Nobunaga Oda's Isekai Cultivation Experience

After a few minutes of experimentation, Nobu was able to learn quite a bit about his personalized storage dimension. First and foremost, anything pressed against the screen whenever the app was opened would be placed at the exact center of the room. Furthermore, by holding onto the items he placed within, he was able to enter alongside them in order to reorganize things. As for taking them out, he simply needed to be touching them when he ejected his consciousness from within the storage dimension.As important as these discoveries were, it was what came after that made Nobu the most excited.Shortly after unlocking the Storage App, Nobu opened his Cultivation App to find that his Units and Upgrades list had updated to include a Vault tab. By investing the requisite amount of materials, he could upgrade both the size and structure of his storage dimension. More importantly, he could use his Aura to accelerate or slow the passage of time within. The cost was a little exorbitant, but, once he reached the Sixth or Seventh Realm, he could drastically accelerate or even stop the flow of time on the inside...Imagining the possibilities his storage dimension had opened up, Nobu didn't notice when a light knock emanated from outside the sliding bamboo door. It was only when a soft voice reached his ears that he came back to his senses, answering, "Come in." in a commanding tone.Orienting the stone tablet so that the display was facing the entrance, Nobu waited until Kadea was about to enter the room before tapping against the screen. This allowed him to confirm something pretty important, as, despite greying out, he could still make out that the girl was moving from the interior of the storage dimension. In other words, time didn't simply stop while he was inside.Emerging from the storage dimension in less time than it took the servant girl to take a single step forward, Nobu offered a practiced smile as he watched Kaede set out the food before him. Though he had asked for something light, there was salmon, rice, miso soup, steamed vegetables, and quite a number of other foods present on the marbled serving tray. The portions were a bit small but she had clearly covered all the bases so as not to upset him."Thanks. I really appreciate it."Blinking her pristine pink eyes in surprise, Kaede found herself at a momentary loss. People rarely thanked servants. This was especially true among Nobles, so, for a brief moment, she couldn't help wondering if the person seated across from her really was an intruder...Though he was a little taken aback by the petite girl's reaction, Nobu just shook his head before pulling out the Lesser Mark of the Dragon and saying, "I was told to ask you to escort me to the Dragon's Chamber once I've finished eating. This-"Seeing the intricately carved piece of jade and gold in Nobu's hands, Kaede's eyes briefly became full circles. Then, before Nobu could finish speaking, she practically leaped away from him before prostrating with such intensity that the tatami mat beneath her was visibly dented from the impact."I am prepared to receive my punishment...!"With a look of abject stupefaction on his face, Nobu stared at the prostrate girl for several seconds before closing his agape mouth and stating, "I'm not going to punish you. I mean, seriously, I just thanked you for bringing me food. Why the fuck would I punish you?"Understanding the significance of the Lesser Mark of the Dragon, Kaede kept her head pressed to the ground as she answered, "The person who carries the Lesser Mark of the Dragon possesses a status on par with the Great Lord. As I have failed to recognize Waka-sama's status, it is only right that I am to be punished. Such an egregious offense cannot be overlooked...""..."Though he had already been warned that something like this might happen, Nobu hadn't taken it seriously. The Four-Tiered Class System was such an antiquated concept that it hadn't hit him just how seriously people took it. His parents and grandfather obviously didn't care about such things so it was strange to hear someone practically begging for a punishment despite the fact they had been nothing but polite and respectful towards him..."Wanna see something cool...?"Confused by Nobu's question, Kaede remained silent for several tense moments before meekly replying, "It would be my honor..."Waiting until the girl had tentatively turned her eyes toward him, Nobu raised his hand in a casual manner as if he was about to slice downward. This caused Kaede's body to tense until he stated, "I, Oda Nobunaga, absolve you of any wrongdoings you may have perpetrated towards me. Now, stop overreacting. I'm not particularly fond of staring at the top of people's heads."Though her pupils shrank to the size of pinholes when she heard Nobu introduce himself, Kaede's training allowed her to appear calm and composed as she promptly raised her head. Then, despite feeling as though she was trapped in a room with a lion-like Aura Beast, she managed a courteous smile as she replied, "Waka-sama's mercy is without limit. This little one thanks the Young Lord for his clemency..."Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Nobu decided to focus on finish his meal before it got cold. He wasn't good with situations like this. He also had no personal feelings towards Kaede, so, while he was tempted to make conversation, a much larger part of him wanted to just finish his meal, meet up with Yui, and get the hell out of the castle. It was cool and all, but he wasn't exactly enthused by the notion of encountering hundreds of people with similar sentiments as the young servant girl.........After finishing his meal and waiting for Kaede to return his tray to the kitchen, Nobu was guided by the youthful-looking servant via word of mouth as she was unable to walk in front of him. This was more than a little annoying but it was nothing compared to the looks he received from the random people they passed along the way.With the Inner Sanctum of Inuyama Castle being among the most heavily restricted areas in the entire province, very few people were allowed to trespass its interior. Most of the people inside were female servants or monk-like Eunuchs with completely shaven heads. Thus, the moment they saw him walking ahead of Kaede, everyone Nobu encountered along the way promptly prostrated themselves.It was extremely uncomfortable.Fortunately, as Kaede's directions took him deeper and deeper into the Inner Sanctum's structure, fewer people began to appear. By the time they descended a spiral staircase connecting to a large underground hall, completely bereft of traditional Nianese elements, the only people in sight were emaciated monks with hazy white eyes reminiscent of someone with extreme cataracts.Though he was tempted to ask why there were so many monks located in the ruins beneath the castle, Nobu managed to suppress his curiosity. He hated speaking with people walking behind him. Not only was it extremely awkward, but, without Yui at his side, Nobu knew he needed to be aware of his surroundings. Even Kaede was a potential assailant, so, for the duration of the thirty-minute journey, Nobu did his best to remain hyper-focused until he saw his grandfather standing outside a set of doors even larger than the archways present in the ruins beneath Yumegakure."It's about time you showed up, brat."While Kaede bowed low enough that even a feather would send her stumbling forward, Nobu just snorted in response to Senichi's words before asking, "What is this place?"After a snort of his own, Senichi smacked his palm against the strange metallic door. In response, a pattern reminiscent of a coiling easter dragon manifested on its surface, its majestic form wreathed in golden flames."As the heir to the Oda Clan, there are certain things about us that you need to be made aware of. Before that, however, the little lass needs to go..."Confused by Senichi's words, Nobu looked behind him to find Kaede shivering nervously with her head lowered. It was only after a few seconds had passed that he realized that she was, technically, in his charge right now. In other words, his grandfather was unable to dismiss her as it was beyond rude to address someone else's attendants."You can go ahead and return. Also, thanks for showing me the way."Though she was, once again, surprised by the fact Nobu had thanked her, Kaede bowed her head multiple times, replying, "It was the greatest honor of this little one's life...!" before hastily backing away. Then, upon reaching ten meters from their position, she promptly spun on her heels before power-walking away at a speed that would have easily crushed a few records in Nobu's previous world.Returning his attention to his grandfather, Nobu asked, "What's the deal with the whole 'little one' thing...?"Ignoring Nobu's question, Senichi pushed open the massive door with one hand as he said, "Your father is waiting inside. Come.""..."Resisting the urge to turn around and follow Kaede's example, Nobu made his way through the massive set of doors to find himself in what appeared to be a large antechamber. There were a number of pillars within, each running more than 50m from floor to ceiling. At a glance, it kind of reminded him of Tokyo's underground discharge chambers, a popular tourist attraction that many believed to be J. R. R. Tolkien's inspiration for the Mines of Moria. The only difference was, rather than stone or concrete, the pillars here were comprised of the same metallic material that made up the massive doors.As if to reinforce the idea they were connected, each of the pillars erupted to life with a pattern reminiscent of a golden dragon coiling around their length. It was quite the sight to behold, but, without Yui at his side, Nobu found it hard to appreciate the chamber's beauty. It might sound a little trite, but, ever since he had professed his love for the raven-haired woman, the world around him seemed to lose its luster whenever they were apart."