《The Ultimate Passive Paradigm [LitRPG Adventure, Epic Progression]》


 Chapter 1

    By this time tomorrow, I''ll probably be expelled, Nathan thought miserably, fighting against drowsiness after a sleepless night.


    Nathan had to accept he was incompetent. Well, at least in this world. Two years had passed, and he was still stuck at Tier 1, Phase 2.5. The final exam before expulsion was tomorrow. There seemed to be no way to avoid the inevitably poor results.


    The average disciples from his cohort had all reached at least Tier 1, Phase 5¡ªthe minimum threshold to pass the exam¡ªor could unleash attacks matching that power level. Given the sect''s rigorous entrance screening, this effectively made Nathan the weakest individual in his entire recruitment batch.


    Initially rated as "Above Average Potential," he''d received considerable expectations and support. But gradually, his fatal weakness¡ªpoor absorption of the ''Initial Advancing Pill,'' a drug specifically formulated for Tier 1 to absorb necessary energy and advance through Phases¡ªbecame glaringly apparent. People began relegating him to the list of failures. None of the teachers he''d encountered had answers for his abysmal conversion rate. Higher-tiered individuals, like those at Tier 3 or Tier 4, didn¡¯t even bother with a mere Outer Disciple like him.


    Each Tier required nine Phases to advance to the next, signifying an individual''s increase in power. At Nathan¡¯s current absorption rate, it would take him at least eight more years to qualify for Tier 2¡ªa timeline no one would wait for or invest in. That estimate was optimistic, given that later Phases would prove even more challenging to cultivate.


    "Nathan!" the combat instructor called out.


    Nathan jolted from his brooding thoughts, rising from beneath the tree where he''d been resting to approach Instructor Maxim.


    Maxim was one of the few instructors who still valued his other qualities. His ability to absorb theoretical knowledge consistently ranked him among the top students. Moreover, his execution of cultivation methods, combat techniques, and various skills was exemplary. He trained with twice the normal intensity to enhance his physical capabilities and flexibility. In terms of pure skill, few could match his mastery of the Force Fist, Palm, and Kick trio.


    "Spar with Frank," Maxim said, gesturing to a young lad of about sixteen. The boy''s dark brown hair was disheveled from previous exercises.


    Frank bowed respectfully to Nathan. ¡°I look forward to your guidance, senior!¡±


    Nathan returned the gesture. From his assessment, Frank had already reached Tier 1, Phase 3. Nathan remained confident he could face the boy, drawing on his year of experience as Maxim''s Teaching Assistant.


    Looking into his opponent''s bright, lively eyes, Nathan couldn''t help but feel how old and distant he was at twenty-four. When he''d arrived in this world, he''d already been a twenty-two-year-old university graduate. His existential crisis back on Earth did little to prepare him for this strange, unforgiving place.


    Both took their stances, eyes locked on each other. Nathan deduced Frank would focus on palm techniques based on how he spread his fingers.


    As predicted, Frank advanced with a Force Palm aimed at Nathan''s chest. Nathan lightly jumped backward to avoid it, but not so far as to create too much distance. He used his left hand to deflect Frank''s arm to the side, making it difficult for his opponent to strike with his right. For his part, Nathan launched a Force Fist towards Frank''s shoulder. With a swift motion, Frank ducked, wrenching his hand free and unleashing both Force Palms at Nathan''s flank.


    As the blow neared, Nathan arched his body to barely evade, simultaneously sweeping his leg against the young boy''s shins. Frank tumbled to the ground, his hair becoming even messier as dust billowed up from the earth.


    Nathan stepped forward to help his inexperienced opponent to his feet. Frank accepted with a smile.


    "Great fight!" Frank said.


    "You almost hit me there right on the ribs," Nathan admitted.


    Frank scratched his head, thinking it was mere encouragement. But it was Nathan''s heartfelt truth. Though only half a Phase apart, the gap in reaction speed had been laid bare. If not for experience and anticipating the move before his opponent struck, Nathan would have lost. Normally, a two-year student at Verdant Spire Sect should have decisively defeated a six-month novice in the first exchange.


    "Go rest, Frank," Maxim said.


    Then the instructor turned to Nathan.


    "Still haven''t decided, kid?"


    Nathan glanced at the muscular man with his crew cut and facial scars. One could remove them, but Maxim viewed them as badges of honor from his younger days.


    "Not yet, sir," he replied.


    "Tomorrow''s the deadline. You won''t get another chance, boy," Maxim shook his head, unsure what advice to give since he''d already said everything he could.


    This was the very issue Nathan had been mulling over since morning. Verdant Spire Sect had two ways of dealing with incompetent outer disciples after the two-year program. One was to record their debt and expel those without potential outright. The other was still to record the debt but incorporate them into the sect''s network for menial, everyday tasks for the sect or related organizations. Both cases required repayment of tuition fees, calculated in equivalent mana stones. It was like an installment plan. The second option was more relaxed, especially in not having to worry about income when everything was arranged by superiors. But this was also seen as the end of one''s cultivation path, with no more time, energy, or resources to invest. Given the students'' weakness and near-zero future possibility on the path to power, it wasn''t a terrible choice. Jessica had accepted this direction when her potential was assessed as ''Below Average.'' Eclipse Academy had secured her an internship at a nearby pharmaceutical company after her poor first-year test results.


    For Nathan, both options were dreadful. Especially when he hoped to keep his promise to return to Earth with Jessica, who''d been brought to this world because of him. Moreover, he had a mother suffering from Familial Alzheimer''s all alone. Every night, he prayed for her safety and that she''d wait for her only son''s return. At least that she''d still remember him. The only way to accomplish that was to become stronger. From the information he''d gathered, high-Tier individuals could sense space and influence it to connect regions and worlds. Thus, they could teleport through portals or construct interstellar transit stations.


    Despite these concerns, Nathan wasn''t immune to thoughts of accepting his fate, becoming an ordinary person in this world. Even if he miraculously passed the exam, the sect would only grant him one more year of benefits. After that, all expenses would be self-funded, with only library access and teacher instruction rights remaining. But given the calculated minimum of 8 years to reach Tier 2, one year was woefully insufficient.


    What made him hesitate endlessly was the system given to him. This world had no shortage of ''travelers'' from other realms. To address information discrepancies, the world''s will had established system interfaces tailored to each individual''s experience¡ªbe it a game interface, mobile app interface, or spreadsheet¡ªto describe stats and guide them. Jessica had activated such a system without any hiccups. Only Nathan was peculiar. He''d received a quest.


    Welcome you to the new world!


    Your first quest: explore this world while the system initializes.


    The notification had remained unchanged for two years. He didn''t know the completion conditions or when the system would truly manifest. He could only hope that the abnormality of his situation would bring an unexpected opportunity¡ªa glimmer of hope that might lead him toward the higher Tiers.


    "Wanna spar, scrub?" a sneering voice interjected between Maxim and Nathan.


    Nathan looked up to meet a pair of green eyes regarding him with disgust. The youth''s hair was golden locks gleaming in the afternoon sun, his pale skin and pristine attire a stark contrast to Nathan''s worn uniform. Behind him stood a small group of other outer disciples, most having enrolled later and younger than Nathan.


    "Watch your mouth, Elen!" Maxim growled.


    Elen raised his hands in mock submission, but anyone could see he wasn''t sincere.


    "I just thought someone should quickly check the restrooms. They''re really stink right now. If someone finishes class early, the bathrooms get cleaned sooner. You benefit too, don''t you?"


    Maxim said nothing more, merely tilting his head towards Nathan, signaling it was his decision. He''d fulfilled his duty as a teacher. Disciples couldn''t always rely on help.


    This wasn''t the first time Nathan had been insulted, but it might be the last. Tomorrow he''d be expelled, so being a little reckless today was permissible.


    "Would you mind overseeing the match, Instructor Maxim?" he asked, guarding against Elen going too far.


    Maxim was surprised, not expecting Nathan to be so bold today. Normally, the boy would politely decline and tactfully leave to do other sect chores. Thinking of tomorrow''s fateful day, Maxim understood somewhat. Perhaps Nathan wanted to challenge himself one last time, or more likely, needed a final warning about the power gap to extinguish any lingering dreams. He felt the latter was what the poor boy truly aimed for.


    Elen didn''t bother with the customary greeting ritual on the training ground. Nathan still performed it fully. Contempt was for the strong; the weak must always be humble. His opponent had reached Phase 6. No one would criticize his behavior.


    Nathan''s mood was a jumble of frustration and disappointment as he took his stance before Elen. The boy, having just turned seventeen last month, possessed a bright future. On his first day, still naive, he''d befriended Nathan, seeing him as knowledgeable. They were inseparable for a month afterward, until Elen discovered his role model lugging water buckets and rags, diligently cleaning restrooms and break rooms for other disciples. From then on, Elen completely changed how he treated Nathan. To someone still considered a child, he only felt fortunate to distance himself from such a weakling early, before others lumped him in the same category and ostracized him. There were still occasional taunts and whispers, and he blamed all his misfortunes on Nathan.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    "Hurry up!" Elen said lazily, waving a hand dismissively at his senior.


    Nathan remained calm, slowly moving to his opponent''s right side. He knew Elen''s weakness from being left-handed after their training sessions. That data was over six months old, but it was still his safest bet.


    With a motion lowering his body and channeling force into his legs, Nathan lunged forward, throwing a punch at Elen''s flank. The young boy easily avoided it, letting the strike pass just 1cm from his clothes. Nathan switched to a palm strike, aiming for the back. Just as he thought he''d land the hit, at the last moment, Elen spun around, arms relaxed, lips slightly curled, exposing all vulnerabilities as if inviting any attack.


    Nathan flinched at the motion, his legs instinctively propelling him backward.


    "You always taught me to seize opportunities to attack an opponent''s weaknesses," Elen said boredly, pointing to various body parts from stomach to chest to head. "You don''t even have the courage to strike. How disappointing."


    Nathan didn''t respond. Because he knew who was truly more disappointed.


    Changing his stance, he continued to advance.


    Outside the ring, Elen''s friends pointed and laughed at the cat-and-mouse game before them. Elen let Nathan hop around like a bug in a jar, fate decided but still struggling to resist.


    When the spectacle grew tedious, someone spoke up.


    "Finish it, Elen!"


    Immediately after, Elen''s aura changed. Nathan could feel the pressure bearing down on him. His punch had already launched and couldn''t be retracted as Elen began to counterattack. A Phase 2.5 punch against a Phase 6 would yield results no different than an egg against a rock. Before he could fear the outcome of a shattered arm, the impact arrived.


    He only felt the world turn upside down as his back slammed hard into the ground. Pain from his right arm shot straight to the top of his head, eliciting a groan. He bit his teeth to keep it from becoming a scream. Bones have been broken.


    "Know your limit, Elen!" Maxim shouted.


    "I just advanced," Elen replied jokingly, "my control technique isn''t perfect yet. Please understand!"


    "You and your friends are dismissed," Maxim said.


    The group left, continuing to joke and praise each other.


    The instructor helped Nathan up, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the deformed hand.


    "Thank you, sir," Nathan whispered.


    "I still intervened too late," Maxim shook his head.


    "It''s enough, sir!"


    "Do you need me to call someone to help you to the infirmary?"


    "I can go myself. It''s not like it''s the first time."


    Maxim watched Nathan''s dazed gait with a resigned shake of his head, lamenting how a promising student was limited by such an strange condition.


    Nathan encountered Elder Orin dozing at the reception desk. His mood suddenly improved upon seeing the balding old man with snow-white hair and a forehead as smooth as a slide, wheezing heavy breaths.


    He mischievously used his left hand to nudge the elder''s supporting elbow, causing him to jerk awake, head wobbling.


    " Damn it, who..." he glared with wrinkled eyes, hand raised to slap whoever dared disturb his important nap.


    Upon seeing Nathan, he stopped mid-air, curling his fingers to lightly tap the outer disciple''s head instead.


    "You disrespectful brat," Orin rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair.


    "Where''s Maine, old man?"


    "The lass is inventorying the storehouse. You lot really have no sense of hierarchy, daring to ask an outer elder to mind the desk."


    Despite his grumbling, Orin harbored no ill will. He just had to voice his position wasn''t low, that''s all.


    "Then sell this kid a portion of ''Healing Powder,''" Nathan said with a grimace.


    He didn''t need to pretend anything before Orin, as the old man was more like a friendly neighborhood grandpa than an imposing elder.


    ¡°How many points do you have left, kid? Using them all on healing, huh?¡± Orin muttered, waving his hand to open a hidden compartment behind the wall, revealing a thousand neatly stacked boxes.


    A blue teardrop-shaped glass vial flew towards the old man, landing neatly in his palm.


    "Here, take it and apply it!"


    "That''s not right," Nathan''s eyes widened, "You didn''t divide it into just one portion?"


    "Who''d know if you don''t say anything!"


    "You...!" Nathan fell silent at the elder''s wink.


    He also grinned sheepishly, turning his head to glance around once, then poured the powder onto his injured right palm and rubbed it over his broken arm. The powder on his skin began to glow green and slowly absorb into his flesh, muscles, and bones.


    For a moment, he only felt his body become extremely tired, his mind foggy. The ''Healing Powder'' merely accelerated the body''s natural recovery and self-healing processes. Thus, the meager mana in his body was fully utilized where needed, along with other forms of energy and nutrients. Of course, better healing medicines existed, but he couldn''t afford them.


    The broken bone emitted a horrifying sound along with pain like needles stabbing into bone, causing him to squeeze his eyes shut and clench his teeth. A few seconds passed, and the sensation gradually became a dull ache and numbness.


    "Apply another layer to be sure, kid!" Orin peered around before suggesting.


    Nathan listened and complied, though the powder might not work immediately since he had no strength left. It would lie dormant and proceed to heal unclear injuries when he replenished his energy.


    Once finished, Nathan left the vial on the desk, gesturing for Orin to put it away.


    Both pretended nothing had happened after the medicine bottle was safely back in its compartment.


    Just then, a voice like a golden oriole rang out.


    "What were you two just doing? Don''t think I didn''t see!"


    Before Nathan could turn to look at Maine, he heard a "Run!" and saw a blur rush past his eyes.


    Blinking to regain his vision, he found himself in the courtyard behind Orin''s rest area, standing under the canopy of a Bonsai tree taller than himself. Around him was meticulously tended lush green grass, with a small stream running beside a stone table and chairs. The air carried a clean, fresh scent with a tingling sensation of ambient mana on the skin.


    Suppressing a wave of nausea rising from his stomach, he frowned and glanced at the elder.


    "That''s no different than admitting to theft!"


    "Getting caught stealing and not getting caught are two entirely different matters," Orin equivocated.


    Nathan didn''t bother arguing further; after all, the elder had already helped him save some money. He went to sit on the stone chair, eyes pensively fixed on the bonsai leaves.


    He''d only accumulated 253 Sect Points. If he''d used them earlier to buy healing powder, it would have cost 50 points and widened the gap with the 300-point ''Initial Advancing Pill'' even further. He knew one pill wouldn''t change anything; even ten might not be enough to reach Phase 5. But what if. Just what if. What if that opportunity came, he wouldn''t hesitate to seize it.


    This was a world controlled by beings who could wave their hand and obliterate entire mountains. He hoped a wave of his own hand might one day open a spatial rift to return to Earth.


    With that thought, he stood up.


    "Sit down, kid. What can you do with that arm?" Orin asked indifferently. "If you don''t go, the Quartermaster will send someone else to scrub those toilets. Can you work fast enough to meet the quota? Enduring pain just to exchange for a point or two?"


    Nathan hesitated. Despair was engulfing his spirit. The fight in the training yard hadn''t just broken his arm; it had shattered a bit of the fragile mental dam he was desperately clinging to.


    Sighing deeply, Nathan slumped back down, tilting his head back in exasperation.


    "Wait a bit," Orin said. "Young Zeryn will be here soon. Tonight, I''m treating you boys to the fullest."


    With that, the elder waved a finger. From his spatial ring poured out wine bottles, food, snacks, cakes, and sweets.


    "Your last day, no one leaves sober."


    Nathan didn''t know whether to smile at Orin''s generosity or feel sad that the old man was so certain about tomorrow''s outcome. Either way, he felt warmth in his heart that the two had prepared a farewell party. According to plan, Zeryn would come to fetch him after completing his inner disciple exercises. Nathan had arrived early due to his broken arm.


    The rising star of the inner disciples, Zeryn Valtaris, arrived in the small courtyard as the twilight painted everything in a poetic orange hue. He flashed a radiant smile, his shoulder-length wavy brown hair and bright blue eyes exuding warmth towards the two seated at the table. It was no exaggeration when disciples called Zeryn the most dashing young man in Verdant Spire Sect. His slim yet toned figure and the sword sheath at his hip only enhanced his allure, like a knight of the Empire.


    Nathan stood up, shaking hands in the Earth style he''d taught Zeryn two years ago. A handclasp, a pull, shoulders bumping.


    "Zer, you''re so slow!"


    "Isn''t it because I had to look for you?" Zeryn grumbled. "The first thing you should get after leaving here is a PsiLink, you know?"


    "It''s not cheap, Zer," Nathan''s face fell.


    "I''ll gift you one," his friend cheerfully offered.


    "Really?"


    "Really!" Zeryn thumped his chest. "Have you ever seen the great Zeryn lie to anyone?"


    Nathan''s eye twitched. When they first enrolled, it was Zeryn who had tricked him about the schedule to go fishing. Still unfamiliar with everything and lacking a PsiLink¡ªa neural chip like a transparent sticker attached to the temple for use as a computer with various support features, automatically recording necessary information¡ªhe had naively believed his friend. As a result, before he could do anything, he''d already been deducted negative sect points. Add to that the fact that the fish they caught were a elder''s ornamental fish, so both were punished with cleaning all the ponds from the outer to inner sect grounds.


    Seeing Nathan look at him with disdain, Zeryn quickly added, "After I achieve a ranking in the inner sect, I''ll buy it for you, don''t worry."


    Hearing Zeryn''s confident statement, Nathan forced a smile and nodded. He was truly happy for his friend but couldn''t suppress a twinge of envy creeping into his heart.


    Everyone knew how sought after Zeryn, the sword prodigy of Verdant Spire Sect, was. Inner sect elders were practically fighting tooth and nail to accept him as a disciple. But for some reason, he still hadn''t become anyone''s Direct disciple. No one gave him any trouble about it. After all, he was currently the only disciple who could cultivate Sword Intent. Yet Zeryn never treated Nathan poorly despite his lack of talent.


    Thinking of this, Nathan cast aside all negative feelings towards his friend. Raising the already-poured wine cup, he said, "Cheers for Zeryn and his inner ranking."


    "Cheers for Nathan and his new life," Zeryn responded.


    "Cheers for booze," Orin rasped.


    The three drained their cups and began the evening feast.


    It wasn''t until late at night that the elder and two disciples finished. Orin, drunk, stood up and walked past Nathan slumped on the table. He paused to ruffle the boy''s hair before finding a secluded spot behind the bonsai to continue drinking.


    Nathan, not yet asleep, squinted at his thin frame illuminated by moonlight above. He remembered first meeting Orin because he lacked a PsiLink to receive information, so he didn''t know this old man was an elder. He had simply asked for wine when the pressures of life overwhelmed him to tears. Since then, whenever the opportunity arose, Orin would secretly take him drinking, recounting tales of the past and stories from outside Verdant Spire Sect. It was thanks to the elder that Nathan learned more about this world and understood how powerful the high Tiers truly were. Once, he asked about Orin''s Tier and Phase, but the old man just waved it off, only saying that in his prime, a mere handshake would have been enough to turn Nathan to dust.


    He shifted to look at Zeryn, sleeping like the dead, drool forming a long trail on the table, mumbling lewd words. If only he could capture this moment, he could blackmail his show-off friend. Who would believe that the elegant Zeryn was like this?


    Nathan chuckled to himself, his mind still lucid though slightly hazy. The past two years hadn''t been too bad with these two friends. Though he knew Orin was an elder, it was precisely because he didn''t treat him as a superior that he''d maintained this relationship.


    "Thank you," Nathan whispered, his eyes closing as he drifted off.


    Under the bonsai tree, Orin''s ears twitched, clearly hearing every word from the outer disciple.


    "Perhaps this is for the best. The cultivation world is a cruel place."


    With that, he raised the wine bottle in his hand, drinking it like water.


    The next morning, Nathan awoke with blurry eyes, his head pounding and ears ringing like someone banging pots and pans. Zeryn, with his higher cultivation level, had easily recovered and left. Orin was probably lounging lazily in his room. A cold wind blew past, making Nathan shiver, helping him regain some clarity.


    In that moment of lucidity, his heart seemed to stop, excitement rising despite the throbbing pain in his temples. His chest felt like it might burst.


    His hope had arrived.


    System Activation Complete.


    Now Determining Your Path.


    A wheel replaced the notification before his eyes. It looked like a wheel of fortune with an arrow at the top, pointing down at the choices below. He squinted to read.


    Forbidden Spells System.


    Mind System.


    Soul System.


    Summoner System.


    Luck System.


    Illusion System.


    Mutation System.


    Technology System.


    Shadow System.


    Parasite System.


    Beast System.


    Absorption System.


    ...


    Before he could finish reading, the wheel began to spin. In his ears, he heard the familiar clicking sound of the pointer hitting each section, along with the familiar sound effect.


    When the wheel stopped, his fortune was chosen.

 Chapter 2

    Congratulations!


    You are granted The Passive System


    System Starting Now...


    Starting Complete...


    Testing Protocol Starting Now...


    Granted One Free Roll...


    Start Rolling for Skill...


    Congratulations!


    You get a Rare Skill - [Amplifying Strike]


    Skill Granted Complete!


    Granted One Free Skill Point...


    Skill Level Up Point is available to use...


    Start Quest Module...


    Quest Available in the Log...


    System Working as Intended.


    Nathan was utterly bewildered by the flood of notifications appearing before his eyes.


    After completing its processes, the system interface returned to a static state. It looked rather simple, unlike what Jessica had described. There were no game-like stats, just his information and an area for skills.


    Nathan Reed (24 years old -- male)


    Spirit Cultivation Level: Tier 1 (Initial), Phase 2.5.


    Skill Point Available: 1.


    Skills Possessed:


    [Amplifying Strike]


    With a mental command, information about the skill he had just received immediately appeared.


    [Amplifying Strike]


    Description: attacks have a 17% chance to amplify, increasing damage by 200%. Effects are tied to consecutive strikes of the same type.


    Coup de Grace, Nathan mulled over the name and the effect.


    As questions flooded his mind, a notification overlay appeared on top of the information.


    Quest: Welcome to the new journey.


    Objective: Pass the Outer Disciples'' Exam.


    Rewards: [Welcome Package], 100 System Credit, and System''s Shop Module.


    Failing Conditions: Does not pass the exam today.


    Penalty: No penalty.


    Nathan blinked, barely suppressing a curse at the quest he had received. First, the system had been silent for two years, and now it seemed intent on punching him in the face.


    But looking back at the description of the skill he had just received, it seemed that the system was actually paving the way for him.


    Increasing damage by 200%, Nathan couldn''t stop thinking about this number.


    The outer disciple exam was quite simple. It was a test of the strike power generated by the disciples to verify the quality of the Tier and Phase they were at. In the middle of the exam square, there would be a pillar of transparent green stone. Each disciple would take turns performing their strongest strike on that stone. The stone would light up from the bottom, and if it surpassed the average mark, which was level five, it was considered a pass. This test was considered the most effective because there were some geniuses who, despite being at a low phase, could still score higher than five points. The opposite was also true, where someone with Phase 7 energy in their body only caused damage at level 5. This could be due to many reasons, either a special body or cultivation path. Regardless, they still had to try to reach level five. As for Nathan, he possessed a score like most disciples, at whatever level he was at, the damage score would match that level, a modest 2.5.


    But with the doubling effect, it would be different. He would score just enough points to stay in the sect, while completing the quest and receiving that [Welcome Package].


    Unable to contain his excitement, his heart racing like a horse galloping across a field, he punched the air, grinning from ear to ear. Fortunately, no one saw this childish action of his.


    The system sent him another piece of information.


    Do you accept this system?


    Y/N


    Nathan froze. Could he choose another system? Spin the wheel again?


    No, you cannot. The wheel only works one time.


    If you do not accept this system, normal system will be granted.


    Do you accept this system?


    Y/N


    Nathan calmed himself, took a deep breath, and fell into a contemplative state. This was a difficult question.


    Nathan''s potential was ''Above Average'', so he was quite confident that his results would be better than Jessica''s if he possessed a system like other ''travelers''. But why he was given this system was what mattered. Recalling his goals and wishes, he surmised that the ordinary system wouldn''t help much on the path upwards. As for this Passive System, just the welcome skill alone had such an amazing effect. What about other skills, or even other features? It could be the hope he had always been searching for.


    And above all, if he gave up this system, he would certainly not pass today''s exam. Right now, he needed [Amplifying Strike] more than ever.


    Without thinking further, Nathan chose ''Yes''.


    Registered the user''s choice.


    And so, Nathan locked himself to the Passive System.


    After waiting a while with no further notifications, Nathan returned to his skill. He remembered he still had one skill point to raise. Pressing the plus sign next to [Amplifying Strike], the system interface changed. The name of the technique split into two branches.


    Growth Path 1: Pure Chance.


    Next Level: increase the chance to 25%.


    Growth Path 2: Methodical.


    Next Level: change the way the skill operate. Now the amplifying effect will apply to the fourth attack.


    Choosing one path will disable the other.


    Nathan''s mind began calculating again. Last year when he was still at Phase 1.2, when taking the test, the examiner only allowed him to try once. According to the Sect''s doctrine, no one gives you a second chance in life, so don''t expect to be given that many. Being allowed to retake the test in the second year was already merciful enough. Therefore, the Methodical Path was quite attractive for Nathan to ensure the result. He just needed to time the fourth attack accurately, and he would pass.


    However, he was still intrigued by the potential of the Pure Chance path. Currently, he couldn''t see the higher levels. But with his gaming experience, there would surely be levels that increased the damage dealt. Along with this experience, he knew that percentage was a very magical and attractive number. Because the methodical path would require 3 strikes to cause increased damage on the 4th strike. But with Pure Chance, there was a possibility that all 4 strikes would trigger the effect. He knew that chance was very small, occurring only about 1 in 256 cases, but it would sometimes create unimaginable results. Especially when stacked with other effects.


    Not letting himself think about unnecessary things, he looked at the watch on his wrist, calculating that there were about four hours left before his exam group at one o''clock. He dashed from Orin''s garden, heading to the nearest training ground.


    The training ground this morning was much more crowded than usual. Other disciples were also here to practice with the dummies. Some were honing their kicks, some were testing new techniques to see how effective they were, some simply saw this as a daily routine.


    Nathan met the instructor and asked for a dummy to practice. After being approved, he went to the designated area. From the ground emerged an object assembled from three spherical stones, looking like a snowman. The contact point between the top stone and the middle one was two arms made of stone bars of different sizes, connected by invisible joints. It clenched its fists, performing a greeting ritual to the opponent and stood in a stance waiting for Nathan to attack.


    He adjusted some parameters from a transparent tablet right at the edge of his area. Lowering all other stats, he set the stone dummy to only perform defense, receiving strikes. When everything was ready, Nathan advanced to attack with a punch. The dummy crossed its arms in an X shape to defend.


    A blue number popped up above the dummy''s head, showing that the strike just caused 1.2 damage. Nathan continued, trying to adjust his mana to control the damage output. At the fifth strike, Nathan only felt himself emitting an abundant source of energy, then concentrated it on his fingers. The impact occurred. The number changed. 2.4.


    He stopped, pulled his legs back, his eyes widened, his lips unable to hold back a smile.


    It works, he shouted internally.


    In his peripheral vision, he saw a notification pop up.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    So, activating the skill would earn points. Excited, he turned back to attack the dummy. Other disciples who saw his mad smile frowned, some who knew who he was either smiled mockingly or shook their heads, but all shared the same thought. He was venting his desperation.


    Fourth strike, 2.3.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Ninth strike, 2.4.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Fifteenth strike, 2.5.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Twenty-second strike, 3.0.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Twenty-fifth strike, 3.5.


    System determined you are abusing. Credit will not be given for this kind of scenario for 24 hours.


    He startled, stopping his attack stance when he saw the new notification. Panting heavily, he saw that it was only natural. If he continued, he was ready to do this to farm credit all day. He wasn''t sure what the system''s shop feature was, but surely it used credit to buy. The system couldn''t possibly let such a big bug slip through.


    Wiping the sweat on his forehead with his sleeve, he looked back at the number board above the dummy still showing 3.5. He couldn''t hold back his smile again. He raised his fist in the air, whooping loudly. That startled some people, curiously looking back to see what he was doing. When they saw the number 3.5, they just frowned and got angry.


    "Shut up, you lunatic!"


    "Damn it, if you''re not practicing, go somewhere else so others can use it. What a waste of resources."


    "Haha, devil take him. Look at that 3.5, everyone. And he''s celebrating like he just reached Tier 2."


    Nathan ignored all the scolding around him. After celebrating, it was time to think seriously.


    No one would continuously put all their strength into attacking, as that would easily lead to the body''s natural reflex of reducing intensity. If his six consecutive attacks were all aimed at full force 2.5, considering the 17% rate, it was very likely that two or three would only result in 2.3, 2.4.


    To verify, he immediately put it into practice. Repeating the learned mana channeling methods, he focused to the maximum and swung his fist towards the stone dummy.


    The result was as he thought, 3 punches didn''t meet the target. Worse, one of them triggered the [Amplifying Strike] skill with a result of 4.4. That''s right, the body wasn''t strong enough to reach 2.3.


    He turned back to press on the tablet. A stone chair also emerged as a resting place. Attacking continuously like that really drained his energy.


    While recharging, he looked at the two skill paths of [Amplifying Strike]. Given the current situation, methodical was probably the most sensible path. Relying on pure chance meant a 75% chance he would be kicked out of Verdant Spire Sect this very afternoon. The risk was truly too great.


    He understood that in terms of results, both choices were the same. With a large enough sample, 25% would also mean one in four attacks. The only positive point was consecutive amplification if it fell on a lucky day. It didn''t sound worth it, but high-tier battles could last very long, leading to a very large sample size, meaning the case of non-stop amplification was not a far-fetched wish. For example, if four consecutive strikes were considered one case, there would be a 1 in 256 chance. This meant that in about of 1,024 blows, the likelihood¡ªpotentially as high as 98%¡ªof experiencing four consecutive amplified strikes existed. Such a streak could dramatically alter the course of any engagement.


    Thinking that far ahead, he just laughed. Now throwing 24 punches alone had already exhausted him, let alone 1,024. Let future Nathan worry about future matters. No longer letting everything depend on pure chance, he decided to choose the Methodical Path.


    With a command, the Methodical Path lit up and the Pure Chance Path dimmed, becoming a gray area retreating to the background.


    After a short rest, Nathan returned to the dummy.


    The results came quickly, when the fourth fist touched the surface, that intense feeling came again, giving the desired result.


    Trying again, he threw three punches in the air, and the fourth strike still gave a similar result, [Amplifying Strike] had been activated. This time, it was a round number 5.


    He let out a breath, as if a mountain had been lifted from his chest. All he needed to do was throw three casual punches before standing in front of the testing pillar. No one would pay attention to his actions, just thinking it was a warm-up.


    While rejoicing and with time still left before the test, he proceeded to experiment with other things still lingering in his mind. The system''s description of the skill was, effects are tied to consecutive strikes of the same type. Since starting with the dummy, he had only used Force Fist, not Force Palm or Force Kick. It seemed that the [Amplifying Strike] skill was not as simple as that.


    Continuing to verify, Nathan used three Force Fists, then switched to Force Palm for the fourth attack. The skill wasn''t activated. Then, he returned to punches, and it worked normally again.


    His heart started racing as an idea began to form in his mind. He hadn''t thought of this possibility when choosing the Methodical Path. Now, he just felt truly lucky to have given up all illusions and calculations from before.


    When performing similar movements, three Force Palms, one Force Fist, the effect didn''t appear. He continued with two more Force Fists and then took a deep breath.


    Moment of truth, he whispered.


    A Force Palm and a Force Fist hit the surface of the stone dummy.


    4.6 and 4.8.


    Two consecutive strikes both triggered [Amplifying Strike].


    This time, he was so astonished he couldn''t utter a word. Just after receiving the skill, he had already found a way to exploit it.


    No, utilize is the right word, he corrected his thought.


    Trying once more, this time adding Force Kick to the equation. He successfully carried out three consecutive attacks with outputs of 4.5, 4.5, and 4.6 respectively. At the same time, he realized that the three previous attacks didn''t need to put much force into them, as long as they were the same technique, it would work. Thus, to save energy, he could throw three Force Fists with 0.1 damage output, and only put full force into the fourth time.


    He saw his path ahead opening up. With practice, he would turn this strange and elaborate way of fighting into a habit. Opponents would go crazy seeing him continuously attack with power beyond his level. Just reaching Tier 1, Phase 5, along with [Amplifying Strike], he could already contend with a Phase 9. Of course, Phase 9 didn''t just have raw damage, but had already used part of Tier 2''s power, so in a real confrontation, he would certainly lose. But anyway, the future had become a bit brighter for him. Hope had returned.


    The fourth attack pattern, he mused.


    He really looked forward to other passive skills in the future.


    Feeling there was nothing left to tinker with, he left the training ground. Better to go eat and save energy for the afternoon.


    In the afternoon, at the gathering ground of the southern area of Verdant Spire Sect, the outer disciples were all cultivating. The number reached over two thousand disciples. More than a thousand were in the field, the rest stood in the outer ring to observe.


    At the end of the field, mounted on a high platform were five testing pillars. They were cylindrical columns about three meters tall, inlaid with a mythical stone emitting green light, blending with the sunlight to create magical rays. Beside them was a supervisor in a solemn robe with gold-plated patterns. Behind them, if not paying attention, one wouldn''t see another man being covered by the shadow of the cliff behind.


    Nathan arrived and immediately felt the pressure. His eyes looked towards the trail behind the high platform, beside the mountain. That was the entrance to the inner sect, the dream of all outer disciples. Some other disciples, like Nathan, had their inner hearts filled with burning fire and passion, staring intently at that path.


    He saw Elen''s group in the distance laughing and joking happily. Elen didn''t necessarily have to take the exam this year, but since his ability was sufficient, there was no need to hesitate and wait. After passing the outer sect assessment, everyone would have ample time to continue cultivating to aim for the inner sect. Anyone who passed today''s test would have the opportunity to participate in the outer disciple tournament held a month later. The limit was below Tier 2 and disciples with a maximum study time of two years. Those in their third year would not be allowed to participate. For them, only reaching Tier 2 would be considered by the inner sect elders. The tournament rewards were very attractive, but Nathan didn''t think about participating. He would only be a stepping stone for others. What he aimed for in the third year was the right to perform more diverse missions with higher reward points.


    "SILENCE!" the call of an examiner rang like thunder when the time came.


    Everyone stopped their conversations and looked towards the man in the robe.


    "Everyone knows what to do today, so I won''t say anything more," he continued. "Listen for your name, step up to strike the testing pillar, and hear your result. For subsequent procedures, follow the Sect''s manual. Any questions?"


    After a moment with no response, the examiner turned to both sides, nodding to his colleagues.


    "Then let''s begin."


    Nathan gathered at pillar number four according to his pre-issued test registration card. Elen stood in front of him.


    While waiting, he spent time watching other disciples called up before him. In the group to his left, the first disciple had already scored 8. The remaining disciples in the same group looked up in admiration at the Phase 8 guy smiling radiantly in front. On the right side, a girl stepped up and performed a special technique by clustering her fingers into a bundle and striking straight at the testing pillar. The displayed score was 9.5.


    "Zahra Kinyara," the examiner read from the tablet in his hand, his face expressing surprise, "Tier 1, Phase 8.0. Score 9.5. Passed."


    The girl received a resounding round of applause from below. It was clear she was a special and talented disciple. To score higher than one''s current Phase was a very rare thing. Some whispers nearby were certain that Zahra would be one of the next disciples after the upcoming outer sect tournament.


    The procession continued to move forward. Rarely did anyone have disappointing results. First of all, to enter Verdant Spire Sect, an individual must have at least ''Average Potential''. That means they will easily level up without encountering any significant obstacles. The real difficulty is at higher Tiers. With a rating like Nathan''s, ''Above Average'', it would only take about two years to reach Tier 2, even up to Phase 2 or Phase 3. As for higher ratings, Nathan wasn''t clear. The information he gathered only said that such innate geniuses usually had very different cultivation methods.


    "Elen Solis!" the examiner at the fourth group called loudly.


    Nathan looked back at the younger boy who had once followed him, now stepping up with a calm demeanor, steady steps, and eyes full of confidence. Lowering his stance, taking a few seconds to gather strength, Elen kicked towards the testing pillar.


    "Elen Solis, Tier 1, Phase 6.5, Score 6.5. Passed"


    He''s already halfway to Phase 7, Nathan thought.


    When turning back to smile at his friends, Elen caught Nathan''s gaze and his expression hardened. Nathan quickly shifted his gaze to other candidates.


    The first group furthest away was getting noisy with the result that had just appeared. He squinted to read more carefully and startled. 10.2.


    "Xander Caldoran, Tier 1, Phase 8.1, Score 10.2. Passed!"


    This year was truly full of monsters. He remembered last year there was only one person who scored significantly higher than their Phase. And that was only a one-point difference. Now there was Zahra exceeding by 1.5, and Xander surpassing by more than 2 points.


    After Xander, the second group also started shouting, but it seemed not because of the result but more like screaming for an idol. When looking towards the high platform, Nathan understood. Although not very clear, the girl with smooth golden hair was exuding a charm incomparable to anyone else.


    "Keira Valaine, Peak Tier 1, Phase 9.9, Score 8.0. Passed!"


    Although the score was lower than her Phase, it couldn''t stop the calls of "goddess" from the boys below. As Keira walked down, she was immediately surrounded by other female disciples. Her eyes were only looking at someone in the first group. Nathan guessed it must be Xander.


    Returning to Nathan''s group, it was almost his turn. The person in front of him passed the test with a result of 6.1, and finally, it was Nathan''s turn according to the order.


    The examiner of the fourth pillar shifted her gaze from the tablet to Nathan. Her stern eyes became confused, then shook her head with a smile. It seemed she would be receiving the first failing disciple of the day. Not achieving the score was rare, but it happened in every batch. It could be due to neglecting practice, not finding a suitable cultivation method, many reasons and not just negative ones. As for this disciple, trying until the second year without quitting, the examiner couldn''t help but conclude he was of the weak category.


    Without saying anything, she signaled Nathan to proceed with the test.


    Taking a deep breath, he punched the air three times with Force Fist at the lightest intensity possible. The action reminded him of a detective movie he had watched long ago, something called arm reload. Smiling, he hoped everything would truly reload after today, giving him the bullets to break through the walls ahead.


    With determination, Nathan closed his eyes, exerted all his strength, and launched the fourth strike on the testing pillar.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    He didn''t dare open his eyes, waiting for the result. But after an awkward silence, he peeked at the examiner. Her brows were furrowed, eyes pensively looking into space. He guessed she was communicating via PsiLink.


    The crowd behind also gradually noticed the strange point, beginning to whisper. Elen''s group near the testing platform also turned their eyes back.


    Nathan began to feel his stomach twisting, his heart beating faster, his mind being occupied by fear.


    "Nathan Reed," the examiner finally spoke, her voice still carrying a hint of disbelief, "Tier 1, Phase 2.5. Score 5.1. Passed!"


    The group hearing the information also blinked, their faces all showing disbelief like the examiner looking at Nathan. Being able to score twice one''s level was extremely rare, but not unprecedented. What was special was that the Phase had never been this low. Low Phase meant that the mana adaptation intensity was still poor. This led to learning special techniques being impossible. Mana circulation would encounter blockages, leading to more bad consequences than good. So, when hearing Nathan''s Phase and clearly that he had surpassed the average point, it made everyone buzz.


    The fourth group never expected that the one who would attract attention from the group would be a low Phase 2.5 like that.


    As for Nathan, his mind became empty, unable to think of anything other than the fact that he had done it, with an utterly silly smile.


    "Hey," the examiner shouted, "get down so others can come up. You''re grown up now, show some manners."


    He startled, bowed his head apologizing to his superior, and complied. He dazedly found a place to stand, still unable to believe he had done it. Elen glanced from afar but he didn''t pay any attention. Memories of the past two years flashed through his head, the times of training alone, the times of enduring pain from injuries, the sleepless nights due to aches and pains but not daring to buy medicine. All for today''s result. The score wasn''t high, but it was like a mountain he couldn''t climb to the top all this time. Others might not regard him as anything, or even look down on him. The future was still difficult to walk. But in this moment, the glory was his. His alone. That was enough.


    Quest Completed!


    Rewards Granted: 1 x Welcome Package, 100 Credit, Shop Module Unlocked.


    Welcome Package includes: 1 Ultra Rare Skill Roll and 2 Free Rolls.


    Proceed as you wish.

 Chapter 3

    Nathan had become irrelevant to everyone. Most had access to PsiLink and could easily look up information about him. A disciple who only reached Phase 2.5 by the end of his second year wasn''t worth much attention. Even if he possessed some extraordinary skill, staying at Tier 1 rendered it useless.


    He retreated to the back of the crowd, anxious about the rewards. Finding a rocky outcrop to sit on, he focused on the system interface.


    Do you want to use your rolls now?


    Y/N


    Seeing no reason to hesitate, Nathan gave a mental ''yes''.


    Starting Ultra Rare Skill Roll


    Congratulations! You received an Ultra Rare Skill -- [Martial Art Mastery]


    Rare and above skills give you one bonus roll


    Starting normal rolls


    You received [Self-Emotional Support]


    You received [Bad Mouth]


    You received [Flowing Strikes]


    If it were possible, onlookers would''ve seen three enormous question marks hovering above Nathan''s head.


    What kind of bizarre skills are these? he grumbled internally. And what¡¯s with this scammy gacha system?


    Pushing his questions aside, Nathan focused on his first ultra-rare skill.


    [Martial Art Mastery]


    Description: Gain deep knowledge in Martial Arts.


    Hidden Effect: ???


    As Nathan pondered how it worked, his brain felt like it was being squeezed and kneaded. He fell to his knees as an enormous influx of knowledge flooded his mind. He could see hazy figures moving their arms and legs in various rhythms - some with powerful attacks, others with gentle approaches, some focused on speed, and others on endurance. Every move in a fight was calculated for victory. He felt as if he were embodying different animals, mimicking their attack patterns. Striking with the force of a bear''s paw, clawing like a tiger, running and leaping like a leopard, or roaring like a lion in the depths of a jungle. Despite the relentless headache, Nathan found himself mimicking these movements.


    A deep, resonant roar erupted from him, startling everyone nearby. Their instincts kicked in, and those close to Nathan immediately assumed defensive stances. But when they turned and saw it was just the Phase 2.5 guy from earlier, they felt foolish. A few were about to approach Nathan to teach him a lesson when a proctor spoke up.


    "No fighting. And Nathan, if you cause any more trouble, your results will be nullified!"


    Nathan heard none of this. His mind was busy processing and absorbing everything. Now, he was analyzing what he''d learned. Force Fist, Palm, and Kick were truly weak techniques. Even the accompanying martial forms were riddled with flaws. The [Martial Art Mastery] skill relentlessly sought out errors and ways to correct them. His mind even flashed to Zahra Kinyara''s attack. From just one strike, he could roughly analyze the attack pattern and how mana was manipulated to execute it. If not for the excruciating headache, he knew he could recreate it, if not perfectly, then at least close to it.


    While Nathan groaned, tears streaming down his face, his test group was nearing its final participant.


    The exam concluded swiftly, with most returning happily to their dormitories or other tasks. A few who failed could only accept their fate and meet with the external affairs manager to leave the sect, a fitting outcome for those who had been lazy or neglectful.


    The proctor from the fourth group lingered, observing the disciple curled up on the distant rock. She couldn''t understand what was happening to him, but she sensed that not only his mana but also his blood and organs were heating up as if undergoing refinement. With a mix of concern and duty, she approached him.


    "Nathan!" she called.


    But the disciple continued to tremble like he was having a seizure, oblivious to her presence.


    Her brow furrowed, her gaze turning steely. A mere Tier 1, Phase 2.5 disciple daring to ignore a Tier 2, Phase 6 like herself?


    "Nathan!" she called again, but this time her voice was concentrated, amplifying its intensity to pierce directly into his ears.


    He jolted, his head snapping up, eyes wide open, emanating an aura of supreme skill - a deadly yet eerily calm gaze of a master. The proctor instinctively took a step back. She couldn''t understand why she reacted this way. It was just a look, but it had triggered a part of her enhanced sixth sense, a benefit of reaching Tier 2.


    After shaking his head, Nathan regained his senses. The headache gradually receded, and he felt like a new person. His gaze returned to that of a lost and timid individual.


    "Nathan Reed!" the proctor called out once more, irritation now evident in her voice. "Elder Kyron of the Outer Sect has summoned you. You''d best not keep him waiting!"


    He looked in the direction her finger was pointing. There, in the shadow of the cliff face, stood a figure.


    Bowing his head and apologizing to the proctor, he quickly made his way to the man dressed in simple gray attire.


    As he drew closer, Nathan saw that Kyron was a middle-aged man with a crew cut and a stern face. Scars above his chin stood out despite the shadows. He had a broad nose above wide lips. His build was stocky, almost chubby, but exuded an invisible pressure. Nathan guessed that beneath the seemingly patched-together clothing were well-defined muscles capable of sending him to the next world without even using mana.


    "I apologize for keeping you waiting, Elder," Nathan began, knowing Kyron had seen everything. "And thank you for taking the time to see me."


    Kyron waved dismissively, his eyes slowly opening to gaze languidly at Nathan. It was clear he was weary of dealing with this outer sect disciple''s issues. But a task assigned must be completed according to one''s duties.


    "Nathan Reed," a lazy yet rumbling voice emerged, "you know you should have failed, right?"


    Nathan stared at the elder, bewildered. Hadn''t he scored enough points to pass?


    "I personally instructed Vivian to give you that result. Do you know why?"


    "Because it''s the law of Verdant Spire Sect," Nathan stammered.


    "Yes, yes, the sect''s laws must be followed," Kyron smiled. "But not always."


    Nathan remained silent.


    "Giving disciples an extra year is to provide them with another chance. Even though the odds are low, the sect wants to recover its investment and interest. You''re 24 now, much older than other disciples. Surely you understand better than anyone that nothing comes for free, right?"


    Nathan nodded.


    "But the premise is that we must base it on ability assessment," Kyron continued. "Besides other evaluations, there are some shared by proctors, outer sect elders, and inner sect elders. After calculations, Nathan Reed, do you know what your rating is for Verdant Spire Sect?"


    "Zero points, Elder?" The life seemed to drain from Nathan with each word.


    "Ah, if we''re talking points, it would be negative," Kyron chuckled, the sound like pebbles grinding together. "You''re ranked alongside sect traitors. A disciple with a ''detrimental'' rating, bringing nothing but disadvantage to the sect. A disciple for whom the sect must accept as a complete loss of investment."


    Nathan''s posture slumped, staring blankly at the elder before him. Surely he hadn''t done anything to harm the sect.


    "Confusing, isn''t it?" Kyron raised an eyebrow, regarding the outer sect disciple as if he were an amusing joke. "Tell me, Nathan, how many years do you estimate it will take you to reach Tier 2?"


    "Elder, I..."


    "Ten years," Kyron cut him off. "A whole decade. Do you know that in ten years, we could train five Tier 2 disciples? Even if the sect were to extend third-year benefits to you, what do you think you could accomplish?"


    "I would try to participate in missions," Nathan leaned forward, answering quickly, as if grasping at a sliver of hope.


    "How naive," Kyron began to laugh loudly, slapping his knee from his seated position on the ground. "How ridiculous! Should I call you a child in an adult''s body? You? A Tier 1, Phase 2.5, taking on missions? Who would assign them to you? Who would approve? Who would trust you? Even for team missions, who would give you a spot, huh?"


    Nathan felt bombarded by each question. He truly hadn''t known that missions needed approval from someone else. He had naively thought it would be as simple as going to a notice board and grabbing one. But deep down, he knew things weren''t that simple; he had just been trying to avoid giving up halfway.


    "And that''s not even considering your age. No young team would accept a useless old man into their group."


    "Shit!" The word burst from Nathan''s mouth before he could stop it.


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    Nathan didn¡¯t need to read the skill description to know how troublesome this newly acquired skill was.


    Kyron¡¯s eyes twinkled with dark amusement. "Sect doesn¡¯t need another janitor, Nathan. It needs useful people. From all the records we¡¯ve gathered on you, we don¡¯t care how you managed to scrape by this exam¡ªwhether it was luck, talent, or some freak ability. The sect isn¡¯t interested. Do you know why?"


    "Because the sect doesn''t lack geniuses," Nathan replied bitterly.


    "Correct! You understand that much. Even if you could reach Tier 1, Phase 9, even if the damage you could inflict might harm a Tier 2, it would be meaningless. Because no Tier 2 would stand still to let a Tier 1 hit them. Wouldn''t it be faster to shoot a Mana Bullet from afar? What would you do in that situation? And ten years. Mother of all, ten years! It''s truly laughable. Do you think people will wait for you? In ten years, they''ll be Tier 3 already. You''d be nothing more than an ant at that point."


    Nathan stood frozen, his hands lacking the strength even to clench into fists at these harsh words. Because they were the truth. And the truth often hurt.


    "So," Kyron didn''t stop, "back to the initial question I asked you, why did I let you pass? It''s because our sect leader is a kind person, always reminding us to handle matters peacefully and thoroughly. This Nathan Reed here is a diligent disciple; we all know this through the monitoring system. So letting you pass is to offer you the choice of graduating from the outer sect."


    "Graduate?" Nathan echoed.


    "That''s right. You can choose to continue to the third year, but all the privileges set by the sect will not be extended to you. As I said, the sect''s laws are based on the probability of success. And for a detrimental case like you, don''t even dream of it. Support costs like discounts, free training rooms, and accommodation will all be withdrawn. Or you can choose to graduate now, and the sect will compensate you. In short, the sect will waive your tuition debt since you did pass the exam. But if you want to stay for the third year, well, you can imagine how the costs will pile up on you."


    This meant there was only one real choice. Having no points to pay was tantamount to being expelled.


    "Is there no option for a supporting profession, Elder?"Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Kyron¡¯s eyes darkened, and a wave of pressure from the Tier 3 elder washed over Nathan, forcing him to his knees.


    "Know your place, you useless wretch. We gave you the chance to choose a supporting profession, but you didn''t take it. So don''t dream about it now. The moment you stood on that platform today, this was the only possible outcome. Now, make your choice!"


    "I..." Nathan tried to speak but immediately clamped his mouth shut.


    His fear of Kyron paled in comparison to the fear of never seeing his mother again or being unable to help Jessica. Twenty-two years of his life had been unremarkable, yet life had allowed him to meet two such good people. His mother was a small, warm sun, never placing any burden on his shoulders, even though his father had left early, leaving behind unnamed responsibilities. She had never told him to become anyone specific and was always happy to see him as himself. A normal boy with a normal life. A normal smile that showed utmost happiness. That was enough.


    His eyes welled up as he remembered when her illness first worsened.


    "My sweet child," she had held his hand, her voice still full of faith in life, "when I forget you, it feels like being lost in darkness. But gradually, your story has cracked that shield of night. Until light shines through, guiding me back. My grown-up son has become a little sun himself."


    And here he was now, leaving his mother in perpetual darkness.


    As for Jessica, that kind-hearted girl, the only one who jumped in when she saw him floundering in the lake during the team-building exercise. While trying to save him, she was sucked in by a whirlpool at the bottom of the lake, bringing both of them to this world. Though fruitless, he understood the debt he owed her. His motivation regarding her might not be as strong as for his mother, but it was still a debt he had to repay.


    His fingers slid across the ground, curling into fists, teeth biting his lip, eyes squeezed shut in a burning struggle against the negative spiral tightening in his chest.


    I cannot give up. I still can do it. I have the ability.


    Triggered [Self Emotional Support]. One credit given.


    Nathan didn''t see the notification, nor did he have time to wonder why these words of self-encouragement suddenly popped into his mind. He clung to them, gripping them tightly, his mind spinning through possibilities. Suffering and anguish would bring nothing. He needed a plan.


    He now had [Martial Art Mastery] to support him. He could even formulate viable strategies to face Zarah Kinyara despite the level gap. He realized he wouldn''t be completely outmatched; at the very least, he''d be able to dodge attacks and counterattack a few times before admitting defeat.


    The system. Yes, there was still the system. Two years of relentless waiting surely couldn''t end so simply. The journey couldn''t just stop here. If he were expelled from Verdant Spire Sect now, it would leave a black mark on his record. Other organizations wouldn''t accept him. The benefits from his ''Above Average'' evaluation were long gone. Through PsiLink, anyone could easily see the near-zero abilities he currently possessed. Regular jobs would ensure he''d never amount to anything in this life. Just by staying in Verdant Spire Sect, utilizing everything at his disposal, the system could help him. A new technique, a new life.


    "The outer disciple tournament," Nathan burst out, his head still bowed.


    The pressure intensified for a moment, forcing him flat against the ground, unable to breathe. A second later, it all dissipated, and he gasped for air.


    Kyron laughed, pulling Nathan to his feet. "You really are crazy, aren¡¯t you, boy?"


    After catching his breath, Nathan replied.


    "If I become an inner disciple, surely those limitations won''t apply, right?"


    The outer sect elder stroked his chin, tilting his head as he regarded the disciple before him. His stern expression gradually transformed into one of interest and anticipation.


    "Everyone else said it wouldn''t be a problem," Kyron said. "If you can surpass the others to become an inner disciple, it would prove they''re more useless than the useless one, entering the inner sect only to take up space."


    Nathan couldn''t hide his excitement.


    "But," Kyron held up a finger, "there''s a catch. If you fail, the sect will still expel you without a graduation certificate. Of course, the tuition debt will have to be paid as usual."


    Unsurprised, Nathan nodded.


    "Thank you to the elders for giving me this opportunity."


    "Don''t know if it''s an opportunity or a punishment," Kyron sneered. "But I''m truly looking forward to seeing what kind of spectacle you''ll make, Nathan Reed."


    Nathan bowed to Kyron. When he looked up, the man in the simple attire had vanished, leaving only a cool breeze in the fading daylight.


    Zeryn found his friend lying dejectedly on the bed. Nathan''s room remained unchanged, with belongings neither arranged nor packed.


    "Holy crap," Zeryn shouted, "you actually passed!"


    Nathan didn''t bother turning, just waving his hand listlessly.


    "Damn," Zeryn muttered, eyes wide with disappointment, "my bet money."


    Hearing this, Nathan rolled over, glaring at his tactless friend.


    "You little fu..." Nathan managed to cover his mouth before finishing the sentence.


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    This damn skill, he cursed internally.


    Zeryn chuckled, his mood instantly shifting as he sauntered over to sit on the edge of the bed.


    "Why so glum, chum?"


    Nathan really wanted to punch his friend for that half-concerned, half-flippant expression.


    "It''s complicated. Telling you won''t change anything anyway."


    "Who knows? Come on, what''s on your mind?"


    "I''m going to participate in the outer sect tournament next month!"


    As expected, Zeryn''s jaw dropped so low you could fit an elbow in it. Nathan was about to do just that when Zeryn pushed him away.


    "Damn," Zeryn smirked, his eyes full of admiration, "I thought I was the craziest one in this sect. Turns out there''s someone even crazier today."


    "Thanks for the compliment."


    "Well, competing for the experience is fine, but try not to get yourself killed. Fatal injuries are expensive to treat."


    Nathan didn''t need such warnings; even with his limited information, he understood he was jumping into the fire.


    "So why are you still lying here instead of partying?" Zeryn asked.


    "Who''d invite me?" Nathan replied glumly, lying back down.


    "Who needs an invitation? Just show up, it''ll be fine."


    Seeing his friend''s optimism, Nathan could only shake his head. The incident at the training ground had surely been seen and spread across PsiLink chat groups by now. Parties were fun, but being the subject of mockery wasn''t exactly conducive to a celebratory mood.


    Zeryn waited for Nathan''s response, then shifted, thoughtfully stroking his chin.


    "If you won''t join a party, let''s throw our own," Zeryn suggested.


    Nathan squinted, an uneasy feeling rising in his gut.


    "Don''t look at me like that," Zeryn said sternly. "I''m serious! Just the two of us hanging out. Nothing but chill vibes. OK?"


    Touched by the effort, Nathan found himself nodding. He did need to let himself relax a bit; the past few days had been nothing but pressure.


    Zeryn jumped up excitedly, spreading his arms wide with pride.


    "Excellent, comrade Nathan. I shall introduce you to one of the finest spots in this sect."


    Playing along with the dramatic gesture, Nathan feigned enthusiasm and asked, "Where might that be?"


    "The open-air hot springs behind South Mountain."


    Nathan shuddered, remembering it was one of the restricted areas.


    Before he could speak, Zeryn cut him off.


    "Shh, shh. I know what you''re thinking, but remember, I''m an inner disciple. Outer disciple restrictions don''t apply to me!"


    Nathan nodded, seeing the logic in that.


    "So, rest assured. Today, I promise to help you blow off some steam and have the best night ever!"


    With that, Zeryn quickly grabbed Nathan''s shoulder and pulled him along.


    Outside, night had fallen, and lights throughout the Sect had been lit. Even after two years, Nathan still felt overwhelmed by the landscape the Sect had built around the mountains, sea, and rivers. Verdant Spire Sect was renowned not just as one of the powerful factions, but also for its architecture that adapted to the surrounding environment. Some residential areas were built in ancient trees, with wooden bridges connecting the houses, and below were devices like floating elevators operated by mana. Elsewhere, rooms were built into hillsides or mountain slopes overlooking the valley near the river below. Nathan''s room was in one of the minimalist modern buildings by the riverside; if he wanted, he could go up to the roof to admire the picturesque scenery as moonlight reflected off the water, making the entire southern area shimmer.


    Everyone was gathering in the common area to celebrate the day. A makeshift stage had even been set up for singing or playing games by the drinking tables. Nathan saw a young man kneeling to confess to a young woman, holding a freshly bloomed flower that emitted a soft blue glow.


    As he was gawking, Zeryn pulled Nathan to the food table. Abundant skewers of grilled meat were laid out alongside fruits grown in the valley. Next to them were fruit wines left to ferment.


    Handing Nathan a meat skewer, Zeryn began his operation. He flipped his hair, which flowed like waves, and smiled at the girl managing the food. He didn''t say a word, and the girl became shy, lowering her head.


    "Ahem," Zeryn started, to ease the awkwardness. "Do you know who I am?"


    The girl with large, round eyes looked him up and down. Apart from finding him handsome, she knew nothing. Today, he was wearing casual clothes instead of inner disciple attire.


    "I don''t know," the girl replied.


    Zeryn''s movements froze at her response. This wasn''t how things usually went. Normally, he''d be welcomed, with people cheering and asking for photos. The inner sect star suddenly felt quite devalued.


    "You could check PsiLink for more information," he suggested.


    "That''s probably not necessary!" the girl refused immediately. "I need to keep an eye on everything around here."


    He was about to say more when Nathan, unable to contain his laughter, pulled him away.


    "No," Zeryn protested, struggling. "My honor can''t be left like this."


    His friend was just putting on a show to save face; a Tier 2 like him could easily overpower Nathan anytime if he wanted.


    That girl was just a special case, because at every place the two passed, many eyes focused on Zeryn. So, in the end, he got what he wanted from another table: a whole barrel of fruit wine.


    Once they were away from the crowd, Zeryn looked at Nathan.


    "Ready for a ride?"


    "Really?" Nathan asked, full of anticipation.


    "I just learned how to do this!"


    With that, Zeryn took out the sword he usually kept at his waist from his spatial ring. He twirled it dramatically, then threw it forward. It hovered in mid-air, then grew larger, its width just enough to sit on.


    Zeryn gestured grandly towards Nathan.


    "New passenger."


    Nathan hesitated a bit but couldn''t hide his excitement. He stepped forward and pressed his hand on the sword; it dipped slightly but became immovable when he applied more force. Then he sat on it, legs dangling on either side as if riding a horse.


    "Well?" Zeryn asked, arms crossed proudly. "Feels good, right?"


    Nathan gave a thumbs up, unable to wait any longer.


    Zeryn didn''t prolong the moment either. With a nimble movement, he jumped up to sit in front of Nathan, near the sword''s tip. Then the sword began to move, lifting them into the air.


    "Sword-riding technique is amazing!" Nathan marveled.


    "Of course it is," Zeryn said, nose in the air.


    When they reached the height of the building tops, the sword slowly moved forward. Nathan sat behind, letting the night breeze brush across his face, improving his mood considerably. Below, trees and outer sect disciples drifted by. Some pointed up with admiration. Above was the moon and a patch of clear, purple-tinged sky that looked utterly enchanting. He took a deep breath, inhaling the air of freedom.


    Moving gradually southeast, they approached the peak of a mountain densely covered in trees and shrouded in unusually thick mist. Nathan guessed it was due to steam rising from the hot springs.


    Zeryn leaned forward excitedly, guiding the sword to land just outside the misty area. Upon closer inspection, Nathan realized this location was quite strategic; the bathing area was enclosed by two mountain sides, like arms shielding it from the outside world.


    Putting the sword back into his spatial bag, Zeryn signaled for Nathan to follow. Due to inertia, he found himself mimicking his friend''s posture. Body bent low, knees flexed, always moving from behind one tree trunk to another, from one bush to the next. An alarm bell rang in Nathan''s head.


    "Zer, why are we sneaking around like thieves?"


    Zeryn didn''t turn back to answer, just gesturing behind him for Nathan to be quiet.


    Filled with trepidation, Nathan continued to follow.


    And then, from afar, Nathan heard sounds. The splash of objects hitting water, water splashing back and forth, and the sound of death at the threshold. The laughter of female disciples.


    He was about to open his mouth to curse when Zeryn turned and covered it. Looking into his friend''s panicked but no less crazed and excited eyes, Nathan just wanted to gouge them out and skewer them.


    Unable to resist the strength of the beast before him, he was dragged along in futile resistance. The voices, the sound of flowing water, the pounding of his heart in his chest grew louder as they approached.


    Suddenly, from the right, came a loud shout.


    "WHO''S THERE?"


    Nathan felt Zeryn''s hand stiffen. But his wretched friend only turned to Nathan, saying with a mischievous grin:


    "Run, Nate!"


    Needing no further instruction, Nathan used all his strength to run after Zeryn. He vaguely saw a blurry dark shadow among the trees in the mist chasing after them. Not daring to look back, he focused on avoiding rocks and tree roots as thick as arms that covered the path. The laughter in the distance had stopped, replaced by the deathly silence of the night forest.


    Zeryn, ahead, was even daring to laugh out loud. His speed was faster than Nathan''s; in fact, he had to slow down to wait for his friend.


    "Hurry up, Nate!" Zeryn taunted. "If you don''t speed up, you''re done for."


    Zeryn only heard a muffled ''you'' from behind as Nathan tripped over a tree root.


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    Nathan really wanted to curse, so he didn''t understand how this skill''s trigger conditions worked anymore. He should have known his friend would never do anything normal and would always choose the most idiotic method.


    Party my ass!


    The dark shadow clearly had a higher level than Nathan, as it was getting closer. Fortunately, they both reached the edge of the forest just in time, with open space to fly away.


    Panting heavily, Nathan urged Zeryn, "Hurry up, you dog!"


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    "Did your mother ever tell you your mouth is full of shit?" Zeryn retorted.


    "Hurry the fuck up, or this shit will be smeared all over your face!"


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    Zeryn giggled, no longer dawdling. The sword was thrown out, and both of them took to the air. The dark shadow had nearly reached the forest edge.


    Nathan hadn''t noticed before, but now he realized how slow the sword''s speed was.


    "Can''t you go any faster?"


    "I just learned this, so how can I control it well?" Zeryn defended.


    "Fuck! Zer, I''m gonna kill you!"


    Instead of cursing back at Nathan, Zeryn pulled out a mask and put it on.


    As Nathan wondered what that action meant, the girl''s scream from below rang out, filled with fury.


    "STOP RIGHT THERE, YOU TWO PERVERTS!"


    Nathan instinctively turned his head, a stupid action he realized in an instant. When he caught sight of the blonde hair and alluring figure wrapped in a towel, he immediately turned back, covering his face with both hands.


    Keira Valaine? He thought desperately, just hoping she hadn''t recognized him.


    Zeryn flew further and further away amid Keira''s shouts. A few female disciples also ran out, but when they saw the sword-riding technique, they all stopped. They could only report this incident. A disciple who could use sword-riding so freely must belong to the inner sect. Even the outer sect elders might not be able to do much.


    As for Keira, she was still angry, vaguely remembering the image of the rude person sitting at the back. The face felt familiar, but she couldn''t quite place it.


    On the way back, Nathan lost count of how many times he triggered [Bad Mouth]. The skill seemed to provide a vocabulary extensive enough for him to curse Zeryn to death. His opponent was no slouch either, creating a symphony of profanities in the night sky above the outer sect. After that night, disciples discussed the two half-crazy lunatics for many days, with some even trying to learn curses from them.


    After all the cursing, Nathan felt relieved, forgetting his troubles. Although very annoyed, he also felt grateful to Zeryn. Of course, he wouldn''t say it out loud to give his unruly friend a chance to gloat.


    Tonight was for him to enjoy a bit of joy in this world. To hell with the system and its assigned tasks.


    You have a new quest: "Inner Disciple"


    Objective: Become Inner Disciple by reaching the top 32 of the tournament.


    Rewards: A Very Rare Skill Roll, 500 credits.


    Penalty when failed: None.

 Chapter 4

    Nathan awoke with his head spinning, unable to clearly remember what had happened after his return. An entire barrel of fruit wine was truly too much. Not to mention two consecutive days of getting utterly wasted left him exhausted.


    Looking out the window to greet the sunlight, he suddenly felt the urge to laze in bed all day. But that notion only persisted for a moment before being replaced.


    I''ve got work to do.


    Triggered [Self Emotional Support]. One credit given.


    Now he had time to examine what the system had given him yesterday.


    Two skills, [Bad Mouth] and [Self Emotional Support], had already shown their effects. One made him curse, while the other helped stabilize his emotions¡ªone dangerous, the other highly beneficial.


    He requested information about the third skill.


    [Flowing Strikes]


    Description: has a 17% chance to increase the damage of next two attacks by 20%.


    The description differed from [Amplifying Strikes]. There was no ''same type''. He surmised there would be no loophole for him to exploit.


    As for the Ultra Rare skill, he had already experienced it. Even now, he still felt the change in his martial arts thought process that the skill brought.


    One thing that nagged at him was the system¡¯s gacha-like mechanics. Skills were distributed almost entirely at random, with the odds of receiving rarer skills decreasing as they became more powerful.


    As if understanding what he was thinking, the system displayed a notification panel.


    The escalating odds for rare skills, very rare skills, and ultra rare skills.


    Odds for rare skills


    1<sup>st</sup> Roll: 1:1000


    2<sup>nd</sup> Roll: 1:583


    3<sup>rd</sup> Roll: 1:187


    4<sup>th</sup> Roll: 1:88


    ¡­


    50<sup>th</sup> Roll: 1:1


    Odds for very rare skills


    1<sup>st</sup> Roll: 1:20000


    2<sup>nd</sup> Roll: 1:3653


    3<sup>rd</sup> Roll: 1:1059


    4<sup>th</sup> Roll: 1:485


    ¡­


    50<sup>th</sup> Roll: 1:2.2


    Odds for ultra rare skills


    1<sup>st</sup> Roll: 1:100000


    2<sup>nd</sup> Roll: 1:27380


    3<sup>rd</sup> Roll: 1:8614


    4<sup>th</sup> Roll: 1:4021


    ¡­


    50<sup>th</sup> Roll: 1:17


    The escalating odds rang a bell in Nathan¡¯s mind due to how familiar they felt. But his groggy state kept him from remembering exactly why, so he focused on the immediate task at hand.


    ¡°Gambling,¡± he muttered under his breath.


    Even at the 50th roll, the chance was still only 50% for a rare skill.


    To better assess, he glanced at the [Shop] tab and his current credit balance: 137.


    Shop


    Skill Roll: 200 credits.


    Skill Point: 100 credits.


    Skill Breaker: 5000 credits.


    *Further items require unlocking.


    *Prices are subject to change.


    Skill breaker? Nathan inquired.


    [Skill Breaker]


    Description: Erase an unwanted skill from the skill pool.


    Before he could rejoice at the possibility of removing [Bad Mouth], the price made his mouth twitch repeatedly. He didn''t even have enough points for a single roll.


    Reviewing his techniques, his eyes lit up. All techniques in the pool required only one skill point to level up.


    He was tempted to upgrade [Martial Art Mastery], but remembering the pain and the vast amount of knowledge it brought made him hesitate. At the current level, he still couldn''t fully utilize it. At the next level, which emphasized extruding mana outside the body¡ªsomething he couldn''t do¡ªwould only bring him ineffective understanding. Even if he knew what move his opponent was making, his physical limitations would still lead to his clear demise.


    [Amplifying Strike] was stuck; he only saw a path leading to the next level at one node without seeing the destination. This meant skills were also limited by his cultivator tier. Tier 1 could max out skills at level 2, Tier 2 at level 3, and so on.


    That left only [Flowing Strikes]. As for [Bad Mouth] and [Self Emotional Support], they could be forgotten.


    Growth Path 1: Flowing Chance.


    Next Level: increase the chance to 25%.


    Growth Path 2: Methodical Flow.


    Next Level: change the way the skill operates. Now the effect will be triggered after the fourth attack.


    Choosing one path will disable the other.


    He couldn''t help but smile. Once again, there was a skill that fit his ''The fourth attack pattern'' plan.


    Feeling excited, he stood up and walked towards the room''s door, reaching out to touch the tablet embedded in the wall. It displayed his current information.


    Name: Nathan Reed (Male).


    Sect Points: 753 points.


    Free room rental period: 30 days.


    He was glad the bonus points from yesterday''s test had been added. At the same time, his heart sank when the once ¡°Unknown¡± room rental period had been replaced by a concrete number.


    Touching the Sect''s reward history, he suddenly froze. No matter how many times he scrolled back and forth or restarted, it wasn''t there.


    The three ''Initial Advancing Pills'' hadn''t been announced as gifts to him. Without them, he wouldn''t be able to receive medicine from the supply room for disciples.


    Recalling yesterday''s conversation with the outer sect elder, he could understand why. This was probably the best treatment possible. Getting one pill every three months made Nathan think Verdant Spire Sect was generous with Tier 1 pills. But with the increasing number of disciples, it would be a huge expense in both resources and manpower. Wasting it on a disciple like him was truly something only a fool would do. If including the 50% discount on pill purchases for new disciples, he had already taken too much advantage.


    Not dwelling too long on issues he couldn''t change, he returned to planning how to allocate the remaining seven hundred and fifty points. He sat down, took out paper and pen, and began to draft a schedule for the upcoming month.


    After about two hours, a preliminary chart was completed. By cutting expenses on food and daily necessities, he had utilized every point. Additionally, the option to buy ''Initial Advancing Pills'' was eliminated. He had no basis to blindly continue absorbing and hoping for miracles.


    His next thirty days would revolve around the training area and library. He even decided to book private rooms with advanced options to test himself. Each hour would cost 6 sect points, 1 point for ten minutes, so 5 hours would cost 30 points. Five sessions a week for 4 weeks would use up 600 points. The library was one point per hour, also divided evenly, consuming 80 points. The remaining 73 points were for other expenses and contingencies.


    Starting immediately, he headed to the training grounds and walked towards the infrastructure behind. This was an area he hadn''t visited before, saving points to exchange for healing medicine and advancement. The area gave him the impression of a mechanical era with cubic blocks stacked neatly into rows. To reach the upper rooms, floating platforms were used, unattached to any axis or component. Each room bore a dull gray color, surrounded by smoke when releasing energy and recharging through pipes connected directly to the ground. Their walls looked quite thick and sturdy from the outside, not entirely built of stone but some special mixture.


    He met the manager pointing her pen towards the training rooms ahead.


    "Excuse me, miss?" he spoke up.


    The girl with black hair and sharp eyes looked at him. Seeing his awkward appearance, she immediately knew this must be his first time.


    "Desired duration?" she asked curtly.


    "Two and a half hours," he would use the other half in the afternoon.


    "Place your finger here!" she held out the tablet in her hand towards him.


    He followed her instructions. The screen displayed his sect points and deducted the corresponding value, 15 points.


    "Stand on one of the moving platforms, it will take you to an empty room," she said, then added with a heavy tone, "When time''s up, you must leave immediately. Don''t linger in there, understand?"


    He nodded nervously. The manager just waved her pen to dismiss him, returning to her work on the tablet.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    The moving platform worked like an elevator, but with a strange, zigzagging motion¡ªsometimes ascending, sometimes moving sideways. During the ride, a forcefield kept Nathan securely in place, preventing any mishaps. Around him, other disciples were also being transported to or from training rooms.


    His room was on the third floor near the middle. The door automatically opened on both sides as he stepped onto the hallway in front. The walls were lined with shock-absorbing square tiles. Currently, the room was empty, waiting for Nathan''s desired adjustments.


    As in the training yard, he first commanded a dummy target. The initial step was to verify his skills.


    Step one, as before, he tested to see if it worked, though he already knew the answer.


    After using Force Fist three times, improved by [Martial Art Mastery], the skill activated.


    Triggered [Flowing Strikes]. One credit given.


    Fourth Force Fist.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    The damage indicator showed a number that made him rejoice. 6.


    So the two skills stacked. [Flowing Strikes] increased the attack from 2.5 to 3 with 20%. [Amplifying Strike] turned it into 6 with 200% on top.


    The next attack, as expected, was 3. A final test returned to 2.5.


    Having chosen Methodical from the start, he didn''t hesitate to upgrade [Flowing Strike].


    After resting for a few minutes, he returned and executed four punches.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    He was about to strike again when he suddenly stopped.


    Wait a minute, he whispered. I think I miscalculated something.


    Realizing his mistake, he held his head in his hands. After the fourth hit, not the third! [Flowing Strike] only took effect on the fifth and sixth strikes.


    Thus, it didn''t follow the fourth attack pattern.


    Nathan took a deep breath, trying to calm down. His mind continued to race.


    If they don¡¯t align on the fourth hit, then I need to find the least common multiple.


    After recalculating, he realized that the two skills would only synchronize every 12th attack.


    Nathan tested his theory and, sure enough, the twelfth strike resulted in a combined damage output of 5.8. The outcome made him reconsider whether he¡¯d made the right choice. Relying on chance-based skills meant he wouldn¡¯t have to think as much in battle. He only needed to keep track of a few key abilities, like [Amplifying Strike]. But now, with the activation happening after the fifth and sixth strikes, it felt like playing a rhythm game without cues to press. In his mind, he¡¯d have to manually calculate that the combo would trigger on the 12th, 24th hit, and so on. If another skill relied on the 5th hit, it wouldn¡¯t sync again until the 60th strike across three stacks.


    His head throbbed from the endless mental gymnastics. Fighting was hard enough¡ªnow he had to do math?


    [Self Emotional Support] triggered. One credit given.


    Nathan''s eyes lit up.


    PsiLink! The personal supercomputer no larger than a sticker.


    That¡¯s right! Once he had it, he could set up calculations and triggers so that PsiLink would alert him when it was time.


    Having found a solution to the complications brought by the Methodical Path, he pondered deeply if he had missed anything. There had to be an approach for him to train in the coming time and increase his chances of entering the inner sect.


    [Flowing Strikes] activated based on all attack turns, not categorized differently like [Amplifying Strike]. He wanted to reduce the number of times and simplify the way for both to stack.


    He arm-reloaded Force Fist three times, putting [Amplifying Strike] in a pre-activation state.


    Then, without using mana, he punched the air three times, two of which benefited from [Flowing Strikes]. Thus, resetting the counter for this skill.


    Next, he performed a martial arts technique learned from [Martial Art Mastery] by channeling mana into his fingers. The damage was very small, but falling on normal flesh would be enough to leave a bruise. This was mainly to confirm to the system that he was attacking, not scratching an itch. He pressed his fingers as if playing piano keys from pinky to index, four times, while curling them into a fist.


    Finally, he launched a Force Fist.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Flowing Strikes]. One credit given.


    He jumped up, waving his arms in joy. The [Self Emotional Support] skill was truly useful.


    He finalized the overall direction for his one-month program. Familiarize himself with the synchronization method of the two given skills. Only then would he have enough ability to compete. His current maximum output of 6 wasn''t entirely hopeless, at least it wasn''t a complete 0 like before. Who would¡¯ve thought that after just two days, he¡¯d be seriously considering a shot at entering the Inner Sect?


    With two hours left, he practiced getting used to this bizarre fighting style. Charge and hold one skill, then charge the other skill, release simultaneously, then return to the initial step. At least it was a rhythm for him to hum along to.


    He ordered the training room to change the practice target. The dummy was sucked down and a cluster of brown straw fibers was sprayed up. They floated in a strange rhythm, then wove into each other like ropes, connecting through knots, forming a human figure. The Straw Man. An invention of the elders in Verdant Spire Sect. They could scale strength according to disciples'' wishes. At the same time, they contained a tiny amount of essence for advancement. Of course, the amount was extremely small, much less than the ''Initial Advancing Pill''. The existence of essence in these training dummies was mainly to help disciples get accustomed to real combat with monsters, alongside mastering absorption.


    The cost of creating Straw Men was high, but since most disciples couldn¡¯t destroy them, they were reused frequently. Comparatively, it was far cheaper than buying or renting training robots.


    Nathan set the parameters so that the Straw Man had the minimum required durability. Thanks to [Martial Art Mastery], his ability to apply theory to practice was smooth and fluid. His main focus was testing his limits and familiarizing himself with the skills.


    The Straw Man took a combat stance, ready to face Nathan. Just from this initial posture, Nathan could analyze the likely angles of attack he could exploit. As he moved forward, so did the Straw Man. It threw a right hook. Instead of dodging like he had in his fight with Frank, Nathan seized the arm and threw the Straw Man to the ground, delivering a punch that sent the straw scattering. A faint pulse of energy washed over him as essence seeped into his body. The amount was so small that Nathan had to focus just to sense its existence.


    With a simple command, the scattered straw drifted back together, reassembling into another Straw Man.


    This time, Nathan increased the durability to require a damage output of 6.0 to defeat it.


    The fight was much tougher even though he had hit the straw man''s parts continuously. Changing style to use kicks, the straw man moved more unpredictably, and although the damage output was limited to 2, the pain when blocking attacks could still be felt very clearly. After understanding the movement pattern and the force concentration placed on the shin, he managed to dodge completely. To end it, he made his preparations, pre-loading Force Fist and Force Strike, while pushing [Flowing Strike] into activation state.


    His kick met the straw man''s shin, the force difference causing it to stagger, creating enough time needed for the force gathering action. His Force Fist punched through the puppet''s chest. On the floor again were straws slowly floating down. The result of that punch was 6.1.


    He let out a shout, delighted that he was making progress. It was a bit difficult to have two [Amplifying Strikes] consecutively. Not only did he have to adjust the rhythm, but there was also an obstacle in force gathering. He made a mental note to find ways to control the battle flow according to his will.


    [Martial Art Mastery] had shown him directions to improve the techniques he had learned. The trio of Force Fist, Force Palm, and Force Kick truly needed refinement. But this process would take time because understanding was one thing, manipulating mana without harming the body was another. He needed to practice enough for his blood vessels and muscles to gradually adapt. Successfully modifying could help him increase technique effectiveness by about ten to fifteen percent. This would help him considerably when facing Phase 6 opponents.


    He continued training, occasionally changing parameters and conducting a few experiments.


    Panting heavily when the training room announced time was up, he hurriedly tidied up to leave as instructed.


    After showering, Nathan went to the library to find methods for his critical weakness. One punch could leave him bedridden for months.


    The system-given skills were seriously lacking in defense. [Martial Art Mastery] could help him develop a defensive technique like increasing the endurance of body parts, but it would also be extremely weak, not enough to withstand disciples participating with Phase 5 at the lowest. Therefore, the ultimate choice was to learn how to dodge and increase speed.


    The Verdant Spire Sect library was a grand space, meticulously organized into sections. Its architecture carried a timeless air, with everything built from wood¡ªfloors, walls, and shelves¡ªbut not just any wood. Each piece had been refined and embedded with tiny mana circuits, automatically controlling the temperature and humidity, the natural enemies of books. In this world, where magic and modern technology intertwined, paper still held significant value, with many ancient documents needing preservation. The Sect¡¯s library was particularly generous in granting disciples access to these materials.


    Besides that, the library also digitized book titles. Interspersed among the paper bookshelves were shelves arranging thin square boxes containing book data. Disciples could pick up these boxes, and summary information would be projected as a hologram for them to choose whether to read it or not. The Sect didn''t put it on PsiLink because they didn''t want their faction''s information leaked out. These square boxes were all equipped with necessary information jamming functions to prevent anyone from copying. Of course, if violated, the Sect would have appropriate penalties. According to Nathan''s knowledge, if touching rare texts, the Sect would even consider elimination as a deterrent.


    Nathan enjoyed using the modern data boxes because they brought the text to life with vivid visual aids. Any passage he wanted could be projected into a hologram, displaying details such as herbs, monsters, or techniques. When it came to martial arts, the holographic images were particularly helpful, allowing him to study stances, force flow, and even the detailed pathways of mana through the body¡¯s meridians, reducing the risk of injury during training.


    He quickly went up to the second floor, the area dedicated to Tier 1. Walking between two shelves dedicated to movement and dodging techniques, he pondered where to start. But then he just picked randomly from the shelf with square boxes, intending to let [Martial Art Mastery] do its work.


    As he flipped through the box¡¯s holograms at lightning speed, other disciples passing by gave him strange looks, but no one dared to speak loudly in the library. Nathan¡¯s speed-reading, or rather, system-assisted browsing, didn¡¯t allow him to absorb the handwritten notes or thoughtful annotations in the texts. It felt as if his skill was mocking the material, blitzing through knowledge faster than he could process it. In truth, his understanding had become so vast that it almost overwhelmed him, making it difficult to apply. He needed to narrow his focus, and the best way to do that was to adapt some of the Sect¡¯s techniques, molding them into his own.


    After two hours of eye strain, he had envisioned what he needed to do. Developing hand and foot movements was certainly necessary. But he also had to pay attention to small movements from other parts like the neck or waist to move them as quickly as possible when attacked. His speed was too different from his opponents, so any movement to dodge attacks had to be utilized. Just a millimeter away from the punch was enough to save him from a loss.


    One style in particular caught his eye: Snake Style, a technique that emphasized fluidity and flexibility, turning the body into a pliable, dangerous weapon. It was exactly what he needed right now. Another option, Leopard Style, focused more on sheer speed, another viable choice.


    Having made his decision, he rested after a tiring morning.


    In the afternoon, Nathan returned to the training grounds, repeating his morning routine. He tested the new concepts and methods he had gleaned from the library, only to quickly realize they were problematic. His body had become accustomed to the rigid techniques taught to all disciples at the Verdant Spire Sect. After all, their goal was to train disciples up to Tier 2, at which point Tier 1 techniques would start to lose their relevance, shifting focus to other aspects of cultivation. But Nathan knew that a solid foundation in martial arts would give him an edge, allowing him to diversify his fighting style and increase his adaptability in future tiers.


    The evening was time for meditation, summarizing the day that had passed.


    On weekends, Nathan would ask Zeryn to train him. As someone possessing Sword Intent, Zeryn was a teacher any outer sect disciple would desire.


    Using a wooden sword, Zeryn worked his friend to the bone. But at the same time, he was surprised at the development of someone who seemed permanently stuck at Tier 1. Before, Nathan didn''t even bother to study with him because everything would just be useless beatings. But now, every time Nathan fell down and got up again, Zeryn could recognize that his attack trajectory was being dissected and analyzed thoroughly. A few times, Nathan had tried to launch counterattacks against him, but failed by a hair''s breadth due to the reaction speed difference between Tier 2 and Tier 1. The most obvious progress was Nathan''s movement ability. Zeryn had to say that his friend was truly slipperier than an eel. Indeed, he had to limit his abilities to be appropriate, but Nathan was really tough to chew at Tier 1.


    "What the hell happened to you these last few days?" Zeryn squinted and asked.


    "The heavens finally remembered me," Nathan just replied cheerfully.


    Afterwards, they both lunged at each other again. Zeryn also ignited his passion, understanding that he too would benefit from this training.


    "Youth is truly good," Orin rocked on a chair in the garden, sighing. He hadn''t hesitated to let the two borrow the yard for practice.


    With a push using the flat of his sword, Zeryn looked towards Orin.


    "Old man, you still owe me bet money," he looked at Nathan with malice.


    "Damn it," Orin shouted, "if it weren''t for that brat, I would have had money to pay already."


    Seeing the outer sect elder pointing at him, Nathan''s face turned red.


    "You bet on me losing?"


    "What else, did you think I''d bet on you passing? There''s never been a bet where the odds were so skewed to one side. Ah, wait. Damn it. If I had really bet on you passing, I''d have a lot of money now, wouldn''t I?"


    "You decrepit old ba..."


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    Covering his mouth, Nathan tried to calm down. He was an elder after all.


    Orin didn¡¯t seem to mind, though. He simply shot a glare at Zeryn, who was grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying the situation. ¡°That kid sure knows how to make enemies,¡± the elder muttered.


    Despite being the butt of their jokes, Nathan felt at ease. Time with these two always made him forget the harsh reality he was stuck in. Especially when the system gave him another very peculiar skill. After nearly ten days of scraping together credits, he had finally gathered enough for a single skill roll. Every night, existential questions haunted him¡ªwhat was the meaning of life? Was weakness a crime? Was being ordinary a curse? Or was it immoral to just keep going, ignoring all the struggles around him? These sleepless nights led him down a spiral of dark thoughts. That was when [Self Emotional Support] kicked in. Exploiting that skill was both amusing and draining.


    Yet, when the long-awaited skill roll finally came through, the system rewarded him with a skill that made him question everything.


    Skill: [Butthurt]


    Description: Reduce 60% of damage received to the butt area.


    * If damage exceeds the tolerance threshold, the reduction will be ignored.

 Chapter 5

    ¡°You really are the embodiment of bad timing, Nate,¡± Zeryn sighed as the two of them rested during the weekend, just one week before the Outer Disciple Tournament.


    Nathan paused, his water bottle halfway to his lips, and gave his friend a skeptical look.


    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t want you to enter the Inner Sect,¡± Zeryn fanned his face. ¡°At least, not at this time. Then again, when else could it be?¡±


    ¡°Speak like a human, would you?¡±


    Zeryn, lost in thought, took a moment before he finally responded. ¡°A year. It would be better if you entered the Inner Sect a year from now.¡±


    ¡°You speak as if I¡¯m going to make it,¡± Nathan muttered.


    ¡°If your chances aren¡¯t zero, then you need to consider every possibility, right?¡±


    It was rare to see Zeryn this serious, so Nathan fell silent, listening carefully. Zeryn had been in the Inner Sect for a year now, so he likely knew more about the situation.


    ¡°The Inner Sect is both a paradise and a cesspool. It¡¯s peaceful out here in the Outer Sect.¡±


    Nathan shifted uncomfortably at Zeryn¡¯s comment, making him laugh.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious, even with your situation, things are relatively calm. You have to understand, the dropout rate in the Inner Sect is sky-high. If you don¡¯t meet expectations, you¡¯re kicked back out to the Outer Sect. If you rub the higher-ups the wrong way, you¡¯re kicked out of the sect entirely. An injury that can¡¯t be healed means you¡¯re out, because no one will help you. And Nate, fighting in the Inner Sect isn¡¯t just about breaking a bone or two. It can destroy your foundation.¡±


    Nathan nodded thoughtfully.


    ¡°But hasn¡¯t it always been like that? That¡¯s not unique to Verdant Spire Sect, right?¡±


    ¡°True,¡± Zeryn shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m just reminding you what you¡¯re about to get into. The crucial part is the timing. A lot of upheaval is coming soon. If you become an Inner Disciple this year, you¡¯ll likely end up as a pawn in someone else¡¯s game.¡±


    ¡°And I can¡¯t rely on you?¡±


    Zeryn blinked, surprised by Nathan¡¯s trust.


    ¡°Of course you can,¡± he grinned. ¡°What can¡¯t the all-powerful Zeryn do? I¡¯ll protect you, no worries!¡±


    He laughed loudly, as if that would make Nathan forget everything he¡¯d just said.


    Nathan didn¡¯t mind. He wasn¡¯t afraid of being called weak. After two years in this world, he understood the rules. Strength rules all. Only the strong survive. Zeryn was one of the strongest people Nathan knew, aside from Orin. Nathan owed him a lot. Reaching Phase 2.5 was only possible thanks to the ¡®Initial Advancing Pills¡¯ that Zeryn had given him, prizes he earned from the Inner Sect. Zeryn could have traded those pills for sect points or useful items, but he chose to give them to Nathan, saying they were ¡°nothing.¡± One or two pills might seem like a small thing, but five or six pills were worth 1,500 to 1,800 sect points¡ªthe equivalent of five or six months of work for Nathan. Different perspectives, but Nathan knew he had befriended someone incredibly generous.


    Having shamelessly accepted Zeryn¡¯s help, Nathan dared to ask if he could rely on him in the Inner Sect. Shame or hesitation wouldn¡¯t help him. Only by becoming stronger, by achieving new heights, could he repay his debt.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just take things as they come,¡± Nathan said, stretching out on the grass.


    The sky was a deep blue, clouds drifting lazily by, indifferent to the world below.


    ¡°You¡¯re just a magnet for bad luck, Nate.¡±


    Zeryn lay beside him, drawing his sword and waving it in the air, using Sword Control Technique to sketch a picture in the sky with mana. It started with two circles and ended with a straight line.


    Fortunately, there were no other disciples around, especially not female ones, because Zeryn¡¯s drawing was¡­ indecent. Nathan laughed, pointing at the picture and suggesting more details. The clearing echoed with their vulgar laughter.


    For the remainder of the weekend, Nathan tested his endurance¡ªor more accurately, his pain tolerance. Using his [Martial Art Mastery] skill, he discovered a way to redirect force from incoming attacks, minimizing damage to specific areas and reducing the overall impact. The key was timing: using mana not to attack but to circulate and channel the force to other parts of his body.


    By gradually increasing the strength of the training dummies, he learned to endure hits equivalent to a Tier 1, Phase 4 disciple going all out. If an opponent underestimated him, Nathan could potentially turn that underestimation into an advantage. In theory, he could even withstand a single blow from a Phase 6 disciple. Dodging remained his priority, but it was comforting to know he had a backup plan if his reflexes failed him.


    Absorbing essence and mana from the defeated dummies pushed Nathan¡¯s cultivation forward, inching him closer to Phase 2.6. Though not a major leap, it was still progress, and when combined with stacking skills upon one another, it became a decent advancement. Despite his reluctance, the [Butthurt] skill was proving incredibly useful. It was the first skill he hadn¡¯t found an option to upgrade¡ªeither because it was already fully developed, or he needed to reach a higher cultivation level to unlock new features. Regardless, the ability to reduce damage by 60% felt like cheating.


    At first, he¡¯d had the training dummy set to Level 4, and the experience was... humiliating. His butt wiggled awkwardly with each blow, but the pain was nothing more than a slight sting. A Level 4 attack, which should¡¯ve left him with serious injuries, was reduced to a meager 1.6 in damage, even lower than his current Phase. Gradually, he pushed the intensity to Level 9, where the damage was reduced to 3.6. Though the pain was excruciating, it only left bruises¡ªan easy fix with a bit of ointment. By channeling the impact, Nathan could take a hit without leaving any permanent injuries.


    Having had the system for nearly a month, Nathan sometimes felt like he was turning into a bizarre parody of himself. He was certain that he¡¯d use [Butthurt] during the tournament, though the thought of it made him cringe.


    With [Butthurt] and four other skills, he steadily accumulated 25 credits per day. As Zeryn became busier, opportunities to use [Bad Mouth] dwindled. That skill required a victim who could hear the insult, and without Zeryn around to take the brunt of it, Nathan had only managed to collect 494 credits so far. On the other hand, [Martial Art Mastery] never seemed to register as an activated skill¡ªperhaps because it was constantly active, unlike the others.


    With the tournament so close, Nathan refrained from rolling for more skills, choosing to save his resources. Having an extra skill without time to practice it would only disrupt his strategy. After observing his opponents, he¡¯d consider using a roll if it seemed advantageous.


    <hr>


    Finally, the day of the tournament arrived.


    The Outer Sect Tournament was one of the most anticipated events of the year. Not only did it capture the attention of the entire Outer Sect, but it also attracted members of the Inner Sect, including the older generations and several elders. By the quarterfinals, Inner Sect elders and even the Sect Leader himself would be in attendance to observe the sect¡¯s future prospects. This was why each regional tournament had to be held in different seasons, ensuring the leadership could oversee each one. Nathan¡¯s southern region would hold its tournament in the fall.


    The training grounds where disciples had been evaluated the previous month had been refurbished for the event. Wooden stands, large enough to seat five thousand spectators, were erected in tiers. The seating, built into the mountainside near the path to the Inner Sect, reserved the highest rows for honored guests, with a handful of luxurious seats set aside for the elders. At the very top was a throne-like chair, intricately carved from polished wood, exuding both grandeur and ancient authority.


    The arena itself had been reinforced with massive stone slabs, ready to withstand the upcoming destruction. Booths were strategically placed around the arena for first aid and waiting areas.


    The sun blazed overhead, and the heat warmed Nathan¡¯s skin as he arrived at the grounds.


    A staff member approached him, handing him a sticker with the number three on it and ordering him to affix it to his chest. Before he could ask anything, the staff member had already moved on to another disciple.


    Though confused, the lively atmosphere soon distracted him. The stands were not yet full, but the noise of conversation and cheers echoed through the air, especially in the area furthest from the entrance. A large group had gathered, no doubt the betting section. Strangely, Zeryn was nowhere to be seen, though this kind of excitement was right up his alley. Normally, bets were handled through PsiLink, but for larger events like this, where stakes included items as well as sect points, it required in-person management. The sect turned a blind eye to these events, even sending a supervisor to oversee things and claim a portion of the earnings after the event.


    Nathan didn¡¯t bother to check his odds. With only 11 sect points left, it wouldn¡¯t make much of a difference anyway. Instead, he headed to the waiting area for registered disciples. As he surveyed the gathering crowd, his heart raced and sweat dripped down his forehead uncontrollably.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    There were so many people! Nathan marveled.


    There must have been several hundred participants spread across the four corners of the arena. Most of them looked nervous, with only a few appearing excited. First-time participants were rare¡ªafter all, injuries incurred during the tournament still required sect points to heal. Most Outer Sect disciples who passed their evaluations preferred to watch, with the remaining competitors fearing for their future, just like Nathan.


    The groups gathered in clusters, murmuring among themselves about something Nathan couldn¡¯t make out due to the ambient noise of the crowd. Ignoring it all, he tried to steady his nerves and waited for the event to begin.


    As more and more people arrived, a few Outer Sect elders took their seats in the third row from the top in the honored section. The second row remained empty.


    Below them, a handful of Inner Sect disciples, recognizable by their crimson robes, casually took their seats. Zeryn had told Nathan that the Inner Sect was rife with factionalism, and this event was also an unofficial recruitment ground for those seeking to grow their influence. Being aligned with a group was crucial to success in the Inner Sect, especially when it came to completing difficult missions. Without backing, finishing tasks and earning rewards became a near-impossible feat.


    At exactly nine o¡¯clock, a large bell rang, silencing the entire crowd. Even the noise from the betting section died down as everyone turned their attention to the arena. A figure soared from the Outer Sect elders¡¯ seating area, landing gracefully in the middle of the stage, his eyes sweeping the audience with an imposing gaze.


    Nathan, standing in the shadow of a nearby pavilion, could feel the pressure radiating from the man. It was stronger than anything he¡¯d felt from the elder who had overseen the evaluation a month ago.


