. And it burns me."

A sob escaped with Gideon's words. He closed his eyes. When he opened them again, it was a barren gray desert.

"It's too much," Gideon said tremblingly. "I cannot bear it. I just want them to tear me apart and let me go. Even in pieces. That would be nicer. Don't you think?"

Nathan's eyes didn't blink, recognizing what Gideon was saying. He was being reproached for interfering, for not letting Gideon die.

Nathan clenched his hands. He didn't know what to say in this situation. He had never had to comfort someone in such a predicament. The responsibility wasn't his, but his conscience stirred when thinking of abandoning the young man who had given up on life before his eyes.

"I saved the kids like you asked," Nathan said after remembering what he needed to do.

Gideon's eyes stirred when he heard this.

"I couldn't save everyone, but most have been treated," Nathan continued. "Gideon, the children need you. More than anyone, you understand them best. This vicious cycle can only be ended by you. If you really believe in the absurd idea that children pay for their parents' sins, then this is your chance. To make everything right."

Gideon's skeletal hands moved, gripping the white blanket tightly, making the white canvas show wrinkles like a whirlwind.

"I came here because I wanted to do one more thing." Nathan moved closer, placing his hand on Gideon's. "You can't hear Meida's voice in your mind, can you?"

"How do you know?" Gideon startled.

"Because she wasn't dead when you were transformed," Nathan smiled. "She tried to stop everything. And most importantly, she truly loved you."

Gideon stared blankly, clearly not believing what Nathan said.

Seeing this, Nathan sent the video he had recorded on PsiLink to Gideon.

Gideon's hazy, shimmering eyes showed he was watching and rewatching the last words of the woman from Emberwood village.

Nathan withdrew his hand, sitting quietly in one place, waiting.

After a while, Gideon exhaled, his lips trembling as he spoke. "Thank you, Nathan! And I'm sorry for blaming you."

"So what do you plan to do now?"

"I really don't know." Gideon shook his head. "They say I need to reignite my core. I thought, what's the point? I just wanted to lie still somewhere."

"But now it's different?"

"That's right." Gideon nodded. "I still have the children to take care of. The villagers used me. But I have to learn from Meida, show them a way out of this."

Nathan continued talking with Gideon for a few more sentences before leaving.

Through the glass door when looking back, he saw Gideon collapse, clutching his chest and crying in anguish.

He turned and walked away, more determined than ever about the new mission assigned to him by Alaric and Darkan.

He needed to return to investigate the secrets related to Demon Energy along with the direct disciple of the Sect Leader himself.