..."Mistaking Nobu's silence as awe, Senichi gave him a firm clap on the shoulders as he said, "This is one of the most important places in the entirety of Nian. The Imperial Family entrusted us with its protection after the great war more than six thousand years prior..."Pushing Nobu forward, a smile developed across Senichi's face as he explained, "While there are currently more than sixty Provinces, Owari has always been special as it was among the first eight formed when the Imperial Family was divvying up land and power. Put simply, Owari is one of the eight original strongholds that represented the Imperial Family's power across Nian. As for why they would entrust us with such an honor..."Stopping Nobu in his tracks, a vicious smile developed across Senichi's face as he cupped both of the former's shoulders and stated, "It's because, long before we became known as the Oda Clan, our Ancestors were known by a different name...Taira...!"Believing that Nobu had no idea who the Taira were, Senichi went on to explain, "The Taira Clan, along with the Fujiwara, Tachibana, and Minamoto Clans were the four most influential Clans prior to the war between Nian and Onigashima. However, what made us truly special is the fact that we, along with the Minamoto Clan, were descended directly from the Imperial Family. In other words, while your claim to the throne is minuscule at best, there is still a chance that you could one day become the Emperor of Nian...!"Clenching his teeth in an effort to resist the intensifying pain in his shoulders, Nobu's expression became increasingly dour in the face of Senichi's fervor. Then, in spite of his better judgment, he said, "So? Do I look like I give a fuck about being Emperor?" before following up with, "You might want to lay off the sake in the future, old man. You're starting to lose your fucking mind..."......(A/N: Bruh...)

If Nobu had spoken to any other former Daimyo that way, he might have been challenged to a duel or put to death on the spot. When Senichi heard him, however, the middle-aged man just grinned before giving the former a firm smack on the back and saying, "Good. People who conspire to steal power from others are weaklings. You will always get further in life doing the things you want to do than trying to meet the expectations of others."With that said, Senichi retracted his hand from Nobu's back before adding, "There is, however, one thing you'll need to keep in mind..."Grinding his teeth in an effort to ease the throbbing pain at the center of his back, Nobu glared at his grandfather before asking, "What?" through clenched teeth.Maintaining the same grin from before, Senichi began to walk towards the depths of the chamber as he answered, "As your power and influence increase, those in positions of authority will attempt control over you. In life, you either rule or find yourself ruled by others. Those that attempt to break free from this mold find themselves labeled as criminals, rebels, and revolutionaries...after that, you either fight to survive or die a dog's death..."Without turning to see if Nobu was following him, Senichi continued towards the depths of the massive hall. He figured that Nobu, much like his father, would need time to process everything. What he didn't expect was for Nobu to softly murmur, "What a pain in the ass..." before quickly following after him...Restraining the urge to rub his temples, Senichi maintained a stern and dauntless smile on his war-weary face as he internally mused, ("At least he's decisive...")......While Nobu was receiving a history lesson and being escorted through the Dragon's Chamber, Yui found herself in a far more precarious situation.As Nobu had made it pretty clear he intended to marry her in the future, Yui spent the entire night accompanying Nana and Nobuhime. She had even received permission to refer to Nana as her Kaa-chan, an affectionate form of address used by children when speaking to their mothers.Having lost her mother at a very early age, Yui felt a combination of guilt and happiness when Nana gave her permission to use such an affectionate form of address. This, combined with the fact that Nobuhime seemed to have taken a shine to her, filled Yui with a bevy of emotions she didn't really know how to describe.Unfortunately, just as they were preparing for bed, Yui was informed that she would be meeting with Nobu's fiancee the following morning.While she had always expected to encounter the woman at some point, Yui hadn't expected the meeting to be so sudden. According to Nana, this was to help them sort things out before Nobu got involved. This was something Yui could understand, but, at the same time, she couldn't help feeling as though she was about to enter a battlefield.Though few people had even seen Nobu's fiancee, Yui had been made intimately aware of the woman's existence ever since she was a child. Since then, she had heard countless rumors about the woman's exploits, as, despite being a widow, the Oda Clan had afforded her a tremendous amount of freedom to make decisions.Under normal circumstances, the widow of a primary descendent of the Great