'Dear reader,' A small note written in some spectral ink was scrawled across the interior, taking up the entirety of the first page. The handwriting was sharp, disciple and possessed an elegance only acquired after years of personalized lessons. It wasn't domineering or submissive, but more a quiet acceptance of the way of things. At least, that's what Iori could feel through this intent. A mere shadow-no. That wasn't adequate enough, like more a long faded smell. Leaving nothing but a wisp of whoever sat down to write out this message. 'If you're just a historian or curios enough to delve in the secrets of the past, then I commend your talent. If you'd been born in my era, you would've been scooped up and turned into a core disciple of the countless high-tier sects...but if it's you, then I hope you will enjoy this gift nonetheless. A small thank you for all you've done as a bodyguard...and as a friend. Maybe this was foolish, or just the remnant feelings of a young woman who hadn't yet seen the world.'
'My name is Yamane Inono, heiress to the Lord of the First Peak. First in line and acting head of the Righteous Alliance, a Practitioner well on her way to grazing the edges of Crystalization. But if you're reading this now, it means none of that mattered. It means that our history has been erased and if they were thorough enough, there will only be scraps scattered across the globe to act as a memory of our existence. Here lies one of the core techniques that allowed my father to rise to a status akin to a walking deity. Take heed and show reverence, for many forces far stronger than I would slaughter entire bloodlines just to get a peek. But before I lay these secrets bare, I must ask something of you. After you're done reading this technique, burn it and scatter it's ashes across the four winds so that my father's honor won't be tarnished by the reckless actions of his daughter.'
'You always were too filial or your own good.'
Iori shook his head sadly, the girl had been talented. Of course she needed to be, given who her father was, but Inono could've went way farther than just head of a group of hypocrites. She didn't know the price you needed to pay to break through to the Crystallization Stage, and it probably had never been told to her even at this point. You needed to sacrifice something close you, something that tied you to this world and to use that lost to 'compress' your liquid Ki to begin transitioning over to the next state of matter.
It was why so many masters at that level often appeared so aloof and cranky, why they were so slow to act. Why so many of them clung so desperately to just one more connection in this life. Some adored alcohol, others became workaholics and more, like him, channeled his all into teaching. Nothing else made them feel...well human. Even fighting to the death barely did anything but stir something long dead within their hearts.
If Inono knew of this price…she wouldn't be able to pay it. She would be split between focusing on her filial feelings for her father or her duty to the Alliance. The conflict wouldn't happen immediately, her father was the leader after all but...would that always be the case? When would those fools turn their blades on him due to greed? That's where she would crash and burn. Why her own humanity stopped her from ever taking that next step...and maybe it was for the best.
Shaking his head, he began to really study the manual before him. Flicking over diagrams, detailed instructions on breathing, Divine Pressure movements, Ki formations and more. The sun and moon had long since completed their eternal dance thrice over. Only on the fourth day, did he finally close the manual with a heavy sigh. Shutting his eyes, he gave the reverence this technique deserved and more.
The Lord of the First Peak was a genius through and through, that couldn't be denied no matter how that thought sent a shot of bitterness spiking across his taste-buds.
The Sacred Domain Technique at it's simplest, ignorant level could be summed up as a barrier. A barrier so strong that it could repel the attention of Kami's and protect against some of the strongest attacks ever seen in this world. But if he were to go beyond that part, the technique essentially made an area in space 'you'. Tied the physical body and that space so tightly, that it became impossible to tell the difference. Like adding functional pieces to your own flesh. Granting you absolute dominion within that space.
Omniscience, Omnipresence and Omnipotence...at least theoretically.
A godlike ability but it came with a few caveats, like for one it did require the user to stay confined to that space forever more. Cursed to never wander beyond your boundary lines, to become the ultimate turtle. With such a harsh downside, it made way, way more sense why that old man never lead any wars himself...And it also explained why Iori had always felt like the man could squish him like a bug no matter what. Even after he'd been crowned The Heavenly Demon. That level of suppression wasn't done just by the old monster's stage but seemed to stem from the fact that he'd been essentially walking inside the old geezer's body the whole time.
Just the thought sent a shiver of disgust down his spine.
But other than that, the technique itself had such an exhaustive number of ingredients that it would easily bankrupt any smaller force out there within a month. Not only eating up natural treasures but also siphoning off a frankly insane level of Ki from the caster themselves. Enough to easily suck someone completely dry, especially in the beginning.
If anyone were to know he were going to attempt to use this technique…
'That sneaky crow.'
It made a lot more sense why that creature had been willing to hand over such a powerful technique, from their prospective, that would be the best time to strike out against him. Either to kill him outright or force him into some agreement that made him little better than a slave. And even if someone could fight through their combined forces, what after? Those people within that space would die immediately as the technique kicked on...but then what? He would become a stationary force, with an easily mapped out radius. Completely knocking him off the board for the next couple hundred years, forced to uselessly watch on as the world move on from and around him….Until at least he could encompass the entire world in his Domain.
How could he charge into enemies main bases and slap the big bad senseless? How could he act as an overbearing presence during a tournament arc for the youngsters? No one would dare pop their heads within in the territory, but outside of it? Most conflict would turn into screaming matches, throwing insult and insult and threats he would have no power to actually enforce.
He would truly become a paper tiger.
But, despite all these downsides, it was till a supreme technique. Something that could easily cause a faction to crop up around. And...everything there wasn't entirely useless.
Not only did he have a turtle of a disciple, some of the contents here gave him a few ideas. Some nefarious and downright horrendous ideas.
Just the ideas of his foes falling to their knees with tears streaking down their faces, caused an all too familiar smile to spread across his own. If his rivals of old could see it right then, they would probably flee in all directions. That old man would probably rise from the grave just to have a heart attack and maybe even the Heavens themselves wouldn't hesitate to strike him down where he sat.