    Clad in flowing white robes with fiery patterns embroidered along the hem, the elder¡¯s voice boomed across the arena. ¡°Disciples of the southern region! The time has come¡ªlet today¡¯s event begin!¡±


    The crowd erupted into cheers, especially from the gamblers who were already swept up in the excitement.


    ¡°That''s the spirit!¡± the elder continued, his voice full of energy. ¡°Cheer for the disciples who will compete today! As always, the top thirty-two disciples will be granted entry into the Inner Sect. The top four will earn the chance to become personal disciples of the Inner Sect elders¡ªpossibly even the Sect Leader himself!¡±


    A wave of gasps and murmurs swept through the audience, not just from the spectators but from the waiting disciples as well. The Sect Leader was notoriously elusive and hadn¡¯t accepted a personal disciple in years, likely due to his responsibilities. The idea that he might choose a disciple this year was nothing short of shocking. Becoming the Sect Leader¡¯s personal disciple came with untold benefits, including influence even over some of the Inner Sect elders. It was said that such a disciple could be groomed to inherit the Sect Leader¡¯s position one day.


    Nathan frowned as he recalled Zeryn¡¯s warning. Inner Sect politics were stirring, just as his friend had hinted.


    ¡°Exciting, isn¡¯t it?¡± the elder¡¯s voice rang out again. ¡°But don¡¯t forget¡ªtoday¡¯s Outer Sect tournament is only the beginning of your journey. Only those with exceptional skill will be worthy of such privileges. Now, without further delay, I declare the start of the southern region¡¯s Outer Sect Tournament!¡±


    ¡°Green grows the spire, through blood and fire!¡± the crowd chanted, echoing the sect¡¯s motto with fervor. ¡°Green grows the spire, through blood and fire!¡±


    As the chant filled the air, vines erupted from the four corners of the arena, intertwining with one another until they formed a bright red flower at the top. Fire ignited around the flower¡¯s edges, sending it into the sky, where it burst into shimmering embers.


    The dazzling display had an almost magical effect, stirring the blood of the participants. Nathan felt it too¡ªa mix of excitement and anxiety as he stared up at the sky, dreams of glory flickering before his eyes.


    With a clap of the elder¡¯s hands, the noise fell silent again. ¡°This year¡¯s format will be different,¡± he announced, and Nathan¡¯s senses sharpened at the unexpected words.


    ¡°Instead of the traditional randomized pairings and seeded matches, this year¡¯s tournament will be a free-for-all.¡±


    A cold shiver ran down Nathan¡¯s spine.


    ¡°The arena will be divided into four regions,¡± the elder explained. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about space¡ªour Inner Sect elders have generously provided spatial artifacts for the event. Each region will house its own pocket dimension, large enough for all of you to battle freely. The rules are simple: each region will start with roughly 160 disciples. You will fight until only eight remain, making up the top thirty-two who will enter the Inner Sect. You¡¯ll be eliminated if you surrender, lose consciousness, or fall out of bounds. Now, if anyone wishes to withdraw, speak up.¡±


    No one moved or made a sound. Those who wanted to quit had already done so long before today. The remaining competitors had all steeled themselves for the trials ahead.


    Nathan, however, stood frozen in place, his ears ringing from shock. The murmuring of the crowd, the shuffling of the other disciples, all faded into the background. It seemed like no one else was surprised by the announcement. They must have heard about it through PsiLink or in whispers over the past few days. But Nathan, isolated in his training, had been completely unaware.


    His eyes darted toward the stands, and there, just arriving among the Inner Sect disciples, he spotted Zeryn. His friend¡¯s expression was one of guilt and panic, confirming Nathan¡¯s suspicion¡ªZeryn had learned of this too late. Without PsiLink to communicate, Nathan had been left in the dark.


    Around him, disciples were already forming groups, whispering to one another and nodding as alliances were made. Nathan quickly realized that many of them were planning to band together to increase their chances. In the Inner Sect, cooperation often led to forming future teams for missions, and this tournament seemed to be an early stage for that.


    Looking down at the number three sticker on his chest, Nathan finally understood its meaning. Some of the disciples bearing the same number shot him predatory glances, as though he were fresh meat. To them, he was clearly the weakest link¡ªa Phase 2.6 who would be the first to get tossed out.


    Without a doubt, forming an alliance was not an option for him. But withdrawing? Not a chance.


    ¡°The participants,¡± the elder called out again, ¡°head to your designated regions based on your number. Collect your chosen weapons at the armory before entering.¡±


    Above each region, numbers floated in the air from 1 to 4, glowing faintly.


    There was no time left to wallow in self-pity. Nathan followed the elder¡¯s instructions and headed toward Region 3, where other disciples were already gathering. Most of them grabbed their preferred weapons¡ªswords, spears, staves¡ªwhile Nathan opted for a pair of iron gauntlets, pulling them snugly over his hands.


    As he crossed the invisible boundary into Region 3, the space around him expanded dramatically. The disciples he¡¯d seen moments ago were now distant, the arena stretching out in every direction. The pocket dimension truly was vast, giving everyone room to strategize and avoid early skirmishes. Curious, Nathan stepped back toward the edge, and the arena returned to its normal size. The crowd could still see them, but from outside, the dimension appeared empty¡ªan illusion of isolation.


    Back in the expanded space, Nathan surveyed the groups around him. More than ten teams had already formed, their numbers ranging from five to eight members. One group, however, stood out with twenty members, led by a disciple Nathan vaguely remembered from last year¡¯s evaluation. That disciple had been a Phase 6 back then, and judging by his aura, he was likely Phase 8 or 9 now. It wasn¡¯t hard to guess that his team had promised lesser disciples some form of protection in exchange for cooperation. Their plan was likely to eliminate everyone else first and then deal with internal competition.


    Nathan counted the remaining disciples¡ªabout seventy stood alone like him. Most had scattered, trying to avoid early conflict. His original plan to blend into the chaos seemed more and more impossible. Small teams were still forming, and no one had even glanced his way.


    Blending in was no longer an option, at least not at the start. Nathan adjusted his plan¡ªStep 1: run.


    The words ¡°READY?¡± appeared in the air above, followed by a countdown.


    3... 2... 1...


    ¡°START!¡±


    An explosion signaled the beginning of the free-for-all, and chaos erupted immediately. Teams charged toward their pre-selected targets. Nathan was among those marked for early elimination.


    Three disciples targeted him. Two split off from nearby teams, agreeing to work together for now. Nathan had hoped his low Phase might make him seem unimportant, but it seemed his size and rank had only made him a convenient target. They thought they could knock him out of bounds with a single hit when the time came.


    Nathan¡¯s instincts kicked in, and he bolted toward the far eastern edge of the arena. The three disciples chased him at full speed, but two soon broke off, targeting other lone disciples. The remaining pursuer was fast, clearly intent on eliminating Nathan personally.


    The disciple quickly closed the distance, his Phase 6 strength propelling him forward in three powerful strides. On the last step, he leapt into the air, aiming a high kick at Nathan.


    But Nathan had been ready. His body twisted like a snake, narrowly dodging the attack. His hands shot out, grabbing the disciple¡¯s leg. Using the momentum of his attacker, Nathan pivoted, redirecting the force. The disciple¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he found himself flung out of the arena¡¯s boundary, crashing hard onto the ground outside the pocket dimension.


    Disoriented, the disciple tried to reenter but slammed into an invisible barrier. As he looked around, he saw a few other unlucky souls who had already been eliminated, just as bewildered as he was. Glancing up at the hovering screens, he saw his name light up, signaling his disqualification. Stunned, he slumped back in disbelief, unable to comprehend how a Phase 6 disciple had just been outmaneuvered by someone in Phase 2.6 in a single exchange.


    Nathan, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t help but grin. His opponent had no idea that Nathan had been able to read his every move. The way the disciple had channeled his energy, the telegraphed movement¡ªit had all been clear to Nathan, thanks to his extensive training.


    Experience beats raw power every time.


    Back outside the arena, MC Emily¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.


    ¡°What just happened, ladies and gentlemen?¡± Her voice echoed through the crowd, immediately drawing everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°This year¡¯s tournament is already off to an exciting start! We¡¯ve got someone to keep our eyes on!¡±


    At her cue, William, the co-host, gestured, and the massive screens around the arena flickered. The screens now displayed the scene of Nathan running toward the boundary of the pocket dimension, followed by the moment when he flipped his attacker out of the arena.


    ¡°Before you boo, hold on a moment!¡± Emily teased with a grin. ¡°Here¡¯s the kicker, everyone!¡±


    The screens below the main display zoomed in on the stats of the two disciples. One was a Phase 6.3 disciple, while the other¡ªNathan¡ªwas listed as Phase 2.6.


    The crowd, which had started murmuring, now erupted in full force.


    ¡°No way, a Phase 2.6?¡±


    ¡°How useless is that Phase 6 guy, then?¡±


    ¡°Useless? Are you blind? That kid, Nathan, read him like a book!¡±


    ¡°How did a Phase 2.6 even make it through the evaluation?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s his betting odds? Someone tell me!¡±


    The betting area was suddenly in chaos, as gamblers scrambled to adjust their stakes.


    In the spectator section, Zeryn leaned back with a satisfied grin and whistled a long, loud note. ¡°Go Nate! Kick their asses!¡±


    The other Inner Sect disciples near him, noticing Zeryn¡¯s enthusiasm, stood and bowed in respect. Zeryn waved them off casually, his eyes already scanning the crowd with mischievous intent.


    ¡°Who¡¯s betting on that kid?¡± he asked, loud enough for the disciples around him to hear.


    ¡°Nathan?¡± one of them asked, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°Yep, that¡¯s right. I¡¯ll handle your bets, promise it¡¯ll be a good payout.¡±


    A few nervous chuckles followed, as the Inner Sect disciples weren¡¯t sure if Zeryn was serious. His laid-back attitude was well-known, but placing bets on a disciple like Nathan? They weren¡¯t convinced.


    Most placed their bets with the assumption Nathan would eventually lose. Zeryn, on the other hand, confidently bet on his friend¡¯s success. In his eyes, there was no fun in only betting on sure outcomes. Life was about the risks.


    ¡°I¡¯ve staked my fortune on you, Nathan,¡± Zeryn whispered with a grin.


    Meanwhile, inside the pocket dimension, Nathan focused on his next move. The elimination of his first opponent had been a small victory, but he knew this was just the beginning. He needed a plan to survive the chaos that was rapidly unfolding around him.

 Chapter 6

    Only minutes had passed, yet a significant number of contestants had already been defeated, ejected, or surrendered.


    This is not good, Nathan thought, alarmed.


    The solo disciples were his unspoken allies. These scattered individuals would reduce the pressure he faced and increase the variables for the teams. Now, those variables were dwindling.


    Thinking quickly, he attempted one of his strategies. After the other disciple was eliminated, no one was paying attention to him. They probably didn''t think a lowly ant like him would amount to anything. His trump card had been exposed, so they only needed to be cautious when directly engaging him.


    Taking advantage of this, Nathan moved across the arena like a snake-monkey hybrid. Sometimes he slithered between sword strokes, spear thrusts, or axe swings from above. Other times he used all four limbs to scamper like a madman. He focused on his first prey. After circling around, gathering information from the shouts amidst the clashes, he used everyone''s blind spots to sidle up next to someone, successfully infiltrating a team of eight members.


    "Hey, Desmond," he called out as if they were old friends.


    The disciple named Desmond startled, his brown hair quivering as he looked around frantically.


    Nathan didn''t let him have his way, choosing to move behind Desmond, keeping his head low to stay out of sight.


    "Shouldn''t we attack the largest group?" he quickly continued before everything fell apart. "If we wait, it''ll become a disadvantage for our team! We could temporarily ally with another group, find a way to eliminate them first. At this rate, aren''t we just competing for second place? Second place after twenty people!"


    Desmond heard but didn''t respond, until he turned around faster than Nathan could react, looking him straight in the eye.


    "Little rat," Desmond growled. He had received information via PsiLink from a teammate about Nathan''s sneaky maneuver.


    Nathan heard this and immediately fled. The past month of training his legs was precisely for this moment. Desmond couldn''t chase after him, having to stay behind to adjust his group''s formation. He had to direct attacks on the individuals who were assaulting the group. But the words of that Phase 2.6 guy still echoed in his ears.


    It''s not entirely without merit, Desmond pondered silently.


    Whether successful or not, Nathan had completed the task he''d set for himself. He continued running through the arena, choosing the safest path, executing similar feints on other groups. One team leader even angrily chased Nathan for a long stretch, only retreating when he collided with another team. The groups weren''t engaging each other yet, but they would seize any opportunity to eliminate a leader when possible.


    Panting heavily, Nathan began to slow down, dividing much of his mind to replenish the mana in his body. His next target: the largest group.


    Instead of approaching the leaders as before, this time he didn''t plan to get close, but rather tried to ensure other contestants could hear him.


    ¡°The center! The center is key!¡±


    ¡°The center! Only by controlling the center can we win!¡±


    ¡°If we don¡¯t capture the center first, we¡¯ll lose our chance! Defend the center and victory is assured!¡±


    Nathan shouted in all directions, especially around the largest group. A few suspicious glances searched for the source of the sound but found nothing. He even tried changing his voice to make people think it wasn''t just one person.


    Once finished, he slipped away to another spot like before, still moving at a pace that wouldn''t exhaust him too much.


    The seed had been planted; now it just needed a catalyst. He predicted it would come any moment now.


    A loud whistle echoed throughout the space, and above, an announcement appeared.


    "The arena will reduce in 15 seconds."


    Here it comes, Nathan thought gleefully.


    It couldn''t be a battle royale without a mechanism to force confrontation. If the space remained this wide forever, the battle would certainly drag on indefinitely. Too much space would allow people to rest, run, or fortify. A narrower space would accelerate the process significantly. When fighting reaches a fever pitch, composure becomes as fragile as paper.


    The disciples looked towards the arena''s boundary, where the stones simply vanished, as if dissolving into thin air in an instant. Everything suddenly became more serious. The space had shrunk considerably, forcing everyone to move inward. A few more disciples were thrown out in the process.


    Nathan wasn''t sure how many people were left, but the number couldn''t be more than 120. Yet still, no group had been eliminated. But his seeds were starting to sprout.


    The largest group had begun to move, maintaining a loose circular formation. They attacked anyone in their path, and if attacked, the nearby members would immediately support. Judging by their trajectory, the center position was their destination.


    Occupying the center was a double-edged sword, Nathan knew. Holding an advantageous position also meant becoming an easy target for everyone. Standing in a corner might only invite attacks from one or two groups, but in the center, all could attack. This was experience from hours of gaming with friends in his previous world. Being at the center of the circle wasn''t always good, especially on a flat plateau; it would only make you prey for others.


    But unable to think too much amidst the pressure of the tournament and hostile gazes, the twenty-person team hadn''t considered this carefully. Moreover, they were confident that with superior numbers, they could fend off everyone.


    The chaos was about to begin.


    Desmond, the disciple Nathan had targeted first, began to think. He knew the danger of the center position, but there were still advantages. If the twenty-person group could hold out until the end, no one could stop them from advancing to the next round. Most importantly, a group of twenty was too large; they needed to be eliminated first. Just as that brat had said.


    This line of thought also appeared in other groups because of Nathan. Their initial plan was to eliminate solo disciples, then proceed with a direct elimination between groups. But now they realized they were actually competing for a chance to fight the group of twenty and almost certainly lose the round. If so, why fight each other? Wasn''t the common goal the group of twenty?


    Desmond used PsiLink to signal another leader, asking about a temporary alliance. The group of twenty needed to be eliminated right now.


    The response was agreement.


    This cooperation was simultaneously occurring among other groups. Even Nathan was unaware of how successful his divide-and-conquer strategy had been. The leader of the twenty-person group was still oblivious to the danger they faced. His thoughts were perhaps the most naive, believing that more meant stronger. The principle of standing at the forefront of conflict never failed: being too prominent was as good as stabbing yourself in the back.


    Desmond''s group, like the others, wouldn''t recklessly attack immediately despite reaching an agreement. They would wait for the group of twenty to move closer to the center, allowing them to fall within the attack range of other groups. For now, they pretended as before, continuing to eliminate disciples who didn''t belong to any group. The number was steadily decreasing to about 30 solo individuals.


    Only one position was avoided by everyone. Too busy to notice earlier, Nathan now saw one of the individuals who had attracted attention on the day of the exam was in the same area as him. Xander Caldoran.


    Xander stood there in a position on the arena floor, hand holding a spear planted in the ground, his majestic amber eyes gazing at the space before him, for anyone who blocked his path or stood before him had already been defeated. His figure towered over others, lean yet intimidating with his buzzcut and the tattoos on his biceps. The black ink drawing looked like a spear piercing the sky. His presence was like that of a god, easily crushing everything. An immovable pillar of heaven.


    Nathan was also stunned by Xander''s combat prowess. The weapons of the defeated lay scattered around, some broken, some dented. Blood was inevitably present, blooming like a flower. Defeated or knocked-out disciples were teleported out through the arena''s mechanism, so even severed limbs had been removed. Yet, this wasn''t enough to diminish the intense image of Xander Caldoran.


    Similar situations were occurring in other arenas, images chosen to be displayed on the large screen.


    In the first area, Keira Valaine''s group dominated. With just four members, no one dared approach them. The four girls not only possessed the beauty of young maidens, but the knives and swords in their hands also carried an inviolable deadliness. Anyone who came near, regardless of intention, would be instantly eliminated by their seamless coordination. Keira appeared to be a true leader, able to calmly direct against encirclements. Gradually, her group faced no more challengers, thus ensuring other disciples could only compete for the remaining four slots.


    The second area was bloodier, with no overwhelmingly superior team. The most notable group was a combination of two people. A girl named Yao Qingfeng, an archer disciple with a ponytail and a cheerful smile. She was protected by a male disciple, Roran Alastair, with a muscular physique, his muscles gleaming to the point of reflection. He was like a wall, preventing anyone from getting close, allowing Qingfeng to move freely, aim her arrows, and push back or eliminate opponents from the arena.


    Zarah Kinyara was in the fourth area. Like Xander, she was a powerful lone wolf amidst the crowd. Similar to Nathan, she had also chosen a gauntlet as her weapon, making her fingers form a devastating cluster. She danced among opponents, fighting frenziedly as if fatigue was foreign to her. Unlike Xander, Keira, or the Qingfeng duo, she chased after targets instead of standing still. When surrounded, she used her agility to slip away, then continued to harass. If Nathan were in her group, they would surely make an interesting pair.


    In the stands, betting groups quickly changed their odds. Subsequent participations would follow the new indices, with previous indices still guaranteed full payouts. Zeryn gradually sidled towards the area of outer disciples, causing other inner disciples to frown, seeing it as an act of lowering one''s dignity. Even the elders'' positions had few eyes on the competition. The crucial moment hadn''t arrived yet. Once the top 32 were decided would be when focus would be given to the disciples.


    As the ten-minute mark approached, the arenas continued to shrink. The solo disciples had been almost completely eliminated from the field. The pre-arranged medical booths were sprawled with hundreds of people, some with broken bones, others with severed limbs. One unfortunate disciple was left with only half a body, both thighs and a hand already frozen and placed beside him. Fortunately, the Verdant Spire Sect subsidized the cost, so treatment could still proceed. If insufficient, it could be paid off later. After being bandaged to stop the bleeding, he was taken to the emergency room to assess the severity and choose a course of treatment. At worst, limb-growing medicine and accelerated recovery machines could be used. The cost was incredibly expensive. The guy lay on the stretcher, still somewhat conscious, casting a hateful gaze at the screen displaying a majestic face holding a spear. Xander Caldoran truly showed no mercy.


    Seeing Xander swiftly deal with a disciple, Nathan shuddered as blood sprayed and the disciple disappeared along with his severed arm. The war god swung his spear, flicking off the blood onto the floor, twirled it once, then planted it back into the ground, the resounding thud a warning to all.


    Xander was like a group of disciples unto himself, commanding his own space. Arena number three was now down to just over 80 people, half already eliminated, not just solo disciples, but group members as well. There were still scattered lone wolves like Nathan.


    As the shrinking battlefield forced the groups closer together, skirmishes began. The remaining lone disciples became less of a concern as the teams clashed. The moment Nathan had been waiting for had finally arrived.


    Desmond''s group, along with two others, charged towards the twenty-member group. Each side split the large group into three parts, fighting intensely in the central area. The remaining groups could no longer stay passive, choosing their battle targets.


    In an instant, the sound of clashing swords, impacts, and breaking bones echoed across the arena. The remaining solo disciples were also dragged into the struggle without a chance to catch their breath. The previous state of balance had been completely replaced.


    Nathan, of course, wouldn¡¯t let things end there. Despite the chaos, the eliminations were still happening too slowly for his liking. The teams might lose members, but if two groups survived, they might call a truce and negotiate. Even with three groups, it was possible. Xander had already secured his spot, and now it was just a fight for the remaining seven.


    He acted. His target was a member of a group outside the main conflict with the twenty. He charged towards the opponent while they were busy attacking someone else. A punch to the back made them stagger forward, creating an opportunity for the other person to swing a staff down on their head, knocking them unconscious before they could understand what happened.


    The staff-wielding disciple looked at Nathan with suspicion, about to speak when Nathan lunged at them. Using his legs to attack, Nathan aimed for the opponent''s knee. As they withdrew their leg, Nathan leaned forward to one side, just in time to dodge an upward swing of the staff. The forward momentum didn''t stop; he grabbed the waist and clothes. Concentrating all his weight, he threw the disciple in an arc. The vague memories of judo, aikido, and jiu-jitsu were enough for [Martial Art Mastery] to help him synthesize and adapt to any situation.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Just when he thought he would succeed, the opponent quickly jabbed one end of the staff into the ground, the force helping them escape from him. Unable to react to that speed, he retreated, creating a light and fluid standing posture like a tai chi master.


    Having successfully captured the opponent''s attention, he tried to apply his repertoire to block attacks and strike when necessary. The disciple was forced to follow his rhythm, unaware they were being led. When they swept their staff horizontally at Nathan''s waist, they hit another contestant standing behind, previously hidden by Nathan''s figure. That blow angered the collateral victim. They were already fighting another disciple but disregarded that to jump back and change targets to the staff-wielder. The female contestant saw this and gave chase, creating a chaotic circle of three people.


    The troublemaker had already slipped away, continuing with another disciple. After three successful attempts at making factions turn their weapons on each other, Nathan encountered an obstacle on the fourth try. Two contestants who were fighting immediately stopped and looked at Nathan.


    "Sneak attacks are the actions of cowards," one of them said.


    "That''s right! I''ll wait for you to deal with this bastard," the other replied.


    In the blink of an eye, a gleaming sword slashed towards Nathan. He used the metal surface of his gauntlet to block, unable to dodge in time. That action pushed him back due to the difference in strength, his hand numb. Standing up, about to run, he was cornered by the opponent closing the distance. Seeing himself trapped in the affected space, instead of retreating, Nathan advanced, using Krav Maga techniques to lock the sword-wielding hand. With a decisive motion, he tried to disarm. But the disciple clearly knew what he was trying to do, immediately letting go of the sword, using the elbow of his free hand to attack Nathan''s right shoulder. Though he had predicted it, Nathan couldn''t dodge, only able to use the striking force to fling himself backward. Upon landing, he immediately sprang forward like a leopard to escape. The disciple picked up his sword, returning to his worthy opponent.


    Running while massaging his shoulder, Nathan felt his strength gradually eroding. Being a quick strike, the recent blow wasn''t strong enough, suitable for the force-dispersing insight gained earlier to work, protecting his mobility by avoiding severe injury. Though he had tried to use as little mana as possible, the longer things dragged on, the more he fell into an uncontrollable rhythm.


    "Reducing in 10 seconds!"


    Another whistle sounded.


    Instead of panicking, the sound felt like a melody from heaven to Nathan.


    As groups had to move to avoid the boundary, unwanted collisions were bound to happen. Stemming from the chaos Nathan had caused earlier, the teams of involved individuals, seeing their teammates surrounded, split up to attack. This way, one-on-one battles became rare on the battlefield, replaced by having to fight while being wary of others swooping in.


    This was the desired result, but Nathan was no exception. He too was drawn into the vortex, no longer having enough space to move freely. Not eager to attack, he focused on everyone''s movements, predicting and executing evasive maneuvers. He transformed into a slippery snake, twisting and turning amidst the crowd. Then he became like flowing water, slipping between gaps between two backs, or crawling through the area beneath two crossing swords, or using the solid rock-like body of another disciple to change the direction of his flow. Sometimes he would use [Butthurt] to reduce collisions. He didn''t dare use this skill when approaching swords, spear tips, or knives, because while it did reduce aftereffects, it still left cuts. He''d learned it the hard way. Until he was stopped before a vast, towering mountain: Xander Caldoran. He flashed a mischievous smile, having reached his destination.


    Hiding his excitement, he turned his back to the war god behind him, facing the attacks from the front, pretending to be engaged in combat. When pushed back, Xander wouldn''t attack him. Like the sword-wielding disciples, Xander wouldn''t strike from behind. Above all, Nathan had observed earlier. As long as he didn''t attack or get thrown towards him, Xander would stand still like a majestic statue.


    Nathan thus found time to rest. Each time he was pushed back, he exaggerated his fall, pretending to be beaten down and exhausted. He massaged his body, playing the part of someone who had been thoroughly thrashed. Xander, standing tall, glanced at Nathan with mild disdain, too lazy to bother with someone who was only a Phase 2.5. To Xander, the fact that Nathan was still in the arena at this point was an achievement in itself, but ultimately, it was pointless.


    Outside, the images were constantly switching between arenas. The battle situations were nearing their conclusions. Keira''s first area had already selected eight people, including a worn-down team with three members and one solo disciple. In the second arena, apart from the Qingfeng and Roran pair, the other six were from one group. The fourth arena was mostly solo disciples, a special case compared to the others. The main reason was Zarah''s diligent attacks, sparing no opponent. Individuals without burdens chose to avoid her. But when part of a group, one''s suffering would be shared or implicate others. This made people discuss her more. The endurance Zarah displayed truly surprised everyone.


    When the results in all three arenas were almost settled, the third arena attracted everyone''s attention.


    "Heavens! That Phase 2.6 guy is still on the field!"


    "Is the third group useless? How could they let this happen?"


    "Watch your mouth. If Xander hears you, nothing good will come of it."


    "If you haven''t been watching that Phase 2.6, then shut up. I bet you couldn''t even beat him."


    Arguments and disputes proved the appeal the third group possessed. A small screen was now dedicated to Nathan, attracting everyone''s attention. Especially when they saw his utterly underhanded way of playing.


    As the final stage approached, Nathan had to face the truth: he wasn''t going to be okay.


    To ensure the number of group members was reduced as much as possible, he had been conducting sneak attacks alternately, pushing unprepared individuals off the arena. The remaining contestants who saw this couldn''t catch him. Training with a Tier 2 like Zeryn and always finding ways to escape was not an easy feat. So he could handle those here. He became a thorn in everyone''s side. Chasing him near the edge would result in being thrown out by unpredictable, bizarre techniques. And when he was thrown, he would climb back like a snake on the enemy''s arm, using momentum to find his way back into the arena.


    So when arena three was left with nine people, he was among them.


    "STOP!" Desmond roared, causing everyone fighting red-eyed to look up, suddenly alert.


    No explanation was needed; a glance at those remaining made the situation clear.


    Desmond''s group had held steady with four people, something that surprised even him as things became increasingly chaotic. The largest group with twenty members had been whittled down to just three. Thus, the eighth was Xander, and the ninth was Nathan.


    Desmond¡¯s gaze fell on Nathan, the lowest-ranked among them, but his expression softened slightly. Though Nathan had used underhanded methods, he had still managed to survive until now. His abilities couldn¡¯t be dismissed.


    Nathan stiffly looked around, the result he didn''t want still came to pass. He was the odd one out, not belonging to any protective group, and not as strong as Xander.


    Just as he was pondering what to do next, Desmond spoke up.


    "Cecco, compete for the last spot with him!"


    The one called Cecco looked at his leader in confusion. He was indeed the weakest in the group, having just broken through to Phase 7, but why not eliminate Nathan together instead of a solo fight? Everyone here had seen how dangerous he was.


    "If you can''t beat him, you''re not worthy of the top 32!" Desmond said only that.


    Nathan was surprised by Desmond''s approach. From his implication, he knew Desmond could easily defeat him. But he was willing to give him a chance against the weakest in the group.


    No one truly understood what Desmond was thinking, creating friction with his own member like this. But the other two standing close to Desmond understood; they didn''t doubt because they knew this Cecco had violated the agreement to assist the group''s pillars built over weeks. Cecco always avoided helping when needed, forcing Desmond to exert himself when exposed. This was just punishment.


    Xander remained indifferent to everything, silently waiting for the outcome.


    Though displeased, Cecco moved out, sword in hand, performing a few flourishes. Facing Nathan, he became cheerful again.


    "It''s not a difficult task anyway. Hey, why don''t you withdraw and save some treatment money?"


    I came this far, Nathan thought to himself before answering.


    But his mouth said, with a sneering lip, expressing contempt:


    "Are you dense?"


    Trigger [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    Cecco was taken aback. Before he could bristle up, Nathan continued.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather waste my points on a rigged gacha game than patch up from whatever pathetic excuse for damage your weak ass can dish out.¡±


    The entire field was stunned, including Nathan.


    This damn skill, he screamed internally.


    The spectators outside, now focused solely on arena three, all widened their eyes. It was a rare sight to see someone with a lower Phase dare to speak so boldly.


    From somewhere, someone began to chant Nathan''s name.


    "Nathan! Nathan! Nathan!"


    People, excited by the underdog, chanted in unison. Everyone was eager to see what he could do.


    In the arena, the crowd looked around at the distant spectators, momentarily stunned. When Cecco came to his senses, he was furious. Even others were looking down on him.


    Nathan, hearing his name called, felt a bit of vainglory, but suppressed it. Emotions were obstacles in a fight. He needed to focus so this opportunity wouldn''t be wasted.


    Cecco, not wanting another verbal sparring match, brought his sword back, his feet gliding across the ground as if flying, swinging the sword in a diagonal upward stroke. Nathan had prepared beforehand, lowering his body to one side to take advantage of the opening Cecco exposed. He swung a punch towards the opponent''s chest. Cecco had quickly changed the sword''s path to slash downward. But instead of cutting into the back, the sword tip only clanged against stone. Nathan, after completing his feint, had jumped up, his hand forming a blade to deflect the opponent''s wrist. Cecco let out a loud cry, dropping his sword. Before he could retrieve it, Nathan stood before him, continuously throwing punches at close range with high speed. All strikes were timed exquisitely, landing on spots where Cecco was about to channel energy to counterattack. When legs were raised to move, they were blocked by Nathan''s knees or feet. The two moved like a dance couple, stuck close together.


    Nathan''s continuous strikes were fast but lacked power. Though panicked, Cecco still found a way out. With a chest push, he sent the punching Nathan flying backward.


    Nathan felt his arms aching but dared not stop to let Cecco retrieve his sword. He sprang up immediately, charging towards Cecco.


    Cecco, abandoning his weapon, clenched his fist and swung a powerful punch toward Nathan¡¯s face.


    Nathan let his feet slide on the stone surface, his arms spread wide, his body rotating in a circle following his hands. Taiji was drawn, and he managed to deflect Cecco''s attacking arm upward at an angle. The remaining force from the motion sent him flying up, a kick with his toe aimed straight at the chin.


    But Cecco didn''t give up. Knowing Nathan was cunning and skilled in martial arts, he hadn''t used too much force in his previous punch, limiting exploitation by the enemy. So when he saw that toe heading for his head, he quickly lowered his punch from mid-air.


    An extremely strong collision occurred between the two sides, with Nathan on the losing end. He cried out in pain, retreating to create distance. He could see his left leg deformed into an acute angle, the shock transmitted like a train crashing into his brain, nearly making him faint. Biting his lip until it bled, he maintained a bit of clarity for himself.


    The spectators, seeing such a spectacular scene, all stood up cheering. This was what they had been waiting for. The change in format had taken away these kinds of duels from previous years. Only now was there a battle that disregarded schemes, focusing solely on strength, reaction ability, and speed.


    "Unbelievable," MC Emily couldn''t contain her excitement. "Nathan Reed is proving to us that a lower Phase can compete with a higher one. Although he''s losing, what we''re seeing cannot be deceived. He is doing it! Even if he loses, we will remember him today!"


    What''s the use of being remembered, Nathan heard and only felt more irritated.


    He tried to stand on his right foot, his eyes brimming with exhaustion.


    I want to win. No pain can stop me.


    Triggered [Self Emotional Support]. One credit given.


    Even without the system, he already had this thought. Just one more obstacle to overcome.


    He bent his right knee slightly, his thigh and knee trying to keep the broken left shin from touching the ground, limiting painful feedback.


    "You still won''t give up?" Cecco taunted.


    Receiving no reply, he grew more irritated, just wanting to kill the bastard before him.


    Nathan concentrated intensely, adrenaline seeming to work with him. When Cecco approached, his intention was clear: to strike at the weakness of Nathan''s crippled left leg. But this time, Nathan utilized everything, using the crane style to maintain balance. He blocked then retreated, retreated then blocked, rhythmic like a classical music piece. Cecco clearly saw himself having the upper hand but not landing hits, so he attacked more fiercely. Nathan, not making the same hasty mistake as before, focused on every muscle movement, feeling every gaze, every telegraph signal to predict his opponent and counter. One mistake, and he would fail.


    When pushed to the arena''s edge, Cecco pulled his hand back, creating an attack with two parallel punches, one aimed at the head, the other at the lower abdomen. Nathan gracefully spun and jumped up, forming a straight line parallel to the ground, rotating to slip between the two punches, his left leg struggling to stay still despite the excruciating pain, landing to Cecco''s right side.


    Nathan gathered force in his right leg and lunged at the now-tired opponent. His hand formed a blade, as if using a sword to thrust towards Cecco''s flank.


    One inch punch, Nathan silently roared.


    As his fingertips barely touched the clothes, his hand transformed into a half fist, completing the first attack. Then it contracted into a full fist, ending his combo.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike] x 2. Two Credit Given.


    Triggered [Flowing Strikes]. One Credit Given.


    Two full-force blows were delivered. An attack he had constantly experimented with during training was the legendary One Inch Punch technique. Using [Martial Art Mastery] to continuously improve. He had succeeded. Two punches overlapped, reinforcing each other. His killing move. When successfully tested, the result was combined damage, a whopping score of 7.


    Cecco was secretly rejoicing that Nathan had returned to an attacking state and could take advantage of a counter when he felt something was wrong. His instincts told him the incoming punch was far from ordinary. Unable to react in time, he took the blow full and square.


    A bone-breaking sound rang out, followed by the whoosh of a body gliding through the air.


    Cecco vanished.


    In the sky of arena three, an announcement appeared.


    "Winners Decided! Congratulations to the eight competitors!"


    "The Arena will be closing now!"


    Nathan sat on the ground, legs stretched out in front, breathing as if he''d never breathed before. He was too exhausted and in pain to feel his own joy. The One Inch Punch still had a fatal weakness: the recoil it brought was still beyond his body''s endurance. The two system skills weren''t the problem. If doubling the damage while receiving equivalent recoil was a useless skill, it wouldn''t be ranked as rare. It was because using two techniques simultaneously didn''t give muscles and bones time to recover. His right hand was stiff, in pain no less than his broken leg. He just hoped it wouldn''t be an injury down to the bone marrow.


    When he regained some thought, he heard his name being called. Looking around, the arenas had been retracted, returning the official battleground.


    "Nathan! Nathan! Nathan!"


    The cheers calling his name made him swallow a mouthful of saliva with a dazed expression. Some of the other thirty-one contestants also applauded. Xander, standing nearby observing, only smiled in approval. He felt that final punch was truly mystical, the damage it unleashed genuinely dangerous. Even he would have to be cautious if that attack landed on his body.


    Cecco lay on the arena floor, looking up with a humiliated expression. His ribs were broken, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, his mind hazy. Medical staff immediately came to attend to him. He closed his eyes to be carried away, unclear whether he was brooding over revenge or blaming himself.


    Seeing the scene before him, Nathan managed to squeeze out a smile, raising his uninjured arm into the air, letting out an exhilarating roar.


    Nathan Reed had become an inner disciple.


    Quest "Inner Disciple" Completed!


    Rewards Granted: 1 Very Rare Skill Roll, 500 credit.


    Proceed as you wish.


    ...


    You got a new quest: "Make yourself known"


    Objective: Advance the tournament.


    Rewards: Rewards are based on your performance.


    Case 1: First Place, 1 Very Rare Skill Roll, 1000 credits.


    Case 2: Second Place, 1 Rare Skill Roll, 800 credits.


    Case 3: Third or Fourth Place, 3 Skill Roll, 600 credits.


    Case 4: Fifth to Eighth Place, 2 Skill Rolls, 500 credits.


    Case 5: Ninth to Sixteenth Place, 500 credits.


    Penalty when failed: None.

 Chapter 7

    The bustling atmosphere gradually died down. People were no longer paying attention to the contestants as much. They drifted towards the refreshment stands or grabbed snacks during the intermission, while the organizers reset the arena. Once cultivators reach higher ranks, they no longer need to eat or drink. But at Tier 1, they still need energy like normal.


    The four spatial items had already been collected by the elder, so when the staff adjusted the stage, they remained intact. However, the four areas were still designated. The arena itself was large enough for the disciples to train daily, so there wouldn¡¯t be any issues. Above all, the elders didn¡¯t want to waste time watching the less interesting bouts. After all, the inner sect elders only came for the top 4. Imagine dragging out all sixteen matchups, who knew how long that would take?


    Nathan sat in the medical tent, his eyes still glued to the floating screen displaying the thirty-two names that would enter the inner sect of the southern region this year. A goofy grin plastered on his face, the euphoric afterglow still lingering.


    He''d been treated with healing salves and given a mana-replenishing pill to aid his recovery. The nurse had calculated to ensure he''d recover and feel invigorated in time for the upcoming elimination round.


    Zeryn parted the tent flap and entered, a radiant smile on his lips.


    "My friend, my precious friend."


    Nathan frowned at the odd enthusiasm.


    "You''ve no idea what a grand achievement you''ve made. Orin will be kicking himself, I tell you."


    "You bet on me?"


    "You bet!"


    Nathan wasn''t sure whether to be pleased or dismayed that his friend had such confidence in him.


    "Your PsiLink is on the way," Zeryn said, swinging his legs as he sat on a chair nearby.


    "I thought I''d get one of those as a reward anyway?"


    "You wish!" Zeryn snorted. "We don''t know which division you''ll be assigned to yet, but there''s still the matter of senior disciples hazing newcomers."


    "Damn!"


    "Damn indeed! But let''s talk about that later. No need to dampen your spirits. There are still plenty of benefits, don''t worry."


    Nathan nodded, truly admiring how his friend had managed to navigate the cutthroat microcosm of the inner sect. Rumor had it that Zeryn had never bowed his head to anyone. Not just because of his talent, but also his stubborn nature.


    "You started the name-chanting, didn''t you?"


    Zeryn lifted his chin proudly. "So? Felt good, didn''t it?"


    Nathan responded with two enthusiastic thumbs up.


    "Who''ve you bet on for the next round?" he asked.


    Zeryn''s eyes lit up.


    "A lot. Can''t put all your eggs in one basket, you know. But for the champion, I think there''s only one."


    "Who?" Nathan leaned forward, intrigued.


    "That little Keira."


    Nathan tilted his head, recalling that she was the only one who''d reached Phase 9.9 in the previous test.


    "Because of her level?"


    "You don''t want to know. It''d only distract you. But it''s not just about her level. That girl''s the most dangerous of all."


    "What about Xander?"


    "The spear user?" Zeryn pondered. "If he''s truly as I sense, he''s quite formidable too. But his chances of beating Keira are still low."


    "What do you sense?"


    "A future threat to me," Zeryn said coldly, as if he didn''t really mean it.


    Nathan frowned, confused by his friend''s ambiguous description. It seemed dangerous yet playful, leaving him unable to dismiss it entirely.


    "Of course," Zeryn continued, "since you brought in the most profit last round, I''m still betting on you. Your odds are much higher than others."


    "But not the top position?"


    "Correct," his friend nodded promptly. "Highest is top 16."


    Nathan pouted, not responding. He hadn''t even believed he''d make it to the top 32, let alone 16. In fact, he was considering forfeiting as soon as he stepped onto the arena to avoid unnecessary time and suffering. The remaining contestants were all capable enough to make his newfound confidence evaporate under the pressure they exuded.


    But the newly assigned mission was truly enticing. He had a chance at another Very Rare Skill. According to the escalating odds table, at the 50th roll, the probability of getting such a skill was only 30.3%. Although reaching first place seemed as improbable as winning the lottery, top 4 seemed more feasible. Three more rolls wasn¡¯t bad, making him closer to a Rare skill.


    Thinking of his rolls, he glanced at the reward displayed in the corner of his system screen.


    1 Very Rare Skill Roll.


    1026 credits.


    The melee had helped him accumulate more points, enough to exchange for five rolls.


    He briefly considered whether to use the roll now, quickly making his decision. If he was planning an exit strategy, he might as well try his luck. Normal rolls for ordinary skills might not produce any significant effect. A Very Rare Skill, however, would be a different story.


    Biting his lip, he commanded the system to proceed with his reward roll.


    Starting Very Rare Skill Roll


    Congratulations! You received a Very Rare Skill - [Titan''s Descendant].


    Rare and above skill will give you one bonus roll.


    Starting normal roll.


    You received [Better Vision].


    In the blink of an eye, the skill activated.


    Nathan''s eyes felt foreign, everything they perceived suddenly brightening to the point of pain. He blinked rapidly to adjust. After a moment, as tears welled up, the burst subsided. The surroundings became clearer than ever before. It was hard to describe, but it was as if everything had gained an extra layer of sharpness. His mild nearsightedness had also been cured. If he were to take an eye test now, the 20/20 scale wouldn''t even begin to capture it.


    He held up his hand, still feeling a bit strange. He waved it quickly, yet his eyes tracked the motion without any lingering blur. Then he tried throwing punches in quick succession, and each movement was recorded and processed by his mind with impeccable precision.


    Before he could marvel at how well the new skill synced with the treasure trove [Martial Art Mastery] had provided, a bone-chilling crack resounded. It felt as if someone had just slashed his leg.


    Zeryn, sitting nearby, jumped to his feet, startled.


    "What the hell, Nate?"


    His face was a mix of confusion and concern. He immediately grabbed Nathan''s shoulders.


    "You alright?"


    "I''m fi..."


    Nathan suddenly let out a low groan of pain. Just as it seemed it would persist, everything stopped. His mind went blank, but his body felt normal. Strangely normal. The aches from all over his body, the broken bone in his leg, and the injury in his arm no longer existed. He felt as if he''d returned to his state before participating in today''s battle. No, he felt even better than that.


    "My leg..." he stammered.


    "What is it?" Zeryn asked anxiously. "You can''t feel your leg?"


    "No," Nathan shook his head. "I think... I think... It''s healed."


    "You''re speaking nonsense..."


    But as Zeryn¡¯s eyes settled on Nathan¡¯s leg, he was rendered speechless. Earlier, the wound had been healing at a gradual pace, a jagged fracture slowly straightening out. The anesthetic had dulled the pain, so Nathan hadn¡¯t noticed. Now, however, the leg was completely smooth. His toes even wiggled as Nathan tested them.


    "You... you..." it was Zeryn''s turn to stammer. He''d never seen anything like this before.


    Nathan was equally stunned, swinging his leg over the side and standing up on his own. He jumped, kicked into the air, and assumed various martial stances, all smoothly, without any hindrance.


    "What the...?" they both exclaimed.


    "You know the sect will kick you out if you use forbidden techniques, right?" Zeryn became serious.


    "How could I get forbidden techniques? I don''t even have a PsiLink yet!"


    "True. So what in the world is happening here?¡±?"


    Nathan hesitated, finally deciding it was best to explain a little to avoid future suspicion.


    "You know travelers from other worlds all have a system, right?" he asked Zeryn.


    ¡°Yeah, pretty convenient. But PsiLink has inherited a lot of those functions, so it¡¯s not that big of a deal.¡±


    "Right. But my system is quite special; it helps unlock potential too."


    Zeryn didn¡¯t seem surprised by the revelation. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully before replying.


    "So you''re in the minority then. I researched travelers after getting to know you. Apparently, there have been a few rare cases of special systems recorded. But strangely, information about them later seemed to be erased. No matter what network you use, you can''t find anything."


    Nathan had been encouraged by the first half of Zeryn¡¯s response, but the latter part left him feeling hopeless. He had hoped to meet and exchange knowledge with others who came from Earth.


    "Well, that makes it easier to explain," Zeryn concluded. "There have been precedents before, so you won''t be suspected. I thought you had a normal system like Jessica''s?"Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "Actually, it only activated recently. Jessica''s was there as soon as she arrived here."


    "So that''s why you''ve changed so much," Zeryn nodded.


    "Amazing, isn''t it?" Nathan said cheerfully, but then furrowed his brow in worry. "This won''t bring unnecessary trouble, will it?"


    Zeryn waved his hand as if this was a trivial matter. "Unless you actually possess forbidden techniques, people won''t pay much attention to you. Otherwise, you''ll just be seen as an individual slightly better than others. You have to understand, the empire has plenty of freaks. And that''s not even mentioning other empires, countries, and organizations."


    The answer made Nathan breathe a long sigh of relief. He remembered one of the systems he could have rolled into was the [Forbidden Spells System]. If he had that, he might even have unimaginable breakthroughs in the blink of an eye. He wondered if anyone had received this system and if they still existed.


    Both fell silent, waiting. Zeryn browsed his PsiLink, while Nathan looked back at the skill he''d just acquired.


    [Titan''s Descendant]


    Description: The blood of Titans flows through your veins, awakening latent power within. Your physique undergoes a subtle transformation, granting enhanced strength, accelerated healing, and heightened physical cultivation potential. As you grow stronger, the legacy of the Titans becomes more pronounced, unlocking greater feats of power and endurance.


    Hidden Effects: ???


    Nathan stared in disbelief at the skill description. Everything now made sense¡ªthe rapid healing, the way his bones had mended. But he knew this blessing-like effect would only happen the first time. Like other newly acquired skills, the initial surge of power would be overwhelming, but afterward, it would settle into a more persistent, albeit weaker, form.


    "Zeryn, give me your sword," he called out.


    "What crazy thing are you planning now?" Despite asking, the sword was already in mid-air.


    Nathan caught it, unsheathing the blade. The shiny blade exuded a cold aura, ringing with a clear sound. He swung it, slashing his palm.


    Blood gushed out, tracing an arc.


    "You freaking maniac!" Zeryn panicked, thinking his friend had gone mad. "Are you really using forbidden techniques?"


    "Calm down," Nathan hushed him.


    From the gash in his palm, blood dripped to the ground. Whether it was an illusion or not, from the sound of the drops, he guessed they felt heavier than normal.


    In just a moment, the blood stopped flowing, entering a scabbing state instead.


    After a few minutes, both young men watched wide-eyed and open-mouthed as the wound gradually closed, then knitted together, formed new skin, and fully healed.


    "What kind of devilish magic is this?" Zeryn marveled.


    Nathan flexed his hand back and forth, turning it over to examine it closely. The pain still lingered, but he felt invigorated. The usual fatigue after using healing medicine was nonexistent. It was as if the energy pool in his body had expanded. Using a portion of it no longer significantly affected his spirit as before.


    "Jealous?" he teased his friend.


    Zeryn nodded vigorously.


    "It''s not some dark stuff, right?"


    "Definitely not," Nathan assured confidently.


    It''s Titan, not demon, so it should be fine, he thought.


    "Holy shit, Nate!" Zeryn cursed. "If I''d known you had this twisted side, I''d have bet more on you. Now I''m out of capital."


    "Why not use my points to bet?" Nathan suggested.


    "How many do you have left?"


    "11."


    "Forget it!"


    Ignoring his friend''s financial woes, Nathan returned to his thoughts. He wondered why [Titan''s Descendant] was a tier below [Martial Art Mastery]. The latter had brought immense benefits, undeniably ¨C evidence being that he was sitting here, one of the top thirty-two, a first in Verdant Spire Sect''s history.


    But couldn''t Titan blood produce equivalent results? he pondered.


    Without testing, he was quite certain his physical improvements would lead to higher damage potential, with strikes easily reaching 6, 7, or even 8 points. The limits of his body''s endurance might also be eliminated, allowing One-inch punch to function.


    One-inch punch?


    Nathan laughed at himself. He was getting ahead of things, already imagining [Titan¡¯s Descendant] as a game-breaking ability. Could he have even learned the One-Inch Punch without [Martial Art Mastery]? Certainly not. Achieving advanced techniques required meticulous understanding, not brute force.


    He wouldn''t be foolish enough to overestimate his physical abilities and recovery. They were strong, but surely had limits. Amidst a forest of merciless blades, without grasping the mindset and execution of techniques to dodge, exploit opponents'' strengths and weaknesses, and relying solely on tanking everything with his body, he''d be exhausted instantly.


    Standing alone, [Titan¡¯s Descendant] was undoubtedly strong, but [Martial Art Mastery] offered more versatility. He had already glimpsed a future where that mastery would enhance his Titan-blooded strength, pushing both skills to new heights.


    Not feeling much change in his body, he still found it strange that a different blood now flowed in his veins. Most importantly, it made him feel much stronger. Perhaps top 16 was no longer an unreachable dream.


    A deep, resonant horn sounded. All disciples, including Nathan and Zeryn, moved outside or stood up. The sect leader had arrived.


    From the mountain of the inner sect, a group of people parted the clouds as they approached. They flew through the air, and though still far away, everyone already felt the pressure. In a flash, their figures became clearer in everyone''s sight.


    Leading the group was a tall, thin man with gleaming eyes filled with clarity and wisdom. His hair was pinned with a wooden ornament said to have been carved from a divine tree thousands of years old by a master sculptor. His white robes were adorned with green patterns symbolizing the vitality of nature, while golden threads at the hem formed the image of dragon claws, poised to strike. Despite his imposing presence and straight brows, there was kindness in the way his gaze fell upon the gathered disciples.


    Behind the white-robed man were nine inner sect elders in their resplendent purple attire. Only one person on the far left wore casual clothes, an oversized shirt and worn-out pants, looking very sloppy and unkempt compared to the solemnity around him.


    The Sect Leader descended slowly, hovering in mid-air before his presiding seat. The elders behind him had already taken their seats.


    "We respectfully welcome Sect Leader Alaric Tethras," the elders, managers, and disciples all bowed before the man.


    ¡°Greetings, outer sect disciples,¡± Alaric¡¯s voice was calm and gentle, instantly putting everyone at ease. ¡°You must forgive me for not being here from the beginning. I regret missing the opportunity to witness the talents and future pillars of the Verdant Spire Sect display their skills. Failure is unavoidable. You may feel disheartened, but there¡¯s no need to dwell on it for long. The top thirty-two today will not be the same top thirty-two tomorrow. Climb one mountain, and there will always be another. Fly a distance, and someone will soar higher still. So, whether you win or lose, remain humble and learn. The victor must beware, and the defeated must capitalize on their mistakes. As long as you keep moving forward, that¡¯s enough. Do you understand?¡±


    "We humbly accept the Sect Leader''s guidance," all disciples responded in unison, including the inner sect disciples who had come to watch.


    "Good, very good," Alaric''s laughter sounded like that of a kindly old man, making the disciples smile involuntarily.


    With that, the sect leader turned to his highest seat, his eyes sweeping over the disciples.


    When his gaze passed over the top 32 area, he looked more intently. Keira and Xander both felt the pressure of his stare lingering on them for a while. When it glided over Nathan, even Alaric, a man considered to have seen it all, had to look back several times.


    "Interesting, very interesting," Alaric chuckled.


    The surrounding elders, noticing this, wanted to look too. When they discovered a Tier 1, Phase 2.6 in the arena, most just smiled mockingly, quite different from the sect leader who carried more expectation.


    No one paid attention to the slovenly elder. And no one noticed he had locked his gaze on Nathan from the start.


    Under the gaze of these high-tier figures, Nathan trembled all over. He''d heard the sect leader was a genuine Tier 5. His power was renowned across the realm, suppressing all surrounding forces to consolidate the name and power of Verdant Spire Sect. Nathan wasn''t quite clear about the elders'' cultivation levels, only knowing that some were on par with the sect leader, some lower at Tier 4, or on the verge of breakthrough.


    Despite the oppressive pressure, Nathan couldn¡¯t help but stare at them with admiration. Tier 5... They were more than halfway through the path of cultivation. Nine tiers, each with nine phases. Alaric Tethras must have endured countless trials to reach such heights. Nathan¡¯s goal remained the same: to grow stronger, protect himself, and find a way home. The flow of time between worlds might differ, so even though centuries could pass here, time on Earth might have moved differently. But until he reached Tier 5, he had no way of knowing for sure. Orin had hinted that it would take at least Tier 7 to begin sensing the laws of time and space. That meant Nathan had to become even stronger than Alaric.


    Nathan, of course, wouldn''t blindly claim he could do it. Countless people had fallen at the threshold of Tier 2 or Tier 3, despite being considered peak existences among their peers. The cultivation world had too many variables; nothing was certain. But precisely because nothing was a hundred percent sure, he dared to hope. No one taxed dreams, so he''d keep dreaming, why not?


    ¡°Continue, Marcus,¡± Alaric instructed the supervising elder.


    Marcus then flew out. He had lost some of his earlier confident nonchalance, replaced by a more subservient, cautious demeanor. The presence of superiors clearly weighed on him too.


    "Alright, disciples," he said, "your names will appear in the battle areas. We''ll conduct two pairs from branch one and two pairs from branch two each time. If you''re not present in the arena within one minute, you''ll automatically forfeit. Is that clear?"


    "Yes, Elder," the thirty-two contestants responded.


    Without further ado, the elder moved to mid-air, acting as the referee for the disciples. Direct elimination often led to unnecessary hot-blooded situations, endangering lives. So he would intervene at any time. The previous battle royale had been monitored by teachers, but now it was Marcus''s turn to perform under the eyes of the sect¡¯s leadership.


    Nathan mulled over the two branches arranged for the competition. He was in the left branch, the first branch, in the fourth pair. So after the first round, he''d have to take the stage. Suddenly, his whole body started shaking uncontrollably, like that time he was about to defend his thesis project before the entire community at university.


    "Chill, bro." Zeryn put a hand on his shoulder, still lingering around instead of returning to his inner disciple seat.


    "I...I...I...a..am...o...ok...okay!" he found himself stuttering.


    Zeryn laughed so hard he bent over.


    "I''m recording all this. Oh, Nate, imagine looking back at this in the future!"


    If he was like this before his turn, who knew how the contestants going first were feeling.


    Eight disciples moved onto the arena, heading to their designated areas. Though nervous, they still carried themselves well with steady steps, not forgetting to perform the ritual of bowing to the sect leader, the elders, and showing respect to their opponents.


    The area near Nathan held two disciples who looked quite compatible with each other. Tomas Ryven, Phase 8.2, carried a Rapier, held diagonally pointing to the ground. Milo Thayne, Phase 7.7, bore a shield and a mace in his right hand. Sharp precision faced off against sturdy bulk.


    With a roar from the elder above, the matches began.


    Tomas Ryven struck first, using his agility to overwhelm his opponent with a flurry of rapier strikes. His primary goal was to disorient Milo with rapid movements. Tomas then shifted to Milo¡¯s blind spot, aiming his rapier at his opponent¡¯s exposed side.


    Just as the attack seemed certain to land, Milo slammed his shield into the ground with a boom. The vibration from the arena floor made Tomas stagger, barely managing to retreat as the massive shield swung towards him. Both returned to a standoff.


    "That Milo guy," Zeryn commented, "is very promising."


    "How so?"


    "He''s gradually touching upon his Intent."


    "Intent?" Nathan marveled. "Shield Intent?"


    "Yup. Tomas has the advantage in level, but this match will be tough for him."


    Tomas changed tactics, constantly moving from one blind spot to another, seeking an opening to attack Milo. But Milo was very decisive. He was ready to let go of his shield. But not to stop using it. When Tomas moved behind with his sword, Milo would plant the shield in the ground, swinging his mace to counterattack, or retreat to the other side of the shield, leaving his opponent unsure how to attack.


    "Haha," Zeryn laughed loudly. "Tomas has met his nemesis. Even randomness can''t save him now."


    All matches were arranged randomly. Only when the top 8 began fighting in turns would the randomness cease. After the top 32, the top 16 would also be randomized again to increase the unpredictability of the tournament. If fixed, contestants could observe each other and plan their strategies before stepping into the arena. But the sect''s intention was to always keep disciples adaptable, so they wouldn''t know their opponents clearly. Either prepare for everything or become stronger than everything to fear nothing. Additionally, this randomness added entertainment value to the otherwise potentially tedious early rounds.


    Tomas on the field also knew he was in a dilemma. Initially, he didn''t understand why his opponent chose such a cumbersome shield that limited mobility. But now he realized he was the one with limitations. However, he understood one thing: he didn''t need to attack. It would create a stalemate, something the elders wouldn''t want, but it would give him time to think.


    Sensing Tomas''s hesitation, Milo grinned and charged forward, his shield leading the way and his mace poised for a strike.


    Tomas was startled by his opponent''s bold decision. He had misjudged again, thinking Milo would be as willing to stand still as he was. Projecting one''s own thoughts onto others truly wasn''t good. Today was the day to showcase before the elders; crazy things were inevitable.


    Milo barreled forward like a tank, his shield emblazoned with the image of a demonic face, fierce and imposing.


    Seeing this, Tomas crouched down, using force to leap over Milo''s head. But as soon as he landed and raised his head, a massive shield came flying toward him, parallel to the ground, like a cannonball. Abandoning his rapier, Tomas braced himself against the shield¡¯s edge, the impact nearly knocking him out of the arena.


    Behind, Milo roared like a fierce beast, having caught up. With a spinning motion, he channeled all his strength into his mace, striking hard on the other edge of the shield opposite Tomas. As one force ended, a new one was created.


    Tomas strained with all his might, blue veins popping out as he tried to resist. He favored speed and finesse, unprepared for a situation like this.


    Milo didn''t stop, giving his opponent no time to think or catch his breath, swinging relentlessly.


    Eventually, Tomas was pushed back out of the arena, his palms bleeding, fingernails shattered from clinging to the shield.


    Milo smiled, needing only one hand to pull the shield back, spinning it once as if it were a feather. The other hand raised the mace high, signaling victory.


    "That was awesome!" Nathan exclaimed, excited.


    "I need to recruit this Milo guy," Zeryn commented.


    The other matches were also concluding. Four advanced to glory, four retreated in defeat. Some matches were so bloody they caused chaos in the medical area. One contestant nearly lost his head. Upon checking, Xander Caldoran was once again the culprit. The intervening elder was too surprised, having just signaled the start when the result was already like this.


    Nathan shuddered at such brutality. Xander was also in his branch. But he dared not think too much. Who knew if he''d even advance far enough to meet him.


    The next eight contestants were called up.


    Nathan Reed versus Roran Alastair.

 Chapter 8

    Roran appeared even larger up close. His muscles, bulging with every movement of his bare upper body, seemed like a bomb waiting to go off. Towering a head taller than Nathan, his presence made others feel almost insignificant.


    Nathan felt a shiver run down his spine at the sight of Roran¡¯s sharp, angular face and unflinching gaze. His nervous twitches intensified, as if multiplying with each second.


    ¡°A Phase 2.6? You lost or something?¡± Roran¡¯s mocking tone carried a deeper threat, underscored by his low, powerful voice.


    Nathan could only shake his head awkwardly, feeling like he had returned to his high school days, facing down the school bullies.


    ¡°So, you ready for a punch then?¡±


    Roran raised a hand, flexing his biceps and forearm, the muscles rippling like waves in a masterpiece of physical prowess.


    Swallowing hard, Nathan performed the necessary greeting. His feelings were strange¡ªso strange that he couldn¡¯t quite grasp what was happening.


    He was nervous, but not afraid. He felt threatened, but not oppressed. He was cautious, but it was the caution before striking an opponent. Yes, ever since stepping onto the stage, he hadn¡¯t once thought of surrendering, not even an hour earlier when he''d been planning his next move.


    Was this the effect of [Titan¡¯s Descendant]? he wondered, convinced it was the most plausible answer.


    Roran was indeed a giant. But coursing through Nathan¡¯s veins was the blood of a Titan. And a Titan never backed down from a fight. It was bizarre, this sense of expansion within him, as though some distant ancestor was rising, refusing to allow him to retreat.


    With the decision made, Nathan¡¯s mind cleared. His feet spread wide, taking a stance to face his enemy. He planned to use his speed to counter Roran while evading the massive punches that those bulging muscles would throw.


    Nathan Reed, Tier 1 Phase 2.6, vs. Roran Alastair, Tier 1 Phase 8.1.


    A mountain seemed to hurl itself at Nathan when the fight started with a roar. It came so fast he barely had time to react, raising his arms instinctively to block. The ground disappeared beneath his feet, wind whistled past his ears, and in a blur, he caught glimpses of other matches and the elder standing above.


    Nathan landed just a step away from the edge of the ring, his body swaying as he dispersed the residual force from the impact. He frowned at his arms. They were sore, but not broken.


    Not broken? he thought, surprised.


    He waved his hands to check, and the pain gradually faded, leaving everything intact. He wasn¡¯t the only one astonished¡ªRoran, too, looked on with narrowed eyes. The punch hadn¡¯t been his full strength, as he hadn¡¯t intended to cause unnecessary injury, but it should¡¯ve been enough to send his opponent to bed for the day at such a low tier.


    Even Elder Marcus, watching from above, cast a few concerned glances, fearing a repeat of the earlier incident with Xander. But no, nothing was amiss.


    "Impressive," Roran clapped his hands. "You¡¯re worthy to be my opponent."


    Roran¡¯s posture shifted dramatically, leaning forward as his hands curled into claws, his gaze becoming intensely focused.


    Nathan returned to the center of the arena, feeling a profound difference in his body. His blood surged, his soul howled.


    "Let¡¯s fight," Nathan said, accepting the challenge.


    This time, both fighters charged at each other. Without the element of surprise, Nathan could track Roran¡¯s movements. Thanks to [Better Vision], he saw every muscle twitch just before Roran made his move. Nathan dodged punches, swipes, and kicks with precision. Roran, in turn, deftly avoided critical hits while hardening his muscles with controlled breathing techniques.


    Nathan¡¯s attacks felt like they were hitting a wall. Roran¡¯s combination of agility and raw strength was seamless. Despite his enormous size, Roran¡¯s strikes didn¡¯t exceed what Nathan could handle. He deduced that Roran¡¯s punches could easily break the 8.1 barrier, potentially reaching 9, but required time to build up that kind of force. However, even with that buildup, it didn¡¯t produce the kind of breakthrough Zarah Kinyara or Xander Caldoran could create.


    What was most concerning, though, was Roran¡¯s stamina. He attacked relentlessly, without even breaking a sweat. Both exchanged blows¡ªpunch for punch, kick for kick. One of Roran¡¯s punches aimed straight for Nathan¡¯s head. Nathan tilted aside to dodge, swinging his right fist toward Roran¡¯s jaw while blocking a knee strike with his left hand. Roran, unfazed by the punch to his face, sneered and charged forward, forcing Nathan to retreat.


    As the fight went on, Nathan surprised even himself. He wasn¡¯t breaking a sweat either. The expected exhaustion never came. It was exhilarating.


    Nathan''s strikes accumulated as the fight dragged on. His practice of [Martial Art Mastery], along with his studies in the sect library, had equipped him with a treasure trove of techniques. He was no longer limited to the three basic moves he''d initially learned. With a slight adjustment, any punch could be transformed into an entirely different technique. A shift of the hand into a claw, a blade, or a half-fist could fundamentally change a move¡¯s nature.


    Like a madman, Nathan charged head-on, meeting Roran¡¯s force with his own.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    The first punch stunned him. He had expected backlash¡ªat the very least, a broken hand or temporary paralysis like the devastating impact of the One-inch punch from before. But no, he felt nothing. His body instinctively raised the other hand to continue the assault.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    The system notifications flooded his vision, one after another.


    ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom!¡±


    Each punch landed like a gunshot in the open sky. Nathan¡¯s blows met Roran¡¯s with equal force, a cyclone of dust swirling between them. Every clash left a vortex in the air, as if the sheer power was tearing apart the battlefield.


    The attention of the entire audience was now fixed on them. Outer disciples, who had been watching from the sidelines, were transfixed, their blood pumping as the clash escalated.


    ¡°By the Spire¡¯s peak! Where did this freak Nathan come from?¡±


    ¡°Phase 2.6 going toe-to-toe with Phase 8.1! He can''t be a nobody. Someone, check PsiLink! I need info on this guy!¡±


    ¡°Elen, don¡¯t you know him?¡±


    Elen, seated in the crowd, shot a glare at his friend before answering with a growl, ¡°Watch your mouth. He¡¯s an Inner Disciple now.¡±


    Hearing that, the group went silent, their faces falling. The memory of them mocking Nathan just last month flashed vividly in their minds. How quickly the tides had turned. If he sought revenge now, they wouldn¡¯t even dare lift a finger in defense.


    Elen, falling back into an old habit, chewed on his fingernail. His emotions were tangled, just as they had been when Nathan accepted the challenge. The image of Nathan, once so approachable and skilled when he first entered the Verdant Spire Sect, surfaced again.


    Nathan and Roran locked arms, both pushing against each other, trying to force the other back. Their breaths came in heavy, labored gasps.


    ¡°Well¡­ well done!¡± Roran laughed heartily amidst their struggle.


    Nathan tilted his head back and laughed, though his laughter turned into a choking wheeze from the exertion. ¡°Is that¡­ all you¡¯ve got? My grandma¡­ pushes harder¡­ when she¡¯s¡­ constipated!¡±


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    Nathan¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Damn it, that cursed skill!


    The audience erupted in laughter. It was already surprising enough to see a Phase 2.6 hold his ground against a Phase 8.1, but for Nathan to taunt his opponent like this? It was almost unheard of.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got guts, Nate,¡± Zeryn muttered, shaking his head with a grin.


    ¡°That disciple really does need his mouth sewn shut,¡± a female Inner Elder remarked.


    A few others voiced their agreement, mostly to curry favor with her.


    Alaric, the sect leader, glanced over at the beautiful Elder with the long brown hair flowing down her back. With a smile, he said, ¡°He¡¯s probably just trying to liven things up. No need to get worked up, Esme.¡±


    Elder Esme shot Alaric a sharp look but said nothing more. Her annoyed expression made the surrounding Elders exchange awkward smiles, silently wishing Nathan good luck when he entered the Inner Sect.


    Roran, hearing Nathan¡¯s taunt, grinned angrily. ¡°Let¡¯s see if your strength matches your mouth!¡±


    A pressure as heavy as a mountain bore down on Nathan. Roran¡¯s strength hadn¡¯t wavered despite their prolonged clash, but now it came crashing down, enough to flatten ten Nathans. Yet, something had changed. The Titan blood in Nathan¡¯s veins responded, surging through him like a primal force awakened. His body heated up as his muscles tensed.


    From the outside, Nathan might have seemed like a tiny figure facing a giant, but only Roran knew the truth¡ªthe real giant wasn¡¯t him. He could sense it, that primal strength building within Nathan, the kind that stirred fear deep in the pit of his stomach. For all his pride in his physical power, unmatched by any other outer disciple except a rare few like Qingfeng or Xander, Roran now found himself second-guessing. What was this overwhelming pressure coming from Nathan?The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Roran shook off the unsettling thoughts. He couldn¡¯t afford distractions. Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip, his muscles bulging as he bore down on Nathan¡¯s hand, which now looked minuscule in comparison.


    The ground cracked beneath their feet from the sheer force of their struggle, stone fragments splintering like a spider¡¯s web. Nathan was slowly losing ground, his legs sinking into the floor as Roran leveraged his height and weight advantage. His back bent under the crushing force, the rational part of his mind urging him to break away, use his superior speed, and strike from another angle. If he retreated now, it would be easy to outmaneuver Roran and secure a victory in the top 16.


    But something inside him refused to listen to reason. Retreat felt like a betrayal of something fundamental¡ªan instinct woven into his very essence. He wasn¡¯t meant to run. He was meant to face this head-on. His teeth ground together, blood trickling from his gums as he clenched harder. His eyes, wild and unseeing, locked onto Roran with an intensity that bordered on madness.


    And then, slowly but surely, Nathan¡¯s back straightened. Inch by inch, he forced himself upright, his spine aligning as his breathing steadied. Each breath burned like fire in his lungs, igniting every fiber of his body. Steam began to rise from his skin as if his very core was overheating, and yet he kept pushing forward.


    Roran''s eyes widened in disbelief, his grip almost faltering. What was this? This wasn¡¯t just strength¡ªit was something far more dangerous. But instead of pulling back, he let out a triumphant shout, deciding to face this challenge head-on. If he was going to lose, he¡¯d do it with honor.


    The fight shifted from a display of techniques and skill into a sheer contest of brute force. The crowd¡¯s excitement reached a fever pitch, their cheers growing louder with each second.


    ¡°Nathan! Nathan! Nathan!¡±


    ¡°Roran! Roran! Roran!¡±


    All around, the other contestants had finished their battles, many using the advantages of their phase or exploiting weaknesses in their opponents¡¯ styles. But now, they were transfixed, drawn to the raw, unfiltered contest still raging in the center.


    Nathan and Roran stood nose to nose, growling like beasts. As their foreheads pressed together, veins bulging, Nathan began to inch forward. Each step he took was a small victory, with cracks in the stone floor forming a trail behind Roran as he was forced back.


    Though exhausted, Nathan didn¡¯t stop. He could feel the strength of the Titan within him, the relentless drive to keep advancing no matter the cost. Step by step, he pushed Roran further, even as his own muscles screamed in protest. And then, with one final push, Nathan forced Roran over the edge of the ring.


    The crowd erupted into cheers as Roran¡¯s foot stepped outside the boundary, marking the end of their brutal contest.


    Roran released his grip, panting heavily, but there was no anger or resentment in his eyes¡ªonly respect. A broad smile broke across his face as he extended a hand to Nathan. ¡°Well fought, Nathan Reed.¡±


    Nathan, still panting with the exertion, returned the gesture, shaking Roran¡¯s hand with equal respect. ¡°You too, Roran Alastair.¡±


    For once, [Bad Mouth] remained silent, leaving Nathan grateful for the moment of peace.


    Roran walked away, leaving Nathan to bask in the glory of his victory. He raised his hand, fingers clenched, as if grasping some unseen trophy. The crowd around him exploded in chants.


    ¡°Green grows the spire through blood and fire! Green grows the spire through blood and fire!¡±


    Zeryn welcomed him with an enthusiastic clap on the back, nearly knocking Nathan off balance. ¡°Bravo! Bravo!¡±


    Nathan grinned, feeling the weight of the moment. ¡°So, how much did you win?¡±


    Zeryn beamed, nodding eagerly. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand the joy of being rich! Though it¡¯s a shame I couldn¡¯t bet more on you.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re on the blacklist now, man. After today, no one¡¯s going to take bets on you. You¡¯re too much of a sure thing.¡±


    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t placed such a big bet, no one would¡¯ve lost money!¡± Nathan shot back.


    Zeryn laughed, though the words hit a little close to home. It was true¡ªhe had nearly caused a riot with the amount of money he had on Nathan¡¯s victory, not once, but twice.


    Despite the teasing, Nathan felt like he was walking on air. Just a month ago, his only goal had been to survive in the outer sect. Now, he was one of the top 16 disciples in the tournament¡ªa feat that marked him as one of the most promising talents among the outer disciples this year.


    He glanced toward Roran, who was seated a distance away, receiving treatment. His arms hung limp at his sides, his back hunched in exhaustion, while the medics attached small white patches to his body. Nathan could see the blue-green wisps of mana mixing with steam rising from Roran¡¯s form, the effects of the healing herbs already taking hold. Feeling Nathan¡¯s gaze, Roran raised a weary fist in acknowledgment, signaling a promise for a future rematch.


    Nathan smiled back, but his thoughts drifted to something else. Ten years¡ªthat was the time frame Elder Kyron had mentioned. Even if he won the tournament today, it wouldn¡¯t mean much. As the sect leader Alaric had said, tomorrow, Tier 2 would present a completely different challenge. He knew Zeryn had been holding back in their training sessions, not unleashing his full mana control in order to avoid discouraging him.


    The fleeting glory of victory was quickly washed away by a cold dose of reality. Nathan returned to his seat, his eyes losing their earlier sparkle.


    Zeryn, noticing the shift in his friend¡¯s mood, said nothing. He understood the weight of what was coming next and knew that, for now, all he could do was provide some companionship, sharing the burden of the uncertain road ahead.


    As the next round of fights began, all eyes turned to Keira Valaine. For the first time, Nathan had the chance to fully take in her appearance.


    Her long, golden hair gleamed in the light, and her sharp features looked as if they¡¯d been sculpted by a master artist. Her amber eyes shone beneath perfectly arched brows, her high nose complementing her full lips. Her entire presence exuded grace and authority, even as she wore the same gray outer disciple robes as everyone else. The mere sight of her demanded attention, and compared to the crowd''s earlier focus on Nathan, her arrival made that attention feel trivial.


    Her opponent, a male disciple wielding a broadsword, seemed visibly shaken. His weapon was massive and unwieldy, contrasting sharply with Keira¡¯s slender blade, which looked almost effortless in her hand. The male disciple¡¯s eyes were distant, as though already defeated before the battle had even begun. His spirit was scattered, crushed under the weight of Keira¡¯s indomitable aura.


    But the most pathetic reaction came from the fool next to Nathan. A loud, obnoxious whistle escaped Zeryn¡¯s lips, echoing through the arena.


    "Can you shut up?" Nathan hissed, clamping a hand over Zeryn¡¯s mouth.


    The two idiots from that fateful day¡ªthe day they were caught spying¡ªwere here, and their target was standing in the ring. The last thing Nathan wanted was to draw Keira¡¯s attention again. It had been over a month since the incident, and maybe she had forgotten by now. But if Zeryn¡¯s antics drew too much attention, there was no guarantee she wouldn¡¯t remember the two troublemakers.


    ¡°Why though?¡± Zeryn protested, muffled by Nathan¡¯s hand. ¡°She¡¯s beautiful!¡±


    ¡°And that is not how you honor beauty,¡± Nathan retorted sharply.


    ¡°Well then, what¡¯s the proper way, wise master?¡± Zeryn grinned.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Nathan growled, his eyes darting nervously toward Keira, who thankfully hadn¡¯t noticed.


    Zeryn reluctantly nodded, though his mischievous eyes told Nathan he wasn¡¯t done. Nathan could only hope that Keira¡¯s attention remained on her match.


    As the signal to begin rang out, Keira¡¯s opponent seemed to regain some of his focus. He tightened his grip on the broadsword, deciding that if he was going to lose, he would at least put up a fight. Yet, the result was never in question.


    Keira moved like flowing water, her steps light and graceful, leaving the impression of a flower dancing in the wind. The male disciple, despite his bulk and powerful weapon, was utterly outmatched. He swung his sword overhead with all his might, but Keira was already gone, sliding behind him with a graceful pivot. In her hand, her blade reversed, the tip pressed against the back of her opponent¡¯s neck before he could even blink.


    ¡°I surrender!¡± the male disciple muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.


    The match ended exactly as everyone had expected¡ªKeira had overwhelmed her opponent without breaking a sweat. While the fight lacked the raw excitement of a brutal clash, the crowd was left in awe of her sheer mastery. It wasn¡¯t just her beauty that captivated them, but the absolute control she held over every aspect of the battle.


    Keira bowed with practiced elegance before turning to leave the ring. But as she descended the steps, her sharp eyes caught Nathan¡¯s figure standing beside Zeryn. Her gaze lingered on them for just a moment, a flicker of recognition in her eyes.


    Nathan felt his stomach drop into an abyss of cold dread. Zeryn, on the other hand, was oblivious, grinning from ear to ear.


    ¡°She looked at me!¡± Zeryn exclaimed, tugging at Nathan¡¯s sleeve like an overexcited child.


    Nathan, however, felt his knees go weak. That look from Keira¡ªit was either the beginning of a disaster or the first spark of suspicion. Had she recognized him? Back then, when he had stupidly turned around without masking his face like Zeryn had? And that damn inner disciple uniform had made him stand out. Even if Keira hadn¡¯t noticed him right away, he was now undeniably within her scope of curiosity.


    His anxiety boiled over, and in an instant, Nathan grabbed Zeryn by the collar and shook him violently. ¡°You idiot! You¡¯re going to get us killed!¡±


    The next few matches were less eventful, though one did stand out¡ªZahra Kinyara¡¯s fight. She was a Phase 8.1 contestant going up against a Phase 9.2 disciple, a man who wielded a long staff. Zahra, as usual, wore her simple, tight-fitting combat gloves, her short hair bobbing as she stepped into the arena with a relaxed demeanor.


    Nathan had expected a quick defeat for Zahra. After all, the gap between Phase 8.1 and 9.2 was immense. But as the fight progressed, it became clear that Zahra had a strategy.


    Rather than targeting her opponent directly, she aimed her strikes at his staff. At first, the audience was confused, unsure of what she was trying to achieve. But soon, Nathan¡¯s sharp eyes picked up on the pattern¡ªZahra was concentrating her attacks on one spot, focusing all her power into single points of impact. Slowly, cracks began to form in the staff, unnoticed by its wielder at first.


    By the time the male disciple realized what was happening, it was too late. Zahra¡¯s movements were bizarre, her attacks unpredictable, making it impossible for him to avoid the pressure she was applying to the weak points of his weapon.


    The staff finally snapped under the relentless assault, leaving him with two broken halves. His attempts to land a hit on Zahra were futile¡ªshe dodged everything with fluid ease. With his weapon destroyed, the male disciple had no choice but to admit defeat.


    Zahra smiled innocently as though she had just finished a fun game, bouncing off the arena to the applause of the crowd. Though she lacked Keira¡¯s regal elegance, Zahra¡¯s quick thinking and speed had won her the admiration of many.


    Nathan, watching Zahra closely, felt a sense of unease. His [Martial Art Mastery] skill had been analyzing her moves, and the conclusion it reached was troubling¡ªZahra¡¯s speed far exceeded his own. While Xander had raw power and deadly precision, Zahra was a different beast altogether. Her style was all about whittling down her opponents, a battle of attrition that left little room for error.


    He could imagine how a fight against her might play out, but even with a strategy in mind, Nathan knew he wasn¡¯t equipped to counter her speed at his current level. If they were grouped together in the free-for-all round, his usual tactics wouldn¡¯t be enough. Against Zahra, his confidence in his speed would crumble to nothing.


    The top sixteen were finally decided, and the next matchups appeared on the large display above the arena. As names shuffled and paired off, Nathan¡¯s eyes caught his own name lighting up.


    Nathan Reed vs. Yao Qingfeng.


    Nathan¡¯s heart raced as he stepped forward into the arena. His opponent, Yao Qingfeng, bounded up with an almost childlike energy, her ponytail bouncing behind her as she skipped into the ring. Her short stature and lively demeanor made her look more like a kid on a playground than a warrior about to engage in combat. Strapped across her back was a longbow, and in her quiver, twelve arrows gleamed under the sunlight.


    She beamed at Nathan with a bright smile. ¡°Nathan Reed, prepare to face your reckoning!¡± she announced, her voice bubbling with laughter.


    Nathan blinked, confused. ¡°Reckoning? For what?¡±


    Qingfeng pouted, clearly disappointed by his lack of recognition. ¡°For Roran!¡± she said, pointing dramatically toward the medical tents. ¡°I promised him we¡¯d meet in the finals.¡±


    Nathan couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°Finals? You¡¯ll have to get past me first, shorty!¡±


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    Qingfeng¡¯s large, round eyes narrowed into a dangerous glare. ¡°You¡¯ve got a big mouth for someone so clueless. I¡¯m going to make sure you regret that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Nathan said honestly, but his apology only seemed to stoke her competitive fire.


    Qingfeng raised her bow, nocking an arrow with alarming speed, her expression now one of deadly focus.


    The signal to begin rang out, and Nathan sprang into action. His feet dug into the ground as he launched himself toward her, [Amplifying Strike] and [Flowing Strikes] stacking to propel him forward in a blur of motion. He closed the distance in two heartbeats, his fist already aiming for her.


    But before his punch could land, he struck only empty air.


    Qingfeng had leaped backward, her feet hovering six feet off the ground, her laugh ringing out as she released her first arrow. Nathan barely had time to tilt his head, and even then, the arrow¡¯s edge sliced across his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.


    Nathan''s eyes widened. She was fast. Faster than Zahra, faster than anyone he''d faced so far.


    His gaze flicked to the arrow embedded in the ground. It hadn¡¯t ricocheted or bounced. It stuck firmly into the stone, quivering with power.


    And before he could fully register what had just happened, Qingfeng had already nocked two more arrows, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

 Chapter 9

    Seeing Nathan''s panicked expression, Qingfeng tilted her head and returned the arrow to its quiver, waiting for him to act.


    Nathan regained his senses, having just been the victim of a surprise attack. He moved slowly around the arena, wary of Qingfeng. The blood on his cheek had stopped flowing, beginning to heal.


    The small girl seemed carefree, mimicking her opponent''s movements. Qingfeng shook her head to some unknown rhythm. Suddenly, she leapt up, drew her bow, and nocked an arrow aimed at Nathan.


    Instinctively, Nathan crouched, ready to move the moment the bowstring loosed. But Qingfeng¡¯s light landing was nothing like the attack he expected. She smiled and continued to dance around with her bow.


    Despite running at full capacity, Nathan''s mind couldn''t find a viable approach to Qingfeng. The arrow''s speed was too fast to react to. She was also adept at moving to choose positions, minimizing her close-combat weakness. He figured that even Xander or Keira would struggle against Qingfeng. The only person he could think of who might overcome her currently was Zahra.


    Experimenting a bit, he repeated his old attack pattern. This time he used both legs to generate force. Simultaneously, mana drained from his body as when using the One-inch punch. He glided across the arena like lightning, greatly reducing his approach time.


    Qingfeng had already nocked an arrow when he began gathering power. In an instant, she loosed a shot. Prepared in advance, Nathan raised the back of his hand with its iron glove outward. With [Better Vision] and [Martial Art Mastery], he predicted the trajectory from his opponent''s bow positioning. A metallic ''clang'' rang out as his hand was flung backward, causing him to lose balance as his body''s momentum still carried him toward Qingfeng.


    She glided forward, both feet leaving the ground, legs spinning to kick at his head. With an unimaginable effort, Nathan adjusted his center of gravity, arching his back. The tip of her foot grazed past his nose, missing by a hair''s breadth. He landed on his back. Meanwhile, her feet touched down with two soft thumps, once again creating distance between them.


    He sprang up, examining his hand. The recent shot had numbed his arm, and at the point of impact, the iron layer had dented. Inside, his entire hand screamed in protest. Shaking it to forget the throbbing pain, he refocused on his opponent.


    Currently, his only strategy was to wear down his opponent in terms of both stamina, as with Roran, and ammunition. Two arrows had been fired, so ten remained.


    Qingfeng seemed to deliver an invisible slap to Nathan''s face by walking to the arrow embedded in the ground earlier, pulling it out, blowing on the arrowhead, and placing it in her quiver.


    Alright, so eleven arrows then, he thought glumly.


    Making a mental note to destroy the arrows, Nathan lowered himself again, continuing his strategy. His cheek had stopped stinging, evidence that he could tank a few arrows to his body without too serious an issue.


    Thus, the battle fell into a chase. The pursuer got shot. The pursued smiled brightly.


    Nathan employed his strategy to the fullest. Each time Qingfeng fired an arrow, he either blocked with his gloves or used his body. Of course, he tried to direct the arrows to graze less dangerous areas like his back, forearms, shoulders, or buttocks. [Butthurt] really helped reduce the pain considerably. The problem is that having his pants torn to expose his backside wasn''t exactly a pleasant experience.


    He was still trying to avoid arrows shooting straight into his body. The force of the arrows was large enough to penetrate, but his newly enhanced body might not allow it. And that ironically brought disadvantages. If an arrow shot through his shoulder, he could break off the arrowhead on the other side, so the jagged edges wouldn''t cause deep bleeding when pulling out the shaft. Now his skin and bones felt more solid, causing arrows to get stuck between muscles and flesh. Trying to pull them out would not only be excruciatingly painful but also cause more severe trauma. [Titan''s Descendant] would help him, however from his experience fighting Roran, the skill still needed time. Qingfeng certainly wouldn''t allow that time. So, after a period of chase, he had only managed to break two arrowheads. Qingfeng still had six arrows in her quiver, two arrows in positions on the arena floor, and one shot flying outside. Clearly, the girl was managing her resources very well.


    Though he hadn''t suffered any fatal wounds, blood flowing from six or seven places on his body made it hard for Nathan to concentrate. Movements requiring heavy use of leg muscles were hindered as waves of pain transmitted to his brain. His initial speed was no longer guaranteed.


    Sensing Nathan''s hesitation and weakness, Qing knelt down, legs spread wide, bow parallel to the ground. She placed two arrows on either side of her grip hand. One arrow was released. Unlike before, this time it flew in an arc, aiming for her opponent''s heart.


    Unable to think, only following instinct and habit, he jumped to one side. At his landing spot was a second arrow. The difference from the first arrow was that Qingfeng had used her special skill, infusing mana into her hand to increase the arrow''s force, while distributing energy to her legs to avoid being affected by recoil.


    As before, he raised his glove to block, but the arrow didn''t bounce off. Instead, it drilled into the glove like a drill bit. Before he could process this information, a cracking sound rang out, followed by his cry of pain. The arrow had pierced through his right hand, lodging into his shoulder.


    Blood pooled at Nathan''s feet, his gray uniform soaked in a deep red. He used his left hand to clutch his right. The right side of his body sagged with injuries. He stared fiercely at his opponent, fearing Qingfeng wouldn''t stop.


    Indeed, facing him was a petite girl with a deadly smile and a metallic tip reflecting sunlight. In a flash, the arrow left the bow, flying straight towards him.


    Still numb, knowing using his remaining glove would be useless, he ducked and rolled. But his action seemed predicted, as the arrow followed a strange trajectory, curving down instead of straight, its destination still his heart. Without time to think, he swung up his leg. Another scream echoed across the arena. The arrow had pierced through his calf, barely stopping before it could pierce his chest.


    The spectators in the stands all winced in sympathy.


    "Terrifying! Can a bow be used like this too?"


    "Do you know what Qingfeng''s Phase is? 9.4! The girl has already touched her Mana Aspect for Tier 2."


    "Now that you mention it, it seems to be wind attribute, right? The way those arrows change direction is too bizarre."


    The inner sect elders also applauded in approval.


    "What a lovely and talented girl," the female elder Esme spoke up.


    "Bow combined with wind, truly a perfect match," another chimed in.


    "If she makes it to the top 4, I''m willing to take her as my personal disciple," a portly elder announced.


    The others didn''t compete, as that elder also possessed the wind attribute.


    Nathan, the victim of these techniques, didn''t understand anything. He had little knowledge of Mana Aspects at Tier 2, having spent all his time earning points to buy the ''Initial Advancing Pill.'' He could only guess that Qingfeng was using mana to augment her arrows. If it were truly Tier 2, she wouldn''t even need to use a quiver; just using mana to shoot would be enough to shatter Nathan. Mana in the form of techniques entering the body would cause far more damage than physical attacks.


    "Do you surrender?" Marcus asked, floating above.


    The presiding elder always observed the matches in all four areas. He could always see or predict whether the techniques the disciples unleashed were fatal or not. At the moment the arrow changed direction, he had considered intervening, but the Phase 2.6 disciple''s reaction of raising his leg made him pause. The determination before his eyes also truly made him more interested.


    Nathan decisively snapped off the arrow''s sharp tip, then pulled the shaft completely out of his leg.


    Everyone who saw his ruthlessness was surprised.


    "Is he really going to continue?" someone spoke up.


    As if to answer that question, Nathan stood up, blood pouring from both ends of the hole in his calf. The second arrow was still lodged in his right shoulder. The pain radiating from it had subsided, and blood had stopped flowing.


    Eyes fixed intently on Qingfeng''s innocent pupils, he reached up to pull out the remaining arrow from his body. Gritting his teeth to endure, not a single cry escaped.


    Seeing her opponent''s grim smile, Qingfeng lowered the corners of her mouth. She hadn''t expected her enemy to be so tenacious and frightening. That unyielding demeanor truly made her serious. While Nathan was struggling with his wounds, she had retrieved the two arrows that were still functional on the field. With six arrows left to utilize, she attacked.


    In the moment when the arrows were removed, Nathan had exchanged his system points to upgrade [Martial Art Mastery], the only skill that could still use points when [Titan''s Descendant] had no option for the next level.


    Previously, he felt no need to raise this skill to level two because the knowledge at level one hadn''t been fully consumed. Upon seeing Qingfeng''s bizarre striking method, he couldn''t help but proceed.


    A flood of new knowledge poured into his head. The headache wasn''t as intense as a month ago, it was enough to make him dizzy. Yet it didn''t prevent his body from acting. With a stretch of his hand, using the tip of his left index finger to push towards Qingfeng''s wrist, her close-range attack was immediately broken. The arrow pinched between her fingers missed Nathan''s neck by inches. Not only that, the mana operating in her hand also became chaotic.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He used his healthy left leg to push his body forward, simultaneously adjusting his center of gravity and energy, forcefully bumping Qingfeng backwards.


    She shook her wrist in shock. The absolutely precise attacking motion had surprised her. Even more frightening was that her mana was in disarray as she tried to guide it back. Disbelieving, she continued to launch close-range attacks. This time, using another arrow pinched between her remaining fingers.


    Two sharp tips lunged at Nathan. The headache gradually subsiding, he calmly evaded, using the method of using softness to overcome hardness. The more powerful the attacks coming at him, the easier it was for him to exploit the openings. His wounds hadn''t healed, but his movements were still graceful, sometimes tilting his body, sometimes counterattacking precisely to avoid creating any further disadvantages for himself. At level one, [Martial Art Mastery] didn''t help him sense changes in his opponent or the surrounding environment. Now, not only could he see his opponent''s movements more clearly than before, he could also sense the changes in the ambient air around them. As if the flow of ambient mana was a signal. He just had to decode it, thereby decoding what his opponent was planning to do.


    Qingfeng wasn''t finished. When she realized her opponent was being drawn into her rhythm, she used a technique she had developed herself. She carefully dropped an arrow in mid-air, then curled her finger and flicked hard at the tail. The arrow at close range flew so fast it couldn''t be registered.


    Regardless of whether his eyes could register it or not, regardless of that speed surpassing even [Better Vision], Nathan wasn''t hit because he had already dodged when Qingfeng gathered power for her fingers. The ambient mana was extremely turbulent right at the position of the knuckle and tendon of her middle finger. Not knowing what card the girl would play, he had prioritized sidestepping to be safe.


    Surprised by her opponent''s reaction ability, Qingfeng revealed a moment of bewilderment, enough space for one of Nathan''s One-inch punches.


    The punch, enhanced by three skills [Amplifying Strike], [Flowing Strikes], and [Titan''s Descendant], landed squarely on Qingfeng''s stomach, sending her flying across the arena, landing on the ground coughing up blood. Having to keep track of the number of strikes to stack skills on top of each other amidst the headache truly made Nathan want to pass out right there, but he stood firm.


    The audience jumped from their seats to cheer. They had truly thought Nathan would lose after taking those two arrows into his body. It was unexpected that he could still counterattack. A truly spectacular thing when compared to the other fights. No one was crazy enough like that Nathan guy.


    "A good seed indeed," Alaric rarely praised, commenting once.


    "When he stood up, something had changed," another elder observed. "Before, he didn''t have the ability to guard against the storm of attacks using mana and wind attributes. But after that..."


    "...After that, he completely caught his opponent off guard," another elder finished the analysis.


    "What a strange disciple! Still, Yao Qingfeng is still the better seed."


    Though they said such nice words, the inner sect elders all shared an expression that they weren''t keen on Nathan.


    Coughing a few more times, Qingfeng stood up, her internal organs feeling jumbled inside her body. Fortunately, she had learned how to reinforce mana through exchanges with Roran to increase her defense when truly attacked. Nathan''s recent punch was no different from when Roran used full force. Truly frightening that a Phase 2.6 could do this much. Joking around like this was enough; it was time for her to show her opponent how big a disadvantage the difference in cultivation level was.


    While Nathan was trying to regain his composure from the headache of leveling up his technique, she pulled down her hair tie. Only now did people realize the hair tie was made of braided strands. She took out the arrows and tied one end of the string to the arrow tails, the other end attached to her fingers. Upon closer inspection, people could see the calluses on her hands as well as huge scars hidden under the archer''s gloves. She stood up, her face hardening, no longer wearing a smile. Her glossy black hair fluttered in the wind.


    Roran outside the arena saw that motion and could only smile resignedly.


    "She''s gotten serious now."


    Zeryn nearby heard and shook himself.


    "What? She wasn''t serious until now?"


    The big guy heard someone respond to him and was surprised. Looking again at Zeryn''s red uniform for inner sect disciples, he stood up to salute as to a superior.


    Zeryn just waved it off, continuing to ask.


    "So? Does the little mushroom have other tricks?"


    "Yes, senior brother," Roran answered, "those strings of Qingfeng''s tied to the arrows are the premise for her own ultimate technique, Arrow Dance."


    Zeryn stroked his chin in thought. That brief description was enough for him to grasp somewhat what the girl was planning to do. The question was whether Nathan could handle it.


    Nathan regained his clarity on the battlefield, everything before his eyes shifting from blurry to sharp, even Qingfeng seeming to gain a few extra lines despite just standing there. He could sense the mana condensing, the resonance like a wave enveloping his opponent. It had changed completely from just a minute ago. Not only instinct, the knowledge from his skill was also sounding alarms incessantly.


    Qingfeng took a deep breath, stabilizing the chaos and wounds in her body. She needed to end this fight faster, as she felt the internal injury wasn''t good, only being suppressed by mana. Completely different from the beginning when she only attacked from afar, now she wanted to dominate close range.


    Undaunted, Nathan accepted the challenge his opponent threw at him. Though he didn''t understand why she chose to fight at close range, he had no other choice as he couldn''t attack from afar. Bow tucked behind her back, Qingfeng used lightning-fast strikes at him. She only used basic techniques, but the speed, decisiveness, and fluidity were impeccable.


    When Nathan wanted to counterattack, Qingfeng immediately executed her ultimate technique. She continued to take her arrow and drop it in mid-air, then used her finger to flick it away. The opponent was forced to dodge. Taking advantage of that, from the side, she quickly did the same thing again, all aimed at vital spots. Unable to not choose to avoid, the male disciple facing her was forced to retreat. But retreating meant falling into the ambush she had already set. With a strong swinging motion of both hands, two arrows that had been shot before were jerked back hard. With the little mana that could be projected outward through the string, she meticulously controlled the energy, causing the two arrows to shoot back by inertia.


    Though surprised, because he never took his eyes off his opponent, Nathan still managed to dodge with a jump into the air. But predictions could only go so far; he couldn''t anticipate the further plans in his opponent''s mind.


    With a spin, Qingfeng made the two strings with bow and arrows rotate in an arc like a whip.


    This action achieved the desired result as the arrowhead sliced across her opponent''s chest, creating another burst of blood.


    Nathan landed in a daze. The versatility in Qingfeng''s techniques left him in awe. Where others telegraphed their moves, Qingfeng concealed her intentions with incredible finesse or acted so quickly that there was no time to react. The previous wounds were healing rapidly, but new ones kept coming, causing his body to be stressed out.


    Not allowing her opponent time to catch his breath, Qingfeng charged again. She used a third arrow that had been connected to a string beforehand. Missed again. Amazed yet frustrated by Nathan''s superior reaction ability, she didn''t stop. With the ability to retrieve her arrows at any time, she attacked like a whirlwind from all angles. She moved around her opponent, using the arrows to whip Nathan bloody.