Noble Clans would spend the rest of their days mourning the loss of their husband. They were relegated to a position that ensured they were little more than a political hostage.A stark contrast to the norm, Nobu's fiancee, Nohime, enjoyed a relatively privileged position. Her father, Saito Dosan, was the Lord of Mino and the former rival of Oda Senken. The two had met on the battlefield numerous times in their youth, and, despite many coming to know him as the Viper of Mino, Senken had grown to respect his rival's skill and tenacity.Long before Nobu was born, Senken had defeated Dosan in a battle that should have ended in one of their deaths. Instead, Senken offered the man a drink, and, after getting completely wasted, the duo promised that if they ever became the Daimyo of their respective territories, they would forge an alliance via marrying their firstborn sons and daughters.Though Senken offered to renege on his promise after Nobu's condition became known, Dosan, who had been struggled to centralize power at the time, insisted that they move forward with the arrangement. As a result, Nohime was entrusted to the Oda Clan to conduct bridal training at the age of eight. Since then, ten years had passed.While others in her position might have grieved, Nohime had always gotten along well with Nana. The latter regarded her as a daughter, so, despite many within the clan insisting that she adhere to tradition and remain in solitude, Nohime had been allowed a number of freedoms.The problem that Yui faced was that Nohime was known to be a remarkably beautiful and devilishly clever woman. There were even rumors floating about that she was a master tactician, and, through her connection with Nana, many believed she was the one ruling Owari from behind the scenes.Only fools would ever believe such rumors, but, having received a number of warnings from her Grandmother, Yui couldn't help regarding Nohime as a dangerous existence. She may not be the shadow ruler of Owari but she had managed to accrue a veritable fortune through her business enterprises. This was in spite of the fact she couldn't leave the capital, so, while most would regard Nohime as a powerless woman with a limited cultivation base, Yui recognized her for what she truly was...Saito Nohime, the Daughter of the Mino Province's Viper.........After waiting for several minutes, Yui's body tensed ever so slightly as the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears. This was immediately noticed by Nana, who, with an amused smile on her face, teased, "Just relax, Yui-chan. No-chan might come across as cold and distant at times, but, deep down, she's a good girl. I'm sure the two of you can work something out~!"Forcing a smile, Yui appeared to relax as she politely replied, "I understand, Kaa-chan. Thank you for your words of encouragement..."Though she believed Yui was being overly polite, Nana just chalked it up to nerves. Their situations couldn't really be compared but if Senken had arranged a meeting between her and a member of his former entourage, Nana wasn't sure how she would respond. She would have readily accepted Hitomi but she never really saw eye to eye with his other kunoichi..."Pardon me, Nana-sama. I received a message saying you wished to see me...?"Dismissing her wayward thoughts, Nana adopted one of her characteristically radiant smiles as she happily exclaimed, "Come on in, No-chan! There's someone I want you to meet~!"Directing her attention to the sliding bamboo door, Yui's body, once again, tensed as she watched it slide open to reveal a remarkably beautiful woman with dark-brown hair, keen black eyes, and an attractive figure that was barely concealed by her black kimono and ivory white obi...Shifting her attention to Yui, Nohime's eyes briefly squinted as she muttered, "Yoshitsune Yui..." in a cold and distant tone.Had she encountered Nohime under normal circumstances, Yui might have bowed to the woman. After all, Nohime was, for all intents and purposes, her Lady. Were it not for Nobu's peculiarities, a meeting such as this would never have happened.Returning a practiced smile, Yui maintained a rigid posture as she replied, "It is a pleasure to see you in good health...Nohime-san..."Though her eyes briefly widened when she heard Yui's form of address, Nohime managed to stay composed as she returned a practiced smile of her own, answering, "Indeed...and with you here, it appears my hypothesis was correct. I'm assuming my revered husband is somewhere nearby...?"Clapping her hands together, Nana's smile became even more radiant as she exclaimed, "No-chan is so smart~!" in a sing-song tune.Exhaling an inaudible sigh, Nohime made her way over to the other two girls before sitting next to Nana. This made it appear as though she and Nana were on the same side while Yui was left sitting alone.Fortunately for Yui, Nana seemed to notice Nohime's intentions, a pout forming on her face as she said, "No-chan...don't be mean to Yui-chan. The two of you are going to be sisters in the future. You should at