Chapter 186 Tax Collector Inala
Chapter 186 Tax Collector Inala
The Prime Skill of Empyrean Extraction caused the target's Spirit Container to shatter, making their Prana surge into their head and result in the brain's collapse. The Prana would then seep through each brain cell, absorbing the data stored in all.
Like a storm, this Prana would slam into the skull, embedding the information into it, similar to how a Mammoth Clansman inscribed information into a Bone Slip using the Bone Slip Skill. The result was the creation of a special Bone Slip that contained all the target's information, the majority of which were unknown to even the target.
Any genetic defects they possessed, potential illness, subconscious bias, habits, emotional tendencies, the weight of every single organ, its genetic makeup, etc. Pretty much everything the target possessed, down to their genetic data was encoded into this special Bone Slip.
But it couldn't be accessed normally. If Inala were to access it like he did with a Bone Slip, his brain would explode. After all, when a Mammoth Clansman used the Bone Slip Skill, all the information in the Bone Slip was instantly inscribed onto their mind.
Using the same on this special Bone Slip would cause so much information to be inscribed onto his mind that it would collapse instantly. It was impossible to handle the entirety of data that belonged to someone.
Hence, Inala derived a second Skill by basing it on the Empyrean Slip Prime Skill and parts of the Imprint Acceptance Skill. The result was a Bone Slip Skill with a filter.
Prime Skill—Mind Slip!
Similar to when Inala used the Empyrean Slip Prime Skill on the previous Gannala and entered her mind space, capable of seeing the troves of information she had accumulated, the Mind Slip Skill allowed the information within the skull to be displayed similar to a mind space.
Inala would enter this mind space where all the information would be present in clusters, with each cluster pertaining to a specific data. He would only access the necessary clusters and avoid the rest.
This protected his mind. Moreover, he could use these skulls as data banks for future reference. That would allow him to work on greater projects in the future.
Battalda was an Information Officer. Therefore, the level of information available with him would trump everyone else in Ellora City, except for probably Gudora.
Closing his eyes, Inala accessed Battalda's skull, arriving at the respective mindspace to observe large heaps of information clusters. They weren't as ginormous as the previous Gannala, but were still significant enough.
'I need a detailed map of this region, from Ganrimb Kingdom to Brimgan Empire.' He thought, watching his figure within the mindspace move towards a certain cluster. Once he touched it, the information cluster was absorbed into his body.
A second later, it was inscribed into his mind. Inala took some time to go through them, smiling in response at the detailed map he had obtained, 'This makes travelling to the Brimgan Empire a lot easier.'
He used Empyrean Extraction Prime Skill on the other two Information Team members and obtained their Skulls too. "This isn't enough."
After enduring a week's torture, Inala was bloodthirsty, despite his inhibitions towards such an act. His logical side told him to use Empyrean Extraction on everyone of importance in the Ganrimb Kingdom using the opportunity when they were getting hunted by the Centingers.
His humane side though, opposed it, preventing him from treading such a demonic path. Originally, his humane side was stronger, as when push came to shove, he ended up listening to it.
When baby Gannala was born, he could have simply launched her somewhere else and made the Boar King chase after her. By the time he catches up to her and devours her, the herd would have escaped to another location. He would remain in safety.
But his humane side won, which was why he placed himself in danger in order to lure the Boar King his way and also took it upon himself to raise baby Gannala, despite the hardships.
His humane side was also why he didn't try to take advantage of people like Ruvva. With his smarts and cunning, he could have done a better job in wringing Ruvva dry for all her worth.
There were others too in the 44th Settlement, facing their respective challenges. He could have led them on with his knowledge from Sumatra Chronicles and used them for his benefit. He had the capability to do so.
But he didn't, because that wasn't humane. Inala's goal wasn't to become an unrivalled existence and remain at the top of the food chain, but alone. No, a mere six years of a shut-in life on Earth was exhausting enough. He didn't enjoy living like that.
He wanted to be with others, share fun times together, etc. He wanted a social life and not remain alone with cultivation being the only thing he did. His goal in Sumatra was to explore the continent one day, freely. Experience new sights daily, fight new Pranic Beasts from time to time, record his observations through elaborate paintings, etc.
Adventure!
He craved that. If he were to give in to the demonic way, the adventuring option would no longer be available. Because, everywhere he goes, he would only be focusing on ways to take advantage of the region, the Pranic Beasts, etc. to strengthen himself further.
That life would exhaust him quickly. It was why, despite there being easier paths to take, Inala chose ones that he was comfortable with.
Normally, that was the case. But whenever his emotions were pushed to the extreme, his humane self would take a back seat. It happened the first time when he came to understand what Granny Oyo had done.
In anger, he shattered her skull. It was only because she had forced herself on him.
During the night of the incident, had she flirted with him a bit and made a move openly, he would have been happy to oblige, for he was straight up simping for her. Sex would have been perfect. But Granny Oyo chose rape instead. As a result, pushing Inala to the extreme.
And now, was the second time. He hadn't slept for a week, having had to constantly keep his Prana Domination Skill active and endure intense migraines every time Battalda used his ability.
Inala intended to leave Ellora City before the Millinger Catastrophe started but was instead hindered by Gudora's attack. As a result, he had to send Asaeya and baby Gannala into the wilds alone.
Even though they were accompanied by Empyrean Zingers, nothing could be said with guarantee. If a Gold Grade Pranic Beast were to attack them, they would be wiped out, rendering all his sacrifices a waste.
He had contributed significantly to Ellora City's development. He raised many people from poverty, brought business to the city, helped many cultivators reach the Body Stage, and even turned cultivators from important families, like the City Councillor's son into a genius by imparting him valuable Skills.
He did all that and what was the result? A wrench in his plans, endangering everything he sacrificed to maintain, and a week's worth of mental and physical torture.
"Not worth it, not in the least worth it." His sleepless eyes were red, not turning normal even with Lifeforce infusion. He burst out of his prison cell and turned his head to stare at the guards rushing his way, "I need to be paid."
"For everything."