    He was very glad to have made it this far. Having the ability to keep up with the speed of higher Phases made him feel he had achieved his greatest accomplishment. Just a month ago, knowing a punch was coming, yet his disobedient body couldn''t run when Elen struck. Now, he could keep up, only to discover there were truly terrifying people. And admirable ones. Standing in the middle of this merciless rain of arrows, he devoted his mind to contemplation while his body continuously adapted, dodged, and predicted. He smiled, as the pressure from before had disappeared. His new pressure was people like Qingfeng, like Xander. And he was ready to accept it.


    Qingfeng, on the other hand, was horrified by her opponent. Her Arrow Dance had increased to its limit with five arrows. Her dance tore through the wind, fierce, adorned by droplets of blood in the air. But the result of falling into a collapse before such a dance cruelly did not occur. Her opponent still stood, still lucid enough to shift an ankle slightly to avoid cutting tendons, move a wrist or neck to avoid cutting into arteries. Though still wounded, he was always alert, never shaken. Especially those eyes, eyes that seemed to have never blinked since she attacked, they frightened her, as if everything about her was exposed.


    Nathan counterattacked; he had finished analyzing the rhythm, the method of deploying this deadly technique. He moved between the fast-flying arrows as if taking a stroll, sometimes tilting slightly, sometimes stepping gently to one side, sometimes even using his finger to flick the side of an arrow. After a while, his eyes lit up.


    The moment is here, he whispered.


    To Qingfeng''s surprise, Nathan raised his hand into the air, seemingly a futile action, a moment later, he swiped to the side. All the dancing arrows stopped. The invisible strings were caught in his hand. Pulling hard, Qingfeng was unexpectedly yanked straight towards him.


    "So that''s why he endured attacks continuously," Roran marveled in admiration. "It''s the first time someone has broken Qingfeng''s technique, and in such a short time too."


    Zeryn, however, was pensive, as if guessing everything wasn''t over yet.


    With no arrows left, Qingfeng threw her bow at Nathan as if seeking an opening. He leaned to one side, both hands forming fists aimed at her. Knowing her opponent''s judgment ability surpassed even masters, she recklessly took the hit. Two punches to her chest and left shoulder left her dazed. But biting her lip hard, taking advantage of the break her opponent thought he had achieved, she used wind-attribute mana to propel herself forward. And that action wasn''t hindered.


    When the sound of wind brushing past made his clothes flutter, Nathan was caught off guard. He was exhausted from attacking earlier. Thinking he would get a moment''s rest, he had been careless. And carelessness had to be paid for. His opponent had reached her bow and pile of arrows.


    So that was her purpose, he realized.


    He recognized that Qingfeng was tired and that she also perceived his own speed was becoming sluggish; the seemingly effortless dodging actually involved very few intense movements, further highlighting this point. So her reckless action despite injury was truly a final gamble.


    As he approached, Qingfeng spun on the ground. The motion was so beautiful he just wanted to admire it. With one hand severely injured, she used her foot to set the bow, her remaining hand drawing the string. Three arrows were nocked. Her perfect archery posture left everyone in admiration.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Three wind sounds rang out simultaneously. Blood sprayed between both people.


    The audience all stood up at the spectacular action.


    "What happened?"


    That was the common question from everyone.


    Zeryn was anxious for his friend.


    "Qingfeng is still that vicious, huh," Roran shook his head in commentary.


    The elders just smiled. Only the fat elder who initially wanted to take Qingfeng as his personal disciple clapped his hands loudly.


    "Haha, the disciple I aim for is truly talented!"


    Though they said such nice words, the other elders remained silent because they clearly understood the development on the field. Nathan still hadn''t fallen.


    He was choking and blood from the new hole connecting from his front mouth to his right cheek poured out like a waterfall. The other two arrows were lodged in both sides of his chest, which he had managed to adjust to avoid vital spots. But the arrow aimed straight at his head he couldn''t avoid in time, so it had broken through his teeth, pierced through his palate, punctured his cheek, and flown away. He now looked like a blood-soaked demon standing looming ominously before the stunned Qingfeng.


    "How did you..." she stammered.


    He should have fallen by now; it was impossible for him to still be standing like that.


    Nathan''s cracked teeth forced out a smile. That action only made him look more like a nightmare.


    Not giving up, Qingfeng stabbed an arrow towards him. This time, Nathan raised his hand to block, regardless of it piercing through. Pain had become a companion.


    He twisted his hand, breaking the stuck arrow. Then, flipping it over, he used his opponent''s own arrowhead to strike. The sharp metal tip stopped a moment before piercing Qingfeng''s brow. She had fainted from the internal injuries Nathan had inflicted earlier.


    With a weary posture, he stepped back, head tilted upward. The wind blowing through the hole in his cheek brought the foul smell of blood enveloping him.


    I won. I''m so tired.


    Hovering above, Elder Marcus still hadn¡¯t fully grasped what had just occurred. But when he heard Alaric cough, he raised his hand.


    "The winner, Nathan Reed, one of the top 8."

 Chapter 10

    Nathan was rushed to emergency care immediately. His consciousness was still hazy as the cheers from the stands echoed through the sterilized membrane of the infirmary. In truth, he didn''t feel like he was in critical condition. His thoughts were coherent, and the pain from his wounds wasn''t overwhelming¡ªmore like underlying waves, not enough to shock him, but still present.


    ¡°Prepare for a blood transfusion,¡± the head doctor called out. ¡°Administer the bone marrow stimulator as well.¡±


    Most conventional medicines and healing powders required blood as a conduit. Therefore, instead of uselessly immersing him in a pool of medicinal ingredients, blood was the top priority.


    He let the doctors and nurses do as they pleased, a foolish grin still on his face. The hole in his cheek hadn''t healed yet, so air kept rushing into his palate. He had won! He couldn''t believe he had actually won. Perhaps his fighting style was to harm the enemy a thousand times while injuring himself eight hundred times. He thought he could have fought for a few more minutes, but he wasn''t sure. If Qingfeng, instead of stubbornly trying to stab him with arrows, had used her strength to push him off the platform, the outcome might have been different.


    A nurse returned with the necessary equipment, two vials of medicine¡ªone yellow and one red¡ªseeming to radiate light through their walls. The doctor took them, but just as she was about to insert the needle, the vitals on the screen above the hospital bed made her pause.


    "How...?"


    The blood ratio was no longer at alarming levels, and blood pressure and heart rate were stabilizing. Simultaneously, the machines monitoring his wounds showed changes. With a puzzled frown, the doctor waved her hand to triple the video speed backwards. Then, she played it forward in real-time. The wound on his cheek when he was brought in was a hole as wide as half a finger. Yet in this short time, it had shrunk slightly¡ªinsignificant, but noticeable if one focused.


    "What a powerful physique!" she exclaimed.


    The doctor suddenly became enthusiastic, putting down the two vials and the needle. She took another syringe set and drew blood from Nathan''s arm. Her eyes eagerly watched the vital signs; after a brief decrease, the numbers began to rise again. Other screens showed bone and marrow activity increasing beyond normal levels.


    "Magnificent!" she exclaimed.


    "Ummm, doctor?" Nathan said hesitantly, his voice mixing with the wind through both holes from his chipped tooth and cheek, sounding quite comical.


    "Ah, yes, sorry! You don''t need these!"


    She then reined in her curiosity and administered the medicine and healing powder to Nathan.


    The medicine entering his throat released a surge of energy that his body had been lacking. It felt like the necessary ingredient for [Titan''s Descendant] to operate at full capacity. Nathan sensed as if tens of thousands of tiny bugs were crawling all over him, causing a tingling sensation everywhere. His wounds automatically stemmed the bleeding and jumped to the recovery stage with new tissue and muscle being generated.


    "It seems you''ll be able to continue in the next round," the doctor commented. "I''ll go report the situation to the elders. For now, rest."


    Just as he was about to doze off, a clatter sounded, and Zeryn entered with a bright smile.


    "Oh my, Nate! You don''t know what you''ve just done!"


    Nathan struggled to sit up a bit, still tired and having to lean against the pillow behind him. He smiled at his friend.


    "Ew! That''s one hell of an ugly smile. Can you keep your mouth shut?"


    Nathan smiled wider.


    "Don''t do that to girls, or else you deserve to be single for eternity."


    His mouth still felt salty, making Nathan grimace.


    "I thought I''d get some high-grade medicine. Why are they letting me recover slowly like this?"


    "Economy, of course. If they can cut costs, they will!"


    Nathan nodded.


    "You naive fool," Zeryn scolded. "Really, without me, were you planning to remain ignorant forever? They''re not using strong medicine to avoid side effects. Regenerative medicines are miraculous but leave long-lasting and severe after-effects. Without a good sleep, don''t dream of standing on the arena floor. Higher Tiers somewhat solve this problem as the spirit grows stronger. But for a Tier 1 like you, you shouldn''t abuse medicine, understand?"


    Nathan nodded again, dumbly.


    ¡°Did Qingfeng hit you so hard you¡¯re brain-dead?¡±


    Another nod.


    Zeryn groaned. ¡°Listen, you¡¯re trending in the top three searches on PsiLink right now. Your fight video¡¯s going viral.¡±


    ¡°Heh, not bad, right?¡± Nathan raised a fist to thump his chest, but the pain made him cough.


    "Calm down, my friend," Zeryn sat on a stool beside the bed. "Sadly, betting on you has been locked on all channels. The blacklist spread."


    "Why?" Nathan wheezed.


    "Because the bookies lost money, of course! Those weird businessmen, they''ve already locked you after losing to you three times. So stingy!"


    Nathan frowned, feeling no aversion to the betting organizers.


    "How much did you bet on me last time?"


    Hearing this question, Zeryn just pursed his lips, his eyes turning quite devious. If he were uninjured, Nathan would have shaken his head vigorously. Surely Zeryn had placed a sum that made the organizers turn pale when hearing about the previous compensation. What they thought would be an easy meal using Nathan''s name had turned into a knife stabbing them back.


    "It''s fine, it''s fine," Zeryn waved his hand. "It''s not every day you get an investment opportunity like you. So, how about it? Feel up to fighting the next match?"


    ¡°Of course! The doctor said I¡¯m good to go.¡±


    ¡°Great! Go out there and show them what Nathan Reed is made of!¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t making it to the top eight already impressive?¡±


    ¡°What, are you scared now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m too beat up for your trash talk to work.¡±


    ¡°Touch¨¦.¡±


    Nathan laughed when he saw his friend always remembering small actions or words he had taught from his previous world.


    Despite his carefree attitude, Zeryn truly wanted Nathan to succeed. The forum comments about Nathan weren¡¯t kind. The malice was palpable, though Zeryn kept that from Nathan. Still, Zeryn couldn¡¯t help but root for his friend. He wanted to see Nathan go further, to silence the haters. People didn¡¯t see the grueling training Nathan had endured¡ªthe sleepless nights, the dirty jobs no one else would touch. Zeryn knew about Nathan¡¯s Jessica and their mother¡¯s tragic fate, but that only deepened his respect for Nathan, now heralded as the ¡®Greatest Tier 1 Underdog.¡¯


    "Wanna watch the tournament in here?" Zeryn asked.


    ¡°Can I?¡± Nathan perked up, despite his exhaustion.


    ¡°Of course. Why do you think I¡¯m here?¡±


    Saying that, Zeryn threw out a cube with a metallic gray color from his spatial ring. It floated to one side of the hospital bed, then the front face receded to create a circular hole. From there, beams of light were projected, forming a floating screen in front of the two of them. It was showing a live broadcast of the arena outside.


    "I had to ask the tech team to allow me to extract the broadcast," Zeryn said.


    "Awesome! You''re the best, Zer."


    "The four pairs after your round ended quite quickly, no less bloody."


    ¡°So we''re into the top 4 contenders now?"


    "That''s right. You surely don''t want to miss the first match. Your turn has been pushed to the end with the consent of the disciples."


    With another flick of his wrist, Zeryn adjusted the display, zooming in on the combatants in the ring. Xander Caldoran, Tier 1 Phase 8.2, was up against Milo Thayne, Tier 1 Phase 7.7.


    Milo Thayne still used his shield and mace as weapons, while Xander was at ease with his spear. Both possessed tall, sturdy builds, not as massive as Roran, but generally enough to intimidate ordinary people.


    Nathan suddenly remembered the Chinese word for contradiction, ì¶Ü (m¨¢od¨´n), which combines spear (ì) and shield (¶Ü). The word truly seemed fitting for the current situation.


    The auxiliary arenas had been cleared, making the space much wider. The rule of pushing others down still existed, but this was done to limit its occurrence. At this point in the tournament, everyone wanted to showcase their skills in front of the Inner Sect Elders watching from above. Even if they didn¡¯t make it into the top four, making an impression could be just as important.


    The starting signal sounded. Milo moved cautiously. He clearly understood the level gap between them, so he didn''t dare to be too rash. Especially since his opponent had previously scored damage higher than ten in last month''s test, and that was just using bare hands, not even using the spear.


    Xander stood firm, his eyes following his opponent. One could sense the confidence and certainty radiating from him. It was truly ironic that Milo was the one holding the shield, the image of stability and protection.


    With a roar, Milo charged forward, shield covering the front. His speed was fast, but Xander was faster, with the added fluidity of simply stepping to one side, using the wooden end of the spear to sweep across his opponent''s legs. Milo stumbled but managed to use his shield to maintain balance. He quickly turned around. Just in time to block a swing from Xander. The impact made Milo step back, his shield arm numb with the reverberating sound.


    Xander twirled his spear with expert precision, shifting it behind his back before leaping into the air. From above, he rained down a flurry of stabs, each one bouncing off Milo¡¯s shield. The sheer force of Xander¡¯s strikes kept him aloft, using the recoil to deliver attack after attack. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal, the sound chilling in its sharpness.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Milo, hiding behind his shield, felt pressure like a mountain pressing down on his body. He tried to find a way to counterattack, but Xander absolutely didn''t allow him to find an opening. When he wanted to run to the right, a swing was waiting, pushing him back. When he wanted to swing his mace from his left hand, he received a response from the sharp tip of the spear. The force disparity made him suffer even more.


    Xander''s attacks came as if from someone who didn''t know what fatigue was, storm after storm. Just as everyone was wondering if Xander had no other moves, a sound of breaking metal rang out. A hole had been punctured in the upper part of the shield.


    A jagged hole appeared, fragments flying back into Milo¡¯s face, blinding him momentarily.


    When he opened his eyes, his heart nearly stopped. The tip of Xander¡¯s spear hovered a breath away from his right eye.


    "The winner, Xander Caldoran!"


    With the announcement, the match ended. The entire stands were stunned, still not understanding what had happened. It took a moment before they applauded in congratulation.


    "So fast!" Nathan marveled from his hospital bed.


    "All of his matches are like that," Zeryn said. "I''ll give you some sincere advice, if you face Xander in the next round, just forfeit right away."


    "What if, say, Zahra makes it to the inner circle in the next match?"


    "Forfeit to her too!"


    "That''s like not giving advice at all, you idiot."


    "It''s the truth. You outer sect disciples this year are something else. One at Phase 2.6. One about to break through. Two wanting to have Intent. Argggh, I can''t let them steal my spotlight."


    Nathan didn''t respond but pondered what Zeryn said. About to break through was Keira. So who were the two wanting to have Intent? One was Milo, whom Zeryn had mentioned earlier. Was the other Zahra or Xander?


    He was about to ask when Zeryn said while waving his hand at the screen to change to another image:


    "Your next opponent, Gideon Wight, Phase 8.9. Quite formidable, just defeated someone at Phase 9.3."


    A young boy of sixteen appeared on the screen. He possessed a slim build, short curly hair, and an oval face with dark skin.


    "I''ve gotten the video recordings of his previous matches for you. You can use gestures to control my PsiLink screen. It''s quite unfair when others can analyze you but you can''t do the same, right?"


    Nathan appreciated his friend with a fist bump.


    Nathan began to use the remaining time to study and analyze everything about his upcoming opponent. Gideon was a disciple who used a three-section staff, a weapon that was very user-selective. And he used it at a high level of proficiency. Nathan assessed that although his techniques weren''t perfect, they would become more refined with just a bit more practice. Gideon''s danger was demonstrated through the footage recorded from the qualifying round to the top sixteen and top eight matches, showing his versatility. The three-section staff could attack as a short stick, useful for speed at close range, or extend to its full length like a flexible spear to strike at a distance, not to mention the variations that allowed Gideon to surprise his opponents, leading to their defeat. Among them was Desmond, who had let Nathan fight Cecco in the chaotic round. Desmond used dual swords but was defeated by Gideon, who took advantage of his weapon''s flexible attack range.


    Nathan sighed. Another speed-based fighter.


    Speed was what he lacked most due to the level gap with other disciples. It had only been improved thanks to experience and the unexpected versatility of [Martial Art Mastery], helping him make up for the distance in the qualifying round. After that, the physique of [Titan''s Descendant] really allowed him to match up with higher phase disciples. [Better Vision] helped, but because it came after [Titan''s Descendant], he couldn''t assess the extent of the change.


    Although he was cheating like this, he still almost lost to Qingfeng, who had touched the mana aspect and could compress and expand mana. If his opponent had been Roran who had reached Phase 9 or above, he would certainly have lost. Qingfeng even used consumable and difficult-to-manage weapons like arrows. She was a valuable asset for a team where members had specific roles. With her superior archery skills, she could act as a scout or a secret weapon with surprise attacks. The inner sect disciples currently recruiting members were likely targeting her more than Nathan.


    After briefly reviewing how Gideon fought, he inadvertently looked at his system credits: 1151.


    Fighting continuously had helped his points increase considerably, especially when fighting Roran.


    Previously, he didn''t understand the potential of his opponents, so he was overconfident in thinking he had prepared enough. But now, he needed all the help he could get.


    Without overthinking this issue, he exchanged 600 points for three rolls and proceeded immediately.


    Starting normal rolls...


    You received [Internal Trauma]


    You received [Bad Mouth]


    You received [Improved Balance]


    Duplicated Skills are held in reserved inventory for future use of [#Need Unlock before Revealing#]


    "The hell," Nathan exclaimed.


    "What''s up? Need more medicine?" Zeryn turned his head to ask.


    Nathan just waved his hand for his friend to turn back to watch the matches. Though full of suspicion, Zeryn just shrugged. Recently, Nathan''s strange behavior wasn''t uncommon.


    [Bad Mouth] was rolled again? He wanted to go crazy at the system. So skills could be repeated multiple times? And there was a hidden function not yet unlocked? Taking a deep breath, he focused on the two skills he had obtained, leaving the system issue for later. It seemed it wasn''t as overpowered as he had imagined.


    The [Improved Balance] skill worked exactly as its name suggested, nothing special. [Internal Trauma] was the focus.


    [Internal Trauma]


    Description: Attacks have a 15% chance of inflicting psychological trauma to the opponent''s psyche, manifesting as perceived internal distress.


    Another skill with such a brief description. The question he posed was whether this skill caused effects in a fixed result format or would it accumulate to make the effect more severe?


    Yes. The stacks make the effect stronger.


    The system''s answer startled him. So did his dissatisfaction and cursing at it get heard and evaluated?


    On this, the system remained silent.


    He apologized in his mind and then ignored the system. This new skill wasn''t rare or above, so he guessed its effect wouldn''t be too significant on the first activation. How many stacks it would take to become notable couldn''t be tested right now. This was precisely the problem he had thought about before: without verification and practice to familiarize oneself, it would be very difficult to incorporate a skill into actual combat.


    The system didn''t give him an answer as to whether the effect of [Internal Trauma] would scale with damage output or not. It was as if it could answer but chose to let Nathan figure it out for himself.


    Damn system, he cursed.


    Fortunately, [Internal Trauma] had branching paths for upgrading. It was still chance and methodical.


    Growth Path 1: Pure Chance.


    Next Level: increase the chance to 17%.


    Growth Path 2: Methodical.


    Next Level: change the way the skill operates. Now the effect will apply to the sixth attack.


    Choosing one path will disable the other.


    After spending a minute reading carefully, making sure he hadn''t misread a single word, he decided to choose Methodical to align with his initial direction. Perhaps there would be a time when he''d choose Pure Chance. But the sixth attack still fit the synergy for his fourth attack pattern plan.


    The least common multiple of [Amplifying Strike] and [Flowing Strikes] was 12. This number didn''t change when [Internal Trauma] related to the number six. Thus, every cycle of 12 attacks, he would stack all three of these skills together. 12, 24, 36 and so on.


    He began calculating the possibility of abusing the skill like how he used the previous two skills. By charging specific attacks and leaving them in a waiting state, he could continuously unleash two strikes with two effects stacked on each other. But because [Internal Trauma] operated like [Flowing Strikes], not dividing attack types, it seemed he had no additional deployment methods.


    Nathan was immersed in his contemplation about using skills and analyzing Gideon, until he was shaken by Zeryn and snapped back to reality. He had been sitting still like that for half an hour.


    "Umm, your turn bro."


    Nathan looked up at the live screen, realizing that the two matches following Xander''s had already concluded. Zahra Kinyara and Keira Valein had become two of the four most promising outer sect disciples in the south.


    He raised his hand to touch his right cheek; the wound had healed, and the skin had become smooth. Muscles and bones were all functioning well. That doctor had indeed fine-tuned the medicine for him before leaving.


    "Am I shaking right now?" Nathan asked.


    "People would think you''re on drugs," Zeryn teased. "Take a deep breath and calm down."


    Nathan swung his legs off the bed, stood up and stretched. He tried a few moves to check his current condition. All good. [Titan''s Descendant] truly never ceased to amaze him.


    In truth, he was trembling more from excitement than fear, unlike when he started. It was like standing up to perform in front of the whole school with his young and passionate friends in college. He was here with the reputation as one of the top 8 outer sect disciples, as an inner sect disciple. The bleak future from a month ago was almost gone. It still existed but was no longer so pressuring. The weight now was his desire to go further, to challenge himself to the extreme.


    He lifted the tent flap and stepped out. Greeting him was the warm afternoon sunlight, rays piercing through the mountain range illuminating the arena as if inviting him. The air carried a scorching scent, not just from the sun''s heat, but also from the anticipation of the young disciples.


    "Nathan! Nathan! Nathan!"


    They roared his name when they saw his image stepping out and projected on the screen in the middle of the field. The underdog had come a very long way.


    Unable to contain himself, he smiled and looked around. Even if he lost, there would be no regrets. He had achieved what he aimed for; this was just an extra reward.


    Gideon was already standing on the platform waiting for him, his hand gripping the folded three-section staff held close to his side.


    "It''s truly a shame that Qingfeng lost to you, Nathan Reed," Gideon said when Nathan came within earshot. "I had prepared new techniques to try and break her Arrow Dance."


    "You surely know whether you can overcome it through me, don''t you?" Nathan asked back, unfazed.


    ¡°To be honest, even with my new techniques, I doubt I could have beaten her. That girl is a demon with a bow.¡±


    Nathan laughed, having thought Gideon would be another person taking a superior tone to criticize and mock. Turns out he was quite a sensible person with his own personality.


    "It would be an honor to defeat you," Gideon continued. "But it wouldn''t be a disgrace to lose to the one who beat Yao Qingfeng."


    "The honor is mine as well," Nathan returned the courtesy.


    Marcus on the field shouted loudly.


    "Begin!"


    Gideon didn''t hesitate, immediately closing the distance. One section of the staff swung straight towards his opponent. Nathan leaned back to dodge, but the remaining sections of the weapon were already advancing towards him. Gideon swung the three sections of the staff back and forth, faster and faster, until the air seemed to be generating a vortex. Nathan could only retreat again and again. When he could no longer back away, he used his gloves to deflect one swing of the staff. But Gideon didn''t falter; another section was already swinging in, both of Nathan''s hands becoming busy. His eyes darted back and forth, waiting for a chance to counterattack. But it was futile; his opponent didn''t leave a single opening.


    There was no choice but to take a risk. Letting one of the sections hit his shoulder, Nathan lunged forward, his hand reaching for Gideon¡¯s tunic. But Gideon was too quick, using the momentum of the staff to pivot, driving the blunt end into Nathan¡¯s chest and forcing him back. Nathan staggered, feeling the wind knocked out of him, and barely had time to raise his arms before the staff slammed into his jaw. His head snapped back as Gideon pressed the advantage, the staff lengthening with a quick flick of his wrist. A heavy blow struck Nathan¡¯s shoulder, sending him sliding backward on one knee.


    Nathan hadn''t regained his composure from the shock to his chin when another blow came down, forcing him to his knees, sliding back a distance. Looking up again, Gideon had already resumed his stance, holding two ends of the three-section staff, waiting calmly, unhurried and undisturbed.


    Nathan raised his hand to crack his jaw back into place, spitting out a mouthful of blood. The tangy smell emanating from his mouth made him dizzy. Fortunately, the staff Gideon used was only in a cylindrical form. Nathan could imagine a scenario where this weapon was customized to Gideon''s liking with hidden blades; that exchange just now would have been enough to make him collapse. The strike to his shoulder, if not for his robust body, would have been enough to break bones.


    He stood up, his hands forming a short-range attack stance, utilizing Boxing and Wing Chun styles. Once again engaging in combat, he didn''t let his opponent dominate freely anymore, but continuously threw punches to disrupt the momentum and rhythm of his opponent.


    Gideon, however, adapted seamlessly. He twirled the staff faster, using its spinning sections to deflect Nathan¡¯s strikes. Every punch, kick, or chop was intercepted by the swift movements of the staff, leaving Nathan frustrated as they danced around the platform. Even though Nathan landed a few hits, they lacked the strength needed to shift the momentum.


    Triggered [Internal Trauma]. One credit given.


    The system had notified him like this several times already, and Nathan knew that although his attacks weren''t strong enough, they were still affecting Gideon. The aches and pains from blocking and taking hits from the staff made him sore all over. But it wasn''t enough to make him collapse or become exhausted.


    Suddenly, Gideon became serious. With a spinning motion, he wielded the three-section staff in a rhythm from top to bottom, then changed to horizontal spins. His wrists moved frantically, manipulating the weapon with expert precision.


    At close range, Nathan couldn''t create distance. After blocking with both hands during a vertical spin, seeing Gideon''s eyes sharpen, he knew his opponent had gathered his strength. Without much thought, he jumped up, turning his backside, aiming his buttocks straight at the incoming horizontal swing.


    The staff slammed into his buttocks, making him cry out in pain despite the reduced pain from [Butthurt].


    "Aaaannh~!"


    The sound that came out of his mouth wasn''t the roar of someone who had gone through voice changes in puberty. There was no deep tone, not even an expression of pain. Ringing in his ears was a high-pitched tone, with a hint of coquettishness. As if enjoying it. Very shameless, very inappropriate.


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. 170 credits given.


    *170 people affected by [Bad Mouth]. 107 startled. 51 amused. 11 disgusted. 1 intrigued.

 Chapter 11

    What the hell? Nathan silently screamed.


    Could this bizarre skill really do that? Only now did he realize that the embarrassing sound was coming from him, directed at the disciples sitting on the eastern side of the arena. So until now, because he always had a specific target, the credit was only for the affected individual. But this time, it acknowledged an entire crowd.


    His face flushed crimson to his ears, not knowing where to hide.


    And which bastard was intrigued? He shuddered.


    The audience erupted in hearty laughter.


    "Did we hear that right? That Nathan fellow didn''t cry out in pain, did he?"


    "Haha, truly no one can entertain like Nathan. I''d vote for him to win first place just for his shameless comedy act alone."


    "Surely he wouldn''t refuse my cooperation offer, would he?"


    The panel of elders furrowed their brows. Verdant Spire Sect was an organization that always paid attention to appearances and conduct.


    "If he makes it to the top 4, nobody better accept him!" Esme grumbled.


    Only the outermost elder, who had been silent from the beginning, was laughing so hard he nearly fell off his chair.


    "Darkan, it''s rare to see you so jovial," Alaric turned in his seat, smiling gently.


    "This disciple is truly interesting. Whoever takes him as an apprentice, I''ll owe them a favor."


    Darkan''s words made Esme frown. He was clearly aiming at her.


    "Let''s continue watching the match," Alaric said, changing the subject.


    On the arena floor, no one was more stunned than Nathan. He covered his face with both hands, hoping that when he opened his eyes, everything would be a dream.


    "Ummm," Gideon''s skeptical voice rang out, "you enjoyed it?"


    Nathan immediately spun around, hastily exclaiming.


    "No, no, no! It''s not what you think!"


    Goddammit, it still sounded wrong, his mind reeled.


    He resolved to grind for 5000 credits and delete that damned [Bad Mouth] skill. It was truly incomprehensible why the system would possess such an outrageous ability. Indeed, it had just brought him a substantial amount of credits, but the risk was far too great. And it had to activate on its own; if he were to deliberately produce that cringe-worthy sound, it would be ineffective. The system was, after all, still a passive system. To think that a skill requiring such methodical pathing didn''t exist ¨C how frustrating.


    Taking a deep breath, Nathan said through gritted teeth.


    "Let''s continue!"


    Gideon obliged, not wishing to dwell on this crude detail any longer.


    The fight fell into a stalemate as Nathan found a way to counter, using speed against speed. Especially when he constantly maintained close combat distance, limiting the versatility of the three-section staff. More importantly, what frustrated Gideon was his opponent''s ability to take hits. Nathan accepted the blows and seemed unaffected.


    So he indeed enjoys it? Gideon silently wondered.


    On the other side, Nathan was unaware that he couldn''t wash away the misunderstanding of being seen as a pervert. In truth, he was in pain all over. If he were to lift his shirt, one would surely see bruises covering his entire body.


    The inexplicable discomfort within Gideon grew increasingly intense as the duration of the match extended. He could sense that in certain strikes, Nathan suddenly attacked much harder than in previous blows. Initially, he thought it was just random, following no particular rule, but gradually he began to perceive a vague pattern.


    [Martial Art Mastery] had granted Nathan not just the strength to endure but a tactical understanding of combat. He could sense that Gideon was catching on, which pushed him to alter his strategy again. This time, Nathan added in some deceptive feints¡ªattacks charged with mana that deliberately missed, meant to break Gideon¡¯s focus and force mistakes.


    The battle between the two seemed to be the most boring of the top 8. But those who understood were quietly praising. The combat instructors all felt proud as the two disciples on the field executed techniques to the point of fluency, as well as demonstrating keen perception. This showed that they had trained and paid close attention to lectures and analysis, rather than like other disciples who always aimed to overpower opponents through level differences or using superior items. However, when encountering exceptions like Nathan or Gideon, both of whom had defeated higher Tiers in the previous round, those advantages became meaningless.


    Outstanding disciples like Xander, Zahra, Keira, and Milo all became engrossed in the match on the field. They rarely found themselves in prolonged stalemates during their own fights, so there was much to learn.


    Gideon gradually began to feel uneasy. He had thought that a drawn-out fight would be a safe move rather than exhausting himself. Receiving enough damage would eventually cause Nathan to fall. But unlike Roran, Nathan didn''t constantly use all his strength. There were times when Nathan would regulate the energy he released, thereby conserving his stamina to continue. Gideon bitterly realized that he was the one creating an advantage for his opponent. Without a doubt, Nathan''s formidable weapon was his recovery ability, not just being good at taking hits. Having analyzed enough, Gideon unleashed his trump card.


    Nathan was startled when he sensed the change in mana flow. But his opponent didn''t give him enough time to think. The staff was still spinning in front of him. He stepped back. Gideon grabbed the section of the three-section staff closest to him, then in a miraculous way without needing to exert force from his legs, flew in to knee Nathan in the face. Looking up in confusion, he saw that the three sections of the staff had straightened out, with mana flowing through the chain joints, making it rigid. Gideon had transformed his weapon into a deadly spear-like weapon.


    Gideon relaxed, allowing the mana to withdraw. He was still at Phase 8.9, with very limited mana release capabilities; he had to conserve. If he had broken through to Phase 9.0, it would have been much better. Taking advantage of the moment of surprise he had just created, Gideon once again hardened the three-section staff, propping it against the ground to launch himself into the air, twisting his body to bring the staff down like a hammer.


    Nathan raised both hands to block, hoping to catch the staff. But when it was about to make contact with his hands, the staff became loose again, the connecting chains bending, causing the staff that was supposed to strike straight down to curve into an arc, smashing directly onto the top of his head. Stars exploded before Nathan''s eyes. Blinking, he saw the three-section staff once again become a pole, thrusting straight towards his glabella. Reflexively, he used one hand to push the pole upwards at an angle, avoiding the vital point. But Gideon was already two steps ahead. Once more, mana was released, the tail end loosened, and one-third of the staff fell at a right angle onto his arm, right at the elbow.


    Gideon advanced, grabbing the section of the staff hanging on his opponent''s arm. He glided behind his opponent, then using all his strength, pulled the staff caught on Nathan''s shoulder to flip him backwards, resulting in a loud thud as he hit the ground.


    Nathan only felt like he wanted to vomit, his surroundings a blur of indistinct scenes. Indeed, these were the best among the disciples. Gideon''s excellence was no less than Qingfeng''s. The mastery and versatility in using staff techniques would surely develop further in the future.


    "Gideon Wight, it seems the direction of his mana is following the wood aspect, isn''t it?" Alaric mused.


    "Yes," another elder replied. "Well, with the versatility of the wood aspect, short when needed short, long when needed long, and able to make the weapon sharp or blunt simultaneously. Combined with three-section staff techniques, he''ll be a formidable individual indeed."


    "Exactly! What do you think, Jorran? It''s the same system as yours."


    "Worth considering," the third elder mentioned replied. "But let''s keep watching and see."


    In Nathan''s ears, high-amplitude long tones rang out, his head still numb with pain, his nose burning and hot. He raised his hand to wipe and saw two red streams of blood flowing out. The head wound seemed more severe than he had thought.


    Trying to stand up, Nathan found himself staggering. Although he couldn''t think clearly, he still raised his fist in a gesture of challenge towards his opponent. [Self Emotional Support] wasn''t activated, so part of him still didn''t understand why he could be so stubborn.


    Gideon exhaled, continuing to attack. Like before, he still had to be precise with his mana-infused strikes. Not only using this mysterious energy to straighten the three-section staff, he also increased the speed and damage of successful attacks. But his opponent could still strike back.


    Unlike the first time, Nathan now sensed the changes, the knowledge and experience of [Martial Art Mastery] guiding him on how to move. His head throbbed, but his mind was gradually regaining clarity. The regrettable thing was that he realized this a beat too late. His physical strength was greater than Gideon''s. And that was precisely his opponent''s critical weakness. When his arm was locked for that throw earlier, Nathan could have resisted and made his opponent the one taking the hit instead. When the three-section staff changed from a pole back to its loose state, Nathan grabbed the chain connecting two sections of the staff. He had lost count from before, so he had exhausted all his moves and recharged new ones. The Cycle of 12 attacks returned, and surely Gideon couldn''t guess that the position where he recharged his attack was the head. With a decisive pull, Gideon was dragged along. He headbutted Gideon right between the eyes, sending a shockwave of pain through his skull but forcing Gideon to stagger backward.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Flowing Strikes]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Internal Trauma]. One credit given.


    Gideon hit the ground hard, his head spinning with flashes of white light. Struggling to get up, he suddenly felt a tightening in his chest, as though invisible hands were squeezing his organs. Not only were body parts like his liver and intestines being compressed, but his mind was also racing. The sudden panic caused his heart to race and his breathing to become rapid. [Internal Trauma] had finally broken through the wall of psychological defenses. When he looked up at his opponent, he suddenly saw bizarre hallucinations. Standing before him was not Nathan, but a blood-soaked creature, its skin slashed to reveal the hidden blood vessels beneath. Its eyes were blood-red, containing all of hell, its feet dragging trails of maggots. His heart beat faster to the point of being uncontrollable. Part of him screamed to stand up, to continue, to win, but most of his mind was falling into a state of loss of control.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    The demon''s body came closer, its putrid breath seeming to wash over him. This image was one he hadn''t seen in a very long time. That mouth, like a bottomless pit, exposed as if wanting to devour him.


    Gideon didn''t even hear himself mumbling.


    "I... I... surrender!"


    Nathan stopped abruptly, he was using [Improved Balance] to keep himself from falling after the head collision. Seeing the panicked expression on his opponent''s face, he understood that [Internal Trauma] had shown its effect.


    Gideon continued to mutter incoherently as staff members rushed onto the arena to carry him off. His defeat was met with shocked silence from the crowd, especially the Inner Sect elders, who were left speechless.


    "His psychology seems quite unstable," Esme remarked. Even she wasn''t clear on what was happening, but using a bit of her power, she could sense the turmoil and terror emanating from the depths of that disciple''s heart.


    "Haiz," the wood aspect elder sighed, " still too immature."


    No one said anything more about Nathan, who had claimed victory.


    The fight ending this way also left the audience confused, so cheers weren''t raised.


    Some people began to insinuate that Nathan had cheated, but weren''t clear on how. A wave of discussion appeared on PsiLink.


    Zeryn supported Nathan as they walked to the rest area. The new wound wasn''t too serious, so the nurse just checked, applied medicine, and left. It was unclear what side effects the medicine would leave on the disciples after this tournament.


    "If you pull this off again, Nathan, you''re asking for trouble," Zeryn warned as he helped Nathan sit.


    Nathan gestured for his friend to continue.


    "You''re a Phase 2.6. Cases of fighting above one''s level aren''t without precedent. But it should be within believable limits. You can understand this logic, right?"


    The bloodied head moved up and down.


    "But what you just did is creating controversy. Gideon clearly didn''t lose the way you beat Roran or Qingfeng. He lost because he was hit with a strange effect. And strange effects are usually..."


    "...the result of a Tier 2," Nathan mumbled.


    "Exactly! You''re exceeding norms in too many categories, in front of everyone. There''s no basis to say you''re using forbidden techniques, but suspicion can be just as damaging."


    The headache subsided, helping Nathan regain clarity. Indeed, he shouldn''t have used the rolls just because he wanted to win. The powerful skills were certain, but when not fully grasping their effects and impacts, he shouldn''t let others see them. The passive skill meant he couldn''t fully control it, but methodical had given him a contingency plan. Strikes with stacked [Internal Trauma] could be thrown into the air. But doing so would disrupt his rhythm, and he wouldn''t be able to use [Flowing Strikes]. He had created a dilemma for himself. The positive outcomes of [Titan''s Descendant] had made him overconfident.


    "So what the hell did you do to make Gideon piss himself in fear?"


    "A form of technique that exerts mental pressure," Nathan believed this was the clearest and most concise explanation.


    Knowing his friend couldn''t explain further, Zeryn thought for a moment then said.


    "Then you can still continue fighting. Your next opponent is unlikely to be affected by anything you''ve done. But of course, I still stand by my initial advice. Don''t continue, just surrender."


    "My next opponent?"


    "Look!"


    Nathan, only now squinting his eyes after the concussion subsided, looked up at the board showing the pairings for the two semi-final matches.


    Keira Valaine versus Zahra Kinyara.


    Nathan Reed versus Xander Caldoran.


    "Shit!" Nathan startled.


    "Well?" Zeryn laughed. "Did you want to fight with two beautiful girls instead?"


    "Not really. But Zahra seems like an opponent worth learning from."


    "You''ll learn plenty from facing off against Xander too, don''t worry. Keira versus Zahra will be much more exciting. You''ll see."


    Nathan absent-mindedly nodded, his gaze drifting toward Xander, who was standing at the edge of the arena, his muscular frame imposing even from a distance. Almost as if sensing Nathan¡¯s gaze, Xander turned his head, locking eyes with him. The sharp, predatory look in Xander¡¯s eyes made Nathan¡¯s blood run cold.


    "Looks like surrendering isn''t an option anymore," Nathan said with a wry smile.


    Hearing this, Zeryn finally noticed Xander. He burst out laughing.


    "That''s why I said your psychological special move won''t work on Xander. He''s a beast."


    Both turned back to focus on the arena, where Keira and Zahra had moved up together.


    Keira maintained a state that had something pristine about it, the way she walked, or her gestures all made people feel inferior. On the other side, Zahra with her short hair, showed a wildness, but her eyes were clear and youthful. One tall and slender, one short and powerful. Sword against fist.


    The two girls only glared at each other without exchanging words, as if engaged in an invisible battle before the start signal.


    "The first match of the semi-finals," Marcus introduced grandly. "The best disciples, and the future of Verdant Spire Sect. Remember, there should be a stopping point. But now, let''s begin!"


    The audience cheered most enthusiastically since the beginning of the tournament, using all their strength for the two girls on the field.


    Zahra knocked her fists together, her excitement reaching its peak. Keira, on the other hand, only indifferently placed her sword at an angle to her body, nodding slightly towards her opponent.


    Zahra lowered herself, placing both hands on the ground, then using all four limbs, charged forward like a leopard. In just two blinks of an eye, she had closed the distance. In the final leap, she shot up, her fingernails forming claws raking towards her opponent''s chest. Keira lightly deflected. Zahra used her other hand to brace against the ground, with a quick elbow bend, she launched herself high, her legs reaching higher than six feet. Spinning horizontally in mid-air, she kicked straight at the face across the sword, forcing Keira to retreat.


    The golden-haired girl frowned, annoyed by her opponent''s wild fighting style. She moved her foot back, setting her stance to counterattack. When Zahra advanced once more, she chose precisely the right moment to thrust her sword forward. Each sword jab was not only dangerous but also generated air pressure, causing small explosions of air with each retraction. Although Zahra skillfully dodged, on the final thrust, she couldn''t avoid it as Keira had concealed one thrust within another, causing two air bombs to explode in rapid succession.


    Zahra was blasted to the side, her hands spinning on the ground to dissipate the force affecting her body, then bouncing back into position. She tilted her head and smiled, thoroughly enjoying herself. Once again, she charged forward. This time, she wasn''t too wary of Keira''s techniques. She responded with her signature move; when the sword tips were about to create an explosion, Zahra''s five fingers, at an uncatchable speed, bunched together to strike the sword''s tip.


    The collision between two techniques with similar operating mechanisms created a shockwave, the explosion amplified, pushing both backwards. Keira used her sword tip pointed behind her to limit her sliding, while Zahra was like a small cat, her back legs pushing up, her hands like claws drawing a long line on the ground.


    Keira was surprised by Zahra''s recovery ability and absolute speed when two claws were again coming at her in an upward arc. Using her left hand not holding the sword, she directed mana to push herself aside. Trying to regain her posture, those bunched claws had already struck. In response, two explosions landed on the sword''s blade, the vibration spreading throughout her body, pushing her far away. Her insides churned as if she wanted to vomit.


    Zahra, seizing the advantage, didn''t let up. Still with the superior speed unmatched in this year''s top 32, she flew like a bullet, crashing down from above at her opponent''s position. Her landing didn''t hit directly, but the bricks and stones were blasted up into a cloud of dust. She utilized the chaos she created; the dust seemed not to hinder her vision at all, her five deadly fingers landing on her opponent''s waist.


    Keira only felt herself flying just above the ground, her shoulder slamming onto the arena floor, rolling several times, her sword falling about two steps away. Coughing violently, she clutched her waist and stood up. Although she had used mana to protect the attacked area, Zahra''s force was truly beyond reason. It seemed to carry physical attributes as well, not just pure mana.


    Though she had become somewhat disheveled, Nathan felt she was the most dignified disheveled person ever. Standing there with her hair, clothes slightly askew covered in a layer of dust, she still captivated the eyes of the entire school.


    Other disciples shared the same thought, expressing sympathetic whistles. Female disciples called out her name to boost her morale.


    "Fighting Keira, the audience alone is enough pressure," Zeryn chuckled.


    Keira tucked her hair behind her ear, using her hand to dust herself off. Her gait still maintained its gentleness as if no injury had occurred. Retrieving her sword, she changed her stance, ready.


    Zahra didn''t want to end it quickly, allowing Keira time to recover. When she saw her opponent fully prepared, she continued her style. Attacking like a storm, intricate yet not intricate. The only requirement was effectiveness.


    The sword in Keira''s hand no longer used the previous type of technique. As Zahra was running towards her, a Mana Slash was slashed out. The skill looked visibly weaker than when a Phase 9.9 was trying to use it. The arc flying over the arena floor was not clear but hazy. But in the end, it still had an effect.


    Being at too close a range, Zahra couldn''t dodge, only able to cross her arms to block. The part that hit her gloves was better, but the rest was enough to penetrate the skin, causing her to bleed from the gash across her clothes diagonally from shoulder to lower abdomen. Springing up instinctively to guard against a follow-up slash, she adjusted her posture.


    Nathan''s eyes widened as he watched. Now he truly saw what the outer sect elder Kyron had said. Why a Tier 2 had to stand still in a one-on-one fight with him when she could unleash a slash at such a range. Zeryn had once said, with enough practice, one could even make the slash chase after the opponent or imbue it with speed. In any case, if you dodge a Mana Slash, a Mana Bullet will be waiting for you.


    Keira had thought her opponent would be more cautious after she unleashed such a move. But not at all. Zahra once again didn''t hesitate to attack. On the next Mana Slash, Zahra used her two hands to palm the air, helping her bend her body at an impossible angle, escaping Keira''s attack by a hair''s breadth. Other instances repeated similarly. Both sides exchanged techniques. The mana Keira used dissipated around them like a fine mist.


    "So that''s it, so that''s it," Zeryn mumbled.


    "So what? Stop being mysterious," Nathan urged.


    "Keira can use mana aspect now," Zeryn concluded. "And not just like Qingfeng, but at a level of a Tier 2 already."


    "What? Really? Just from that Mana Slash? Indeed, Qingfeng didn''t use a similar technique against me."


    "No, no," Zeryn clicked his tongue. "It''s hard to describe, but when you reach Tier 2, you''ll be able to sense it. Not to mention that Keira possesses a rather... how to say it, rare Aspect."


    Level two of [Martial Art Mastery] helped Nathan sense the flow of ambient mana in the air. He could partially penetrate the veil, but still didn''t understand as deeply as his friend.


    Just as Zeryn analyzed, Keira''s subsequent attacks were intended to influence her opponent with her aspect. But strangely, the success she had experienced from the beginning of the tournament until now still refused to appear. Zahra seemed immune to her Aspect.


    "Two interesting girls," Alaric said from the presiding position.


    "One carries a rare Aspect, one carries a bloodline," Esme added. "Indeed, the southern disciple group this year is full of surprises."


    Zeryn, who had been focused, suddenly exclaimed.


    "Bloodline!"


    "Huh?" Nathan echoed, understanding his friend''s penchant for showing off.


    "Haha," he laughed loudly. "I was wondering how Zahra still hasn''t been affected by the mana dispersed from Keira. Now I know. As you said, that wild girl is too much like you."


    Seeing Nathan''s puzzled expression, Zeryn continued.


    "You must have a bloodline, right? That disgusting recovery ability of yours can''t be human. I won''t ask what bloodline it is, and you shouldn''t tell anyone, understand?"


    Nathan nodded, following along, having learned not to share too many secrets even with the closest people in this world. That was taught in the survival course when first entering sect. He gestured for Zeryn to continue.


    "Bloodline, to put it bluntly, is a cheating mechanism. No matter what you say, I''m certain of it. Because bloodlines operate very randomly. Sometimes the parent''s generation has it but the child''s doesn''t. Yet the grandchild or great-grandchild does? Strange, isn''t it? Anyway, Zahra and you are two lucky ones to inherit bloodlines. It can start having effects from birth or when maturing, so your condition didn''t worry me that much. Back to the fight, I''m not sure what Zahra''s bloodline is, but it''s interfering with Keira''s Mana Aspect. That''s why I say it''s extremely unfair, a Tier 1 is hindering a technique on par with an early Tier 2."


    "Then how can Keira win if there''s such natural resistance?" Nathan asked.


    "There''s one way, but it''s extremely dangerous to do it now."


    "Damn it, Zer, can you just say it without beating around the bush?"


    "Holy cow, she''s really planning to do it."


    Nathan shifted his gaze following his friend''s surprise. Keira and Zahra had been fighting for a while. At this moment, Keira had just gathered energy, releasing mana from her body to create a wave pushing Zahra away.


    She glared at her opponent. Her fighting style depended quite heavily on the Mana Aspect she possessed. That was why in the outer sect test, despite being Phase 9.9, her damage output only reached 8 points, lower than Zahra''s 9.5 points. She had thought this wouldn''t pose any difficulties when facing each other. But she was wrong. With the same judgment as Zeryn, she somewhat leaned towards the possibility of Zahra''s bloodline. If so, there was only one way left. Her honor wouldn''t allow her to concede defeat; she had to win first place. Although dangerous, she was confident she could do it.


    "Damn it, you and all of them are crazy," Zeryn cursed. "She''s going to breakthrough right now. Keira Valaine wants to reach Tier 2 in the middle of the match."

 Chapter 12

    Mana from the air rushed towards Keira, forming a visible blue vortex.


    Realizing her intentions, Elder Marcus immediately spoke up with urgency.


    "Keira Valaine, do you wish to forfeit?"


    "No, Elder," she replied decisively.


    Marcus frowned, glancing up at the high-ranking leaders for support.


    "Let the girl proceed," Alaric calmly ordered. "If anything happens, we''re here."


    Marcus sighed in relief, glad to avoid this responsibility. He left the two disciples on the field to their own devices.


    Keira retrieved a pill from her spatial ring and swallowed it along with several mana stones. They automatically orbited her, ensuring a continuous mana supply.


    "Damn," Zeryn exclaimed. "A spatial ring and a Condensed Essence Pill? She''s loaded."


    "Aren''t you the same?" Nathan questioned.


    "Joke''s on you, I''m rich but still poor. Remember, I had to reach Tier 2 and become an inner disciple to get a spatial ring. Not to mention she has a bunch of mana stones to use."


    Indeed, Keira¡¯s financial backing seemed substantial. The Condensed Essence Pill, as Nathan recalled from the sect point exchange list, was worth about ten thousand points, over 33 times the value of an ''Initial Advancing Pill'', largely due to the concentrated essence within. It was too potent for disciples to absorb, suitable only for breakthroughs.


    "Anyway," Nathan spoke up. "Are the elders really not intervening?"


    ¡°They probably think she needs this,¡± Zeryn replied. ¡°Breaking through without being in a meditative state, and without a master¡¯s supervision, is highly unusual. It requires complete understanding of one¡¯s body and incredible focus. But sometimes, cultivators hit a bottleneck, like a cork in a bottle, preventing advancement. Keira¡¯s likely been stuck at Tier 1 Phase 9.9 for a while, and the Elders are letting her push herself to the edge to break through.¡±


    Nathan focused on the slender figure enveloped by mana on the field, truly admiring her determination. In fact, he admired all the disciples present, including those he had defeated. Each possessed a daring spirit in their hearts, striving towards their goals. His respect also stemmed from Keira risking her foundation. Any major breakthrough, if not executed well, could render previous cultivation efforts futile. Recultivation was possible, but reaching the same heights would become a hundred times more difficult.


    One of the mana stones surrounding Keira shattered. The mana smoke was inhaled into her body through her breathing. Everyone could observe it passing through the mana focal points in cultivation. The blue light traveled from her chest down to her abdomen, then back up to her shoulders, down to her knees, and finally reversing once more to move to three points on her head.


    "The Novem Nexus Path," Nathan muttered, unconsciously placing a hand on his stomach where he remained stuck.


    After completing one cycle, a wave of energy emanated from Keira''s position, kicking up a cloud of dust from the ground. The mana smoke no longer moved chaotically but formed a cloud that hovered beside her.


    Zahra stood there, watching the process with interest, showing no intention to attack. But this irritated Keira.


    "Attack," her voice brooked no refusal. "I don''t ask for leniency while breaking through."


    Zahra blinked, surprised by Keira¡¯s resolve. She had misjudged Keira as one of those boring outer disciples with superior looks. It was she who needed to reevaluate herself.


    "Sorry," Zahra replied sincerely.


    She understood that if it were her, she wouldn''t allow it either. Choosing to break through here meant fighting as usual. Enemies outside the sect wouldn''t show mercy but would rejoice at this state. Waiting for Keira wasn''t respect.


    For Keira, it was exactly that. If she forced others to yield during her breakthrough, even a victory would be shameful. Her psychology had pushed her this far, and she hoped to fight. And in battle, truly take another step on the path of cultivation. Keira proved her words by attacking first. She glided gracefully, her feet barely touching the ground. Mid-air, she drew an aesthetic circle, dispersing mana to attack her opponent.


    Zahra ducked her head to dodge, then somersaulted forward into a four-limbed stance on the ground. She moved around her opponent, eyes intensely focused to avoid any mana slashes or bullets from the sword''s tip.


    The Novem Nexus Path required nine refinements. Keira had completed one and entered the second. But her expectations were met; Zahra didn''t stay idle. After circling once, Zahra leaped into the air, somersaulting to swing her claws at Keira. With abundant mana, Keira controlled it to form a shield.


    Zahra''s claws pierced the somewhat weak barrier. Then, she grinned mischievously, using the shield as a springboard to leap higher, her flexible body curling into a ball before falling to unleash a barrage of kicks and scratches that left her opponent staggering.


    Sweat poured down Keira''s face; she could break free with another mana blast, but her condition wouldn''t allow it. The essence from the pill demanded she channel mana for the fusion process. Blue veins bulged on her temples as she struggled to maintain the shield while guiding mana through the nine points.


    Seizing the advantage, Zahra concentrated her power into a mighty kick on the barrier. Her kick focused on her toes, concentrating the force to a point. The shield shattered, pushing Keira back.


    Keira suppressed a groan, blood trickling from her left nostril.


    Elder Marcus looked to Alaric, receiving only a head shake in response.


    The second cycle of mana and essence was complete.


    Zahra landed, her spirit high. This time she attacked by spinning vertically. With her strong legs, she became a vortex crashing into Keira. Amidst her scratches, she didn''t forget her trademark small explosions.


    Keira forgot all pretense of image, focused solely on Zahra before her and the remaining mental capacity to regulate the two energies in her body. With a roar, she responded with similar sword swings. Between them, only sparks flew as metal clashed. In response to Zahra''s explosions, Keira also used mana bullets to hinder her opponent.


    Sometimes Zahra would be blasted away, but she always recovered and returned. Her persistence impressed both her opponent and all onlookers.


    Nathan was drawn into the battle, from the psychology of combat to the movements and reactions. Everything was precise. He had overestimated himself in thinking he could relatively match Zahra. She might not possess his regenerative ability, but her flexibility and endurance were certainly not inferior. Add to that her speed, and there was no need for further discussion. As for Keira, it was indisputable; he lacked the confidence to completely dodge her slashes and mana bullets. Evidence was in his match with Qingfeng, where he seemed to have taken all the arrows head-on.


    The third cycle of the Novem Nexus was successful. Keira attempted to regulate with three consecutive mana slashes, forcing Zahra to retreat.


    As the fourth cycle began, Zahra launched her frenzied assault, engaging in close-quarters combat with Keira. Her scratches and finger strikes all sounded alarms.


    Keira managed by utilizing her sword''s hilt and flat side. Her free hand also worked tirelessly to deflect some dangerous attacks. Unable to focus fully, she still allowed Zahra to scratch across her chest. The small wound bled, revealing sensitive skin beneath. Undisturbed, she controlled the surrounding mana to cover it, preventing prying eyes from seeing.


    The fifth cycle began. Zahra was now sweating profusely. She couldn''t believe someone dividing their attention could still receive her speed. On the surface, she held the upper hand, having wounded her opponent. Normally, Zahra would have won by now, but the looming threat of Keira¡¯s breakthrough pushed her into desperation.


    Keira noticed the shift in her opponent''s attitude, what she had been waiting for from the start. Attacking her without maintaining composure was like falling into a trap, sinking deep into the muddy waters she had set. Even with the bloodline in use.


    Zahra didn''t realize this; what had kept her rhythm from the beginning was gradually slipping away. As long as she remained alert, thinking, analyzing, she wouldn''t be affected. But she had already fallen into the trap. She changed her attacks, focusing more on damage than defense.


    Keira responded with a gentle sword technique. She appeared to move slowly with fluid grace, but each dance-like movement could neutralize her opponent''s attacks while simultaneously etching bloody lines on the enemy''s skin.


    "It''s over," Zeryn shook his head.


    ¡°Why? Zahra still looks fine to me,¡± Nathan said, confused.


    "That''s why you guys need guidance from high-level masters. Keira is in a breakthrough state; applying pressure is enough, no need to be reckless. Just a few more times, and she''ll either have to abort the process or surrender to test her ability to break through the wall blocking her from Tier 2."


    "Isn''t Zahra still doing that?"


    "Oh, not at all. Zahra''s bloodline might make her immune to Keira''s Mana Aspect. But letting herself get sliced up like that, what do you think will happen?"


    "Mana infusion," Nathan''s eyes lit up.


    "Bingo. Keira''s mana entering the bloodstream will greatly reduce resistance. I don''t know her channeling method, but mana in the blood only makes it easier."


    "So what exactly is Keira''s Aspect?" Nathan couldn''t hold back his curiosity.


    This time, Zeryn didn''t play mysterious.


    "Illusion."


    Illusion?


    Before he could ask, an explosion on the arena floor caught Nathan''s attention.


    Keira had entered the seventh cycle. She had just used another mana blast to push Zahra away. Only a few mana stones still orbited her.


    Zahra let out an angry roar, her body leaping into the air. When she reached the apex, she pulled her legs tight to her thighs. Muscles and tendons bulged, tearing her tight pants. Then she kicked upwards, creating a counterforce propelling her straight down. Two raised fists descended like hammers towards Keira.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Keira didn''t flinch. Using her right foot as a pivot, she stretched upwards, mana flowing along her body like a stream. Her sword tip met the metal of Zahra''s gauntlets. Both gauntlets and sword tip shattered, accompanied by a shockwave in the air. Once again, both were thrown back.


    Keira coughed blood, her channeling process falling into chaos. Closing her eyes to focus, she forced her mind to clarity by biting her lip. Blood sprayed like flowers clinging to her cheeks. Her cycle was complete. The eighth began.


    Zahra also coughed blood. She didn''t realize her vision was becoming blurry. Keira was just a small dot in a world of vague things as if everything was moving too fast. Trying to steady herself, she didn''t stop. Repeating her previous attack method, this time she let herself fly parallel to the ground, arms and body stretched towards her opponent. Her calves contracted, propelling her forward. Midway, she contracted again, causing her blood vessels to burst, spraying blood trails. Gritting her teeth through the pain, she rotated her center of gravity in the air, forming a deadly drill.


    Keira smiled, impressed by the ferocity of the attack. That drill must have broken through level 10 in terms of power, possibly reaching 11 with Zahra''s proficiency. Taking it head-on would be foolish, especially when her defensive mana was just a sham, not truly Tier 2. But she wasn''t a fool. She was too tired to dodge. But her move had been completed long ago.


    Zahra charged forward, the wind around her seeming to twist along. She kept charging and charging. But the target she should have hit made no contact. Only when the resistance completely negated her momentum did she sprawl on the ground. She looked up, still seeing Keira there. With her determination, she stood up to attack.


    Keira looked up at the sky, her face breaking into a happy smile, initiating the final cycle.


    "What is Zahra attacking?" a disciple in the stands questioned.


    "So the rumors were true. Keira''s Mana Aspect is Illusion."


    "Heavens! The goddess possesses one of the rare Aspects?"


    People gradually called out Keira''s name. The calls, mixed with intense fervor, created an echo that seemed to tear at the ears.


    The battle was decided. By risking advancement to gain more mana, Keira had made her opponent fall into an illusion. The Keira that Zahra saw wasn''t real; what she was attacking was just air. Keira¡¯s satisfaction was palpable as she neared the final moments of her breakthrough. She had been stuck at the bottleneck for months, but this battle¡ªthis gamble¡ªhad paid off. For glory, for her future, she had taken the risk, and now she would reap the reward.


    The blue light gradually moved to the final stations. It went from left to right, then concentrated in the center. The remaining mana stones exploded, forming a vortex that flew straight into Keira''s forehead. Immediately after, her body levitated off the ground, surrounded by a coat of pure energy. After a moment, the blue color gradually changed to a soft pink. A wave originating from Keira spread outwards. Everyone inadvertently smelled flowers, but each person smelled a different kind. Keira Valaine''s Mana Aspect left everyone in awe and fear.


    Keira slowly descended, her feet lightly touching the ground. She had successfully broken through.


    The screen in the middle of the field immediately updated her information. Keira Valaine - Tier 2, Phase 1.


    The roars calling her name grew louder, to the point where Marcus had to project an energy screen to reduce the volume.


    "What just happened?" Zahra looked around bewildered as Keira dispelled the illusion.


    "You lost!"


    With that, Keira released her aura. The power of Tier 2 weighed down on Zahra. She could still function if she tried. But she understood that in her current state, she couldn''t win. If her opponent wished, with the freely projectable mana of a Tier 2, she would fall into illusions again. She needed to become stronger to face this strange Aspect once more with her bloodline.


    "Yeah," Zahra smiled in response, "I lost!"


    "The victor, Keira Valaine. Disciples, let''s congratulate her on advancing to the finals."


    Marcus announced upon hearing this, having been tense watching these two disciples. Although reassured beforehand, if he had been careless and ruined the future of a disciple like Keira, he would certainly be held accountable.


    Keira smiled, not staying to receive praise but descending from the arena. Though somewhat disheveled, with her new power and status, her gait gained even more authority than before. Passing by Xander, she nodded respectfully and expectantly. As for Nathan, her calm gaze suddenly showed a slight movement. Without nodding or saying anything, she turned her head straight towards the rest tent to change clothes.


    "You''ve been marked, Nate!" Zeryn teased.


    "Wonder whose fault that is?" Nathan punched his friend''s shoulder.


    Zeryn quickly dodged, retreating a distance.


    "Your punches hurt now, stay away, my friend."


    Nathan shook his head, refocusing on the stage. He absorbed everything around him: the enthusiasm, the excitement, the anticipation. It was still hard to believe he was one of the disciples who would meet the inner sect elders and sect leader. He could stop here, but he didn''t want to, didn''t want to just take the easy path. If he chose that, what would the next path and the one after be like? It could only get harder from here. He might fail, but he absolutely must have the courage to try. The pain from broken bones and injuries over two years, along with accidents with higher Phases, had tempered him into someone who could take hits. But now he could fight back, so he would fight back to the end.


    On the other side, Xander stepped onto the first stair, advancing towards the arena with a pressuring gait.


    Shaking his head to clear his mind, Nathan also moved forward. He no longer trembled, realizing he had nothing left to lose, his mind becoming calm.


    "The remaining semi-final match. Nathan Reed versus Xander Caldoran. Let''s welcome the two contestants!"


    Marcus''s call was met with enthusiastic response. The atmosphere was once again heated after the intense battle between the two girls.


    "It''s funny how just this morning you were hiding and using me," Xander smirked.


    "Thanks a lot," Nathan replied nonchalantly.


    "No need, knowing to rely on the strong is due to your intelligence."


    Nathan''s lips twitched; he was already being implied to be a weakling. But it wasn''t entirely wrong.


    "I''ll show you, besides brains, I''m not inferior to anyone."


    Xander threw his head back in laughter.


    "Smarter than fools, but I never said you were smarter than average. Don''t overestimate yourself. Just daring to stand here with your cultivation level is enough for me to judge."


    "Judge what?" Nathan''s face fell.


    "Both stupid and incompetent," Xander replied as if stating the obvious.


    This guy who looks like a war god is actually a sharp-tongued bastard, Nathan silently cursed, feeling like his idol had crumbled.


    "Contestants, prepare," Marcus announced.


    The moment the elder called start, Nathan attacked first, striking preemptively.


    The punch he had been waiting to throw was met by Xander''s spear, which had spun around from behind his back. The butt end collided with Nathan''s fist, causing his arm to fly up. Then, Xander grabbed the spear shaft and thrust forward. Nathan shifted his body''s center of gravity mid-air, avoiding the sharp tip. He grasped the spear shaft, pulling it towards himself, closing the distance. Like his strategy against Gideon, he aimed to limit the weapon''s strength.


    Xander sneered dismissively. It would be negligent if he hadn''t thought of and practiced for such situations. Still gripping the spear tightly in his right hand, he used his left to engage Nathan directly. His speed was faster, forcing his opponent to constantly dodge and defend. Simultaneously, with a subtle movement of his right wrist, he pulled his spear back. Gripping the weapon near the head, he used the spear like a short knife, both slashing and stabbing at his opponent.


    Nathan silently cursed, knowing Xander was allowing him to show off by not immediately creating distance and attacking as he had with Milo and other opponents. Nevertheless, he didn''t intend to let this opportunity slip away, pushing his body to work at maximum capacity. The system continuously popped up notifications of the effects of [Amplifying Strike], [Flowing Strikes], and [Internal Trauma].


    Xander was also quietly surprised by Nathan''s strange style. His opponent executed strikes in a pattern he had never seen before. Those outside wouldn''t notice, but for someone with battle nerves like Xander, he wouldn''t miss the details when this close. Nathan''s punches, palm strikes, or even finger jabs, though swung through the air, had their own characteristics. They would repeat a few times, then not be used again but undergo a slight transformation. A punch that could cause itching would then change to be so light that if it touched, one would feel nothing. At some moment, when Xander exposed a weakness, those unused strikes would come, but with greater intensity, from bruising to potentially causing trauma, from light as a feather to enough to cause aches. Strange move after strange move made Xander understand why his enemy had meandered to the semi-finals.


    Nathan was delighted that [Improved Balance] wasn''t as useless as he thought. This skill gave him the ability to control his center of gravity and pivot effortlessly. He felt like Neo in The Matrix, which he had once been obsessed with. His feet were stable, not fearing that his own attacks or his opponent''s would cause him to waver. At times, he could even use his opponent''s forward momentum to change positions, shift his center of gravity, and then attack from a new angle. Evidence of this came when Xander once again used the spear tip to thrust forward. Nathan tilted his body to dodge but could quickly recover from the inertia, using his shoulder and chest to push up against his opponent''s hand and spear shaft. This caused Xander to lose balance momentarily, creating enough space and time for a full-force one-inch punch to the flank.


    Xander saw the attack he had analyzed earlier through PsiLink. But because of his contempt and carelessness, he couldn''t avoid it in time. He concentrated mana to the target area. The hit sent him flying backwards; he had to spin his spear, carving a small groove in the ground to recover.


    "Not bad," Xander said. "But still inferior."


    "Are you geniuses delusional? Why does every one of you like to play around before getting serious, like three-year-olds?"


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    Wonderful! Right timing, you goddamn skill.


    Startled by Nathan''s sharp words, Xander frowned at his opponent''s disdain. He had never been treated like this before. Gripping his spear tightly, he jumped up and swung it towards his opponent.


    Like Xander, Nathan had analyzed his semi-final opponent with Zeryn''s help. Information truly was an invaluable asset. Without time to observe and analyze, he wouldn''t have known how to counter the next attack. Noticing Xander''s eyes slanting to the left and his shoulder and abdominal muscles bulging, Nathan sidestepped to the right, just in time to avoid the spear tip slashing down from the left. While the spear tip was still embedded in the ground, Nathan spun like a dancer towards the front, ducking his head to avoid the upward rebound. Then he took a stance, keeping his legs loose and ready to move at any moment. The continuous thrusting technique used against Gideon was unleashed. He stood amidst the rain of attacks, suffering only minor wounds thanks to split-second movements, using his iron gauntlets to deflect dangerous paths or disrupt the spear''s trajectory.


    At the end of the exchange, Nathan was naturally covered in blood. But importantly, he had withstood the enemy''s storm of attacks and speed. His eyes now blinked to ease the strain. [Better Vision] once again provided unimaginable assistance. He couldn''t imagine the consequences of constant blinking without it. Thus ended Xander''s two types of attacks: swinging and thrusting. What would he do next?


    "Not bad, really not bad," Xander patted his spear. "Getting this far without using the trump card makes me itch. Let me show you what it''s like when I get serious."


    Xander repeated his old attack, jumping forward and swinging his spear. Nathan, out of habit, dodged again, the tip and edge of the spear seeming to graze past him. But the result was a deep, painful groan. Looking down, a diagonal cut had slashed across his thigh.


    "What the hell?" he exclaimed.


    Nathan didn''t realize the entire arena had fallen silent. Even the inner sect elders leaned forward in shock. One of them was even rubbing his eyes in disbelief.


    "Haha! Fate smiles upon Verdant Spire Sect!" Alaric said gleefully.


    "Sect Leader! We''re not seeing things, are we?"


    "How could we be mistaken," another person answered before Alaric could. "I''ve been watching that Zeryn kid constantly, so I recognized the likeliness from the start. It''s just that Xander had never used it before, so we couldn''t be certain."


    "A disciple possessing Spear Intent," Esme said, still in disbelief.


    Previously, the sect had felt lucky to have a disciple with Intent like Zeryn at Tier 1. Having Intent so early would make it easier to develop later. And above all, it was very powerful.


    "Well, that''s it," Zeryn said dejectedly. "My unique position is gone. And my friend is pretty much done for."


    Whispers spread across all the stands, the topic of Nathan cheating on PsiLink completely replaced by Xander''s Spear Intent.


    Wondering what was happening, Nathan overheard people discussing and finally understood. So this was what Zeryn had warned about. A disciple who could pose a threat to Zeryn could only be someone with equivalent ability. Sword Intent and Spear Intent.


    Looking again at the wound on his thigh, Nathan knew it was caused by something invisible. Spear Intent or Sword Intent at the initial level was quite similar to the Extended Mana Blade technique. From the outside, others only saw the spear with its small sharp tip, but in reality, it was covered by an invisible spear. What it looked like, only the owner knew. Besides, it could be shrunk or enlarged, making it impossible for opponents to guess.


    To prove Nathan¡¯s thinking, Xander thrust his spear. And this time, he didn''t even bother to close the distance as before. The spear was a hand''s width away from Nathan. But his shoulder was still cut, blood spraying into the sky. Trying to suppress the pain, Nathan stared dazedly at his opponent.


    "Well? Does my seriousness meet your expectations?"


    Saying this, Xander took a stance, the spear lovingly in his hand like a treasure. Notably, the spears on the weapon racks around them all vibrated, shaking violently as if wanting to be the one in Xander''s embrace.


    "It really is Spear Intent," everyone was astounded.


    Then they called Xander''s name with intense anticipation.


    They thought the fight was over. They thought the future was decided. They thought Nathan was just there to make up the numbers.


    But they didn''t see the changing state of the Tier 1 Phase 2.6 disciple. His eyes locked onto his opponent, feeling the Intent through the vibrations of the spears. Sensing his opponent''s will pouring out intensely. The invitation of Intent made his body itch all over. A skill within him ignited, from a smoldering ember into a raging volcano. A master cannot be underestimated.


    [Martial Art Mastery]''s Hidden Effect Unlocked.


    Into the Zone: Under certain circumstances, grants a state of hyper-focus, dramatically enhancing perception, reflexes, and analytical abilities while temporarily increasing pain tolerance. Allows for intuitive optimization of skills and energy flow.

 Chapter 13

    Nathan no longer recognized where he was standing. Around him, there was no one except his opponent. The world had turned black and white, with Xander standing as the lone, ink-like blot on an otherwise blank canvas. Every one of Nathan¡¯s senses honed in on the figure in front of him, adjusting to react only to that singular presence. He could vaguely make out the outline of the invisible spear formed by Xander''s Intent.


    Alaric, who had been motionless until now, suddenly leaned forward.


    "No way," his voice genuinely surprised.


    "Hard to believe, but still not impossible, right?" Esme continued. "Weapon-related Intents are the most common form."


    "Indeed, another good seed. You''ll have to compete for this kid¡¯s mentorship properly with me!"


    "Fools, Alaric is talking about that weak brat," Darkan snorted contemptuously.


    The other elders, about to object, fell silent. The disciple''s state seemed... peculiar.


    "What is it?" Esme frowned, asking. "Some kind of trick?"


    "No," Darkan said irritably. "You won''t believe it, but the boy''s state is even rarer than Spear Intent."


    The other elders immediately scoffed in disdain. As if they were idiots. But Alaric, with a nod of approval, kept his gaze focused on the fight, drawing everyone''s attention back.


    The spectating disciples, including Zeryn, had no clue about Nathan''s state or what he possessed. From the outside, Nathan wasn''t even in a fighting stance, his back hunched, head tilted, mouth grinning like a madman.


    Just when they thought he had lost his mind due to the power difference, he lunged forward.


    Xander was slightly surprised by Nathan''s recklessness. He swung his spear, its tip gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. This time, he extended the invisible part of his spear to half the length of the physical shaft.


    Nathan jumped, his body flipping upside down in the air, dodging the horizontal slash. But what surprised everyone was how he pressed his finger down on mid-air, using the force to propel himself forward. The entire spear was forced down, stabbing into the stone floor of the arena.


    Xander was stunned, his mind uncomprehending. Intent could interact with Intent, like Sword Intent clashing with Spear Intent. But in the reverse case, ordinary people without external mana shouldn''t be able to touch this invisible weapon. Yet the disciple with the ecstatic smile shooting towards him could do it.


    It wasn''t just Xander who was surprised, but Zeryn too. He stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with shock. His hands trembled not from fear, but excitement.


    "Nate has Intent too?" he said aloud.


    A disciple who heard this blinked rapidly, quickly posting a question on the forum. Many replies confirmed the same thing. Only those with Intent could touch the invisible spear.


    "These short-sighted disciples," Darkan shook his head.


    The other elders, for once, had to agree with him. What Nathan displayed wasn''t Intent; he didn''t create an invisible hand or sword. He simply manipulated energy through ambient mana and the mana in his body. This technique required a high understanding of martial arts and the ability to finely adjust one''s body, so almost no one really tried to achieve it. Why waste time on this? But information about this skill had existed since ancient times, when the cultivation world was just forming, and there was no clear cultivation system. Their reasoning was simple: if you can''t project mana according to your imagination, why not establish a channel connecting the body''s mana with the outside to increase damage? This technique was successful in creating a generation that focused solely on establishing this connection until the Age of Knowledge came, completely changing the cultivation system in a superior direction.


    The one taking the hits on the field without understanding was Xander, struggling to cope. Nathan once again closed the distance. But this time, Xander truly couldn''t block his opponent. Somehow, all attacks were magnified, giving the sensation that the punches were striking from a distance. Xander saw Nathan pointing his finger at his head. Though calculating the distance, the fingertip wouldn''t reach, instinct forced him to tilt his head to avoid. As a result, a line was cut through his shortened hair, his scalp still feeling a cold breeze sweep past. This applied to all attacks, making it very difficult for him to handle. They weren''t too strong but enough to disrupt his rhythm.


    Nathan seemed possessed, his mind like a machine dedicating all resources to run a single program. The techniques that seemed superior before now became even more perfect. Even the one-inch punch became fluid. Speed and damage were finely adjusted according to the situation. Sometimes striking the shoulder to restrict Xander''s spear movement, sometimes increasing strength to hit the bicep, causing his opponent''s thrust to overshoot. Though invisible, the damage from Spear Intent had physical effects. So he continued to silence his opponent by using the iron back of his glove to deflect the sharp edge of the invisible spear. The sound of metal clashing and sparks flying in mid-air illuminated Xander''s bewildered face.


    How? Xander looked at Nathan, utterly confused.


    Sword or Spear Intent was terrifying because of its unpredictability and its ability to bypass ordinary defenses, like when Nathan had first been struck, unable to block. The solution to this problem was for cultivators to project mana shields or use defensive items with mana circulation to block this type of attack. Similarly with weapons, most Tier 2 types could engage with Intent. Therefore, when fighting Spear Intent at Tier 1, one had to aim at the physical spear in the opponent''s hand. So how on earth was Nathan acting as if he could project mana?


    Sadly, even the owner of these actions was blind to what was happening. He was operating purely on instinct, as if his body possessed prior experience. [Martial Art Mastery] level 2 was a skill for Tier 2, but Nathan''s level wasn''t sufficient to fully utilize it. But calling it ''Mastery'' had its reasons. Nathan''s movements looked like Tier 2 but weren''t actually. He operated mana in a specific pattern on the back of his hand, creating a wave that synchronized the mana inside his body with the mana in the air, forming a thin defensive membrane, thus blocking Spear Intent from causing damage. Of course, this method was very difficult and quite taxing on the mind. A moment of inattention would result in immediate dismemberment. Not to mention, the amount of mana coordinated was very thin. If not, everyone could breathe air to level up. In ancient times when mana hadn''t been absorbed so extremely and ambient mana was dense, this fighting style could be said to be the pinnacle, only possessed and operated fluently by masters.


    Xander gradually felt a bit irritated, a rare occurrence for him. To practice Spear Intent, he always had to remain calm and composed. So even in battle with his opponent penetrating his weapon, he didn''t lose his steadiness. Remembering Gideon''s condition, he vaguely guessed what was happening. With a roar, he planted the spear''s tail on the ground, using the Intent dispersion technique, causing the air to explode in front, pushing his opponent back. All uncomfortable feelings in his mind immediately dissipated. He advanced, thrusting forward, with greater determination and focus.


    Although in the Zone, Nathan couldn''t neutralize the attack Xander launched. When he dodged the sharp tip of the spear head, both sides of his body were cut and bleeding. The wound, deep to the bone, made him pause in pain. The state of high concentration was almost dispelled. Closing his eyes for a moment. When they opened, his fighting spirit was still intense and undiminished.


    Smirking, Xander twirled his spear to regain strength. He still didn''t dare use the previous technique much, as it required significant mental activity. If he could reach the final step of Tier 1 according to the Novem Nexus Path, the cultivation point at the crown of the head, he might be able to use it more easily. But for now, he had to use it carefully. For the moment, he planned to use the Three Invisible Spears technique once more while his opponent was still trying to cope.


    Nathan glided, his entire body relaxed. His eyeballs darted about, examining every movement of his opponent. When the two clashed again, he tried to disarm. But Xander was prepared, constantly using his feet to move, dodging and swinging the spear, forcing Nathan to evade. He seemed to forget the blood flowing from his two side wounds caused by the two invisible spear tips. The pain was nothing but fuel for him. When Xander raised his spear high to swing down, Nathan observed the change in his pupils, the wrinkling of his nose, the motion of grinding teeth. He chose not to avoid the middle spear, as he had guessed his opponent would use the ultimate technique of two invisible spears on both sides again.


    Xander was momentarily surprised by Nathan''s head-on confrontation. Unable to stop, he put all his weight into swinging the spear shaft in his hand down. The invisible spear energy on the right grazed Nathan''s shoulder, only cutting off a bit of fabric from his shirt. But the main spear and the left spear energy had been blocked. He blinked, looking at his opponent. Nathan was blocking the two invisible spear tips with his fingers. More accurately, at a distance from his fingers, as if two iron bars were blocking them.


    Again, that strange mana control skill, Xander silently marveled.


    Being slashed down to the point of kneeling, Nathan used the momentum to spin with his knee and toes, his hands twirling in a circle.


    For the first time since the beginning, Xander was wounded. Two parallel cuts on his chest and abdomen made him stagger backward. The blood seeping out reddened his gray shirt.


    Nathan bounced on his feet to regain his posture, his index and middle fingers still pinched together. Around them was the image of distorted air, with faint blue light swirling.


    "What the hell, didn''t someone just say the elder said he didn''t have Intent? Then what''s that?" disciples in the stands were in an uproar.


    "You dare doubt the elder, you''ve got guts!"


    "That''s not Intent, you idiot! You can still see it materialize on his hand!"Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    People gradually realized this. But it raised the question: isn''t Tier 1 unable to project mana? Ignoring the puzzled disciples, the elders didn''t bother to care. They were paying attention to how Nathan could synchronize so proficiently with ambient mana, as if communicating through his body. This ancient form of combat had lost its cultivation method. Yet an unknown disciple before today could use it as skillfully as a master. But their interest only extended to seeing something unprecedented. From Tier 3 onward, a cultivator¡¯s internal mana was all that mattered; relying on ambient mana was akin to polishing gold.


    "Good, very good!" Darkan clapped, shouting loudly. Only this inner sect elder maintained his interest in Nathan.


    No one around responded to him. But that didn''t stop Darkan''s smile.


    Taking a deep breath, Xander regained his composure. No matter what new techniques his opponent might unleash, he could face them. It''s alright. His will was second to none. If Keira could be reckless, so could he.


    Both frantically attacked each other from all angles, sometimes from above, sometimes from below. Xander''s swings and thrusts became increasingly accurate, trying to keep up with his opponent''s chaotic rhythm. Nathan, limited by his cultivation, could only inflict shallow wounds despite being able to cause damage. Xander skillfully avoided vital spots. Nathan let [Titan''s Descendant] operate at full capacity, ready to trade hits. Xander''s invisible spear tips gradually changed, fine-tuning and transforming, sometimes short to conserve energy, sometimes long when forcing his opponent into a position where they had to block rather than run. Nathan''s two fingers were replaced by all his fingers, as if each finger had a knife attached, repeatedly carving bloody red lines on Xander''s body.


    The arena floor around them was like tofu, sliced to pieces. Xander''s spear thrusts even caused it to crack. The air only resonated with whistling winds, the fluttering of clothes and droplets of blood falling, the ear-piercing sound of collisions.


    The stands watched breathlessly, instinctively keeping silent for fear that noise would break the concentration of the two disciples on the field. The two of them were like dancers performing their final show. Their movements were exquisite, passionate, intoxicated to the point of not wanting to stop, only wanting to forever admire.


    When once again having to receive the pitch-black spear shaft, Nathan smiled. He seemed to be pressing a sword against the wooden spear shaft with his fingers. From that position, he slid down to his opponent''s hand.


    Xander instinctively let go with his left hand, intending to pull the spear back with his right. But Nathan was quicker. Loosening his grip, Nathan lunged forward, grabbing the spear¡¯s shaft with one hand and Xander¡¯s right wrist with the other. Xander¡¯s eyes widened in alarm, but it was too late¡ªNathan twisted, a sharp pain shooting through Xander¡¯s arm as his wrist was wrenched out of position, forcing him to release the weapon. Nathan delivered a powerful kick to Xander¡¯s chest, sending him stumbling backward. The clatter of the spear hitting the ground echoed across the arena.


    Nathan had achieved his goal. He had dealt with the most troublesome thing on the field. Spear Intent had no place to manifest now.


    Xander, kneeling and coughing hoarsely from the kick to his chest, clenched his fists as he stood up. He felt utterly humiliated for dropping his weapon. But with absolute determination, he suppressed the sea of chaotic emotions within him. Recalling the hours of training, the reminders for the honor of the family lineage, for a better future. He had come very far, obtaining Intent to make a name alongside the inner sect star Zeryn. Without the spear, he could still fight with his whole body.


    Another collision. This time, Nathan was the one pressuring Xander. Without the presence and threat of the spear, Nathan seemed liberated. He deployed surprising, swift, and exquisite martial arts moves. They were so intricate that the audience could only watch in awe. His hands flexibly changed into various forms as needed, palms causing Xander to lose balance, punches making him dizzy, fingers cutting skin like knife wounds, one-knuckle fists depriving him of agility by striking acupoints.


    Xander¡¯s entire body was ablaze with pain. Every time he tried to move, Nathan¡¯s strikes forced him to contend with yet another wave of pressure. He truly admired Nathan''s mastery. Each attack was extremely precise and diverse. If not for the level difference, Xander would have collapsed long ago. His more abundant mana allowed him to distribute energy for defense. When a knuckle struck the inside of his elbow, the mana moving to that area significantly limited the damage to the tendon, allowing him to continue. As a spear user, hand-to-hand combat like this wasn''t his forte. But what he was seeking was a breakthrough, and his instinct told him he was very close.


    The stands erupted with Nathan''s rise. The underdog was making people change their perspective.


    "Don''t tell me Xander will lose. Heavens, Phase 2.6 in the finals!"


    "If that happens, it''ll be the shortest and most boring final to watch."


    "Why?"


    "Didn''t you study theory? How can someone who hasn''t cultivated the Nexus points in their head protect their mind against a mana Aspect heavy on mentality like Illusion? Not everyone is Zahra, you know."


    "True. So Xander should still be the one to advance to the finals. Cheer!"


    Xander''s name gradually began to be chanted. Nathan, being in a state of blocking everything out, with only his opponent in his eyes, didn''t hear it to become discouraged. He didn''t hear, didn''t understand, didn''t care. But his opponent seemed to be responding to that call.


    Xander''s aura suddenly changed, his eyes becoming bright, his eyebrows raised as if he had understood something. Brushing off his opponent''s hand, he jumped back to create distance. Raising his index and middle fingers like Nathan was doing, he looked at them as if he had found a treasure. Without a spear, he could use his body to fight. Without a spear, he would turn his body into a spear. Excitement surged within him, his blood flowing faster, his heart beating rapidly like a drum. He lowered himself, his right hand with fingertips forming the shape of a spear tip, his body straight like a spear shaft, his other hand extended straight like the spear tail.


    "Genius," Esme smiled, unable to hide her admiration.


    "Indeed," Alaric nodded in agreement. "To have such enlightenment during battle, truly a child with immense potential."


    "To be fair, that Xander kid should thank Nathan."


    "They''re developing together. Well, that Zeryn kid needs to reconsider his attitude and train properly."


    The mentioned person sneezed. Zeryn widened his eyes, not knowing what to say about Xander''s state. It was the next layer of weapon Intent form. Turning the body into a sword. Or turning the body into a spear. He himself hadn''t achieved this despite having a specific direction. Xander was just scratching the surface. But because he was in an enlightened state while competing with his opponent, he could realize it from Nathan''s fighting style. A style that everyone could see him morphing from various animals to someone wielding all types of weapons.


    Zeryn made a mental note to spar with Nathan more often and focused back on the fight.


    With a new power flowing through his body, Xander found a newfound joy and confidence. No longer wary of his opponent, he lunged forward. Imagining he was still holding the spear, his Intent returned to action. It projected like Nathan was controlling his sword fingers. Invisible slashes flew from his fingertips. And notably, they were even stronger than before, causing the mana structure Nathan created in the shape of a sword to waver. A few times it was cut through.


    A diagonal gash from chest downward sprayed a red rain obscuring Nathan''s eyes. He staggered backward, the pain dragging his mind into a sluggish state. [Into the Zone] gradually lost its effect. But it hadn''t disappeared completely. Trying to cling to the fleeting effect, he ignored his wound, gritting his teeth as the stinging and shock when moving reverberated throughout his body. His hands morphed into a shield and sword to attack.


    Xander, having just realized this technique, was still clumsy. Sometimes he could use it smoothly, other times he was just swiping his fingers like a clown in front of his opponent. But he understood he could utilize his current state of deep comprehension to trial and error. Success would lead to understanding. Failure would lead to correction. Taking advantage of his opponent''s accumulating wounds, his two hands alternately used Spear Intent. Sparks flew frantically between the two.


    They collided again, sparks flying between them as mana flared. Xander¡¯s spear-like fingers pierced through Nathan¡¯s shoulder. In response, as Nathan fell, he kicked upward, the tip of his foot sharpening into a deadly point that dug into Xander¡¯s back. Xander staggered, but remained unfazed, spreading his arms wide to spin in place, the razor-sharp energy slashing across Nathan¡¯s face, sending him flying backward. Nathan, in desperation, grabbed Xander¡¯s wrist with one hand, using the other to gouge at Xander''s body, his clawed fingers enhanced by his passive skills, making Xander cough blood. Xander roared, swinging his arm up, the three invisible spear tips technique appearing, creating three long bloody streaks on his opponent''s body.


    "They''ve gone mad!" spectators had to squint, not daring to look directly.


    "Even crazier than Keira''s match!"


    "But similar in that both have grown stronger compared to their previous fights. Truly, combat is the fastest way to progress!"


    Impressed by Nathan''s performance, his name also began to be chanted, but not as loudly as Xander''s.


    [Into the Zone] of [Martial Art Mastery] had ended.


    The mental burden of blood loss and pain was too great to maintain high clarity and focus. His body slumped, before his eyes was only a shade of red. Red of blood, pale red of clothes, orange-red of the setting sunlight.


    It hurts so much!


    He wanted to give up. It had never been this terrible before. Even though [Self Emotional Support] continuously activated, giving him words of encouragement. Just a little more. He could do it. He was so close. Top 2 was right in front of him.


    But the most important thing still propping him up was an unwillingness deep in his heart. He was naive about this world but he wasn''t stupid. The elders still looked down on him, the disciples all had negative evaluations. He didn''t need PsiLink to know these things. He was still standing here because he wanted to send a message, wanted to punch those people in the face. Even if it was just a fleeting moment of brilliance like a firefly in the night. He had a long road ahead, so this couldn''t be the stopping point. Nathan Reed wasn''t just a great Tier 1, but more than that.


    Seeing the battered figure attack once again, Xander felt a bit scared. An intelligent enemy isn''t dangerous because they will retreat when the situation is unfavorable. But a deranged person with nothing to lose is truly frightening. They won''t stop until they''re completely broken. Xander sluggishly received the equally slowed attacks from his opponent. Both were on the brink of mental collapse, just using the last bit of their breath to encourage themselves. To see who would snap the willpower that had been stretched to its limit first.


    Even after losing [Into the Zone], Nathan let his body move on autopilot. He struck and struck again, took wounds only to receive more. The pain couldn''t get any worse, but each hit pushed his opponent closer to the breaking point. Before his eyes remained only a single point of light in the sky, blood streaming down his face from his forehead. He clung to that light while his ears tracked his opponent''s movements, his fists still striking, his feet still moving.


    Xander''s hands formed into spectral spears, aimed at Nathan.


    Nathan seemed beyond feeling pain now, spreading his hands to catch the attack, his blood no longer spurting forcefully having lost too much already. Taking advantage of this, he gripped Xander''s hands tightly, preventing his opponent from breaking free.


    By the time Xander realized what Nathan planned to do, his feet were already stepping backward. Gritting his teeth in determination, his Spear Intent retracted then thrust forward, creating two holes through those bloodied hands.


    Nathan laughed at the action, causing blood to spray across his lips. He continued pushing forward.


    Xander used every ounce of energy to resist.


    Finally, the battle of willpower revealed its loser. Xander Caldoran stood frozen in place, his two fingers still projecting invisible spears, eyes completely white. Upon noticing, Nathan withdrew his hands, blood dripping with soft pitter-patter sounds onto the arena floor from the holes in his palms.


    With his failing vision, Nathan looked up searching for Elder Marcus''s figure. His voice whispered like a demon bathed in red.


    "Did I win? He doesn''t seem to move."


    Marcus snapped back to reality. He couldn''t believe what was unfolding before his eyes. From a battle that seemed to start easily in favor of the outer sect genius, to a test of endurance, ending in a contest of who possessed the stronger will. And Nathan had won by such a narrow margin through sheer tenacity.


    "The winner! Nathan Reed!"


    Somehow, to Nathan, the sky he saw seemed to be growing more distant despite his victory. That point of light gradually became obscured by blood seeping from the corners of his eyes, drawing a completely red curtain.


    As if he knew, those he defeated would rise stronger tomorrow, pushing him further away.


    Today''s glory was as fragile as his final thread of consciousness now. It snapped, sending him into darkness.

 Chapter 14

    A shimmering blue hue appeared in the distance before Nathan. He was underwater, yet his body didn''t need to breathe. Moonlight filtered through the layers of water in wavy lines, illuminating his surprised face.


    He knew what that blue light was¡ªthe vortex that had brought him to this world. Unlike last time when he tried to swim away from it, he now swam towards it urgently. Jessica wasn''t here, but he wanted to return. He couldn''t bring himself to care anymore. His fingers moved sluggishly through the water as he neared his goal. Something seemed to be pulling him back, but he persisted. Just as his fingertips were about to touch the dark vortex, he was suddenly yanked backward. He drifted through the currents, thrashing wildly.


    "NO!" Nathan jolted awake, gasping as if he''d been holding his breath for ages.


    Before him was the interior of the medical tent, doctors and nurses pausing in their tasks to look at him with concern.


    Wordlessly, he lowered himself back down, acknowledging his protesting wounds.


    The doctor returned to the monitoring screen, leaving Nathan to his thoughts.


    Was that real?


    He couldn''t shake the vision he''d just experienced. If he had managed to touch the gateway, would he have returned? Or was his exhausted mind simply showing him what he wanted to see?


    Sighing dejectedly, he resembled a deflated balloon. The vitality and radiance he''d displayed earlier had vanished completely. He had been the victor, reaching the top 2. But like the stages of grief, the true impact only hit him now as he reached his performance peak.


    After about thirty minutes of lying there, his body had mostly recovered. He absently nodded when the doctor asked if he wanted to continue the match and left to report back to the elders.


    Zeryn didn''t even have time to visit before Nathan was stepping onto the arena, looking like a drifting corpse.


    Nathan raised his head, seeing Keira Valaine before him, and was overwhelmed by her divine beauty. Standing face-to-face with the girl he had inadvertently offended, he truly felt the pressure. It wasn''t just the pressure of her beauty, but everything¡ªstatus, power, determination, dignity. These were things nurtured and tempered over years, not simply given or bestowed at birth.


    He felt small, as if starting a week with a bad mood Monday. Negative energy surrounded him. He could only guess this was a side effect of the medicine and his extreme stress.


    Elder Marcus called out to begin the final match of the day.


    When he looked into Keira''s amber eyes, they shone so brightly he had to squint. When he opened his eyes again, those eyes had transformed into the afternoon sun hanging high in the sky, casting rays through the autumn canopy of a simple backyard. The rustle of footsteps in the gentle breeze brought back a familiar, distant memory.


    Before him, beneath a tree, someone sat in a wheelchair with a thick album on their lap.


    "Mom?" Nathan blurted out in shock.


    "Nathan?" a weak female voice, softer than the wind, called out.


    It was his mother''s voice. He was certain of it. His feet lifted, moving forward. In his heart was a jumble of emotions¡ªlonging and happiness, pain and joy. He would tell her everything he had been through. Two long years away from home, family, and friends had left him feeling like a glass vase held together by glue. The slightest touch would shatter him completely.


    The wheelchair''s handles grew closer, the figure sitting on it becoming clearer, the silver-streaked hair more detailed in Nathan''s eyes.


    Just like the vortex, with eyes now brimming with tears of anticipation, as he was about to grasp the handle to turn the chair around, the image ended.


    Before him was a spectator stand, filled with unfamiliar faces of outer sect disciples. Some looked at him with sympathy, others sneered mockingly, while a few laughed heartily as if they had just watched a great performance.


    He looked down in confusion, both his feet had stepped off the arena floor, his hand still suspended in the air as if trying to grasp the cylindrical handle from the illusion.


    Illusion?


    He whirled around to face where Keira stood. At the same moment, the announcement rang out.


    "Champion of the outer sect tournament, Keira Valaine!"


    So that was the effect of the Mana Aspect Illusion. It had affected his mind.


    He suddenly felt a surge of anger rising within him, enough to dry the tears in his eyes. Why use this skill on him? How could someone be so cruel?


    As Keira was descending from the stands to wait for the award ceremony, she brushed past Nathan. She paused, her sharp voice ringing in his ear.


    "Don''t think I don''t know who you are. This was just a warning!"


    But Nathan didn''t hear a word. He only felt outraged that his innermost feelings had been made a mockery. He was about to retort when Zeryn dashed over, pulling him back.


    Keira frowned at the sight of Zeryn, intending to speak but then thought better of it, turning to walk away.


    "Calm down, Nate," Zeryn gripped his shoulder firmly, consoling him.


    "I...I...," Nathan couldn''t find the words to speak.


    "Yeah, I know. She must have used some kind of illusion based on your deepest desire. That''s truly sickening, isn''t it?"


    At the mention of it, Nathan covered his mouth and crouched down. Fortunately, his stomach was empty, so nothing came up.


    "You did great, Nate! Don''t think too much or listen to anything else, okay?"


    But interrupting Zeryn''s words were the jeers from the crowd behind them.


    "This must be the most boring final in history, right? It ended too quickly."


    "If Xander, someone above Phase 8, had participated, it might have been much better."


    "Right, from Phase 7 onwards is about strengthening the mind and spirit. Not to mention Spear Intent might not have allowed illusions to run rampant."


    They spoke as if Nathan didn''t deserve to win the semi-finals.


    In truth, he didn''t really hear anything clearly. The late afternoon light was like the sunset of his spirit. He had used up everything in his fight with Xander. More accurately, he had pushed himself through match after match. The only thing left was exhaustion.