least try to get along..."Hearing Nana's words, it was Nohime's turn to tense as she directed a steely gaze towards Yui. For a brief moment, the latter thought she sensed killing intent, but, due to Nohime's cultivation being limited to the pinnacle of Iron, it wasn't very powerful."I see...it appears much has happened without me being made aware. If Kaa-chan would be so kind as to explain the situation, I would be forever grateful..."With no visible emotions on her face, Nohime appeared to regard Yui as little more than air as she shifted her attention to Nana. This caused the latter to wince, not because she was even remotely afraid of Nohime but because she felt guilty about keeping Nobu's return a secret. Nohime was, for all intents and purposes, her son's legal wife. She wasn't going to be happy when she learned that Nobu had impregnated, not one, but two women before they even had the chance to consummate their marriage...Noticing the discomfort in Nana's expression and body language, Nohime clenched her fists within her sleeves. It didn't show on her face, but she was extremely infuriated by this development. While she and Nobu had only met a single time, the latter was still her spouse. She had always suspected he was being treated in secret so she had spent the last decade strengthening her position with the expectation he would inevitably return. Finding out he had essentially been philandering while she was spending every day fulfilling her duties caused the usual cold and empty sensation in her heart to become a veritable inferno of rage and indignation...In spite of her rising emotions, Nohime appeared calm and composed as she appended, "Do not worry yourself, Kaa-chan. I do not blame you. I am certain there is a reasonable explanation for this and am more than willing to hear it. Please, speak freely. I am not some weak woman who needs to be coddled and sheltered from the truth."Though Yui was feeling even tenser after hearing Nohime's words, Nana visibly relaxed when she heard her daughter-in-law's assurance. She had always been fond of Nohime, so, while she wasn't oblivious to the enmity radiating from the woman's body, she believed the two of them would be able to work things out. After all, she knew, better than most, just how much of an effort Nohime had made to secure her current position. So long as they talked things out, they should be able to see eye to eye...Feeling hopeful, Nana regained her usual smile as she began to recount everything she had learned about Nobu's situation. Yui was a great help in this regard as she had basically been with Nobu ever since his awakening. She knew Nobu better than anyone else, so, for the better part of three-and-a-half hours, the three women discussed his nature and exploits while Nobuhime listened attentively from within her crib.........(A/N: This chapter is a little shorter than normal as I'm still recovering from the move. I also wanted to ask for everyone's opinion. At the present moment, I'm only planning for Nobu to have a total of three wives. I'm not saying he won't be promiscuous, but, once his children are born, he will mellow out quite a bit in regard to his sexual exploits. If you'd like to see a more 'active' Nobu, however, let me know in the comments section. So long as he doesn't reach Vahn level of harem, I don't mind a bit of excess. Just know there will be a lot of drama if we go that route xD...)

"Mmnngh....what the fuck...?"Waking with one of the worst hangovers he had ever experienced, the only preventing Nobu from staying in bed was the absence of Yui at his side.Taking a few deep breaths, Nobu attempted to recall what happened the previous night. He could remember talking with his old man and grandfather, but, after that, everything was a blur."I didn't expect that watery shit to kick like a donkey..."As this was far from the first time he had gotten blackout drunk, the first thing Nobu checked was his bedding. One of the first things to go when you clocked out from excessive alcohol was bladder control."At least I didn't piss myself..."Taking some small comfort in the fact his futon was dry, Nobu didn't even bother to question how he had changed into the relatively thin yukata he was currently wearing. He was far more concerned with the absence of Yui, so, after massaging his temples for a bit, he called out, "Anyone there...?"Though it was a bit slower than he was used to, Nobu was unsurprised when a soft and feminine voice answered, "Excuse me..." before sliding open the door to his room.Squinting at the petite figure through slightly blurry eyes, Nobu was able to make out that she had dark-purple hair loosely tied up in a bun, rose-pink eyes, and a dainty frame wrapped in a modest, highly constrictive purple kimono.Compared to the Kunoichi he had interacted with, the girl didn't really stand out. She gave off a kind of 'childhood friend' vibe. It was kind of like the feeling Nobu would get whenever he met a girl that grew up in a small and religious town deep in the countryside.Ignoring the other