    The disciples participating in the outer sect tournament gathered. Positions for the top four were reserved, in front of all the other contestants. Nathan stood there, his face lacking the excitement of those around him.


    The inner sect elders descended with Sect Leader Alaric, hovering a distance from the disciples.


    Alaric''s gentle voice rose once again.


    "Congratulations on completing the tournament and gaining valuable experience. As I said before, the one who goes the furthest isn''t always the one who wins every time. Sometimes losing is the foundation for victory. This isn''t to discredit Keira, who has bravely surpassed everyone. I know she herself is the result of failure after failure. This is simply the fruit of her labor. And to end today, I''ve ordered the outer sect staff to organize a small celebration for you all. As for the top 4 prizes, you''ll receive them tomorrow inside the main hall of the inner sect."


    "Thank you for your generosity, Sect Leader," the disciples shouted in unison.


    Before leaving, the elders glanced at the top 4 once more, then turned to fly after Alaric.


    Afterwards, the outer sect elders ordered the arena to be rearranged. Meat and wine were brought out, the aroma of grilled food filled the air, lights emanated from small floating orbs. A small stage was set up for games and impromptu performances.


    Additionally, inner sect disciples participated. Their main targets were the top 32 disciples. The individuals receiving the most attention were Xander, Qingfeng, Roran, Gideon, and other disciples Nathan didn''t know by name. Keira, however, had relatively few people approach her. Perhaps they realized she would be a new force in the inner sect rather than someone easily manipulated.


    Nathan, as expected, had only one inner sect disciple interested in him.


    "Last month your face was like a horse''s ass. Now it''s your party, but you look like someone just died."


    Zeryn''s rebuke made Nathan smirk, responding gloomily from his corner seat.


    "Feels a bit like that, actually!"


    The depressing illusion still clung to his thoughts like a shadow.


    "How did she do it?" Nathan asked Zeryn. "How could she set up the illusion so quickly?"


    "Eye contact, maybe?" Zeryn tilted his head in thought. "Individuals using the Illusion Aspect are quite unpredictable. They need a conduit¡ªone of the six senses¡ªto activate their technique. Since you hadn''t done anything when you got on stage, I think it must have been from looking into her eyes."


    "That simple? Isn''t that too overpowered?"


    "Tch, tch," Zeryn wagged his finger. "Don''t forget about Zahra. Just because your bloodline can''t resist it doesn''t mean others can''t. Not to mention Xander. Although those dogs'' words earlier were nasty, they had a point. In a fair fight, Keira would have to use more effort to make the illusion work. The last three points of the Novem Nexus Path are about the mind, remember? They provide some resistance to illusions."


    "So basically, I''m too weak?"


    Not knowing what to say, Zeryn just shrugged. Calling Nathan weak when he had defeated Xander to claim second place didn''t seem quite right.


    "You look really annoyed," a youthful and cheerful voice rang out beside them. "Seeing the second-place winner so depressed is quite disappointing."


    Turning to look, they saw Zahra had changed into a different outfit and was standing there smiling.


    "Zahra?" Nathan said in surprise.


    "Who else would it be, Keira?" she pouted.


    "You''re much better," he smiled faintly in response.


    Zahra started, expecting Nathan''s timid demeanor to lead to profuse apologies. Grinning with her pearly white teeth, she patted Nathan on the shoulder.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "I''m really looking forward to our future, you underdog. So stop making that dead fish face. Somehow, I feel quite close to you!"


    With that, she left, swinging the wine glass in her hand with great satisfaction.


    "My goodness! Nathan knows how to flirt," Zeryn exclaimed loudly, mocking with an exaggerated voice. "What was that ''you''re much better'' all about?"


    "Just being honest," Nathan waved his hand dismissively. "It''s not like I actually wanted to see Keira."


    "Whatever, whatever, I don''t care. So what''s this ''close'' business about?"


    "Probably the bloodline?" Nathan speculated. "I don''t feel any animosity towards her either."


    "Excuses, all excuses!" Zeryn bristled.


    This time, it was Xander''s turn to approach. His rugged face carried a hint of shyness.


    He handed Nathan a drink, but before he could speak, Zeryn cut in, "Where''s mine?"


    Although very confused, Xander actually gave the other glass to Zeryn.


    "Damn, you''re too stiff," Zeryn burst out laughing. " I was joking, I don¡¯t need it. I¡¯m not into hazing the new guy.¡±


    Xander didn''t pay much attention to this, just nodding and turning to Nathan.


    "I haven''t lost yet," Xander said.


    "Huh?" Nathan blinked in confusion.


    "I. Haven''t. Lost. Yet."


    "I heard you clearly, but..."


    "We''ll have a rematch in the inner sect," Xander interrupted.


    Turning to leave, Xander paused, bowing to Zeryn.


    "I look forward to dueling with you, senior brother."


    "Always welcome," Zeryn replied like a superior.


    Left alone, Zeryn burst into hearty laughter.


    "What an adorable junior!"


    Somehow, after being approached by Zahra and Xander, Nathan felt lighter. Seeing someone place hope in him, even if it wasn''t the kind of hope from family and friends but from rivals, made him feel more confident. As if touching the most primal emotions. When surrounded by outstanding individuals, one is influenced and doesn''t want to stop.


    He felt somewhat unable to adapt to the speed of change in everything, but now it was normal, he had to be ready to embrace it. Because just like today, tomorrow could decide the path of his future.


    With a new mood, he stood up, pulling Zeryn along to explore the party. He ate and drank, played games with his best friend. Near the end of the party, they even managed to rope in Zahra. Both young men lost to her in every game, getting thoroughly drunk. Xander had his own group of friends, including Roran, where they were arm wrestling to determine the winner. Gideon and Qingfeng stood cheering in that group. Keira alone stood coldly in a corner, her eyes scanning around at today''s opponents. Whether it was envy or disdain, no one knew.


    When drops of gray dew fell on his face, Nathan startled awake. Stretching under the tree canopy, he discovered the usual headache was absent. He wasn''t sure if this was an advantage or disadvantage of [Titan''s Descendant] anymore.


    Zeryn was still sleeping nearby, clutching an empty wine bottle. The outer sect common area had been cleaned up, with only a few scattered disciples sleeping in the open like them.


    Taking a deep breath of cold air to fill his lungs and clear his mind, Nathan entered a meditative state, reflecting on yesterday''s experiences, waiting for someone to come and take him to the inner sect.


    When the sun was high and spreading warm rays, Kyron, the elder who had announced the results last month, appeared. But with a more solemn appearance in a blue outfit with badges and glittering trim, affirming his status and dignity.


    Keira, Xander, Zahra, and the disciples in the top 32 had all arrived while Nathan was meditating. Under the admiring eyes of the onlooking disciples, the four presented themselves before Kyron.


    The first person the elder noticed was Nathan.


    "Even now," Kyron said, "I still can''t believe the results I saw. Nathan Reed, you truly are a madman who accomplished great things."


    "Thank you for your praise, Elder," Nathan bowed his head with a smile.


    "I hope you know that the Sect''s evaluation of you has changed. Regardless of what happens today, you are now recognized as an Inner Sect disciple.¡±


    Then, Kyron turned to the others.


    "As the elder managing the southern outer sect area, I''m also very proud of the remaining disciples. Continue to strive after today."


    "Yes, Elder," the thirty-two disciples responded.


    "Good! Except for the top 4 who will follow me, the remaining disciples will have separate guides to the mountains in the inner sect. Remember to follow the instructions, don''t make me lose face."


    Some of Kyron''s subordinates appeared, approaching to check and record information and guide the disciples.


    "You four, follow me!" Kyron pointed to Nathan and the others.


    Zeryn trailed behind.


    "Oh great and wise grandfather Zeryn," Kyron grumbled, words dripping with sarcasm, "why aren''t you in the inner sect training?"


    "Well, I''m following you back there now, aren''t I?" he replied as if indifferent to the difference in their ranks.


    Winking at Nathan, he joined the four heading towards the path behind the mountain.


    Nathan suddenly felt nervous. This was his first time crossing the boundary between the outer and inner sects.


    As they walked further up the trail, Nathan¡¯s excitement grew. The path before them wound through lush greenery, and the atmosphere felt heavier, filled with an almost tangible energy. This was no ordinary place; it was the Inner Sect, a realm for the elite.


    After a short walk, the landscape opened up to reveal a breathtaking sight: nine towering peaks encircling a vast, mist-shrouded valley. The peaks were covered in dense forests, ancient trees, and cascading waterfalls, a paradise of natural beauty. Between the mountains lay pristine rivers and valleys, where the Inner Sect¡¯s infrastructure blended seamlessly into the environment. Bridges spanned crystal-clear streams, and grand buildings were nestled within groves of towering trees.


    Nathan couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the sight. This place was beyond anything he had imagined.


    According to legend, Sect Leader Alaric had spent decades shaping the land into its current form, ensuring that it would provide the perfect environment for cultivation. The mountains were like waves, rising and falling, their peaks connected by vines and natural bridges. Some trees were so massive they could only be encircled by hundreds of people, and the flora was rich with mana, thriving in this haven of power.


    Among the most striking features were the spiritual beasts and monsters that roamed freely. As they walked, Nathan heard the calls of various creatures, from birds singing melodious tunes to the deep growls of more dangerous beasts. High above, he spotted shadowy figures flying, their massive wings casting fleeting shadows over the mountains. Some had tails of glistening scales, reflecting the sunlight like rainbows, and others possessed wingspans so vast they could blot out the sun. These were not just ordinary beasts; they were powerful creatures, nurtured by the Inner Sect¡¯s unique environment.


    Each mountain housed its own distinctive architecture, belonging to the nine elders of the Inner Sect, the same ones who had attended the tournament. The buildings were grand, with intricate designs and floating sigils that spun and glowed in the distance, giving them an otherworldly aura. Even from afar, the sight inspired awe and respect.


    But nothing compared to what lay at the center of the valley: a colossal palace, surrounded by mist and gleaming in the soft morning light. The palace¡¯s walls were made of a magical white stone, and at its entrance stood towering columns that seemed to reach the sky. At the palace¡¯s heart, a massive sphere of liquid energy pulsed, sending waves of mana rippling outward. This sphere, suspended above the palace, was the core of the Sect¡¯s protective barrier, an impenetrable shield that only allowed entry to those with permission.


    As for the palace, it was a masterpiece of classical styles with arched gates and windows adorned with intricate illustrations. Ten doors represented the ten strongest individuals in the Sect, with only one left ajar, using a black glass on the edge of the palace.


    Behind the palace stood the sect''s sigil, The Verdant Spire. It looked out of place with its ancient brown wood material and unsightly vines, but everyone knew to revere it. Disciples were taught that this wood was an extremely rare material, said to contain a strange energy that predated even the Sect Leader''s birth. It possessed not only spatial properties but also temporal ones. Legend had it that Alaric could uproot the Verdant Spire to use as a weapon, but no one had ever actually seen this. So its reputation remained as a training ground for the inner sect''s prestigious disciples and elders.


    While marveling at everything, Kyron had led the four to stand before the palace entrance. Up close, they realized just how enormous this arched door was, seemingly piercing the clouds. The door, as if receiving a signal, split in the middle, moving inward to reveal a long hallway leading forward.


    The main path was laid with deep red carpet, the sides apparently cleared as they seemed to be reserved for sect members and disciples. At the far end was a raised platform, separated by steps. On it were nine seats arranged in a semicircle. In the center was a higher seat, which the disciples knew without asking was Alaric''s position. Unlike the splendor outside and around, the seats were quite simple with minimalist design. Behind the seats was a large square mesh window, allowing sunlight to shine through, with the Verdant Spire flickering in a corner.


    The disciples followed Kyron on the red carpet leading up to the elders. As they approached, they could hear whispered comments. Noticing the children had arrived, all ten fell silent.


    ¡°Welcome, all of you,¡± Alaric spoke, his voice resonating through the hall. ¡°I apologize for not being able to offer you a more formal reception. The Sect is currently occupied with many matters.¡± He gestured toward the gathered elders. ¡°As discussed, the elders will quickly decide on their disciples today. We must return to other pressing concerns.¡±


    Kyron understood, glancing at Keira, signaling her to step forward.


    "Keira Valaine, greetings to the Sect Leader and elders," she said with a confident tone.


    A few of the elders smiled approvingly, clearly impressed by her poise.


    However, to everyone¡¯s surprise, none of the elders immediately spoke up to claim her as their disciple. An awkward silence settled over the hall.


    It was Alaric who finally broke it. "Keira, you must know why the elders aren''t taking you under their wing. Your Mana Aspect is, well, a rarity that none of the elders here possess the knowledge to assist with. But if you have any questions, you can come to me, alright? For convenience, here''s a communication device as well as your first-place prize, a Tier 2 sword."


    From Alaric¡¯s spatial ring, two items floated toward Keira. One was a small, bronze badge the size of a finger, the other, a sleek sword in a plain scabbard. While the sword appeared ordinary at first glance, the moment Keira unsheathed it, a crisp sound rang out, filling the entire hall. The blade emitted a faint blue glow, radiating a cold energy. She swung it once before returning it to the scabbard and placing both items into her own spatial ring.


    "Thank you, Sect Leader and elders," she retreated to her position.


    Nathan stood there with questions in his mind. He had thought Keira would be the most sought after with her performance in the tournament. Yet reality was completely opposite. Zeryn had been blocked outside the door for lack of business, so Nathan could only wait to ask him later.


    "Xander Caldoran," it was Xander''s turn next. "Greetings to the Sect Leader and elders."


    This time, the expected reaction appeared. An elder with a skinny frame stood up abruptly. His lips trembled as he spoke.


    "Xander must come to me. Don''t any of you dare spout nonsense when Xander''s Aspect hasn''t manifested yet."


    "Xander isn''t even at the ninth phase," Esme, a female elder, spoke up. "How can we be certain?"


    "That''s right, Lian," another female elder with a sturdy build and a sword at her hip agreed. "You can''t just subjectively judge the boy because you yourself have a metal aspect."


    "Why so much talk, Nalani? Your idea of making Xander your personal disciple, just like with Zeryn, is because you primarily cultivate weapons and possess Sword Intent, right? That didn''t work with Zeryn, so don''t expect it to work with Xander."


    The argument between the elders quickly devolved into bickering, with both Nathan and Xander looking equally bewildered. The rest of the group stood by in awkward silence, while Nathan marveled at the level of interest Xander had sparked. The elders must have been fighting over this since yesterday.


    "Silence!" Alaric said, his gentle demeanor replaced by a look that permitted no further opinions. "There''s no dignity left. Xander, I truly apologize that you have to face this. Let''s do this: to ensure your future and satisfy the elders, I allow you to study under elders like Lian and Nalani here for the next few months. When you feel suitable, you can make your choice, alright?"


    The two elders were about to object. This was the method used for Zeryn, and until now that brat still wandered about refusing to acknowledge anyone as his master, but Alaric''s pressure silenced them.


    "Your prize," Alaric waved his hand forward.


    A spear fell into Xander''s outstretched hands. The shaft was forged from metal, the spearhead gleaming and sharp. Surely another Tier 2 weapon.


    Shooting Nathan a look, Xander stepped back.


    "Zahra Kinyara, honored to meet the elders and Sect Leader!"


    This time there was no commotion like before. The elder with an enormous belly that moved like waves when he laughed heartily, kindly asked Zahra.


    "Zahra, do you accept becoming my personal disciple?"


    Zahra decisively knelt down, one hand on her heart, bowing her head slightly.


    "This disciple is greatly honored to become your personal disciple, sir."


    "Congratulations, Galen. You have another disciple."


    Galen laughed joyfully, waving his hand to send a gust of wind lifting Zahra to her feet.


    "To welcome you to the fourth mountain, I have a gift for you. Alaric, give the girl her prize."


    Alaric shook his head with a chuckle, waving his hand to send the prize over. Zahra received a glove covered with a yellow layer on the outside; when worn, faint invisible blades seemed to grow from the finger joints. Elder Galen''s gift was a pair of green shoes. Nathan watched in admiration, wondering what effects these items had.


    "Nathan Reed, greetings to the Sect Leader and elders," despite his efforts, his voice still trembled unlike the others'' smooth deliveries.


    Silence fell. A silence so complete you could hear a pin drop.


    Nathan felt so pressured he didn''t dare raise his head. This was the result he knew he would receive. Indifference. But when truly facing it, he couldn''t help feeling a twinge of disappointment.


    "No one wants to accept my goodwill?" a mocking voice spoke up. "My words yesterday weren''t a joke."


    "Darkan, this isn''t the time," Alaric seemed to reprimand.


    Elder Darkan shrugged. Looking down at the cowering disciple, his eyes showed a hint of annoyed disgust.


    "Why don''t you take the boy, Darkan?" Esme fanned the flames, covering her mouth as she laughed and asked.


    A wave of soft laughter spread among the elders. Even Kyron, an elder who frequently stayed in the outer sect, wanted to laugh out loud.


    Just when everyone thought Darkan would brush it off, he replied.


    "Maybe I will."


    "Darkan, stop joking," Alaric ordered.


    "I''m being serious. If no one wants the boy, then let him come to the ninth mountain with me."


    "You really..."


    "You old fools. My words were very clear."


    "Then take the boy," Esme pursed her lips and said.


    And before everyone''s eyes, Darkan vanished from his seat. His hand grabbed the back of Nathan''s collar.


    "Well, we''re off then," Darkan said with a beaming smile.


    Another whoosh, and Darkan disappeared from the hall.


    "We have matters to discuss," Alaric said irritably.


    "Whatever you say, that''s what I''ll do," Darkan''s mocking laughter echoed through the palace walls.


    Everyone was dumbfounded by Darkan''s actions.


    And the most bitter of all was undoubtedly Nathan.


    I didn''t even get my prize yet, he silently wailed, unable to speak due to Darkan''s lightning-fast departure.

 Chapter 15

    Nathan tumbled onto the grass, spinning before regaining his balance. Elder Darkan moved even faster than Orin, sending a wave of nausea up to his throat.


    "Swallow it, boy. Or I''ll shove that vomit back down your gullet."


    Panicked by the threat, Nathan gulped hard. Blinking, he realized he was in the backyard of a small mountain building. The architecture struck him as more prison-like than residential. Built with dark stones, mostly deep gray with some red, the structures were square-edged and neatly arranged. He couldn''t fathom how people lived here.


    "Good constitution you''ve got," Darkan commented, perching on a rock. "Flying like that without flinching. Usually, others I scare like that still puke."


    Hearing the elder''s chuckle, Nathan turned, unsure whether to stand or kneel.


    "Stand up, damn it! You''re irritating me."


    Nathan shot up from the ground as if spring-loaded.


    "Good, now let''s talk business!"


    Darkan crossed his legs, staring intently at Nathan. Though unsure of Darkan''s Tier, Nathan felt the pressure bearing down on him.


    "What do you want?"


    Nathan was about to answer when those eyes bored into his skull like drills. Clutching his head in pain, he looked at the disheveled elder before him, puzzled.


    Darkan brushed back his long hair, revealing his gray eyes, saying, "Say it right!"


    Unsure what "right" meant, Nathan thought for a moment before giving what he deemed the most appropriate answer. It encompassed his previous response of wanting to become stronger.


    "I want to return to my old world to see my mother again, and if possible, save her."


    Darkan clapped, creating a shockwave that bent the grass and made his oversized shirt flutter.


    "Excellent! A mundane reason."


    Nathan was about to speak when Darkan raised his hand.


    "Mundane but personal. I need disciples who won''t break when others influence their worldview. My method doesn''t allow for that. And the most intense thing, in my opinion, is personal desire, not some grand, lofty ideal."


    "But isn''t it okay to want both?"


    "Sure, sure," Darkan nodded so vigorously he seemed about to break his neck. "But you must grow strong, or you''re just all talk, an empty barrel making noise. Ideals are the result of the strong, understand?"


    Nathan nodded, half-understanding.


    "I know you''re not from this world," Darkan said. "In your world, everyone''s equally weak, power must be gained through deception. But before absolute strength, all schemes are just jokes. This world has such absolute beings; their ideals are truth whether you think them false or not. So, live up to your role before you have a position on high."


    "And what is that role, Elder?"


    "Being a pawn."


    Nathan blinked, instinctively feeling a bit of resistance.


    Seeing this, Darkan laughed loudly, slapping his knee.


    "Truly the hot blood of youth. But you didn''t think you competed in the outer sect tournament for glory, did you? No, right? You were fighting for resources the Sect dangled like bait. And no one throws bait, catches the target, without their own purpose."


    Thinking for a moment, Nathan wasn''t really bothered by this view. His resistance was just a natural reaction. Rationally speaking, on Earth, he and most people were just pawns influenced by media to be tools for others. Power was the same everywhere, just that in this world, power was tied to cultivation and destruction. Making this dynamic harder to predict and control.


    Seeing Nathan nod in understanding, Darkan felt a bit pleased. Not every disciple easily accepted such words. If this twenty-four-year-old disciple had been stubborn, he would have sent him away immediately.


    "That''s why I say you need personal motivation. A drive that can function in any circumstance, any ideology. As long as I help you get closer to your goal. And you accept this deal."


    Nathan guessed this was also why other elders took direct disciples. Beyond the teacher-student relationship, it was also an investor-investee, sponsor-sponsored relationship. The benefits could come from assigned missions, future reputation, or countless other methods.


    "So the deal you mentioned is becoming your disciple?"


    "Right, but only half of it."


    Darkan narrowed his eyes, straightening up solemnly.


    "You become my personal disciple, and you must choose the Physical Cultivation Path."


    Nathan''s face contorted with questions, unsure where to start.


    "Unbearable without even a PsiLink. I''ll prepare one for you."


    "I thought you could just buy one?" Nathan asked.


    "Only fools use commercial PsiLinks, unless you''re a fool too and want your genitals shown everywhere."


    Nathan started, one of his fears confirmed by Darkan''s words. PsiLinks were indeed toxic, like Earth''s Internet.


    "Back to the main point," Darkan waved dismissively. "You probably don''t know that besides the Spirit Cultivation Path, there''s also Physical, right?"


    Nathan shook his head.


    "Even today''s teachers ignore this knowledge. Anyway, humanity''s first cultivation path was Physical, not Spirit. Your ability to synchronize with ambient mana is a supreme skill of this school."


    Nathan understood Darkan was referring to the [Into the Zone] state, a hidden effect of [Martial Art Mastery]. He hadn''t had much time to research it. But Darkan seemed to understand it better than him.


    "The Age of Knowledge found a new cultivation direction. Until the Great Breakthrough event, Physical Cultivation fell into oblivion."


    "So does that mean Physical Cultivation is inferior to Spirit Cultivation?" Nathan blurted out.


    Darkan angrily stood up, hand raised as if to hit Nathan but just waved it off frustratedly, sitting back down. After all, the disciple wasn''t entirely wrong.


    "Not entirely, but you could say that."


    Then what''s the difference? Nathan silently complained.


    "Mainly, Physical Cultivation became obsolete due to its difficulty," Darkan continued. "Imagine it as a graph where difficulty increases linearly. Spirit Cultivation is like a wave, difficult at Tiers 2, 4, 6, and 8. Other Tiers just need normal cultivation. And don''t ask me how those Tiers are classified, figure it out yourself. I''m here to talk about Physical Cultivation."


    Nathan lowered his hand that was about to raise. He indeed wanted to ask more about the Tiers.


    "Physical Cultivation resources are too expensive at later Tiers. From 1 to 5 is still quite easy, but after that, it gets increasingly steep, very hard to cultivate."


    "In return, overwhelming strength?" Nathan accepted to follow Darkan''s lead, focusing on one issue.


    But the response was a face scrunched up as if eating vinegar.


    "Not exactly."


    Nathan really wanted to go crazy. Then why make him cultivate this path?


    "Don''t rush to conclusions," Darkan quickly said, "listen to me first. Physical Cultivation, true to its name, improves your physique. Skin, muscles, flesh, organs will reach high levels, tougher than precious metals, harder than Dragonium, the skin of dragons who''ve lived tens of thousands of years. Swords and blades won''t be able to cut you."


    "But to get there, surely one must go very far?" Nathan argued.


    "That''s right," Darkan replied bitterly.


    "And in the early stages, it''s still weaker than the equivalent Tier of Spirit Cultivation."


    Darkan nodded slightly.


    Nathan, hearing the description, was truly somewhat tempted. But now he wanted it even less.


    "But you''ll be more flexible and have more endurance," Darkan continued persuading. "You can fight endlessly without tiring thanks to your enhanced physique."


    "Then why didn''t you take Xander as a disciple? He''d surely benefit greatly with his Spear Intent, right?"


    "That brat isn''t suitable. No matter what they say, he already has an Aspect direction. Surely that kid won''t want to go this path when he can summon mana spears to attack or defend."


    Hearing this description, Nathan knew then that Xander would easily outmatch him at Tier 2 with that ability.


    "And I''m suitable?"


    "Yes, your physique is the best I''ve seen so far."


    Saying this, he tossed a pill to Nathan.


    "Swallow it, let me check. Also examine your condition."


    Nathan hesitated, looking at the round, black, stinky pill in his hand.


    "You think I''m tricking you for what?" Darkan said irritably. "If I can cure you, I''ll tell Alaric to change the reward for treatment. A guy who''s constantly wary of me from start to finish, I wouldn''t want to take as a disciple anyway. If you won''t eat it, give it back and get out!"


    Before Darkan''s hand reached it, the pill was swallowed whole. Smirking, Darkan pointed at Nathan¡¯s throat.


    Nathan blinked in panic, discovering his body had stiffened, completely unable to move.


    "Chill, kid. Killing you would just be a waste of energy, so don''t worry."


    Darkan''s finger guided the pill from the throat down to the stomach.


    "Perform the cultivation method," he ordered.


    Nathan obeyed and felt mana spreading from the pill like swallowing an ''Initial Advancing Pill''.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Darkan closed his eyes, releasing his spirit, entering to observe Nathan''s body.


    To his surprise, he was blocked when in the consciousness area. Using more power still couldn''t penetrate. Suppressing his panic, Darkan could only stand outside and look. Mana and essence broke out from the pill as usual, flowing through blood vessels and seeking points according to the Novem Nexus. But a large part was sucked away by a black hole, sucked completely. Proportionally speaking, it left only one-tenth of the mana and essence for Nathan. Darkan spent some time observing the other''s body before withdrawing his spirit.


    This time, he looked at Nathan like a monster.


    What the hell is in there? he didn''t ask aloud, knowing this disciple was still clueless about his own condition.


    But one thing was undeniable, Nathan''s physique was extremely suitable for Physical Cultivation.


    "There''s no cure," Darkan announced.


    "Can''t you ask the Sect Leader before concluding?" Nathan still held a glimmer of hope.


    "If I can''t figure it out, dream on, kid!"


    Knowing that being tough wouldn''t work, Darkan chose his words.


    "Listen, kid. Your condition needs someone higher than Alaric to know what it is. I''m not lying to you. If you need, I''ll call him here to check you right now."


    Nathan shook his head. As frustrating as Darkan was, the elder seemed genuine. He¡¯d never encountered a teacher this patient with him before, and that had to count for something.


    "Then how do other disciples improve their physique?" if it wasn''t possible, he would go back to considering Physical Cultivation. "Like Xander looks quite strong."


    "By normal training," Darkan happily replied, seeing the boy before him ask about a topic he rarely got to discuss. "Or using precious herbs or fruits worth a fortune."


    "And I don''t need them?"


    "You do, you need them more than the likes of Xander."


    This disciple, why does he keep asking such critical questions? Darkan cursed.


    This elder, does he know how to sell to customers? Nathan cursed.


    "But you need to follow the method," Darkan continued, "so it will be much better."


    "Can you say something clearer?"


    "Let''s take an example. Normally, you all have to use mana to provide energy for your body, right? Especially when unleashing techniques. Now imagine that brat Xander is exhausted from overexertion, where does he get more energy from? From the mana pool. But the mana pool is limited, needs to be replenished. At Tier 2, when using common skills like Mana Slash, consumption is very large, so mana management is very important, unlike at Tier 1."


    "And a Tier 2 of the Physical Cultivation Path will be more enduring."


    "That''s right," Darkan smiled and said. "Xander will tire after swinging his spear a hundred times, but you''ll need a thousand. So your mana pool won''t have to be divided for actions related to muscles, thereby increasing your chance of victory."


    Nathan nodded, pondering what he had just heard.


    "What about Roran, do you know him?"


    Darkan squinted, thinking as he searched on PsiLink.


    "He just has a good physique," he said boredly. "But doesn''t possess the aptitude for this cultivation direction. Besides, that kid also has his own Aspect."


    "So if I''m a Tier 2 Physical facing a Tier 2 Spirit of the same Phase, what would happen?"


    "You''d lose."


    Nathan was bewildered.


    "But you can resist," Darkan smiled, as if having waited long for this question. "You won''t take hits helplessly like with that Keira girl. Physical Cultivation also trains the mind. Even when fighting Xander, if you can maintain your technique like yesterday, you can still contend with them. And you don''t even need to use items to resist Intent."


    Seeing the wide-eyed disbelief of the young man, Darkan stepped closer, not letting the excitement dissipate.


    "You¡¯ll be able to create a defensive shield called ¡®Qi Armor,¡¯ similar to a Spirit Cultivator¡¯s Mana Barrier. It¡¯s a technique unique to Physical Cultivators that lets you shield yourself from powerful attacks. You¡¯ve already shown some signs of it in the tournament. Once you reach Tier 2, you¡¯ll be able to form a proper barrier by using stored essence."


    "Spirit Cultivators can''t store essence?"


    "They can, but what''s the use if they can''t use it? Without proper training, channeling essence through blood vessels and releasing it through the skin will cause extreme damage to the body. Essence is the quintessence of heaven and earth, very unstable. The medicines you use have added soothing ingredients alongside the most important energy, mana. Only after you surpass Tier 1 of Physical Cultivation, comprehensively remodeling your body, can this supreme skill be used."


    Seeing Nathan had somewhat relented, Darkan made his final move, a step he was sure would make him accept.


    "Besides, kid. I never said you had to give up Spirit Cultivation."


    "Cultivate both?" Nathan blurted out in surprise.


    "Exactly. I also cultivate both, so why would I forbid you?"


    Nathan only now noticed this point. Darkan had used his spirit on him, that pressure must have come from a higher Tier on the Spirit Cultivation path.


    Gaining the upper hand, Darkan spoke more enthusiastically.


    "What you need and what you want right now are in conflict. So what you must do is find a middle path to walk. Physical Cultivation is the answer. I won''t boast that it''s better than Spirit Cultivation, but to say the peak of both schools, it''s not certain which is inferior. The focus is that you can become stronger. Only by becoming stronger can you get sponsorship, investment, work to earn resources to level up."


    Nathan found this reasonable. The issue Kyron mentioned before was still a clear memory. Who would decide to assign missions, who would let him into groups, who would support him. This world revered strength, but still relied heavily on each other.


    "Speaking of which, there''s an immediate benefit for you," Darkan said smugly. "Surely you feel sore when striking, right? Especially that close-range technique."


    Hearing this, Nathan nodded vigorously.


    "That''s why you''re the worst among the top 4," Darkan couldn''t help laughing heartily.


    Seeing the young man frown again, he toned down his teasing.


    "Everyone saw that even striking made you suffer, plus consuming resources more than a mountain, so you bearing the name of second place is no different from last place."


    Nathan was speechless. [Titan''s Descendant] had somewhat solved the obstacles when unleashing moves requiring too much force and continuity. But if he wanted to make it three instead of two punches for the one-inch punch in the future, both he and the enemy would be injured.


    "Physical Cultivation will solve your problem," Darkan declared. "I guarantee that. It would be a waste to leave your physique uncultivated. Your potential is very great, it just needs the right environment."


    "Alright, alright," Nathan had truly heard enough. This elder seemed not to know when to stop.


    Darkan stood up, his back no longer hunched and bored, his expression serious and not joking.


    "Then what are you waiting for?" he said, his voice steely.


    Nathan understood, immediately kneeling down, placing his hand over his heart.


    "Nathan Reed hopes the elder will accept me as a disciple."


    Darkan threw his head back and laughed loudly, a laugh so powerful it made the wind stir and grass sway.


    "Very good! Stand up, my dear disciple!"


    Tossing over a small pouch about the size of a fist, he handed it to Nathan.


    "Take this and go enjoy yourself in town. Come back tomorrow to receive my legacy and PsiLink."


    "Legacy?"


    "A Skill Orb," Darkan winked mischievously. "Tempting, isn''t it?"


    Nathan nodded vigorously, the legendary item he had only heard of finally within his grasp.


    "Just pick any room around here to stay," Darkan gestured around. "Once you''ve chosen, the logistics team will prepare the essentials for you. Inner sect uniforms are in every room, change into one to smell less."


    With that, he shooed Nathan away as if exorcising a spirit, afraid he might change his mind. When Nathan''s figure disappeared at the bend of the simple entrance gate, he let out a long sigh of relief. Looking to one side, he immediately saw a human figure made of fallen leaves in the yard. It smiled and walked over, saying.


    "Well done," Alaric''s voice rang out. "You still listened to me."


    "Damn you, you bastard," Darkan sat down cursing. "What a waste of time."


    "I can''t just let you freely deceive disciples," Alaric ignored being cursed, speaking mildly. "Look at the ninth mountain, are there any disciples staying?"


    "Stop nagging, Alaric. They can''t pass the trial because of themselves."


    "You''re still so stubborn," the leaf figure shook its head. "Destroying the future of the younger generation isn''t something you should take for granted. You know that yourself, which is why you didn''t clearly state what would happen to Nathan once he accepts your Skill Orb, right?"


    Darkan turned to glare at the empty eye between the leaf gaps.


    "Then why didn''t you materialize to stop me?"


    "Because even though I don''t want to admit it, this time both you and I see this as the suitable path for the boy. Tomorrow, when you perform the inheritance, take some of his blood for testing. I reckon it''s not ordinary."


    "Get out of here," Darkan snapped at being ordered.


    With another head shake, Alaric dissolved the human figure. The leaves fell to the yard, creating small rustling sounds.


    ¡°Annoying as hell,¡± Darkan shouted before going inside.


    Nathan had thought the ninth mountain was huge, but except for a radius of about two hundred meters around Elder Darkan''s residence, it was all forest, trees, and trails leading elsewhere. So he decided to choose a room close to Darkan, thinking if he had any cultivation problems, he could easily come ask. The house he chose was also built with a square and minimalist architecture. But it was quite spacious, a large part of this single-story house dedicated to a training room. Currently, it only had racks and stands without any equipment.


    Finding his bedroom, he opened the wardrobe placed next to the window. Inside hung seven inner sect disciple uniforms. He couldn''t resist taking one down, placing his hand on the smooth and cool fabric.


    Removing his current clothes, he tried it on. Tightening the waist cord, tying the ankle straps, then adjusting the collar, he looked at himself in the mirror unable to hide his pride. The red uniform he had longed for was now on his body. He had maintained an unstable mood since yesterday afternoon, but Darkan had shown him a viable path. It was truly good to have a master. Surely others received similar treatment.


    "Nate?" a familiar voice called from outside the door.


    Nathan hurried out and saw Zeryn tiptoeing around looking.


    "Zer, how did you get here?"


    Zeryn happily entered.


    "You know me. Is there anywhere I don''t stick my nose into? Looking good in the inner sect outfit, eh?"


    Hearing this, Nathan just laughed. He held out his arm to compare them both. Zeryn was still more handsome.


    "Besides," Zeryn continued, "the ninth mountain is so empty that no one stops or cares."


    "So you can freely come here to play now."


    "That''s right," Zeryn brightened up. "I can leave the common inner sect area to come here. Elder Darkan probably won''t say anything, right?"


    Recalling the carefree demeanor of his newly accepted master, Nathan replied.


    "Probably. He seems like someone who doesn''t care about these little details."


    "It''s amazing though. You''ve become Elder Darkan''s disciple."


    "Why? Is there something to note about him? I just feel chills when walking around here. There are no disciples at all."


    Zeryn shuddered, looking left then right, coming close to Nathan and speaking in a hushed tone.


    "Let''s get out of here and I''ll tell you."


    The matter seemed serious so Nathan reluctantly nodded.


    "What''s that bag?" Zeryn asked.


    "Oh, Darkan said it''s a gift for me to go eat and drink."


    They both opened it to look. A beam of blue light dazzled them both. Zeryn swept over it with his spirit.


    "100 mana stones!"


    "Really?" Nathan couldn''t believe it.


    "I don''t make mistakes when it comes to money."


    "Is that considered a lot?"


    "Not too much, not too little. Enough for a party for all the disciples."


    Hearing Zeryn''s lack of excitement, Nathan could guess more or less.


    "Hehe," Zeryn held out his fist, "a gift for you."


    Nathan surprisingly accepted. Zeryn opened his hand, and a small square box about two fingers long fell out. Curiously flipping open the latch, Nathan saw a transparent square piece, faintly rainbow-reflecting light above, revealing the text in the middle, PsiLink.


    "Whoa! For real?" Nathan jumped up, nearly dropping the box to the floor.


    He felt like a child receiving a game console for the first time.


    He hugged Zeryn tightly, indescribably happy.


    "Calm down, my friend. It has a warranty policy but if it breaks from falling, I don''t know if they''ll give a new one."


    Nathan stared intently at the PsiLink piece before him, his excitement suddenly braking.


    "But Darkan said he''d prepare one for me," Nathan said.


    Zeryn opened his mouth wide, unable to believe.


    "Damn, really? If I''d known, I would''ve just randomly accepted anyone as a master. Arghhhh, my 100,000 points."


    Nathan could only sympathize with his friend. PsiLinks were usually prepared by families for disciples beforehand so few bought them from within the sect. The sect models were high-end types including many modules so no one bought them. Disciples usually saved more by limiting PsiLink to their need.


    "Then take it back and request a refund," Nathan suggested.


    "No, no," Zeryn waved his hands. "Once given, not taken back. I just regret that I could have given you one earlier."


    Hearing this, Nathan felt warmth in his heart, and put his arm around his friend''s shoulder.


    "Come on, today I''ll treat you to a feast."


    "What about the PsiLink?"


    "I know who to give it to."


    "Jessica?"


    "That''s right."


    Zeryn got excited, forgetting about losing money.


    "Is it far from here to outside?" Nathan asked. The last time he went out was a year and a half ago when he visited Jessica in Crystalton town. He still remembered having hope then and not thinking his cursed symptoms would last. He had promised to return in a few months but the situation got worse. Shame and disappointment had prevented him from leaving the Sect.


    "What?" Zeryn asked as if shocked. "You''re an inner sect disciple now, what are you thinking? Do you have your badge yet?"


    Rummaging through the bag Darkan gave him, Nathan took out a small round badge, a mountain with a fist carved on its surface.


    "Good," Zeryn said. "Now watch this."


    Zeryn pressed his finger to his right temple, the position of the PsiLink. Then, above his head appeared a flickering line in the air. From afar, the sound of something moving fast in the wind could be heard.


    Nathan marveled at everything happening. A gray box followed that faint line, moving towards where Zeryn was standing.


    "Put on your badge," Zeryn reminded.


    Nathan pinned the ninth mountain badge to his chest. Somehow his back automatically straightened.


    A beam of blue light scanned Zeryn and Nathan. When confirmation was complete, the box split open, transforming into a booth wide enough for about ten people to stand, falling in front of the two.


    "Get on," Zeryn waved.


    They both stepped on and the exterior of the box became invisible like an open-air elevator, allowing them to admire the surrounding scenery. The booth was pulled up, and everything rushed by very quickly before Nathan''s eyes.


    Now, Nathan saw booths like his moving on an invisible network on the inner sect mountains and central area. Their speed was very fast and when arriving, they would turn back into a small box, that guideline also retracting. The ninth mountain couldn''t be seen because it was too far and desolate. But the bustle in other areas was very clear. So what he had seen unclearly this morning were these mobile boxes.


    He and Zeryn passed through the mist that he had seen enveloping some areas this morning. The roars of mysterious creatures could be heard even clearer. In the far distance, the full view of the palace in the afternoon could be seen. The spherical energy-containing architecture emanating waves of energy looked even more majestic when observed from the air. The mountains and glowing landmarks were imprinted in his eyes, showcasing the grandeur of Verdant Spire Sect.


    "Welcome to the inner sect, Nate."

 Chapter 16

    "If you keep being like this, Nate, I''m heading back," Zeryn said wearily.


    Nathan had been circling around the Sect''s transportation system for a while now, his eyes still wide with fascination.


    "Let''s go. When you come back, you can ride as much as you want," Zeryn refused to indulge him further, directing their transport booth toward the outer sect.


    "Alright, alright," Nathan finally remembered what they were supposed to do.


    He was still overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the inner sect. Initially, he had assumed the outer sect took up the most space, but it turned out he had been wrong. There were extensive areas within the inner sect, such as the elders'' monster-breeding grounds, which alone covered more ground than all of the outer disciples¡¯ quarters across different regions. Fortunately, Nathan¡¯s quarters were located in the southern section, close enough that he didn''t need to use transport to access the main hall or palace; otherwise, walking would have been impossible.


    Returning to the southern area, he felt a strange sensation in his heart. Just yesterday, he was an outer sect disciple, and today he stood at a higher position he had only dared to dream of.


    Disciples training in the courtyard glanced up in admiration as he and Zeryn walked by. They all lowered their heads in respect, observing the Sect¡¯s rules toward senior disciples. Elen was among them, averting his eyes awkwardly. Nathan had neither the heart to care nor the pettiness to hold it against him. His time as an outer sect disciple had been harsh, but he had learned enough cunning to navigate it, relying on the instructors and Elder Orin.


    Orin greeted them both in the small yard. His aged face and nearly bald head with just wisps of hair bobbed as he let out a hearty laugh.


    "Congratulations, Nate. No more cleaning toilets for you."


    "Couldn''t you say something more pleasant?" Nathan pouted.


    "What? I lost my drinking buddy, and I still have to be happy about it?"


    ¡°Well, if it¡¯s that important, I¡¯ll come back here to drink with you and Zeryn anytime,¡± Nathan promised.


    "Deal, deal!" Orin''s laughter grew louder.


    After exchanging farewells, both of them left to make their appointment.


    Though reluctant, Nathan finally had to accept Zeryn''s offer to transport him by sword like last time. Zeryn assured him that his flying skills had improved significantly over the past month. Nathan knew his friend just wanted to show off when landing in town; taking the high-speed train would have been much faster.


    Despite his previous experience, Nathan still felt nervous. He climbed onto the sheathed sword, with Zeryn standing in front like he was stepping on a gas pedal. The sword tilted upward, launching them into the air. This time, Zeryn''s control had truly improved. In an instant, the sword was hovering above, moving forward.


    Though not fast, the journey''s greatest merit lay in the breathtaking scenery along the way. The Verdant Spire Sect behind them rose like something from another world. From this height, all one could see of a power held by a Tier 5 was an ancient, peculiar spire. Dense forest surrounded the Sect like a natural maze, with mist shrouding it like wilderness. Further out, the space gradually revealed flat stretches, as if all mountains had been pushed toward the Verdant Spire Sect. Fields extended as far as the eye could see. Vast ranches and lush orchards belonged to ordinary people who didn''t follow the cultivation path. Low hills were verdant with houses built into them. The sky stretched wide with gusting winds. Nathan raised his arms, savoring the freedom the open space provided.


    "Sit still, my friend," Zeryn said. "If you fall, I''m not sure I can catch you."


    Nathan complied, enjoying everything in silence.


    As predicted, they arrived in Crystalton after two hours of travel instead of the half-hour it would have taken by train.


    "We''re taking the train back," Nathan reminded him.


    But Zeryn wasn''t listening anymore. His mind was preoccupied with how to make his landing as magnificent and dashing as possible.


    The sword''s speed decreased as the town came into clearer view. Crystalton lay west of Verdant Spire Sect, established to capitalize on the Tier 5 power''s reputation and facilitate trade. The current mayor, Bernard, a Tier 3 cultivator with exceptional strategic vision, conceived this idea. He had transformed a sparsely populated village into a town of over three hundred thousand people, intending to serve as an intermediary between Verdant Spire Sect and surrounding cities and powers. The plan succeeded as weaker factions increasingly chose Crystalton for investment, sending disciples to establish outposts, companies, or simply provide personnel.


    With its circular architectural layout, Crystalton was dense and modern at its center, gradually thinning out to villas at its periphery. The central square was most striking, featuring a rotating white crystal above a small lake. It absorbed moonlight essence, later providing power for the street lights at night. The town was dotted with towers of varying heights, representing prestigious families or organizations.


    As they approached the protective walls, guards on the battlements signaled for them to stop. But the captain nearby intervened after observing them through binoculars.


    "Verdant disciples," the captain said curtly.


    Afterward, no one signaled or flashed lights for them to stop.


    Zeryn guided the sword over the wall, remembering to bow his head in thanks to the guards.


    The captain acknowledged this gesture with a dignified and proud stance.


    Nathan observed everything with an indescribable feeling. Status truly brought intoxicating sensations.


    People bustling below looked up at them with admiration and respect. Nathan''s face burned red as strangers pointed at him. Zeryn, however, grinned from ear to ear. He tried speaking against the wind.


    "You''ll have to get used to it; this is the treatment reserved for us. In Crystalton, our words are worth more than mana stones."


    Nathan heard but wouldn''t really follow that advice. There would be times when he needed to act that way, but not now. He might be stronger than ordinary people, but many in this town could still defeat him in a single breath. Being less brash would be better. As for Zeryn, he knew his friend wouldn''t go too far. Despite appearing casual, Zeryn wasn''t someone who acted without thinking. Otherwise, his reputation in the inner sect wouldn''t have lasted.


    Zeryn gradually descended along a broad avenue lined with tall buildings, steering the sword toward a spot near the central pool.


    Before completely landing, Zeryn spun around, causing wind to rise and scatter white petals from the lakeside flowers. The action created an image of grace and gallantry for the young man spreading his arms as he lowered the sword.


    People who had followed since seeing the sword fly gathered at the square, applauding Zeryn''s performance. Girls in the crowd called out his name. Clearly, this wasn''t Zeryn''s first such display.


    Nathan quietly stepped down, clapping while trying to blend into the crowd. But his intention never materialized. His red uniform stood out no less than Zeryn''s, attracting children present at the scene.


    Helpless, he retreated behind Zeryn.


    A while later, Zeryn asked something of a well-dressed and elegant man in the crowd. Nathan saw him give the man a large amount of mana stones before leaving.


    The man stepped forward to disperse the crowd, saying something Nathan couldn''t hear clearly, something about a small gift from Young Master Zeryn.


    "What are you doing?" Nathan asked when the surroundings became quieter.


    "Investing," Zeryn replied.


    "Like this?" Nathan was confused.


    "Nate, you have much to learn. I still have missions to complete, remember? This is how I establish relationships with locals here. For me, mana stones or sect points are easily earned back, but for them, it''s a fortune. I help them afford an extra meal, and in return, if they have any information, they''ll tell Ben, that pompous guy trying to show off his wealth earlier. Then Ben reports back to me. That''s basically it."


    Nathan felt truly ashamed for thinking Zeryn was just showing off.


    "Sect missions can be simple or complex. So you have to be proactive in many things."


    "You''re making me feel quite inadequate!"


    Zeryn chuckled.


    "Let outsiders say what they want, Nate. But you must know that you''ve done pretty well yourself."


    Nathan scratched his head, feeling more confident.


    "Don''t worry, my network is yours too. If Ben has any sense, he''ll know how to treat you when you come here."


    "He''s not skimming your money, is he?"


    "Definitely," Zeryn shrugged. "But as long as he''s useful, I''ll consider it his service fee. If he wasn''t taking a cut from me, he couldn''t even afford the clothes he''s wearing."


    Nathan couldn''t help but marvel at Zeryn''s worldliness. He had already thought highly of this sword art prodigy, but apparently not highly enough.


    "Come on," Zeryn gestured for Nathan to follow, "let''s find Jessica''s workplace."


    They headed toward the eastern part of town. Being work hours, fewer people paid attention to them now unless they did something attention-grabbing like sword-riding. Walking through the business district again reminded Nathan of his past life, moving between streets full of businesses, briefcase in hand. Here things were similar, but more advanced. The sidewalks had flying platforms; one only needed to stand on them and select a destination for automatic transport. The town''s network would self-regulate to avoid collisions with others. Platforms flying back and forth at different heights automatically dodged them as they walked.


    The eastern district, not being a guild hub, was less crowded, mainly providing essential equipment for citizens and cultivators. People could find necessary gear for monster hunting and mission completion here. During monster tides or spatial rifts, the eastern roads would become completely gridlocked.


    One of life''s most crucial aspects was healthcare. Hospitals were evenly distributed throughout Crystalton, but medicine sellers concentrated here. Medicine in this world wasn''t entirely uniform, hence the emergence of many brands. Different ingredients and intensities for the same effect were enough to open a store. Competition had many variables like pricing, materials, and social conditions. Since medicine was a commodity with endless demand, anything effective with minimal side effects got approved for market release.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Jessica''s pharmaceutical company was thriving, located right on the main street with over twenty meters of frontage and three floors for research and development. The Serenity Pharmaceutical sign with its stylized S sat atop the building alongside holographic advertisements. The ground floor was a self-service pharmacy with pharmacist consultation available. Medicine wasn''t just for cultivators but ordinary people too. With developments in friendly material applications, even common folk could absorb mana and some essence to extend lifespan. Disease could be avoided through medicine but not completely resisted as Nathan had once mistakenly thought. Different environments and ecosystems would have pathogens capable of penetrating resistance barriers. Only cultivation could permanently avoid diseases that constantly emerged from evolution. A thought crossed his mind about bringing some medicine back for his mother. If only he could reach the peak of this world...


    Nathan spotted Jessica through the ground floor window. She wore a neat, professional uniform with long black pants. Her brown hair was tied back neatly. Though she smiled constantly at customers, dark circles under her eyes betrayed her exhaustion. The artificial radiance couldn''t hide her worn-out appearance.


    He couldn''t help but feel heartache, remembering the Jessica of years past. As an intern then, her energy and creativity had shone like a brilliant light, making others simultaneously jealous and admiring. The future had been paving her way to an official position, a salary that anyone her age would have coveted. And now, here she was. Just because she was kind-hearted, trying to save someone in trouble.


    Nathan stopped Zeryn, saying, "Let''s wait until she''s done working. Going in now would be awkward."


    "Really? Using our reputation to help her seems good, doesn''t it?"


    Nathan shook his head, understanding how toxic work environments could become. Once they left, colleagues might fear her for a day or two. But in the long run, Jessica would only become a thorn in their eyes and a target for behind-the-scenes undermining. That''s not counting the unfortunate possibility of other employees also having relationships with inner sect disciples, leading to faction formation and infighting. That way, things would become even more serious.


    "Up to you," Zeryn said. "There''s a bakery across the street that looks good. Find a place to wait; I''ll be back shortly."


    Nathan nodded, thinking greeting Jessica with pastries wasn''t a bad idea.


    While crossing the street alone, about to enter the attractively decorated shop, he overheard two people smoking nearby.


    ¡°That girl Jessica is such a show-off,¡± one of them sneered.


    "Yeah, trying so hard she''s making the manager raise our quotas," the other replied. "Really annoying."


    "Why bother caring about commoners?"


    ¡°Right? We¡¯re only Tier 1, but even that¡¯s enough to put them in their place. And there she goes, acting all noble. It¡¯s infuriating.¡±


    Watching them lounging and exhaling smoke, Nathan''s blood boiled. He stepped forward.


    "Hey," his voice, though trying to sound natural, carried an underlying gravity.


    The two jumped, one dropping the pastry bag in his hand.


    "What the hell?" he cursed while bending down.


    Nathan grew angrier at their ingrained arrogance.


    His companion elbowed the one picking up his food, whispering.


    "Shut up, man!"


    "What''s there to fear? We''re right outside the company..."


    Only then, upon seeing Nathan, did he fall silent. The young man''s gaze in his red uniform made both involuntarily step back, trembling as they dropped their cigarettes.


    Seeing them like this, Nathan felt even more disgust, stepping closer.


    "You know Jessica?"


    They looked at each other, unsure how to answer.


    "Don''t make me ask again!" Nathan snapped.


    "Yes, yes! We''re colleagues."


    "And that''s how you talk about your colleague?"


    The two silently cursed their bad luck in running into Nathan. Who doesn''t talk about colleagues like that?


    Nathan understood the hypocrisy in his words. The issue was they said it where he could hear. So he would use it.


    "Sorry, sorry," they stammered in unison, like every time they were reprimanded by superiors.


    Nathan narrowed his eyes, creating a pause to increase pressure.


    "You know who I am?" he finally spoke, his heart disbelieving he would ever ask such a question. But his face maintained its irritation.


    Both took a few seconds to scan Nathan on PsiLink. When they learned he wasn''t just an inner sect disciple but also a direct disciple, they trembled, despite their Phases being higher than Nathan''s.


    "Yes, we know," the one who dropped his pastry answered.


    "Good, then this is simple," Nathan pointed toward Serenity Pharmaceutical''s store. "The girl Jessica you mentioned is," he paused, "my sister. So you know what to do, right?"


    Both heads nodded. Nathan gave a crooked smile, lowering his voice.


    "I have many eyes here. Don''t do anything I might discover. Help my sister, and you''ll have a way to live. If not, well, I''m sure you understand?"


    ¡°Yes, yes, honored disciple!¡±


    Nathan pulled out ten mana stones and threw them to the ground.


    "My sister doesn''t want people knowing about my existence, so choose your path carefully and do everything quietly. Consider this payment. But I warn you. Payment is easy to take, but merit is hard to establish. I can come collecting anytime, remember?"


    The two scrambled to pick up the stones. Ten Lesser Mana Stones converted to credits was already 10,000, enough for a year''s salary. Nothing to Nathan, but certainly weighty to them.


    "Yes, yes. We''ll follow your orders."


    ¡°Then get lost.¡±


    Watching them scurry away, he shook his head wearily. Corporate culture wasn''t any different from Earth. More accurately, human nature was the same everywhere. An invisible line of support would keep her out of unnecessary trouble without attracting undue attention.


    With a nudge of his toe, he kicked the discarded cigarettes into a trash can. Though the cigarettes were herbal, harmless, and mana-enhanced for aroma, they still contained addictive ingredients to keep cash flowing to manufacturers. Nathan avoided them, more out of habit than anything; money had been scarce for him long enough that wasting it was simply unthinkable.


    Inside the bakery, however, a small dilemma arose. He had no small currency to pay with. Lesser Mana Stones were far too large a unit¡ªone stone equated to the shop¡¯s weekly income. After an awkward back-and-forth, the bakery staff printed out a hundred coupons for him, which Nathan stuffed into a small bag as change. He left with an armful of paper bags, feeling the employees¡¯ less-than-welcoming stares.


    Nathan stood waiting at a distance from the drugstore, hands full of paper bags of pastries. When Jessica finished work at dusk and saw a young man in red clothing looking helpless with his load, she was about to offer help. But upon seeing his face, she startled.


    "Nathan?"


    He smiled, turning awkwardly.


    "I was going to hug you, but well, you see."


    She hugged him anyway. The bags hooked on his shoulders and wrists all crinkled, making soft sounds. He felt her diminished body, like a deflated balloon, soft and fragile.


    Seeing this, he set down his load, returning her embrace with his own arm, no longer mindful of whether others saw. Jessica needed this right now. And he should give it to her.


    Laughing lightly, she finally pushed him away.


    "Sorry, I haven''t washed my hair," she said shyly.


    "I can''t smell anything though."


    "And that''s exactly the point."


    "Well, want some pastries? I have quite a lot."


    Looking around at Nathan''s crumpled paper bags, she reached for a small one. Inside were egg and milk pastries half a finger long. She ate one and fed Nathan another.


    "Why did you take so long to come?" her voice carried a hint of hurt.


    Turning his head to avoid guilt, he stammered.


    "Been busy, you know."


    He spread his arms for Jessica to see.


    "Notice anything different about me?"


    "Hmm..." she put her hand on her chin in thought, "you''re a bit taller, I think. And not as skinny as when you first arrived.¡±


    He hadn''t known about those changes. But they must be true. He had improved.


    "Anything else?" he teased.


    "Ah, your clothes. Blindingly bright. Why dress like Zeryn? Wait a minute! Like Zeryn. Red robes. You... you... you!"


    Nathan answered her stammering with a nod.


    "WOW!"


    Jessica shouted excitedly, throwing the pastry she was holding.


    "WOW!"


    She added another exclamation. She paced back and forth on the street, unable to contain herself.


    "Wow?" The third time expressed pure disbelief.


    "It''s true! I''m an inner sect disciple of Verdant Spire Sect now. Want to know something even more surprising?"


    "What? What?" she opened her eyes wide in anticipation.


    "I''m a direct disciple," he winked.


    "WOW!" she whooped again, making some passersby uncomfortable. Her hands waved the pastry bag, spilling them all over the ground.


    "Throwing food away isn''t good, you know," Zeryn''s teasing voice came from behind her.


    Jessica jumped, quickly smoothing her clothes. Nathan could only shake his head helplessly.


    "Zeryn! You''re here too?"


    "Without me, how would that direction-blind fellow manage?"


    "Hey, I could''ve taken the train myself," Nathan protested.


    But everyone ignored him.


    "My lady," Zeryn gracefully took Jessica''s hand, kissing her delicate fingertips.


    Jessica''s face turned red to her ears, her smile turning awkward with shyness. Today, she had received too much good news.


    "Neither of you has had dinner, right? Let''s go, the three of us."


    No one objected and followed her lead.


    The Hot Hotpot restaurant near Jessica''s apartment had been quite famous when this business model first entered Crystalton. Now, it was just another establishment trying to survive in increasingly fierce competition. The space was quite spacious when the three entered, but barely half the tables had customers.


    The receptionist welcomed Jessica very warmly, seemingly one of the few friends she had made.


    Zeryn went ahead.


    "The best and most premium portions, beautiful!"


    The receptionist, contrary to expectations, maintained her professional attitude, gesturing to direct the three to their table. Undaunted as he had to play his part to the end, Zeryn walked beside her as if unbothered that his charm hadn''t worked as imagined.


    Jessica giggled behind them until they sat down.


    Nathan ordered rare meats and wine fermented from medicinal herbs typically reserved for Tier 2 potions. Everything on the menu was within his reach.


    As soon as they ordered, Jessica bubbled with excitement.


    "So? So? Tell me how you became an inner sect disciple? And how did you become a direct disciple? Which elder accepted you?"


    "One at a time," Nathan raised his hands. "I''ll tell you everything."


    "Tell me! Tell me!"


    "Well, I was about to get expelled from the outer sect..."


    With Zeryn''s help, Nathan recounted his journey over the past month. Of course, neither mentioned Nathan''s earlier struggles when people nicknamed him ''Scrub,'' the mockery or bullying. They focused on portraying a Nathan who never hesitated, never stepped back. This way, Jessica wouldn''t worry anymore. More importantly, she would have hope, even a small belief that returning to Earth was still possible.


    The three paused when the hotpot arrived, with sliced meat raised on essence and mana carrying strangely delicious flavors. The texture of each meat fiber made their mouths water just looking at it. Not too lean, not too tender. Everything was simply balanced.


    Afterward, Nathan asked about Jessica''s recent life. Her mood dampened at the question, but she spoke anyway. She understood her need to vent, to have someone listen. And both young men before her listened with genuine attention. But seeing Nathan''s discontent, she wavered in her certainty about sharing. She knew he felt troubled that she had to endure such a life.


    Though emotional sensitivity wasn''t her strong suit, her perceptiveness, combined with her analytical mind, was enough to sense they were still keeping something from her. Nevertheless, she respected their decision. Everyone had things they found difficult to share; it was best to let them open up in their own time.


    Wine arrived and all three emptied their glasses. The conversation drifted beyond the past. Jessica began talking about future possibilities, about wanting her own small pharmacy, or returning to knitting and selling her work. The women and elderly around her apartment really liked what she made. But not having a PsiLink and only an old device for communication was truly an obstacle.


    Nathan listened and offered full support. But Jessica refused help, only hoping he would focus on developing at Verdant Spire Sect. She repeatedly reminded him to be careful, to be cautious, and not let opportunities slip from his grasp.


    Zeryn beside them seized the chance to act like a big brother and boss, guaranteeing he would protect Nathan. That earned a reassured nod from Jessica.


    The three continued eating and drinking. Jessica had poor alcohol tolerance, so after a few glasses she began talking nonsense, singing pop songs and dancing wildly. Finally, she collapsed on the restaurant''s long cushioned seat.


    Seeing this, Nathan smiled sadly. She must have been holding back for a very long time.


    "Would you like me to take her to the rest room?" the waitress who had led them to their table asked kindly.


    "Sorry for the trouble!"


    After the girl completed her task and returned, Nathan said, "Could I ask you for one more favor?"


    After settling the bill, Nathan and Zeryn left. He didn''t want to be late on his first day presenting himself to Darkan.


    The next morning, Jessica startled awake in a small room. Looking around, she guessed it was the restaurant staff''s break room. While hurriedly putting on her shoes, the waitress from before entered.


    "Alex," Jessica said accusingly. "Why didn''t you wake me up yesterday? You know where my apartment is."


    "Girl," Alex said irritably. "You wouldn''t dare walk home with all that stuff anyway."


    Only then did Jessica look around and see the pile of snacks Nathan had left, along with a bag full of coupons.


    "Oh, Nathan," she sighed.


    "That Nathan seems like a good young man," Alex commented.


    "I know. I know."


    Shaking her head with a laugh, Alex held out a small bag.


    "He left this for you before leaving."


    Taking it suspiciously, Jessica opened it to look and nearly dropped everything.


    "Careful, silly girl!" Alex had to reach out to help steady her.


    "I''m not seeing things, am I, Alex?" Jessica''s eyes blinked rapidly.


    "It''s real! I couldn''t believe it either."


    Looking again, she counted fifty Lesser Mana Stones. Setting the small bag down, she pulled out the flat square box. A PsiLink gleamed in the sunlight through the window.


    "I... I..." she didn''t know what to say.


    "Looks like a wedding gift, doesn''t it?" Alex joked.


    Jessica smiled weakly, knowing it wasn''t like that. Between Nathan and her, they could at best be considered friends now. Nathan''s guilt was too great to consider this relationship as anything else.


    It wasn''t a wedding gift. These fifty Mana Stones equaled ten years of income, enough for her to make savings, protect herself, and venture into what she wished for. But what was Nathan thinking, giving her such a large sum?


    It wasn''t a wedding gift, but a farewell gift. She couldn''t help feeling lonely. She felt that perhaps it wouldn''t be just ten years but much longer before she saw Nathan again.


    The small bag grew increasingly heavy, just like her heart.

 Chapter 17

    Nathan didn''t dwell on it much. He left early partly to avoid a prolonged argument with Jessica. She would have refused such a substantial gift anyway. Still, concerns about her work and life lingered in his mind.


    "Don''t worry, Nate," Zeryn said drowsily from his seat on the train. "I''ve arranged for someone to keep an eye on Jessica. If anything happens, you''ll know right away."


    Nathan nodded absently, gazing out the train window as it carved through varying terrains. The distant landscapes rushed past in a blur, barely registering before they plunged through mountains or forests, leaving only ghostly afterimages in his mind.


    He felt he''d taken a significant step forward. The path of Physical Cultivation wasn''t necessarily a poor choice. To achieve extraordinary results, one must take extraordinary measures. He''d decided to trust Darkan, so there was no room left for hesitation.


    He used the idle time to examine his system interface.


    Nathan Reed (24 years old -- male)


    Spirit Cultivation Level: Tier 1 (Initial), Phase 2.6.


    Skill Points Available: 0


    Skills Possessed: [Amplifying Strike], [Martial Art Mastery], [Self Emotional Support], [Bad Mouth], [Flowing Strikes], [Titan''s Descendant], [Better Vision], [Improved Balance], [Internal Trauma]


    Skills Reserved: [Bad Mouth] x 1


    Credits: 1348


    Rolls Available: 1 x Rare Skill Roll


    He decided to use his remaining roll.


    Starting Rare Skill Roll...


    Congratulations! You received a Rare Skill -- Utility Skill [Cooking]


    Rare and above skill will give you one bonus roll.


    You received [Rebound].


    [Cooking]


    Description: grants deep knowledge of food preparation and ingredient properties.


    --


    [Rebound]


    Description: gives you a 17% chance to bounce any attack''s force back to its source.


    *Cannot rebound more force than your body can naturally withstand.


    *Does not stack with similar damage reflection abilities.


    *Minimum effect against mana attacks.


    That 17% again, Nathan cursed inwardly.


    What surprised him most was receiving a skill seemingly unrelated to combat. [Cooking] appeared more suited to survival and daily life. Its Rare classification puzzled him. Unlike other skills, [Cooking] should be learnable through conventional means¡ªor so he thought. But when he considered his only Ultra Rare skill, [Martial Art Mastery], he began to understand. Perhaps it was the sheer volume of knowledge in these fields that made them rare. Moreover, it affected actions directly, transforming Nathan into a master in the blink of an eye.


    The moment this thought crossed his mind, his head experienced the familiar sensation of skill acquisition. Knowledge of food, nutritional values, tastes, and flavors flooded his consciousness. The meals he''d previously prepared in his dormitory suddenly seemed like garbage in comparison. In his mind, recipe possibilities expanded endlessly. Each ingredient opened up countless variations. The knowledge stopped at his ability to handle only mortal-tier ingredients. Presumably, level 2 of [Cooking] would teach him how to prepare Tier 2 resources.


    His eyes brightened as he grasped why it was classified as a Rare skill. The system always had strange aspects that defied his conventional logic.


    Though he''d experienced the excitement of new skills before, he maintained better control now. He''d save [Cooking] for later study, especially that intriguing level 2 potential.


    Nathan contemplated [Rebound]. Despite its limitations, there was something about the skill description that made his mind itch. He''d learned early that in this world, intent mattered as much as action. As someone who''d paid attention to wording since the beginning, he immediately began testing his theory.


    Extending his left forearm, he readied his right hand to flick it. But instead of a casual motion, he focused his mind as if preparing to strike an enemy. Let''s see if the system can distinguish intent, he thought.


    The first few flicks, delivered with casual attention, produced nothing. Then Nathan narrowed his eyes, channeling genuine hostile intent into the motion¡ªtreating his own arm as a target to be attacked. On the fifth such focused flick, the system message appeared.


    Triggered [Rebound]. One credit given.


    A strange sensation occurred at the point of contact. The small pain didn''t manifest in his left forearm but in his middle finger, causing him to pull it back slightly. More importantly, the system had recognized his attacking intent, even when directed at himself.


    He grinned like a three-year-old with a new toy, continuing to flick until the warning appeared.


    System determined you are abusing. Credit will not be given for this kind of scenario for 24 hours.


    Nathan''s smile grew increasingly devious as he examined [Rebound]''s upgrade paths and contemplated the implications. The skill didn''t care who the attack came from¡ªonly that there was genuine combat intent behind it. And in any real combat...


    His eyes lit up with understanding. Every strike against an opponent generated a reaction force back into his own body. If he maintained battle intent throughout the exchange, that reaction force would count as an attack against himself. With proper timing and the right mindset...


    Growth Path 1: Bounce by Chance Next Level: increase the chance to 25%.


    Growth Path 2: Methodical Bounce Next Level: change the way the skill operates. Now the bouncing effect will apply to the fourth attack you received.


    Choosing one path will disable the other.


    He invested one hundred credits to upgrade [Rebound], choosing the Methodical path.


    He excitedly punched Zeryn beside him, startling his friend from sleep. Zeryn shot Nathan an angry look before drifting back to slumber.


    In his subsequent tests, it functioned exactly as theorized¡ªthe fourth attack-with-intent triggered the effect consistently. During testing, [Amplifying Strike], [Flowing Strikes], and [Internal Trauma] all competed to manifest, creating a bizarre feedback loop of force and intent.


    "The system recognizes intent," he muttered to himself. "The reaction force from my strikes carries the same combat intent as the original attack. It''s not just about the physics¡ªit''s about the will behind the force."


    This realization opened up staggering possibilities. By maintaining battle intent throughout an exchange, he could turn [Rebound] from a defensive skill into an offensive amplifier. The reaction force from his own attacks would become the fourth "intentional hit," triggering [Rebound] at the perfect moment to enhance his strikes.


    Incorporating [Rebound] into his ''Fourth Attack Pattern'' yielded unprecedented results.


    Nathan''s reasoning was elegant in its simplicity: when striking anything, especially with physical attacks, one encounters an equal and opposite force at the moment of impact against the opponent''s body. Newton¡¯s Third Law. This reaction force counted as the body being attacked. This same force caused broken arms and legs when practitioners trained improperly. But with [Rebound], this reaction force would be completely reversed. And since the attack originated from him, it rarely exceeded his body''s natural tolerance. Thus, with precise timing, a one-inch punch could be amplified not just twice, but three times. Furthermore, combined with his other skills, [Rebound] would create a devastatingly painful counter. Most remarkably, the pain from the reaction force would be completely displaced.


    The difficulty would be in the execution. He''d need to develop a technique to rapidly launch three intent-laden strikes¡ªperhaps quick taps to his own body¡ªwhile preparing [Amplifying Strike] and [Flowing Strikes] for activation. The timing would need to be precise, ensuring the reaction force from his actual attack hit him as the fourth impact.


    [Rebound]''s capabilities became even more crucial considering Nathan''s chosen path of Physical Cultivation. Viewed this way, [Rebound] might be worth more than its Rare classification suggested. However, to function as Nathan intended, it relied heavily on his other skills, especially [Amplifying Strike].


    He caught himself feeling slightly maniacal for transforming a defensive skill into a twisted offensive card. Opponents would never anticipate being overwhelmed by layered techniques. The challenge lay in mastering their use in combat. He could develop a technique to rapidly strike himself three times to prime [Rebound], while keeping [Amplifying Strike] and [Flowing Strikes] ready to activate. [Internal Trauma] likely wouldn''t trigger¡ªits disturbing effects came from outgoing attacks, not the rebounds.


    His excitement mounting at the prospect of training, he grew increasingly eager to return to the Sect.


    Like their outward journey, they used the booth transport at the outer gate. Zeryn bid farewell to train, while Nathan returned to meet Darkan.


    His master lounged on a stone bench in the courtyard, head nodding drowsily.


    "Good morning, Master," Nathan greeted.


    Shaking himself awake, Darkan sat up and stretched.


    "Back already? Thought you''d play around all day."


    "Should I leave again then?"


    Darkan suddenly appeared behind him, grabbing his collar.


    "Not a chance."


    In an instant, they were in a vast, dark chamber. A diamond-shaped stone floated in the center, emanating limited orange-yellow light. The air carried a cold dampness with high humidity. Whether real or imagined, Nathan found breathing slightly difficult.


    "Where are we?" he asked.


    "My cultivation chamber," Darkan replied.


    The inner sect elder had apparently hidden his daily items, denying Nathan a glimpse of them. He fought the urge to shout and test the chamber''s dimensions, curious whether it utilized spatial properties or if they were underground.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "Stop looking around," Darkan scolded. "You won''t see anything. Now sit."


    Nathan complied, choosing a spot near the diamond-shaped stone¡ªthe only source of warmth. With [Titan''s Descendant]''s physique struggling against the cold, he wondered how normal people could survive here.


    Seeing his disciple''s discomfort, Darkan smirked.


    "One of the basic abilities of Physical Cultivators is cold resistance," Darkan explained. "Using blood circulation to increase body temperature naturally. The reverse is also possible, conserving water in arid environments."


    Nathan nodded absently. Without guidance, he''d never figure it out.


    Darkan vanished into the darkness briefly before returning, sitting cross-legged before him.


    "Don''t think I can''t read your thoughts. Probably cursing about being told to do something without instruction, aren''t you?"


    "I would never," Nathan smiled innocently.


    Darkan snorted dismissively, extending his hand to reveal his palm''s contents. A sphere sat there, wrapped in a thin layer of smoke, its surface covered in flowing characters. Thousands of characters overlapped like a hidden network, drifting back and forth. They emitted a red light, lending an eerie crimson tinge to the surrounding smoke.


    "A skill orb?" Nathan marveled.


    "Yes. A Skill Orb of my creation."


    "And I''m about to absorb it?"


    "Correct."


    Nathan felt his body heat rise despite the cold air. A skill orb. This item wasn''t just his dream but that of every outer sect disciple. Unlike self-learned skills, skill orbs carried the knowledge and insights of predecessors, making immediate mastery possible. Thus, skill orbs held immense value across the continent. They could also be obtained from special monsters, with higher rates in spatial rifts. Monster-derived orbs differed from human-made ones, requiring refinement and completion. But their core function of granting unique skills remained the same.


    Darkan''s hesitation to hand over the skill orb puzzled Nathan. The usually carefree face now showed uncertainty.


    Alaric''s words haunted Darkan. The Skill Orb''s color wasn''t merely aesthetic. It carried properties of the contained skill. This eye-searing red represented something sinister. Perhaps Nathan was the only disciple ever excited facing Darkan''s skill orb. An ignorant fool rushing into danger. Usually, when previous disciples tried refusing, Darkan would force the orb into them. But seeing someone genuinely eager made him hesitate. Nathan''s physique showed immense promise. Darkan knew this from examining his body. Strength, regeneration, cellular vitality. The perfect candidate.


    But what if...?


    While contemplating buying a different Skill Orb for his disciple, Nathan spoke up.


    "Master, what are you waiting for?"


    This was the first disciple to show such potential, so Darkan actually feared the outcome, questioning his methods.


    "Perhaps you shouldn''t accept this Skill Orb," Darkan said wearily.


    "Why?" Nathan''s eyes widened in confusion. "Don''t all core disciples go through this process?"


    "Yes, but perhaps I should give you something else."


    Nathan froze, understanding the orb carried risks.


    "What happens if I absorb it?" Nathan asked.


    Darkan scratched his head, unsure how to respond. Damn it, he actually wanted to nurture Nathan rather than play games.


    "Just tell me the truth! I''ll decide for myself."


    Frustrated by unfamiliar careful consideration, Darkan burst out.


    "Pain! Extreme pain. The kind of pain you can''t fight because everything happens inside, born from your own mind. You''ll go mad as your body rejects the skill''s twisted operation. Finally, you''ll destroy yourself to escape the loss of control. And your future ends there."


    Nathan inhaled deeply, stunned by the revelation. Just moments ago, he''d been excited and eager to receive that Skill Orb. But his mind flickered with realization. Darkan said this was his own created Skill Orb. Didn''t that mean someone had succeeded?


    "Between you and the Sect Leader, who''s stronger?" he asked seemingly randomly.


    "What?" Darkan startled, lost in his disciple''s train of thought.


    "If you fought Sect Leader Alaric using this skill, who would win?" Nathan clarified.


    Darkan couldn''t help smiling at his disciple. So this was why Alaric demanded he behave properly. When truly having a disciple wanting to follow his path, the happiness was indescribable.


    "I would win!" Darkan looked straight at his disciple, answering seriously.


    "What percentage?"


    "100%. Alaric can''t defeat me when I use my full Physical Cultivation power."


    "Didn''t you say you couldn''t beat Spirit Cultivators of the same tier?"


    "Who said my Physical Cultivation is the same tier as Alaric''s?"


    Nathan started. Indeed, as Darkan said, this information had never been revealed.


    "So you''re at Tier 6 in Physical Cultivation?"


    Darkan crossed his arms mysteriously.


    "Care to guess?"


    His response came quickly, catching Darkan off guard.


    "I won''t guess anymore. What matters is: did you have the same cultivation time as the Sect Leader?"


    "Alaric''s older than me, kid!" Darkan bristled at the age reference.


    Nathan felt fire ignite in his chest once more.


    "Don''t get cocky," Darkan warned. "Getting to my level isn''t easy. Throw Alaric on this path and he wouldn''t survive either."


    "But with other Physical Cultivation paths, could you defeat the Sect Leader?"


    Darkan contemplated briefly before answering firmly.


    "No. The chance of victory would be only 5%."


    "Then I accept your path."


    This time, Darkan truly started. Now he understood Nathan had chosen this from the beginning. Those roundabout questions merely sought necessary courage. As a master, when a disciple showed such desire, he should have been the one preparing the way. Yet his disciple handled all the mental preparation alone. Even he could hardly believe feeling ashamed. His first willing follower, and he performed so poorly. His own master would surely beat him senseless for this.


    Nathan only thought that he must take this risk. No one understood the frustration of being left behind better than him. Watching others stride forward confidently while he crawled and struggled. If possible, he wanted to run alongside them. He would fight beside Zeryn. He would protect Jessica. And he would return home, able to cure his mother''s uncurable Alzheimer''s.


    What was the point of preserving this vessel of flesh? His chance lay before him. True, the system had aided his journey, but mere aid wasn''t enough. Given a millennium, even the slowest cultivator could inch toward the peak. But he needed more¡ªneeded to sprint, to soar, to transcend mortal limits. Time was an impatient master. If he couldn''t grasp true power now, he might as well embrace mediocrity and fade into obscurity.


    Decision made, Nathan didn''t let his brain generate unnecessary thoughts, grabbed the Skill Orb and pressed it to his forehead.


    Darkan didn''t stop him though he could have. Now wasn''t the time to discourage his disciple anymore.


    Before he could feel the Skill Orb''s texture, it shattered into individual characters, shooting straight into Nathan''s forehead. The red characters, like connecting snakes, wrapped around his head.


    He closed his eyes, allowing everything to happen, unaware of Darkan''s anxiety. The elder''s hands hovered on either side of Nathan''s head, ready to intervene if necessary.


    Nathan didn''t even feel the headache like when [Martial Art Mastery] poured its vast knowledge into his mind. He felt the red characters gathering in his head, then gradually dispersing to transmit information to his brain. The remainder traveled throughout his body, marking various parts like strange tattoos under his skin.


    In his mind, he began hearing whispers. While listening to these incomprehensible but soothing words, a mind-shattering scream erupted. His eyes flew open in shock, but instead of seeing the cold chamber, he faced a sea of red, like being trapped in an ocean of fire or a blood vortex. His body couldn''t move as slimy substances clung to him.


    Darkan saw Nathan''s eyes open, marked with characters, signaling the teaching process had begun. The most difficult phase had arrived.


    Nathan heard his internal organs shift, but his body remained rigid. His skin felt like it was being dissolved by acid, yet he could only endure. His mind echoed with piercing screams of increasing frequency and intensity until his skull seemed ready to explode.


    Then the whispers of thousands surrounded him, rotating from left to right.


    "You are weak."


    "You abandoned your mother."


    "You were ready to abandon Jessica in that dream to return alone."


    "You''re using Zeryn."


    "You are a fraud."


    "You''re using Orin."


    "You''re using Jessica as motivation. You''re ready to abandon her at any moment."


    "You give money and gifts only out of pathetic guilt."


    "You do it so others see you as good."


    "You act righteous to hide how petty you are."


    "You''re terrible, Nathan!"


    "You''re useless, you''ll never amount to anything!"


    Blood tears streamed down Nathan''s face before Darkan''s eyes, his body violently trembling.


    "Can''t handle it?" Darkan worried, but dared not interrupt. At this crucial moment, intervention would only make things worse.


    Nathan''s inner world was hell itself. His lucidity hung by a thread. Everything was being devoured by these caustic accusations. He truly felt their truth, as they dredged up the filth from the depths of his soul¡ªthe dirt he''d always felt within himself.


    As darkness threatened to consume him, that thread quivered, emanating a wave that sparked a counterattack.


    I am who I am.


    Triggered [Self-Emotional Support]. One credit given.


    I never thought I was a good person. I only tried to be better. And that''s what matters most.


    His clarity grew stronger, pushing back against the condemning voices.


    So what if he was pathetic? Only by living could he have a chance to improve. So what if he used others? Everyone relied on someone else. So what if he was fraudulent? When truth offered no help at all.


    But when thoughts of weakness and his mother surfaced, rage ignited. He never asked to come to this world. Being thrown here was torture enough. Every day spent worrying had left his mind perpetually on the edge of collapse. Now, with darkness pressing in from all sides, he couldn''t take it anymore.


    He wanted to lash out.


    He wanted to explode.


    He roared.


    Darkan instantly channeled mana to his hands as Nathan''s bestial roar filled the chamber.


    "Next step! Don''t give up, kid!"


    He wanted to stand but the viscous substances immobilized him. Fire erupted around him. Blood rose like a tide threatening to drown him.


    He gritted his teeth, straining with every ounce of strength, ignoring the pain wracking his body.


    Outside, blue veins bulged from Nathan''s head to toe, signaling to Darkan that physical transformation had begun. When stretched too far, blood vessels burst, spraying fine red lines. His face contorted but remained determined, unyielding.


    Nathan gradually felt power gathering in his feet and channeled everything downward. His rage burned hotter than his surroundings. He wanted to escape, to destroy everything, to crush any obstacle in his path. He would advance powerfully, crushing any opponent who dared resist.


    His back seemed to expand, tearing through blood and fire chains, clearing a path for mighty shoulders to rise. His arms reached forward. Pure rage as fuel, empowering him to shred all barriers.


    He finally stood, throwing his head back in a roar. He was free.


    Darkan flinched at that roar. It carried an ancient power¡ªan invisible pressure from higher bloodlines to lower ones. It affected his own bloodline, no ordinary one as it had helped him overcome this skill''s trial. He felt called to arms, his blood boiling like an eager soldier awaiting orders.


    Still confused, he watched Nathan''s exterior transform.


    "The final step," Darkan said breathlessly.


    Nathan''s entire body expanded as if being inflated. Muscles became firm and full. His skeletal structure changed, making him taller, larger, more intimidating. His face turned fierce as he bared his teeth, spittle flying. His skin turned bright red, glowing as if flames moved beneath.


    Nathan stood, clothes in tatters, hair standing on end, eyes a realm of darkness. A terrifying creation.


    "The next Berserker," Darkan trembled with pride and joy.


    But things didn''t stop there. Nathan shook, seemingly about to shatter.


    "What''s happening?" Darkan panicked.


    He didn''t know whether to intervene. From his experience, when the Berserker form first appeared after physical torment, one would faint from the overwhelming first-time pressure. Physical Cultivation had to reach Tier 1 to maintain it briefly. Nathan''s situation was unprecedented in his master''s records. The inner sect elder became flustered as Nathan lifted his foot.


    His stomp created cracks in the floor, shock waves rippling outward.


    "Such power," Darkan couldn''t believe his eyes.


    Starting from his feet, Nathan''s red skin transformed into dark gray. It spread to his stomach, then chest and head. Finally, a small rock protrusion emerged from his chest, spreading into hard armor covering him.


    "Dragon scales?" Darkan wondered.


    But he immediately dismissed the thought. Nathan''s skin had hardened, but showed no draconic signs. Darkan had wrestled dragons before; his disciple''s scent was completely different.


    It''s even more superior, Darkan could only sense.


    Nathan, lost to consciousness, didn''t see the system notification.


    [Titan''s Descendant]''s hidden effect unlocked.


    Titan''s Berserker State: when in Berserker state, the immense power of a true Titan will be bestowed upon you.


    The transformation completed as Nathan''s hair became jagged stone spikes. He roared again. This time, it made Darkan''s blood boil, almost triggering his own Berserker state.


    Rather than fear, he looked at Nathan like a treasure. And that treasure paid him no mind, throwing a punch his way.


    Laughing loudly, Darkan raised his bare hand to block. The impact created successive explosions. Cold air rushed outward. The diamond-shaped stone shattered into fragments on the ground.


    "Alaric, stay out of this!" Darkan roared, sensing the sect leader''s presence outside.


    "What''s happening?" Alaric''s voice carried irritation.


    Nathan attacked again, and Darkan indulged him.


    "Final stage, Alaric," Darkan said joyfully. "The kid''s truly a gift."


    "You''re not harming the boy, are you?"


    "If I lie, I''ll follow your orders, alright?"


    Hearing this, Alaric questioned no further.


    Darkan returned his attention to his disciple. He couldn''t hide his surprise and joy at Nathan''s performance. The punches felt like mosquito bites to Darkan, but the strength already reached Tier 2 of the Physical Cultivator path. Considering Nathan currently stood at Tier 1 Phase 1 of Physical Cultivation, he could strike an entire major realm above his cultivation. A Tier 1 with Tier 2 destructive power.


    Normally, such results would be impossible. The Berserker state wasn''t meant for casual use. But it would serve as a trump card for survival. Imagining him reaching Tier 5 while possessing Tier 6 combat ability made Darkan swell with pride. Nathan would bring glory to the Physical Cultivation path.


    To ensure his precious disciple didn''t overexert himself and develop unexpected symptoms, Darkan swung his hand, striking the back of Nathan''s head. The nearly three-meter-tall body collapsed without resistance.


    Nathan''s body deflated like a balloon, shrinking back to his original height. Tattered clothes left him naked on the cold floor.


    Darkan lifted him, smiling continuously. Remembering yesterday''s words, he shook his head and spoke aloud.


    "You''re not the worst, Nathan. You''re the best of all!"


    Then he slung him over his shoulder and carried him out.


    As they left, Darkan collected a sample of Nathan''s blood. Despite his excitement over today''s results, he hadn''t forgotten to consider potential risks and benefits. If Nathan''s bloodline brought trouble, he would protect him. Once someone walked the path of the Berserker, they would always be sheltered by other members.


    Stepping through the door, Darkan''s next task was to prepare for the hell training.

 Chapter 18

    Nathan struggled through an entire day after Darkan brought him back to his room. A nurse had been called to monitor him, providing water as he sweated through waves of fever. During his brief moments of lucidity, he could only make out blurry images through his constantly flowing tears. His body remained wracked with pain. Even with the Titan bloodline, his resistance against whatever was rampaging through every corner of his body proved insufficient. Whenever he regained consciousness and groaned, sedatives were injected, plunging him back into sleep.


    Twenty-four hours passed before he jolted awake as a needle pierced his arm.


    "Ah!" The nurse startled, immediately withdrawing the syringe.


    Giving Nathan an annoyed look, she maintained her professionalism as she spoke.


    "You should lie back down. Elder Darkan said it would take about three days for you to fully recover."


    Nathan tried to move, blinking his eyes. He only felt slightly tired, as if after a workout session rather than being sick or injured. He was hungry.


    Darkan appeared beside the nurse, a gentle breeze rustling her clothes.


    "You can leave now," he commanded.


    Left alone with Nathan, Darkan conjured several plates piled high with meat.


    "Eat up, kid!"


    Without questioning anything, Nathan grabbed what looked like a leg of some unknown creature but appeared incredibly appetizing, devouring it ravenously.


    "Just one day!" Darkan observed his disciple with narrowed eyes, muttering. "I was bedridden for over three days, and my old master said I handled it better than the others."


    "Huh?" Nathan asked, unable to hear clearly over his own chomping and the crisp crackling of fried fat.


    "Nothing, finish it all."


    Darkan looked at Nathan as if observing a monster, but one he had to cherish. A mischievous smile spread across his face as he contemplated increasing the difficulty of the training regimen.


    The inner sect elder placed a small square box on the table and spoke.


    "Here''s your PsiLink. All necessary modules have been installed. Remember, if you want to expand PsiLink''s functionality, seek out an Independent Developer."


    Nathan nodded absentmindedly, though he had many questions, he figured he could investigate later. He kept eating, seemingly unable to satisfy his hunger.


    "Best to have it verified afterward," Darkan continued his reminders. "PsiLink has its dark side, hidden behind the convenience that everyone gets drawn into. I''ve warned you!"


    Darkan stood up, flashed a smile, and delivered his final announcement before leaving.


    "Gather at the Fountainhead to receive the top 4 rewards. I''ll keep your gift from the other day; it won''t help with the training period. After two days, return here for my training session in the Moirath forest. You should better be ready!"


    Nathan swallowed hard, about to call out with questions, but Darkan had already vanished.


    Frustrated, he resigned himself to finishing his meal and trying out the PsiLink. He had waited a long time for this.


    The cool, thin piece of plastic rested in his hand. It felt even more delicate when held. No matter how he turned it, he couldn''t see any circuitry inside. Zeryn had once said PsiLink was the crystallization of science when applying spatial, computer, and quantum technologies. Its structure was simply described as a pocket dimension compressed to contain all necessary components and complex processors. The technology was so advanced that when improvements were made, the structures could self-absorb materials to transform into an entirely new computer, ensuring both hardware and software ran smoothly.


    Following the instructions he had watched many times, he placed the PsiLink against his left temple. His skin felt cold at the point of contact, then warm. In just a second, the plastic piece from before had vanished, completely merging with him.


    A notification appeared before his eyes, quite similar to the style of the Passive system.


    PsiLink powering up.


    10%....30%...70%...99%


    Welcome to your personal PsiLink.


    Do you want to calibrate manually or automatically? The AI will adapt to your need through your thoughts.


    Without much consideration, Nathan chose automatic. Manual adjustments could wait.


    He immediately felt a slight electric shock zip through his head.


    Set up complete.


    The knowledge on how to use PsiLink has been delivered to your brain.


    The screen before his eyes transformed into the computer desktop interface he used to use in his previous world. Neatly arranged on the left were applications provided by PsiLink, including messaging, calling, and web browsing. Most importantly were the self-developing features like energy bar display, danger warnings, and prediction capabilities. These modules were extremely expensive, making Sect''s PsiLink more costly when selling the whole package. Darkan had been very thoughtful in providing them all for him. Better yet, it was truly a custom PsiLink when he clicked on ''More information about this PsiLink''.


    Tailored and Imprinted for Nathan Reed.


    Taking a moment to smile, he began testing. With a thought, he could change the Desktop layout to a spreadsheet layout, transform it into an ancient interface using book pages with paper tabs, and even the system taskbar could match the style. PsiLink would hide if he wanted with no visuals, requiring only a command for needed functions to be carried out invisibly with audio notifications.


    "Your energy level right now is 80%," a flat robotic voice echoed in his head.


    After some experimentation, he changed it to a female voice, finding it more gentle and friendly.


    Next came what he had always been waiting for: browsing the internet in this cultivation world.


    He requested PsiLink to connect to Verdant Spire Sect''s web pages, and an explosion of windows appeared before his eyes. A rough count showed over a hundred tabs before he commanded the AI to stop.


    He could control the windows with his mind, but being from another world, he kept instinctively reaching out to drag or push things around. Unable to resist the habit, he gave up trying. Anyone seeing him waving his hands in the air would probably label him a low-tech buffoon.


    Surprisingly, people here also called them web pages like Nathan did. Urban legend told of a traveler who, unable to cultivate very far, had tried to build an Internet network here. But that had been nearly impossible given how vast this world was, making browsing latency across empires or continents extremely slow. Communication devices back then all used rather rare items like cards, or more complex methods. They were elaborate but transmitted information instantly, making the Internet idea become forgotten for a time. Until the creator of the first PsiLink arrived and refined everything, thanks to utilizing their spatial mana aspect.


    Regardless of whether the story was true or not, Nathan only needed to know he wouldn''t have to learn too many new jargons or slangs. He immersed himself in searching for everything he couldn''t do before. Pages about cultivation guidance, updates on outer sect activities. When trying to access inner sect pages, he had to go through verification, and found posts that stunned him with their information volume. From recruitment posts to debates and arguments that escalated to insults were all posted by disciples.


    Indeed, the Internet was no less toxic than Earth''s. Browsing around, he found a video compiling outer sect battles that had been edited.


    When he opened one of his own videos, his face fell at the title: The Underdog going under again.


    This was from the finals. The quickest defeat in history.


    Around it were comments:


    VirtualMonk: What a crybaby!


    420BlazeWizard: Whoa, did he just swallow his own snot?


    Thicc_Tank: Haha, dying of laughter. See when he tried to turn back to settle scores with Keira? So pathetic.


    YeetusMaximus: It''s truly alarming that someone like him is an inner sect disciple! Comment below if you agree.


    Nathan''s joy completely vanished in an instant. He should have listened to Zeryn about avoiding social media sites both in and out of the Sect. Since he was thinking of Zeryn, PsiLink also dedicated an area providing information about his friend.


    There were quite a few positive posts about him, but among them were no shortage of malicious words.


    PsiLink_and_Chill: Is it just me, or does Zeryn seem like both an idiot and a genius?


    CrystalLicker: Not just you. I hate that guy so much. Always wandering around, acting like he''s the best.


    RuneScammer: I''m a scammer and he is even the worse scammer.


    DragonSimp4Life: One day he''ll meet someone who''ll knock some sense into him.


    Anger rose in Nathan. He didn''t need PsiLink to know people badmouthed him. But Zeryn, though always appearing playful on the outside, had never been someone deserving of hate. His recent negligence was mainly due to worrying about Nathan. Usually, Zeryn was rarely seen in the outer sect because he was also busy with training, improving himself. A genius without training was no different from the talentless. From the Crystalton incident, Nathan understood how hardworking Zeryn was. Even while going out to play, he made time for his missions.


    Nathan considered jumping in to defend his friend but then decided against it. If he did that, he''d waste his whole life at it. All enthusiasm to create AI utilities for himself like counters for passive skills died down in his mind. Carrying his irritation, he jumped out of bed, stretching to wake himself up.


    A notification was sent directly to Nathan without asking for his permission.


    Nathan Reed, you are requested at Fountainhead.


    By the order of the Verdant Spire Sect Leader, Alaric Tethras.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    He closed all windows, preparing to comply.


    He used the command as Zeryn had instructed yesterday to call a mobile booth for himself. His journey passed very quickly when he didn''t have to slow down to admire the scenery like yesterday. His destination was before a small path leading behind a forest shrouded in mist. The pointed peak of Verdant Spire could be seen peeking in the distance, confirming this was behind it.


    Though expecting it to be quite deserted, the open area before the path was rather crowded.


    Utilizing PsiLink, he discovered what everyone was discussing.


    Xander Caldoran was challenging Zeryn Valoris.


    Immediately, he pushed to the front, ignoring the complaints. When they saw him, some people pointed and gossiped but didn''t seem to care much.


    The arena area in the middle was wide enough for two people to fight. What puzzled Nathan was why they were fighting. The Sect wouldn''t intervene in these cases, viewing them as exchanges with more benefits than harm, as long as they didn''t result in death.


    About to shout out, he saw Zeryn shake his head at him, smiling as if signaling not to worry.


    Xander on the opposite side was holding the spear awarded from the tournament. He spun it around to warm up. The whooshing of metal in the wind made Nathan feel pressured. Clearly the spear had become heavier. Rather than being unfamiliar, it had become a weapon perfectly suited for Xander.


    "Ready, Xander?" Zeryn spoke up, his manner casual and carefree, not treating this as anything major.


    "Ready, Senior Brother Zeryn!" Xander replied, in contrast completely serious.


    "Alright! As agreed beforehand, we''ll only use Intent to fight each other. If I use mana, consider it my loss, nothing''s changed right?"


    "Nothing''s changed."


    Xander''s eyes blazed hot. Nathan was a formidable opponent, but to him, the Sword Intent wielder before him was the one he had always wanted to test himself against.


    Zeryn waved his hand in the air, a sword falling from his spatial ring into his hand. Pointing the still-sheathed sword at his opponent, Zeryn smiled and spoke.


    "Come!"


    People around immediately pressed closer, trying to record the fight to post on forums.


    Xander launched without another word, swinging his spear in a downward arc. Zeryn raised his sword tip to parry. The impact sent Xander reeling backward, nearly losing his grip on the spear. He spun the weapon in a circle, planting it into the ground to regain his balance.


    "Dynamic expansion and contraction?" Xander''s tone held more wonder than question.


    In the fight with Nathan, Xander''s Intent remained basic. He could make his invisible spear longer or shorter, but the weakness lay in having to decide beforehand, making it difficult to change mid-strike. Zeryn was different; with that single sword point, Xander understood. Zeryn had extended his sword from short to long in a blink, making the invisible blade carry momentum and force, completely repelling the invisible spear. Its applications would be far more dangerous.


    "Coming again?" Zeryn extended his hand in invitation.


    "Continue," Xander growled.


    He employed his most confident ultimate move. While charging forward, he thrust three invisible spears at his opponent.


    Zeryn shook his head with a laugh. He pointed his sword directly at the spear tips.