questions that had entered his mind, Nobu did his best to remain focused on the most important thing, asking, "Where's Yui...?"With a slightly fretful expression on her face, the servant-girl lowered her head to the point her bangs could sweep the floor before answering, "Forgive me, Young Master. I am not familiar with anyone named Yui..."Furrowing his brows, Nobu did his best to remain composed as he asked, "Do you know who I am?" before asking, "Where is this place...?"Without raising her head, the purple-haired girl meekly replied, "Forgive me...I have not been made aware of the Young Master's esteemed designation or title. As for your second question...this is one of the rooms reserved for extraordinary guests and personal friends of the Great Lord and Lady. It is this little one's duty to preserve the state of this room and attend the people staying within..."Since it was virtually impossible for anyone to penetrate this deep into the primary estate of one of the Great Noble Clans, the servant girl didn't bother to question Nobu's license to be there. All she knew was that the room was occupied when she came by to complete her morning chores, so, with no other servants posted outside, she gently closed the door before sitting down and awaiting the occupant's summons.Feeling his headache worsen, Nobu pulled out the stone tablet to confirm that Yui wasn't injured or under the influence before running his hand through his hair, exhaling a sigh, and asking, "What's your name, kid...?""This lowly one's name is F-Fuwa Kaede..."Raising his brows, Nobu asked, "What kind of family name is Fufuwa...?" before shaking his head and adding, "Whatever. It doesn't really matter. You can raise your head."Though she wanted to correct the misunderstanding, Kaede's instincts were telling her that the person in front of her wasn't someone she should offend. He gave off a similar impression to the Great Lord, and, now that she was able to get a better look at him, there were a number of obvious similarities between the man seated before her and the more prestigious members of the Oda Clan.Seeing the fretful look on the girl's face as she kept her head slightly bowed, Nobu nearly shook his head a second time before his brain pulsed in protest. This was a tell-tale sign that he was severely dehydrated, so, before anything else, he said, "Right...Kaede...san? Mind getting me a glass of water and something to eat?"Without any hesitation whatsoever, Kaede bowed her head in a respectful manner, answering, "As you will." before backing out of the room on her hands and knees. This caused Nobu's left brow to twitch, but, having learned a bit about Noble society, he wasn't too surprised by Kaede's behavior.According to what Nobu had learned from Kumiko, a single mistake could cost a servant their life or their job. As a result, the more inexperienced maidservants went about their daily routine as if they were treading on shards of glass. Since Kaeda appeared to be around 14-15 years old, it was safe to assume she had only recently begun working as a domestic servant.If Nobu had used the stone tablet to scan her, he would have been surprised to learn that Kaede was actually twenty-three years old. She was a daughter of the Fuwa Clan, one of the Oda Clan's many retainers, so, while her cultivation base wasn't particularly impressive, it had helped to slow her aging and preserve her youthful appearance.Inexperienced attendants would never be allowed to work in the Inner Sanctum of the Inuyama Castle.Unaware that he had addressed a woman four years his senior as 'kid', Nobu decided to lay back down and focus on his breathing. Circulating Aura could drastically decrease aches and pains, so, while waiting for his water, he did his best to address his growing migraine."You're pretty shit at that, ain'tcha...?"Recognizing the voice as his grandfather's, Nobu just grunted before forcing himself to a seated position and glowering at the middle-aged man standing in the doorway. In response, Senichi just returned a cheeky grin that didn't suit his age before saying, "Once the servant gets back with your meal, have her escort you to the Dragon's Chamber. If she refuses, just show her this."Catching the thumb-sized stamp his grandfather had thrown him, Nobu's brows perked up as he asked, "Isn't this the Oda Clan's Family Seal? I don't recall agreeing to become the next Patriarch..."Snorting through his nose, Senichi quipped, "Considering you fell into an alcohol-induced coma, I don't imagine you remember much, brat."Furrowing his brows, Nobu was about to retort when Senichi just shook his head, adding, "Relax. That particular seal is known as the Lesser Mark of the Dragon. It was supposed to be entrusted to you on your eighth birthday. Unless you intend to officially disclaim your inheritance, you'll need to keep it safe. That thing is just about as important as your own life so don't lose it."Without waiting for Nobu's response, Senichi ceased leaning against the frame of the door before promptly shutting it with a loud 