    Xander received an enormous counterforce, forcing him to halt, his spear-holding hand retracting to guard his chest to avoid injury from the spear''s butt. He truly felt panicked when his technique was dispelled so quickly.


    Zeryn only needed to block the middle invisible spear connected to the physical weapon. Due to his limited skill, Xander couldn''t control the other two spear ends to attack his opponent.


    Xander was forced to retreat. He recalled his skill of transforming his body into a spear that he had comprehended while fighting Nathan. Thinking led to immediate action. He positioned his spear horizontally in front of him, parallel to the ground, its tip aimed straight at Zeryn. With a swift motion, he pinched his index and middle fingers together, pointing at the spear''s end. He imagined the weapon before him as an extension of his body. To everyone''s surprise, he succeeded. The spear with its black metal shaft didn''t fall, maintained by a strange connection between Xander and his weapon.


    This made even Zeryn widen his eyes, blinking several times at his junior''s comprehension ability. As for Nathan, he had to applaud such creative application.


    Taking a deep breath, Xander charged forward. Though the crowd saw nothing flashy, no blue mana smoke swirling, no aspects joining the battle, they all knew this was a pinnacle exchange between the sect''s only two Intent wielders.


    Xander''s attack came like three spears pursuing each other ¨C one invisible, one physical, one formed from his body. All three supported each other, creating an immense force. Zeryn crouched down, his eyes turning serious. He swung his sword in a vertical line, its sheath still not drawn.


    An invisible force sent the physical spear skyward. Then, the residual force carved a line across Xander''s chest. Leaves behind them and those floating in the air were all sliced along the invisible sword''s path. Branches fell with rustling sounds. Only when several tree trunks showed deep cut marks did Zeryn''s invisible sword finish its work.


    Xander''s spear hit the ground with metallic clangs, falling to one side. He struggled to his knees, trying to stand. His face showed no shame or frustration. It was pure admiration and the will to become stronger. No one else understood that Zeryn''s invisible sword had been powerful enough to cut his invisible spear in two. A testament to the difference in their levels. He still had much to learn.


    "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother," Xander bowed in gratitude.


    "You should still train the basics before touching the boundary of body-spear unity. Skipping stages will only harm you."


    Zeryn put away his sword, crossing his arms behind his back as he instructed. His current demeanor commanded respect from all disciples. Some even had higher cultivation than him but had to nod in admiration. Facing Zeryn, even a Tier 2 Phase 9 might not guarantee victory.


    Several people approached to chat with Xander and Zeryn. But Zeryn only excused himself and went to stand beside Nathan.


    Nathan appreciated this action from his best friend. Such a simple gesture would make many in the inner sect understand not to mess with him.


    "Looked cool even though I didn''t understand much, Zer."


    "You saying you didn''t understand?" Zeryn pouted mockingly. "You, who defeated Spear Intent, didn''t understand?"


    "Just got lucky," Nathan shrugged, genuinely feeling that way.


    "Luck is also part of strength."


    Not saying more about this matter, Nathan asked.


    "Why are you here? Did Xander challenge you?"


    "I''m not that free. I came here to find you because I heard you all were summoned to the Fountainhead, then that devil Xander demanded a duel. I only agreed when everyone had arrived to watch."


    Nathan gave his friend a side glance.


    "So you wouldn''t fight without enough spotlight?"


    "You could say that," Zeryn chuckled in response.


    "So why did you want to see me?"


    "Ah. I''m going to take the Verdant Spire challenge."


    "Hold on, let me look it up on PsiLink."


    "You got yours too, huh? Let me add you to my friends list."


    A friend request appeared before Nathan''s eyes, and he quickly accepted while searching for information about the Verdant Spire challenge.


    After a moment, he turned to his friend with wide eyes.


    "You''ve earned enough contribution points to enter Verdant Spire already? After just a year and a half?"


    Zeryn tilted his head skyward.


    "What? Impressed by my talent?"


    Nathan couldn''t help but applaud his friend. The sect''s regulations about entering Verdant Spire were very strict. Yet Zeryn had surpassed them all. Just having enough contribution points two or three years faster than others was already quite impressive.


    Remembering the malicious comments aimed at Zeryn, Nathan realized that ignoring them and trying your best was indeed the right way.


    "So this is what you meant about inner sect rankings."


    "That''s right," Zeryn nodded. "Any ranking is meaningless except the ranking within Verdant Spire."


    Hearing this, Nathan unconsciously looked toward that ancient brown wooden spire piercing the sky.


    "One day you''ll enter there too, my friend." Zeryn placed a hand on Nathan''s shoulder as he spoke.


    "How long will it take?"


    "Not sure, depends on how far I can endure. You know, the challenges change for each individual. The higher you go, the more benefits. So I''m hoping it takes as long as possible."


    "You''ll do great," Nathan encouraged. "Who could stand against The Great Zeryn?"


    "You got that right."


    An announcement echoed from deep within the small forest.


    "Top four from the southern outer sect, enter."


    The mist shrouding the path seemed to be sucked away by a machine, all disappearing to reveal an upward-sloping path.


    "Goodbye, Nathan." Zeryn waved.


    "See you again."


    They walked in opposite directions, both anticipating their next meeting. Zeryn after Verdant Spire, and Nathan after the Fountainhead before the Moirath Forest.


    Nathan met Zahra and Keira after the crowd dispersed. Keira maintained her irritated look at him. Only Zahra greeted him cheerfully.


    "Your mood seems better now, doesn''t it?" Zahra patted Nathan''s shoulder and asked.


    "Yes. You look good too."


    Zahra ignored his perfunctory response, her nose twitching as she sniffed.


    "Your smell changed," she concluded.


    Nathan startled, checking himself, worried it might be body odor.


    "Smells tastier," Zahra teased.


    Hearing this, he backed away even further.


    "Haha, you should be honored by that comment. Usually, good smell comes with danger. You have both a familiar and dangerous scent. How strange."


    Nathan guessed it was due to the Berserker''s effect. Being busy with many things, he still hadn''t had time to check what he had gone through.


    Xander trudged behind them, his wound had closed thanks to medicine, but he still looked tired.


    All four walked until they heard the sound of a gurgling stream. Mist began appearing before their eyes again. Around them were only dark shadows of trees and leaves. Sunlight barely filtered through enough for people to see ahead.


    A figure stepped out from the mist. He wore a black hooded robe. Without speaking, he waved their hand to make the scene ahead clear. To the group''s right was a gently flowing stream between rocky shores. It was an intensely bright blue. Nathan immediately felt his air passages opening to absorb the tremendous amount of mana evaporating from the stream.


    ¡°Sit down and cultivate,¡± Zahra nudged him, snapping him out of his daze.


    Nathan followed her guidance and sat beside her. Xander and Keira had already entered cultivation states.


    Nathan closed his eyes, beginning his breathing method. Besides mana, essence also vaporized into his nostrils. A refreshing sensation gradually spread throughout his body, and the feeling of growing stronger that he hadn''t felt for a long time was returning. The feeling of breakthrough.


    He focused more deeply but quickly realized his progress was still slow. Recalling the Berserker techniques Darkan had taught him, which included unique cultivation methods, Nathan activated the hidden symbols imprinted in his blood, altering his breathing and absorption patterns. His pores opened, becoming tiny vacuum machines.


    Immediately, mana and essence flew toward him as if caught in a vortex. In an instant, he was surrounded by a blue storm. The three people sitting nearby were interrupted by his action, startling their eyes open. Seeing this scene, they all froze, speechless. The mana around them became too thin to continue cultivation.


    The black-robed figure intended to step forward to stop Nathan. He also shuddered, not understanding where this kind of monster came from. One must know that this stream from Fountainhead contained an enormous amount of mana and essence. Because they were the purest form under the sect leader''s support, they rarely opened it for others to cultivate. Yet now there was a greedy person consuming everyone else''s share.


    When his hand nearly touched Nathan, he stopped. His PsiLink had just received Alaric''s order to stop, along with Elder Darkan''s curses.


    The guard could only reluctantly expand the area, letting the other three disciples move higher upstream. Though no one could see his face, he were grimacing with regret. Because that bastard disciple absorbed so much yet only broke through to Tier 1 Phase 2.7.


    Nathan fell into a state of self-forgetting, unaware of everything around him. Realizing he had broken through made him concentrate even more on regulating mana. After several minutes, he had reached the peak of Phase 2. The breakthrough door to Phase three was shattered like paper without any resistance. He had accumulated long enough to avoid experiencing the forceful breakthrough. A small energy convergence point gradually formed at his right shoulder. Not taking time to rejoice, he continued absorbing his reward.


    The vortex surrounding Nathan remained intense without stopping. Only when the guard waved their hand to lock the stream area did the mist return to shroud the scene.


    All four stopped when they realized they couldn''t receive any more energy.


    "Get out, all four of you!" The guard spoke for the first time, extremely displeased.


    Not understanding why, everyone hurriedly left as ordered.


    Once outside, Nathan felt refreshed throughout his body.


    He had reached Tier 1 Phase 3.8. An advance of 1.2 Phases. Realizing he had broken through so much in just a moment, Nathan turned back to look at the Fountainhead area longingly.


    "Tone it down, Nathan," Zahra reprimanded.


    "What''s wrong?" Nathan asked, genuinely confused.


    ¡°Thick-headed,¡± Keira muttered irritably.


    "You really don''t know what happened in there?" Zahra asked.


    Nathan shook his head honestly.


    Snorting to express her dissatisfaction, Keira left. Xander shrugged and followed after her.


    Zahra shook her head and explained to him what had happened, how he had practically absorbed all the mana and essence meant for the others.


    "What? That dramatic?"


    "Yes. You absorbed probably ten times more than us. How could your body handle that much force rushing in all at once?"


    Nathan now understood. He had poor mana absorption, after all. If his body could make up for 90% deficiency in such a short time, he would need to absorb ten times what others did.


    "The Sect Leader probably won''t let you in there again, so don''t dream about it. Sit a while longer and you might have dried up the source."


    Nathan had to nod in agreement with Zahra''s assessment. If it were him, he wouldn''t let someone who absorbed mana like a bottomless pit near his treasure either.


    "So," Zahra ventured to ask, "absorbing that much, what phase did you reach?"


    "Phase 3.8," Nathan answered excitedly.


    Zahra''s mouth fell open, at a loss for words.


    "Are you joking?" she finally blurted out.


    "No, really! I have a condition."


    "Mother of heaven. If I could absorb at that rate, I''d be at Tier 2 already."


    "Where are you now?"


    "9.9. Xander too, probably."


    It was Nathan''s turn to freeze.


    "You''re both at the great breakthrough threshold?"


    ¡°With mana and essence that pure and powerful, of course.¡±


    Zahra waved goodbye as she left.


    "You''ve got to catch up, Nathan."


    He stood there, dumbfounded. He had thought it would take them a few more months to be ready for advancement. Yet today both had reached Tier 1 Phase 9.9. So this was the treatment reserved for the sect''s geniuses. But looking at his own 3.8, Nathan wasn''t sure if it had been wasted on him.


    Shaking his head, he pushed the thought aside. He had confidence that Darkan¡¯s training would drive him forward in the days ahead.


    Even if it turned out to be a living nightmare, he would face it head-on.

 Chapter 19

    Nathan spent his remaining time preparing for the training period. When he heard it would be in Moirath Forest, he immediately used his meager savings to order essential supplies through PsiLink: a self-filling water bottle, intrusion alert barriers, a sleeping tent, and a self-heating pot. Everything was delivered within an hour. He had to wrestle to fit them all into a small bag, which ended up being as tall as he was.


    Afterward, he headed to the Mission Center.


    He could have registered through PsiLink, but approval would take longer, especially since he had no credibility in the database.


    The Center was situated close to the main palace, a multi-story building with a central atrium. Each floor represented different mission tiers. The ground floor, being the largest, was currently bustling with activity. Nathan could see teams gathering to discuss strategies, and individuals seeking partners for missions near the front. By the staircases leading up were the official Sect desks, where they processed and handled requests. Rewards were also distributed there. Around the periphery were small booths set up by inner disciples either recruiting members or selling their services. If disciples needed manpower, they could provide it, for a negotiated price.


    At the center stood a transparent prismatic pillar stretching up to the fifth floor. People crowded around it, watching holographic cards floating within. This was the mission registration and storage hub, managed by an AI on the fifth floor.


    Nathan approached and let his PsiLink connect to the pillar.


    All his computer windows closed, replaced by a new interface.


    Nathan Reed, Inner Sect Disciple.


    Cultivation Level: Tier 1 Phase 3.8.


    Access Level: 1.


    Searching and calibrating...


    After a few seconds, missions suitable for him appeared. Obviously, he couldn''t just take any mission he wanted; each had to pass through the AI''s evaluation. For team missions, the AI would wait until enough members joined before approval. If you weren''t quick enough, other teams might claim the mission first.


    After some consideration, Nathan filtered the results to show only Moirath Forest-related missions. There were still plenty, with considerable variety: civilian escorts, merchant caravan protection, helping Artificers gather materials, or collecting medicinal herbs. Most were beyond Nathan''s current capabilities.


    Filtering down to solo missions that could be approved immediately and had no penalties, he finally saw some hope for earning money. Verdant Spire Sect needed materials too, so most missions before him came from the upper echelons. Mushrooms, minerals, rare flowers and plants.


    He simultaneously opened a window describing Moirath Forest. Analysis panels of the outer ring, inner ring, and forest core appeared beside the mission boards. Thanks to a guide from one of his predecessors, he cross-referenced the requested materials against danger levels. After summarizing everything, he accepted all those missions. If he couldn''t complete them, he could just cancel without penalty.


    Two days later, Nathan waited in the outer sect area as per Darkan''s instructions. Making use of the time, he went to visit Orin. The elderly elder was watering his precious bonsai.


    "Good morning, Orin," Nathan called out.


    Orin turned slowly, offering a slight smile as he set aside his watering can.


    "Well, still can''t get used to seeing you in those red robes."


    "Am I not as handsome as Zeryn?"


    "You look more pompous than that brat."


    Nathan laughed out loud, finding a place to set down his enormous pack.


    "You''re an inner disciple now but still planning to leave?" Orin asked as he sat down beside him.


    "Preparing for training. My master''s orders."


    "Darkan''s sending you for training already?" Orin startled. "So you''ve mastered that crazy skill of his?"


    Nathan mentally noted this information. He''d spent a couple hours researching Darkan. The results were far from pleasant. Many disciples had dug up the inner sect elder''s past from years ago. The ninth mountain lacked cultivating disciples because Darkan had ruined them, either through the Berserker inheritance or through his cruel training program. In the worst cases, disciples had died. Death was commonplace in this cultivation world, so after some compensation negotiations, everything faded into history. But there was a period when Darkan seemed to go mad, constantly experimenting. Only in the past few decades had he quieted down and sealed off the ninth mountain. Until Nathan appeared.


    Seeing Nathan''s somber mood, Orin could only click his tongue.


    "Don''t know if you''re lucky or cursed."


    "What do you mean?"


    "If you can pass Darkan''s trials, you''re actually quite formidable. I''m not joking."


    "Darkan said the same thing," Nathan smiled.


    "I don''t know what that damned Berserker does to you. But I understand enough to know you''ll become someone others will fear."


    "Then why cursed?"


    "No one who gets involved with Darkan escapes misfortune. Including me."


    Hearing Orin''s bitter tone, Nathan realized there were many untold stories behind this. Remembering the times Orin had shared about his past, Nathan couldn''t help but wonder if the wine-loving elder had once been a rising star.


    "Is there anything I can do to help you?" Nathan asked, genuinely wanting to repay Orin''s years of silent support in the outer sect.


    Orin laughed loudly, as if he''d just heard a joke.


    "You want to help me?"


    "Why not? Maybe not right away, but who knows what the future holds?"


    "Fine, fine. You truly are my drinking buddy. Then when you obtain the blood of the Frost Sovereign Constitution, let me know!"


    Nathan made a note on his PsiLink, ignoring Orin''s continued laughter.


    Darkan appeared at the entrance to Orin''s courtyard, his eyebrows furrowing. Nathan was about to stand when he received a punch to the head that forced him back down.


    "You worthless disciple," Darkan fumed. "You''re using Fountainhead to cultivate Spirit again. What happened to your determination to cultivate Physical, huh? Answer me!"


    Nathan blinked repeatedly as his vision returned. True, he had used the Berserker''s absorption method, but out of habit, he had directed mana and essence toward Novem Nexus, completely ignoring the Physical cultivation steps.


    "It''s just habit," Nathan stammered. "Sorry, Master!"


    "I heard from Alaric and nearly lost my mind. You haven''t even started and you''re already making me angry."


    "That''s enough, Darkan," Orin spoke up. "Why are you raising hell in my place?"


    Only then did Darkan put on a smile, turning to Orin.


    "Old friend. Still as irritable as ever?"


    "Just seeing your face makes me itch, like fire about to burst forth."


    Darkan moved closer, patting his ''old friend''s'' back.


    "No, no! That''s not good at all. I''m like this young brat here. We''ll find the blood of the Frost Sovereign Constitution for you, how about that?"


    Orin brushed Darkan''s sleeve away, forcing him back.


    "Do I have a choice? Don''t forget you owe me, Darkan."


    "What''s with all this talk of debt between friends?" Darkan raised an eyebrow.


    "Debts must be paid!" Orin insisted.


    Finally, Darkan yielded, stepping back and signaling to Nathan with narrowed eyes.


    "Then we''ll take our leave, Elder Orin. Next time I''ll bring you good wine."


    Nathan bowed and left, with Darkan following.


    "If you harm that boy, I won''t let you off," Orin warned.


    Without turning back, Darkan just waved his hand in a gesture of reassurance.


    Once outside, the inner sect elder knocked his disciple''s head again.


    "Of all places, you had to stay in Orin''s courtyard," he grumbled.


    Nathan tried to suppress his anger, stopping to glare at his master.


    Darkan, not wanting to waste more words, grabbed Nathan''s collar and soared into the sky. Once they reached sufficient height, he changed direction eastward, flying at high speed, leaving behind a sound barrier as he accelerated.


    Nathan, wrapped in a thin mana barrier, could only watch the clouds pass beneath his feet. Darkan''s speed truly impressed him; he hoped one day he could move like that too.


    After a few minutes, Darkan came to a halt. Below them still stretched the lazily drifting white clouds, while in the distance, the sun blazed against the azure backdrop. A view perfectly suited for contemplation.


    "Time to begin your training," Darkan announced from above.


    Nathan, hearing this, forced himself to blink and look down. Through the clouds, he could dimly make out a green carpet of vegetation.


    "We''ve reached Moirath Forest?" Nathan asked.


    "That''s right."


    Nathan still didn''t dare look down properly¡ªthey were far too high.


    "Kid," Darkan shook Nathan, making his soul nearly leap out of his body, "you understand how crucial this training period is, don''t you?"If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Nathan nodded with difficulty, responding, "I do. While I''m growing stronger, others are doing the same."


    "That''s the spirit! Remember, those like Xander and Keira will run with all their might, never just walk. If you want to match them, you''ll need to work twice as hard. Stay weak and fall behind? Then forget about returning to your old world."


    "In that case, Master, could I have the Sect Leader''s gift?" Nathan asked, hoping for an item that would aid him. Seeing Xander''s spear had made him envious.


    Darkan lifted Nathan higher by his collar to look at him, his lips curling into a smirk. "Why?"


    "To use it, of course," Nathan replied, confused.


    "You don''t need it!"


    "Don''t need it?"


    "Correct, and you don''t need this either."


    With that, he grabbed the heavy equipment bag from Nathan''s shoulder and tore it away. By instinct, Nathan reached out to grab it, but too late.


    "I''ll keep this safe for you, don''t worry. But you won''t be carrying anything with you."


    "Then how am I supposed to¡ª"


    "You already have everything you need for training," Darkan tapped his temple, indicating that the PsiLink was sufficient.


    "But¡ª"


    Nathan''s words transformed into a prolonged scream as he was dropped into free fall.


    In his ears, there was only the whistling wind and Darkan''s voice, booming like a gunshot:


    "Enjoy your training, my disciple!"


    Nathan was certain he was screaming at the top of his lungs, but he couldn''t hear himself. His body tumbled through the air. Everything passed before his eyes in a chaotic blur ¨C sky above one moment, ground the next. He couldn''t breathe normally, fear welling up inside him.


    Just when he thought he would die in the most ridiculous way, his speed decreased as he was about to crash into a tall tree. Using that moment, he grabbed onto the branches, managing to push himself toward the sturdy trunk before sliding down to the ground. Leaves and small branches cut his face, leaving minor scratches. His robe already had a tear at the hip.


    Dusting off and straightening his clothes, he silently cursed Darkan. The man could have been gentler with his disciple.


    Nathan looked around. Before him were rows of verdant trees, with grass growing knee-high from the ground. The smell of rich soil hit his nostrils. In the distance, he could hear running water and the rustling sounds of forest creatures moving about. The air carried an acceptable level of humidity.


    Activating his PsiLink, he used the positioning feature on his Moirath Forest map, which had cost him five mana stones. The red dot representing him appeared on screen, showing he was at the eastern forest edge. The map was color-coded to represent danger levels. The central area, marked in red, indicated it was typically occupied by a powerful monster known as The Forest Lord. This creature changed over time, and in the latest update, no one knew what it was. The middle ring was also marked with several more dangerous monster species. Only the outer ring, where Nathan stood, was rated as most survivable.


    Moirath Forest wasn''t just a training ground for Verdant Spire Sect, but for several other powers as well. Jessica''s Eclipse Academy also used this area. But with different schedules, encounters were rare. Being a training ground for disciples, high-level monsters were left undisturbed rather than being slaughtered for materials. Just one Tier 3, elder-level power making a trip to Moirath would leave nothing behind. The more important reason was to maintain a healthy ecosystem, creating conditions for vegetation, especially medicinal herbs, to thrive.


    Having made rough plans beforehand, Nathan first intended to find the nearest stream.


    Anxiety surrounded him. Though he''d fought until broken bones had left him bedridden, being alone in such a natural environment kept triggering his survival instincts. Every few meters, he could hear his heart pounding in his ears. This was his first time entering a monster-filled forest like this. In the sect, even when facing danger, there were people to rescue you, people to rely on. But here, being alone and self-reliant was truly unnerving. Even with the survival guide from PsiLink, personal experience proved far more challenging.


    He moved carefully on the damp ground, trying to step only where he could see clearly and avoiding tall grass clusters. Despite his caution, occasional movements still made him jump.


    After walking a while, he encountered his first monster. A group of Burrower Herds were busily digging beside a large rock. These armadillo-like creatures were among the few benign monsters. They primarily fed on rocks and minerals. Besides their ability to curl up under their tough shells, they had two retractable horns on their heads. They typically used these to bore into hard surfaces, like the small herd was doing with that boulder. However, when attacked, the horns could serve as defense if their shells were broken.


    Burrower Herds looked quite adorable with their round, plump shapes. They wouldn''t attack unless targeted. When the bottom of the rock cracked, several scared ones curled up and rolled backward.


    Nathan was laughing while observing them when a deep growl resonated. He froze so completely he became statue-like. But survival instincts in his [Titan''s Descendant] blood forced him to move. With newly gained clarity, he darted to the nearest large tree. Gripping the trunk, he climbed up. Bark shattered beneath his fingers as he dug in. His movements were so clumsy he nearly fell several times, but fortunately, in the final step, he used his strength to jump up, hands catching a thick enough branch. He hunched down, hugging it, hiding his form among the leaves.


    A bear-like monster burst out from ahead, trampling grass clusters and knocking down smaller trees. It stood one and a half times Nathan''s height, with a broad, heavy build. Each running step sank deep into the earth. Its swinging arms tore apart surrounding tree trunks and vines.


    The Burrower Herds jumped up, curling into balls and scattering in panic before the Crystal Mauler''s invasion. The massive monster roared, and as it approached, it picked up a large roadside rock and hurled it forward. The rock whizzed through the air, landing to block several Burrower Herds'' escape route. The impact forced them out of their curled state, leaving them frightened and struggling to get up. They even tried helping their companions who had landed on their backs, legs flailing helplessly.


    That moment of waiting and helping sealed their fate, putting them squarely in the Crystal Mauler''s attack range. The bear-like monster with crystal-studded back reared up, its front paws striking down. Its claws transformed instantly into crystal formations similar to those on its back. The sharp points shredded through the Burrower Herds'' shells and bellies. A few surviving small monsters shot their sharp horns forward, launching them straight at the bear monster.


    The Crystal Mauler snorted once, spreading its arms wide to catch the charging prey. Nathan could hear the cracking sounds between the Crystal Mauler''s hands. The large bear then sat down, raising its hands to taste the green blood of its prey. Afterward, it picked up pieces of meat to eat. What it seemed to enjoy most were the mineral deposits in the Burrower Herds'' stomachs.


    After finishing the desperate group, the monster completed its meal with those it had killed earlier.


    When it stood up and tilted its nose to the air, sniffing, Nathan''s heart clenched. Fortunately, perhaps because Nathan didn''t carry many minerals, it turned and left, leaving behind a graveyard of Burrower Herd shell fragments and remains.


    Nathan released a long breath of relief, sweat dripping from his forehead. Only now did his hands loosen, his body slumping onto the thick branch. After that observation, he concluded he wasn''t strong enough to fight something like a Crystal Mauler. According to PsiLink''s analysis, Crystal Mauler only equated to a Tier 1, Phase 8. But a monster''s danger couldn''t be judged by level alone. There were also its attacks and natural physical attributes. The Crystal Mauler possessed a weight of probably over seven hundred kilograms, over 1500 pounds. Combined with its stone armor, fighting it would need a long process. Even without cultivation, one swipe from this monster would be enough to tear Nathan apart.


    Before he could recover, Nathan heard a hissing sound by his ear. Whipping his head around like lightning, he saw a red-eyed black snake lowering its head to curiously observe him. Goosebumps erupted from head to toe as Nathan, without thinking, threw himself down. The landing from over five meters posed no difficulty for him. Once again, he ran.


    The map still displayed in his peripheral vision as Nathan ran desperately to find a water source.


    Fear made him less cautious, causing him to trip on a vine underfoot. But with [Improved Balance], he managed a roll and regained his footing. Just as he was about to continue, another vine shot out, wrapping around his left ankle.


    Panicking, he yanked his leg away. The vine held firm, and instead, the monster trying to catch him revealed itself. Strangler Vines with its double-wide mouth and sharp, pointed teeth. Clear liquid dripped from its teeth like drool. Without needing explanation, Nathan knew it was poisonous.


    He turned to the side, grabbing a nearby rock and smashing it down on the vine at his feet. The monster unexpectedly let out a painful hiss. But instead of releasing him, it squeezed tighter. It launched another tendril at him. With a twist of his body, he dodged. [Martial Art Mastery] still proved useful in observing the smallest movements, helping him escape by a hair''s breadth. Having failed but still holding his ankle, Strangler Vines continued shooting out more vines from its lower body.


    Dodging and pulling, Nathan finally managed to break the vine binding him. With a graceful movement, he launched himself away from the monster and fled. Looking back from a distance, he saw the monster had returned to its camouflaged state, becoming a harmless-looking tree beside tall grass, waiting for its next prey.


    Running while reminding himself to make a knife, Nathan felt his motivation draining from fear. He had thought he wouldn''t face too many problems during this training period. But that was based on the premise he could bring his purchased equipment. Now, he didn''t even have a short knife to cut anything.


    Finally, he reached the stream, securing his drinking water source.


    Exhausted, he approached the stream''s pebble-strewn bank. Just as he reached toward the water, a flash of light made him pull his hand back. At that exact moment, a meter-long creature darted past his face.


    Blinking in disbelief that he hadn''t had a moment to breathe since being dropped here, he irritably watched the Ripple Hunters hiding in the gurgling stream. Their elongated bodies were nearly transparent, reflecting light in ways that made it difficult to judge their trajectories and attack patterns. Worse, they tended to attack in groups. Evidence of this was right before him ¨C more than seven fish were now staring intently at Nathan. Looking around, he noticed a bloodstain a few meters away from some creature''s remains. The group must have just finished devouring their prey.


    Frustrated, Nathan stood up, determined to retaliate. He''d been scared, chased, and caught since arriving. Those other monsters he couldn''t defeat, but these Ripple Hunters? Completely manageable. Plus, those sharp fangs would make perfect weapons. Above all, they would be his dinner tonight.


    Taking off his robe and pants, leaving only his underwear, he bounced in place to warm up. Looking at his exposed vulnerable areas made him uncomfortable. If these fish bit there, it would hurt tremendously. He consoled himself that he just needed to stay alert.


    Taking a deep breath, he jumped into the stream.


    The Ripple Hunters immediately leaped from the water, charging toward him. Extending his hand forward, he let the first one bite down on his arm. Gritting his teeth in pain, he realized it didn''t hurt as much as being shot by Qingfeng or stabbed by Xander. He endured, jumping backward as the others attacked. His feet quickly retreated to land, but one clever fish still managed to snap at his thigh.


    Nathan didn''t mind ¨C in fact, he was delighted. These devils'' speed was too fast; trying to grab them would more likely lead to failure with their slippery skin and the water. But now that they''d latched onto him on shore, everything had changed. The two Ripple Hunters attached to him realized their danger and tried to withdraw their teeth, but Nathan prevented both. The one on his arm had its fangs ¨C as long as his palm ¨C gripped firmly. The one on his leg got its midsection crushed under his other foot. Its separated parts writhed beneath Nathan''s foot, its eye looking up as if expressing disbelief and terror.


    Ignoring the blood flowing from his thigh and arm, he pulled the remaining one off, holding it up for inspection.


    "This is for attacking me," Nathan grumbled irritably.


    The monster thrashed violently. Its streamlined body created enough resistance that Nathan almost lost his grip. Holding its fangs with one hand and lower jaw with the other, he pulled with all his strength. The Ripple Hunter''s lower jaw tore apart, dragging skin and flesh with it, exposing innards and spilling blood and internal organs onto the ground. Mixed in were pieces of whatever creature it had eaten earlier.


    Nathan tossed it aside, covering his mouth to keep from vomiting at the stench it released. He wasn''t afraid ¨C he''d seen worse, like Xander''s victims at the recent tournament who were far more grotesque than this. But the smell was unbearable.


    Strangely though, his [Cooking] skill informed him that Ripple Hunters were not only edible but delicious if prepared correctly, and quite simple to cook.


    He sat down on the ground, throwing a challenging look at the remaining Ripple Hunters. They poked their heads above water, gills expanding and contracting as if angry that this human dared kill their kind. After a while, the five Ripple Hunters lowered themselves and swam away.


    Nathan didn''t know if they were planning revenge, but at least now he could finally breathe. He crept closer, cupping his hands to scoop water for drinking. PsiLink analysis showed the water was safe for consumption. Moreover, he trusted [Titan''s Descendant] wouldn''t be weak enough to succumb to a few bacteria.


    When his wounds showed signs of healing, he stood up with lingering soreness to hang the two fish up to drain water and blood. He broke off four fangs. Taking one with him, he climbed a nearby tall tree. Fortunately, this tree only had a few friendly squirrels and two unranked snake monsters. Since they tried to attack him, he sent them to heaven, their bodies joining the two fish below. Their skin, along with the fish, could be used to make bags, according to his [Cooking] and PsiLink knowledge.


    Checking around one more time to be sure, he climbed down. With that, his sleeping spot was secured. He gathered some dry leaves, then used the fang against stone to create sparks. Adding them to the collected branches, his night shelter was complete.


    He spent the entire afternoon grinding the four fangs against rocks to give them sharp edges. Then, he used his new knives to skin everything. Four sets of skin were hung aside, while he kept the meat, placing it on a rock surface he had heated with fire beforehand.


    He walked around gathering specific leafy vegetables to stuff inside the Ripple Hunter. Then creating two X-shaped stakes and a sharpened branch, he skewered the first fish. Placing the pre-processed meat on top, the crackling fire began to heat it. The initial rank smell of Ripple Hunter spread around, but gradually transformed into the fragrance of herbs and fruits he had gathered. [Cooking] truly proved perfect for this training period.


    As twilight descended, he looked up at the sky, wondering if his master was watching. If day one was already like this, the time ahead seemed bleak. Not to mention he had no idea how to handle the impossibly difficult quest from the system.


    You got a new quest: ''Become the Lord of the Forest''.


    Objective: Defeat the current Lord.


    Rewards: 5 skill rolls, unlock new items in Shop.


    Penalty when failed: None.

 Chapter 20

    Darkan floated in mid-air, observing his beloved disciple. He hadn''t expected Nathan to perform so well on his first day. The boy''s immediate ability to cook monster meat for sustenance was beyond his predictions. Despite PsiLink''s assistance, Nathan''s movements and techniques didn''t resemble those of a novice but rather suggested extensive culinary experience. The final aroma wafting from the snake and Ripple Hunter meat was particularly enticing¡ªthanks to his enhanced senses, Darkan could smell it from afar, causing an inexplicable rumbling in his stomach.


    Below, Nathan remained unaware of being watched. After finishing his meal and noting that the wounds on his arms and legs had healed, he entered a meditative state. The essence accumulated from killing and consuming prey concentrated near his abdomen. He released it following the Berserker cultivation method. Without mana, Spirit Cultivation was impossible.


    The essence infiltrated his blood, traveling through muscles and bones before finally reaching his skin. This process was excruciating. Typically, mana would temper the essence''s aggressive nature. Pure absorption was usually avoided to prevent internal damage. Yet this was precisely what Physical Cultivation aimed for. Destruction followed by reconstruction. Like muscles recovering after exercise, Physical Cultivation''s purpose was to break down the weak structure of blood vessels, muscles, bones, and skin, then channel essence into the gaps, forcing everything to adapt and improve. Thus creating a stronger, healthier body.


    Being his first attempt, Nathan needed considerable time to process all the essence within his body. Fortunately, his chosen spot remained undisturbed by monsters. The fire had nearly died out when he opened his eyes, his body drenched in sweat. The stench surrounding him was worse than the Ripple Hunter''s innards from earlier. Toxins were expelled from his body during cultivation. Noting this, he checked the stream, confirming no creatures lurked beneath before jumping in for a quick wash, fearing the smell might attract unwanted visitors.


    Afterward, he put his clothes back on and leaped onto a tree to rest. What delighted him most was Physical Cultivation''s excellent progress. He didn''t experience the energy loss associated with consuming the ''Initial Advancing Pill.'' Unlike the mana-essence mixture in the pill, pure essence didn''t dissipate. Especially with the Berserker''s aggressive method, he absorbed almost everything, losing only a small portion during processing. With just this much, he sensed he almost advanced from Phase 1 to Phase 2.


    Nathan jolted awake to some noises. From his elevated position in the tree, he surveyed the surroundings. This morning''s air was shrouded in mist. Visibility was severely limited. Nathan''s instincts immediately sensed something wrong. According to PsiLink, this area shouldn''t normally have fog.


    He landed softly on the ground, glancing irritably at the Ripple Hunter and snake skins. His effort using ash to clean the skins of meat and fat was wasted as the mist increased humidity. But the current situation demanded his attention more.


    Gripping the sharpened fang in his hand, he slowly moved toward the light piercing through the mist. It was white light, not the sun''s natural golden glow. As he approached, he slowed down, finding tall bushes for cover. Before him stood a breathtakingly beautiful monster, majestic and dignified¡ªa Luminous Grazer. At first glance, it might be mistaken for a deer, but its form was more graceful and robust. Its distinguishing features were the small, star-like spots that emitted light. Most brilliant were its antlers. Like lightning bolts mounted above its forehead, the antlers radiated a sacred, beautiful light. These were among the most sought-after ingredients, commanding high prices. But obtaining them was far from easy. Nathan was about to discover why.


    The mist was indeed problematic. To humans, the Luminous Grazer was a beautiful creature with valuable antlers. To monsters, it was one of the most delectable prey. And the mist''s creator intended to catch it.


    A dark shadow darted past Nathan. Now he truly appreciated how useful [Better Vision] was. Even in this visibility-limiting environment, he could make out the gray monster''s form. The Mist Eel swam through the fog, its sinuous body charging straight at the Luminous Grazer. The deer-like creature raised its head, moving even faster to slam its antlers down, intercepting the Mist Eel mid-flight. The Mist Eel retaliated with a weak electrical discharge, but it had no effect on the Grazer. It stamped its hoof, and the eel died instantly. This action alerted the entire Mist Eel pack to attack.


    The Luminous Grazer raised its head, unflinching, and let out a cry. The light from its antlers seemed to charge, intensifying until it was blinding. When the radiance dimmed, the Mist Eel pack had lost their target. They swam through the mist, zigzagging back and forth, discharging electricity in frustration. Then one of them tilted its head, indicating a backup prey.


    When Nathan lowered his hand from shielding his eyes, he found a pack of Mist Eels circling him. A quick count revealed more than ten. Understanding their capabilities, Nathan remained undaunted.


    "Hello, my breakfast," he taunted.


    As if comprehending his words, the Mist Eels attacked, their bodies emanating blue electrical currents.


    The first one to lunge was the most unfortunate, as Nathan''s quick reflexes allowed him to plunge his knife into its body. The unlucky Mist Eel writhed in mid-air, trying to twist free of the blade. The others either bit at Nathan or whipped their tails toward him.


    Despite his swift observation and movement, the Mist Eels had another trick¡ªcreating electrical nets. Their electrical currents connected when close enough. Thinking he''d found a gap, Nathan ended up trapped between two Mist Eels. The result was his entire body convulsing from the shock. When it stopped, the smell of singed skin and steam rose around him. The shock subsided as the Mist Eels recharged. Enraged, he grabbed the head of the Mist Eel gnawing his arm and, enduring the electrical current, smashed its head against the rocks below.


    Standing up, he moved his body to regain sensation. [Titan''s Descendant] seemed to be working at full capacity to heal him. Letting out a roar, he drew his knife and attacked the Mist Eel pack.


    The bloody battle only ended when half the Mist Eels were killed. They realized this wasn''t easy prey and fled. Nathan lacked the strength to pursue them. He felt more irritated with these creatures than he had during dozens of outer sect tournament matches. At least there he wasn''t constantly electrocuted¡ªnow his hair stood like a mushroom on his head, curled and disheveled. His face was blackened and his clothes were crumpled.


    As the Mist Eels departed, the fog dissipated. Sunlight finally returned, bathing Nathan in warmth and freshness. Returning to his spot from last night, he enjoyed a morning bath. The cold water seemed to temper his muscles and skin. With his spirit refreshed, he dragged out the Eels to process them, cleaning and removing their electrical and mist-producing glands. Their firm, crispy meat was better than yesterday''s food, somewhat alleviating his irritation.


    After distributing the essence, Nathan stood to begin his day. Yesterday, he''d been too cautious as a newcomer and had acted passively. Today, he would become the hunter.


    His first target was that damned Strangler Vine that had nearly made him fall flat on his face.


    Returning to the old path, he immediately spotted it hiding among the surrounding trees as if nothing had happened. He approached directly, neither hesitant nor tiptoeing, but boldly and straightforwardly. This seemed to frighten the monster, as it remained motionless, as if telling Nathan it wasn''t there, please move along.


    "Come out and fight, unless you won''t resist¡ªthat would be even better."


    Rotating the fang in his hand, Nathan exuded confidence. [Martial Art Mastery] had helped him familiarize himself with this weapon in a short time. He could now smoothly transition between stabbing, hooking, and cutting as needed.


    Seeing Nathan approach, the Strangler Vine emerged, swinging its vines toward him. Having a purpose, Nathan focused only on dodging, minimizing impact on the vines. He moved swiftly, finding it easier than facing Qingfeng or Gideon. Not every monster was as large and frightening as that Crystal Mauler.


    When close enough, the Strangler Vine made its final defensive move, its body rising up to reveal a massive jaw. Along the edges were sharp, venomous teeth. It tilted its head down to bite Nathan. He jumped aside, driving his fang into the back of its jaw. The surface wasn''t hard but rather soft and easily pierced. The Strangler Vine shook in pain, its vines flailing wildly. Listening carefully, one could hear its breathing become chaotic and panicked.


    When the human charged again, the monster raised its head and sprayed transparent toxic liquid.


    Nathan''s body was instantly covered in that slimy substance. It had a sickeningly sweet smell. This toxin wasn''t corrosive but could irritate skin. However, that was normal skin¡ªTitan skin remained unaffected. He finished the monster by using both knives to slash its mouth to pieces. The Strangler Vine''s body immediately went limp, collapsing to the ground.


    Wiping the liquid from his face with his shirt, Nathan sat beside the monster. He used his knife to cut away the vines attached to its body, planning to repurpose them as binding materials for future use.


    Absorbed in his work, Nathan failed to realize that the Strangler Vine''s liquid was indeed toxic, but its true purpose lay in that sweet smell and taste.


    He had underestimated the forest''s power. Only when he looked up did he notice several wasp and butterfly-like monsters surrounding him.


    His face shifted from red to pale in an instant. Hidden among the Venom Hornets and Hunger Moths, behind a tall grass mound, stood a two-meter-tall Blood Thirster. Its red eye on its mantis-like body regarded him as a tasty morsel, its serrated pincers gleaming in the sunlight.


    Without hesitation, Nathan abandoned the vines and ran. His action immediately excited the monster swarm. The Venom Hornets buzzed loudly in pursuit, accompanied by the silent flight of butterfly wings behind them. The Blood Thirster moved expertly, jumping from ground to tree branches, using its pincers to swing from vines, its eyes fixed on its prey.


    Nathan ran quickly toward yesterday''s Crystal Mauler location, intending to use the massive monster to block his pursuers. [Improved Balance] prevented him from falling several times when he stumbled over rocks, protruding tree roots, or rough terrain.


    When he reached the Crystal Mauler''s previous position, his intended ally was nowhere in sight. Only fragments from Burrower Herds'' shells remained. Some were still present, mining minerals their unfortunate companions had left behind yesterday.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Hearing Nathan''s thunderous footsteps, the Burrower Herds raised their heads alertly. Recognizing the approaching danger, they quickly retreated into their tunnels.


    A Venom Hornet overtook the others. Its body, as large as an arm, explained why its stinger was causing Nathan such panic. He ducked as it flew past. This action disrupted his balance, causing him to roll on the ground. Rocks and wood splinters hit his chest, forcing out his breath as he coughed violently. When he stood, the hornet and butterfly swarm had arrived. The Venom Hornets'' stingers curved upward, ready to strike, while the Hunger Moths'' proboscises twitched excitedly.


    With no other choice, Nathan drew his knives to stab and slash at his enemies. His actions proved successful as several were cut in half, falling to the ground. However, this only made them more frenzied. The sweet smell on him intensified their desire to the point of disregarding their own lives.


    The inevitable happened¡ªNathan was stung in several places. Two Hunger Moth proboscises attached to his skin like leeches at the back of his neck. They had only begun to feed when he threw them off. Yet even that brief contact left circular teeth marks on his neck.


    Both sides fought tirelessly. Only when the Blood Thirster slowly approached did goosebumps rise all over Nathan''s body. This monster was the real threat. His mind working at full capacity, Nathan recalled yesterday''s embarrassing scene. While swinging his knife, he used one hand to strip off all his clothes. Then he threw them aside. This action caused the wasps and butterflies to shift their target, advancing to devour the high-quality inner sect fabric.


    Pants now off his body, Nathan spun around and ran. A Burrower had just descended into an earth vein when Nathan dashed over, hoping to utilize their tunnel network. Due to his small frame, he barely fit inside. But the tunnel turned sharply after a short distance, preventing him from going deeper. Taking advantage of this brief respite, he turned his body beneath the earth, covering himself with as much damp soil as possible.


    The buzzing of the monster wasps remained outside, presumably having shredded his clothes to pieces by now.


    While lying still and praying for them to leave, the ground was pierced, making him jump. Right beside his ear was the Blood Thirster''s blade. He trembled, then used his legs in a rhythmic pushing motion to pull himself out of the hole.


    The mantis''s triangular head tilted to one side, curious about the dirt-covered human who had just emerged before it.


    Nathan spat out the soil stuck in his mouth and nose. He took a deep breath, regaining his composure. It seemed no other monsters were approaching anymore. This meant he could fight this damned Blood Thirster.


    As if to invisibly punch him in the face, the Blood Thirster''s mandibles clicked together, producing a high-frequency sound. Then, from behind a large tree, another one jumped out. This one was female. Blood Thirsters always hunted in pairs, one to attack, one to cut off retreat, preventing prey from escaping. Nathan hadn''t had time to process PsiLink''s information. Now, he had to fight two monsters simultaneously. While nearly naked, wearing only underwear.


    "Mind if I deal with your husband first?" Nathan called out to the mantis behind him.


    An angry hiss answered him.


    "No? Well then, all of you, come on!"


    The Venom Hornets and Hunger Moths remained fixated on Nathan''s clothes, desperately trying to suck up every drop of the Strangler Vine''s sweet secretion. Moreover, they didn''t want to approach two clearly superior monsters with their sharp blades.


    Nathan drew his only weapons, two knives for both hands. One of the styles he''d practiced most with [Martial Art Mastery] was mantis style. This gave him some advantage against his current opponents.


    The female Blood Thirster maintained the perimeter, not approaching, keeping her eyes locked on her prey. Seeing this, Nathan could only target the male. He charged forward. Meeting him was a downward slash. His knife slid along the serrated blade. After gaining some distance, he swung his other knife upward. A clang rang out on impact. His hand was knocked back. The stab hadn''t penetrated the Blood Thirster''s chest armor.


    He wanted to continue, but the mantis raised its other pincer to strike down, forcing him to retreat. He silently cursed how unfair it was¡ªnot only did it have powerful weapons, but it also had full armor.


    Narrowing his eyes in observation, he knew he couldn''t keep targeting the center like this. He needed to aim for the monster''s joints. The bright red front pincers were off-limits, protected by both blade and shell. This left him targeting the leg joints and the long abdomen behind.


    After completing his analysis, Nathan slashed and stabbed the air in sets of three and eleven, readying his techniques. Well-prepared, he attacked again. The mantis shifted and moved toward him. Like before, he ducked under a slash. His right knife blocked the remaining pincer. Just when he thought he would succeed in sliding between the monster''s legs, a stab from behind made him stop.


    Nathan watched the ground drift beneath him as he crashed into a fallen log after a swing from the monster. The stab in his lower back wasn''t deep but stung fiercely. Looking up, he saw the Blood Thirster''s blade had retracted back through its armor''s internal mechanism. A weapon that could extend or retract, surprising enemies with unexpected attacks.


    Wrinkling his nose in frustration at his overconfidence, Nathan leaned against the wood to rest briefly before standing. At least he still firmly gripped the fangs in his hands.


    PsiLink immediately warned that the other Blood Thirster was out of sight. Instantly, he lunged forward. A cutting sound rang out. When he stabilized, he saw his hair falling slowly.


    A chill spread from his neck to his feet as Nathan reminded himself not to be careless. In the outer sect tournament, he could fight recklessly as a tank, largely thanks to emergency aid and disciples limiting their killing moves. Here, that wouldn''t happen. Darkan might be watching, might intervene. But only might. His master''s reputation for letting disciples die wasn''t unknown. He had to survive on his own.


    Shaking his head to clear it, he watched the Blood Thirster move from behind the large tree. The male, seeing his back turned, advanced. But it didn''t know this was part of Nathan''s plan. The two pincers came like scissors. He had gathered enough strength and jumped high, his left hand striking the body quickly three times. Spinning in mid-air, he drove his right fang toward the monster''s eye.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Flowing Strikes]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Internal Trauma]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Rebound]. One credit given.


    What followed was a bizarre sight. The monster''s green blood sprayed like a small fountain. Just when it seemed to end, an invisible force struck again, twisting its head sideways, making the wound more severe, causing green fluid to spray even more violently.


    Nathan landed, half his body covered in slimy fluid. Taking advantage of the monster''s stagger, he ducked between its legs, swinging his knife at the front leg joints. Each strike carried the effects of his passive skills.


    The monster let out a pain-filled shriek, its legs buckling, blood pouring endlessly.


    Seeing this, the female also cried out, deciding not to stay passive anymore, and jumped forward, swinging her pincers at Nathan. He slid under the male''s belly, thinking this would make the female halt, but she didn''t. She didn''t care if her cuts hit her companion, her curved blade still flying toward him. He kicked up the male''s abdomen, causing its shell to collide with the female, making her lose her attack momentum and retreat.


    The uninjured Blood Thirster grew more agitated, swinging her blades repeatedly at the one who was now nearly immobile.


    Nathan moved behind a tree, catching his breath and recharging his attack moves. He considered one opponent effectively eliminated, leaving only one more. If he could defeat one, he could defeat the second. When he was ready, he peered around. The sight before him made him horrified.


    The female Blood Thirster was devouring the male''s head.


    Her small but sharp, jagged teeth were sucking the blood of her companion, savoring his remaining eye. The horrifying part was that the male was still alive, writhing but not daring to use his pincers against the female.


    Nathan sensed something was wrong, and PsiLink''s bright red exclamation marks were indicating the same.


    Upon seeing Nathan, the female mantis released the male, her eyes even redder than before. Her green body seemed to be taking on a red tinge. Before he could think further, the mantis vanished before his eyes. Thanks to [Better Vision], he could see traces of leaves and dirt flying up from the Blood Thirster''s movement. With this data, he rolled to the right.


    The monster attacked from the left, both pincers cutting downward. Dirt exploded where the pincers struck. Once again, a chill swept over Nathan despite his body operating at full capacity and energy.


    The Blood Thirster moved again, still with that illogically fast speed. Nathan jumped backward as the two pincers cut parallel to the ground, sending a gust of wind toward him. The monster retracted its blades, pointing them outward. Its four legs moved frantically, becoming a whirlwind of blade strikes toward Nathan.


    Straining his eyes to see, he finally deflected one slash, using the impact to jump back. Along with this, the fang in his hand shattered.


    "Damn it, that hard?"


    The Blood Thirster stopped its dance, once again moving quickly.


    Still not done? Nathan cursed inwardly.


    He was met head-on with a ram from the pincer''s shell covering. The monster had chosen to move behind the tree trunk so he couldn''t see its traces to predict anymore.


    The push sent Nathan flying backward. When he realized where he was flying, it was too late. He crashed into the dying male Blood Thirster. Despite losing so much blood, it wasn''t dead yet. One of its pincers extended to clamp around his stomach, preventing movement. It lacked the strength to cut him, but it could still hold him firmly.


    Nathan panicked, but not struggling. That would only make things worse. The female Blood Thirster moved leisurely toward him, as if certain of victory. If Nathan''s opponents were here, they would flee¡ªthis was when he became truly dangerous.


    Using his remaining knife, Nathan stabbed at the male mantis''s joint. It took two or three strikes to sever the joint since the pincer joint was much stronger than the monster''s leg joints. As the female arrived, he grabbed the male''s severed pincer like a greatsword, blocking her two downward cuts. The male''s pincer was harder and cut into the female''s pincers, causing them to lock together. Nathan gripped his knife in his teeth, pointing the sharp end forward. He jumped over the male''s pincer, closing in on the female. His hands grabbed her pincers, preventing escape.


    His eyes turned wild. He bit down hard on the Ripple Hunter fang, using all his strength to drive it into the Blood Thirster''s chest armor. He didn''t even realize he was activating part of the Berserker''s function. He just wanted to survive. He was backed into a corner. So he had to fight back.


    Darkan, observing, was pleased that his disciple could already harness some power without completely losing his mind.


    Nathan''s head was knocked back several times as the shell resisted. Though his heart raced and his mind was exhausted, he remained clear enough to continuously attack one point. The monster thrashed constantly, but the human''s strength was too great. [Titan''s Descendant] combined with Berserker drew out all potential¡ªNathan''s strength now was formidable. If he returned to punch the testing pillar, even without the system¡¯s skill effects, he could reach levels 7 or 8.


    Therefore, when passive skills stacked upon each other, the damage dealt was beyond imagination.


    Though movement was restricted, Nathan managed to utilize the loop. Moving his inner cheek between jaw, he quickly bit himself three times. In his haste, he bit until he bled, but he ignored it.


    With another head butt, he heard three distinct cracks. His teeth flew out. The Ripple Hunter fang shattered. And what needed to break finally broke¡ªthe Blood Thirster''s shell collapsed inward. Green blood sprayed out with the monster¡¯s agonized screech. Nathan released his grip, using his remaining strength to punch forward. He didn''t know what he hit, but it was soft and pulsing.


    When the monster collapsed, he knew he''d struck a vital point.


    Behind him, the male Blood Thirster let out a heartbreaking cry. Then, having lost too much blood and with its head mangled, it died too. Nathan could feel two abundant streams of essence flowing toward him. Too much for him to store at his current level. But he had no mind to care about cultivation now.


    He didn''t know his body was automatically cultivating. When storage was full, the additional essence was transported throughout his body, serving physical cultivation.


    Darkan, who had been observing everything while praising Nathan, had to blink several times. In his spirit vision, the essence from both Blood Thirsters was being processed for advancement by his disciple. Gradually, he became more shocked as he sensed deeper.


    Nathan had advanced, from Tier 1 Phase 1 to Tier 1 Phase 2. Just in one day and unconsciously.


    Darkan didn''t know, and Nathan didn''t fully understand himself.


    [Titan''s Descendant]


    Description: The blood of Titans flows through your veins, awakening latent power within. Your physique undergoes a subtle transformation, granting enhanced strength, accelerated healing, and heightened physical cultivation potential. As you grow stronger, the legacy of the Titans becomes more pronounced, unlocking greater feats of power and endurance.

 Chapter 21

    Nathan slumped to the ground, his body completely drained. He hadn''t had time to check PsiLink''s information about the types of monsters in Moirath Forest. If he had, things wouldn''t have gone so badly. Initially, he''d only planned to gather materials to make some rope, then follow the stream to find Ripple Hunters for leather bags. Thinking it would be simple, he''d grown careless and gotten caught in the Strangler Vine''s toxic slime.


    The Venom Hornets and Hunger Moths, after realizing they were being baited, had departed. They''d lingered near the two Blood Thirster corpses, but the scent of blood from the higher-tier monsters seemed to frighten them away.


    Alone in the clearing, Nathan waited for his bleeding to stop. When he felt he could move acceptably despite the lingering pain, he stood up to collect his spoils.


    After some fumbling, he managed to extract the male Blood Thirster''s pincers. He used them to cut off all the parts at their joints. He returned to the Strangler Vine''s location, using his knife to harvest it cleanly. Back at the battlefield, he tied the mantis monster''s corpse into a bundle. Not forgetting to gather the broken shells of the Burrower Herds, he completed his task.


    Tossing his clothes on top, he bent down to place the pile on his back to carry it back to the stream. The total weight exceeded his own by several dozen pounds, yet he could move rather freely, without strain or exhaustion. He still didn''t realize this was due to his breakthrough in physical cultivation.


    Back at the stream, Nathan immediately plunged into the water. He greeted several Ripple Hunters like old friends. At least these fish were more docile than the creatures he''d encountered today. This time, he was more skilled, able to jump and dodge the Ripple Hunters'' bites. They eventually left after three of their companions lay gasping on the shore.


    Nathan let himself float in the current, allowing the water to wash away the blood and sweat from his body. When only bruises remained on his body rather than grime, he washed his clothes. His once-proud inner sect uniform was now in tatters, but it remained serviceable.


    Lunch passed quickly with grilled fish. He was too exhausted to try different cooking methods, despite [Cooking] providing him with a long list of options for soup, steaming, and frying.


    After resting briefly, he moved on to his main task. He took out the male Blood Thirster''s pincer and began sawing the female''s pincers into smaller pieces. Due to previous damage, the process went fairly quickly. Then, he continued sawing through the outer shell, leaving only the monster''s blade. Thus, from the female''s pincers, he had three small blades, suitable for short-range attacks and daily tools.


    Taking his new blades, he performed the same process with the male''s pincer, creating a long blade suitable for exploration and medium-range combat. Setting his weapons aside, he began crafting armor for himself.


    Fortunately, the male Blood Thirster''s chest plate remained intact, so after drilling a few holes, he had a chest piece for himself. He ground and filed the other shell pieces to fit his arms and legs. After spending additional time binding everything with vines, his armor was finally complete.


    Looking at his reflection in the stream, he couldn''t suppress a proud smile.


    Not bad, he thought to himself.


    Only when thirsty did Nathan remember his original purpose for the day. He walked around, searching for a tree that PsiLink indicated would have sufficient sap and resin for harvesting. He wanted to find Ironbark, but this monster didn''t seem to be nearby. Its materials would have been far superior.


    Adapting to what he had, he collected sap and resin in a relatively intact shell from the Burrower Herd. At his camp, he spread out the fragments he''d gathered earlier, combining them with sap and resin to create a temporary water container. The finished product looked quite ugly and uneven, but he didn''t care, setting the container out in the sun.


    By the time he finished crafting, the sun was setting. He decided not to go anywhere else but stay at his spot for dinner, cultivation, and study. He needed to analyze the monsters around him and form a preliminary plan.


    Blood Thirster meat was edible according to [Cooking]''s repository, but he ignored it. Processing its slimy meat required too many steps and ingredients. It would be delicious, sure, but he couldn''t make it now. So it was discarded to avoid attracting unwanted visitors. The crispy Ripple Hunter meat remained his true love.


    Essence from the meat and his body''s reserves began their assault on every corner of his body. Having experience from before, he could control the process better now. During cultivation, he realized how wasteful he''d been. Blood Thirsters were rated as Phase 4 to Phase 5 monsters, meaning their essence content was very high compared to his needs, yet he''d discarded most of it.


    When he finished cultivating, he sensed he''d crossed halfway, reaching Tier 1 Phase 2.5. He smiled sardonically, mocking himself. It had taken him two years to reach Phase 2.5 on the Spirit Cultivation path. Yet in far less time, he''d achieved the same level in Physical Cultivation. Though he knew physical cultivation was easier at this stage, it still made him understand he hadn''t chosen wrong.


    He climbed a tree and began browsing PsiLink. When his mind grew weary, he knew what he needed to do. His preliminary direction would be to find the Vermilion Ape territory.


    Upon waking, his spirit felt refreshed. His front teeth hadn''t fully recovered, having only sprouted slightly. The lack of growth-promoting medicines was truly a problem that needed solving. That was why finding the Vermilion Ape territory was part of his plans. To endure and hunt longer, he needed to control his injuries. Blood Moss wasn''t a bad choice. [Titan''s Descendant] made it almost impossible for him to die from blood loss, but losing combat ability was still possible. With its ability to increase blood clotting speed and reduce pain, Blood Moss would be a crucial ingredient for emergency situations. Moreover, Vermilion Ape meat possessed similar properties. The issue was that the monster had to be enraged before killing it, something Nathan wasn''t ready to attempt yet.


    His remaining objectives were precious herbs containing essence. These were the main ingredients for medicines like ''Initial Advancing Pill'' meant for beginning cultivators. They were usually grown and cared for by organizations or harvested from natural locations like Moirath Forest.


    Nathan now understood why Cultivators rarely hunted Tier 1 monsters, collected essence, and used mana stones to cultivate. Too dangerous. At the same tier, monsters were always more dangerous. At Tier 2, hunting Tier 1 monsters became easy, but facing Tier 2 monsters repeated the old pattern, always requiring caution. The guides on PsiLink constantly emphasized hunting in groups rather than foolishly going alone. Nathan was careful, worried about many things, but he had a heaven-damned master. Now running wasn''t an option; even if he reached the forest''s edge, Darkan would just throw him back in.


    To increase his survival chances, Nathan spent 1,000 credits on 5 skill rolls, leaving 511 credits in reserve. The goal of eliminating [Bad Mouth] remained, but cursing at monsters in the forest wouldn''t harm his life any more than it already was.


    You received [Tingling Sense], [Improved Pattern Recognition], [Living Resistor], [Random Talent], [Quick Feet]


    The skills were quite ordinary, nothing too breakthrough as he''d predicted beforehand. However, [Quick Feet] seemed useful enough with its ability to increase leg movement speed when attacked. With no upgrade path, he wondered why this was so, but the system selection didn''t answer.


    [Living Resistor] simply increased electrical resistance. Thus, he wouldn''t have to worry about yesterday''s Mist Eels anymore. Most importantly, he could consider the special area of Moirath Forest where electric-type monsters gathered, attracting frequent lightning strikes. For this reason, materials from this area were very valuable. If he could find a Lightning Iron Bark mutation, he could obtain the wood required for the missions he''d accepted before departing.


    [Tingling Sense]


    Description: Can detect hidden dangers and those who mask their strength. Intensity increases with threat level.


    He couldn''t help but think of his "friendly neighborhood" web-slinger when receiving this skill. Remembering yesterday''s cuts, he felt somewhat more secure possessing this detection ability. Especially since it could detect higher-tier threats. Monsters, like humans, could appear harmless while harboring devastating power.


    [Random Talent] was like [Bad Mouth], nothing more than an entertainment skill.


    Your talent today is Singing. You''ll sing better than usual.


    Recalling some songs from his previous world, he tried singing. He played back the recording from PsiLink for the most objective assessment, since everyone usually thinks they sing well. The result surprised him; his typically embarrassing voice was now resonant and smooth. He saved the recording to send to Zeryn later, then set out.


    The map guide indicated a Vermilion Ape gathering to the north, so Nathan followed that direction. He moved very carefully, applying lessons learned from the past two days. Two upgraded knives from the Blood Thirster flanked his sides.


    He encountered a Crystal Mauler during his reconnaissance and marked its location. Currently, he hadn''t devised a viable strategy to kill a Crystal Mauler. The monster possessed a Tier 1 Phase 8 level, so he''d save it for later.


    Taking a detour, he avoided the Crystal Mauler. Along the way, he collected various medicinal herbs: Sun Leaf for pain relief, Earth Tongue in case he needed to extract poison, some Stream Star to clean wounds. Most importantly, Shadow Sprout, to reduce the swelling from his Venom Hornet-stung body. His face this morning was rounder than a ball. The previous night''s venom had seemed suppressed by his constitution, but by morning it had erupted as if breaking free from restraint. This appeared to be his body''s defense mechanism, as neither pain nor high fever manifested¡ªonly his appearance bore the full impact.


    Thickets passed by him, and the monsters who spotted a human in their territory mostly just glanced over without acting rashly. The Blood Thirster armor Nathan wore served as a warning not to mess with him.


    Near noon, about several miles from his campsite, Nathan found his target.


    From afar, he could see a Vermilion Ape resting on a high branch. Its golden-orange fur gleamed in the sunlight against nature''s green backdrop, making it even more resplendent. Its eyes possessed golden pupils, with two white streaks like scars extending from its nose to chin. Standing, it would match Nathan''s height. Its arms looked magnificent, muscles rippling in layers upon layers. Though its legs were short, the thigh muscles promised no hindrance when quick movement was required.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Nathan swallowed hard. He was about to provoke these devils. Among monster tribes, Vermilion ranked mid-tier in danger, which had made him deliberate for a very long time. Other monsters couldn''t provide the materials he needed. Two-horned Boars were only good for meat. Spine Wolves with their sturdy back bones would have been suitable for armor if he hadn''t encountered the Blood Thirster. The only alternative to Vermilion Ape was the Healing Slug, a monster so difficult to find it drove one mad, being nearly identical to other slugs. Going too far east led to the lightning zone, while west would lead to an even more chaotic ecosystem of poison and flesh-cutting winds. Clearly, Darkan hadn''t been completely cruel when throwing him into one of Moirath Forest''s most beginner-friendly locations.


    Unable to think of alternatives, he stuck to his original plan. He retreated, finding a tree to climb for better observation. As he''d thought, not far from the first Vermilion Ape was a gathering of monsters. Some played chase, some rested, while several pairs fought for leadership. Their blood splattered onto the ground. Nathan could see Blood Moss growing abundantly around tree roots, nourished by the blood of these monsters who fought daily. To them, it was merely a snack, so the plant remained plentiful rather than over-consumed.


    Behind this rowdy group was an area Nathan guessed to be the Vermilion Apes'' sacred ground. Larger-than-average specimens stood guard at the perimeter. Inside, guards patrolled back and forth, using trees to conceal a small lake.


    Nathan deduced it was Crimson Lotus, one of the essence-rich medicinal herbs with outstanding quality specifically for Physical Cultivation. As Darkan had said, Spirit Cultivators could use these materials but wouldn''t fully utilize their benefits. Once he used it, it would not only accelerate cultivation speed but also have almost no side effects, slightly improving his blood quality.


    Licking his lips covetously, he abandoned his dreams of Crimson Lotus. That was a task for future Nathan; now, he had to figure out how to collect that Blood Moss.


    Jumping down from the tree, Nathan carefully looked around. When he detected no Vermilion Apes watching, he moved to another hiding spot. This way, he peacefully approached the monsters'' territory. Peeking over the rock he was hiding behind, he saw the Blood Moss glowing red to his right, just behind a Vermilion Ape lying down, absently picking its nose.


    Taking a deep breath, Nathan prepared himself mentally before advancing. He crept across the damp ground to avoid unnecessary noise. The shoes woven from Strangler Vine remnants helped considerably in reducing his footsteps'' sound.


    Nathan''s heart beat faster, fearing discovery. Scanning three hundred and sixty degrees one more time, confirming no creatures were observing from the trees, he decisively made the final leap.


    Blood Moss lay at his feet, the monster just two meters away, its massive back rising and falling with each breath.


    About to swallow nervously, Nathan stopped himself. With a pained expression, he squatted down, taking out his sharp knife. He gently angled the blade at sixty degrees. The knife cut down like slicing cake, smooth and flowing, making no sound against the rock surface. Carefully moving his arm bit by bit, a patch of moss was scraped free. He quickly stored it in a makeshift bag created from two sleeve parts he''d decided to tear off to reduce their unsightly appearance.


    Breathing out silently in relief, Nathan continued scraping moss.


    The Vermilion Ape was enjoying its very comfortable rest. Today, it had surprised a female by winning against another unreasonable male. Its spirit was very excited, needing rest for evening activities. Yet its nose kept itching, picking at it still didn''t help. Snorting out a puff, spittle spraying onto the ground. Everything suddenly became clear to the monster. So clear that besides the scent of its kind and the attractive fragrance of female Vermilion Apes, there was a whiff of something strange, of an uninvited guest. It sat up, took a deep breath, and whirled its head around.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Nathan jerked his head up. Meeting his gaze were two startled golden pupils. The monster''s brows gradually lowered, its facial muscles tightening. The Vermilion Ape let out an angry howl.


    Nathan ran. He sheathed his knife and sword, and just ran. One Vermilion Ape wasn''t a problem. But an entire troop was a different matter.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Following the skill''s instinct, he ducked. A rock half the size of his head whistled past, leaving dust settling in his hair.


    Glancing back, he saw the Vermilion Ape he''d just encountered throwing the rock he''d been scraping Blood Moss from.


    "Son of a bitch," Nathan cursed in frustration.


    As if understanding him, it grew angrier, beating its chest before launching forward on its long arms, giving chase.


    Nathan turned and ran faster, seeing several of the cursed monster''s companions responding to its call, hunting the human who''d invaded their territory.


    The Vermilion Apes moved skillfully through their network of tree branches. Their strong arms made their swings both far-reaching and precise.


    Nathan heard the thudding and hooting chaos above his head until he thought he''d go mad. Sometimes left, sometimes right, completely disorienting. Hidden among the endless calls were the whistling sounds of thrown rocks he couldn''t distinguish. Thus, Nathan couldn''t react when a stone struck his right shoulder, sending him rolling several times on the ground. The pain signaling broken bones didn''t stop him¡ªhe kept running.


    Triggered [Quick Feet]. One credit given.


    Suddenly, his legs moved with greater agility. His speed improved in an instant, helping to widen the gap with the ape troop behind. But he was mistaken¡ªseeing their prey like this made them even more frenzied. This time they didn''t just use their arms; their hind legs created swift jumping movements. They broke tree branches, hurling them at Nathan like javelins.


    He moved in a zigzag pattern to dodge. Earth and dust exploded around him. The ones moving on the ground continued throwing massive rocks like balls. Seeing them lift these boulders as if weightless made Nathan terrified. And this was without even considering close combat.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Quick Feet]. One credit given.


    Jumping aside, he avoided the next boulder. Spinning with his sword, he slashed across the chest of a Vermilion Ape that had dropped from the trees above. The monster howled in pain, collapsing but not dead, staring at the human with even greater fury.


    Not stopping to finish it or celebrate [Quick Feet]''s stacking speed increase, Nathan vaulted over a fallen tree, following PsiLink''s map back to safety.


    The pursuit gradually cooled as the Vermilion Apes instinctively felt they''d gone too far from their territory, and their prey''s speed exceeded their own. Confrontations with other monsters like Crystal Mauler weren''t what they wanted, especially with their Crimson Lotus defense forces thinned out.


    One howled angrily and turned back. The others followed suit. Only the one Nathan had cut remained, grinding its teeth, unwilling to give up. An enemy had wounded it; retreat was unacceptable.


    Nathan followed the safe route he''d mapped out, so he encountered few monsters. Those he did meet fled from the Vermilion Ape troop. When the hooting and throwing of trees and rocks finally ceased, he looked back. Only one remained charging forward, foaming at the mouth with rage.


    He felt [Quick Feet] gradually losing effect. It seemed the speed increase in his legs lasted only about a minute.


    The Vermilion Ape stopped at a distance. It panted heavily, the blood on its chest no longer flowing. Its arms swung up and down, beating the ground, creating thunderous booms echoing throughout the forest. Peaceful animals scattered in panic, birds took flight, clearing space for the impending clash.


    With a roar, the monster attacked. Nathan''s lips curled into a smile. He''d chosen Vermilion Apes partly because, after evaluation, he was confident in defeating these aggressive creatures.


    Lightly jumping aside, he swung his sword at the monster''s flank. It howled in pain through the dust cloud its own impact had created. Undaunted, it swung back at its enemy. Its speed couldn''t match the Blood Thirster''s, so Nathan easily weaved around, preventing the monster from landing any successful attacks.


    Consumed by rage, the Vermilion Ape attacked continuously, regardless of hitting or missing. Their battle wisdom was almost non-existent, fighting purely on instinct. When the pain grew heavier from being slashed into a mess, it roared.


    "Don''t even think about it," Nathan grunted.


    He closed in, interrupting the monster''s action. With a decisive move, he thrust his sword into its chest. To be certain, he drew his newly acquired Ripple Hunter knives and stabbed several more times.


    The Vermilion Ape thrashed to no avail. Its movements became much slower.


    Nathan had prevented the Vermilion Ape''s transformation. This monster was rated mid-tier dangerous not just for its strength, but for its enraged state. So when he saw the signs, Nathan delivered the finishing blow. In a battle with the whole troop, if the Vermilion Apes entered their death-seeking state, Nathan would have been beaten to pulp.


    Finally, the monster gave up struggling. It took shallow breaths, its eyes showing no fear of death, only hatred for the human before it.


    Nathan felt no sympathy. Vermilion Apes were carnivores, hence their aggressive and cruel nature. If it had ignored him, none of this would have happened. In this sacred and deadly forest, only the strong survived. The monster would have shown him no mercy had he been lying dead.


    The Vermilion Ape''s mouth made gurgling sounds as it exhaled its final breath, its head tilting to one side in death.


    Looking at the monster before him, though Nathan felt no sympathy, he was horrified by what he planned to do.


    After countless deep breaths, Nathan finally gathered enough courage to plunge the first knife into the monster''s belly. The skinning process began.


    After three hours of struggling and several bouts of dizzying nausea, Nathan completed everything. The Blood Thirster had been disgusting, but he''d thrown its stomach away, so he hadn''t faced the internal organs sprawled before him like now. His face had gone completely pale from doing this for the first time. He chose the simplest recipe from his [Cooking] skill using the Vermilion Ape''s heart and discarded everything else. Wrapping the heart in the monster''s skin, he departed, leaving a good meal for other monsters.


    Since he''d gone quite far in the morning, the return journey carrying cumbersome items took longer. Night had fallen, but Nathan still hadn''t reached the stream. Thankfully, [Better Vision] allowed him to vaguely make out the path and obstacles ahead.


    When the moon began to rise, everything brightened, and he increased his pace. He didn''t want to encounter any nocturnal hunters.


    A movement caught his attention. A dark shadow flashed behind the trees in the night. Unclear, but he was certain it was very large. [Tingling Sense] hadn''t activated, but he remained cautious anyway. Another whoosh, which he couldn''t track. Then, the sound of breaking branches and crushed leaves rang out right in front of him.


    He backed away as the black shadow advanced on four legs. Its eyes tracked him, emanating killing intent so palpable it felt solid. It looked as if it wanted to swallow him whole. Nathan trembled uncontrollably, instinctively understanding he couldn''t escape it. As it gradually revealed itself under the moonlight, he finally saw its wolf-like form. Its silver-gray fur reflected the moonlight into dancing spots of light. Behind it, a pair of sleek tails swayed in perfect arcs. Its eyes were as dark as the night itself, and deadly fangs overlay its regal beauty with an underlying savagery.


    Warning signals from PsiLink flooded Nathan''s vision.


    The wolf monster stepped into the clearing, just above a rocky outcrop, its head raised to receive the moonlight. It let out a cold howl. Then, the moonlight seemed to transform into falling spots of light upon the monster. Its silver skin gradually brightened, especially its two tails which seemed wrapped in smoke. Just when it seemed there would be an explosion of light, the moonlight concentrated in its belly. The wolf''s colors slowly faded.


    Nathan blinked several times. Indeed, its form was disappearing from head to tail. More accurately, it was as if it was becoming invisible, blending into the night. Only with [Better Vision] could he see its faint outer outline. As if the entire starry sky had condensed into its body, giving it a surreal, sacred feeling, as if not belonging to this world.


    Then, it vanished completely. Nathan didn''t know if it had left or still stood there. Frightened, he hid behind a rock, his breathing erratic. The monster''s aura had constantly pressed down on him.


    Only now did he process the information from PsiLink.


    Monster: Lunar Shadow.


    Description: A Tier 2 wolf-like monster, possessing abilities related to night and moonlight. Cannot be found during the day, only appearing at night where moonlight is strongest. Possesses one of the rare and high-quality core types. Its tail can be used to make bowstrings carrying moonlight and wind properties, or other optimal fur weapons.


    Warning: Do not attack Lunar Shadow alone, should go in teams for best effectiveness. Recommended team size: four people.


    Assessment at your current level: Extremely Dangerous. Run on sight.


    After sitting there for about ten minutes without incident, Nathan finally calmed down. The monster seemed to have truly left. Lunar Shadow was an anomaly in Moirath Forest. It shouldn''t appear here, in this ecosystem.


    Looking up at the sky as if searching for his master, he guessed this was Darkan''s doing. Lunar Shadow was his trial. Only after defeating it could he leave this place. Very likely it was the Forest Lord that the system''s mission mentioned.


    Groaning in resignation, he dragged his spoils along, only hoping these days of hardship would end soon. Who would have thought that becoming an inner sect disciple, before even getting to enjoy it, he''d encounter a hell even worse than the outer sect.

 Chapter 22

    Dozing off in midair, Darkan had almost allowed Lunar Shadow to devour his disciple whole. Just as Nathan suspected, the monster was brought to the forest by him as a final test. Fortunately, he regained consciousness just in time to use his aura to intimidate Lunar Shadow into retreating. Otherwise, Nathan would have ended up in its belly by now. Darkan could only curse his disciple''s misfortune - of all the areas in the forest, in just the first few days, he had encountered nothing but situations that prevented rest. Nevertheless, he highly valued Nathan''s courage to gather materials despite the risks. Thinking back to his own training period, he had hesitated for days without taking action due to fear. Nathan, however, with his outwardly humble demeanor, concealed an indomitable spirit.


    ¡°You¡¯d better pick up the pace, kid,¡± Darkan said with a mischievous smile. "Lunar Shadow won''t just stand there and wait. If you hesitate until it grows stronger, you''re dead for sure."


    Of course, Darkan wouldn''t tell his disciple that the Lunar Shadow he brought only partially matched the common descriptions on PsiLink. Letting Nathan know all the details would ruin the fun.


    He yawned and went back to sleep, maintaining just a thread of consciousness to monitor Nathan.


    Nathan ignored all the guidance about nocturnal predators like Shade Prowlers, Silk Reapers, or Shadow Wasps as he ran for his life from Lunar Shadow''s appearance point.


    Damn that old master! he cursed.


    Fate wasn''t too cruel to him today as no additional [Tingling Sense] activations occurred, allowing him to return peacefully to his beloved stream.


    When he spotted the campfire remains and gathered firewood, he was overjoyed. Finally, he could replenish his water after emptying his flask and have a peaceful dinner.


    There was no need to hunt Ripple Hunters tonight - he had decided to cook Vermilion Ape''s Heart Stew. Dropping the monster''s hide on the ground, he took the heart, larger than his palm and now cold, to wash it. Then, using a relatively intact shell from a Burrower, he set it over the fire. He added water and some leafy vegetables. While waiting for it to boil, he cut up the main ingredient. Soon after, an enticing aroma wafted through the air. The dish wasn''t visually appealing with its thick broth and blackened heart that had been cooked tender.


    The taste exceeded expectations, and Nathan devoured every last morsel. He added an item to his to-do list on PsiLink reminding himself to find salt if possible. Not just for flavoring, but also for preservation in case he couldn''t hunt anything some days.


    After cleaning everything thoroughly, he sat down to cultivate. The essence from the Vermilion Ape was substantial enough, and eating its most nutrient-dense organ meant his reserves were now brimming. Normally, when practicing Physical Cultivation without any Spirit foundation, one could only hunt gradually upward. But Nathan already had spirit cultivation base, plus passive skills, so he could fight above his level. This was similar to playing a game where a level 1 character kills a level 10 monster. Just one kill was enough for a huge jump.


    His [Titan¡¯s Descendant] bloodline was both a blessing and a curse. While the skill enhanced his physique to monstrous levels, it also demanded an immense amount of essence to progress. Comparing Tier 1 of the Titan bloodline with a normal Tier 1, the difference was stark. Even before cultivation, Nathan had dared to compare raw strength with Roran.


    But today he learned that his cultivation speed was also enhanced. The essence was almost completely absorbed rather than being expelled. This compensated for the bloodline''s sky-high requirements.


    He wondered if something similar applied to his Spirit Cultivation path but dismissed the thought immediately. If so, Darkan would have noticed and told him already.


    Finishing cultivation, he reached Tier 1 Phase 2.9.


    Just one more day and he could breakthrough to Phase 3. He wasn''t overly excited because he knew that upon reaching the final phases of Tier 1, he would hit a bottleneck if he only hunted Phase 9 monsters. In other words, to breakthrough faster, he needed to encounter stronger prey at Tier 2. With that thought, his excitement diminished enough to easily fall asleep, preparing for a new day.


    The next morning, he spent some time processing the collected hides. The Ripple Hunter''s skin had dried sufficiently for the next step.


    Nathan gathered wood pieces from nearby Sticky Sap Trees. Classified as monsters but harmless to humans unless one stood still all day letting them shoot their annoying resin. He had marked their location after fumbling around for adhesive to make his flask yesterday. Their bark was perfect for the tanning process.


    After grinding the wood pieces and filtering them, he dug small holes to prevent the tanning solution from leaking out. He soaked the hides in it and completed the work. The Sticky Sap Tree''s quality meant he only needed to change the solution once daily. As for the Vermilion Ape''s hide, it needed to dry and be cleaned first.


    The Blood Moss had been ground fine, mixed with some leaves and berries for sweetness. He mostly rolled it into pills and dried them alongside the hide for medicinal use. The remainder he carried with him - in emergencies, he could apply it directly to skin. The effect wouldn''t be as potent, but it was acceptable.


    Spreading Blood Thirster''s blood in a circular line, he hoped it would prevent small animals or monsters from encroaching on his base. With everything finished, it was time to depart.


    The next journey headed east. He planned to scout the Storm Peaks area mentioned on PsiLink.


    With all necessities from armor to weapons to medicine fully prepared, he moved more confidently and with less hesitation.


    Today''s talent is whistling.


    Taking advantage of the system''s rather peculiar skill, he happily whistled since he''d never been able to before.


    Sunlight filtered through the canopy onto the ground, highlighting nature''s majesty and beauty. If not for all the deadly moving things, Nathan felt he could enjoy this like a leisurely stroll.


    His journey was halted when he encountered a pack of Spine Wolves tearing open a Two-horned Boar''s belly, devouring it ravenously. Three wolves were chomping away at the boar while three others watched drooling.


    Catching Nathan''s scent, they turned to bare their fangs in warning. Their appearance was initially fierce with spine bones protruding outward, the vertebrae sharp like sturdy thorns. Spine wolves exemplified the principle of making enemies suffer even in death. Biting them was no easy task either.


    The three hungry ones looked at the nearly consumed prey, then back at the moving meat in human form. They hopped back and forth, their guts churning with anticipation. Only when one exhaled sharply did they charge toward Nathan.


    Looking around to ensure no Great Spine Wolf was present, Nathan readied two daggers in his hands, shaking his head mockingly.


    "You asked for this."


    He ducked before the first wolf that leaped at his head, bringing his knife up in an arc toward its belly. The airborne wolf immediately twisted, presenting its sturdy back as a shield. The other two attacked Nathan''s direction. He didn''t flinch, jumping up to drive both knees into their faces. Hit by the blow, they rolled on the ground, yelping in pain. Nathan''s current strength was immense - enough to match Roran without using mana - so one could imagine how shattered the wolves'' snouts were. They coughed up teeth including their fangs, showing signs of wanting to retreat.


    Nathan denied them permission to retreat, charging forward with his daggers poised to strike. At this moment, the three who had been eating abandoned their meal and leaped into the air to attack him. They aimed their backs and sharp bone spikes at him. He let out a harsh laugh, swiftly deflecting two of them aside. The remaining one he caught in the gap between its vertebrae. The trapped wolf howled, struggling against his grip as its body was stretched taut.


    Nathan raised it high then brought the monster down hard against his knee. Its spine snapped with a piercing shriek of pain. He tossed it aside and faced the remaining five. The alpha bared its fangs warily at its opponent. The two with broken muzzles whimpered. Finally, with a toss of its head, the pack attempted to withdraw.


    "You haven''t asked my permission yet," Nathan suddenly lunged forward. The two daggers in his hands traced twin arcs, and the injured wolves collapsed. The remaining two Spine Wolves bared their fangs and foamed at the mouth, no longer hesitating as they charged at Nathan. Only the alpha fled.


    It took just moments for Nathan to finish them. Spine Wolves only reached Phase 2 to Phase 3, so they were relatively weak. He mainly killed them to collect essence. The alpha had likely run off to report to a Great Spine Wolf and seek revenge. Nathan actually looked forward to that happening - except for a few crazy tribal species like the Vermilion Apes, he was ready to face the rest.


    Without a bag to carry them in, he only separated the wolves'' bones and hid them in a mound of earth, reminding himself to return for them later. Thanks to his experience with the Vermilion Ape yesterday, he was less nauseated this time, though it still took considerable time.


    Continuing eastward, he reminded himself not to grow careless.


    He only stopped to eat lunch and absorb the gained essence, never pausing otherwise. By early afternoon, the first signs of Storm Peaks appeared. Trees began showing patches of black char, grass remained only as ash, and moss and fungi were all scorched dry. The sky gradually turned gloomy with gray clouds swirling toward the center. The air grew more arid, the surrounding smell acrid and heavy.


    Nathan left his water flask at a tree trunk, not wanting it to evaporate from a lightning strike. He slowed his initial pace, switching to more careful and cautious movement.


    The ground beneath his feet gradually changed from soft and damp to dry and dusty. The surrounding vegetation progressively lost their colors. Green, purple, and yellow were all replaced by pure black and ashen gray. The closer he got, the more distinct the characteristic burnt smell of lightning became.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    When no more branches blocked his view, he could see several bare mountains in the distance. That was where lightning continuously struck, sending thunder that had diminished by the time it reached his position. Storm Peaks was renowned as a natural defense against the monsters living within Moirath Forest. Cultivators rarely ventured here without adequate lightning resistance items. Even with full equipment, the monsters remained troublesome to deal with.


    Though quite far away, Nathan could see a dark shape moving inside the cloud masses when lightning flashed, illuminating the entire sky. A Lightning Serpent coiled through the clouds as if enjoying a bath after a hot day, very content and cheerful. Nathan estimated its length at over two hundred meters to leave such an impression against the sky.


    He certainly wouldn''t dare fight a Storm Serpent. Rumor had it that it wasn''t a Forest Lord trapped at Storm Peaks. Furthermore, some information suggested the monster had caught the attention of a high-ranking figure who was raising it here before taking it away, so he had no reason to foolishly seek it out.


    What attracted him to this area was the Crystal Frog, or more precisely, its variant - the Thunder Crystal Frog. This monster carried a small crystal sac on its back. This sac functioned to purify and concentrate essence. Living in an environment of lightning, its solution gradually became infused with lightning. Drinking it would help increase affinity with the Lightning Aspect, helping shape the path for Tier 2 later. Nathan was in the early stages, still unaware of his natural Aspect, so the common usage method was quite useless.


    The effect he aimed for was for his Physical Cultivation path. This physical cultivation method had no aspects but possessed a good ability to inherit characteristics. According to the Berserker knowledge flowing in his blood, if he trained in extreme fire environments, he would gain fire resistance and the ability to burn mana, providing explosive energy in moments. Overcoming ice challenges could reduce inflammation and injuries from overexertion, quite similar to how athletes use ice baths. Similarly, training with lightning would increase resistance to this element, and most notably, it would help him increase speed. The method to quickly increase cultivation speed was to use essence with that specific aspect. Spirit Cultivators would absorb it gradually, while Physical Cultivators would drink large gulps. Without doubt, lightning would devastate from inside out. But it matched the criteria of destruction before reconstruction. Just standing there getting electrocuted or struck by lightning would take forever to show results.


    After some contemplation, Nathan felt that with sufficient speed, he could face any monster. Upon receiving [Quick Feet], this intention became set in stone - he only wanted to pursue it, not give up.


    He gradually entered Storm Peaks'' lightning-attracting zone. Electric arcs appeared randomly, sometimes striking down from the sky, sometimes generated by friction and electrical potential differences somewhere, or created by monsters. He was nervous knowing he would definitely get electrocuted but somehow confident he wouldn''t die. The system skill seemed to have instilled this belief in him.


    Lost in thought, a lightning bolt - not from the sky but from nearby mineral veins - shot straight at him.


    Nathan only saw a flash before everything ended. A numbing sensation made his body convulse, hair standing on end, skin steaming while his eyebrows seemed to be on fire. Patting out the flames, he grinned broadly.


    "This is an absolute win," he said excitedly.


    Indeed, electricity barely caused him any damage. But before he could venture further, he worried whether [Living Resistor] would interfere with drinking the essence water.


    Since he had already come this far, he decided to try anyway. He walked while getting shocked, his form with each lightning strike resembling a cartoon character. An observer would have seen moments when his internal organs lit up, clearly showing bones, organs, and blood vessels inside. Most severe was when a lightning bolt stabbed down from Storm Peaks'' clouds. This time, he had to lie flat on the ground to catch his breath. His legs and arms disobeyed commands, twitching up and down continuously, his fingers playing an off-key piano tune. His eyes and mouth became dry. His mind grew hazy, dizzy, and confused. Water in his body, though protected by Berserker skills and [Titan''s Descendant], wasn''t enough.


    While considering whether to turn back, nature chose for him. Another lightning bolt struck exactly where he lay. He lost consciousness for five minutes after that hit.


    "Didn''t they say lightning never strikes the same place twice?" he muttered, discovering his voice had become so dry and hoarse it was barely recognizable.


    Without further hesitation, he returned to where he''d left his water flask, taking a long drink. Fortunately, he had planned ahead and made its capacity quite large, about one and a half liters. With his enhanced physique, carrying it posed no hindrance.


    Resting to let his body recover circulation, he once again entered Storm Peaks.


    On his second exploration attempt, mainly dealing with underground electricity and charged rocks, the damage wasn''t significant, allowing him to approach closer to the lake on the left side of the mountain range where Storm Serpent resided.


    Suddenly, a shadow dove from the sky straight into Nathan''s chest. The Blood Thirster armor blocked most of the impact force, leaving only an electric current not strong enough to affect his movements.


    Looking up, he saw black streaks like tree branches in the distance open their eyes - the electric eyes of Bolt Ravens tilting their heads to examine him.


    He raised one foot and they immediately screeched, alerting the whole flock.


    He pulled his foot back, and they returned to watching him curiously.


    Spending a few seconds calculating the damage from the first Bolt Raven, he figured he could endure several rounds of attacks. The distance to the lake from his current position wasn''t too far. At full speed, he could get close to it. With luck, he might even catch a Crystal Frog.


    Thinking turned to action as Nathan began kicking at the air, readying his passive skills for combat. He didn''t believe these birds could aim with perfect accuracy.


    With a motion compressing his body downward, Nathan shot forward by kicking off the ground with both feet. His action created a small explosion, the ground sinking as black dust billowed up.


    [Rebound] countered the force of [Amplifying Strike] combined with [Flowing Strikes], launching him forward like a bullet, wind whistling past his ears. He had figured out this movement method after being chased by the Vermilion Apes yesterday. If they met again, they shouldn''t expect to catch him.


    But the Bolt Ravens were different. They tilted off their branches without needing momentum, already leaving zigzagging trails of electricity in their wake. They dove at Nathan faster than bullets.


    Several ravens slammed their beaks into the ground behind Nathan, some overshot to his front. And some completed their mission, striking the human directly. The Blood Thirster armor sparked when meeting the ravens'' hardened beaks. The impact force made Nathan stagger, sometimes falling to the ground, becoming a target for the ravens to dive at, raising clouds of dust and smoke. Amidst the chaos, he rose again, utilizing [Quick Feet] to run forward. The Bolt Ravens, having completed their attacks successfully or not, had recharged and attacked again. They took turns targeting Nathan.


    [Improved Pattern Recognition] gradually engaged with [Better Vision]. He began observing the Bolt Ravens'' actions before they attacked. With a command to PsiLink, he drew the lines they were aiming along. His eyes moved constantly while running backward. As a wave of Bolt Ravens shot toward him, he grinned, jumping up to somersault in mid-air. The ravens with their bright blue electric trails all passed by without hitting him anymore, as if their tiny monster brains had short-circuited, unable to distinguish their target.


    The Bolt Ravens, unaware of being mocked, continued charging and diving with their beaks.


    Both sides exchanged like this until a new variable entered the equation. A Cloud Deer lying ahead stood up, its white eyes angrily regarding Nathan''s intrusion into their territory.


    Nathan looked at the two pairs of horns surrounded by electric clouds on the monster''s head and shuddered. He chose to dodge to one side and run. When he saw the Cloud Deer not giving chase, he breathed a sigh of relief. Planning to continue taking the detour, a group of Bolt Ravens flew in front of him. They weren''t aiming to attack like before - their goal was to block his path. He ordered PsiLink to analyze but found nothing. He hadn''t paid to unlock the next section regarding monster coordination capabilities.


    Blind as a person walking in darkness, Nathan found himself trapped in a deadly snare. The Cloud Deer tilted its horns forward, two lightning bolts emanating from its clouds. Instead of shooting at Nathan, it fired at the Bolt Ravens that had spread out in the air forming an invisible net. When lightning struck one raven, it opened its mouth to pass the current through to another raven. The chain lightning phenomenon occurred right above Nathan''s head.


    Well, I''m screwed, he silently screamed.


    The network completed in the blink of an eye. When Nathan tried to run faster to escape, the ravens pointed their beaks downward, causing lightning bolts to shoot perpendicular to the ground, creating an electric prison. Then they began flying chaotically, letting electrical currents pass through Nathan. One bolt, two bolts, three bolts, then dozens of bolts brushed past him continuously. Running anywhere was impossible. Any movement met another lightning barrier.


    Nathan was trapped getting shocked frantically. His mind went numb, the water he had just drunk immediately evaporating beyond dry. His skin gradually developed black burns, some areas so scorched the flesh was mushy, smelling of cooking fat. His mind didn''t black out because the intensity still wasn''t enough to knock him out like the lightning bolt from the sky. That only made the endurance process more excruciating. He had overestimated [Living Resistor].


    The Cloud Deer also had its limits, eventually exhausting the energy it had accumulated for the day. After all, it was still a Tier 1 monster, without its own core to maintain longer. The Bolt Ravens also tired and returned to perch on branches. The monsters had no idea the human was tougher than a cockroach.


    When seeing the monsters stop, Nathan immediately sprang up, running straight toward the lake. The monsters didn''t give chase, only watching with their eyes.


    Near the lake''s edge, he could see a toad-shaped monster breathing on a small rock, below it a pool of clear water. The surrounding vegetation was somewhat green, contrasting with the gray everything else. The lake hadn''t been dried up by lightning over time because of underground water veins. Evaporated water was immediately replenished.


    Nathan''s eyes lit up, his hand reaching forward, ignoring the Crystal Thunder Frog''s jagged crystal layer. He could endure the pain of catching one - paying a small price was worth it.


    Nature always reminded Nathan at the last moment. Just as he was about to catch the frog, a figure appeared behind the monster with red eyes glaring at Nathan. Seeing the Lightning Strider with its four long legs standing deadly still on the water''s surface made Nathan brake hard, change direction, and run back out of Storm Peaks.


    He looked back one final time at the Crystal Thunder Frog, inwardly determined to return after making adequate preparations.


    At the same time, in Vermilion Ape territory.


    A group of apes carrying large leaf pouches moved toward the center of their gathering grounds. There, the high-ranking Vermilions who always protected the Crimson Lotus had assembled. They raised their arms hooting angry sounds, pounding the ground to express their fury. Only the one at the center contemplated deeply at the leaf packages being brought before it. Clearly the leader of this Vermilion Ape tribe, all others had to heed its call.


    When all leaf pouches had been delivered, the leader let out a fearsome roar. The other apes fell silent, whimpering fearfully.


    The leader approached slowly, opening the leaf pouches his subordinates had brought. He opened the first pouch, then the second, third. With each pouch, his breathing grew more rapid, his yellow eyes gradually turning red. Until he opened the final leaf, larger than the others. A Vermilion Ape head rolled out with lifeless eyes and angry brows directed at the leader.


    Now, it roared once. Its arms swung down in fury. The subordinates around also cried out in unison and flailed about.


    The leader knelt down, picking up the other Vermilion Ape''s head. Its mouth twitched as if calling something. The surrounding apes circled while waving sticks or large rocks, demonstrating their will. But whatever they wanted to do required following the leader.


    The leader touched the forehead of the Vermilion Ape killed by Nathan. Its eyes suddenly widened as the final images before death were transmitted.


    Seeing everything, the leader panted heavily, growing even more enraged. But it still maintained enough control to not transform. If Nathan were here, he would have been terrified to death when its lips twitched once more and a voice emerged.


    "Hu...man..." the monster''s voice was hoarse, trembling with fury, "...killed...my...son."


    As if understanding everything, the Vermilion Apes became even more agitated.


    To answer his subordinates, the leader roared, swinging his arm to point in various directions.


    By now, the number of Vermilion Apes was far greater than when Nathan scouted as they had been called back. The leader watched three hundred of them disperse, the flames of hatred in his eyes illuminated by the day''s final rays of sunlight.


    He wanted revenge.

 Chapter 23

    Nathan lingered on the fringes of the Storm Peaks. The darkness had already claimed the terrain, making the trek back to camp unwise. He found himself at the edge where brittle trees braced against the promise of lush greenery just beyond. Last night¡¯s encounter with the Lunar Shadow had left him shaken¡ªa harrowing reminder that the nocturnal wilderness concealed far more terrors than just one predator.


    He stayed awake through the night, constantly monitoring PsiLink for information. Several discussion threads in the Verdant Spire Sect focused on inner disciples seeking guidance for their Tier 2 breakthrough, Xander among them. The spear-wielding disciple had thoroughly exploited his privileges to consult with all the elders. Other disciples reported seeing Xander prowling around the mountains, even near the Sect Leader''s palace. Only one post mentioned Zahra, who seemed to maintain a low profile. As for Keira, the inner sect factions had devolved into verbal warfare, each trying to disparage the others in hopes of swaying her opinion. Yet she remained uncommitted to any side.


    Though exhaustion weighed heavily on Nathan, an internal drive kept him alert and focused. His goals were clear, and he was determined to achieve them.


    At the first light of dawn, Nathan departed from Storm Peaks. Along the way, he harvested several Thunder Sage plants, their leaf veins glowing with electric blue lines for later use.


    Following his previous route back, he found the wolf carcasses had been picked clean by other creatures, leaving only bones. Ignoring the remains, he began scouting the area. According to PsiLink''s guidance, his target should be nearby.


    He maneuvered through the wilderness, avoiding unnecessary conflicts with the region¡¯s feral beasts. The effort was deliberate¡ªtime spent fighting here was time wasted. Eventually, a pungent stench clawed at his senses, forcing him to halt. It was a rancid, overpowering odor, sharp enough to nauseate. It polluted the air with a primal threat, as though the forest itself was issuing a warning.


    Nathan quickly tore two Thunder Sage leaves, rolled them into balls, and stuffed them in his nostrils. A crisp, clean scent replaced the foul stench. The residual electricity in the leaves shot straight to his brain, causing an invigorating shiver. Such a small electrical charge barely registered for him anymore.


    He continued forward, occasionally removing the Thunder Sage leaves to gauge the intensity of the stench before quickly replacing them. When the smell became nearly unbearable, he spotted rainbow-like auroras ahead, behind a massive tree root.


    Crouching low and moving carefully forward, he peered over a rock face. Before him were the Armor Scarabs. The monsters, each over a meter and a half in length, worked together rolling dung. Their wings, which reflected light and possessed remarkable hardness, gave the creatures their name. They gathered here because this sunken, slimy ground served as the waste disposal site for Burrower Herds. Mixed within were minerals refined through digestion, becoming significantly purer. The Armor Scarabs used these nutrients to reinforce their wing casings.


    Nathan squinted, the polluted air stinging his eyes. But he needed to harvest these wing casings for Storm Peaks. Looking down at the muck below, his determination wavered. He was already filthy enough - diving into that sludge would be the death of him.


    Patiently waiting, he allowed the Armor Scarabs to complete their task. When they began pushing their prizes away from the revolting depression, Nathan made his move.


    He circled to the right, targeting a medium-sized specimen whose wings were long enough to cover him from head to toe. Before engaging, he stuffed more Thunder Sage leaves into his nose. The intense aroma nearly made him choke but remained within tolerable limits. With sword and dagger in hand, he charged toward the creature.


    The targeted Armor Scarab''s antennae twitched upward, its head turning toward the approaching threat. Its sharp horn lowered, ready to meet the uninvited guest.


    Nathan threw himself into a slide across the ground, swinging his sword at the creature''s underside beneath its wings. A loud clang announced his failure. The beast''s underbelly possessed a crystal distribution mechanism for protection, not just its wings were fortified. The Armor Scarab reared up with an angry cry. Its sound startled Nathan, not for its horror, but because it resembled the laser gun effects from arcade game machines. The monster cared nothing for how amusing he found it, spinning around to transform its wings into deadly sharp blades.


    Nathan leaped backward, realizing these dung-eaters weren''t such easy prey after all. Trying again, he activated his passive skills'' standby state, increasing his speed. The monster now focused entirely on him, its eyes and antennae tracking his movement. As before, he targeted the creature''s underbelly. When one spot proved ineffective, he unflinchingly moved to another, his cuts and thrusts producing only discouraging clangs. Left with no alternative, he aimed for the Armor Scarab''s leg joints. This finally showed results, the monster immediately stumbling. However, it had already redirected minerals to protect its legs, so Nathan''s attack caused only minimal damage.


    He created distance between himself and the creature, forcefully blowing out the leaves in his nose and replacing them with fresh ones. The monster''s actions fell within his predictions. He knew its antennae, not its eyes, tracked his movements. They functioned similar to his [Martial Art Mastery] level 2, sensing spatial wavelengths to detect enemy movement. This meant they were also its weakness. But he wanted that to be his last resort, something he''d only do if absolutely necessary. He wasn''t someone who would abandon his plans when opportunity presented itself.


    When the monster attempted to flee, Nathan attacked, forcing it to stay. After all, it wasn''t a meat-eater; there was no reason for it to continue fighting. Removing all the Thunder Sage leaves, he stuffed them in his mouth to chew, preparing for the final clash.


    With an agonized roar, Nathan charged directly at the monster. The Armor Scarab recoiled in panic, its wings vibrating in rapid succession to call for help. Nathan had only a brief window to defeat it. He raised his sword and dagger to deflect the monster''s wing attacks. When it became dizzy and landed, he stood before its ugly face. The monster screamed, no longer in anger but in terror. In its fear, its stomach expelled all stored gases. Needless to say, the stench was overwhelming.


    Nathan endured the assault on his senses. Though he couldn''t smell it, he had to close his eyes, not daring to let the gas reach them. One hand covered his nose and mouth while the other thrust forward. The monster immediately channeled its crystal layer to the front, which meant it had to close its mouth. The wind blowing past him suddenly stopped, and he leaped up, swinging his dagger to sever the creature''s antennae.


    The Armor Scarab, having lost its life-preserving sensory organs, moved erratically, its wings extending and retracting unstably. It flew up then down, ramming its head into a tree trunk in self-inflicted injury. Nathan seized the moment to slash at its underbelly. The monster, no longer capable of quick reactions, sustained serious wounds. After a few more struggles, it collapsed in a pool of its pale yellow blood.


    Nathan wasted no time, approaching to break off its wings. Holding the two bulky wings in his hands, he smiled. The path to Storm Peaks drew ever closer.


    At this moment, the Armor Scarab''s companions arrived. They worked together to form what appeared to be an enormous sphere.


    "That is one big sphere of shit," Nathan yelled.


    He immediately fled, tucking the wings under his arms. The Armor Scarabs cried out in anguish, then hurled the brown sphere, glittering with crystals, toward Nathan.


    He channeled all his strength into his legs, utilizing every skill and ounce of power he possessed, shooting straight up into the air, arms and legs flailing. The bomb hit the ground with a loud thump, spreading throughout the forest behind him, splattering everywhere and earning hateful glares from other creatures toward Nathan. As for him, he placed the Armor Scarab''s wings beneath his feet, using them as a makeshift snowboard, landing and sliding down the slope while whooping in exhilaration.


    At the bottom of the hill, he clutched the wings and ran as fast as he could. Once he''d put enough distance between himself and the beetles, the stench clinging to his body began seeping into his nose. The Thunder Sage had lost its effect, and the pungent odor forced him to move quickly, letting the wind diminish its intensity.


    By midday, Nathan returned to his campsite, where the Blood Thirster''s blood had apparently served its purpose¡ªhis drying hides remained untouched. He followed the stream further downstream to bathe and catch some fish. The Ripple Hunters seemed to have developed a healthy fear of the area, sparing him any further trouble. The main problem was the persistent Armor Scarab stench; he needed to find more strongly scented plants to neutralize it, and he made a mental note to never approach those creatures again.


    Before eating, he retrieved the hides soaking in the tanning solution. After confirming their quality was satisfactory, he set them out to dry in the sun. Once they dried, he''d have his own bag, perfect for collecting flowers or leaves like Thunder Sage without crushing them. With the meal finished, it was time for the most crucial task¡ªcultivation breakthrough.


    He had already reached Phase 2.9 before arriving at Storm Peaks. The essence from the Spine Wolves and Armor Scarab had accumulated sufficiently for him to push through the wall before him. Closing his eyes to center himself, he circulated the essence throughout his body, letting it prick at his muscles and skin like countless tiny needles. And before he knew it, Nathan broke through to Tier 1 Phase 3 on his Physical Cultivation path.


    His skin once again expelled impure fluids. After cleaning himself one more time, he began tinkering with his equipment. Taking one of the Armor Scarab wings, he used Blood Thirster''s serrated blade edge to cut it into small, sharp pieces. He fashioned them into arm guards that could serve both defensive and offensive purposes. The remaining pieces he set aside for other projects. After all, he only needed one wing large enough to cover his frame.


    He squinted and flexed his fist, uncertain of his current strength level. Selecting a tree trunk near the stream, he used only his raw power, without skills or mana. Crack. His punch shattered the outer bark, imprinting a clear fist-shaped mark into the inner wood. The tree shook violently, dropping unfortunate leaves. His eyes widened at his own strength. According to Berserker knowledge, Phase 3 shouldn''t enable such feats. By his calculations, he possessed strength equivalent to Phase 6. This had to be a benefit of his bloodline.


    Testing again with passive skills active, the tree emitted a loud crack before leaning to one side. Though not completely broken, it was thoroughly deformed, with wood fibers jutting out jaggedly.


    Nathan examined his hand, smiling proudly at his physical prowess. If he were to return to the outer disciples'' tournament now, no one would withstand his One-inch punch. However, his rivals approaching Tier 2 would possess basic Mana Shield skills. Whether his strikes could penetrate such protection remained uncertain. But most importantly, his confidence had grown. No matter how formidable the defense, with sufficient power behind his punch, nothing was impossible.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    He spent half an hour practicing movements to stretch and heat up his body. To increase intensity, he found two large rocks to use as makeshift weights. After just a few sets, he was gasping for breath, still far from matching the Vermilion Apes'' rock-throwing abilities. Only when he could throw rocks would he feel confident facing these ape-like monsters. Better yet would be catching the rocks, using them to deflect attacks or throw them back. For now, the thought of being stoned to death made him shudder.


    After training, Nathan crafted baskets and completed his equipment preparations. Once finished, he climbed a tree to sleep, exhausted from staying awake all night and maintaining such high activity levels.


    He awoke to the sounds of Ripple Hunters wrestling with a brown bear in the water. The large animal struggled to resist but had lost too much blood from the monsters'' deep bites. Nathan could only bow his head in respectful condolence, understanding all too well how painful their bites could be.


    Darkness was falling, and he had work to do. After dressing and equipping himself fully, he ventured into the descending night.


    This marked his first attempt at such an endeavor. To be safe, he created a perimeter around his campsite, setting up kindling for long-lasting fires. If trouble arose, he would sprint back as fast as possible.


    His destination was the site where the four wolves had died the previous day. When he arrived at the battlefield, an eerie silence prevailed, broken only by distant calls of creatures or monsters. The crescent moon hung high, casting down barely enough light for visibility. He dared not bring fire, fearing it would alert his target and prevent its appearance.


    He chose a position between a tree trunk and surrounding rocks that created a small clearing for observation. Thanks to PsiLink, he clearly remembered where the four Spine Wolf corpses had lain. He only hoped he hadn''t missed his opportunity by waiting a day.


    As the moon reached its zenith, he spotted it. Without [Better Vision], he would have needed much longer to notice. Through the trunks and branches, a small light appeared in the distance. It emanated a sickly, ethereal green glow. Its aura flickered constantly. It approached very slowly but never stopped. Gradually it grew larger, and one could see it was an otherworldly flame, extraordinary even by Cultivator standards. Green fire heralded ill omens.


    The floating light advanced. As it drew nearer, its outline became clearer. It sat atop a skeletal pillar. The pillar appeared to be wood at first glance, yet remained unburned by the flames.


    Sound finally reached him clearly. Heavy thuds hitting the ground indicated the entity ahead was not small.


    When passing clouds revealed the moonlight, its form became visible. A withered tree trunk bearing green fire at its crown appeared, as if the flame were its head. Surrounding branches moved stiffly, but their tips were sharp as spears. It moved on powerful tree roots that crawled above the ground.


    The Wood Wraith stood between moonlight and shadow, terrifyingly magnificent. The fist-sized green flame trembled as if savoring something delightful.


    The monster drew closer to Nathan''s position. It halted a short distance away. Its head lowered, branch-tips stabbing into the ground. Mana energy and nutrients flowed into the dried trunk. The flame grew larger.


    Nathan had to rub his eyes several times to believe what he saw¡ªthe flame was forming a mouth. But no eyes or nose appeared. When the mouth grew large enough, sucking sounds became clearly audible. Yet no wind stirred, no earth flew upward, no leaves were pulled along, even as the sucking grew stronger with nutrients flowing from roots and branches to feed the flame.


    Then it happened. Four other green lights rose from the ground. They were mostly smoke-like, writhing in form. Occasionally, clear images appeared¡ªthe four Spine Wolves. They twisted in mid-air, as if terrified. Their mouths howled silently, jaws contorted in desperate pleas.


    The sucking grew nearly deafening. The four souls, bound by invisible threads, were slowly drawn toward the Wood Wraith.


    Having observed enough, Nathan stood up. His moment had arrived.


    Bracing his foot against the rock behind him, he cracked his neck and launched forward with all his might. The rock, dislodged from its decades-old position, kicked up dust.


    Using his shoulder as the point of impact, he rammed straight into the Wood Wraith. With his newfound strength, he felt confident in affecting the four-meter-tall corpse. Evidence of his success came as the monster staggered. Its body''s movement pulled several roots and branches from the ground, disrupting its energy supply. The sucking sound diminished and the four Spine Wolf souls writhed more violently, their green smoke seemingly ready to dissipate into the air. Their faces, flickering in and out of visibility, showed joy, howling in silent celebration of victory.


    The Wood Wraith twisted its upper body toward Nathan, the flame dancing furiously. Its anger required no facial expression to be felt. It shifted targets, commanding its branches to attack the new enemy.


    Nathan used the Armor Scarab wing as a shield, deflecting the monster''s razor-sharp strikes. Simultaneously, he wielded his sword in his right hand to parry the branches that moved with surprising dexterity. Sparks flew from both shield and sword, validating his expectations. The Wood Wraith''s bark ranked among the hardest of all monsters in Moirath Forest, necessarily so to serve as a vessel for the spirit fire.


    The Spine Wolf souls began dissipating faster, causing visible tension in the Wood Wraith. It pulled up more roots, using them to support its branches.


    Nathan moved swiftly in circles, occasionally reversing direction to close the distance, seeking an opening. The Wood Wraith''s branches didn''t function like tentacles, lacking flexibility¡ªthey could only attack rigidly like spears thrusting forward. Speaking of spears, he had plenty of experience dealing with those.


    The monster gradually realized Nathan wasn''t an easy opponent and abandoned its focus on the souls to concentrate solely on attacking him. But no matter how it tried, he kept getting closer. The flame atop its head flared. The branches, as if receiving a specific command, bent at forty-five-degree angles to dip their tips into the flame. Then they snapped outward, shooting straight at Nathan.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Seeing the system notification, Nathan immediately utilized his remaining [Quick Feet] effect, dodging to the side. The branch tips struck a thicket behind him. It caught fire, but not like normal flame spreading from leaves to roots. The leaves remained green while the trunk suddenly transformed from dark brown to pitch black like charcoal, the effect creeping upward until the leaves yellowed and fell.


    Shuddering, Nathan reminded himself to be careful. According to PsiLink''s warnings, the Wood Wraith''s fire could drain living beings'' vitality, accelerating the aging process. He relied on evidence suggesting the effect was weak against bloodlines with robust physical attributes like dragons or phoenixes. Though no source mentioned Titans, he reasoned he could endure some exposure. Afterward, he could use his [Cooking] knowledge to prepare meals that would restore vitality.


    That was the theory, but he genuinely wanted to avoid this complication entirely. He maintained his agile evasion despite the Wood Wraith''s increased speed, evidenced by its flame burning through more energy.


    After maneuvering for some time, Nathan finally got close enough to the Wood Wraith. Using every ounce of strength and his system skills, he swung the sharp edge of the Armor Scarab wing down at one of the monster''s strongest roots.


    The strike didn''t completely sever the root but bent it at an awkward angle. Still, it sufficed. The Wood Wraith felt no pain, but its flame pulsed erratically. It seemed to realize it had lost control of that root, making movement more difficult. It pulled back all its branches and twigs, then bristled like a porcupine.


    Nathan didn''t flinch at this display, blocking everything with his armguards. When the monster prepared to strike again, he continued destroying its roots. After several exchanges, the Wood Wraith lost all mobility.


    When he swung himself up to the flame''s position and grabbed the wooden connection between it and the trunk, all branches and twigs froze. He had seized the flame''s connection point to its body¡ªor more accurately, the corpse it had possessed.


    The flame trembled violently, its tongues throwing off small fragments that fell downward. As they grazed Nathan''s skin, he felt an inexplicable chill. It wasn''t normal cold, but something otherworldly, as if it affected something other than his flesh. He shifted his fingers to avoid the flames, minimizing contact.


    With his free hand, he dropped the shield and pulled two hemisphere-shaped pieces from his clothes. These were crafted from the Armor Scarab wing. He only needed to trap the flame before him in this sphere and pull it from the tree trunk¡ªthen the flame would gradually fade. Otherwise, it would seek another dead tree, cultivating to become another Wood Wraith. Naturally, he didn''t want a monster as intelligent as a Wood Wraith surviving. He wouldn''t sleep peacefully knowing it lived.


    The green flame flared intensely, gathering power and aiming to shoot in one direction, hoping to escape. But its speed compared to Nathan''s was far too slow, and he caught it with one half of the sphere. Releasing his grip on the neural wood section, he jumped backward, using the other half of the sphere to complete the flame''s prison.


    He landed on the ground, hands struggling to hold tight as the flame shot wildly inside. The space lost its green shade, leaving only the ivory white of moonlight.


    As Nathan was using sap to seal the sphere, the flame inside imploded.


    A tremendous suction force unlike anything before emanated from the sphere in Nathan''s hands. The nearly-dissipated Spine Wolf souls were instantly pulled inside, passing through the Armor Scarab shell. Ambient Mana also became disturbed, drawn in as blue light points rushing inward. Most terrifyingly, the life force of surrounding things was also absorbed. Green smoke trails from trees, leaves, and grass were all pulled in. The vegetation visibly withered before his eyes. And Nathan, standing closest, felt something of his own slipping away. He couldn''t identify it clearly, but instinct told him it wasn''t good. He immediately dropped the sphere. It maintained its structure thanks to the adhesive, rolling forward.


    Then, an explosion occurred inside the sphere, breaking the adhesive seal and releasing a shockwave accompanied by the agonized screams of absorbed souls. The two Armor Scarab hemispheres remained undamaged but lay far apart. The green flame, now barely rice-grain sized, drifted upward. It flickered unstably between sickly green and ethereal white, teetering on the edge of collapse. It needed a vessel immediately. Then, in fury, it shot toward Nathan, leaving behind images of monsters it had absorbed, unfortunate trees transformed into Wood Wraiths. It would seek a new shelter to await its revival.


    Nathan wasn''t particularly worried about this, having anticipated it. But it seemed his preparations were unnecessary.


    When the flame shot toward Nathan''s chest with light-speed velocity, its existence ended. It passed through his bodily barriers, charging into the central area where energy was strongest. But something more terrifying awaited there. The same thing that had blocked Darkan''s spirit outside. The black vortex consumed the flame. The green spark tried to resist but dissolved even faster. Its memories were pulled apart by the vortex itself¡ªfrom being a squirrel''s soul killed by monsters while eating nuts, to becoming hateful fire, maturing amidst forest energy, then possessing weak creatures. Day by day, it developed into a soul-devouring flame, gaining unprecedented power to control dead trees or animals. Finally achieving revenge as a Wood Wraith. And now here it was, its soul devoured by something incomprehensible. Its consciousness, after years of cultivation, understood enough to know what was happening and felt no more regret, choosing to let go.


    Nathan looked at his chest where the flame had pierced through, exhaling deeply. Spirit flames like this would have terrified him without research, but knowledge dispelled fear. He only needed to return to Verdant Spire Sect and pay to have it removed. Surely in this world''s long development history, someone must have researched this issue. What he didn''t know was that the soul flame had already met its doom within his body.


    Rising cheerfully, Nathan used his knife and the Armor Scarab''s sharp edge to collect his spoils. Finding the right grain in the tree trunk, he could easily peel off the bark while maintaining its integrity.


    When the Wood Wraith''s body was reduced to a hollow, honeycomb-like shell, long dead and devoid of nutrients, Nathan packed everything up to leave.


    Just then, an angry howl pierced the air. Following it came rustling sounds through the forest canopy.


    Nathan immediately dropped all the Wood Wraith bark, seeking cover. It seemed the green flame''s death throes had attracted unwanted guests.


    A Great Spine Wolf leaped out into his view. It stood much taller than its subordinates, over two meters high with hand-sized fangs protruding sharply. The bones on its back resembled deadly spears, making ominous crackling sounds as it moved. It lowered its head to sniff, then went directly to where the Spine Wolf souls had appeared. Its eyes gradually turned red, nose wrinkling as it raised its head to howl. The sound made Nathan''s heart sink as he hid.


    Definitely a Tier 2 monster, he silently dreaded, calculating escape routes. He hadn¡¯t prepared for this.


    But things weren''t over yet.


    Beneath the moonbeams came very slight, silent movement. Only careful observation would notice it. The Great Spine Wolf seemed to smell something and threw back its head, baring its teeth forward though nothing visible faced it.


    Then, as if accepting the challenge, Lunar Shadow materialized. Its stealth state dissolved, revealing an equally massive wolf form. Its two tails swayed with apparent pleasure. The lordly silver-white fur contrasted sharply with the Great Spine Wolf''s crude gray coat.


    Nathan couldn''t suppress a surge of excitement.


    He was about to witness two Tier 2 monsters battle.


    Lunar Shadow versus Great Spine Wolf.

 Chapter 24

    The Great Spine Wolf, provoked by Lunar Shadow''s contemptuous gaze, let out furious growls. It sought higher ground on a rocky outcrop to stand at equal height, as if asserting its worth.


    Nathan was torn between fleeing and staying to observe. After all, Lunar Shadow was his ultimate target, and any chance to study and analyze it could only be beneficial.


    His mind, ever searching for ways to exploit system skills, led him to discreetly pinch himself. Like [Rebound], [Quick Feet] accepted self-inflicted attacks. The only hindrance was when [Rebound] activated, pushing away his attacking hand. The end result remained unchanged - he would maintain increased leg speed, which combined with other techniques and skills should ensure his escape. He just needed to avoid being overwhelmed like his first encounter with Lunar Shadow.


    Decision made, he regulated his breathing, making it rhythmic and silent, focusing intently on the two monsters.


    Lunar Shadow snorted disdainfully at the Great Spine Wolf''s display. A ruler''s position had to be earned, not merely claimed. Leading a pack of scrawny wolves was hardly grounds for such arrogance.


    The Great Spine Wolf bristled with rage, evidenced by its bristling fur and the rattling bone spines along its back. Its patience exhausted, it lunged forward, baring razor-sharp fangs aimed at its opponent''s throat.


    Lunar Shadow remained motionless, watching with calm disdain. As the Great Spine Wolf was about to land, it moved with swift grace to the side, its feet seeming to float in mid-air. It slammed its head into what it considered an inferior creature.


    Two successive thuds rang out - one when the Great Spine Wolf was struck, another when it hit the ground, sending dirt and vegetation flying. It sprang back up on all fours, snorting in frustration, treating the previous blow as insignificant. This was merely the beginning; it wouldn''t concede so easily. With a howl, it leaped again. This time, instead of using its mouth, it curved its back to point its jagged bone spines forward, spinning mid-air like a saw blade.


    The silver-furred creature''s black eyes regarded the incoming attack with curiosity rather than fear. Its two tails curved upward, sweeping toward the Great Spine Wolf. Two wind slashes formed, striking the bone-covered back. The attacker, forced to halt mid-air by the impact, straightened its body for landing.


    The Great Spine Wolf, once again finding itself looking up at Lunar Shadow, growled in defiance. Realizing it couldn''t approach its opponent for close combat, it changed tactics. It lowered its stance, arching its back forward. Clicking sounds emerged. The joints in its spine released white smoke. Immediately, bone spears shot forth, aimed directly at its enemy.


    This time, Lunar Shadow was forced to move, jumping back and forth using invisible footholds in the air. Where its feet landed, silver ripples spread out in beautiful patterns. Its body danced with silver fur reflecting moonlight in captivating ways. The only limitation was that these platforms couldn''t go higher, remaining at a mid-level height from the ground.


    Exploiting this limitation while Lunar Shadow couldn''t truly fly away, the Great Spine Wolf lunged forward, its speed far surpassing its initial charge. It successfully sank its fangs into Lunar Shadow''s neck. But as it gleefully prepared to wrench its opponent''s throat, everything turned to air. There was no neck in its jaws at all. It smacked its lips in confusion, sniffing again before turning around. Lunar Shadow hadn''t moved from its original position, its gaze still carrying that same contemptuous look.


    The beautiful creature grew increasingly bored, no longer interested in playing. Its silver tails swayed. Unlike before, its fur began to glow with a pure white radiance. When the light reached its peak, it swept two curved arcs through the air, striking the snarling Great Spine Wolf with terrifying speed.


    Unable to dodge, the Great Spine Wolf took the full brunt of the attack. The residual force sent it sliding backward. When the two Crescent Moon Slashes ended, its body bore two deep gashes despite using its bone back for defense. One wound on its chest barely missed its vital organs, another on its hind thigh. It whimpered in pain, shocked by Lunar Shadow''s damage output. When it tried to move, the two wounds flared with silver light, causing it to howl and collapse. Lunar Shadow''s technique wasn''t so simple; the Moon Scars it left behind were truly a nightmare for anyone afflicted.


    As a Tier 2 monster, the Great Spine Wolf could use mana like a cultivator. It projected energy outward, trying to expel whatever clung to the two slash wounds. This action somewhat reduced the Moon Scar effect, allowing it to move enough to stand.


    Suddenly, Lunar Shadow materialized from the darkness, standing majestically above the Great Spine Wolf. Its foot pressed on the enemy''s wound, causing the Moon Scar to flare brilliantly once more.


    The Great Spine Wolf thrashed, swinging its front limbs to try and claw at the foot pinning it down. But its front legs were sliced by two smaller Crescent Moon Slashes, rendering them useless as blood sprayed out.


    Lunar Shadow bared its teeth with a growl. That sound made the Great Spine Wolf cower, whimpering pathetically. With one final desperate will, the gaunt wolf monster twisted its body, attempting to shoot newly grown bone spines from its back. Lunar Shadow snorted in irritation, jaws clamping directly onto its opponent''s throat. The Great Spine Wolf convulsed in pain, causing the bone spears to fire randomly.


    One spear shot straight at Nathan, causing him to exhale sharply. This drew Lunar Shadow''s glance, but at that position, there was no trace of anyone - only a lingering scent it despised.


    Lunar Shadow clenched its jaws, ending the Great Spine Wolf''s life. Tonight, it would savor the delicacy its prey provided - a monster core.


    Nathan ran even faster than during his previous encounter with Lunar Shadow. He wasn''t foolish enough to stand there watching how things would end or harboring vain hopes of claiming spoils. He would return tomorrow morning.


    Reaching his campsite well past midnight, Nathan collapsed and drank water desperately to steady his nerves. The battle between the two monsters had broadened his knowledge. Their raw strength alone was terrifying, not to mention their speed. The Great Spine Wolf was only slow compared to an aberration like Lunar Shadow but was by no means lacking. Combined with its bone layer functioning as armor, Nathan figured he needed not just superior speed but absolute precision to stand a chance. He would definitely avoid confronting a Great Spine Wolf before reaching Tier 2 in Physical Cultivation from now on. Monsters naturally possessed better physical attributes than normal humans, and with their ability to use mana at Tier 2, they became even more dangerous. Engaging without thorough preparation would be like offering oneself as meat to these creatures.


    Lunar Shadow... he pondered.


    Tilting his head back, he cursed.


    "Master, what were you thinking?"


    Of course, no one answered him.


    Nathan understood all too well how dangerous Moirath Forest was, and now there was that infuriating Lunar Shadow on top of everything. Not only did it possess stealth abilities and could create illusions, but its attacks were also incredibly troublesome. The monster was truly overwhelming, and Nathan suspected this wasn''t even its full capability.


    At this thought, he suddenly realized something was amiss. A part of his [Improved Pattern Recognition] skill was working in his subconscious.


    Activating his PsiLink screen to function as a desktop, he pulled up all the recorded images from the recent battle. Then, he placed the video from his first encounter with Lunar Shadow alongside for comparison. He couldn''t believe his eyes and, hoping his thinking was wrong, let a program he''d just created in PsiLink work with the available data to produce the most accurate figures.


    After a moment, the program returned results that made his heart skip a beat.


    Theory confirmed after verification: Lunar Shadow has increased in size by 4.47%.


    Nathan stared intently at the number on his PsiLink screen, his throat turning dry. 4.47%. Not a huge number, but given the growth rate of monsters in Moirath Forest, this was inconceivable. He skimmed through his old notes - normal monsters needed a full year to increase their size by 1%. Lunar Shadow was developing twenty times faster than that. After all, this forest was just a training ground for disciples Tier 2 and below. At its current rate, Lunar Shadow was on track to evolve into a Tier 3 monster within months.


    Once again, he cursed.


    "Master, what were you thinking?"


    But surely Darkan had his own intentions. Nathan knew his master had a notorious reputation. However, the care he showed when passing down the Berserker legacy had left a different impression. If he had brought Lunar Shadow here for Nathan, then it must have some special significance. A gift paving the way for his future. If Nathan handled this training poorly, then in Darkan''s style, this reward would be forfeit. He would rather throw it away than give it to Nathan if he proved unworthy.


    This thought restored his spirit. He had thought his own growth rate was fast enough, but clearly it wasn''t. Once Lunar Shadow broke through to Tier 3, the game would be over. He wouldn''t be able to find enough materials to reach Tier 3 in Physical Cultivation. More importantly, it would disrupt the ecosystem''s balance, becoming a thorn in the side of other powers. Darkan might be careless but he was lazy. He would resolve the problem before it caused trouble.


    After some training, Nathan rested to recover his spirit. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of doubling his training regimen.


    He returned to collect Wood Wraith bark from last night''s battlefield and improve it. The image of the Great Spine Wolf lying eviscerated, its core extracted, remained vivid in his mind. He cut the Wood Wraith bark into a proper square shield. Then, he mixed Burrower Herds'' shells and gathered crystals with tree sap. He coated the outer layer of the Wood Wraith bark with this mixture, shaping it into spiral patterns with grooves, each channel calculated to direct electrical current in a specific direction. This method both enhanced electrical resistance and dispersed impact force. To be thorough, he crafted the shield in two layers, with another Wood Wraith bark layer separated by an air gap for heat dissipation.


    Nathan returned to Storm Peaks after two days of preparation, early in the morning.


    The previous Bolt Raven flock welcomed him with deadly lightning-charged dives. The wooden shield immediately proved its worth. After his modifications, electricity struggled to penetrate the defensive layer. Most satisfying was how the ravens got stuck on the shield when they struck too hard. Exploiting this, he slammed one clinging to his shield into the ground. Essence from the corpse immediately flowed into his body.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Pleased with his plan''s effectiveness, he advanced without fear. Left hand holding the wooden shield, right hand wielding the Armor Scarab shield, he moved as if strolling through his own backyard. The Bolt Ravens recognized his dangerous presence, changing their attack pattern to focus on his back and the gaps between his two shields. But this wasn''t enough to breach the Blood Thirster armor enhanced with Armor Scarab fragments. The aerial monsters screeched in frustration, their beaks nearly cracking as they kept diving at the human.


    Nathan, buffed by [Quick Feet], moved swiftly, dancing between the black projectiles trailing electricity. Remembering how he triggered [Rebound] during his desperate fight with Blood Thirster by biting his inner cheek, he successfully activated [Quick Feet]. Thanks to this, even with both hands occupied and unable to flick or pinch himself, he could use the skill without hindrance.


    His next obstacle appeared as Cloud Deer rose lazily, snorting in displeasure at the human. The Bolt Ravens received the signal, spreading their formation in the sky as before. Cloud Deer first shot lightning from the electric clouds surrounding its antlers. The Armor Scarab''s wing extended, deflecting the lightning bolt diagonally away. Nathan rejoiced as his calculations continued to work smoothly.


    Seeing this, Cloud Deer switched to its second attack, gathering electricity to fire at the Bolt Ravens above. A rain of lightning bolts descended after chain lightning activated between the bird monsters.


    Nathan raised his Wood Wraith shield to block. He didn''t regularly use the Armor Scarab unless certain of the reflection direction because reflected lightning could strengthen the rain of electricity when hitting Bolt Ravens. The lightning rain struck the wooden shield, but thanks to the insulating layers, it only spread across the surface without penetrating to reach Nathan.


    He laughed aloud, continuing to move with his makeshift umbrella overhead. The lightning strikes still pressured him like small explosions, but with the spiral coating, force-dispersing grooves, and his current physical condition, it wasn''t too problematic. His movement slowed but didn''t stop.


    Seeing this, Cloud Deer still had energy to split off a lightning bolt toward him. But it was immediately deflected by the Armor Scarab wing. Lightning moved frantically around him, some finding paths to strike his skin. [Living Resistor] was enough to resist this minor stray damage.


    Moirath Forest never lacked surprises. Since being invaded, this area of Storm Peaks had received reinforcements. The Thunder Crystal Frog was a treasure of the entire area, its lightning-aspected essence water affecting all monsters here. So when the treasure was targeted, the monsters would seek to protect it. The monsters had prepared for Nathan¡¯s comeback.


    The Cloud Deer attacking Nathan gradually depleted its mana in the hazy cloud. Not being a Tier 2 monster, it couldn''t hold mana in its body to fuel the attack, only resting and recharging from the environment. But it wasn''t worried, as two companions had arrived from either side.


    Nathan startled at the two Cloud Deers'' arrival. Having barely rested from the lightning rain, two new electric charges were fed into the Bolt Ravens. This time, the lightning intensity was stronger, making the wooden shield tremble in his hand. [Rebound] activated more for show than effect. These lightning attacks were classified as mana attacks, with effects as small as fingernails, the reason the skill weren''t counted as Rare.


    The downward force from above grew increasingly heavy, as if he were carrying a boulder while moving. Worse, the increasing intensity was heating the shield''s outer layer, approaching combustible temperatures.


    Nathan could stop here and call it a day. He could return later with better preparation. But thinking of Lunar Shadow''s continuing development made him grit his teeth, determined to continue.


    His steps still moved forward, but each one became more difficult. Heat unable to dissipate from the shield made him sweat. He figured his temporary adhesive was gradually melting, and soon the outer layer would slip off the Wood Wraith bark.


    The initial Cloud Deer had finished recharging, clouds around its antlers as thick as before. Seeing electricity arc through the clouds, Nathan had an idea. With [Martial Art Mastery]''s help in quickly familiarizing him with weapons, his two shields served not just defense but also offense.


    When the Cloud Deer tried to join in finishing Nathan, he threw the Armor Scarab shield. The shield flew through the air like a surfboard in a perfect arc, precisely hitting the incoming lightning at the right angle. The deflected lightning bolt struck another Cloud Deer directly in the chest. Though immune to electricity, the explosion from the impact made it stagger, interrupting one energy source for the Bolt Ravens.


    Not finished, Nathan threw an Armor Scarab fragment he''d used as chest armor. A similar scene played out, with lightning striking the third Cloud Deer. The lightning rain front was disrupted, reducing the power and downward force on the wooden shield. Seeing the distance was just right and the overhead burden lessened, Nathan unleashed his reserved techniques. Using [Amplifying Strike] and [Flowing Strike] to kick off the ground, he launched forward, grabbing the Armor Scarab shield. After securing it, he added [Rebound] to his movement. Two pushing forces created small waves under his feet, propelling him forward like wind. He landed near the closest Cloud Deer, swinging the Armor Scarab wing to decapitate it. Without time to feel the Essence flowing into him, he raised the wooden shield to block attacks from the airborne Bolt Ravens.


    Taking a deep breath, he moved to his next target with similar style. The second Cloud Deer fell with a shrill cry, its electricity-filled antlers crackling weakly as the clouds dissipated. Seeing this, the third one fled, abandoning the Bolt Ravens still bombarding from above, which Nathan ignored entirely.


    Collecting his chest armor piece, he advanced to the lake''s edge. When he arrived, the Bolt Ravens withdrew. This was higher-tier monsters'' territory; let them handle this human.


    The Thunder Crystal Frog wasn''t in its previous position. This time, Nathan had time to take in his surroundings. The lake stretched into the distance, its limits obscured by mist rising from lightning strikes. Around the lake was green vegetation alongside withered trees. Most notable were the Thunder Grapes, an energy-rich fruit popular with Lightning Aspect Cultivators. For Nathan, [Cooking] provided another benefit - brewing wine.


    Not forgetting his promise to Orin, he gathered grapes into his newly crafted bag while skirting the lakeshore. After some time, he finally spotted it. A creature with smooth, damp blue skin, croaking contentedly in shallow water.


    He dared target the Thunder Crystal Frog because they lacked speed like Cloud Deer and could be caught if one was fast enough. The main issue was its natural guardian. Sure enough, as he approached, a Lightning Strider appeared. The bug-like monster with its long body tilted its tiny eye to warn Nathan. Its four legs stood on the water''s surface as if weightless. But Nathan knew better, as he had already sprung forward, striking at the monster with his wooden shield. Shrieking, Lightning Strider used its speed to react, ramming Nathan back with its body. He was knocked back a distance, eyes still fixed on that dim-witted frog. Though it fled, it didn''t hide, seemingly confident in Lightning Strider''s protection.


    Lightning Strider took its first steps, eyes locked onto Nathan. He remained unfazed, having prepared for this and already formulated a battle plan. Not every monster was as exceptional as Lunar Shadow, where all preparation became futile. He was no longer the naive newcomer to Moirath Forest he''d been days ago.


    The monster, confident in its attack capabilities, executed Lightning Step. It became a lightning bolt with incredible speed, leaving the water''s surface, swinging its front legs toward Nathan. Though hidden underwater before, its legs were now visible, equipped with hidden blades as jagged as Blood Thirster''s.


    Nathan thrust the Wood Wraith shield forward. The monster immediately crashed into it. Before his eyes, electricity sparked everywhere, arcing from the ground straight at him. The damage wasn''t severe, but enough to make his body stiffen. [Living Resistor] prevented the water in his body from evaporating.


    Another Lightning Step came; Nathan planted the Armor Scarab shield behind him, leaving only his sides undefended. The monster struck from his left, meeting the hand armor he''d already raised. Its front leg''s blade grazed his cheek, leaving a long bloody gash that instantly dried as electricity coursed through it. Squinting through the sizzling and smoke, Nathan flashed a crooked smile at the monster.


    It retreated, using a third Lightning Step. Same speed as before. Nathan lowered himself. The attack came from above. The monster seemed unsurprised by Nathan''s evasion. It executed its second skill. Lightning Pulse was released. Electric rings burst from the monster''s center in an instant. Nathan kicked the Armor Scarab shield upward to block attacks from above while sheltering behind the Wood Wraith shield against frontal assault.


    Lightning Pulse didn''t stop there. While releasing this technique, the monster transformed the surrounding space into an Electric Field. Once charged, there would be nowhere to hide within the cage. As the strongest conductor in the area, Nathan attracted the lightning the monster emitted. He endured as electricity slipped through joints and gaps in his body. He had calculated this beforehand; with an intensity only slightly higher than his previous skin-burning experience, he could withstand it.


    Lightning Strider finished its attack sequence. It looked down at its target. If it had a face for expression, it would surely show disbelief. That damned human was flashing a bright white smile with charred black skin.


    "My turn," Nathan growled.


    After three consecutive Lightning Steps, the monster needed time to recharge. Lightning Pulse was similar, giving it a recovery period for counterattacks. The monster couldn''t comprehend how until now, this combination would have either killed or at least incapacitated even a Tier 2 monster like Great Spine Wolf. Yet this human could still move. And he was moving very fast.


    Nathan hurled his shield straight at the monster''s head. His throw was so powerful that the shield''s edge shattered its jaw, sending it reeling back in a flash of green blood, squealing in agony. Smiling proudly at his strength, he leaped up, using the Armor Scarab shield to slash Lightning Strider''s underbelly. Foul-smelling blood rained down on his head. The monster stumbled, falling to one side.


    Ignoring Lightning Strider, he looked ahead. Mist shrouded the lake like an opaque white curtain, occasionally illuminated by lightning flashes revealing the tiny Crystal Thunder Frog watching its Lightning Strider friend. The small monster only now showed fear, jumping up to swing its lightning-wrapped tongue at Nathan. He laughed loudly, grabbing the red tongue directly. The electricity from the small monster only invigorated his mind. After battling various lightning monsters, he had roughly gauged [Living Resistor]''s electrical resistance. The frog''s level wasn''t enough.


    With a yank, he pulled his coveted target toward himself. The Lightning Strider stirred, watching everything unwillingly. Lightning Step and Lightning Pulse had recharged by absorbing environmental electricity, but it had lost too much blood. With a groan, the monster perished.


    Nathan savored the exhilarating sensation as essence flooded into him. He divided some mental focus to cultivate the excess. It wouldn''t be very effective, but better than wasting it.


    He smiled at the Thunder Crystal Frog, playfully touching its mouth tip affectionately, fondling the crystal sac attached to its back. Of course, he wouldn''t kill it. How long would this ecosystem take to produce another Thunder Crystal Frog?


    "Bear with it a bit, buddy," he consoled.


    Speaking thus, he took out his water bottle, inverting the frog to let essence solution drip from the crystal sac''s crack. In just a minute, all the solution had drained. He calculated it would take two sips to finish. Still, that was enough; this low-grade bottle couldn''t preserve the solution''s quality anyway.


    Flipping the frog back over, he tapped its mouth tip again, smiling brightly.


    "See you next time, little friend. Bring some friends to play next time, okay?"


    Task complete, he tossed it back to its natural habitat. The frog turned its head to look at him, its large round eyes unclear whether expressing gratitude or annoyance at a human taking all its hard-gathered results.


    Retrieving his items, Nathan packed up to leave. The high sun indicated it was still early, enough time to return to his campsite. He was too eager to cultivate the essence solution he''d just collected.


    Following his familiar path, Nathan relied on the safe route he''d previously mapped on PsiLink without issue.


    The sky was tilting toward dusk when he neared the stream. But what awaited him wasn''t the familiar features he expected. His sleeping tree had been uprooted, toppled to one side. His usual fireplace was torn apart, wood scattered across the ground. The dirt mounds he''d built for tanning solution were also destroyed. Around them, gutted Ripple Hunters stared at the sky with dead eyes. The sunset''s red-orange light painted everything with a deathly hue.


    Nathan narrowed his eyes, crouching to hide in a thicket, observing his dwelling. Anger rather than fear welled up inside him. Any monster daring to attack must be high-level, around phase 7 or 8 to dare cross the boundary with Blood Thirster''s scent deterrent. This puzzled him as he remembered checking the surroundings. Within a kilometer radius, no such monster existed. Crystal Mauler was closest but preferred Burrower blood to water. Even if it had come here, there was no reason for it to dig everything up like this.


    While silently observing to understand what happened, the system notification popped up.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    The familiar chill ran straight from his feet to his head. Hidden among the bushes at the campsite, a pair of orange eyes lowered from the tree canopy it was hiding in, looking at him. Then came a second pair, a third. Over a dozen pairs.


    Without thinking further, he turned and ran.


    The pack of Vermilion Apes howled, giving chase.

 Chapter 25

    A boulder whizzed past Nathan''s right side, slamming into the ground with a bone-chilling thud.


    More than ten Vermilion Apes pursued him. Half of them leaped and ran on the ground, hurling deadly boulders. The other half swung through the trees, launching branches they snapped off along the way. Fortunately, Nathan was equipped with his two shields. He had the Wood Wraith shield strapped to his back, while his free hand wielded the Armor Scarab.


    Glancing back, he spotted a rock hurtling straight toward him. He pivoted, his right hand already swinging the shield through the air in a precise rhythm - four, six, and twelve. As the rock approached, he met it with the Armor Scarab shield, channeling all his strength and passive skills into the defense.


    [Rebound] activated, completely nullifying the force. The boulder hung suspended for a fraction of a second, defying all laws of physics. When Nathan''s counter-strike connected, it sent the rock flying back toward the Vermilion Ape that had thrown it. The creature snorted, flexing both arms as it raised them to catch the projectile without any apparent difficulty. Its feet left two long furrows in the earth as it was pushed backward. Overall, it remained unharmed. Then it gripped the newly reclaimed weapon, gathering strength for another throw.


    Nathan shook his head in dismay at these monsters'' capabilities. He accelerated, making the boulder sail past where he would have been had he maintained his previous pace.


    He launched himself backward toward a Vermilion Ape. He skillfully dodged the sharp projectiles flying his way, while the remaining branches shattered against his back shield, sending splinters flying in all directions.


    Jumping with all his might, he drew his blade to strike at the monster before him. It struggled to raise the rock in its hands to block. This defensive move appeared far too simple in Nathan''s eyes. Rotating in mid-air, he inverted his body, using his shield to strike down hard against the rock, propelling himself into a flip behind the creature. He finished his movement with a slash that carved from shoulder to lower back. The monster collapsed with an agonized cry, blood pooling beneath it.


    Nathan¡¯s strategy was simple: eliminate one target to discourage the others from attacking recklessly, fearing they might strike their own kind. Yet, as he glanced upward, the reality was far from ideal. A storm of rocks and branches rained down, showing no concern for collateral damage.


    Drawing in a sharp breath, Nathan planted the Armor Scarab shield into the ground, lowering his head to take cover while utilizing the Wood Wraith shell on his back. His legs tensed, bracing for impact. The rocks crashed against him with ear-shattering resonance, each projectile''s force overwhelming, driving him deeper into the earth. His arms went numb from enduring more than six impacts. He could sense that the sturdy shield in his hands had warped, denting slightly. Indeed, even the Armor Scarab wouldn''t survive such a devastating barrage.


    What is wrong with them? Nathan wondered, bewildered.


    While Vermilion Apes were known for internal conflicts, they possessed a strong instinct to protect their own kind. They typically wouldn''t harm their companions when facing a common enemy. Yet before Nathan''s eyes lay a Vermilion Ape, crushed to death in a horrific pose, its body broken and twisted, eyes rolled back in anguish. But that anguish didn''t seem directed at its own kind¡ªit was meant for him. It had willingly died in an attempt to drag him down with it.


    Shuddering, Nathan realized he couldn''t face this group head-on. If he wasted time here and reinforcements arrived, his fate would mirror that of the flattened creature before him.


    As if to validate his thoughts, he heard howls from another direction in the forest. Deadly red shapes were charging through the foliage. Leaves trembled like an earthquake where they passed.


    The day''s last light vanished, space gradually descending from gray to pitch black. Nathan could only rely on PsiLink''s directional guidance to run toward Storm Peaks. Even with [Better Vision] and [Improved Balance] working in concert, he couldn''t avoid all ground obstacles. He tumbled over a roadside tree root, then a boulder crashed just to his left, sending up a shower of dust and earth. Another rock smashed against it, sparks flying as it ricocheted away. That momentary flash of light sparked a desperate idea.


    Raising his waterskin to his lips, he carefully poured just one mouthful down his throat. The cold liquid flowed straight down his gullet. The moment before nothing happened gave way to Nathan suddenly doubling over, barely avoiding another hurled boulder. The Vermilion Apes continued their assault, but their accuracy diminished, now primarily relying on their prey''s scent.


    The essence exploded in Nathan''s stomach. The unstable pure essence, lacking mana to temper it, felt like it was tearing his insides apart. This energy immediately distributed throughout his body, worsening the situation with needle-like pains in his flesh, muscles, and skin. Nathan nearly passed out from his reckless action when the lightning aspect in the essence erupted. His body became electricity incarnate, light radiating from within until his blood vessels showed clearly to the monsters. His skin flickered like a light bulb. Even [Living Resistor] level 2 couldn''t help him in this situation. However painful, it served its intended purpose¡ªhe could now see the ground ahead.


    Gritting his teeth against the pain, he channeled the Berserker cultivation method. His condition was severe because the essence from both the Cloud Deer and Lightning Strider remained unprocessed. Now, he had to maintain consciousness, focusing with the same intensity as when Keira Valaine attempted her breakthrough in the tournament semifinals. The silver lining was that [Titan''s Descendant] provided superior physical attributes. His body devoured the essence like a starving man. Information passed through his blood from his ancestors.


    A Titan grows stronger only through battle. The greater the peril, the greater the rewards¡ªif one survives.


    Nathan bared his teeth in a grin, sprinting forward at full force. His body, wreathed in dancing lightning, illuminated the path ahead.


    The Vermilion Apes continued their pursuit, their target now the only bright thing in the darkness. They thought Nathan would be an easy mark, but their subsequent throws progressively lost effectiveness. Their hit rate dropped noticeably. Their quarry, who had previously struggled and occasionally needed to stop to defend, was now slipping away.


    Through his agony, Nathan grinned widely. Indeed, consuming essence containing the lightning aspect according to the Berserker legacy did increase speed. With his body under assault, this effect intensified. Once the solution in his body was depleted, any speed improvements would become marginal at best. Darkan was right¡ªNathan was truly suited for the Path of Physical Cultivation. Without the Titan bloodline, no one would dare risk such bodily devastation. Not even Darkan. Break down, then rebuild.


    Destroy to rebuild. Such was the creed of Physical Cultivation, and Nathan embodied it to the extreme. One who dared to try and could actually make it work.


    His mind had no capacity to worry about anything else; Nathan just ran, timing his movements to alternately increase speed, slow down to dodge, or turn back to counter-attack when a Vermilion Ape got too close. A part of his consciousness maintained the cultivation process steadily. He could feel his Phase increasing gradually but had no time to check the exact number.


    Halfway through the chase, moonlight began to emerge. Nathan had never thought he''d welcome the Lunar Shadow as much as now. If it appeared, the Vermilion Apes would flee in terror. Lunar Shadow had quite the appetite, after all.


    But bad luck tends to arrive while good fortune rarely responds to hope. Nothing came to his aid. Even the nocturnal monsters seemed to be giving way to the Vermilion Apes'' hunting campaign.


    The essence in his body had begun to settle, but the aftermath left a wave of lethargy spreading through every corner of his being. The needle-like sensations in his skin and organs persisted rather than disappearing entirely.


    Thanks to the combined speed of [Quick Feet] and the lightning aspect, Nathan had covered more than half the distance to Storm Peaks, faster than his usual daytime pace.


    The pursuing monster pack was beginning to tire. They had assumed this would be a simple task assigned by their leader. Yet this human still stood strong, still moved. Though he had slowed, they had slowed even more than him. Activating their rage state now would be too late. They needed meat, needed energy.


    Nathan noticed the distance between himself and the Vermilion Apes growing larger and let out a long breath of relief. Though his body was exceptional, it was now crying out in protest. He needed meat, needed energy.


    Both sides shared the same thought. But only one side had a solution.


    A Vermilion Ape in the trees launched itself down at its companion running below. The impact sent the ground-bound ape tumbling, its head cracking against a rock and drawing blood. It stood up roaring in anger at its companion. As it tried to rise for combat, a sharp wooden stake pierced straight through its chest, pinning it to the ground. It struggled to stand, but a barrage of punches rained down, leaving it dazed. A final blow knocked it unconscious, its head lolling to one side.


    The attacking Vermilion Ape bent down, pulling out the wooden stake it had driven in, raising it to its nose to smell the blood with ecstatic pleasure. Then it bared its fangs, biting into its unconscious companion''s chest. It sucked hard, blood flowing into its mouth like the finest delicacy. After one massive swallow, it threw back its head and roared. Around it, steam rose carrying a deep red hue, permeated with a metallic scent. Its eyes shifted from yellow to red, its fur changing from yellow-orange to deep crimson. The enraged state fully manifested.


    The other Vermilion Apes responded to the call, beginning to do the same. They engaged in combat with their companions to demand blood, to gain strength. The defeated weren''t killed, only knocked unconscious or rendered helpless. When prey was caught, they would be brought back to show their achievements to the pack leader.


    Hearing the agonized cries from the darkness behind him, Nathan''s hair stood on end.


    This isn''t right, he thought once again, bewildered.


    What had he done to make the Vermilion Apes hate him so intensely? He knew what they were doing. This internal fighting to exchange for combat ability typically only occurred in territorial disputes. No records showed hunting causing them to become this frenzied. Abandoning Nathan to hunt other prey would have been a more typical and logical choice. Yet the monsters behind him seemed to have abandoned their instincts just to kill him. Or capture him?


    Terrified at that prospect, he fought through the pain to run faster, his hand ready with the water flask to trigger the lightning body state at any moment. He might never know why the Vermilion Apes targeted him, but he knew one thing for certain¡ªthey were now mortal enemies. It would end only in their death or his.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Nathan maintained high alertness as he pressed forward.


    The Vermilion Apes finished activating their berserk mode and charged ahead, leaving red shadows under the weak moonlight, flickering in and out of view between the forest''s darkness. They had to close the distance their target had created with their new speed. According to PsiLink''s calculations, the monster pack now moved thirty percent faster.


    Seeing that analysis, Nathan grimaced and did what he desperately wished to avoid. He drained the remaining essence water. Again, that cool mouthful slid down his throat, followed by an explosion in his stomach that radiated throughout his body. His barely-rested form reactivated, glowing like a firefly in the night sky, lightning arcing across his skin like a web. His previous speed returned.


    The Vermilion Apes shrieked and howled like madmen. Yet within that chaos, they coordinated with frightening precision. One rushed forward to grab its companion. With a spinning motion, it hurled its fellow ape through the air. With terrifying acceleration, the thrown ape landed directly in front of their target.


    Nathan silently cursed, thrusting the Armor Scarab shield forward like a sword. The monster raised both hands to block, its hands instantly severed as it howled in agony. Nathan dodged to one side to run past, but another ape descended from above, its fist crashing down onto the Wood Wraith shield on his back. His vision went dark as he was driven deep into the ground, dirt and sand flooding his mouth and nose.


    He sprang up, spitting out everything forcefully. Spinning his head as he drew the Blood Thirster blade, he slashed at the monster with fluid grace. Blood sprayed across his face as the cut left a deep wound in the opponent''s chest. A third Vermilion Ape dropped down, both hands gripping a boulder as it smashed straight into Nathan''s back with a thunderous crash, creating the first cracks in the Wood Wraith shield.


    Once again, his chest slammed hard into the ground, sending out a shockwave around him. Blood spurted from his mouth, his concentration on the lightning aspect faltering as essence ran wild without control. But he couldn''t stop to catch his breath.


    He staggered to his feet, swinging his sword horizontally through the monster''s arms to prevent another boulder strike. Then he struck it with the Armor Scarab shield. The wound penetrated to the creature''s heart. Seeing this, the monster with the chest wound from earlier jumped in to assist. Nathan wearily raised the Blood Thirster blade in his left hand. The monster charged forward recklessly, using both hands to grab the jagged edge of the blade, gripping it tight as if possessed. Blood poured from its palms, but it wouldn''t let go, its eyes fiercely challenging Nathan.


    As he prepared to use the Armor Scarab to separate the monster, [Tingling Sense] warned of approaching danger. He dove to the side, abandoning the weapon that had accompanied him since the beginning. The monster raised the blade triumphantly, then threw it away, its arm muscles flexing as it prepared to rejoin the fight.


    Discomfort surged in Nathan''s chest, making him cough up blood mixed with sparks of electricity onto the ground. He had to plant the Armor Scarab shield as support, interrupting his plan to run. Before him, a punch from the monster that had lost its boulder came swinging in. With no time to think, he responded with his own punch, channeling everything he had.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Flowing Strikes]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Internal Trauma]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Rebound]. One credit given.


    The initial collision resulted in a stalemate. But microseconds after impact, [Rebound]''s force sent the monster flying backward, crashing into its advancing companion. The effects of [Internal Trauma] drove the struck creature crazy, making it mindlessly attack its remaining companion.


    Nathan used the chaos to escape. Another Vermilion Ape was already approaching.


    He felt himself nearing complete collapse. Perhaps drinking the second mouthful of essence water had been a mistake. He knew without the speed it provided, he wouldn''t have countered so smoothly. The final result left him uncertain whether he had made the right decision.


    His legs felt like they were on fire, sustained only by mental fortitude and innate stubbornness. When he finally had time to adjust, the essence was being gradually absorbed. The destructive energy of the lightning aspect remained present. He ignored it. As long as he survived today, he would recover from any injury. The Titan bloodline wouldn''t fall to such trivial matters.


    Rocks and trees continued to rain down toward him. At times, he even used the momentum of airborne boulders to propel himself forward. The result of enduring the pain was an ever-increasing distance and a back shield that was nearly shattered. Most importantly, the smell of burning and ozone had begun to fill his nostrils.


    Storm Peaks lay directly ahead.


    Using every last drop of adrenaline and energy remaining, he sprinted even faster than before, breaking through his own limits.


    With a crazy idea in mind, he leaped to intercept a massive flying boulder, simultaneously lowering his Wood Wraith shield slightly.


    Triggered [Butthurt]. One credit given.


    Even though he had reduced the force, the pain still made him wince. The positive side was that the new momentum helped him fly forward faster.


    The pursuing Vermilion Ape pack was down to seven. They gradually had to abandon the tree branches to chase on all fours on the ground. The branches here were too brittle, breaking at the slightest excess force. Lightning bolts tore through the night sky, making them flinch. Thunder rumbled, causing their enraged state to waver slightly.


    Noticing the change in the monster pack behind him, Nathan breathed a sigh of relief. The reason Storm Peaks had few monsters like Vermilion Apes was precisely because of the lightning and dry environment.


    Nathan smiled as a lightning bolt struck him directly. Though he bore the title of Living Resistor, the lightning aspect inside would force him to be the highest conductor.


    Receiving new energy, the existing lightning in his body devoured the bolt like the hungry Vermilion Apes. He had to use essence to contain it. But the stability was insufficient. He needed to hurry.


    Halting his forward movement, he turned to face the Vermilion Apes who were moving close together out of fear of Storm Peaks. He launched himself skyward using his skills, drawing an arc through the night sky, leaving afterimages of lightning in his wake, crackling sounds burning through the air as he aimed for the center of the monster pack. He lit up into a magnificent sight.


    The red eyes of the Vermilion Apes only saw that brilliant blue-white light flash once before everything ended. Electricity from the explosion created by the human coursed through them, stopping their hearts, boiling their blood, burning their skin into black patches. They didn''t even have time to register what happened, convulsing to death just like that.


    Nathan fared little better. In the moment the lightning released from his body, he thought he would die from that explosive energy. His body went rigid, his heart stopping for several seconds, blood standing still in his veins. Only a thread of consciousness remained.


    Triggered [Self-Emotional Support]. One credit given.


    But through sheer stubborn will, fear forced his body to produce adrenaline. His heart gave one powerful beat. He jerked awake, gasping in deep breaths of life. His bodily functions recovered slowly.


    His skin felt charred black, hair standing on end, eyes and mouth parched dry. But he was still alive. More importantly, the essence flood from seven Vermilion Apes was rushing toward him.


    Without time to reflect on what he''d been through, Nathan forced himself through the pain to sit cross-legged, immediately implementing the Berserker cultivation method. With the lightning aspect gone from his body, everything became much easier. Essence flowed through his bloodstream, entering each cell. Breaking down then rebuilding made everything more durable, more flexible, more robust.


    His body''s core was in such chaos that he had no idea how far he''d progressed in cultivation since drinking the essence water. He only knew he hadn''t stopped.


    "Still too slow," he whispered. At this rate, the hard-won essence would slip away into nothingness.


    Having gone this far into madness, he might as well go all the way. He concentrated intensely, doing something even more reckless. He accelerated the essence absorption rate. This was strongly discouraged. But Nathan''s logic was that this applied to others whose physique couldn''t handle such extreme training. With [Titan''s Descendant], he could do it. Taking advantage of both his regenerative ability and the Physical Cultivation benefits his bloodline provided, the frequency at which his cells and body parts could accept essence increased dramatically.


    The results proved him right. He encountered no obstacles in conducting essence at higher intensities. He even berated himself for not thinking of this sooner. If he had, he could have faced the Vermilion Apes without fear.


    Without further thought, Nathan returned to focusing on cultivation.


    A Vermilion Ape had returned to report to the leader.


    Through grunts and growls, the leader understood everything. It stood up, its height towering over the others. It slowly walked forward, both hands lifting up its son''s skin from its subordinate''s hands. Its face contorted in grief, eyes flickering between yellow-orange and red then back again. Two white streaks on its cheeks hid two drops of tears. Then its nose wrinkled as it exhaled forcefully. The time for mourning was over.


    It grabbed the spear leaning against nearby rocks. A crude weapon with a crystal-forged spearhead. The High Vermilion Apes behind it fitted it with rings and a helmet. The rings were made of fearsome fangs. The helmet with its distinctive fur showed everything was crafted from Crystal Mauler.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader roared, a red imperial light radiating outward. Red dots appeared on the foreheads of all present Vermilion Apes. Upon receiving it, they knelt down with cries of worship.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader jumped up, its hands swinging through tree branches.


    This time, it would take the field itself.


    Its army roared once, following behind.


    Darkan had been alert since Nathan was ambushed by the Vermilion Ape pack. The inner sect elder initially thought it was a trivial matter. But when Nathan recklessly drank the essence water and the monsters acted completely outside their normal patterns, he was forced to sit up, eyes intently studying everything below. He stood ready to intervene at any moment.


    However, Darkan''s style, like that of his master before him, was to rescue only when death was imminent. That''s why Nathan''s suicidal action of swallowing the second mouthful of essence water had frightened him somewhat. He had never heard of anyone enduring such devastation twice. Moreover, taking a lightning strike before releasing such a terrifying energy field¡ªthat strike could rival a Tier 2 cultivator wielding the lightning aspect.


    When Nathan''s breath vanished, Darkan had bent down to rush forward. Then a powerful heartbeat made him stop, blinking in disbelief. Through Storm Peaks'' cloud layer, he watched Nathan sit up. Not only that, but the youth dared to sit in the open ground to cultivate.


    His heart involuntarily quickened as he realized the cultivation speed of the disciple he had taken in.


    ¡°A genius, through and through,¡± he laughed with satisfaction to himself. ¡°A madman too, but aren¡¯t they often the same?¡±


    If they brought Nathan to meet the Berserker¡¯s predecessors, they would surely be shocked. This thought made Darkan cheerful, and he made an exception by waving his hand to create a protective field around Nathan so the youth could level up peacefully.


    "A small reward for your efforts," Darkan proudly muttered.


    He had unearthed a monster.


    In another part of the forest, Lunar Shadow raised its head upon hearing echoes from the Vermilion Apes'' dwelling, its jaws clamped firmly on a Night Panther. When night returned to silence, it went back to savoring today''s victim.


    Not far away was another pack of Vermilion Apes. This pack also had its own leader. Initially, Lunar Shadow had no intention of attacking. But the noise from that other group irritated it, interrupting its delicious dinner.


    Perhaps it would deal with this pack before seeking the other one.


    But not tonight. Time was long¡ªwhy rush?


    Nathan remained unaware of everything, immersed in his cultivation state. He hadn''t opened his eyes since entering meditation, so he was unclear what level he had reached.


    As dawn broke, a satisfied shout rang out. Nathan thrust out his chest as he finished cultivating. Unlike previous times, this breakthrough generated a shockwave that sent dust and earth flying around him.


    He opened his eyes, their glow carrying absolute confidence. He excitedly jumped forward to punch a nearby tree trunk. Since trees in Storm Peaks weren''t as sturdy as in other areas, it not only broke but flew a considerable distance.


    Smiling, Nathan tested his strikes against a boulder. His punch produced an ear-splitting crack, leaving a hand-shaped impression deep in the rock.


    Nathan examined his hand like a precious treasure. He barely felt pain from the recoil despite lacking [Rebound], just a slight numbness. Darkan hadn''t lied to him¡ªPhysical Cultivation could improve his physique enough to launch consecutive strikes. The next step of the One-inch punch had opened up. Once he increased his attack speed further, three consecutive strikes would become possible.


    Nathan stood up. His clothes were in tatters, but they couldn''t hide his imposing presence. His back straight, chest high, eyes determined, with a hint of anticipation as he gazed toward the sprawling green forest ahead.


    He would counterattack the Vermilion Ape pack.


    He felt he now had enough strength to try.


    Nathan Reed (24 years old ¨C male)


    Spirit Cultivation Level: Tier 1 (Initial), Phase 3.8.


    Physical Cultivation Level: Tier 1 (Refining), Phase 7.0.

 Chapter 26

    After the phase of exhilaration and excitement, reason returned to Nathan.


    He had allowed himself to be swept up in the combat''s deadly rhythm. And indeed, he had approached it in that moment. Just one second, but that instant became clearer when he calmed down, with no monsters pursuing him, no fighting on the edge of collapse. His heart must have been beating near his body''s maximum capacity then, around 200 beats per minute. Factor in his Titan physique, and it could have been even higher. Even a second¡¯s pause was enough for him to grasp the intensity.


    What''s noteworthy is that he hadn''t felt afraid during that time. Because he heard a call. It was distant and gentle.


    In the end, everything happened too quickly for him to learn anything more, and he didn''t want to dwell on it further.


    He moved to find another water source. Thanks to his previous markings, the search went fairly quickly. Without a place to cook, he made do with forest fruits.


    Having regained his strength, he began to consider his next step. The plan to attack the Vermilion Apes was still there, but he needed to think long-term for this battle. Nathan wasn''t sure of the enemy''s numbers, but from his rough count during his reconnaissance, there had to be several dozen. Most dangerous were the Crimson Lotus guards. They didn''t seem nearly as easy to deal with as the ones he''d already encountered.


    Thus, his initial plan to make a gift for Orin became part of his campaign.


    He had to cook wine.


    A type of wine provided by [Cooking] that he''d been aiming for since collecting Thunder Grape was ''Thunder Embrace''. Besides the main ingredient, it needed essence water from Thunder Crystal Frog, which he was quite confident he could obtain with his current abilities. He just needed to wait for it to refill or find another frog. The problem lay with the decomposition agent and catalyst.


    He needed Spirit Algae or Spirit Mushroom, and Dragon''s Breath leaves. All three ingredients pointed in one direction¡ªthe western area, where he had decidedly not wanted to venture.


    But if he wanted to engage in combat with the monsters, he needed something that would provide continuous energy when fatigued, as well as enhance his body''s speed. Last night''s experience had truly made him infatuated with moving at high velocity. Thunder Embrace would solve the problem of the lightning aspect''s excessive devastation. Most importantly, it could be preserved long-term through fermentation without losing the drink''s quality.


    Having made his decision, he thought about the system. It was remarkable how the five initially unrelated skills had become so useful. Except for [Random Talent], which hadn''t shown any use beyond entertainment and amusement, the other skills had all proven their worth.


    Just as he thought about this, his lips twitched at today''s stroke of luck.


    Today''s talent is Dramatic Hair Flow.


    Nathan looked at his reflection in the stream and felt utterly embarrassed. His hair was exactly as the talent suggested, flowing smoothly like gentle waves. The focus was that there wasn''t even any strong wind around. He looked no different than if he were underwater, and his hair refused to stay still. Fortunately, it only flowed backward and didn''t obstruct his front view.


    Ignoring everything else, he immediately used two rolls, his credit points from the past few days dropping to 341.


    Starting Normal Rolls.


    You received [Adrenaline Boost].


    You received [Efficient Sleep].


    --


    [Adrenaline Boost]


    Description: Enhances your body''s natural fight-or-flight response. When adrenaline is triggered, all associated effects (increased strength, heightened reflexes, pain suppression, enhanced focus) are amplified by 20%. Duration of adrenaline rush extended by 20%.


    --


    [Efficient Sleep]


    Description: Reduces time needed to fall asleep by 75%. Recovery rate during sleep increased by 40%. Mental fatigue recovery doubled during first hour of sleep. Quality of rest remains unaffected by environmental disturbances.


    Nathan was no longer too surprised by the skills provided by the system. To test a bit, he sat down, and when his consciousness indicated wanting to sleep, he dozed off almost immediately. Part of it was due to his exhaustion, but the time needed to fall asleep had indeed been shortened.


    He had come halfway thanks to his physical improvements. The leap from Phase 3 to Phase 7 not only gave him more endurance but also made his explosive movements much more powerful. However, if he continued moving, night would fall. He needed to prepare a few things before going.


    He spent the next few hours collecting some ingredients he''d had before. The result was a viscous anti-poison mixture of Sun Leaf, Earth Tongue, and Stream Star. He rolled the mixture into small round pills to dry in the sun. The remainder went into a pouch made from Ripple Hunter hide, to be used later.


    He took a short nap in the early afternoon.


    As the moon rose, Nathan gathered his candies and began moving. After just three hours of sleep, he already felt refreshed and mentally invigorated. [Efficient Sleep] had come at just the right time during this escalation of warfare.


    Those Vermilion Apes must still be hunting him. After all, their reinforcements yesterday proved he was their ultimate target. So moving at night was the optimal strategy. The sight of the monsters struggling to move by scent alone last night had taught him to avoid daytime encounters.


    Wearing clothes that couldn''t possibly be more tattered, Nathan moved back to his old camping area. He chose to approach silently and discreetly from a distance just far enough to see dimly. Thanks to [Better Vision], while not giving him hawk-like eyes, he could still make out the red silhouettes meandering around what he once considered a safe haven. Now he had to migrate.


    Avoiding the ape pack''s path, he moved diagonally to the left for a distance. Weaving between trees in the dim space.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    He tilted his head to one side, a tiny sharp point flew past, the thin wings of the strange object grazed his cheek, using the knife made from Ripple Hunter fangs to swing forward once. The Shadow Wasp fell with a small hissing sound.


    It truly synchronized, Nathan was more excited than frightened.


    He had been thinking about how to apply [Adrenaline Boost] and considering [Tingling Sense]. Only when suddenly attacked could he verify. Adrenaline, after all, only produces when a person reacts to danger. The fight-or-flight state activated in an instant, enhancing every physical aspect. Just now when the Shadow Wasp attacked, it was thanks to both skills triggering that he had enough time to dodge. Otherwise, his face would be swollen come morning. These small monsters'' poison wasn''t lethal but extremely uncomfortable.


    Applying a layer of anti-poison mixture to his exposed skin areas just to be safe, Nathan felt more confident moving in the night than before.


    He alternated between moving through trees and on the ground to practice high-ground combat tactics. It was truly difficult, especially at night. The unevenly distributed branches forced constant rhythm changes in movement. Additionally, he had to choose branches strong enough to support his weight. Some trees in this forest had been drained of their life essence by monsters, breaking at a single touch.


    Midway through his journey, a light flashed before Nathan''s eyes. Unable to stop in time, he swung up his Armor Scarab shield forward. An unpleasant screeching sound rang out. He looked at the bumpy front surface of the shield to find its shimmering outer layer had been scratched with a small line.


    Swallowing hard, Nathan''s hair stood on end. This shield had withstood countless impacts, yet that seemingly harmless shot had managed to damage it so significantly.


    Looking around cautiously, Nathan had to squint carefully to see the transparent reflection from the monster. A Silk Reaper with the shape of a worm tilted its head with black eyes staring intently at Nathan. Its spinneret was retracting after shooting silk.


    Nathan looked down where the silk ball had landed. It was gradually dissolving, revealing a mess of razor-sharp silk strands coiled together.


    The monster wiggled its mouth, preparing for a second attack. But it would never get that chance as the Ripple Hunter fang knife pierced straight through its mouth, through its arm-thick body, embedding into the wood of the tall tree behind.


    Nathan was pleased with his throwing ability. [Martial Art Mastery] gave him comprehensive knowledge about weapon handling. However, it still felt insufficient. He was like someone who knew a bit of everything but mastered nothing. His archery might be better than average, but it couldn''t compare to Qingfeng. His strongest suit remained body techniques, punches and kicks. For now, though, it was enough to focus and throw with precision.


    He retrieved his knife. The Silk Reaper''s essence was negligible due to its weakness. The monster had invested all its resources into its attack. Its silk was difficult to process and thus useless. The main concern was that where there were Silk Reapers, their mature form was likely unavoidable.


    Despite moving more cautiously in the darkness, what he wanted to avoid found him anyway.


    [Tingling Sense] had barely activated when he was already caught. In an instant, he fell into sleep, dreaming he was lying in his bed at Verdant Spire Sect, drowsy. Then from that bed, he saw himself sleeping in the university library. After that, the student version of himself dreamed of oversleeping at home after a night of gaming with friends.


    ¡°Sleeping?¡± Nathan¡¯s mind flared with confusion before his consciousness snapped back.


    The sight before him made him let out a terrified yelp. A butterfly as large as half his body with jagged small long teeth and pitch-black eyes was staring at him. Its wings created an unsettling whirring sound.


    As the Dream Moth was about to wrap him in another layer of silk, Nathan swung his arm up, breaking free of everything, and punched its face with such force that its head exploded, spraying flesh and blood backward. Shaking his hand in disgust, Nathan removed all the silk from his body. If the monster had managed a few more wraps, he would have struggled considerably to escape the cocoon it was creating.


    Nathan looked at his hand. Despite the anti-poison layer, the silk had penetrated it, touching his skin. The Dream Moth''s viscous secretion had absorbed through his skin into his blood, causing instant drowsiness. The monster was one of the mature forms of Silk Reaper. They had traded their silk''s sharpness for sleep poison to hunt prey.


    Thanks to the strengths of Physical Cultivation and the combined effects of [Titan''s Descendant] and [Efficient Sleep] making his sleep cycle faster, he had escaped easily. But he didn''t overestimate this ability. Against illusions, he would still be trapped as usual, like with Keira Valaine. She had truly left him traumatized, to the point where even having some resistance to mental techniques couldn''t lift his spirits.


    Thanks to maximum vigilance, the night eventually passed. He only encountered a few more Silk Reapers and Dream Moths along the way, fortunately avoiding any Shade Prowlers.


    He returned to where his journey in Moirath Forest had begun. Just a week had passed, yet everything was different. The morning sunlight illuminated his surroundings. That boulder had been mined by Burrower Herds. The process must have been bloody, evident from their scattered shells left behind after being hunted by Crystal Maulers. Nearby was the battlefield where he had struggled to overcome the Blood Thirster. The blade he''d crafted from them couldn''t be retrieved, likely taken by the Vermilion Apes.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    A thunderous sound drew his attention. In the distance, something sparkled as it moved. After a moment''s thought, Nathan figured it was time to face his initial challenge.


    He checked the durability of his two shields. After some consideration, he left the Armor Scarab shield by a tree trunk. If something had to be damaged, he preferred it to be the Wood Wraith shield.


    As the sound grew louder, he stood in the clearing waiting for his opponent to appear.


    The branches ahead shook violently, grass and flowers crushed as it emerged. The Crystal Mauler stood towering when it walked out on two legs onto the stage prepared for it. Its brown eyes narrowed as it sniffed. The scent of Burrower Herds was weak, while another unpleasant smell was strong.


    It slowly lowered its head to look at the human standing defiantly there, his left hand holding a shield, his right hand gripping a short knife, apparently from those worthless Blood Thirsters. The Crystal Mauler snorted once as if the smell of those worms made it uncomfortable. It threw back its head, shaking its crystalline mane that sparkled in the sunlight, and roared to drive the human away.


    Nathan watched it with fascinated eyes. Indeed, this monster looked incredibly cool. But cool or not, it would have to fall before him. He raised his shield, banging his knife against it to create noise to provoke the monster.


    The Crystal Mauler''s ears twitched at the challenging sounds and growled. It was hungry, and this human with barely any minerals was irritating it.


    With a smile, Nathan picked up a rock the size of his palm and threw it straight at the monster''s head. His new strength was enough to make the stone fly fast and hard, shattering on impact. The Crystal Mauler staggered, foaming at the mouth in anger. Its skin was unharmed but it still felt pain, and above all, felt insulted. It lowered itself onto all fours, yet still stood taller than Nathan, and charged.


    The monster''s first swipe crashed against the shield, forcing Nathan to step back slightly.


    This devil is truly strong, he marveled.


    Though he had already rated the Crystal Mauler highly, experiencing it firsthand made him truly understand how terrifying it was. Just its physical form and weight alone generated enough attack force to make Nathan, currently at Tier 1 Phase 7 of Physical Cultivation, step back¡ªa normal person would have been utterly demolished. Thinking back, if he had foolishly engaged this monster days ago, Darkan would have let him die just for his stupidity.


    But now things were different. He regained his stance, standing up with a smile. The shield in his hand was weakening, but he wasn''t too worried. Letting the Crystal Mauler attack was merely to test his own strength. The result showed he was truly strong enough.


    Nathan didn''t hesitate, running forward to counterattack. He leaped up, kicking the monster''s shoulder as it tried to rise from its previous swipe. Similar to when it had attacked Nathan, the human''s strike made it stagger backward, its hind legs unstable as it stumbled to the ground. The monster, which one might expect to be clumsy with its massive frame, spun and bounced back up remarkably fast. The Crystal Mauler rarely encountered higher-tier monsters since it was already at Tier 1 Phase 8, but that didn''t mean it wasn''t prepared for bloody battles. Moirath Forest held all kinds of dangers, not just for humans but for monsters as well.


    The Crystal Mauler exhaled sharply, its body tensing in preparation for combat. Its claws retracted, then shot out a new set made of crystal, sparkling yet devastatingly sharp.


    Nathan grew serious as well. He lowered his center of gravity, moving in a circular pattern. The monster did the same, wild yet careful. When he found firm ground beneath his feet, Nathan jumped forward with all his strength.


    The Crystal Mauler roared, raising its front paws to slash downward, its claws growing even longer.


    Nathan had anticipated this, spinning in mid-air, using his left hand to push the two claws aside, his right hand free to slash across the Crystal Mauler''s skin. The monster tilted to one side, howling in pain. It immediately used its healing ability. A layer of crystal grew around the wound, stopping the bleeding. Thus, Nathan''s long slash became insignificant.


    Tilting his head in respect for the monster, Nathan didn''t give up. This healing ability could only work a few times, so he just needed to continue. He would win.


    The Crystal Mauler struck again. Nathan jumped high. The monster opened its massive jaws, stretching up to snap him between four sharp fangs. But he punched straight down into its nose, making it yelp and lower its head, growling in discomfort.


    The monster coiled its hind legs and leaped forward. Nathan raised his shield, ready for the impact, intending to test their strength against each other. However, the Crystal Mauler had other plans. It grabbed the upper edge of Nathan''s shield, using its strength to force the shield down. Its towering head seemed to sneer in contempt. Its mane floated upward, not unlike Nathan''s Dramatic Hair Flow effect. Long, thin, sharp crystal shards shot out from its neck.


    Nathan roared, pulling back his shield just in time to block the monster''s crystal bolt barrage. He heard loud thunderous impacts against the shield. The crystals didn''t shatter, either embedding into the Wood Wraith shield or deflecting elsewhere. Peeking around the shield''s edge, he caught sight of claws flashing past.


    CRACK!


    The shield''s outer layer shattered, sending Nathan reeling backward. It wasn''t that the shield was inferior, but the battles with the Vermilion Apes had already weakened it significantly. But this was still within his plan, so he didn''t panic.


    Checking the still-intact inner layer of the Wood Wraith shield, Nathan looked at the Crystal Mauler mockingly.


    "You won''t be using that move again anytime soon."


    That crystal bolt ability was the Crystal Mauler''s finishing move. Without consuming mineral-rich monsters like Burrower Herds, it would take ages for its mane to regrow. The area around the Crystal Mauler''s neck now was just a crystal bump riddled with holes like empty pores.


    The monster didn''t understand his words, only knowing that if the fight wasn''t over, it would attack again.


    The Crystal Mauler''s speed was fast, but not fast enough compared to Nathan. Knowing that cutting the monster''s flesh would take time, when it closed in again, he moved to the side, its claws striking the ground sending out a mild shockwave. His hand formed a fist, executing a One-inch punch into the bear-like monster''s flank.


    Both impacts, from half fist to full fist, carried [Amplifying Strike] and [Flowing Strikes]. [Internal Trauma] was added in between. Just as the punch finished, the force considered as the third punch released. [Rebound] created a sound wave to end the combo.


    The monster, not understanding what hit it, experienced such force that for the first time, it found its body flying without having jumped to pounce on prey. It took a moment before the Crystal Mauler''s back smashed into a tree trunk, sliding down its length to the ground. The tree itself tilted partially, leaves and branches raining down like a storm.


    Nathan shook his hand, feeling incredibly excited, his fighting spirit surging. Never before had he felt the power flowing through him so clearly as now. Before [Rebound] activated, his strikes still received recoil. This force, as he had predicted, no longer caused pain like before. Though he had anticipated this, experiencing it firsthand left him speechless. More importantly, he hadn''t used any mana, and his stamina had barely decreased. He could launch dozens of such strikes before feeling somewhat tired. Just somewhat tired, not completely exhausted to the point of immobility.


    No wonder essence water is considered so precious, he silently marveled. The ability to level up with minimal obstacles was thanks to this treasure. Its purity helped immensely.


    The Crystal Mauler struggled to stand, its face contorted in disbelief. In this forest, only a few other monsters were stronger than it, but humans shouldn''t be like this. The monster''s limited mind could only think this far, unable to comprehend more. It also couldn''t perceive how [Internal Trauma] had affected its mind and organs, creating an invisible, inexplicable pressure that made it weary.


    The monster''s internal organs were destabilized from that strike. Its ribs were broken, piercing into organs and causing internal bleeding. This was a wound that its crystal manipulation couldn''t handle. Living in this forest, it had only ever received surface wounds, never being beaten this thoroughly before.


    Before it could stand, suddenly the tree behind it moved. With a boom, the bear-like monster was knocked forward.


    "Ironbark Sentinel?" Nathan exclaimed in surprise.


    After searching everywhere without success, here it was, the very tree he had climbed to hide on his first day.


    The Ironbark Sentinel, disturbed by the Crystal Mauler''s impact, used its roots to stand more firmly. Its branches moved slowly downward, twisting together to form two arms. Near the top, wood fibers shifted to create a wrinkled face. It swung down, striking the Crystal Mauler.


    The bear monster roared in frustration, ignoring its pain to slash at the tree monster''s trunk. Its claws scraped across the bark throwing sparks, leaving only shallow marks without causing any significant damage. Seeing this, the Ironbark Sentinel struck even harder. Leaves fell like rain in its fury.


    Nathan watched everything with an irrepressible smile. Having monsters fight each other while he played the fisherman benefiting from their conflict was perfect. But at this rate, the Crystal Mauler wouldn''t finish anytime soon. The monster was already quite weak.


    He jumped closer, shouting loud.


    "Hey, big boy! You forgot something?"


    The bear monster turned its head to look at him while fighting off the Ironbark Sentinel, baring its teeth and spraying saliva. The pain under its shoulder still hadn''t subsided. It ignored the tree''s strikes¡ªits thick skin could handle that¡ªand targeted Nathan. Its blood-red mouth opened wider than half of Nathan''s height.


    Taking a deep breath, he raised both hands, blocking its jaws. The bear''s strength pushed him backward, leaving two long trenches in the ground. But it took only a moment before he could match its strength, preventing its mouth from moving despite its struggles or attempts to snap shut. To achieve this, both of Nathan''s arms were straining at full power, blue veins bulging on his face and arm muscles. When he understood where his limit was, he roared, his feet driving into the ground until they sank, then he spun, using both hands to throw the bear aside.


    The Crystal Mauler was completely dazed. Had it just been thrown by this tiny human?


    Its bear face wrinkled as it sat up, understanding nothing of what was happening. Its mouth was now crooked from that last hit. Even if it could kill its target now, it wouldn''t have teeth to eat with. Seeing that today had become far too unlucky, it fled on all fours. The shoulder area Nathan had struck was bruised, making it limp. Its form, having lost its glossy mane, looked both pitiful and pathetic.


    Nathan ignored the Crystal Mauler''s retreat, as the crystal bolts it had shot from its mane were enough for his plan; he didn''t need to harvest anything else from it. Those valuable claws were tempting, but not more precious than what stood before him, its wrinkled face now even more contorted than before.


    The Ironbark Sentinel angrily swung its branches at Nathan. The towering monster was extremely clumsy, so he easily dodged all its attacks. It then gathered its branches into a large bundle, contracting at the end like a wrecking ball striking down from above. Rocks and dirt flew everywhere, the sound like a bomb explosion echoing through the forest.


    Others might fear it, but Nathan didn''t. Among monsters, the Ironbark Sentinel moved far too slowly. When walking, its roots needed time to find places to stop and land. It had a technique of driving roots into the ground to try to bind targets, but Nathan neutralized this by climbing onto it.


    Since its bark was too hard, even harder than Wood Wraith''s shell, he wasn''t foolish enough to try stabbing it with his knife. He searched for gaps like a skilled monkey to climb up. The main purpose of his tree-climbing practice had been for exactly this.


    The Ironbark Sentinel seemed to sense something was wrong; its branches and twigs chaotically stabbed at its own body, trying to force Nathan down. He had anticipated this and wore the Wood Wraith shield on his back. Though it had lost its reinforced outer layer, its inner layer still provided enough protection.


    Only when he reached the monster''s face did he stop, one hand jabbing into its eye socket as an anchor point. This action made the monster panic. Its body began to twist and turn, trying to shake him off.


    Nathan wouldn''t let that happen easily. Using more strength than he had against the Crystal Mauler, he gripped tight to avoid being thrown off. Then, he drew his right hand back, throwing a few light punches in the air before striking directly at the monster''s glabella with all the skills and strength of a Tier 1 Phase 7.0.


    The Ironbark Sentinel let out a deep cry of agony from its mouth, nearly making Nathan lose his balance. The tree trunk thrashed violently. The branches and twigs swung back and forth, beating against Nathan''s back. He gritted his teeth and endured, preparing for the next attack. With bark this hard, using Ripple Hunter fangs would only shatter them uselessly. But continuous attacks on the nervous system would eventually bring down even this tree¡ªmaybe not killing it completely, but leaving it motionless for several days was entirely possible.


    Thus it continued, the Ironbark Sentinel screaming each time he landed a punch between its eyes. Both sides struggled back and forth until the tenth strike when it fell silent. The Ironbark Sentinel had surrendered. Its entire moving body suddenly became rigid, its trunk slowly tilting and falling. Branches and leaves crashed around them with crackling sounds. With one final massive impact, it finally collapsed, its roots torn from the ground.


    Nathan stood up in the settling dust, stretching his back happily at his victory. Only now did he take out his knife, probing the grooves in the tree, stabbing in to pry off the outer bark. Though the monster now lay still accepting its fate, he had to break four fangs and a Ripple Hunter knife before he could lift even a corner of the bark.


    From that finger-thick bark piece, Nathan reached in, stood up, and began pulling. His face reddened, blood vessels more prominent than during his fight with the Crystal Mauler. The Ironbark Sentinel''s bark was truly difficult to harvest. With all his muscles straining, he had only managed to pull off a small piece. He continued like this, resting to catch his breath before bending down to pull again. Gradually, the bark began to separate significantly.


    He was completely unaware that not far away, a Vermilion Ape was intently watching him struggle with the Ironbark Sentinel. It had a red dot on its forehead. Being too far away and having no intention to attack, it didn''t trigger [Tingling Sense]. Its mouth moved as if speaking, though no sound emerged.


    About half an hour later, Nathan, drenched in sweat, had pulled off a fairly large section of bark from the monster. This task had been more exhausting than fighting monsters. While measuring the dimensions, he heard a long scream not far away.


    Looking up, he immediately saw red dots moving through the tree branches. Very fast.


    Turning back to the pile of bark, he realized he had no more time and decided to harvest what he could. He used all his strength to press down on the bark piece until it bent to the breaking point. His heart beat faster as the sounds around him grew closer while the wooden bark before him still wouldn''t break. He burned his mana, something he rarely did these days, jumped up, and channeled all his force downward. A satisfying crack signaled him to stop. Holding the bark piece slightly larger than the Wood Wraith shield in his hands, he rejoiced.


    But his joy was short-lived as a Vermilion Ape dove down from above. He spun around, punching it flying backward. Its body sprayed blood as it crashed into a tree trunk, leaving a twisted impression without falling.


    He looked up, ready to continue fighting, but the number of red forms in the branches and behind advancing toward him made him pause.


    "What the actual fuck?" he panicked.


    Both from his own count and PsiLink''s confirmation.


    There were over a hundred Vermilion Apes bearing down on him.

 Chapter 27

    The sheer number of Vermilion Apes stunned Nathan. He was certain their numbers far exceeded the few dozen he''d encountered during his Blood Moss expedition. At this rate, he might have to use those materials to deal with these manic beasts rather than saving them for his confrontation with Lunar Shadow.


    As their numbers continued to swell, Nathan chose the most viable option¡ªthe one he''d been defaulting to quite often lately. Run. He stuffed the Crystal Mauler''s crystals into his clothes, slung the Ironbark Sentinel across his back, and set his course westward.


    Launching himself like a bullet, he landed on another tree trunk, using it as a springboard before coiling his legs and leaping to the next. He weaved through the air, minimizing his exposure to the rocks being hurled in his direction. More terrifying still, the Vermilion Apes had abandoned their practice of throwing large branches that caused minimal damage. Instead, they now launched crude but deadly spears, their tips sharpened to lethal points. When one whistled past Nathan and struck a tree, it pierced clean through the trunk, quivering from the residual force.


    With two shields on his back, Nathan wasn''t overly concerned, but he wasn''t foolish enough to let himself get hit if he could avoid it.


    The pursuing Vermilion Apes split into groups¡ªthose in the rear hurled rocks and spears while those in the front focused on closing the distance. They entered their enraged state with disturbing ease, their speed and strength multiplying. Combined with their superior tree-swinging abilities, the human''s silhouette was now tantalizingly close.


    The Vermilion Apes employed their cooperative skills as before, hurling their companions toward their target.


    THUD!


    Nathan twisted his body, raising the Armor Scrab shield. Its sharp edge, combined with his striking force and momentum, cleaved the monster in two. Blood sprayed across its companions who landed just behind.


    Another ape crashed down from above with a boulder, aiming for his back. He understood this attack pattern well, but at his current level, fear was no longer necessary. He spun around, both hands rising to catch the rock. The force drove him to one knee, pushing him backward. Once he''d nullified the momentum, he lifted the boulder¡ªwith the Vermilion Ape still clinging to it, trying to match his strength. With one decisive motion, he hurled it back at another ape swinging overhead. The impact against the tree trunk crushed both monsters.


    Then he was off again. The combination of [Quick Feet] and [Adrenaline Boost] had him more alert than ever. Best of all, his fear seemed compressed into a corner of his mind, allowing his seemingly reckless actions to yield unexpected results.


    The Vermilion Apes realized this human was no longer the same as reported in their intelligence. He had grown stronger. They moved and attacked more cautiously now. When charging their prey, they came in groups of five or six, taking turns lunging forward.


    Nathan responded with masterful evasive maneuvers. He dodged left and right, launched himself upward, or ducked behind trees to avoid their attacks while maintaining his pace. He couldn''t help but marvel at the organized way these monsters operated. They were nothing like the ones he''d fought at Storm Peaks. It was as if someone was coordinating everything.


    The two sides continued their deadly dance, throwing the forest into chaos. Normal animals scattered in panic. Birds abandoned their nests temporarily. Lower-tier monsters trembled in fear. Burrower Herds curled into balls as the red army passed through their mining grounds. The cowardly Mist Eels pulled their fog along as they fled rather than joining the fight. Even a few Crystal Maulers wisely kept their distance.


    Despite his best efforts, Nathan still took some hits. A rock hidden behind another struck his back, sending him tumbling forward. Taking advantage of this, the apes reloaded their spears by having those in the rear collect and launch projectiles in rapid succession. Several grazed him, drawing blood. One spear embedded itself deep in his shoulder, causing searing pain.


    Once he regained his mobility, Nathan finally managed to pull out the crude spear. He sprang forward, his strength allowing his body to hover above the ground momentarily. Spinning backward, he hurled the spear straight through the skull of a Vermilion Ape. The sound of shattering bone cut through the howls and screams.


    He applied the mixture he''d prepared earlier with Blood Moss to his wounds. The bleeding quickly stopped. He was relieved to feel the medicine accelerating his recovery.


    Nathan had no idea how long he''d been moving, but as fatigue began to set in and his wounds accumulated, the sun tilting toward evening, he calculated he''d taken down over twenty Vermilion Apes. If he''d been free to counterattack, that number would have been much higher. But he wasn''t sure if his strength would hold out if he stopped even briefly. Especially since he was increasingly certain these monsters had a leader. Add that and the group of High Vermilion Apes still searching for him, and he wasn''t foolish enough to take unnecessary risks.


    His next destination lay right before him. The air''s scent gradually changed to just like the burning smell and ozone when entering Storm Peaks. The surrounding space carried an indescribable sweet scent, unstable, shifting from one flower to another. Breathing it too long made one''s head spin. The benign monsters gradually disappeared. The surrounding vegetation transformed into more exotic and strange varieties. Familiar brown trunks gave way to tall green ones, some covered in slimy layers. Flowers lost their elegant beauty, taking on a deadly allure with thorny branches and blossoms.


    Nathan halted at the border of Life Spring. He looked back, his face grimacing in hope that those accursed apes would stop pursuing him. But facing him still was a wave of enraged red dots, twisted faces, hooting and screeching, accompanied by a merciless rain of sharpened spears and boulders.


    He raised his hand in a wave, angrily cursing.


    "See you again, bitches!"


    With that, he crossed Life Spring''s barrier, plunging into Moirath Forest''s newest danger zone.


    The Vermilion Ape horde seemed poised to maintain their frenzied state and charge into Life Spring. Then, as if receiving a signal, they uniformly halted, either swinging in the trees or dropping to all fours, awaiting orders.


    Only after Nathan''s silhouette had vanished for ten minutes did their leader appear, followed by a guard of High Vermilion Apes. The collar around its neck clinked as it landed, moving close to Life Spring''s border. Even its regal face couldn''t hide its disgust at the air''s stench. Its offspring might not understand the dangers of the forest ahead, but as their leader, it couldn''t rely on instinct alone.


    The alpha stood there for a moment, then raised its spear, pointing around to direct its army. If they couldn''t charge in, then they would surround the area.


    The Vermilion Apes dispersed around the perimeter. They formed an arc to prevent Nathan''s escape. They couldn''t form a complete circle¡ªLife Spring was too vast. More importantly, going too far would mean encroaching on other monsters'' territories. After all, Vermilion Apes weren''t the strongest creatures in this forest.


    Seeing everything in place, the alpha snorted once, finding a place to sit and wait. This war would be long, but its child''s death demanded vengeance. How could time compare to its grief?


    Nathan popped an anti-poison candy into his mouth as he ventured deeper into Life Spring. Everything around became greener, but it was an eerie green. The vegetation here was far less friendly than in other areas. They often had membranes or solutions that caused varying degrees of poisoning. Usually, even the worst wouldn''t kill outright, but being unconscious long enough to be devoured by monsters wasn''t much different.


    Nathan''s skin began to itch from the microscopic particles floating in the air. He quickly applied the cream to reduce the irritation. Physical Cultivation would help him build resistance, but it required training and exposure. The main issue was that prolonged exposure would affect his nervous system in his current state, so he had to let his body adapt gradually.


    The sky had fully darkened by the time he entered this area. Life Spring, living up to its reputation as one of Moirath Forest''s most dangerous zones, welcomed him by sending out a few Gale Foxes. These monsters, with their green fur and vine-woven tails, emerged from their resting places to observe him. Rather than baring their teeth aggressively, they mainly circled around with curiosity. It was rare to have visitors from outside, so they wanted to play a bit.


    A Gale Fox swished its tail, wind propelling it forward. Mid-air, it pranced through the air as if on invisible platforms, similar to Lunar Shadow''s movement style. Its trajectory aimed straight for Nathan.


    He dodged to the side, well aware of the foolishness of letting the invisible wind surrounding the Gale Foxes cut him. Like the microscopic particles in Life Spring''s air, the Gale Foxes'' wind carried powerful paralyzing toxins that were nearly invisible. Their techniques were sharp enough to slice flesh, so prioritizing defense and evasion was optimal.


    The monster that had targeted him bounced on its front paws playfully, as if it had been anticipating this. Three or four other foxes, seeing this, let out a cry and used their wind-gliding skills to rush at Nathan.


    He had become like a cat teaser toy for the foxes. Just as they were about to pounce, he would dodge, never letting them make contact. He knew this was a more favorable outcome than combat. Gale Foxes were unpredictable creatures. Sometimes they were vicious, other times quite friendly. The only data to predict their behavior came from whether they had eaten that day or not.