'tok'.Though he was briefly tempted to throw the surprisingly heavy stamp through the bamboo door, Nobu ultimately just clicked his tongue before motioning to place it into the sleeve of his yukata. Before he could, however, the stone tablet that had fallen off the side of the futon began vibrating with an intensity that couldn't be ignored."Who the fuck would message me at four in the morning...?"To Nobu's surprise, the notification on the tablet wasn't a message. When he saw what it said, his heart began pumping with increasing vigor. This caused his headache to become worse, but, no longer paying attention to that, an excited grin spread across Nobu's face as he navigated back to the home page."Hell. Fucking. Yes...!"While the icon was a little strange, resembling a vault door with a complex seal carved into it, Nobu didn't have to be a genius to understand what the app was used for. What he didn't expect was for the screen to display an empty room that appeared to be constructed from brown clay. It also had a window and a door, but, like the rest of the room, they were also pretty shitty. The window lacked a pane, and, as far as he could tell, the door was literally made from some kind of thatch material that had been woven together to produce an entrance flap..."The fuck...?"Ignoring his misgivings about the room's appearance, Nobu thumbed the screen with the hope of opening some kind of menu. Instead, he felt a wave of heat spread through his body as his stomach proceeded to perform an acrobatic routine that would make an Olympic gymnast blush.Landing, hard, on a dirty brown floor, Nobu expelled the contents of his stomach in one fell swoop. Then, despite having a pretty good idea regarding what just happened, he looked around with a stupefied expression on his face as he found himself in the same room that had appeared on the stone tablet's display...Shifting his attention to the ceiling, Nobu's expression paled as he found a massive, greyed-out version of himself staring down at him through what he assumed to be the tablet's display. There was a literal rectangular hole floating in the middle of the air, almost like someone had cut a piece out of the fabric of space-time or some other fantastical shit."Is this what I look like from below...?"Though he didn't have a double-chin or anything, Nobu couldn't help grimacing as he saw his stubble-covered face from the perspective of an ant. He wasn't exactly unpleasant to look at, far from it, but it clearly wasn't his most flattering angle.Shaking such pointless thoughts from his mind, the first thing Nobu noticed was that his migraine had magically disappeared. When he looked down, even the vomit he had ejected was nowhere to be seen. In fact, now that he was looking more closely, his body was literally fucking transparent. If he looked even closer, he could literally see his fucking veins, bones, and all kinds of other shit he couldn't even begin to describe."Well, that's fucking creepy..."Ignoring the morbid curiosity that pretty much demanded he inspect his junk, Nobu did his best to make sense of the situation. He could deduce from the persistent and somewhat stupid-looking grin on his larger self's face that time had basically stopped while he was inside the strange room. The real question was, what was the point of coming inside? He couldn't even sense his Aura, and, despite trying to call it to him multiple times, the stone tablet had yet to manifest.With nothing better to do, Nobu decided to take a look through the window rather than trying to pass through the door. This ended up being the correct decision, as, even after leaning his head through to look around, the clay chamber seemed to be floating in a white void. There was clearly some kind of oxygen present, but, when he tried to extend his hand outside the foot of the door, he could reach around to the underside of the clay room without issue."Hmmm...if this is anything like those gimmicks that appear in cultivation novels, I should be able to expand this place using my Aura or some kind of Heavenly Treasure. At the very least, I doubt it will remain a clay room..."Since there was nothing else for him to do within the room, Nobu took a moment to inspect his junk. He immediately regretted it, but, after the initial disgust, he just shook his head, accepted that his body was ugly as fuck on the inside, and moved on. More specifically, he jumped up to smack the screen that had been hovering over him even as he moved around to inspect the window and door.Experiencing another lurching sensation, Nobu expelled the contents of his stomach a second time. Fortunately, he had anticipated something like this might happen. As a result, he willed himself to hold it down before pressing the seal his grandfather had given him to the screen. It immediately disappeared into motes of bluish-white light, which, upon fading away, revealed that the seal was now sitting in the exact center of the room..."Noice..."......(A/N: He said the thing! Roll credits...!)

Chapter 120: Beneath the Surface