    The fox monsters increased their speed, leaving blurry green afterimages where they passed. Nathan''s eyes and mind had to work at full capacity to observe and predict their movements. Though they weren''t truly attacking, he felt like he was dancing a deadly dance. The whooshing sounds near his ears acted like misdirection, as the foxes made their final jumps in complete silence. As a result, he still got cut by the wind blades surrounding the Gale Foxes.


    He could run, but that would only increase the danger. The foxes would stop seeing him as a toy and switch to predator mode. At that point, a few more would make things very troublesome, especially since he still didn''t know the area''s terrain well. So even though he was wounded and his head was starting to feel dizzy, he considered this an acceptable outcome.


    Play eventually tired them out, and the Gale Foxes, after thoroughly chasing and pouncing at Nathan, returned to their resting spots beside tree roots and grass clusters. They inhaled the surrounding toxic air like nutrition. Their eyes looked at Nathan with acceptance, as long as he would play with them again later.


    Their target shuddered. He really didn''t want to indulge them at all. But for now, this was the best he could manage.


    Switching out his candy as the one in his mouth started to smell, Nathan moved deeper, passing through the guard of Gale Foxes.


    The sky had become completely dark, and Life Spring''s scenery captured his mind entirely.


    Instead of being shrouded in complete darkness, Life Spring burst with life in an ethereal glow. Mushrooms growing around the area released small spores that floated upward. They glowed in the air thanks to their ability to absorb daylight and release it at night, similar to phosphorescence. Not just mushrooms, but transparent stones also emitted their own light. Green, blue, red, and yellow lights illuminated everything around them. Monsters with translucent bodies like jellyfish or fish jumped through the air. The moss under his feet, contaminated with mushroom spores, gave off its own colors. Small streams of water flowed through the tree lines, tinted with rainbow hues.


    Nathan felt as if he''d stepped into a scene that could only exist in films. He knew deadly toxins surrounded him, but this beauty compelled him to continuously capture everything through his PsiLink.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    He crouched down to examine the blue phosphorescent mushrooms, no larger than his palm, actively contracting and expanding as they lit up the night. Considering their utility, he plucked several unopened mushroom caps and added them to his basket. They would prove useful for future endeavors.


    Following the tree lines, he finally found the plant he sought. Spirit Mushrooms, with their plain brown stalks, stood out conspicuously amid the surrounding impossible colors. After gathering these, he stumbled upon another precious variety¡ªBlue Cap Mushrooms. These were medicinal ingredients that enhanced body recovery when properly processed, especially when combined with Blood Moss. Without hesitation, he collected a batch for future use.


    He pressed onward, methodically exploring different areas while gathering necessary materials. All the while, he took moments to marvel at his surroundings.


    At midnight, he found a relatively safe rock ledge where he could sit without fear of toxins seeping through. He drew out the Ironbark, spending considerable effort to bend it into a more ergonomic shape. Then, he took the crystal shards shot from the Crystal Mauler''s mane, meticulously using tree sap to bond them lengthwise. He attached this to the Ironbark to create an outer layer. His initial plan had been to create protruding crystal spikes for both defense and offense, but for now, he needed the crystal as defensive coverage for his encounters in Life Spring.


    Replacing both his mouth candy and skin coating, Nathan continued moving. Neither would last forever, so he had to time his departure from Life Spring carefully. Training Physical Cultivation with [Titan''s Descendant] increased his resistance, but it wasn''t absolute. Breathe enough of this air, and he''d still collapse. Unless he breakthrough to Tier 2 right now, Life Spring would remain a deadly playground.


    Smiling at that distant prospect, Nathan could only shake his head. The twenty Vermilion Apes he''d killed had only raised him by 0.1 Phase, bringing him to 7.1. This reinforced what he knew about the Berserker cultivation method¡ªalways facing stronger opponents, always fighting. Only under dire circumstances could one unlock the potential of each body part. That explained why Darkan said without choosing the Berserker path, his chances of defeating Alaric would have plummeted dramatically. The only alternative was using natural treasures like the Crystal Thunder Frog''s essence water. But gradually, even those lost effectiveness since Crystal Thunder Frogs were Tier 1 monsters, limiting their essence water''s quality. Better advancement items had appeared that he currently couldn''t access, namely the Crimson Lotus, the Vermilion Apes'' treasure.


    Lost in his thoughts, Nathan finally reached an area noticeably hotter than its surroundings. The vegetation here showed less green, yellowing from the heat. At its center lay a cave descending into the earth. Nathan crouched forward, approaching a cave entrance just tall enough for him to enter. Of course, he wouldn''t be foolish enough to venture inside. He tiptoed, minimizing noise as he approached the red-leafed plants before him. Close enough now, he could hear heavy breathing emanating from the dark depths. The heat made him feel like he''d been thrown into a volcano. Without hesitation, he plucked several Lesser Dragon Breath plants and fled immediately.


    The cave definitely housed a Heat Basilisk, a creature with a touch of dragon¡¯s blood in its lineage. Its appearance resembled a Komodo dragon but larger, more muscular. Its heat-radiating skin and toxic coating made it dangerous to any Cultivator. When necessary, this Tier 2 monster could even spew green flames that were nearly impossible to extinguish¡ªnot only did they burn persistently, but inhaling their fumes would drive one mad.


    Nathan remained anxious throughout his journey to his final destination¡ªa small pond with yellowish-green vegetation floating on its surface. His spirits lifted; he''d finally found Spirit Algae. Combining it with Spirit Mushroom would accelerate wine fermentation and improve the final quality, which was why he''d sought it rather than relying on a single ingredient.


    Cautiously approaching the pond''s edge, Nathan perked his ears to listen to his surroundings. The night sounds in this area were eerily quiet, with only distant insect calls and swaying vegetation. None of the creatures he''d passed earlier were visible.


    He lowered himself slowly, one hand reaching toward the still pond surface. Beneath the water, patches of vibrant green pulsed with life, as if another Life Spring existed underwater.


    Just as his hand was about to touch the floating algae, a green mass below moved. It burst from the water with incredible speed.


    As he extended a hand toward the algae, a ripple stirred below the water¡¯s surface. Nathan pulled back instantly, leaping away as a creature lunged out¡ªa long, serpentine body flashing emerald scales in the moonlight. The creature spread small, leathery wings, hovering above the pond with a sharp hiss. The disturbance triggered other rustlings in the water, and soon Nathan found himself surrounded by a dozen or so of these Winged Vipers.


    Winged Vipers were ambush predators that lurked to hunt creatures carelessly entering their territory. Whether in ponds, trees, or rock crevices, they waited. After killing their prey, they would share a feast. Tonight''s meal seemed especially enticing¡ªa creature that didn''t carry Life Spring''s scent.


    Nathan counted the Winged Vipers. Nine. Still manageable. Gripping his shield tightly, he prepared for their attack. He needed to resolve this quickly before Life Spring''s guardian arrived. The moon had risen high, and time was running short. Having avoided the Heat Basilisk, he wanted to avoid that other troublesome monster too.


    True to their aggressive nature, the Winged Vipers spat venom toward their prey.


    Nathan responded by raising his shield. The venom streams struck the outer crystal layer, running off like water through the grooves to drip to the ground. However, the portion that contacted the Ironbark hissed and sizzled, releasing acrid white smoke.


    Seeing their ranged attack fail, the Winged Vipers beat their wings once, bodies undulating through the air as if slithering, lunging forward with bared fangs. Nathan processed the information before him, his right hand tightening on the Ripple Hunter fang knife. He chose his moment with precise, elegant, and subtle timing, so when he swung his weapon forward, the strike cleaved through three Winged Vipers. The result also cost him the fang knife. The snake monsters'' blood coating its surface turned the white exterior black, bubbling before shattering.


    The remaining ones either missed their attacks or struck his shield. Pulling back, they attacked again. One slithering on the ground trying to strike his blind spot died first from a stomp to the head. Yanking his foot back decisively to avoid the Winged Viper''s toxic fluids, he kicked upward, his force exceeding that of his Crystal Mauler strike, sending the monster flying, its body splitting mid-flight.


    Sacrificing two more knives, he dispatched the remainder with two masterful strikes. When certain no more lurked in ambush, he quickly scooped up the Spirit Algae. The strands woven together like threads felt sopping wet in Nathan''s hands. Without time to think, he placed them in his basket and slung it over his shoulder. His other bags were already full of materials. With this, he had gathered enough for wine fermentation.


    Now, what he''d feared arrived. From across the pond, a faint light flickered into view, like a miniature sun moving through the trees. It grew brighter, its glow so intense it dimmed the surrounding bioluminescent flora. Creatures retreated at its approach, a few even trailing in its wake with reverent obedience.


    The air changed with its appearance. Everything became thicker and heavier. This meant the toxin concentration was increasing.


    Nathan immediately spat out his candy, cramming the remaining ones into his mouth. He used all his remaining coating solution on his entire body without hesitation to save any. Facing the Sovereign Wisp required no reservations or half-measures.


    Life Spring''s classification among Moirath Forest''s most dangerous zones stemmed from this monster. Not only was it Tier 2, but it also possessed a rare ability among monsters¡ªenvironmental manipulation. With just a thought, Life Spring''s air, water, and monsters would obey its commands. This power''s origin supposedly came from how Wisp-type monsters were born from the environment itself. In other words, the Sovereign Wisp was a guardian created by Life Spring to protect its ecosystem.


    Nathan''s Life Spring excursion ended here. He''d calculated his path to deviate to one side so that when retreating, he''d avoid the spot where he''d entered in front of the Vermilion Apes.


    Fully prepared, Nathan departed at his maximum speed. The air friction against his skin produced hissing sounds. The candies in his mouth rapidly turned bitter and foul. To conserve them, he sealed his sense of smell, using mana to fuel his body. This way, he only needed to breathe once every five minutes.


    The Sovereign Wisp appeared because of him and continued pursuit. It had no clear form, floating through the air. It commanded a group of Great Gale Foxes, their long tails creating winds to propel it forward.


    The surrounding space maintained its toxic intensity, so Nathan knew he was still being pursued. He''d anticipated this situation, as well as predicting another natural guardian would join the fight.


    Thornweave Ancients suddenly expanded their tree trunks, launching sharp thorns at their target. Nathan remained safe with three shields covering him. Seeing this, these tree monsters didn''t give up, releasing another volley of thorns. But this time, instead of embedding in the ground, they exploded mid-air, creating a blue-green poison mist where Nathan was moving.


    He held his breath, charging straight through the mist. His eyes checked his leather bags. Fortunately, they remained intact thanks to the coating solution he''d applied to them. The problem was his clothes were visibly disintegrating. Even his Wood Wraith shield showed signs of corrosion.


    Decisively tearing off his clothes, Nathan was left with just his undershirt and half-remaining pants fluttering in the night air. He clutched the rag bundle that had once been his proud inner sect uniform and continued moving.


    Unlike previous times when Moirath Forest had played tricks on him with unexpected surprises, this time Nathan had prepared his plan, and it unfolded smoothly. He reached Life Spring''s border in excellent condition. No tatters, no panic like before. This was largely thanks to his new cultivation level¡ªhis endurance and explosive power were completely different now, giving his base speed a significant boost. Combined with his passive skills, each kick off the ground sent dust clouds flying, propelling him like wind, rivaling the Gale Foxes.


    He discarded his Wood Wraith shield as its wooden fibers were falling apart like termite-eaten wood, rendering it useless. Before charging out of Life Spring, he took time to breathe and perform one of Physical Cultivation''s basic techniques. He drew in a deep breath, inflating his body like a balloon. His pores opened, and with a short hiss, a thin mist dispersed around him. Then, he immediately closed his sweat glands. His body now emitted minimal scent.


    As he ran, he gathered dirt to smear across his body, disguising his scent further.


    As the Sovereign Wisp drew closer, he had already crossed Life Spring''s boundary, returning to where trees didn''t glow, mushrooms seemed asleep, stones were just stones, and dust didn''t sparkle with wonder.


    The Sovereign Wisp halted. Its responsibility was protecting Life Spring. Leaving this area would immediately weaken its power. Above all, it could sense another entity of equivalent strength nearby. Since it had already dealt with the trespasser, there was no need to risk further conflict.


    Nathan melted into the night, tossing his clothes into a corner. Then, he moved through the thickets with minimal sound, his eyes constantly alert for Vermilion Apes.


    The foolish Vermilion Apes had been distracted by the light emanating from the Sovereign Wisp, missing Nathan. Only when a patrol in the treetops caught the enemy''s scent did it howl to alert its companions. They raised their noses to sniff, gathering around Nathan''s torn clothes on the ground. Just a minute later, the alpha arrived, discovering its subordinates'' carelessness and stupidity. It roared in anger, shredding the clothes the despicable human had left behind, then impaled five Vermilion Apes with its spear. With a dominating roar, it pointed in Nathan''s escape direction. It was intelligent enough to distribute several apes to form a second ring. Howls and screams passed between the Vermilion Apes through the night. The red army that had barely rested had to move out again.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    The system''s notification had flashed several times, but Nathan couldn''t pinpoint its source. No monsters appeared on his path, none launched surprise attacks. But he''d rather trust the system skill than his own eyes. If no monster had emerged to strike him down, then one or several must be tailing him, maintaining distance and understanding how to move without catching his eye.


    Ignoring them, Nathan focused on executing his explosive running steps. He imagined if he returned to Earth, no running record would stand against him.


    Passing through where he''d fought the Crystal Mauler, he saw the Ironbark Sentinel had risen and departed. The Crystal Mauler hadn''t been so lucky. Atop a moonlit rock outcrop lay its remains, reduced to bones. Claws, mane, flesh¡ªall had been harvested. No need to guess who was responsible.


    Sparing a moment to mourn the monster, Nathan quickly gathered the Burrower Herds fragments and never stopped again, running straight for Storm Peaks.


    The pursuing Vermilion Apes, a beat too late, couldn''t catch him. Even the High Vermilion Apes struggled to keep track of Nathan''s location. Deep down, they felt resistant to seeing the human''s strength. But their alpha''s pressure forced them to grit their teeth and follow orders.


    When dawn broke, Nathan finally reached the edges of Storm Peaks. His face broke into a wide grin as he saw the familiar cliffs and peaks rising before him, feeling a sense of strange comfort in the smell of charred earth and crackling energy.


    "I''m home," Nathan shouted with pure joy.


    Among the scorched trees, Nathan felt oddly safe.


    Standing amid the lightning bolts crackling back and forth, he stopped, turning to face the red shadows.


    The Vermilion Apes, some swinging through trees, others dropping to the ground, howled to express their anger and mock Nathan''s cowardice. A few who charged forward either died by his hand or were electrocuted to a crisp.


    At last, Nathan saw the leader of the Vermilion Apes emerge. It strutted out from the tree line, walking among subordinates clearing its path. Its tall, muscular frame exuded authority. Its amber-orange eyes narrowed as it regarded its sworn enemy. The spear in its hand raised, pointing straight at Nathan.


    "Human..." its voice rumbled hoarsely, unpleasant to hear. "Coward."


    Nathan''s eyes widened at hearing it speak. This wasn''t Planet of the Apes either. The monsters in this world could all speak, but usually only when reaching Tier 4 or above. Or in special cases.


    The PsiLink records had never mentioned a speaking Vermilion Ape Leader. This meant Nathan was either lucky or, more accurately, unlucky to encounter such a specimen.


    Nathan raised his middle finger toward the monster horde, shaking his head with a laugh as he turned away.


    The monsters seemed to understand this insulting gesture, roaring and beating their chests thunderously. But Nathan didn¡¯t look back; he walked calmly forward, unbothered by their fury, striding through the crackling lightning of Storm Peaks. Each step grounded him, and the arcs of electricity became a familiar, almost comforting sensation on his bare skin.


    The Vermilion Apes had to wait two whole weeks before Nathan returned. His eyes brimmed with amusement.


    It was time for war.

 Chapter 28

    Thunder Embrace required a week to be usable. Before that, Nathan had to wait to collect more essence water from the Thunder Crystal Frog. Fortune, however, had turned its back on him¡ªhe couldn¡¯t find another frog in the area.


    The environment of Storm Peaks greatly aided Thunder Embrace by limiting unwanted bacteria. However, the real challenge lay in surviving in this accursed place. Nathan never slept soundly, even when he found a secluded spot with no monsters nearby. Lightning would randomly strike him every few minutes. His longest stretch of sleep barely reached fifteen minutes. Without [Efficient Sleep], he would have been constantly groggy and unstable.


    Food, at least, wasn¡¯t an issue. Sustenance came from the Bolt Ravens and Lightning Striders, whose meat provided ample nutrition and energy. He even developed a technique of curing meat between lightning strikes, creating dried meat provisions for his daily needs.


    Most of his remaining time was spent in training. His Titan bloodline blessed him with rapid muscular growth, yet he knew that potential alone was meaningless without effort. He returned to a grueling routine he had adopted back at the Verdant Spire Sect when he had first realized his inability to absorb mana naturally. He ate and trained, trained and ate, letting lightning strike him and recovering according to Berserker''s red-letter instructions.


    Two weeks passed, and the results were unmistakable. His frame was lean, muscular, and well-defined. His abs, arms, and legs bore sharp, sculpted lines from his relentless discipline. Alongside his physical progress, his stash of fermented essence wine was finally ready.


    He raised the bottles for inspection. A strong, spicy aroma wafted through the opened caps. Blue, crackling energy glowed in the liquid, reflecting the power of the storms.


    Now, he stood before the Vermilion Apes, the creatures gathering in numbers just as they had before. The apes hadn¡¯t strayed, keeping their watchful eyes on him, ready to strike.


    Upon seeing Nathan, the monsters communicated with each other through howls. Those dispersed for guard duty along the perimeter returned.


    Nathan smiled, realizing his decision to prepare instead of rushing headlong into these maniacs earlier had been wise. He could have conducted hit-and-run attacks from Storm Peaks. But that would have been nearly impossible. First, avoiding dangerous situations would make his cultivation progress crawl like a turtle. Evidence showed his progress increased by only 0.1 after engaging the Vermilion Apes during his Life Spring reconnaissance, and the monsters at Storm Peaks only added another 0.1. At this rate, he''d never gather enough strength to face Lunar Shadow. Second, these monsters had a leader. A large force would certainly be positioned to cut off his retreat, preventing him from withdrawing¡ªeven if that meant putting themselves in Storm Peaks'' dangerous environment.


    Once combat became inevitable, only a fool would enter unprepared. Nathan refused to truly be the fool he often claimed himself to be.


    He stretched his neck, cracking it in preparation. Countless strikes were queued for [Amplifying Strike]. He had spent time fine-tuning PsiLink to include counters for [Flowing Strikes], [Internal Trauma], and [Rebound] skills. To ensure success, his training had accustomed his body to various rhythms.


    Your today''s talent is Swinging.


    [Random Talent] finally proved useful. Today, it provided something he lacked¡ªthe ability to move through trees.


    The Vermilion Ape army had assembled completely. Before him stretched a sea of red, all wearing identical angry expressions, their ear-splitting screams filling the air. Birds and other animals scattered in panic.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader narrowed its eyes at Nathan, retreating to the back. It knew the human was dangerous. Better to let its subordinates wear him down. Then would come its time to exact sweet revenge.


    Nathan understood the alpha''s strategy but didn''t care much. His target for this campaign was the entire horde, not any individual. They had pursued and tormented him relentlessly; now it was time they learned that payback wasn''t sweet at all.


    The tension between the two sides stretched taut as a bowstring while Nathan advanced step by step. His thundering footsteps were answered by chest-beating thumps. Determined eyes met crazed gazes. A smile of excitement contrasted with eager fangs hoping to prove themselves.


    With a crouch that tensed his leg muscles, Nathan shot forward.


    Several Vermilion Apes roared, leaping from trees, plunging toward him.


    With a swing of his Ironbark shield, he sent three flying aside while beheading another with his Armor Scarab sword. He had spent time resharpening this colorful shield, as it had become dented in many places and was no longer needed in Storm Peaks.


    A few remaining apes landed direct hits on him. He barely noticed them; his Blood Thirster armor was weakening but still sufficient to reduce the impact. He recognized the intent behind their reckless attacks when several tried circling behind him, using their massive arms to throw him toward the forest. Taking advantage of their throwing force, he slammed his shield and swung his sword, cutting down more apes in his trajectory.


    By the time he touched ground¡ªno longer the black dust or charred vegetation of Storm Peaks¡ªhis PsiLink counter showed seven dead apes. Looking up, he saw monsters surrounding him. They held spears and boulders raised high. As if on signal, they hurled their weapons.


    Nathan shot sideways, right beneath a tree where a Vermilion Ape stood above. A boulder flew toward him. With a twist of his arm, he planted his Scarab sword into the ground, reaching out to catch the rough surface. The momentum pushed him back, but the tree behind provided support, preventing him from being overwhelmed. The wood beneath his feet cracked as he tensed to absorb the boulder''s speed.


    Then with a slight flick of his wrist, the boulder hung suspended in mid-air. He unleashed a punch with all his strength. The rock rocketed through the air, smashing into a leaping Vermilion Ape before continuing toward the one who had thrown it initially. The monster tried to flee but its feet got caught; it shrieked as its bones and flesh were crushed.


    Nathan pulled his sword free and jumped up, swinging onto a branch as more boulders struck his previous position. His shield deflected several spears. Like a master acrobat, he spun around the sturdy branch before launching himself higher. When he landed, he stood beside a Vermilion Ape.


    The monster raised its joined hands to slam down at his position, making their perch shudder violently. He jumped up, spinning to kick the ape off the branch and down to the ground.


    More spears and rocks flew at him. Nathan slid behind a tree trunk. When he felt his center of gravity shift upward, he noticed the apes'' bombardment had nearly broken the tree.


    Using his swinging talent, he skillfully swung to another tree, dropping kick from above onto an ape. When he landed, blood covered his feet, the tree behind had fallen, rocks crashed down with thunderous sounds, and spears still flew relentlessly.


    Now, the Vermilion Apes split into two squadrons¡ªone gathering ammunition, one launching a coordinated attack on Nathan.


    They swung from branches with their arms. They climbed up from the ground. Nathan stood there, roaring to accept their challenge.


    Shield and sword in hand left him fearless. These monsters, merely Phase 6 or 7, weren''t enough to frighten him. One hand deflected punches while the other swung his sword in lethal arcs. His strength was sufficient to fell a monster with each strike. Around him, everything turned crimson¡ªthe apes'' fur and blood alike. The metallic scent and high temperature of the fresh red liquid clung to him, only to be evaporated by his own body heat, creating a thin mist.


    CRACK!


    The branch he stood on finally gave way, weakened by the Vermilion Apes swinging up or applying pressure. As he fell, the combat didn''t cease. Nathan kicked one ape downward, using the opposing force to slow his descent, then swung his sword to decapitate another, forced his shield''s edge to shatter one''s jaw into a gaping mess. Then, he trapped another''s neck between his legs, using his full weight to drag it down as a cushion. A thunderous crash marked his landing, the Vermilion Ape beneath him completely crushed, its body grotesquely deformed.


    More thuds of landing apes surrounded him. Without hesitation, Nathan continued the fight.


    But at this moment, as if receiving a signal, the apes surrounding him leaped backward on all fours, creating distance. Looking up, he saw the other squad had finished gathering spears and boulders, ready for another ranged assault.


    As Nathan prepared to move and fight as before, a system signal made him spin around.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    A mighty punch landed on his shield. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward. His feet sank slightly into the ground, his fingers and palm numbing.


    Through the gap, he saw a Vermilion Ape standing a head taller than him. Its hands were as big as his chest. Moreover, its fists were covered in crude crystal gauntlets. More terrifying was its sneering grin.


    [Tingling Sense] warned continuously. With strength enhanced by [Adrenaline Boost], he gritted his teeth, blood vessels bulging beneath his skin, and pushed hard to make the High Vermilion Ape stagger backward. Then with maximum speed, he rotated his shield. He was greeted by continuous impacts of spears and boulders. Some wooden spears shattered on impact, others deflected away. The rocks pushed him back before falling right in front.


    Before he could catch his breath, he had to duck, dodging a punch from the High Vermilion Ape. He spun into a kick that connected with the monster''s chin, sending it airborne with several teeth flying from its jaw. Then his Scarab sword plunged into its stomach.


    The scene froze for a moment. His sword had impaled the monster. It thrashed wildly in mid-air.


    Realizing death approached, the High Vermilion Ape howled, ignoring the pain as it grabbed the sword embedded in its gut. Nathan frantically tried to withdraw his blade, but the monster wouldn''t allow it. With its dying strength and final desperation, it squeezed its crystal gauntlets tight.


    The Scarab sword snapped in two. Nathan had anticipated this possibility when his shield, made from Armor Scarab wing, had taken too many impacts. He just hadn''t expected it to happen so quickly.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    He stumbled backward, still pulling with momentum. The monster crashed to the ground, gurgling blood with the sword''s tail protruding from its back.


    With no one blocking his path, Nathan swung back into the tree branches while moving. He maintained constant awareness of enemy movements.


    Several monsters left the attack formation to approach the fallen High Vermilion Ape. They didn''t mourn their comrade but displayed their inherent bestial nature. One thrust its hand into the wound, then used brute force to tear the corpse apart. Blood sprayed everywhere, exactly what they craved. They reached in to extract still-warm organs, cupping their hands to catch the blood. They ate and drank as if enjoying a small feast mid-battle.


    Nathan felt uneasy but couldn''t find an opening to strike. The remaining Vermilion Apes, following their leader''s orders, grew more frenzied in surrounding him. Most fell quickly to his attacks, either dying or becoming crippled.


    The PsiLink counter showed thirty monsters killed or paralyzed. The essence they provided was negligible. Only the High Vermilion Ape had given enough essence to be noticeable.


    After a while, the monsters withdrew and their ranged attacks ceased, yielding the battlefield to those who had just cannibalized their comrade. Ten Vermilion Apes in an enraged state with blood-red eyes charged at Nathan. According to PsiLink''s analysis, one had changed in size and mass. It had eaten the heart to evolve into a High Vermilion Ape. This meant it must have been Phase 8 before, which was why the leader allowed it to advance to Phase 9.


    Another heavy punch landed on his shield. The enraged Vermilion Apes moved in a circle, striking intermittently to disrupt his rhythm. Above, they occasionally threw spears or rocks to break his tempo.


    He focused on the newly evolved High Vermilion Ape, not overly concerned about the number of monsters at this level. Excluding the leader''s guards who hadn''t shown themselves, he was fairly certain the tribe had few Phase 8 members. A Phase 7 eating a heart and evolving wouldn''t lead to both qualitative and quantitative changes sufficient to earn the title of High Vermilion Ape.


    Having lost his sword, he gritted his teeth and traded punches with his opponent. A shockwave erupted as both his fists and the monster''s stopped mid-air. The monster withdrew first, its face contorted with pain, confusion, and disbelief. To it, High Vermilion Apes were absolute, the strongest below the leader. Its primitive mind only understood from its tribe that no monster could withstand a High Vermilion Ape''s punch. Yet after that collision, the bones in its arm had shattered, going limp and useless.


    Nathan''s lips curled into a smile. His basic damage output, even without skills, could match these musclebound monsters. Add in the effects from his passive skills, and it was like having bombs at his fingertips.


    The monster that had just evolved into a High Vermilion Ape hadn''t recovered when a small knife with Blood Thirster''s green coating grazed its throat. It staggered, clutching its neck to stem the blood flow. Its glory had been fleeting.


    It had wanted to prove to the leader its worth as a guard for both him and Crimson Lotus. As frenzied as it had been in life, in death it feared its heart would be devoured by its companions. This thought made it more afraid of its own kind than the human. Its vision dimmed, the final image before death being the human crushing other enraged Vermilion Apes. Blood sprayed into its eyes, turning everything into a crimson canvas that gradually blackened with a final thought, as if its mind evolved just before death: Why didn''t the leader fight instead of letting them sacrifice themselves?


    Nathan felt a large amount of essence pour into his body. He realized this was like a bug in the program. A few more High Vermilion Apes and he''d surely level up. Thanks to his training, he could now fight while converting essence for Physical Cultivation. Though not efficient and wasteful of essence, he could still maintain 10 to 20% conversion. Not bad at all considering the prolonged battle and numerous enemies. Especially since there was no stagnation like before. The Berserker absorption method might eat a lot, but its appetite was very particular. If enemies fell too easily or he wasn''t in enough danger, the skill itself would refuse to accept the essence.


    Joyful as he was, Nathan maintained intense focus. After escaping the enraged Vermilion Apes, he ran while opening a bottle of wine to drink. The spicy Thunder Embrace flowed down his throat, exploding with energy, instantly recovering his stamina. As for fear of intoxication, he wasn''t concerned at all. Since receiving [Titan''s Descendant], he was like a hardened drinker¡ªthe alcohol in the wine was metabolized before he could even feel its effects.


    With renewed strength, he plunged back into the rain of projectiles. He laughed heartily as if on a casual stroll, deflecting flying rocks and sharp spears, launching punches that shattered monster skulls, hurling kicks that caused bones to snap with crisp sounds throughout the forest.


    Vermilion Apes fell continuously, and even when more entered the enraged state, they couldn''t match Nathan''s speed. Thunder Embrace carried effects similar to drinking pure essence water. Electric sparks crackled around his body, empowering him to move faster. Being a weaker version meant [Living Resistor] completely eliminated any potential side effects. So when another Phase 8 Vermilion Ape ate the fallen one''s heart and evolved, he dispatched it swiftly. A single One-inch punch stacked with four passive skills made its stomach cave in as if creating a void. It died gasping for breath.


    The two sides continued this deadly dance until midday. The surroundings were littered with Vermilion Ape corpses and blood. Trees and green leaves were stained red. The ground had turned to mud, saturated with the crimson liquid. The monsters'' screams now carried less anger, mixed with trembling, sobbing, and resentment. Though frenzied and prone to fighting among themselves when together, they had never tried to kill each other. Yet today they witnessed their kind falling like wheat before the scythe, one after another. All because they followed the leader''s orders.


    Half a bottle of wine consumed, and 132 monsters defeated. Now, the lower-ranked Vermilion Apes began showing resistance. They had expected a quick battle, but harsh reality proved otherwise. Even their mass attack strategy of swarming down together became unusable because the human moved too fast, only engaging them in small groups. They couldn''t understand that Nathan had deliberately been splitting them up.


    Only the leader understood. Thus, it signaled its army to retreat, climbing trees to await orders. It brandished its spear, then pointed it directly at Nathan.


    The apes seemed to regain their morale, stomping and beating their chests in tribal rhythm, mouths roaring encouragement.


    Nine High Vermilion Apes jumped down to surround Nathan. They wielded crude weapons¡ªwooden spears, claws, and gauntlets.


    These higher-ranked monsters, unlike their lower-ranked brethren, attacked in silence.


    Nathan raised his shield to block a spear thrust from the front. Simultaneously, he ducked his head and launched a right uppercut at the monster advancing from behind. It blocked his attack with its gauntlets, only being pushed aside by the residual force. At that moment, from the remaining directions came two pairs of claws, either stabbing or slashing at him. Using his shield as a pivot point, he jumped up, spinning in mid-air to slam both feet down onto two fur-covered backs, sending the monsters crashing into the ground in a cloud of dust.


    Ducking his head to avoid two spears whizzing past, Nathan leaned forward into a roll, creating distance from the monsters. But one final High Vermilion Ape had been waiting. Unable to react mid-motion, he felt claws graze his flank.


    Coughing from the disrupted breathing and pain, Nathan still regained his balance. Gritting his teeth, he took out a small pouch containing healing solution mixed from Blood Moss and Blue Cap Mushroom, smashing it onto his wound. As the solution splashed out, he quickly spread it over the four deep claw marks that reached bone. The monster had been clever enough to attack where the Blood Thirster armor offered no protection. Even if it had, he doubted the low-grade armor could have withstood the sharpness of crystal claws. Undoubtedly, they were crafted from Crystal Mauler remains, and he knew firsthand how sharp their claws were.


    Enduring the stinging as the medicine worked on his right flank, Nathan faced the second wave of attacks. The bleeding had stopped, making his movements much easier.


    He gathered strength and jumped forward, curling behind his Ironbark shield. He became like a boulder smashing into a High Vermilion Ape. It grabbed his shield with its crystal gauntlets, trying to stop him. After leaving a long furrow in the ground, it succeeded. But the human had already abandoned his shield, flipping over it from above, his knife drawing a line from its neck to shoulder. Blood fountained as it collapsed.


    Retrieving his shield, Nathan began moving in circles, defending and dodging. In his peripheral vision, he could see over a hundred remaining Vermilion Apes had blocked the path back to Storm Peaks. However, he had no desire to retreat. If he could overcome today, he would never need to fear Moirath Forest again. Naturally, excluding that bastard Lunar Shadow.


    Using the swinging talent, he moved through trees as well as the apes. Utilizing the momentum of a flying motion, he shot down from above with an extremely powerful shield bash. The impact shockwave made the earth tremble, causing the monsters to stagger backward. In that moment, Nathan kicked up at a spear-wielding monster''s bicep. Screaming in pain, it dropped its weapon. A second later, that same spear had pierced its throat. It leaned forward, the spear''s shaft braced against the ground, creating a grotesque scene.


    Nathan reached up to catch a High Vermilion Ape using gauntlets. The crystal outer layer of the gauntlets tore his palm''s skin. He had no time to experience the pain. Using [Martial Art Mastery]''s stance like during the outer sect tournament, he threw the monster into the air, falling backward, right as it took a claw strike from another High Vermilion Ape. The victim had four holes punctured from chest to jawline, making gurgling sounds as if in reproach.


    Before the clawed monster could recover, Nathan''s shield edge had already shattered its head.


    The remaining five showed no hesitation, inhaling deeply the blood scent of their kind. They entered the enraged state. Their eyes turned red, their bodies seeming to grow larger.


    Nathan hastily collected a set of claws, fitting them to his hands. Though smaller than the monsters'' hands, the crude straps still allowed him to grip firmly.


    The difference became immediately apparent, proving these were truly Crimson Lotus''s guards rather than ordinary Phase 9s. The remaining five''s speed and precision far exceeded the others.


    The High Vermilion Apes moved as if rehearsed, attacking in perfect rhythm. Two thrust with spears; as they withdrew, two sets of claws came crashing in from opposite sides; while they were recharging their attacks, the final one would launch into a frenzy. Then the cycle would repeat. Sometimes there were variations, but the overall pattern maintained three beats. [Improved Pattern Recognition] helped Nathan analyze this much faster.


    But knowing was one thing, managing another. Their speed now matched his, making reactions more difficult. He succeeded in wounding three who attacked at close range, but simultaneously suffered injuries from spears that always struck at points unprotected by armor. Sometimes they deliberately stabbed at his shield to throw him off balance. This led to several claw wounds on his left thigh.


    The crystal-coated Ironbark shield sparked continuously. The High Vermilion Apes weren''t just using their companions'' blood but were also absorbing their essence to maintain stamina. Nathan discovered this when he noticed the natural flow of essence into his body had decreased significantly. Clearly, these monsters were natural Physical Cultivators requiring little to no training. Highly likely, ancient humans had learned from them to step onto the path of cultivation.


    Backed into a corner, Nathan deployed his trump card. In his mind, he partitioned off a section to activate one-tenth of the Berserker state. With the environment full of blood scent and pressure, he could easily achieve this. The consequence would be losing some mental clarity, significantly reducing his current essence absorption capacity. But he deemed it worthwhile.


    Upon successful activation, his skin gradually reddened. Using only ten percent meant his body didn''t deform like in Darkan''s cultivation chamber. However, the effect was just enough.


    Blood vessels appeared in his eyes, darting back and forth continuously. Baring his teeth, he roared. The sound from his throat made the leader jump as if it too faced another monster rather than a human.


    The High Vermilion Apes weren''t much affected, continuing their relentless assault. Nathan dodged an incoming spear while using his shield to knock one monster aside, simultaneously using his claws to hook into his opponent''s claws. This action trapped the monster, preventing it from withdrawing its hand. He took advantage of the moment to pull it forcefully toward himself, parallel with a jump to avoid another spear thrust by a hair''s breadth.


    From mid-air, he slammed his forehead down. The monster receiving the attack had its skull instantly shattered. Its brain splattered like mush.


    Seeing this happen, the leader stood up straight. It realized Nathan''s speed had changed yet again. First after drinking that strange spicy-smelling solution. Now when his skin turned bright red. It recognized the similarity between Nathan''s transformations and the Vermilion Apes. More importantly, it concluded a harsh truth that its plan had failed. Initially, it had sent low-ranked ones to wear Nathan down, planning to deliver the finishing blow itself. Easy and energy-efficient. It had worried that fighting the human would weaken it, and others would use the opportunity to usurp its position. Eat its core. Or worse, be attacked by other Vermilion Ape tribes. Now, everything had spiraled out of control. Only one choice remained if it wanted to avenge its child. Whatever the consequences, they could be dealt with later.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader raised its staff and struck down. The remaining High Vermilion Apes immediately withdrew. But one unfortunate one remained caught under Nathan''s partial Berserker state. He launched a punch through its chest, squeezing its heart in mid-air. He smirked at the leader, then squeezed until the heart exploded, spraying red fireworks that pattered onto the ground.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader accepted the challenge. It ordered everyone to stay back. It advanced with steady, heavy, authoritative steps. In its hand, it gripped a spear with crystal glinting at its tip. Its muscles bulged, accompanied by small popping sounds.


    Nathan lowered his stance, ready to fight.


    His first Tier 2 monster.

 Chapter 29

    The Vermilion Ape Leader moved with a deceptive grace, its punch cutting through the air toward Nathan. The attack was light and fluid, yet the strength it carried was anything but simple.


    [Martial Art Mastery] level 2 had always helped Nathan sense the subtlest movements of air and energy when anyone or anything initiated an attack. At that moment, he could see it clearly. He just couldn''t react in time because it was too fast, much like when Qingfeng shot arrows at point-blank range.


    An explosion from Air Punch erupted just above the surface of his shield. The impact was stronger than any rock throw or attack before. He was blown backward, only stopping when he pushed his feet against a tree trunk. Looking at his shield grip, he noticed it was vibrating as if threatening to drop the shield entirely.


    He knew Tier 2 monsters were powerful and had prepared accordingly. However, experiencing it firsthand made him realize that the descriptions didn''t do them justice.


    Gritting his teeth, Nathan raised his flask and took a swig of Thunder Embrace. Its invigorating energy coursed through him, easing his fatigue and bracing him for the battle ahead. While he used to be conservative with his passive skills, he now knew he couldn''t afford to hold back anymore.


    With superior speed, in the blink of an eye, he was within claw-swinging range. His strike missed by a hair''s breadth as his opponent jumped upward. The Vermilion Ape Leader reacted instantly, leaping clear of his strike and retaliating with a downward slash of its spear. Nathan''s shield intercepted the blow, but this wasn¡¯t merely a defense. His counterattack triggered a cascade of abilities.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Flowing Strikes]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Internal Trauma]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Rebound]. One credit given.


    A shockwave rippled outward, flattening the grass and blowing back the fur of the Vermilion Apes. A moment later, the recoil from [Rebound] knocked the leader''s spear upward. Taking advantage of that moment of imbalance, Nathan pulled his foot out from where it had sunk into the ground and swung in an arc straight into the monster''s chest.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader flew back much like when it had attacked Nathan earlier. Mid-air, it threw a punch backward. A similar invisible force from before occurred, propelling it in the opposite direction. It landed with a thud, completely unharmed, snorting in contempt at its enemy.


    Nathan smirked. If this wasn''t all it had, then neither was he. Time to push each other to their limits.


    Once again, they clashed. This time, the Vermilion Ape Leader raised its hand, arched its back, and thrust its spear forward. Nathan barely had time to raise his shield in defense. Not only was he pushed backward again, but he also heard a shattering sound. Before he could assess the damage, the monster had already leaped onto the wooden shaft still embedded in the shield and sprung upward. From above, it spun, bringing both hands high, striking downward.


    Nathan once again raised his shield, followed by the spear piercing through the crystal layer.


    The monster had been waiting for precisely this moment. Just as it was about to punch the shield, it channeled mana to use its Air Punch skill in two diagonal directions. This created a vertical force, allowing it to halt mid-air and float up slightly, just above the spear''s tail. A distance just right for its two punches to strike down.


    Nathan felt the spear pierce his shoulder before hearing his shield being punctured. He let out a cry of pain, dropping to one knee. The monster''s feet landed with a thud above him. Using every ounce of strength he had, he pushed it away. His opponent seemed almost pleased to accept the suggestion, withdrawing its spear and falling lightly in front of him.


    The silver lining was that the shield had absorbed most of the force, so the wound wasn''t too deep thanks to his constitution. Throwing healing solution onto the wound, Nathan took a moment to admire his opponent. This talking monster had truly proven its intelligence. To apply such a simple technique as Air Punch to that level of sophistication was remarkable.


    This was also a technique Nathan hoped to acquire upon reaching Tier 2, as it scaled with physical attributes. The stronger the constitution, the stronger the force projected¡ªa technique that harmonized Spirit and Physical Cultivation.


    Interesting as it was, it was time for him to counter-attack. Most of his preparation had been specifically for this Vermilion Ape Leader.


    With a grunt, he pushed his limits higher.


    Berserker, 11%.


    The next Air Punch still pushed him back, but significantly less than before. The leader threw a punch at his shield while thrusting its spear through the hole.


    Nathan released his shield, leaping upward, responding to the monster in kind. He swung down with his claws.


    The monster likewise released its weapon-wielding hand, throwing an uppercut that deflected the claw strike. Its other hand clashed with Nathan. A shockwave erupted. Nathan was blown backward. He somersaulted in mid-air, grabbed his shield, yanked it free from the spear, and slid backward.


    Unlike with the High Vermilion Ape, in that pure test of strength, he had lost. Fortunately, he hadn''t used [Rebound] on his own punch but on his opponent''s instead, reflecting its own force back at it. Yet the monster appeared completely unfazed.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader felt something strange. It could sense it had received three impacts on its arm. And the third one, coming immediately after the second, didn''t seem to originate from the human. That force felt more like its own. Besides that, an peculiar force had invaded its mind. As a leader, it had trained itself to maintain constant composure. Even when its son died, it had maintained its bearing, befitting a leader. Yet now, while still holding the upper hand, its body felt restless, its mind dwelling on things it shouldn''t¡ªon hatred, on the fear of losing its position as leader, on being killed by other Vermilion Apes.


    Nathan remained unaware that his [Internal Trauma] was having such a significant effect on the monster. This skill rarely showed immediate results when used on cultivators. But monsters, with their wild nature, proved more susceptible to its influence. Currently, he only knew that 11% wasn''t enough. He took a moment to assess his current cultivation. Physical Cultivation Tier 1 Phase 7.9. He was on the verge of breakthrough. With abundant essence, he would face no obstacles. But for now, he gritted his teeth and directed the blood flow in his body, making everything heat up, his skin taking on a redder hue.


    Berserker, 12%.


    At this point, he could withstand an Air Punch while only leaving a foot-long groove in the ground.


    He used the edge of his shield to attack forward.


    The monster raised its weaponless hand to block. Its elbow bent upon impact. Its eyes blinked in disbelief. Just minutes ago, the human hadn''t possessed enough strength to cause any notable pain, but now he could prevent it from straightening its arm against a pure strength attack?


    Roaring, the Vermilion Ape Leader''s biceps swelled, then pushed back.


    Nathan stumbled backward, shield raised high in the air. He had to use his toes and passive skills to push himself back, dodging a dangerous slash from the leader. However, the spear''s length still reached him, shattering the Blood Thirster plate protecting his chest. Rubbing his chest, he shook his head, lamenting the loss of an item that had been with him since his early days. Days when he had been closer to death than now. Yet now, encountering these mantis-like monsters again, he could beat them to pulp. This truly was hell training. He was certain Darkan had a hand in the events he''d encountered. But he held no grudge about it. Because of this, he had come very far. So far that he could hardly believe his own rocket-like speed.


    Physical Cultivation, Tier 1 Phase 8.0.


    Berserker, 13%.


    The air around him was pushed away, the heat from his body creating a light mist.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader frowned. Since the beginning, this was the first time it felt threatened. It had only thought the human was agile, which was why its subordinates had faced difficulties. Now, its perspective was being shattered once again. It reminded itself to adjust its mindset after this battle.


    The monster jumped up, launching an Air Punch from mid-air.


    This time, Nathan had enough strength to block without being pushed back. Letting out a joyful roar, he jumped up to engage the monster. Shield and fists clashed, pushing both back after leaving a thunderous explosion. He used his Swinging talent to swing onto a branch, then used the momentum to launch himself against the ape leader.


    Their collisions were like two stars crashing together, both swift and mighty. The surrounding trees and branches swayed violently from the aftershocks. Leaves whirled skyward from the stirred air. The encircling Vermilion Apes howled and screamed, cheering for their leader.


    After enduring two Air Punches, Nathan was forced to drop down. Being able to withstand one punch was already impressive. Two were still challenging. But this challenge could be solved by pushing his limits higher.


    Berserker, 14%.


    Around Nathan, the steam began taking on a reddish tinge. He downed the last gulp of Thunder Embrace. Inside his body, energy exploded like a drumbeat, pounding out thunderous booms. Lightning crackled across his head, sharpening his focus. With a harsh laugh, he charged forward.


    Two Air Punches met him head-on. With force pushing down on his legs and his arms bracing the shield, four forces working in concert helped him deflect the two powerful punches. Pausing for just a second, he continued his forward momentum. His shield knocked away the incoming spear thrust. His claws swept down in a dangerous arc. Finally, he had wounded his opponent.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader staggered backward, looking down at the two claw marks from the index and middle fingers on its chest. It reached out toward the fallen bodies of its kind. Their blood was drawn up in thin tendrils, flying toward the wound. The blood strands wrapped around the claw marks, stopping the bleeding and accelerating healing.


    It can even do that? Nathan''s eyes widened at the sight.


    The knowledge he''d received from PsiLink was about what the monster did next, not this healing ability. The blood was drawn up and formed into long, sharp pillars. More than ten Blood Bolts were created and shot straight at where Nathan stood.


    Ducking down behind his shield for protection, he was shocked by the monster''s skills. But the surprises didn''t end there¡ªthe Vermilion Ape Leader wove the blood into ropes, whipping them forward like lashes. Four rope ends latched onto Nathan''s shield. He immediately felt a force pulling him forward.


    Peering through the hole in his shield, he grew more confused. The blood control skill wasn''t unexpected data. What was unpredictable was its masterful execution. Controlling blood into small bolts was simple enough, though complex for monsters. But being able to use it for both healing and weaving into ropes put it on par with a cultivator.


    While wondering if he had made a mistake, a blood rope wrapped around his ankle from behind. Without time to think further, he pushed his mind deeper into madness.


    Berserker, 15%.


    Yanking his leg, he snapped the rope binding him. When the blood bolts stopped firing, he engaged in a tug-of-war with the Vermilion Ape Leader. But this time was different. His state of releasing 15% power had made his strength surpass the monster''s by a level.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader, gripping the ropes tightly as it pulled forward, was surprised. Unable to accept this reality, it used more strength, wanting to prove to its opponent that it was stronger. Most importantly, it needed to inspire more fear in its watching kin. New blood strands formed to reinforce the ropes'' stability.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    When the tug-of-war had reached the point where veins and blood vessels bulged on their faces, Nathan slammed his right foot into the ground, propelling him forward, at the same time, utilizing momentum from the tug.


    Still absorbed in pulling, the monster fell backward, simultaneously dragging Nathan straight toward it. Nathan''s shield crashed into the monster''s body, sending both sliding forward until they hit a boulder. Nathan dodged to one side, driving his claws toward his enemy.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader raised its hand to block, causing the entire claw set to pierce through its hand, drawing out a cry of pain.


    Just as Nathan was about to use his strength to drive deeper through to the chest, the monster''s push forced him back. The leader, enraged, twisted its hand, ignoring the blood flowing from it, and wrenched the claw weapon from Nathan''s grip.


    The monster stood up, raising its spear. The crystal at the spear''s tip shifted from its shimmering rainbow hue to blood red as it absorbed the blood of surrounding creatures. A massive Blood Bolt formed, shooting straight toward the human.


    Nathan knew dodging was his best option and leaped to the side. The Blood Bolt grazed past him, piercing through the tree trunk behind, only stopping when it hit another tree. Even then, it had embedded halfway into the trunk.


    Another massive Blood Bolt launched toward him. Nathan twisted his center of gravity mid-air, letting the deadly projectile slide past just in front of his nose. Its wide surface still managed to cut a line across Nathan''s chest. Upon landing, he felt as if his wound was on fire.


    The mixture of Blood Moss and Blue Cap Mushroom struggled when applied to the cut. It neither stopped the bleeding immediately nor entered the healing state as quickly as before. The claw marks on his flank had healed thanks to his Titan bloodline constitution. But this new wound proved far more challenging.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    Nathan leaned back as two overhead strikes from the monster created a small tremor in the ground. Staggering for a moment, even with the buff from [Adrenaline Boost], he barely managed to raise his shield.


    In an instant, the monster coated its spear with a Blood Bolt, controlling it before jumping forward, piercing through both layers of the Ironbark shield. Its tip left a small cut on Nathan''s forehead before stopping.


    Before he could breathe a sigh of relief from the terrifying stillness, both the Blood Bolt and spear tip shattered under pressure into tiny fragments, spraying across his face. Some grazed past, others embedded in his skin.


    When he opened his eyes, he met two incoming punches from the monster. Gritting his teeth despite the pain, he raised his shield to block.


    A loud crack rang out. His shield, from the groove pierced by the Blood Bolt, split in two, falling with a thud.


    With nothing left to protect himself, Nathan raised both hands in defense, turning it into a test of strength like his fight with Roran Alastair.


    Blood streamed down his face, but he still managed a grin at the leader.


    "What''s wrong, red-butt? Can''t keep up with a human? Your followers must be dying of embarrassment!"


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    Never had Nathan been so pleased to have this troublesome skill activate as now. The damn monster deserved every insult he could throw.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader narrowed its eyes dangerously, understanding the human was mocking it. It glanced around at its watching subordinates. Inexplicably, irrationally, it felt the human''s words ring true. As if they were truly ashamed of it for being their leader yet only managing to fight evenly, rather than being stronger or crushing its opponent. It blinked once, its eyes gradually filling with blood. Its facial muscles contorted, fur bristling. Its pride wouldn''t allow such contempt.


    The monster let out a long roar, sound waves rippling through the forest. Nathan, standing at ground zero, felt his ears nearly going deaf. However, he had no time to worry about such trivial matters. He hadn''t expected a single taunt to drive the monster into such a frenzy.


    Because [Internal Trauma] rarely activated, Nathan hadn''t paid attention to its effects. Monsters were creatures that lacked strong emotional control. [Internal Trauma] was a skill that could be both beneficial and harmful. It caused mental disturbance in Cultivators like Gideon, making them lose their rhythm and rationality¡ªan extremely dangerous thing. Conversely, for monsters, it could create an unwanted scenario by accelerating their descent into uncontrolled bestiality.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader had fallen into this state. It hadn''t wanted to use its enraged state because it would be weakened afterward. According to its simple plan, it only needed to wear down its opponent and then coordinate with its kin.


    [Internal Trauma] had changed everything. The Vermilion Ape Leader unleashed all of its power.


    The monster''s eyes shifted from amber-orange to red. Its fur rippled as if blown by wind. Around it, blood was absorbed and its own blood spread out, painting crimson arcs in the air. Its muscles grew larger. The muscles on its back rose like a small mountain. Fangs extended, long and sharp. It threw its head back, roaring like a lord.


    The surrounding Vermilion Apes jumped about in a frenzy, excited and worshipful. After a moment, they dropped to their knees, displaying their fear and submission. The scene before them reminded them why they had chosen to live under the Vermilion Ape Leader''s protection.


    Nathan, standing right beside this display of power, felt fear. Yet part of him eagerly anticipated testing his limits. He had pushed himself far in the outer sect tournament. Now was the time to prove his chosen path.


    His arms were forced back as strength gradually became overwhelming. The monster channeled mana into its chest and released it, blasting him backward. His back crashed into a boulder, shattering it. He only stopped after rolling several times on the ground. Rising to his knees and wiping blood from his mouth, he looked up at the monster. Ignoring the ache spreading throughout his body, he stood up, and like the monster, pushed his own limits higher.


    Berserker, 16%.


    He stomped one foot forward, his eyes streaked with blood.


    Berserker, 17%.


    His hands clenched tight, knuckles cracking.


    Berserker, 18%.


    He threw his head back and roared in response to the monster''s display of intimidation.


    Berserker, 19%.


    Lowering his head to lock eyes with the monster, he charged forward, leaving only a blur in his wake.


    Berserker, 20%.


    Nathan''s body transformed during his movement. His skin took on a pale gray hue, mixed with the primal red of Berserker. His mind now had no room left to maintain absorption, letting everything run automatically under [Titan''s Descendant]''s guidance.


    Their fists met. A massive explosion. The ground cracked open. Shockwaves rippled outward. The lower-tier Vermilion Apes all fell backward. Grass was uprooted. Earth and rocks rose like a tsunami. Trees threatened to topple.


    While everything was still trying to settle, another punch occurred, making everything even more chaotic.


    In the heat of battle, Nathan had understood both sides'' strength. With this, everything could be managed. Using [Martial Art Mastery], he treated the monster like a martial artist. Once doing so, he could analyze its attacks thoroughly. After all, it didn''t possess enough intelligence to have diverse techniques like Qingfeng or Xander. The Berserker state partially hindered his analytical mind, but just avoiding complete madness was enough in this situation.


    The monster punched the ground, shaking an entire area. But Nathan had already jumped up, delivering an uppercut to its right jaw. The leader staggered briefly before recovering quickly, swinging horizontally. The wind-splitting attack hit nothing, and it took a kick to its lower abdomen. The human''s strength was so great it forced it to stumble.


    Nathan pressed his advantage relentlessly, advancing with continuous attacks. One-inch punches rang out against the monster''s flesh like firecrackers. Combined with [Rebound], these punches dealt even more damage. From punches to kicks, he beat the monster until it was dizzy.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader, seeing the situation turn dire, released a mana blast to break its opponent''s rhythm. It raised both hands, and from the blood pools on the ground rose whips that lashed automatically at its enemy. Simultaneously, it jumped in to join the attack.


    Nathan didn''t flinch, his feet moving as they had against Qingfeng, requiring only subtle and light movements to dodge the blood whips. They were quite predictable to him. When the monster closed in, he transformed his body according to different fighting styles.


    Though not in the Into the Zone state, his variations left the monster unable to counter effectively. He only needed to strike necessary points with each attack, and the monster would expose itself for continuous hits. He jumped and ducked each time the whips struck, using the momentum of each movement to channel force into his next punch or kick. At appropriate moments, he used mana to increase damage.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader''s arms grew numb, dropping limply as it stepped backward when its opponent paused from exhaustion. It hadn''t completely lost ground in the recent exchange. Some of its punches enhanced with Air Punch had still landed on its opponent. But the expected consequences didn''t materialize. The human felt pain from these punches, but they didn''t cause enough damage. It was as if that grayish-red skin had greatly reduced its power.


    What the monster suspected was indeed true. The skin Nathan had activated was part of the Titan''s Berserker State. Since it wasn''t fully activated yet, the system hadn''t announced it.


    The monster bared its teeth, its determination growing fiercer. It had never been humiliated like this, never been fought to a standstill like now. Even other Tier 2 monsters were cautious when facing it in this state. Yet in its perception, this human with weaker cultivation could resist until now. It couldn''t accept this. Even if its next move would weaken it to the point where even the weakest monster could kill it, it didn''t care.


    Nathan saw the monster jump up, seemingly planning to attack from above, and only smiled. Such a move would only create more openings for him to exploit.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader''s two punches crashed down, creating a small crater beneath Nathan''s feet. Nathan, having jumped to dodge earlier, was planning to spin and kick the monster''s head when, in the next moment, he was sent flying backward. His back cracked against a tree trunk with a snap before he was thrown sideways. That tree trunk tilted and fell, hitting another tree before rolling once and stopping.


    Nathan coughed blood, his mind a chaos as he struggled to stand. He lifted his blurry eyes to look at the monster and finally understood what had happened. From behind its back, just above its shoulders, had grown another pair of muscular, powerful arms. It was now punching its four hands together, creating popping sounds like firecrackers, snorting to express its irritation with Nathan.


    Spitting out the blood caught in his throat, Nathan gritted his teeth.


    Berserker, 21%.


    Leaving a shockwave that sent dust flying, he threw a punch at the monster.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader responded with two Air Punches. But Nathan twisted his body mid-air, dodging them. The sharp air from the two punches still managed to leave a gash on him. Once close, Nathan was confident he wouldn''t let the monster act freely anymore.


    Berserker, 22%.


    He punched the forearms of the two descending strikes, making them bounce back. Then he jumped up to dodge the clapping attack from the monster''s other pair of hands. He used his feet to kick down those hands while leaning forward, helping his punch connect straight with the opponent''s nose.


    The monster howled in pain, blood spraying from its broken nose. It shook its head to regain clarity, unable to believe it still couldn''t achieve overwhelming victory.


    Berserker, 23%.


    Nathan felt his mind teetering on the edge of collapse, memories fueling anger flooding into his consciousness. Only through [Self-Emotional Support] could he maintain his train of thought.


    The complete Berserker state was incredibly powerful, enough for him to instantly knock out the Vermilion Ape, but the consequences would be severe. He would pass out like last time. Though it wouldn''t last a day, even a few hours would be enough to end him.


    23% is good enough, he told himself.


    He shot forward, stretching his body like a straight needle, weaving between four Air Punches. Air pressure slid past his head, back, and legs, leaving bloody trails across his body. Using his legs and arms to kick and parry the monster''s four punches, the aftershocks left him floating in mid-air for a few moments.


    He used his body to slide along the Vermilion Ape Leader''s stance, ducking low, sweeping the monster''s legs out from under it. When it lay sprawled, he jumped up, pressing his knee down on one pair of its arms. Then, he began punching its face while dodging counterattacks from its remaining two arms.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The watching Vermilion Apes had stopped their cheering. They had never seen their leader struggle like this. And now it was lying there taking hits. Its usual dominance had vanished. Its image was crumbling. To the red-orange eyes of the monster audience, that one no longer seemed worthy of leadership.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader thrashed to break free, but the human''s strength matched its own, leaving it helpless. Its mana had depleted from using Air Punches, Blood Whips, and Blood Bolts earlier. Now in desperation, it could only blast away its remaining reserves to force the enemy back.


    Nathan skidded on his knees, snorting out the accumulated blood. He was exhausted too, but not to the point of collapse like in the final moments against Xander. So, he advanced again proudly. He might have been smaller than the monster, but his gait and bearing belonged to a giant.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader, having lost its mind, attacked without restraint. It had been unfortunate to face an enemy who also specialized in physical combat. But it would be more unfortunate to stop here. What awaited it in defeat was too terrifying. Too bloody to stop.


    Between Nathan and the Vermilion Ape Leader, thunderous sounds continuously rang out. The surroundings fell silent to watch. Two beings fought amid ground soaked with the blood of monster corpses that had been blown away. The space belonged solely to two frenzied creatures with blood-red eyes, bodies covered in wounds and flowing blood.


    The battle only ended when the sunlight tilted toward evening, signaling a day''s end.


    Unlike the monster who only attacked by instinct, Nathan left calculations behind each punch or kick. He had precisely targeted the same spot just below the monster''s left chest. With each contact, he could assess the situation there. Initially firm with protective skin and muscle, then gradually softening, progressing to bone contact, leading to bone fracture.


    And then came the final strike. With speed from [Quick Feet] and [Adrenaline Boost]. With power from [Amplifying Strike], [Flowing Strikes], and [Rebound]. The battle-ending punch was thrown.


    CRACK!


    The monster''s ribs bent backward, piercing its burning heart.


    The Vermilion Ape Leader froze, its breath catching. It emerged from its frenzied state to regain a bit of rationality. Its stopped heart caused all energy in its body to halt. It stepped backward, eyes looking at its left chest, then blinked in disbelief at the human. He was so small, with thin limbs not even close to its size. Yet it had lost?


    The leader turned to look at its kin, its eyes blinking wide. Its mouth trembled, words stumbling out.


    "He...Hel...Help...me!"


    But none moved, none acted. They only tilted their heads in confusion at the four-armed monster.


    The tallest monster here crashed to the ground, trying to breathe in and out as if hoping that would help it continue living. Its eyes, losing their red color, looked up at the sky with its golden-tinged clouds. Its face seemed to gain more wrinkles, the consequence of excessive power use. When it realized strength was increasingly slipping away, it accepted its fate.


    "My...son..." it whispered.


    Finally, it curled its lips as if smiling. Like the ape monsters before it who had moments of enlightenment just before falling, it too had such a moment. It wondered what meaning there was in everything it had done.


    No one provided an answer to the dying. With a final groan, it bid farewell to the world.


    A large amount of essence poured toward Nathan. He took a deep breath, threw back his head and roared in satisfaction and authority.


    The remaining Vermilion Apes heard and howled, then knelt to show their submission.


    To them, Nathan was now their new Leader.

 Chapter 30

    Darkan opened his eyes at the sound of his disciple''s roar.


    Looking down through the clouds, he smiled with pride. In less than a month, Nathan had already defeated his first Tier 2 monster.


    What an impressive physique, he mused silently. He had lost count of how many times Nathan''s physical capabilities had surprised him.


    Currently, he still hadn''t identified Nathan''s bloodline. He had pulled strings with his contacts in the research division and spent a considerable sum to keep them quiet. Additionally, any blood samples sent for testing were under his strict supervision and retrieved afterward, preventing anyone from collecting them. This investigation had reached as far as the central powers of the Empire.


    Regardless, what mattered most was that his disciple continued to develop. The initial plan was for this training to last at least two to three months before Nathan would be strong enough to defeat a Tier 2. But now, everything seemed to have been turned on its head.


    Darkan wasn''t particularly concerned about this deviation. The placement of the Vermilion Ape variant was specifically designed to accelerate Nathan''s growth. So the current results still aligned with the intended path. He was merely wondering if Lunar Shadow would be enough of a playground for his precious disciple.


    Chuckling, he kept a vigilant watch over the border region of Storm Peaks below. If anything went wrong, he would prevent the monsters from interfering. The next phase would be the true ordeal for Nathan.


    When the euphoria subsided, Nathan was left panting heavily. His body went limp, arms and legs dangling loosely. The scene before his eyes grew hazy. A ringing sensation buzzed in his ears as his Berserker state at 23% dissipated. His skin returned to its normal appearance and color, no longer a mix of red and dark gray. His frame seemed to contract slightly, becoming a bit smaller.


    He glanced around, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.


    What the hell is going on?


    The red-furred beasts were all kneeling before him, including the three remaining High Vermilion Apes. They maintained their silence as if awaiting orders.


    He had expected to have to drive away these remnants of the battle before he could safely do anything else. Yet the current result exceeded his expectations. Though his mind was foggy to the point of confusion, he still understood how beneficial this outcome could be.


    To verify this, he gathered what little strength remained and used his knife to stab the chest of the largest Vermilion Ape corpse on the ground.


    There was no reaction from the surrounding creatures, not a single breath of protest or cry of fear.


    Taking this as confirmation, Nathan struggled to cut a line where the heart should be. The Leader''s skin was indeed thick, even after he had beaten it so thoroughly.


    Reaching through the skin and the still-warm blood, he grabbed the heart and pulled it out, holding it up before the monster horde. Blood dripped through his fingers, its metallic scent pungent yet strangely alluring to the beasts.


    Still no movement.


    Smiling at the intriguing situation, he contemplated his next action. Consuming a monster''s heart was unthinkable for humans. Yet Nathan found himself craving the crimson organ in his hand. As if he was no longer entirely normal. [Titan''s Descendant] had transformed him into something different. This became increasingly apparent as he advanced along the Physical Cultivation path. Something primal and wild had formed within him. Yet somehow, in a strange and invisible way, he knew it wasn''t harmful but beneficial.


    The Berserker cultivation method only taught absorption of essence from a monster''s heart or organs through breathing. While effective, comparing it to directly consuming the heart was like comparing a river to an ocean.


    Finally, despite the revolting sensation creeping up his throat, he tilted his head back and held the heart above his mouth. He squeezed, forcing blood to flow from the wound he''d made. The metallic liquid poured into his mouth. A bizarre sensation rose in his mind as its taste proved unexpectedly sweet. Like drinking water after a day of thirst, he squeezed harder, forcing out all the blood. His throat bobbed with each eager gulp.


    When only drops remained, he lowered the heart and took a bite. The inherent revulsion toward raw food nearly made him retch. Then, another force rose up, driving away that instinct, helping him chew the meat that was both tough and crisp, swallowing without wasting a drop.


    His consumption process was like torture as his human side battled with his Titan aspect. Simultaneously disgusted yet satisfied. Both revolting and delicious.


    Finally, the heart was completely consumed. He stared at his blood-red hand, unsure how to feel. Whether to be horrified at his own savagery or relieved that he hadn''t wasted any nutrients.


    He tilted his head to look at something glinting in the last rays of daylight beneath where the Vermilion Ape Leader''s heart had been. Reaching down to retrieve it, he held it at eye level for inspection.


    A monster core.


    The bright red core, small as his thumb, felt cold in Nathan''s hand. Inside seemed to contain a mysterious mist. Hidden within were waves of red energy that rose and fell. The core stored precious essence and energy for cultivators. Typically, it would be processed with medicinal ingredients and mana to create products like ''Initial Advancing Pill'' or used entirely for ''Condensed Essence Pill''. This showed just how valuable it was.


    On the surface, seeing Nathan defeat a Tier 2 monster while not even being at the same tier might make one think monster cores were easy to harvest. But the truth required examining from different angles. Among the monsters in Moirath Forest, he had chosen several notable candidates to fight, including the Vermilion Ape. These monsters at Tier 2 still focused primarily on physical strength, unlike other species possessing stranger abilities. Take the Sovereign Wisp, for instance, which possessed a weak body but carried some of the most frightening skills in Moirath Forest. Or the Heat Basilisk, this dragon-kin monster not only had a powerful body, but its breath was also a formidable problem. Therefore, by focusing largely on muscle power, Nathan wouldn''t fear combat.


    Even so, he still encountered the Vermilion Ape Leader variant when it used blood as whips or could grow four arms to fight. The monster failed to properly utilize its skills'' potential, leading to its defeat. Just with that blood whip ability alone, Nathan had already thought of many ways to fight. This made him more cautious about facing Cultivators. They would use mana aspects like water and wood much more skillfully than monsters.


    That¡¯s why monster cores still required Tier 2 cultivators to harvest, often necessitating group efforts. The Vermilion Ape Leader might have fallen to Nathan alone, but one of its punches was enough to shake a mana shield. Without proper evasion, a few more hits would be enough to send someone to meet their ancestors. Similarly, a cultivator like Keira could also easily defeat the Vermilion Ape Leader if careful and quick, using illusions to bind the monster''s movements. But against Spirit-focused types like the Sovereign Wisp, her skills would face obstacles when not operating at full capacity. Ultimately, the principle was knowing one''s strengths and weaknesses to choose opponents rather than charging in recklessly.


    While examining his best spoil of war thus far, Nathan''s heart suddenly pounded hard. The nutrients from what he had just consumed were beginning to take effect. He glanced around at the surrounding Vermilion Apes. Seeing them maintain their fearful and reverential attitude toward him, Nathan decided to cultivate right there. After all, at his current state, one punch would be enough to send any of them who dared attack straight to heaven. Most importantly, the boiling energy in his body wouldn''t allow him to move anymore.


    The essence absorbed from the monsters he had defeated crashed over him like tidal waves. Once again repeating the cultivation method from that night at Storm Peaks, he let the essence flow rapidly throughout his body, destroying cell after cell. His recovery speed had increased significantly after jumping from Phase 3 to Phase 7, making the cultivation process slightly faster.


    He gritted his teeth as the essence''s ferocity showed no signs of stopping. The nutrients in the monster''s heart were clearly substantial. Moreover, he had absorbed them raw, in their purest form. His own heart beat faster, driving blood circulation in all directions.


    Combined with the partially automatic cultivation progress from earlier, he quickly broke through.


    Physical Cultivation, Tier 1, Phase 9.0.


    A shockwave emanated from him, startling the Vermilion Apes. They jumped around not in fear but in joy. They were herd monsters always needing a supreme leader to protect them from other Tier 2 monsters. Thus, the stronger their new leader became, the more excited they grew.


    Unlike the beasts'' joy, Nathan was struggling. Before he could savor the satisfaction of his new level, he was assaulted by the needle-like pricks of essence. Indeed, too much of anything wasn''t good. He now felt no different than someone who had eaten far too much.


    The essence''s devastation was so severe that blood leaked from his eyes, while his nose bled stubbornly, streaming down his neck.


    Phase 9.2.


    It felt as if he was drinking blood only to leak it out again. The wounds on his body seemed even more serious than during the battle. The sound of flowing essence hissed constantly in his ears.


    Phase 9.4.


    Now his ears were also filled with fluid. Nathan''s mind had to struggle tremendously to maintain clarity. He could expel all the rampaging essence. However, to him, such action would be wasteful. Berserkers had to cultivate through such torment. If he didn''t push his limits further or stopped here, his future cultivation speed would decrease significantly.


    Phase 9.6.


    Using the memory of the humiliation he endured at Verdant Spire Sect, he refused to let himself stop. After pain would come rewards. After suffering would come glory. He had to cling to this belief, even though it wasn''t always true, wasn''t always the absolute truth. But if he couldn''t even believe in this, what else could he believe in?


    Phase 9.8.


    He tilted his head back, opening his mouth to roar in release. Yet the sound that escaped was only a weak choke, as if someone was strangling him. Unable to close his eyes anymore, he opened them wide, bloodshot with visible veins, staring into the darkness that had descended.


    He thought his spirit had given up, had reached its limit and passed out. Yet his body was still responding.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Phase 9.9.


    The essence seemed to materialize from its invisible state around him. It appeared like tiny mirror fragments flowing in streams throughout his body. His Phase accordingly continued to rise,


    Phase 9.91...9.92...9.93...


    Until reaching the threshold of 9.99.


    Breath seemed to be stripped from him. Though his body didn''t expand, it felt like it was stretching to its limits as if he had drunk an entire pool of water. His mouth was rigid, only able to make hoarse, spasming sounds as if on the verge of death.


    Not yet, a bit of rationality roared.


    Triggered [Self-Emotional Support]. One credit given.


    He frantically circulated essence according to the Berserker cultivation method.


    One minute.


    Two minutes.


    More than five minutes passed while he remained stuck in place, unable to achieve his desired result of a major breakthrough to Tier 2.


    Bottleneck? He silently panicked.


    This was precisely what he hadn''t considered due to his constant confidence in his Bloodline. The way he always advanced quickly and his automatic essence absorption mechanism that worked like a cheat had made him assume he would level up without any obstacles. He hadn''t applied Spirit Cultivation logic to Physical Cultivation¡ªthat going too fast would cause the body to rebel. Even geniuses had to pace out their cultivation process. That was why Xander or Zahra didn''t rush to advance too quickly. Even after reaching Tier 1 Phase 9.9, they still took time to settle before attempting breakthrough.


    Keira, Nathan suddenly thought of her and her desperate method during the outer sect tournament semifinals.


    He knew the two situations were completely different. Keira''s bottleneck had lasted quite long, necessitating such measures; it wasn''t simply about body resistance anymore but due to specific circumstances. However, the core aspect of Physical Cultivators'' constant risk-taking made him think of this. A spark of inspiration flashed in Nathan''s mind.


    Essence is not enough!


    Hadn''t the Titan bloodline always demanded far more essence than normal physical cultivation? He had to defeat higher-level monsters in greater numbers just to level up. That wasn''t even counting the precious essence water. If not for [Titan''s Descendant], he should have reached Tier 2 faster by now. But then again, without that skill, the strongest monster he could fight would only be at Phase 3 or 4, let alone Tier 2.


    Having already taken risks, Nathan was someone who would always take even greater ones. He flicked the monster core up, creating an arc that fell straight into his mouth. This would perhaps lead to an unimaginable result, or the most foolish doom.


    Using all the strength in his rigid jaws, he bit through the outer layer of the monster core that felt like glass. In that instant, his mind completely departed.


    The essence was even more terrifying than the combined remains of all other Vermilion Apes as it poured through his throat and throughout his body.


    This time everything had lost control. Blood vessels burst catastrophically under the essence''s impact, blood gushing from his body like a human fountain.


    The monster horde witnessing this let out worried cries. They wanted to know what was happening but lacked both the intelligence and courage to intervene, only able to fidget anxiously on the sidelines.


    "Mother of god, you''ve gone mad, Nathan," Darkan shouted in horror.


    He had descended very close to Nathan now. With just a thought, he could instantly break his insane disciple''s process. But something within him held his actions back. An inexplicable anticipation.


    He had thought Nathan would have to endure to reach Phase 9.9 then stop, using the upcoming time to stabilize before finding a way to break through to Tier 2 Physical Cultivation. However, what surprised him was that the excessive essence overflow was indeed suitable for attempting a Tier 2 breakthrough. In his position, he would have done the same. For him, that would have been enough. The problem was, for Nathan it wasn''t.


    Even though Berserkers were a collection of extremists, no one encouraged biting and swallowing monster cores. Not only did they carry essence, but they also contained part of the monsters'' ''nature''. If they were docile creatures, it wouldn''t matter, but when they were fierce ones, this nature would contaminate the essence. As a result, the absorption process became several times more difficult. The neutralizing medicinal ingredients in pills were specifically to eliminate these characteristics.


    Therefore, Nathan''s action couldn''t have come from the skill orb he had given him. Though they had only interacted for a short time, he knew Nathan wasn''t foolish enough to act recklessly without basis.


    "That must be his bloodline," he silently concluded. That was also why he hadn''t intervened immediately.


    His gaze gradually shifted to one of excitement.


    "Let''s see what you got," he said with a loud laugh.


    As Darkan had guessed, Nathan acted this way due to a subconscious urge. The train of thought about Keira was merely to satisfy his brain''s rational side that always sought cause and effect.


    He had fallen into a state of ego death, the pain so shocking that his mind could no longer remain stable. But this was one of the steps in Physical Cultivation. As Darkan had said, when cultivating this path, Nathan would still possess some resistance to mental attacks like illusions. To achieve this, one first needed to push their limits and then recover. The pain he experienced would make his mind more callused.


    To reach Tier 2 in Physical Cultivation, a person following the conventional path would damage their body sufficiently, as Nathan was doing. Internal organs, blood vessels, muscles, bones, skin, brain¡ªall were under constant attack. This was the moment for transformation. A true metamorphosis. After surviving this, the new body would transcend ordinary human limits, not only becoming stronger but also denser. Common blades and swords couldn''t easily cut through anymore. A slash would only leave a mark; only repeated strikes could cut through. In essence, the body became like full-body armor.


    That was the normal process, but Nathan was going through something even more terrifying. His metamorphosis was being carried out too literally. The essence''s savagery tore apart his thin clothes, leaving him naked. Starting from his eye sockets, his skin separated as if burned crisp. These layers of skin were blown away by his burning hot body and the surrounding energy flow, dissolving into the air as tiny fragments.


    The miraculous thing was that one could clearly see the muscles and nerves beneath, yet blood no longer flowed out. This most vital fluid that had poured like rain just moments before seemed to be sucked back into his body, not allowing even a drop to escape. This process continued to spread down to his ears, cheeks, chin, neck. His scalp also separated like broken puzzle pieces. His hair remained attached, floating in the air.


    His body gradually revealed more horrifyingly red areas. He looked as if someone was slowly skinning him, appearing no different from the anatomical models used in biology classes. His chest revealed powerful muscles, while the bones in his back showed white vertebrae.


    Peeling off and continuing to peel off, until Nathan''s entire body had no skin left.


    He roared in agony, his hands slamming into the ground to release his suffocation.


    BOOM!


    His new strength caused the ground beneath to sink, creating a shallow bowl. His hands clawed into the earth, carving grooves as he groaned.


    Physical Cultivation Tier 1, or what was anciently called Refining, focused on cultivating the entire body first. This established the foundation for later Tiers. At Tier 2, while maintaining the path of strengthening all parts, there was a specialized direction. That was the skin. Hence, Tier 2 was called Iron Skin by the previous generation. Because skin was what first contacted the environment, essence, and attacks.


    When cultivating to the peak of Tier 2, the skin would become a part that could continuously grow until later Tiers, reaching the height Darkan mentioned, even harder than dragon hide.


    As powerful as this was, no one had ever cultivated as torturously as Nathan. Physical Cultivation already pushed the body to extremes, yet he seemed intent on breaking limits further.


    Inside his body, the mist escaping from the monster core formed a hazy image of the Vermilion Ape Leader. It bore an enraged expression, seeking ways to slip through and devastate Nathan''s body. But before it could venture far, another smoke figure materialized before it in human form. This humanoid shape had no face nor clear features. Initially, it stood only as tall as the Vermilion Ape Leader. Then gradually it grew until the ape monster became nothing more than an ant-like existence before it. The giant opened its mouth wide and inhaled. The monster was swallowed whole, with no time to resist, no chance to cry out. Afterward, the gray humanoid figure dissolved, having completely digested the last remnants of the Vermilion Ape Leader''s consciousness.


    Outside, everything was approaching its conclusion.


    Skin separation was an agonizing process. However, the effects it brought were undeniably superior.


    Also starting from his bloodshot wide-open eyes, skin gradually regenerated. Tiny skin points began forming. This process came very quickly, unlike the peeling which took over ten minutes to complete. In about a minute, the devastation had been rebuilt. A new skin grew to cover Nathan as he knelt.


    This horrifying scene was watched from start to finish in silence by the monster horde. They even felt pain on behalf of their new leader. Anyone who would cut their skin would drive them mad. Yet this was removal of everything, leaving nothing behind.


    A bit of rationality returned to Nathan. He didn''t understand what had happened to his body. His only memory of the breakthrough process stopped after swallowing the monster core. What concerned him most now was that the essence in his body had decreased significantly. And when examining his internal organs, he smiled with joy. Maintaining the essence consumption process, he closed his eyes, concentrating on the final stage of breakthrough.


    After more than an hour of meditation, the needle-like pain finally stopped. The process of upgrading every part of his body was complete.


    Nathan felt as if he could see the heavy door blocking his breakthrough opening before him. With one final circulation of essence, he roared.


    The door swung wide open. He stepped through, becoming a new person.


    The system immediately modified his information.


    Nathan Reed (24 years old -- male)


    Spirit Cultivation Level: Tier 1 (Initial), Phase 3.8.


    Physical Cultivation Level: Tier 2 (Iron Skin), Phase 1.1.


    His roar was deeper and more majestic than even fierce beasts or monsters. It didn''t come from humans, but from an entirely different species. This very sound made the ape monster horde tremble like leaves in the wind, hastily prostrating themselves. In their primitive nature, this fear was greater than when facing their old leader, or even the Lord of the Forest. They felt as if just a strong enough roar would burst their hearts, shatter their brains, batter their bodies to pieces. The Vermilion Apes no longer thought about seizing position as their combative nature usually demanded. The existence before them was absolute. No irreverence allowed.


    Darkan felt as if he was back in the cultivation chamber when Nathan transformed into a Berserker. What emanated from his mouth was like a rallying cry of an ungovernable, untamable existence. He looked at Nathan with a sparkle in his eyes. But simultaneously, he was also feeling fear. Initially doubtful, but now even without test results, he could see the high possibility that it was ''that'' bloodline. Not daring to think too deeply, he still hoped it wasn''t so.


    Looking at his disciple, Darkan presently just wanted to savor the moment of witnessing this new force being born. Nathan perhaps didn''t realize how superior the skin he now possessed was. But he, as a high-level Physical Cultivator, understood clearly. It had already entered a category higher than normal Tier 2s.


    Returning to his height among the clouds, Darkan smiled in anticipation of when Nathan would discover his own uniqueness.


    Deep in Moirath Forest towards the north. Atop a bare, stripped mountain, there was a large and deep cave that looked quite strange. The surrounding trees hadn''t failed to grow, but were devastated. Weeds lay scattered about, cut so small they were like dust particles. Tree bark faced a similar fate, reduced to tiny fibers mixed with soil.


    At this moment, a Vermilion Ape reached up to grasp the cliff edge of the mountain face. Its hands bore wounds torn to the bone, and were spotted with blood not its own. It struggled to use its strength to throw itself onto the empty ground surface ahead.


    It rolled once, then stood up, revealing its missing left arm. At the shoulder, only mangled flesh remained. Its face drooped, grimacing with half-closed eyes. It wearily dragged itself forward. When it reached the cave entrance, it tried to adjust its mood. Its eyes tried to open wide, showing reverence. Then it knelt down, facing the pitch-black void ahead and called out. Its howls carried deep sorrow, bitterness, anger, and unwillingness.


    The cave was like a giant''s ear, silently listening to the Vermilion Ape pour out its heart.


    When it finished speaking, its eyes full of expectation, there was no sound from the cave. The monster maintained its respectful attitude, bowing even deeper, its severed shoulder scraping the ground causing it intense pain. But it ignored this, satisfied just to have reported the situation.


    Suddenly an invisible wave passed over the Vermilion Ape making it start, raising its head to look behind. It couldn''t hear, but the energy field just now was quite similar to when a monster broke through. This phenomenon was like an announcement to the forces in the forest. From this, either old powers would come seeking war, or avoid the territory of the new force.


    The Vermilion Ape didn''t understand much, only shuddering before returning to its deep bow as before.


    However, it was precisely because of this small wave in nature that the entity inside the cave moved for the first time. Its breath spread out of the cave, cutting new scratches across the Vermilion Ape''s body. It gritted its teeth to endure, rejoicing that it had finally succeeded.


    When the red-furred monster looked up, it could see two white dots lighting up in the cave''s deep darkness. A second later, it heard the angry roar of the existence within.


    The Vermilion Ape was torn into tiny pieces by that wind-splitting roar. Its flesh fragments scattered in the air. The final moment for it was just relief. It had managed to report to the force that would restore justice for its tribe. Its brothers and children had all been exterminated in the night. So even in death, it accepted its fate with a peaceful mind.


    Peaceful in knowing that the Lord of the Forest would maintain order, would punish those outsiders who came to disturb Moirath Forest.


    The White Ward had been awakened.

 Chapter 31

    Nathan''s gaze pierced the night. The surge of emotions still burned hot within him.


    He had done it. In just over three weeks, he had accelerated like a racing car pushing its limits to breakthrough. There were still other formidable racers out there, but in this moment, he would embrace it fully, savoring every second.


    His enhanced physique made [Better Vision] more potent. The moon''s weak light no longer hindered his view of the scene before him. Fallen tree trunks, pools of cold blood, shattered boulders. He could clearly see the amber eyes looking at him with reverence.


    Each breath he took brought greater clarity. It felt as though the volume of air he could inhale had increased significantly compared to before. This would help him maintain his stamina as essential gases were pumped steadily through his system. Most importantly, the ambient mana flowing in with the air would accelerate his energy recovery.


    His ears picked up the minute sounds of distant creatures moving through the canopy, the rustle of dry leaves and breaking twigs, and the heavy breathing of animals observing the battlefield. These inputs didn''t create confusion but rather arranged themselves in clear layers, allowing him to grasp the rough distance and structure of his surroundings.


    He held his hand up before him for examination. Though he couldn''t remember the horrific process he''d undergone, he knew well its pain. Even PsiLink had been severed from his mind during the transformation. This new skin gave him an odd sensation. As if it belonged to him, yet somehow didn''t.


    He tested his arm with a few swings. The resulting sonic booms and air displacement made him start. His strength had completely transformed. Like when he received [Titan''s Descendant], he used a knife to cut his palm.


    Nothing happened.


    The skin only showed a faint, insignificant mark.


    Smiling, he decided to test his limits. He knew the skin of Physical Cultivators changed significantly when reaching Tier 2. But being only in the early Phases, it shouldn''t be too dramatic.


    Yet the results left him speechless. He had to slash more than ten times just to break through the outer epidermis, and still couldn''t cut any deeper. Only when he increased his speed did blood flow. And that was only when striking the exact same spot. If he changed positions while doing so, the old wound had already healed.


    "H...a...ha...hahahaha!"


    Nathan laughed like a child receiving Christmas presents. He jumped up and down in excitement at his development. The feelings of frustration, inferiority, and imprisonment from two years ago had all been compensated. When he thought he would have to halt his progress months ago, now he truly had the foundation to advance further.


    For now, Moirath Forest wouldn''t provide enough Tier 2 monsters to maintain this leveling pace. However, in the future, he could find other areas or rifts leading to pocket dimensions for farming. Once his Physical Cultivation was strong enough, he wouldn''t have to worry about resources for Spirit Cultivation anymore.


    Remembering this aspect, he looked at the Vermilion Apes still waiting around him.


    His eyes lit up when he realized what this meant.


    He took a step forward, and the monsters immediately stirred, eager to follow. Tilting his head in amusement, he launched himself in one direction.


    This action sent him crashing into a tree trunk, leaving a human-shaped impression. Wincing at the dull ache, he pushed himself off to land. Due to his habit of using almost all his body''s strength from before, he had forgotten to adjust for his new physique with its greatly enhanced capabilities.


    The Vermilion Apes that followed scratched their heads, seemingly confused about what their leader was doing. Nathan feared the species difference might prevent them from understanding him. But remembering how the leader had spoken human language, he commanded the monsters when they were about to imitate him, ready to crash into trees.


    "Stop!"


    The monsters truly stopped.


    Nathan grinned in delight.


    "Do a backflip!"


    None moved. Frowning but not giving up, Nathan issued another command.


    "Jump!"


    The apes all jumped up. Their lack of synchronization created a series of thuds of varying volumes around him.


    "Clap!"


    They raised their large hands and clapped them together.


    "Clap for 10 times!"


    The monsters began clapping as before. But the numbers were all over the place. Some clapped once and stopped, while others found it so enjoyable they wouldn''t stop clapping.


    "Stop!"


    Nathan helplessly scratched his head, realizing these creatures only understood single-word commands. Just increasing the command''s complexity a bit left them completely bewildered, their faces going blank.


    Shaking his head, he returned to the main task. He used the recent collision to calibrate his strength.


    Instead of having to coil his whole body to jump, he only needed to bend his knees slightly to launch forward. Letting out an exhilarated whoop, he tried jumping straight up. His push-off left a small ripple in the ground.


    Midway up the tree trunks, a human figure appeared flailing. Laughing loudly, he flipped back toward the ground. The impact from falling from such a height didn''t cause him any soreness or pain.


    He looked up with a face beaming with pride. Before, he could only jump about a third of the tree height, then had to rely on various movements to climb up using the branches. Now, he could leap more than twice that height.


    Keeping the euphoria in his heart, he bounded into the night, using this time to adjust and familiarize himself with his new capabilities.


    His new speed made the monster group behind struggle to keep up. They could match Nathan''s previous pace by swinging through trees. Now they couldn''t even catch their leader''s shadow. They could only follow his scent.


    Ignoring the situation of his red-furred retinue behind, Nathan jumped from tree to tree, his feet never resting as he moved. With his significantly improved velocity, it took just over an hour through Moirath Forest''s rough terrain to reach his destination. Previously, it would have taken until dawn to see the clearing where he had gathered Blood Moss. And by his calculations, that day was what sparked everything leading to the war.


    The dying words of the Vermilion Ape Leader had left an impression on Nathan. The monster he had cruelly skinned, taken the heart from, and divided into small pieces must have been its kin. If it were him, going berserk would be the least of it - he would punish anyone who harmed his family with the most cruel methods humans could devise. Or at least, that he could devise. So the anger the leader held for him was completely understandable. However, understanding didn''t mean he felt particularly remorseful about the matter.


    This forest was no different than a miniature version of the world. The constant struggle for survival was inherent, was fundamental. Either you die or I die. It was simply these two extremes. If that Vermilion Ape hadn''t chased after him, none of this would have happened. And even without that incident, one day when he grew stronger and needed higher-grade materials, the Vermilion Apes would still become hunting targets. The strong prey upon the weak - that''s how it was. These very monsters had hunted other species too. This time, they had simply met someone stronger.


    And now the stronger one had come to claim the losers'' most precious possession.


    The Crimson Lotus.


    He walked closer to the pond housing this treasure. Around the pond, the Vermilion Apes had created a small cage from tree trunks and vines, with gaps large enough for sunlight to shine through. On one side was a curtain that could be drawn aside for entry. Inside were natural rock formations protruding from the pond''s surface, clearly the resting place of the Vermilion Ape Leader as the rock surfaces were free of moss or algae.


    The Crimson Lotus raised its petals above the pond''s surface in solitude. Its crimson lines reflected the moonlight in sparkles. The flower''s pistil released tiny red particles into the surrounding air. The lotus seeds were missing a few, with only six remaining. It swayed gently in the wind like a sacred existence amid the forest''s wilderness. The still water below reflected the beautiful, harmonious image above, creating an aesthetic painting.


    Nathan stood there admiring the scene until the Vermilion Ape group caught up with him a few minutes later. They landed with exhausted pants. Fighting all day without eating and then traveling such a distance had left them drained.


    Nathan turned to see the apes had brought back their fallen comrades'' bodies. From his knowledge, these monsters weren''t savage enough to consider them food for the coming days. Rather, they would give them careful burials. If any monster species had self-awareness about the forest''s circumstances and absurdity, the Vermilion Apes would be first. They could be blinded by hatred, but once absolute power and recognition were established, they would move on. After all, not every monster species would accept Nathan as their leader - others would readily devour their entire tribe once their leader fell.


    Seeing this, Nathan casually commanded.


    "Rest!"


    The monsters immediately obeyed, dispersing to find patches of earth near tall trees or spaces wide enough to dig graves. Rest could wait.


    The three High Vermilion Apes approached to stand around Nathan. They stood at attention like the most trusted royal guards, awaiting orders.


    This was also why he hadn''t mutilated the Vermilion Ape Leader''s corpse. It would have been truly strange to live among these monsters wearing their kind''s skin.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Being slightly more intelligent, the three High Vermilion Apes dispersed when Nathan waved them away.


    Turning back to the Crimson Lotus, Nathan hesitated about immediate consumption. The crucial issue was that he had just broken through - eating more would meet resistance from his body, leading to reduced effectiveness.


    That''s if I use it for Physical Cultivation, he thought silently.


    The reason he was still in a voracious state was because of Spirit Cultivation. And this clearly stemmed from the system not responding to Physical Cultivation.


    Skills that could still level up like [Amplifying Strike], [Flowing Strikes], [Internal Trauma], or [Martial Art Mastery] hadn''t unlocked their next progression paths. By Nathan''s analysis, there was only one possible explanation: to obtain level 3 skills, he needed to reach Tier 2 in Spirit Cultivation.


    With passive skills always yielding good results, he truly hoped to continue pressing the level-up button for them. Thus, looking at the Crimson Lotus seeds made him salivate. Unlike the essence water from Thunder Crystal Frogs, Crimson Lotus was a rather benign natural medicine. Not only did it contain essence, but it also possessed a large amount of mana after spending up to a year absorbing it from the air. Both these crucial elements were of superior quality compared to essence water, forming the basis for its evaluation as suitable for Tier 2 cultivators. If he could collect and sell it, Nathan would receive a hefty sum for this natural treasure. Of course, eating it raw wasn''t the best way to absorb it due to the energy explosion. But he was different - using the Berserker''s starved absorption method would help him consume it without too much waste. The obstacle was that after eating and absorbing it, the toxins from the Crimson Lotus would reign in his body, requiring time to digest before he could eat again. This poison would interact with a second seed, causing severe poisoning even for Cultivators.


    Eventually, Nathan convinced himself to celebrate his victory by hopping onto the rocks in the pond to get closer to the Crimson Lotus. The flower''s fragrance wafted into his nostrils. A gentle stream of essence flowed into his body. This explained why the Vermilion Ape Leader chose to stay near the Crimson Lotus. Absorbing this essence day after day, it would have been strange if it hadn''t grown stronger.


    Nathan gently traced the contours of the delicate, cool petals. The green stem and leaves swayed beneath his touch. Using knowledge from [Cooking], he carefully flicked one lotus seed into his palm, leaving five behind. The seeds would regenerate, though it would take considerable time for such a cycle. With proper nutrients like fresh blood, the development process would accelerate. This was why Crimson Lotus often grew near Vermilion Apes. With their combative nature leading to constant fighting, this flower species never had to worry about nutrient deficiency.


    Returning to sit on a rock outcropping, Nathan popped the seed into his mouth, then closed his eyes to practice the cultivation method from Verdant Spire Sect. He focused on the energy convergence point on his shoulder. He gradually regulated the mana and essence as they merged. Without the help of harmonizing compounds, the process became significantly more difficult.


    Nevertheless, when it ended, he had advanced further.


    Spirit Cultivation Tier 1, Phase 4.1.


    The bright point on his right shoulder was complete. A small point formed on his remaining shoulder.


    He swung his arms in joy at his progress. Two years to reach 2.5. And about two months to reach 4.1. He felt truly grateful for having the system. And also thankful to Darkan for accepting him as a disciple. If the Physical Cultivation path hadn''t presented itself, even if he had made it into the inner sect now, he would still be struggling at the bottom levels, desperately seeking an escape route. But now, he no longer had to worry about that. As long as he continued strengthening his body, resources for Spirit Cultivation wouldn''t be lacking.


    Suddenly he felt a chill at the base of his skull. He looked up at the sky with a wry smile. Surely someone was warning him about not using the Crimson Lotus for Physical Cultivation. And even using the Berserker''s absorption method to boot. He only bowed his head in gratitude to the strange presence.


    By the time everything was finished, dawn had broken. He didn''t feel sleepy at all, still remaining alert.


    Following through on his thoughts with action, he tidied up a bit, preparing to leave.


    "Stay!" Nathan said to the Vermilion Apes when they started to follow.


    Their faces immediately showed fear, thinking he would abandon them. Being without a Tier 2 power''s protection would be very difficult. Seeing this, he pointed to the three High Vermilion Apes and beckoned them forward. Then he gestured to the remaining group and commanded again.


    "Stay!"


    This time, the monsters were reassured and stopped their cries.


    After leaving their new shelter a short distance, Nathan heard a long wolf howl. Smiling with excitement, he ran toward that direction with his three red-furred attendants pursuing behind.


    Beside a small stream, the Spine Wolves were dividing the carcasses of their recent hunt. Among them was a thick-skinned, meaty Crystal Mauler, enough to feed the pack of over twenty. Among the lean wolves stood one taller and larger than the rest. Its fangs were razor-sharp and its skeleton protruded like vicious spikes along its back.


    The Great Spine Wolf raised its head from the Crystal Mauler''s belly, blood and entrails dripping to the ground from its whiskers and fur around its mouth. When it saw Nathan''s group, it bared its teeth, growling threats.


    In response came the chest-beating of three High Vermilion Apes. To their combative nature, such threats were child''s play. As they were about to engage, Nathan shouted.


    "Stop!"


    The three ape monsters halted their tree-climbing motion, still very obedient to him.


    He pointed at the Great Spine Wolf, saying.


    "Mine."


    Then gestured to the twenty smaller wolves.


    "Yours."


    The three attendants nodded as if understanding the order, turning to look at the wolf pack with excitement. This was their chance to prove their strength to their new leader. Only then could their position near the Crimson Lotus be secured, allowing them to grow stronger day by day.


    Without another word, he launched himself toward the Great Spine Wolf.


    His kick shattered the tree bark, the entire trunk seeming to tilt in that instant, leaves raining down.


    In the blink of an eye, he was before the Great Spine Wolf.


    An uppercut smashed into its muzzle. A small explosion rang out. Followed by the sound of breaking bones. Blood and saliva sprayed into the air. Its head slammed into the ground. All four limbs pointed skyward. It rolled several times into the stream, causing water to splash everywhere before stopping.


    Nathan stared at his raised fist in astonishment. His new strength still hadn''t ceased to amaze him. Three weeks ago, even landing a punch would only make the monster tilt its head. And that would have been difficult given the Great Spine Wolf''s considerable speed. The clash with Lunar Shadow was still fresh in his mind.


    A lower-ranked Spine Wolf lunged to bite him but caught his fist instead. Before he could look over, the monster''s corpse had exploded into tiny pieces, flying backward.


    "Damn," he exclaimed just as the Great Spine Wolf pounced.


    Its massive blood-stained jaws seemed ready to tear off his head.


    Nathan raised both hands to grip the fangs on either side of its mouth. He planted his feet, pushing back. The monster was immediately held in place, unable to close its mouth or advance. He could feel it trying to use its strength, but the result it desired didn''t materialize.


    The remaining monsters tried to attack to help their leader but one High Vermilion Ape jumped in, grabbed a wolf by the neck and slammed it into the ground. The other two High Vermilion Apes leaped into the Spine Wolf formation, attacking with confidence and power. After all, most Spine Wolves were only Phase 3, maximum Phase 4. Against a Phase 9 monster, the outcome was predetermined.


    Ignoring his new recruits'' play, Nathan focused on the Great Spine Wolf. Its strength was still considerable, as Nathan''s maximum force was just enough to keep the monster from advancing. In this position, he couldn''t use his passive skills for additional support. Just as he was planning to lower himself to use his body weight to wrestle the monster, it channeled mana, coating its four fangs with a sharp layer, forcing him to release his grip.


    His palms weren''t cut thanks to his Tier 2 physique. But if held longer, it would have certainly caused wounds.


    The monster stood up, sniffing irritably at Nathan. It lowered itself, using all four legs to leap high, its back facing the enemy. With a grinding of teeth, four sharp bone spikes shot toward Nathan.


    With [Martial Art Mastery]''s ability to sense opponent movements for prediction, Nathan easily avoided them with light movements. He noticed a significant change in his movements. The synchronization speed between thought and body had become much faster. Whether through sight or hearing, he could almost instantly execute his desired actions. Unlike before, when sometimes he could see but his body couldn''t react.


    Four more bone spikes were fired at him. Similar results occurred, with the spikes embedding themselves in the ground around him like small pillars.


    Grabbing one spike, he spun once, throwing it back at the Great Spine Wolf as it landed from its attack. The monster tilted its head to dodge. When a second bone spike tip approached, it bared its fangs to block. The collision resulted in victory for the Great Spine Wolf. Shattered bone fragments scattered at its feet. The monster licked its lips once, its teeth wobbling slightly but remaining firm.


    Nathan clapped once in appreciation. If everything was too easy, he wouldn''t be able to test the extent of his new strength.


    The Great Spine Wolf snorted angrily. The bones on its back were growing back rapidly thanks to mana consumption. It charged at Nathan. Its back curved and stiffened at an angle, turning itself into a wheel. The sharp bones became like saw blades.


    Nathan no longer had his cherished shields, choosing to leap aside to dodge. Just as he landed, he shot forward, launching a kick at the monster''s side.


    The Great Spine Wolf''s attack was instantly interrupted. After seeing its entire body lift off the ground, it used its claws to scrape the ground for balance. The pain in its flank prevented it from howling. It realized the human before it was too strong, reminding it of the red-furred group''s leader. It was the Vermilion Ape Leader who had prevented its tribe from growing strong. Spine Wolf hunts always occurred at fixed times. This Great Spine Wolf couldn''t count how many times it had been defeated and forced to flee. With the limited mind of a Tier 2 monster, it still recognized that Nathan must be the new leader. Meaning he had defeated the one it couldn''t overcome. So it could only run, abandoning its offspring being slaughtered.


    Nathan laughed loudly, realizing what the monster was planning. For the first time after days of mental tension, he didn''t need to run, but could advance. This exhilarating feeling was truly intoxicating.


    Not letting the monster have its way, he jumped high into the air. With his new strength, he could use techniques provided by [Martial Art Mastery]. Originally meant to be fully utilized at Tier 2 Spirit Cultivation, but with his new power, he calculated he could manage to some degree.


    Spreading his hands, he struck the air as if there was a wall behind. Combined with [Amplifying Strike] and [Flowing Strikes], his strikes created a force field strong enough to propel him forward, similar to how Zahra performed her flips. Another strike backward sent him flying so fast the monster was forced to stop. It once again fired four bone spikes into the air.


    Nathan spun like a tornado, swinging his arms to deflect the bone spikes. But hidden among them was a stronger spike, wrapped in the last mana the monster could project. It exploded on contact with his hand, becoming small fragments that pierced various parts of his body. But his new skin proved its superiority by only showing red marks without being penetrated.


    Laughing loudly, Nathan delivered a kick straight into the monster''s back. The impact at his foot didn''t hurt as [Rebound] activated.


    The Great Spine Wolf seemed to fold in half. Its ribs shattered from the impact. The ground beneath sank as it lay writhing. Its eyes nearly popped out. Its mouth could only manage weak whimpers.


    Nathan grabbed the bone ridge on its side, then threw it high.


    He jumped up following the flailing body with its broken ribs. When he was higher than the monster, he raised both hands. Ignoring the monster''s panicked eyes, he struck down hard.


    The severely wounded Great Spine Wolf only had enough awareness to know its body was falling fast. It tried to move its body, hoping to use its proud bone-covered back for defense. But only the upper half responded, while the lower half remained stiff. As a result, it crashed down, impaled by the bone spikes it had shot at Nathan earlier. Its lower body was pierced through the thighs and belly. The upper body was protected by the bone layer. However, a tilted bone spike had pierced through its neck.


    The monster let out a groan, its eyes rolling. Its offspring had been completely destroyed. Their blood and fur flowed with the stream. They could have run but perhaps trusted it would protect them and stayed. Yet the Great Spine Wolf had truly planned to abandon them to save itself. The end result was death by the bone spikes of its own making.


    Grinding its teeth one last time, head lolling to one side, the monster perished.


    Nathan approached the monster, smiling at his achievement. The Great Spine Wolf wasn''t a particularly strong Tier 2 monster, which was why he had truly hoped to encounter one for combat before. Then the Vermilion Apes'' interference had forced him to change plans.


    The essence provided by the Great Spine Wolf wasn''t nearly as abundant as the Vermilion Ape Leader''s. Even after defeating and absorbing it, his essence reserves weren''t full.


    The three High Vermilion Apes with minor wounds approached, hooting excitedly at their leader.


    Nathan smiled, raising his fist in the air to encourage them.


    The three monsters imitated him, though not understanding why.


    He cut open the Great Spine Wolf, collecting the monster core for later use. Most importantly, he gathered the monster''s fur.


    Cold winds had appeared today. Winter seemed to be approaching.

 Chapter 32

    The recent posts on PsiLink made Nathan''s achievements feel less impressive than before. Both Xander and Zahra had already progressed into their Tier 2 breakthrough phase of Spirit Cultivation. Some sources indicated that Xander had completed the process under Elder Nalani''s direct supervision, who departed a few days later. Xander remained in seclusion to consolidate his cultivation base. Meanwhile, Zahra, being Elder Galen''s favored student, had yet to reveal her results.


    Breakthrough failures were common, but only reckless attempts like Keira''s led to severe consequences. As long as one knew when to stop, side effects could be avoided, leaving the path open for future attempts without impediments.


    Nathan grew restless. Over the past few days, his attempts to hunt Tier 2 monsters had met with harsh reality. Moirath Forest seemed unable to satisfy his hunger for growth. Besides Great Spine Wolves, which were the most common Tier 2 creatures, finding other Tier 2 monsters proved difficult unless he traversed through Storm Peaks and Life Spring to reach new forest domains. Before he could solve this problem, another arose. His requirements were becoming excessive.


    Two Great Spine Wolves only managed to push his cultivation from Tier 2 Phase 1.1 to Phase 1.3. By rough calculation, he would need dozens of Tier 2 monsters to reach Phase 2. Such hunting would devastate Moirath Forest. His hunting grounds, including Storm Peaks and Life Spring, contained fewer than twenty Tier 2 monsters total. The fact that he had eliminated three in just the past few days meant that encountering another would require extensive exploration.


    His Titan physique granted him superior strength but also came with an insatiable appetite. As for movement, he wouldn''t travel when winter approached. The cold caused most monsters to hide and hibernate, making them harder to find. Additionally, there were concerns about mobility and staying warm. With his superior body, he could endure freezing temperatures for extended periods, but warnings from PsiLink indicated this wouldn''t be enough. Cold-loving monsters would dominate Moirath Forest, making temperatures drop further while winds became more bitter and violent. He wouldn''t risk getting caught in such conditions. Failing training because of freezing to death was the most ridiculous reason he could think of.


    Browsing PsiLink, Nathan suddenly remembered he hadn''t added Jessica as a friend. Making a mental note to address this later, he closed the matrix of windows before his eyes, leaving only the system interface.


    Since discovering how to exploit the system, he had abused it daily until receiving warnings. He had seven skills that he executed every morning, including [Amplifying Strike], [Flowing Strikes], [Internal Trauma], [Rebound], [Quick Feet], [Butthurt], [Efficient Sleep] and [Self-Emotional Support]. These provided 40 credits daily without requiring combat. However, [Self-Emotional Support] was becoming increasingly difficult to trigger smoothly. Self-torture through dark thoughts and self-destructive behavior had its limits, eventually numbing emotions. While his existential crisis persisted, self-encouragement had helped him adapt better. Though still uncertain about life''s purpose, he strived to exist until finding it. Now, his motivations to return to Earth, save his mother, help Jessica, support Zeryn, and assist those who had helped him seemed enough to push him forward.


    Credits: 1131.


    His battle with the Vermilion Ape Leader had clearly demonstrated how many points he could accumulate. Every strike utilized system skills, relentless and unceasing. Looking back, he truly felt proud of himself.


    Regaining his spirit, he exchanged three rolls, hoping for a Rare skill to appear.


    Reality slapped him hard across the face.


    Starting normal rolls...


    You received [Bleeding].


    You received [Poison Processing].


    You received [Internal Trauma].


    Duplicated Skills are held in reserved inventory for future use of [#Need Unlock before Revealing#]


    Damn, duplicate again, he cursed inwardly.


    But the other two skills were truly the stars of the show.


    [Bleeding]


    Description: attacks have a 12% chance to cause bleeding.


    *Effect strength varies based on target''s resistance.


    --


    [Poison Processing]


    Description: Toxin removal speed up 15%.


    As expected, Nathan looked at the level-up options. Both skills could be upgraded. [Bleeding] presented a particularly challenging puzzle.


    Growth Path 1: Uncontrollable Bleed.


    Next Level: increase the chance to 20%.


    Growth Path 2: Precise Bleed.


    Next Level: change the way the skill operates. Now the effect will apply to the fifth attack.


    What he had feared came to pass¡ªthe new skill would trigger on the fifth strike, disrupting the fourth-attack pattern he had yearned for.


    Synchronizing [Bleeding] with the Precise Bleed path proved difficult, as the least common multiple became 60. It would take sixty attacks for all skills to stack. At other intervals, only two skills could activate simultaneously. This could result in weaker overall effects. After extensive analysis, Nathan knew [Internal Trauma] relied on total damage output. Greater power benefited this skill. While it didn''t increase proportionally like doubling, it gained roughly twenty to thirty percent more effectiveness.


    Thus, he wagered [Bleeding] would function similarly. It had a crucial caveat¡ªthe effect might not be strong enough or sufficient to cause bleeding due to constitution and resistance levels. When attacking someone fully armored from head to toe, both inside and out with mana shields, [Bleeding] would be little more than an irritant. At least [Internal Trauma] struck directly at the target''s core and emotions.


    He tried removing [Amplifying Strike] from the equation, as this skill deserved its Rare ranking, being powerful with few weaknesses. Its characteristic allowed him to preload the skill rather than relying entirely on attack rhythm. The result improved slightly, reducing the required attack count to 30. However, it wasn''t much better since damage output remained unchanged. This analysis proved one crucial point¡ª[Amplifying Strike] had become central to his combat style.


    For the first time, Nathan seriously considered choosing the chance-based path.


    First, he wouldn''t have to struggle with counting and maintaining awareness to track his already complex skill set. The biggest advantage of Uncontrollable Bleeding was its potential to sync with his existing 12-attack cycle. If he had to remove any skill from the equation, it would be [Internal Trauma]. He had already managed to land two consecutive strikes with both [Amplifying Strike] and [Flowing Strikes]. Thus, in the attack rhythm, he might not need to wait 30 or 60 cycles to stack [Bleeding]. This skill could statistically appear twice within ten attacks. The result would be significantly more substantial damage output.


    Once chosen, there was no turning back, so he decided to leave it for later upgrading.


    [Poison Processing] brought him a bold idea.


    Infiltrate Life Spring. Not to challenge Sovereign Wisp, but to prepare for Lunar Shadow.


    If he couldn''t hunt the remaining monsters efficiently and quickly, his only remaining path was to take down Lunar Shadow as soon as possible. He was fairly certain he couldn''t breakthrough as rapidly as before, which took three weeks to a month. Therefore, the optimal solution was to prevent his opponent from growing stronger. With Lunar Shadow''s nocturnal movement abilities and primal hunting instincts, Nathan suspected it would hunt more efficiently than him. He needed to stop it before it was too late.


    Thought became action. After spending several days preparing materials at his new shelter, he led three High Vermilion Apes back to Life Spring.


    "Stay!" he commanded his entourage at the forest''s border.


    The monsters obeyed dutifully, sitting down to wait, each carrying items Nathan had crafted. From baskets to bottles to small pouches, they carried everything.


    Once everything was set, he ran straight into Life Spring. A pack of Gale Foxes welcomed him with their playful intentions. This time, he could move swiftly and cleanly through their rushing attacks without taking damage. While Gale Fox tails made excellent materials, Nathan thought better of it. Their pack mentality was even stronger than the Vermilion Apes''. Touch one, and their alpha would emerge to attack¡ªat which point Nathan would have no choice but to flee. He dared not engage monsters that didn''t specialize in physical attacks.


    Stuffing his mouth with anti-poison candy he''d made yesterday, Nathan passed through his small friends after exhausting play. His skin''s reaction to Life Spring''s toxic air had become much gentler. Last time, he needed to coat himself with a thick layer of solution, but now only a thin layer sufficed to prevent the tingling sensation. [Poison Processing] hadn''t even truly activated yet.


    Along the way, he gathered more Blue Cap Mushrooms to brew healing potions. He had exhausted all his consumables in the battle with the Vermilion Apes, necessitating replenishment and storage for the future. He also collected phosphorescent fungi. Needing quantity, he gathered first and would sort quality later.


    Finally, he relocated the monsters that always lurked to ambush prey¡ªthe Winged Vipers.


    The pond he found was larger than before, so the number of monsters that flew from the water''s surface to attack was triple the previous encounter.


    Using his newfound speed, he wielded the knife from Blood Thirster to dispatch them. Dancing between the monsters, he skillfully swung his blade in decisive strikes, decapitating them. Wet thuds echoed as heads hit the damp ground. Recognizing Nathan as a formidable opponent, the monsters circled together, and instead of spewing long streams of toxic liquid, they hissed to create a poisonous mist.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Prepared for this, Nathan pulled out a simple mask he''d crafted from Earth Tongue, which functioned as a toxin filter. Of course, this mask wouldn''t be enough. The second layer of defense was his anti-poison candy. The third layer was [Poison Processing].


    He closed his eyes, held his breath, and leaped high to avoid the mist. When he felt himself beginning to fall, he opened his eyes, observing every monster before him and taking in the terrain. After sealing off places where poison could infiltrate, he accelerated downward by throwing a palm strike behind him. Several monsters fell from his action. Then he shot to the side to escape the mist.


    Despite his precautions, the candy in his mouth had turned bitter. His chest burned hot. The mask, needless to say, had become useless and was tossed aside. Though he had anticipated this, Nathan was still surprised by Life Spring''s level of danger. It truly deserved its reputation as one of Moirath Forest''s most hazardous areas.


    Nathan felt [Poison Processing] at work. The burning in his chest gradually subsided. His Titan bloodline had already granted him basic resistances. Combined with Physical Cultivation and this new skill, poison wasn''t too serious an issue.


    If anything truly made him cautious, it was the Winged Vipers'' venom. He had to move continuously to avoid direct bites. To resist them, he''d need a skill like [Venom Processing]. In the current situation, he had to maintain contact either through skin or through nose and mouth for [Poison Processing] to work.


    Though not freely mobile, it was enough.


    Maintaining this approach and attack pattern, he successfully defeated the gluttonous monster swarm. They showed no intention of retreating even as their companions'' heads rolled around with eyes frozen wide open.


    He picked up a Winged Viper''s head, placed his knife at an angle near the mouth, and cut decisively. He extracted the venom gland after carefully scraping away surrounding muscle and teeth. The venom yield was modest, only about ten milliliters. The monster''s ability to spray and shoot poison so extensively mainly came from its body producing toxins as it depleted them. Now, dead, this amount could be considered sufficient.


    As for capturing them for future milking, that was impossible. Life Spring was the only suitable environment for Winged Vipers. If not for their pack mentality and aggressive nature, he wouldn''t want to kill them for harvesting. Because doing so would lead to what happened next.


    After he finished collecting venom into bottles, Life Spring''s guardians arrived. Natural toxins in the air increased, pressure became more violent, and an invisible pull emerged. Clearly, Sovereign Wisp was much angrier than last time.


    Without hesitation, Nathan abandoned his position, moving swiftly toward the border. His skin activated the Qi Armor technique Darkan had mentioned. Previously, he never used it because he''d spent all his essence on leveling up. Currently, the essence from the Winged Vipers was rather modest compared to his present needs, so using it wouldn''t be wasteful.


    Essence shot out from his pores, moving rhythmically like invisible points, forming an armor layer around Nathan. He increased the intensity most around his head. This was how he could defend against mental attacks. It wasn''t as effective as mana since it formed an external rather than internal layer, but it seemed sufficient for the current situation.


    Nathan felt something attacking his mind, making him drowsy and lethargic¡ªconditions that rarely affected a Tier 2 Physical Cultivation practitioner like himself. He could stay alert for three days and nights without sleep. So this was certainly Sovereign Wisp''s technique being cast on him.


    Zeryn had once said that activating mental skills required a bridge¡ªone of the body''s senses. Nathan wasn''t sure where he''d been exposed, or perhaps all five senses were affected, because before activating Qi Armor, he had no protection at all. He shuddered at a possibility: merely contacting Life Spring''s air meant he was already in Sovereign Wisp''s palm.


    Without dwelling on it further, he ran faster. Unlike last time, he wasn''t cornered. His speed helped him escape Life Spring while still in relatively good condition.


    Landing near his red-furred entourage, he tossed all his collected items into a basket made from Strangler Vine tendrils and branches.


    After resting briefly, he moved to a different location, far from the initial entry point, and infiltrated again. The needed materials weren''t yet sufficient. Particularly, he needed more Winged Viper venom.


    This time, his main target led him to the Heat Basilisk''s lair.


    The dragon-like monster, shaped like a Komodo dragon, patrolled its nest. The heat it radiated was stronger than before. Even before stepping onto the barren land, sweat already poured from afar. The monster''s scales rose and fell, each time releasing white smoke, steadily increasing the temperature.


    Looking at the monster nearly his height, Nathan gulped. Its width and length were truly impressive. It would take five people lying down to cover its back. The long tail, covered in harder scales than its body, could open like a spike to attack enemies.


    Nathan came here to test himself against the monster and hopefully harvest more Lesser Dragon Breath. Crimson Lotus petals were excellent ingredients for brewing Blood Essence Wine, suitable for cultivation while waiting for the Crimson Lotus seed''s poison to neutralize. Additionally, like Thunder Embrace, it provided excellent combat support.


    The monster sniffed once, turning its head toward the human who suddenly appeared behind a row of trees. It flicked out its broad tongue, and flames suddenly blazed up around it.


    Nathan ignored the warning and cautiously approached. The surrounding heat made him sweat more, causing his shirt to stick to his back.


    Heat Basilisk stomped its front foot hard, showing irritation. It didn''t want trouble but wouldn''t hesitate against any intruder. It hissed, its tail swinging up in an arc, smashing straight toward the trespasser.


    With the attack''s moderate speed, Nathan jumped aside, letting the tail with its protruding scales smash the rock behind him. He heard the rock shatter into small pieces. Looking back, he saw tiny holes littering the ground where he''d stood. He jumped high, trying to close in by landing on its back. Before he could stand for more than a few seconds, the monster''s skin heated up like fire beneath his feet, forcing Nathan to jump in another direction. Upon landing, he didn''t give the monster time to react, lunging forward to punch its mouth.


    The force made the monster roar, its head tilting down, scales covering its mouth falling sporadically. It snorted angrily, its scales opening up to create a scorching mist all around.


    Nathan retreated quickly as visibility dropped.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    He raised both hands to block as the monster''s tail struck like heaven''s judgment. The armguards he''d crafted from Armor Scarab shattered on impact. The remaining force shot him backward. His arms went numb. Clearly, Heat Basilisk possessed not just an impressive skill set but also a formidable body.


    Nathan regained balance after sliding across the ground. What had just happened was within his predictions. Most monsters displayed behaviors as described on PsiLink, unlike the Vermilion Ape Leader he''d encountered last week.


    As he prepared to advance, the Heat Basilisk opened its mouth wide. Its throat moved as if about to vomit something. When its neck returned to normal size from being swollen, it spewed flames. These flames were yellow-green, both hot and horrifying.


    Nathan decided to retreat, saving Lesser Dragon Breath for another collection attempt. The Heat Basilisk''s flames were dangerous not just for their temperature, but also for the burning toxic gas that scorched anyone''s lungs upon inhalation, burning from within. That wasn''t even mentioning why this monster could dominate Moirath Forest yet chose Life Spring''s isolation¡ªit was the natural poison. When fire and gas interacted, they released an extremely potent poison that made lung burning seem childish. This was considered Sovereign Wisp''s privilege for Heat Basilisk. In return, Heat Basilisk wouldn''t cause chaos and would provide assistance when needed.


    Not confident enough in [Poison Processing], even with Qi Armor, he returned to collecting venom glands from Winged Vipers.


    This raid''s spoils also included Thornweave Ancient''s bark. This tree-like monster had shot thorns when he fled that night. Thornweave Ancient''s bark wasn''t hard but possessed regenerative properties and could grow thorns for attacks. Using it to create a new shield would be quite suitable and synergize well with the Winged Vipers'' poison.


    To collect it, Nathan had to endure an extremely unpleasant time. With his new skin, he didn''t fear Thornweave Ancient''s thorns. But the monster''s tough and slimy nature truly required effort to handle.


    After dodging the sharp thorn projectiles, he approached and plunged the Blood Thirster knife deep into the monster''s bark. It showed no signs of pain but began growing thorns chaotically. At this point, he had to grit his teeth and endure the thorns'' piercing, sometimes even explosive small poisonous needle attacks on his body while slowly cutting. This process took very long due to the monster''s regenerative nature. Just as he cut a bit, the front would heal. He could only use force to pull hard and hold tight to succeed. Thanks to Qi Armor, Nathan didn''t suffer too much damage from Thornweave Ancient''s numbing poison.


    He handed all collected materials to another High Vermilion Ape. Then completed the day''s collection with a third infiltration.


    Returning to the campsite, he was delighted to have successfully gathered Lesser Dragon Breath.


    The Vermilion Ape pack welcomed him with screams and chest-beating. They had hunted around to bring back pork and wolf meat. These red-furred monsters, after tasting food he cooked, all drooled, hoping for more. So if they had to wait, they would wait for Nathan''s return.


    He didn''t pay much attention to this, just cooked the meat, took his portion, and let the monsters handle themselves. He went to the Crimson Lotus pond to rest while outside, the monsters began wrestling to compete for the food he''d just cooked.


    Inventorying the collected items, he planned his crafting. Winged Viper venom would be divided into two types: liquid solution for coating weapons and powder for throwing. Thornweave Ancient bark still needed Ironbark for reinforcement. He also needed to gather more materials for the wine fermentation process.


    Tinkering all night, Nathan didn''t sleep. Since reaching Tier 2, he found his spirit enhanced, requiring less rest. If he needed sleep, he only needed fifteen to thirty minutes thanks to [Efficient Sleep].


    After just a few hours, he still couldn''t produce any results. While planning to continue, [Random Talent] made him pause.


    Your today''s talent is Monster Whisperer. You can make monsters understand your meaning. Note, you can only speak with one species. After determining the species, you cannot communicate with other monsters anymore.


    Nathan''s eyes lit up at today''s talent.


    Looking around, he saw the Vermilion Apes stirring awake, preparing for the new day. No need to look far, he already had his target.


    Walking to the nearest one, he said, "Hello, red ape!"


    The monster''s eyes widened upon hearing him. For days, it hadn''t been able to communicate much with its leader, yet now it could understand. Not just one word, but three.


    It excitedly responded, "Hoo hoo keck keck!"


    This time, it was Nathan''s turn to stare blankly. He didn''t understand anything.


    Returning to read the talent''s description and notes, he finally understood. "Make monsters understand" didn''t mean "converse with monsters." It wasn''t both ways. It was one way.


    Damn system, he cursed.


    Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he wanted to try again.


    He picked up a rock, held it before the monster, and said, "Throw this rock!"


    It obeyed immediately, throwing the rock in a random direction.


    "Throw this rock at that tree!" Nathan issued a new command.


    This time, a problem occurred. The monster still threw the rock, but like before, not toward the tree he indicated.


    Indeed, not so simple, he shook his head in resignation.


    He began walking around, repeating the command "Throw this rock at that tree!" like giving the ''Sell me this pen!'' speech. Each monster only threw the rock, understanding half the command but not completely. Even the three High Vermilion Apes possessed poor intelligence. Just as he was about to give up, one successfully executed his command exactly.


    Blinking in disbelief, he commanded it again to throw at different trees. Each attempt succeeded.


    "Tell your friend to do the same!" Nathan said, now certain this one had the highest intelligence.


    The monster with bright eyes nodded. It went to its companion, hooting something. As a result, the other monster could now correctly execute the command, throwing rocks at tree branches.


    "When I do this, it means throw rocks!" Nathan curled his five fingers into a fist.


    The understanding monster nodded, following suit. It also called its companions to do the same.


    The result made Nathan secretly rejoice¡ªhe could now train his army.


    Not wasting time with further tests, he immediately spent the entire day teaching the monster various commands and signals he needed.


    From then on, the Vermilion Apes could join him in the final battle.


    He remembered how these monsters coordinated with remarkable intelligence. Their ability to split up and send signals to regroup demonstrated this clearly. The way they chose necessary sacrifices, such as attacking their own companions to close distances, showed the same. Yet he had failed to fully exploit this capability. After days of contemplation, he discovered the red mark on the forehead of one Vermilion Apes intelligent enough to understand him. Reviewing recordings from PsiLink, he noticed several others possessed similar markings. Another bizarre ability from the Vermilion Ape Leader. It wasn''t just capable of speech but was dangerous through its various skills. Only now did he understand why these apes were far more troublesome to deal with than what was posted on PsiLink.


    As the first snowflakes of winter fell, the plan neared its final step.


    Before confronting Lunar Shadow, Nathan''s newly formed army had to hunt down the Luminous Grazer.

 Chapter 33

    Based on the hunting patterns of Mist Eels, Nathan finally located the Luminous Grazer after several days of reconnaissance.


    This majestic and elegant creature could be considered the most sought-after prize in the forest. At the same time, it possessed superior escape abilities. Therefore, Nathan had to exercise extreme caution when hunting it.


    He extended his fingers toward the Vermilion Ape he had recently promoted to his right hand due to its intelligence. For convenience, he named it Scarlet, since it was female, making communication easier.


    Scarlet sniffed in understanding, then departed from the high branch where they both perched, leaping from tree to tree in search of its companions.


    Nathan waited patiently, his eyes locked on the creature that remained oblivious, focused solely on drinking water at the stream''s edge. Its antlers emitted a soft glow. The spots on its skin sparkled like tiny stars, mesmerizing to behold. He had already driven away other monsters in the area to avoid disturbing the Luminous Grazer.


    About ten minutes later, when the creature seemed to have completed its routine and prepared to leave, Nathan spotted smoke rising in the distance. The signal that he had taught the Vermilion Apes to create.


    Without further hesitation, he leaned forward, launching himself behind his newly crafted shield toward the Luminous Grazer.


    The antlers of his targeted prey quivered once, and it immediately used its four legs to leap backward.


    With a thunderous crash, rocks and earth in front of it exploded upward along with water from the stream''s edge. The mixture covered it in a layer of muddy brown filth. The Luminous Grazer frowned in irritation. Dawn was when it was strongest, so it would spend time drinking water, eating fruit, and then finding shelter. It had always been confident in its speed, rarely getting sullied like this. Yet this new attacker could charge forth with such incredible velocity.


    Flashing a grin, Nathan swung his shield upward, hoping to strike the creature''s body so the thorns of the Thornweave Ancient could pierce its flesh.


    The monster reacted with equal swiftness, using its twin antlers to strike hard against the shield, penetrating the outer layer of green thorns to slam against the Ironbark beneath, creating a deafening clang. The impact pushed both parties backward slightly.


    Not giving the creature time to react, Nathan continued charging forward, still sheltering behind his shield. Seeing this, the Luminous Grazer took a deep breath. When Nathan drew near, it exhaled, creating an explosion of mana.


    The force sent his shield arm flying backward. Using the momentum to flip once in mid-air, he managed to bring his shield forward just in time to block the creature''s incoming charge. Both he and the shield skidded across the ground covered in rocks and pebbles, creating a scraping sound. But things weren''t over yet.


    He glanced at the luminous spots on the Grazer''s body. They had grown dimmer, no longer as bright as before. Looking down at himself, several spots that had once adorned his opponent''s body now clung to him. He tried using his hand to push and wipe them off, but to no avail.


    "What must come, will come," he smirked and whispered.


    Immediately after, the spots flashed brilliantly, and explosions erupted. His eyes and ears registered nothing through the blinding light and horrific booming sounds. He only felt his body being pulled in all directions as if by dozens of hands. After a few seconds, everything ended. A thin smoke rose around his body. The shield, fortunately, remained in his grip. His mind stayed clear. His skin showed black and red spots. Overall, the damage wasn''t too severe.


    Grinning to reveal gleaming white teeth, he taunted the Luminous Grazer.


    "Is that all you''ve got?"


    As if responding to its opponent''s mockery, the creature tilted its magnificent antlers downward. A sphere of light formed. A moment later, a beam of abundant energy crashed against Nathan''s shield.


    He gripped the handle tightly, confident that both the Thornweave Ancient and Ironbark layers could withstand it. In his peripheral vision, he could see the soft layers of the Thornweave Ancient being torn apart, flailing like weak tentacles. However, given time and nutrients, it would recover. The Ironbark layer remained steadfastly resilient.


    The struggle lasted only a few seconds. The Luminous Grazer, unwilling to prolong the engagement, cut off its attack. Instead, it pointed its antlers skyward. The surrounding light seemed to be devoured by it, creating a surreal scene, painting everything in a gloomy gray as if rain were imminent. When it had gathered enough power, the small sun blazed with blinding brilliance. Brilliant enough to sear one''s eyes.


    Having anticipated this, Nathan closed his eyes, taking full cover behind his shield. Even so, he could see his vision tinged red from the overwhelming light. It was as if this skill of the Luminous Grazer could penetrate even the tiniest cracks to stun its enemies.


    When the surroundings began to feel less hot and his eyes no longer under such pressure, he finally rose up, frantically looking around. As expected, the creature had fled.


    He wasn''t worried. This was when the Vermilion Apes would prove their worth. Jumping onto a high branch, he surveyed the surroundings.


    Then, a smoke trail similar to before rose in the eastern direction, not too far from where he was. He could see trees and animals there in commotion. He immediately rushed toward that location.


    Gliding past rows of trees and rock outcroppings at least twice his previous speed, Nathan arrived in moments. What greeted him was a scene of chaos.


    The Luminous Grazer was surrounded by the Vermilion Ape pack. It couldn''t move freely due to the barrage of thrown rocks and sharpened wooden spears. The red-furred monsters'' spread-out formation was enough to compensate for the speed difference. Whenever the Luminous Grazer moved, the pre-positioned apes would launch attacks, forcing the creature to retreat or change direction. This kept it running in circles. It couldn''t counterattack because it had used all its techniques on Nathan. The luminous spots on its body were still recharging. The mana in its body wasn''t sufficient to accelerate the process.


    Its inability to run straight ahead was primarily due to the nets and poison traps that Nathan had provided for the Vermilion Apes to use. Using the tenacious fibers of Strangler Vines, along with some thorny and sticky properties of Thornweave Ancients, the Vermilion Apes only needed to throw nets from the treetops to make the Luminous Grazer wary. The deer-like monster was also quite intelligent, staying alert enough not to get caught in these nets.


    During their first encounter, it had shown no fear and used Light Beam to shred the first net. But Nathan had also attached poison bombs to the nets. When burned, they created a deep green mist that blocked vision and was potent enough to paralyze if inhaled.


    With no other choice, the Luminous Grazer was forced to change direction, thus becoming trapped in the web of tactics laid out by the red-furred army. A Vermilion Ape only needed to throw an explosive at the pre-gathered hay pile for smoke to rise, signaling those lying in ambush at other positions. The closer ones would advance, easily cutting off the deer monster''s retreat. As their numbers grew, it became like a crab in a basket.


    A rather simple strategy, but sufficient to capture the Luminous Grazer. Nathan thought that if he possessed the telepathic abilities of the Vermilion Ape Leader, he could have commanded his army to take down the creature before even arriving at this spot.


    He howled once, signaling for the red-furred monsters to close the circle, moving to the final phase.


    The Luminous Grazer lost its calm and dignified demeanor. It began jumping erratically, its front and back legs seemingly in conflict, sometimes wanting to move forward, sometimes backward. It neighed in panic, its antlers glowing to blind everything around it. Its actions succeeded with the little energy remaining in its body, but that was all. It didn''t know how to climb trees. And while the Vermilion Apes were blinded, their hands still firmly held the connection points of the capture nets, so it made no difference.


    Nathan jumped down, walking leisurely toward the creature. His hand extended forward, gesturing for it to stay calm. Unlike the Luminous Grazer, he was sucking on anti-poison candy to limit inhaling gas from the poison bombs that had exploded earlier. The apes were high up, so they were fairly well protected from the poison''s effects. Although it was only paralyzing and sleep-inducing poison, he didn''t want the creature to inhale too much and affect the later stages.


    But the Luminous Grazer continued to neigh frantically, its head bobbing up and down, desperate to find an escape route. It attempted to kick Nathan with its front legs but was smoothly dodged. He lunged forward, wrapping his arms tightly around its neck, pinning it down. The creature''s struggles were nothing compared to his strength. It writhed frantically in his arms, using its large round eyes to look at him pleadingly. It didn''t even eat meat, nor hunt anyone. Only other monsters looked at it as if it were the most delicious thing in the world.


    Nathan blinked at those sparkling eyes, opening his mouth to console it.


    "I''m not even going to kill you, you know."


    The creature continued struggling, either not understanding or not believing. Eventually, its strength was depleted, both from using all its skills¡ªparticularly the powerful ones that demanded heavy energy consumption¡ªand from the poison invading its respiratory system. It went limp. Nathan released his hold, letting it lie on its side.


    Once sure the creature was completely still, he proceeded with his task. Having decided to do this, he wouldn''t reconsider just because of momentary guilt. Using a pair of newly hunted Armor Scarab knives¡ªthough less effective than the previous time but still requiring an equally putrid process¡ªhe began sawing off one of the Luminous Grazer''s antlers.


    With the Armor Scarab''s sharpness, the process was quickly completed. The antler, weighing several dozen kilograms and as long as an arm span, lay neatly in his hands. He certainly wouldn''t cut off both of the Luminous Grazer''s antlers. Doing so would leave it defenseless against natural predators. Besides, one antler was enough for him.


    Wrapping cord around the newly harvested item, he tossed the antler to a High Vermilion Ape to carry. As for himself, he picked up the Luminous Grazer, balancing it on his head with both hands. This heavy creature would have been impossible for him to carry before, but now it felt no different than carrying a child, with only its bulky body causing any difficulty.


    After leaving the area affected by the poison, he set the creature down by a tree. To be thorough, he waited until it regained consciousness. Upon regaining awareness, it staggered to its feet, neighing sounds of displeasure at the person who dared cut off one of its antlers. It continued making such sounds for quite a while, sending out curses to satisfy itself before finally gathering energy to make its remaining antler glow, blinding everyone. The Luminous Grazer vanished. No one attempted to catch it again.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Nathan returned to the Crimson Lotus pond, continuing to tinker with his equipment. Snow began falling its first flakes. Today it wasn''t too heavy, so it didn''t create difficulties with the terrain. However, Nathan spent most of his time in one place rather than moving around.


    In the following days, Moirath Forest gradually covered itself in a white blanket. Trees wore soft, fragile caps. The temperature dropped rapidly, forcing most animals and monsters to seek shelter and hibernate. The harshness of winter and the volatile environment made all creatures struggle. Except for the Vermilion Ape pack under Nathan''s command.


    With his preparations, the monsters could be said to be experiencing their most comfortable winter ever. Snow covered their huts completely but didn''t fall through the gaps like in previous years thanks to their new leader''s construction guidance. They still had to hunt for food but didn''t need to take excessive risks. Nathan had applied meat-drying techniques for winter storage. Thunder Sage worked quite well for sterilization, and combined with salt, the preservation time would be sufficient. Not to mention the low temperature also helped slow the meat''s deterioration process. The Vermilion Apes mainly spent their free time listening to their leader''s Right Hand, training in actions that, though basic, required finesse.


    While managing everything, Nathan conducted his search for the Lunar Shadow. Through PsiLink and his own exploration, he found several clearings where moonlight would shine strongest to predict its appearance. The main issue was that he couldn''t divide his forces to conduct encirclement and sweeps. Unless he wanted to sacrifice all his ape monsters'' lives to a powerful existence like the Lunar Shadow.


    So he had to gamble. During each freezing dusk, he donned his cloak made from Great Spine Wolf and went to locations where Lunar Shadow might appear with his army. The falling snow didn''t hinder much as he and the monster pack mainly swung from tree to tree to move.


    Upon reaching the designated spots, he began preparations, ordering his amateur soldiers to perform simple tasks. Then, when night fell and the moon hung high, casting its mystical silver light everywhere. Combined with the sparkle of snowflakes, nights in Moirath Forest truly presented an aesthetic scene. On the mountain peaks, one could sometimes see flying monsters passing back and forth through the seven-colored aurora as if dancing to the special rhythm that the season brought.


    The only positive result Nathan had all week was photos and videos of the nighttime scenery. He and the Vermilion Apes stayed awake guarding each night with steam rising from their noses, trembling from prolonged wind exposure, or teeth chattering because the cloaks couldn''t keep them warm enough. Worst was when they had to stand near a lake, where the wind became even fiercer, and the monster beneath the lake exhaled contentedly because this air was exactly what it desired. One creature''s enjoyment was another''s hardship. The Vermilion Apes had to huddle together to keep from freezing to death. Only Nathan, with his enhanced physique, could maintain alertness throughout the hunting expedition. Nevertheless, he still felt the cold was truly dangerous. Fortunately, he only hunted half a day before returning to recover. If he had to extend days like currently at Storm Peaks, he truly wasn''t sure how long he could last.


    His efforts finally paid off. After more than two weeks, the monster with the perfect white fur finally appeared. Ironically, it was at the very place where Nathan first encountered Lunar Shadow and nearly got eaten alive.


    Nathan was hiding behind a thicket when Lunar Shadow''s form gradually broke through the night''s veil to stand majestically, head turned toward the darkness, nose seeming to smell the life essence from the surrounding space.


    He narrowed his eyes, taking in the monster''s figure and PsiLink. The previously used development comparison software was deployed. The results made him glad he decided to engage early.


    The size change compared to their first encounter was 22.3%. In just a month and a half, the monster had grown unbelievably. Nathan wondered if it was because of Lunar Shadow that he rarely encountered Tier 2 monsters in Moirath Forest. If that was true, then Darkan''s challenge was truly impossible without his Titan bloodline. How could he hunt on par with this monster?


    Not thinking too much, he raised his hand and spread his fingers. Scarlet, standing close beside him, received the order and silently departed. Only she was allowed to stay near him, avoiding unnecessary sounds that might alert Lunar Shadow. Although with its nature of looking down on other species, it wasn''t certain whether it would care or not. Either way, he still had to be careful.


    When the time was ripe, he jumped down, creating a thump on the snowy ground.


    Lunar Shadow slowly turned its eyes downward, still keeping its head pointed toward the moon, not really considering Nathan as a threat worth mentioning. It had roamed this forest for quite some time, with countless enemies falling before it. A human would just be a change in diet.


    Nathan slowly stepped out from the shadows of the trees behind him, gradually receiving the moon''s illumination. He was fully equipped. The damaged and broken armor had been recreated with materials from Blood Thirster, Armor Scarab, and Ironbark. Besides the shield, various long and short weapons were attached to his waist and back. The wolf fur cloak made him appear more massive and imposing. The fangs worn around his neck clinked with warning sounds. They could also serve as short daggers when necessary.


    "Hello, my prize," he couldn''t help but say.


    Lunar Shadow paid no attention, still enjoying its moonlight bath.


    Feeling embarrassed, Nathan slammed his shield against the ground to attract his opponent''s attention.


    The monster continued to show no interest.


    Not wanting to launch a surprise attack for fear of enraging the monster too quickly, contrary to his plan to prolong the battle, the current situation seemed to prevent him from following any prior calculations. Without further thought, he charged forward, shield and sword in hand. If he missed today, who knew when he would encounter Lunar Shadow again. If not now, then perhaps never.


    With a thunderous crash, Nathan only felt his body being thrown backward, his legs sinking deep into the snow below. His hands trembled violently after the collision.


    Lunar Shadow finally lowered its head, eyes narrowing, clearly showing its annoyance. This was its nightly routine, yet someone dared to disturb it. Well then, it would fill its stomach first.


    Nathan gritted his teeth to calm himself. He truly hadn''t expected the monster''s strength to be so immense.


    Tier 2 Phase 6, or Phase 7? Nathan speculated.


    PsiLink could only estimate but couldn''t provide exact results. Usually, Cultivators would sense this through their Spirit. But Nathan''s Spirit was only Tier 1, how could he accurately sense it?


    Unable to do anything else, Nathan prepared for his opponent''s counterattack. Knowing the disparity from before despite using all passive skills, this time he tried to use his entire body to defend. At the moment the monster, nearly twice his height, arrived, he kicked hard backward with both legs, both hands gripping the shield tightly to push forward.


    This time, his strike had enough force. The result was both parties having to step back. The main issue was that the outer Thornweave Ancient layer was almost useless, being torn apart with each collision, not even having time to inflict damage on Lunar Shadow. It also recovered very slowly, unlike normal.


    Lunar Shadow frowned deeper, its mouth revealing razor-sharp teeth threatening Nathan. The monsters it had encountered before never possessed such strong impact force as this human. But who was it? It was confident in being the forest''s strongest, fearing no one. Once attacked, it would retaliate more fiercely.


    The wolf monster breathed out softly, its form gradually blending into the night, as if disappearing from all sight.


    Nathan became tense, preparing for the monster''s Night Walker technique.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    He raised his shield to block the attack from above. The impact shockwave sent snow beneath his feet flying up like reverse rain. His feet were pushed down into the ground below. Before him was a pair of razor-sharp fangs that had penetrated the three layers he had arranged for his shield - Ironbark, Armor Scarab, and Thornweave Ancient.


    Lunar Shadow twisted its neck, yanking the shield from the human''s grip, then tossing it aside. When it landed on its hind legs, its opponent had already slid away, creating distance between them. The human reached under the snow, smirking at it, pulling up a new shield.


    "You didn''t think I''d come looking for you without preparation, did you?" Nathan cheerfully taunted, regardless of whether the monster understood or not.


    Lunar Shadow didn''t catch a single word. Prey that could withstand one or two of its attacks wasn''t rare. But in the end, they all ended up in its stomach.


    Once again disappearing into the night, Night Walker was deployed. When it appeared, the monster''s claws slashed from Nathan''s right side. Its weight made him stagger. In that moment, it spun around, its hind leg kicking him flying in a straight line parallel to the ground.


    Only when breath seemed torn from his body from impact with a tree did he stop. A series of crashes rang out behind him as he stood up. His eyes looked at the empty space before him, seeing nothing.


    The system had just notified when Nathan was once again sent flying, his shield falling on the snowy surface.


    Managing to flip in mid-air, he finally managed to control his momentum, jumping up to stand straight. During his flight, he had managed to grab another shield hidden under the snow. Over a dozen shields had been prepared for today. He didn''t want all preparations to become futile due to failure.


    Roaring once, he activated his trump card.


    Berserker, 5%.


    The strange thing about Tier 2 was that his skin currently wasn''t turning redder like before, but instead became darker, taking on a metallic sheen. He guessed that was a good thing so didn''t pay much attention, preparing for the collision.


    Lunar Shadow stood straight, using its eyes to evaluate the human. It wasn''t clear if it was feeling amused or disgusted that its prey was so persistent. With a nature not prone to overthinking things, it used its signature skill. Its tail lit up from absorbing moonlight.


    Nathan saw that action and immediately dove forward with a bullet-like leap. He only landed in empty space. Lunar Shadow had used Night Walker to leave.


    Glancing around, he could only see that attacks could come from above or behind. Keeping his shield tilted in wait, the moment a light flashed, he proceeded to block. Two Crescent Moon Slashes glided extremely fast through the air, striking Nathan''s shield.


    It was immediately cut into three pieces with a cracking sound. However, the power still hadn''t completely dissipated, a dim arc cutting into Nathan''s armor. Chest and arm were marked with a small groove. At the exposed elbow joint, blood spurted out.


    He felt his arm going numb. The cut left a gray-white arc clinging to his arm, refusing to disappear.


    Seeing its attack partially successful, Lunar Shadow used the next skill in its combo.


    The gray-white mark on Nathan''s arm lit up, Moon Scar activating. He let out a cry of pain. But it was just pain like from falling or getting scratched, not too shocking. His skin rang out with sizzling sounds not from being burned but from resisting Moon Scar''s force.


    He doubled his Berserker state up to 10%. His skin showed more obvious transformation, becoming more distinctly metallic. The sizzling sound grew more intense. Smoke rose from the wound site. After a moment, the Moon Scar mark was dispelled. The wound began to stop bleeding, quickly moving toward closing up. Nathan finally understood why Tier 2 focused on skin cultivation. Just having skin as hard as metal and recovering this fast, he could fight continuously.


    Seeing its Moon Scar no longer effective, Lunar Shadow shook its wolf head with deep doubt. This was a skill it had always been confident in. How could a human not using mana resist it?


    Nathan threw away the now useless shield in his hand, picked up another shield, and proceeded to counterattack.


    The monster, feeling challenged, charged forward. When about to collide, it once again vanished.


    This time, it appeared on Nathan''s right side. Instead of panicking, he smiled.


    "Bingo," he said happily as he jumped backward.


    A cloud of dust sprayed up from the ground when Lunar Shadow stepped on Nathan''s trap. The monster startled, coughing violently when inhaling the ghastly dark green gas. With speed no less than Nathan''s, it retreated in another direction. This was why from the beginning until now, he hadn''t thrown any solutions or poison dust. Lunar Shadow was fast enough to make his throws useless. Now everything was different.


    Lunar Shadow realized it had inhaled poison gas and exhaled hard. It closed its eyes once, using mana to circulate around its body, using energy from moonlight to purify. Finally, the poison was completely pushed out through its sweat glands. The monster raised its head, looking at Nathan with contempt, its fur flowing in the wind further emphasizing its nobility.


    Deploying Night Walker to attack, Lunar Shadow for the first time met direct resistance. The human had anticipated its appearance direction and used full force to knock it back.


    Lunar Shadow shook its head from the opponent''s impact aftershock that had grown stronger than before. It felt pain. That thought flashed through its mind making it feel humiliated. Disbelieving, it used Night Walker once more. Then, a light spot on its front leg while running toward the enemy caught its attention. It should have been invisible, its body no different than merging with the air, impossible to reveal such a deadly marker.


    Nathan didn''t see what the monster was confused about, only saw it stop and grew more delighted. He rammed into it with his shield. His other hand drew a line up the monster''s flank with his sword.


    Lunar Shadow let out a painful groan, revealing its true form, dispelling Night Walker''s state. It ignored the pain, eyes still fixed on the bright spot on its front leg that hadn''t disappeared. This light carried the sun''s flavor, making it hate it bitterly. But why was it there?


    The monster would never understand it had been contaminated with a compound made from Luminous Grazer horn powder and phosphorescent mushroom spores. From now on, its Night Walker skill would no longer be effective against Nathan.


    But when attacked once more, Lunar Shadow regained its spirit. Its two tails created blurry illusions. Four Crescent Moon Slashes were launched before the human''s surprised eyes.

 Chapter 34

    The shield split cleanly in two the moment the Crescent Moon Slashes struck. One of them, slower than the rest, took advantage of the opening and slammed directly into Nathan''s body.


    A series of cracks echoed through the air as his armor split in half. The most critical issue was that the Crescent Moon Slash, no longer dampened by the shield, carved a diagonal path across his chest.


    The impact launched him backward into the snow, sinking deep into its thick blanket. Blood sprayed upward, painting crimson flowers against the white canvas. Coughing violently, he scrambled to his feet, his trembling hand trying to stem the flow of hot blood dripping down his body. His chest armor was torn wide open, revealing a faint grayish-white mark beneath. Similar marks appeared on both arms. In some places, the white light grew more intense, triggering Moon Scar and causing Nathan to groan in agony.


    The fresh wound proved its tenacity by refusing to diminish despite the hissing sounds emanating from his body. His skin seemed to burn and evaporate as energy within his body rushed to fuel the healing process. It all made him slightly dizzy. Left with no other choice, he ramped up his power.


    Berserker, 15%.


    Taking a small vial from his belt, he downed its contents in one gulp.


    The Blood Essence Wine exploded within his body with intense warmth. Simultaneously, the essence supply gradually increased, and the energy would help him endure for a period of time.


    Qi Armor was established, joining in the struggle where his skin was at a disadvantage. The effect was immediate. Tiny points of essence battled against Moon Scar, pushing it outward to allow the skin to heal. Nathan''s body now bore points of light not unlike Lunar Shadow, constantly vibrating as the essence did its work.


    Grabbing another shield, he prepared himself for the next round.


    Lunar Shadow was licking the wound Nathan had left on its flank. It was applying the same Moon Scar technique on its own body. While enemies had to suffer from this skill, for the creature itself, it was nothing short of rapid healing. Blood from the slash wound was sealed and blocked by a grayish-white layer. The pain gradually subsided into a dull ache. It raised its head, swearing not to spare the human. Two ethereal tails alongside its real ones swayed in manifestation of its anger.


    Abandoning Night Walker, the monster employed Moon Step instead. It leaped into the air, forming invisible platforms. When it landed, space rippled like disturbed water. It advanced toward Nathan with incredible speed, dropping down from above with lethal intent.


    With newfound strength from Berserker, Nathan managed to block the attack with his left hand without too much difficulty. He withdrew his hand from the grip, allowing himself freedom from the Crescent Moon Slashes raining down from above. Snow exploded around him. With a powerful leap, he swung his sword in a horizontal arc toward the monster''s head.


    Lunar Shadow opened its maw wide, catching the sword between its fangs.


    Nathan used the trapped sword as a pivot point, swinging his body upward, reaching a height surpassing even the floating Lunar Shadow. Utilizing his immense physical strength, he thrust his palm backward, creating explosions in mid-air that propelled him downward at terrifying speed. During his descent, he had to twist his body and thrust his palms in various directions to adjust his trajectory, avoiding the Crescent Moon Slashes.


    Finally, he succeeded in delivering a spectacularly powerful counter-attack to Lunar Shadow''s head.


    A crystalline shattering sound rang out, followed immediately by a boom as the monster crashed into the ground, plowing through the thick snow.


    Not giving the monster any time to rest, Nathan raised his arm. Various poison bombs of his own making were thrown. With a stone in hand, he timed its throw perfectly. The stone pierced through the poison bombs, causing them to detonate. Solutions and powders rained down on Lunar Shadow.


    The wolf monster shook its head, still disoriented when its nose detected danger. The rain of poison made it jump in alarm. Green-black poisonous smoke obscured its vision. Lunar Shadow activated Night Walker to try to escape.


    But Nathan had been waiting for exactly that action from outside. He always kept his focus locked on the glowing spots created by Luminous Grazer powder. Once it moved, he was ready. With a kick enhanced by his passive skills, he knocked Lunar Shadow back into the poison cloud.


    The monster refused to give up, attempting to leave in another direction. What greeted it was Nathan''s shield charging forward. Thornweave Ancient finally proved its worth thanks to the enemy''s poor visibility. Several thorns pierced Lunar Shadow''s body, making it howl in pain.


    The monster exhaled sharply, its mind growing increasingly foggy. It had never been so disadvantaged before, which only made it more panicked. It immediately used Moon Step to raise itself higher, hoping to minimize its exposure to the surrounding poison smoke.


    Seeing this, Nathan pulled on his mask, lowered his center of gravity, his leg muscles tensing to their limit. He shot straight toward where the monster was trying to escape. His hand reached out at the exact moment Lunar Shadow''s nose found some fresh air. Flexing his arm muscles, he threw the monster back into the battlefield he had prepared for it. Simultaneously, he threw more bombs containing Luminous Grazer powder, refreshing the glowing effect on Lunar Shadow''s skin.


    Lunar Shadow''s back slammed hard into the ground. It coughed out sounds of pain and exhaustion. While its energy remained, the poison was truly pressing on its spirit. Looking at it now, it no longer maintained its former majesty. Its fur was contaminated with various colors - the deep green of poison and brown of earth. Beneath the fur, its skin was bruising from the human''s punches and kicks. Its mouth drooled uncontrollably. Its eyes kept narrowing. Its nose couldn''t smell anything.


    Nathan stood outside, observing with tense anticipation. The strength he gained from Berserker had allowed him to match Lunar Shadow in raw power. This was completely unexpected. He had thought he would need to activate the 23% state much earlier. However, he understood where this capability came from. [Titan''s Descendant]. The Bloodline he possessed enhanced all aspects of Physical Cultivation to become even stronger. At Physical Cultivation Tier 1, Phase 3, he could confidently use his body''s strength to face Roran, who possessed Tier 1, Phase 8 of Spirit Cultivation. Following that logic, even though he was only at Tier 2 Phase 1.5, that number alone didn''t tell the whole story of his strength. With [Amplifying Strike] and partial Berserker state, the force he could generate might reach the threshold of Tier 2, Phase 7 or 8.


    One thing to note was that Lunar Shadow''s level didn''t reflect Physical Cultivation, but rather Spirit Cultivation. The monster was evaluated based on cultivation and mana usage ability. The monster''s powerful body was just a natural advantage. That said, it showed just how terrifying Lunar Shadow was in terms of pure physical strength.


    Not to mention its dominating skills, the monster was already a force that couldn''t be underestimated. And now, it became even more unreasonable. Nathan''s skin crawled when a long howl rose from within the poison smoke.


    Without thinking too much, he found another shield and attached it to his back. He tried to reassure himself that this would be enough.


    A mystical scene unfolded before Nathan''s eyes. The space around him grew darker in his vision. The silver moonlight transformed into countless tiny points, floating in the air. They grew increasingly larger as the moon provided more energy. Then, when they reached about the size of a fingernail, they shot toward Lunar Shadow, penetrating through the poison smoke.


    Nathan watched but could do nothing. Those points of light were essence carrying the Lunar Aspect, a type rare among humans but fairly common among monsters. However, not every creature had the ability to control and absorb moonlight like Lunar Shadow.


    Nathan saw a wolf figure formed by points of light from moonlight inside the poison smoke. Its brightness rivaled Luminous Grazer, forcing him to shut his eyes tightly. All he could see were system notifications.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    He only knew he was affected by a silent blast that swept just above the ground. But thanks to that, he could still hear the whistling sound the monster created due to its speed. Through training with techniques from [Martial Art Mastery], he had improved his ability to hear and react to attacks, thereby adapting and countering. This was the moment to test those days of blindfolded training, dodging stone throws from the Vermilion Ape pack.


    Raising the shield to his right hand, he roared, putting forth all his strength. The monster''s head slammed into the shield creating a violent shockwave, drawing a crack in the snow from the point of impact.


    Both hung in the air for a moment, then [Rebound] activated.


    Lunar Shadow was pushed back by its own force.


    Nathan only felt slight soreness from his counter-attack. He landed on his knee, tilting his head up to smile beneath the wolf jaw helmet from the Great Spine Wolf. The battle was now entering its most intense phase as Lunar Shadow''s ultimate technique Night Hunter had been activated.


    The wolf monster shook its head once, regaining clarity. Its eyes locked onto its opponent. Though puzzled by how a human could possess such powerful physical strength, it had no time to dwell on it. The Night Hunter state couldn''t be maintained for long, so it had to make the most of this brief period. It swished its rear, another ethereal moon-white tail like mist appearing, ready to attack.


    Nathan moved quickly and decisively, dodging the five Crescent Moon Slashes fired at him. But that wasn''t enough. Waiting for him was a rain of white curves in the air from all angles. Night Hunter had helped Lunar Shadow transcend its limits, raising its mana cap significantly enough for wasteful spending. After all, once it ended, this energy source would disappear anyway, so the monster saw no point in conserving it.


    A Crescent Moon Slash grazed him, cutting away part of his fur cloak. He spun around, swinging his sword to counter another slash. Their collision immediately demonstrated the gap between Spirit Cultivation and Physical Cultivation. His attack carried no mana, purely physical force. While the Crescent Moon Slash was only blocked at the point of contact with the sword, then split in two, continuing its trajectory forward. Only by concentrating all his essence into his hand to increase Qi Armor''s intensity could he successfully deflect the divided slash.


    Understanding he could only rely on Qi Armor and evasion, he focused intensely. [Quick Feet] no longer requiring him to bite himself to activate was operating at full capacity. He continuously dodged from side to side. Sometimes sliding low on the ground to approach the enemy. Other times jumping up and using Qi Armor on his legs to kick and break Crescent Moon Slashes.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Lunar Shadow calmly observed everything. Its hatred for Nathan had reached its peak. Its mind wasn''t highly developed but it remembered his scent. Over a month and a half ago it had wanted to eat him alive. Yet it was stopped by someone stronger. Someone who had brought it here from its beloved homeland. Even among its kind, it was considered an outstanding existence. Yet before it could grow up, it was taken far from home, forced to serve another''s will. Surely the human before it was one of the causes. Understanding this, it wanted to tear the enemy''s throat even more. Lunar Shadow stamped its foot, its tails still continuously firing Crescent Moon Slashes, activating Night Walker. The moonlight explosion earlier had dispelled both the poison and the Luminous Grazer spots Nathan had thrown on it.


    Always keeping one eye locked on the wolf monster, Nathan noticed immediately when it disappeared. Struggling with the deadly slashes around him, he couldn''t prevent it.


    No matter, he remained calm in battle.


    From the fight with the Vermilion Ape Leader, he discovered that special monsters behaved very differently from what the data he had on PsiLink suggested. Information about these variants was too extensive, becoming expensive when trying to collect enough and find the exact one being targeted. Therefore, he had spent time thinking, drawing out possible scenarios that Lunar Shadow might execute. If Luminous Grazer''s spots could stick permanently that would be ideal, but once dispelled, he needed a backup plan.


    He raised his hand, index finger pointing straight at the sky. A howl sounded nearby. Right after Scarlet''s signal was fired. The Vermilion Apes threw the bombs their leader had entrusted to them earlier. The bombs flew high into the sky. When they reached their peak, the hidden mechanism activated. A small parachute deployed from each one, causing them to hover in the air.


    Nathan smiled slightly, silently praising Scarlet for always watching him intently. Taking out small knives from his pockets, he threw them at several bombs. A rain of explosive powder descended, different in that it contained no poison smoke but rather tiny sparkling particles of various colors.


    Scanning around, he immediately saw the dust particles moving in a position to his right. Without hesitation, he used Qi Armor concentrated in his hands to deflect the final two Crescent Moon Slashes. The dust particles moved more chaotically near him. He slammed his shield down, throwing himself high up. The monster struck, knocking the shield from his hand. Five Crescent Moon Slashes fired from all angles. Nathan pulled out the shield from his back, using it to strike directly at Lunar Shadow''s head while utilizing it as a pivot to skillfully dodge the slashes.


    Lunar Shadow roared, using all its strength to throw Nathan off. While the enemy was unbalanced, it immediately opened its jaws wide to bite. Its new strength shattered the shield in Nathan''s hand despite biting from the sides. Just as its fangs were about to succeed, they were stopped by an invisible barrier.


    Nathan hung suspended with his right hand trapped between the monster''s jaws. Qi Armor was frantically consuming essence to prevent him from losing an arm. Using his other hand, he threw a punch at the monster''s nose. Yet it still wouldn''t let go. He twisted his hand, drawing out the Scarab sword, delivering several more cuts before Lunar Shadow finally tilted its head away, staggering and in pain, releasing the human.


    Jumping backward while panting, Nathan was shocked by the speed the monster possessed. Before the Night Hunter state, he had already matched Lunar Shadow, yet now it not only had abundant mana, its body had also received formidable buffs. Looking at his hand, he shook his head in dismay. Although Qi Armor had protected him, the pressure points from the monster''s fangs had still left two deep indents in his skin. He figured his hand would have been crushed to pieces if Lunar Shadow had penetrated his defensive line.


    The wolf monster shook its head violently, the burning pain it endured from Nathan''s cuts making it extremely uncomfortable. The notable thing was that there was poison in the cuts too. The first slash wasn''t strong enough in dosage for it to care. With this deeper cut, it finally felt it.


    Nathan was picking up another shield when the monster pounced. Clenching his hand, he tried to defend. But instead of crushing the shield like before, his pushing force met only air. The monster had used Moon Step mid-way, using it to change attack direction, its mouth opening wide to bite at his sword hand. Simultaneously, five Crescent Moon Slashes were sent out, ensuring he couldn''t use the shield to block its mighty fangs.


    A clear ring sounded out. The Scarab Armor sword shattered into colorful fragments spraying outward when Nathan raised it hoping to block the monster''s jaws. The more dangerous problem came after. His hand was once again caught in the monster''s mouth, while Crescent Moon Slashes had cut through his shield. Qi Armor was forced to spread out evenly.


    "Arghh," he groaned as the sharp points of fangs pierced his skin, his body marked with grayish-white streaks from Moon Scar.


    Seeing its success, Lunar Shadow shook its head hard, throwing Nathan to crash straight into a tree. The impact force broke the tree backward, falling in the forest creating rustling sounds in the night, ending with a loud thump as snow flew in all directions.


    Nathan staggered to his feet, blood seeping from locations all over his body. Lunar Shadow''s bite had created four holes in his forearm. Moon Scar was active at the positions where Crescent Moon Slash had cut through.


    Taking out Blood Essence Wine, he drank it all in one complete gulp. The warmth from the wine made him more alert. Most importantly, it replenished the essence that had been recklessly consumed by Qi Armor. Indeed, this skill compared poorly to mana shield. One type would consume energy even without contact, while the other maintained stability unless impacted. There was good reason why this path of Physical Cultivation had gradually fallen into obscurity. This school, without various foods and drinks, would have too many shortcomings. The system, seeming to understand his situation when providing [Cooking], had stepped in to help with this deficiency.


    His Stamina was also restored thanks to the essence of the Crimson Lotus seed. The lethargy surrounding him was pushed back, making room for intense focus. As Lunar Shadow had reached its peak, it was time for him to crank his power to the maximum as well.


    Berserker, 23%.


    Lunar Shadow raised its head straight up, its nose sniffing with disbelief. The human wasn''t paralyzed by that throw, but had regained his strength instead. And he was shooting toward it with even greater speed than before.


    Nathan''s downward kick from above only served to stir up the snow below, missing completely. He grabbed the shield that appeared right beneath, swinging it to the side, smashing hard into the monster''s body. Lunar Shadow retreated backward, disappearing again. He threw knives toward the hovering bomb bags. The glowing dust descended once more. Observing movement in the air, he spun around pushing his shield forward, his other hand yanking a fang from the Great Spine Wolf''s collar, simultaneously thrusting forward.


    Lunar Shadow yelped after taking the hit, a white fang stuck in its neck. It took a deep breath, expelling the thorn''s pushing force. Poison once again flooded into its system. But that still wasn''t enough to make it fall.


    Only six left.


    Nathan''s shield count was steadily decreasing, Crescent Moon Slash and Lunar Shadow''s bites too mighty. This was something he couldn''t have predicted. The monster''s development was impossible to measure with his data. Nevertheless, he remained confident this hunting trip would still end successfully.


    Utilizing the speed, endurance, and explosive power Berserker provided, he moved around in a calculated yet frenzied manner. He wasn''t just picking up shields but also gathering backup swords. At intervals, he would stir up bomb traps from the ground, making the air increasingly mixed with poison. It was time for him to take risks - not being immune to poison meant exposing himself like this caused him difficulties like Lunar Shadow. He was betting on his Qi Armor, [Poison Processing], and physical constitution.


    Lunar Shadow was no slouch, continuously moving, continuously using its skills. Night Walker and Moon Step combined smoothly and precisely. Sometimes it would attack from the air, combining with Crescent Moon Slash, forcing Nathan into tight spots. Even when the human predicted its direction, it still utilized platforms from Moon Step to deliver purposeful bites. Nathan''s shields and swords kept shattering under its pressure. What frustrated it was the bleeding wounds appearing on its body. It had found ways to block the enemy''s sharp weapons, yet its blood wouldn''t stop flowing. It couldn''t allocate more energy to transform these wounds into Moon Scars when the enemy attacked relentlessly without rest. This increased the exposure potential as the surrounding poison grew ever stronger.


    The Night Hunter state was about to end.


    With only two shields remaining, Nathan dared not waste them, concentrating all his strength into moving like a storm. Because of this, he didn''t notice that [Bleeding] had activated, causing difficulties for his enemy. He changed masks one after another, spitting out poison-countering candy only to throw another into his mouth. The muscles on his body heated up with each motion. His punches generated powerful air pressure. His kicks were decisive and mighty. His running steps carried unmatched speed. He himself was an army, appearing on all sides, giving the enemy no chance to rest. The wounds on his body seemed forgotten, as if familiar. Moon Scar wasn''t as frightening as before. Moon Slash became trivial once he applied [Improved Pattern Recognition] and [Martial Art Mastery]. Every movement of the enemy, every mana fluctuation in the air was clearly visible to him. Saving the Berserker state until now to unleash it fully was precisely for this moment. To force the monster to its knees.


    Lunar Shadow gradually became hesitant. Its body now was far from pristine. The beautiful white fur was stained with blood, poison, and black marks that seemed about to fester. It was slowly becoming what it had always despised before. That skinny and lowly monster humans named Great Spine Wolf. The consequence for that inferior monster was death. And Lunar Shadow could feel that coming for itself. Nathan''s crazed eyes piercing through the poison smoke were absolutely clear. They were more terrifying than the times the monster had to face larger, stronger Lunar Shadows. All had one thing in common - they only wanted to drink the enemy''s blood.


    With not much strength left, the wolf monster chose close-quarter combat. It bared its fangs from above, biting down.


    Nathan retreated backward, his fist striking forward making Lunar Shadow''s head snap upward. The monster took advantage of his unstoppable momentum to raise its claws, raking across his chest. Qi Armor wasn''t thick enough to prevent three deep grooves being carved into his flesh. Ignoring everything, Nathan hooked a strike from the opposite direction, using a One-inch punch. Before the monster could howl, the second strike arrived. Then [Rebound] activated. Lunar Shadow spat blood and saliva as its head twisted to one side, its nose breathing heavily in exhaustion. The poison had crept into every corner of its body.


    Nathan threw his shield aside. He knew Lunar Shadow no longer had enough mana to use its innate skills. Now it was just a battle of flesh and blood.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    His punches and kicks landed on the monster''s body. Lunar Shadow fought back with bites and claws. But close combat like this was no longer its strength. With a desperate move, it tensed up, taking one of Nathan''s punches, still maintaining its advancing head.


    Lunar Shadow''s action succeeded. Because not just it, Nathan was also reaching his endurance limit.


    He roared in pain as half his right body was caught completely in the monster''s mouth. Qi Armor had only a thin layer left trying to resist, preventing the teeth from sinking too deep. Even so, he could feel another solid object scraping against his bone.


    Gritting his teeth, he yanked the necklace loose causing the sharp fangs to float in mid-air. With an incredibly swift motion, he grabbed one, stabbing it deep into the monster''s neck as thick as his whole body. Blood sprayed out, hitting his face.


    Lunar Shadow didn''t give up, clenching its jaws tighter, its feet thrashing trying to claw at its opponent.


    Nathan endured the claws cutting into his skin. Essence still only focused on his right shoulder. His left hand grabbed another fang at its falling point.


    Thunk!


    Lunar Shadow exhaled sharply from the second pain on its neck, the poison growing increasingly stronger. It still wouldn''t surrender, its neck lurching forward slightly, searching for more strength for its bite.


    Nathan felt the fangtips wanting to pierce into his bone. Pain nearly blinding him, he almost dropped another knife. Using his index finger to flick it up, he managed to grab it in time.


    Thunk!


    Lunar Shadow''s saliva poured freely as it suppressed its own scream. Its entire body trembled. It believed it was close to victory.


    I''m close, Nathan thought the same.


    The fourth stab.


    Nathan''s shoulder bone had broken.


    He roared for both of them. The sound echoed throughout the forest.


    Thunk!


    There were no more knives within reach for him to grab. Essence was depleted. Strength was also exhausted.


    Lunar Shadow could no longer clench its teeth. It staggered backward, its body growing limp. All around was nothing but blood on snow, mixed between it and Nathan. Its dim eyes looked at the hunched body before it.


    Nathan seemed to have lost all feeling in his right side, blood spurting out like small waterfalls. The Berserker state was being maintained to increase his recovery ability and keep his spirit from breaking immediately.


    But he couldn''t help smiling.


    He won.


    Seeing this, Lunar Shadow tried to stand straight. Its dirty fur swayed in the wind. It was afraid but not desperate. It was a Lunar Shadow variant. Because it could eat to grow stronger. That''s why Darkan had brought it here. Eat and temporarily inherit the skills of the Tier 2 monster it consumed. The final trump card.


    And the last Tier 2 monster it ate was the Vermilion Ape Leader.


    Howling once, Lunar Shadow''s eyes gradually changed from black to red. The blood around rose like a mist entering its nose. Its once sleek body swelled up, making it lose its inherent beauty. Becoming uglier, more savage, and stronger.


    Seeing this, Nathan shuddered, muttering.


    "No, you''re really going too far now."


    Lunar Shadow, enraged state.

 Chapter 35

    Berserker, 25%.


    Nathan had just enough strength to leap aside as Lunar Shadow lunged forward, narrowly avoiding a lethal bite.


    He rolled once on the ground, his body still sluggish despite pushing his Berserker state to its limit. This was the threshold he''d trained to maintain while keeping his mind clear. Even one percent higher would trigger a complete transformation¡ªa state far from ideal. Monsters could be wild and aggressive, but they could also choose to flee. If Lunar Shadow did that, it could return and finish him off once the berserker rage subsided. Berserker was powerful, but only as a last resort.


    Lunar Shadow snorted, its head swaying erratically. Its mind was no longer clear. While this Vermilion Ape''s innate ability could be triggered, it was clearly unfamiliar territory. The ape monsters were born and raised with this skill, allowing them to gradually gain control over it. For a different species, the enraged state was a double-edged sword, much like Nathan''s Berserker. Moreover, what made Lunar Shadow struggle were [Internal Trauma] and [Bleeding]. One was causing conflict in its mind, while the other was creating pathways for poison to enter its body.


    Nathan uncapped his bottle and drained the Blood Essence Wine to replenish his energy. But his body immediately resisted. Only a portion was absorbed¡ªa side effect of the Berserker state. Either he had to transform completely, dispel it to break through his limits, or recover. Even his Titan bloodline couldn''t maintain this tension for long. Still, the extra energy was enough. With weary eyes, he roared and leaped forward, launching an uppercut from below.


    Lunar Shadow yelped as the hit connected, its focus divided. Fighting through the pain, it stopped its head mid-ascent and brought it crashing down. Its jaw met resistance from two small hands. It channeled what little mana it had recovered to launch two Crescent Moon Slashes, its ethereal tails having vanished, impossible to maintain.


    Gritting his teeth through the pain as two slash wounds appeared on his torso after piercing his Qi Armor, Nathan refused to release the monster. Yet the fresh scars forming on his chest and thigh forced him to his knees. This gave the monster the opening to spin, using its body to send him flying.


    Lunar Shadow panted heavily, its enraged state accelerating its heartbeat and blood flow, making energy circulate faster. But this also meant the poison was spreading out of control. It howled, snapping at the air in agony. Its vision began to blur, seeing illusions. Instead of this strange snow-covered place, it was wandering in its homeland. Both were forests, but one held familiarity. It saw silver-furred figures approaching, larger and more authoritative than itself, making it feel secure. It could rely on them, could live carelessly under the protection of the previous generation. Then the sound of shifting snow snapped it back to reality, where the human still refused to fall.


    Nathan could feel his muscles pulsing, expanding and contracting¡ªsigns of instability. With a groan, he locked eyes with the monster. This battle of endurance was far from over for him.


    For Lunar Shadow, however, this was indeed the end. Snowflakes began falling sporadically at midnight. The air grew colder while the burning sensation in its body persisted, telling the monster it couldn''t maintain this state any longer. To survive, it needed to run.


    Using what little clarity remained in its mind, it turned, eyes fixed on the darkness between the trees. If it could avoid the light bombs the human had thrown, it could use Night Walker to escape. This hunt had been a complete failure.


    "Nah, you aren''t going nowhere," Nathan roared when he saw Lunar Shadow''s intentions.


    He spread his fingers toward the sky, fighting through the broken bones and pain in his right shoulder.


    As soon as Lunar Shadow left the clearing and headed into the forest, boulders and wooden spears rained down like a storm, mixed with packets of Luminous Grazer light bombs. Amidst this barrage, the once-royal monster was no better than a diseased beggar. The strength from its enraged state helped it endure the rocks hammering its body, but its hide wasn''t thick enough to stop the razor-sharp spears.


    Blood sprayed from the puncture wounds across Lunar Shadow''s body. Its fur no longer held any trace of white. Its sleek tails, the source of one of its strongest skills, hung limp and lifeless, unable to rise.


    Nathan tilted his body, using his passive skills to give chase.


    Lunar Shadow''s body instinctively trembled at the sight. It leaped upward, using Moon Step to clear a path. The Vermilion Apes had moved, swinging through trees to maintain their encirclement. A High Vermilion Ape jumped in, both hands raised high to strike. In response, Lunar Shadow bit the red-furred monster in half. With one gulp, it gained a small amount of energy from the flesh and blood, maintaining its escape.


    Seeing this, Nathan roared.


    "Scarlet!" his hand spread wide, signaling to maintain the encirclement formation, avoiding isolated combat.


    However, the tree line seemed to block the red-dotted monster''s view. It heard the call but saw no signal. The old strategy continued. Rocks still flew, bombs still exploded, spears still launched, and some still charged in as sacrifices for Lunar Shadow.


    "Scatter!" Nathan roared, but his voice was carried away by the snowy wind, not reaching any Vermilion Ape''s ears.


    Clenching his fists, forcing his body to move, he left an aftershock behind as he leaped through the branches in pursuit.


    Lunar Shadow sustained more wounds, its Night Walker skill becoming useless as light spots clung to its fur and skin. The ape monsters showed no sign of letting up. It counted over ten it had killed, yet they remained undaunted.


    Boom!


    Lunar Shadow turned its head back, seeing a tree fall, a blur passing through in the weak moonlight. It ran faster. But this time, two High Vermilion Apes working together threw a boulder twice their size at it. The wolf monster''s vision went dark as its body slammed into the ground. Its right side was mangled, flesh and skin grinding against the boulder''s rough surface.


    It thrashed from side to side, trying to push the boulder up and stand. The wounds only worsened. One leg trapped under the rock wouldn''t respond to its will.


    Whoosh!


    The wind sound made Lunar Shadow jump, the scent in the air changing. The human was approaching.


    With a new surge of strength flooding its body, it roared, slowly standing, shoving the boulder aside. This burst of power was just enough to release a blast strong enough to deflect the incoming projectiles. Its right front leg was twisted at a horrifying angle, bone protruding, parts pulverized. Lunar Shadow paid no attention, turning to flee.


    But the Vermilion Apes had blocked its path, leaving only one way¡ªthe direction Nathan was approaching from.


    Tilting its body, Lunar Shadow used its three functioning legs to charge in a random direction.


    The Vermilion Apes threw themselves forward like moths to a flame. They punched, thrust spears, and grabbed at the wolf monster''s neck.


    They died just as quickly, shattered by a single bite or slash. Blood pooled on the snow and earth.


    "Scatter!" Nathan''s voice finally reached them.


    The ape monsters heard and understood but hesitated, looking toward Scarlet perched on a high branch, waiting for confirmation.


    Their action was either pitiable or admirable.


    Lunar Shadow raised its head, following its enemies'' gaze, realizing the one in the tree was their commander.


    Before Scarlet could relay Nathan''s order, Lunar Shadow made a Moon Step, creating a platform to jump. The speed of a Tier 2 monster, even on the brink of collapse, wasn''t something a Tier 1 Phase 6 creature could counter.


    Half of Scarlet''s body was caught in Lunar Shadow''s mouth, spear frozen mid-thrust.


    "NO!" Nathan screamed as he arrived.


    He was only seconds behind Lunar Shadow, yet things had turned so dire.


    Scarlet''s upper body fell with a thud from above. Its eyes still couldn''t believe what had just happened. As its head rolled down a snow bank toward Nathan, it maintained that puzzled expression. Then, its gaze gradually changed, breaking into the characteristic grin of its species. Never harm your own kind, and sacrifice yourself for the tribe''s victory. It believed Nathan would kill Lunar Shadow and avenge it. Thus, both its mission and duty were complete.


    Lunar Shadow was drawing back to continue running, now that the Vermilion Apes had scattered, when Nathan surged forward, channeling his rage into a mid-air kick. The wolf monster crashed to the ground, spewing blood mixed with black, foul-smelling liquid. It stood, snorting and spitting out the substances in its mouth, its vision swimming.


    Nathan panted heavily, nearly stumbling as he landed. The wound on his right shoulder screamed in protest at his high-intensity movements. Snow fell on his face, sending chills that helped clear his mind somewhat. The Berserker state was gradually dissipating. His body shrank, skin returning to normal, no longer bearing the metallic hardness.


    He took unsteady steps toward Lunar Shadow, eyes glancing at Scarlet''s remaining body. He carried an inexplicable anger. The monster had truly helped him relax during this tense training period. Having someone to talk to when the training period held nothing but tension really helped a lot. PsiLink wasn''t a great place for communication since searching keywords about himself only brought unwanted results. The disparaging comments grew increasingly harsh. When he hadn''t been at the sect right after becoming an inner disciple all this time, people started spreading all sorts of rumors. While waiting for the day to show them how he''d developed, he could only focus on Moirath Forest.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The Vermilion Apes had truly eased his gloomy thoughts. They followed, obeyed, and always thought of their leader. Scarlet always understood him, even after losing the Monster Whisperer talent. The monster was no different from an intelligent pet that followed him day after day. Perhaps that''s why he felt so irritated. Though weak, their bond was still there. He had thought about bringing it back to Verdant Spire Sect, placing it in the training area, and raising it as a companion. Now, that could only remain an unfulfilled plan.


    Lunar Shadow sensed the intense killing intent from its enemy. The desire to kill it had always been there, but suddenly became larger, more threatening. This made it cower, because it didn''t know what to do anymore. Its leg was broken, injuries covered its body, and its mind was exhausted. Yet, a sliver of survival instinct forced it forward, baring its magnificent fangs.


    Crack!


    Nathan wearily slapped it. The monster''s strength was no longer as fearsome as before.


    Lunar Shadow''s head tilted to one side. It ignored the human''s insult and attacked again.


    Nathan raised both hands, grabbing the monster''s fangs.


    Lunar Shadow groaned, using its full body strength to push forward. It only managed to remain stationary.


    The monster was too large for Nathan to tear its jaw apart. He jumped up, grabbed the upper jaw, then used all his remaining strength to slam its fangs into the ground.


    Lunar Shadow breathed rapidly, trying to lift its mouth. Its lower jaw frothed with saliva.


    Roaring in anger, Nathan struck down with a thunderous punch. The monster''s upper mouth caved in with a deep dent, its jaw muscles unable to move.


    The giant wolf lay limp, pain finally breaking through its mental defenses. Its eyes gradually returned to the jet black of night, its fur drooping, returning to its original white. Yet it remained a filthy monster. Its body deflated, looking even thinner than before. Its breathing became erratic.


    "This is for Scarlet," Nathan whispered.


    He grabbed the monster''s misaligned lower jaw. Gritting his teeth, he planted his foot, pushed to one side, and ripped Lunar Shadow''s lower jaw apart.


    The monster couldn''t scream, could only thrash its tongue against the ground. Cold air rushed into its exposed throat. Blood poured out violently. All four legs thrashed in a futile hope. Its broken nose bled, making sniffling sounds. Tears flowed from the unbearable pain.


    Nathan stumbled over to Scarlet''s remains. He knelt down, using his hands to close the still-open eyes of the monster. Then he pried open its stiff fingers, taking the wooden spear and standing up. This was the spear Scarlet had learned to make under Nathan''s guidance, greatly improved in sharpness during its time as a Vermilion Ape Leader. Since then, the ambush attacks of their army had improved significantly.


    Gripping the spear tightly, he stood looming over Lunar Shadow. His shadow fell across the monster, blocking the beloved moonlight from its eyes. Its head couldn''t move, one eye looking at Nathan in panic, as if begging, yet still carrying hatred.


    Without a word, Nathan raised the spear, its point aimed directly at the monster''s chest. Lunar Shadow breathed heavily, muscles and bones heaving continuously.


    Thunk!


    Only a choked sound could be heard, along with a strong exhale from Lunar Shadow.


    The wound wasn''t deep. The monster''s skin was truly thick.


    Thunk!


    Thunk!


    Thunk!


    Crack!


    The spear shattered into pieces in Nathan''s hands. But the sharp tip had penetrated deep into Lunar Shadow. Blood soaked Nathan''s entire body. He ignored the pungent smell of poison. His eyes remained locked on the fading black orb of the monster''s eye.


    Lunar Shadow breathed weakly. After the second thrust, it no longer had the strength to struggle, its body merely twitching with each strike. It only felt hatred for everything as it lay dying. It had been peacefully living its life before being forced here, made into prey for this human. It didn''t know that if it grew stronger, Darkan would have released it back to its old home since Nathan certainly couldn''t face a Tier 3 monster. If it had known, it would have tried harder, hunted more frantically, broken through faster. But "if" was a word that shouldn''t exist in this world. Though Tier 9s maintained order, the law remained¡ªthe strong devoured the weak. No exceptions.


    The monster''s heart slowly ceased its struggle against the embedded spear tip. Its eyes flickered, no longer looking at the human but at the sky where the moon presided. The silver light caressed its skin like a gentle friend, warming and comforting it. The path ahead seemed to beckon with ancestral calls.


    Lunar Shadow was an intelligent species. Their pack was immensely powerful. Perhaps its karma with the human before it wasn''t yet complete.


    With this final thought, the blood-covered wolf monster surrendered, exhaling its last breath.


    From within it, a heartbeat defied all natural laws. An invisible howl emerged.


    Instantly, an ancient silver insignia bearing the shape of a white wolf''s head formed in mid-air, shooting straight into Nathan''s chest.


    Unlike when the Wood Wraith''s soul attacked, the black hole within him didn''t activate. Because this mark had no intention to attack or harm him. It simply existed, occupying a space in his soul. A marker for other Lunar Shadows.


    Nathan frantically felt his chest. He felt no pain nor mental sluggishness. Exhaling deeply, he tried to calm himself. He would examine this matter later.


    A large amount of essence poured into him as Lunar Shadow departed the mortal realm. He had to sit down to cultivate, absorbing the excess that his body couldn''t store to avoid waste.


    About fifteen minutes later, he stood up, tired but still able to move. He ordered the two remaining High Vermilion Apes to carry Lunar Shadow''s corpse. He picked up Scarlet''s remaining body. It was time to bring it home.


    Dawn was breaking when he and his remaining forces returned to Crimson Lotus Lake. First, he buried Scarlet in the nearby ground where other Vermilion Apes were laid to rest. He smirked. Come to think of it, he was the one who had killed most of these ape monsters. He was more terrifying than Lunar Shadow.


    He stared blankly at the freshly dug mound before him, feeling more exhausted than ever before. He was tired in both body and mind. Since falling into Moirath Forest, he hadn''t had a moment''s rest.


    The Vermilion Apes had also finished burying those slain by Lunar Shadow. For them, this was routine. The blood and nutrients of their kin would seep into the soil, continuing to nourish the surrounding land, fertilizing Blood Moss and helping Crimson Lotus mature and seed. Moreover, it was a way of marking territory, preventing other tribes from encroaching.


    Nathan returned to Lunar Shadow''s corpse lying exposed in the clearing. The rising dawn illuminated the once magnificent and beautiful monster. Now, even its lower jaw had been torn away, looking no better than a nightmare.


    The wound on his right shoulder throbbed as he looked at the monster''s fangs. The good news was that his medicine and physique had already begun healing, allowing natural movement again.


    He pulled the broken spear from Lunar Shadow''s chest. Then, using his knife, he made several cuts. Lifting the heart, three times larger than his hand, the warmth made him feel as if he was still in battle. The passion, survival instinct, and desire to grow stronger. Without hesitation, he sank his teeth into the red mass before him. Tangy blood churned in his mouth. Taking another bite, energy reached the bursting point.


    Closing his eyes to cultivate, he let the monsters stand guard around him. For the first time since reaching Tier 2, he felt growth as rapid as when he was still in Tier 1. His Phase continuously increased.


    Phase 1.3. Phase 1.4. Phase 1.6. Phase 1.8. Phase 2.0.


    His body created an explosion around him like a bomb. Muscles, bones, and organs reached new heights. His skin benefited even more, becoming firm and lustrous.


    But things didn''t stop there. He continued eating the remaining heart.


    Phase 2.2. Phase 2.4.


    Endlessly, endlessly, until Nathan reached Phase 3.4 did everything finally stop. All the stored essence from before had been exhausted.


    He flexed his hand then clenched it, feeling abundantly more powerful. His wounds healed faster through the cultivation process. An added benefit of Physical Cultivation.


    The impurities in his body were expelled through his pores, creating a foul odor. This was from the poison he hadn''t fully eliminated, as well as the toxins left by the Crimson Lotus. After this phase, he could continue eating more seeds of this precious flower.


    Standing up, he immediately used water from the pond to bathe, not daring to dive in for fear of affecting the nutrients supplying the Crimson Lotus.


    Once everything was done, it was time to collect items.


    After some searching, he retrieved Lunar Shadow''s monster core. Unlike the Vermilion Ape Leader''s, its core carried a silver light that transformed into darkness, flickering with small stars like the night sky. Its magnificent beauty made Nathan reluctant to use it. Actually, he dared not use it, thinking instead to auction it off and buy other items. A high-quality monster core like Lunar Shadow''s would be used more effectively in the hands of experts rather than wasting just the essence like he would. The situation with the Vermilion Ape Leader''s core was just due to circumstances.


    Besides, he didn''t think he would have to face any monster stronger than his current level in Moirath Forest. After all, he had defeated its Lord.


    Wait! Defeated its Lord?


    He opened his system panel, looking at the quest tab. ''Lord of The Forest'' was still incomplete. But Lunar Shadow''s corpse was right here, wasn''t it? So this monster wasn''t even the highest rank in Moirath Forest?


    Questions spun in his head. He had thought he would receive rewards and unlock new items in the Shop, yet reality proved otherwise.


    Sighing and shaking his head, he no longer anticipated completing this quest. At least there was no penalty. Imagining how carefully he had to prepare to fight Lunar Shadow, he shuddered to think what the Lord of The Forest would require. True, he had his trump card of full Berserker, but the side effects were massive. One of them being that triggering it again would become more difficult. Moreover, if he passed out, this training period would end with Darkan''s intervention. Though he had defeated Lunar Shadow, he still wanted to stay in Moirath Forest longer. Get stronger by whatever margin possible. Once he returned, he would be a force, an inner disciple no one dared underestimate. Only then would the path ahead become increasingly feasible.


    As he was about to tear apart Lunar Shadow''s corpse for cooking and using its fur for clothing, his hand struck something cool and smooth. He rummaged through the monster''s internal organs. When he grabbed what felt like a sphere, he pulled it out.


    "Holy shit!" he exclaimed.


    Now he understood why Darkan had chosen Lunar Shadow as his challenge.


    "A freaking skill orb!" he screamed, holding the item up.


    To describe him, he had many passive skills but few active ones. Completely opposite to other cultivators. Typically, a cultivator would only cultivate a few passive skills. For example, converting Mana Shield from active to passive upon breaking through to Tier 3. This created a perpetual defense layer. Day by day, practice would make the execution method become part of the brain, like a conditioned reflex. And so, a passive skill would be established. But overall, none were as peculiar as Nathan''s. If anyone knew about his system, they would question the logic in how skills were provided.


    Nathan caressed the Skill Orb in his hand, proud of what he had achieved. He was eagerly anticipating what skill he would learn.


    Just as he was about to sit down and absorb the Skill Orb, every hair on his body stood on end.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    He jumped up, scanning his surroundings. Then he saw it¡ªa pair of white eyes hidden behind a mist layer. It looked like the Sovereign Wisp at Life Spring. But the feeling it gave was more oppressive, heavier, more dangerous.


    I could die, the thought immediately appeared in Nathan''s head.


    He tilted his body, running straight for the two shields recovered from the battle with Lunar Shadow, while shouting to the Vermilion Apes.


    "RUN!"


    The red-furred monsters obeyed immediately. Without Scarlet, there was nothing to disrupt the information transmitted to them anymore.


    The rustling sounds as they fled through the trees gradually died down, leaving a deathly silence. Those white eyes remained fixed on Nathan.


    After a moment''s hesitation, he thought about running. This wasn''t an existence he could face.


    But his foot had barely lifted when the monster appeared right before him.


    It roared.


    The thunderous sound from the monster carried a frenzied windstorm.


    Nathan raised his shields to resist as the pressure pushed him backward.


    He heard crisp cracking sounds by his ears.


    His shields were being eroded by hidden properties within the roar. Like tiny sharp knives, the roar cut through three layers of shields like a knife through cake.


    Small fragments shot back toward Nathan. Panicked, he raised his remaining shield to cover the gap. Yet in the chaos, his skin had already been cut to bleeding. The skin of a Tier 2 Phase 3.4 Physical Cultivation practitioner cut to bleeding!


    The second shield, unsurprisingly, was cut into tiny fragments. The invisible blades directly carved into his body.


    When the roar passed, Nathan was no different from a blood man. He raised his head in fear to look at the monster that had removed its misty shroud. His ears rang, unable to hear Darkan''s transmission.


    "Do you want me to intervene, kid? White Ward is not something you can deal with now."


    His eyes gradually regained their sharpness. Standing before him was a tiger monster so large it made him fall backward.


    The Lord of the Forest had come to restore order.

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36


    Since being awakened, White Ward had been prowling through Moirath Forest in search of the troublemaker who led to the extinction of the Vermilion Apes clan. This, in turn, led to a lowly being disturbing its slumber. White Ward''s frustration only grew when its wrathful roar killed the information provider, leaving it clueless about where to track down the culprit. The scent trails from the Vermilion Apes were too faint and brief to follow.


    Then, the snowfall made everything even more challenging. White Ward wasn''t afraid of the cold, but the snow caught in its claws was irritating. It had been in a growth phase during its sleep. Now everything had been interrupted, forcing it to start gathering resources from scratch. It needed meat, and more meat.


    The monsters of Moirath Forest trembled when they sensed White Ward''s presence. Combined with the cold temperature of the snow, they just wanted to curl up and die in peace.


    Even the Sovereign Wisp had to yield somewhat when the Lord of the Forest paid a visit. It could only huddle in one spot, losing its usual oppressive nature that it displayed toward humans who dared to intrude or toward other species. The Heat Basilisk was more stubborn, ready to face the challenge. The dragon blood flowing through its veins wouldn''t allow it to back down so easily. Naturally, the battle ended with a dragon covered in wounds, hiding in its cave. Even its high-temperature scales couldn''t provide complete protection. The Sovereign Wisp had already withdrawn its poison, making way for White Ward, so the Heat Basilisk''s fire breath couldn''t inflict much damage.


    In the thunder-struck region of Storm Peaks, the monsters were less wary, believing they had the Storm Serpent''s protection. But everything turned out differently from what they expected. This serpentine monster remained hidden in the mountain peaks and clouds day after day, month after month, ignoring everything. So when White Ward came to assert its dominance, it didn''t intervene, leading to a meaningless bloodbath.


    Once order was restored, White Ward continued its investigation. A Great Spine Wolf had told it where the massacre originated. A white wolf that had never appeared in Moirath Forest before.


    Following the directions, the Lord of the Forest found the Vermilion Apes clan''s dwelling place. White bones were exposed everywhere because no one had buried them, the flesh completely devoured by scavengers. The ground was covered with maggots and flies. Surrounding trees had fallen, the earth churned up in disarray. The pungent smell of decay made White Ward wrinkle its nose. With one breath, it blew away everything that bothered it, leaving only one thing - the scent of Lunar Shadow.


    Since that day, it had been chasing the wolf monster through the forest. A being that moved stealthily all day made the Lord of the Forest increasingly agitated. Lunar Shadow rarely stayed in one place for too long.


    Until tonight, White Ward''s target had been emanating its scent in one spot for quite a while. Moreover, it carried hints of blood and death. Noting this, it accelerated its pace, intent on killing Lunar Shadow before returning to rest.


    Indeed, White Ward wasn''t hunting Nathan, but Lunar Shadow. The wolf monster had ruthlessly slaughtered a group of Vermilion Apes, instead of accepting the leadership position like Nathan had. This led to the report that triggered this revenge mission.


    Unfortunately, White Ward arrived after Lunar Shadow had been killed, and in its eyes, only the human remained. To the Lord of the Forest, this wasn''t particularly concerning because compared to monsters, it despised humans far more. So without Lunar Shadow, consuming the human would do just fine. Although the prey didn''t possess a core like other humans who ventured into Moirath Forest, it could still assess that Nathan''s flesh would be a delicacy, superior to the monsters it usually ate.


    "No," Nathan said, his voice still trembling in response to Darkan''s question.


    He took a deep breath, continuing as if encouraging himself.


    "I want to test my strength against this monster."


    Without a doubt, the impossibly large tiger monster before him had to be the Lord of the Forest. In other words, it was the quest target given by the system. If there was anything worth risking everything for at this point, it was the system. Five rolls weren''t what attracted him, but new items could completely change everything, every possible development path in the future.


    Biting his lip to regain composure, he looked up at White Ward.


    The monster possessed white fur like Lunar Shadow, with black stripes marked across it. Its body was muscular, every line seeming to scream an authority that wouldn''t allow any animal or being to defy it. Its ears were razor-sharp, covered with a thin metallic sheen. Its whiskers were as long as an arm span. The claws beneath its feet looked sharper than any monster Nathan had ever encountered. Its white eyes emitted a misty aura, as if something was burning within - whether natural or from anger, no one knew.


    Swallowing hard, Nathan tried not to let fear overwhelm him. The cuts from the earlier roar had subsided, his skin gradually healing. He tilted his head to look beside him. Lunar Shadow''s unprotected corpse had been slashed beyond recognition. Fortunately, its tail fur, which carried its power, remained intact.


    He narrowed his eyes, calculating his moves in that instant. Taking advantage of the moment while the monster was still curious about the intruder, in a flash, he leaped forward.


    Mid-way through his charge, he released his Berserker state at 25%.


    BOOM!


    He was knocked back by White Ward''s head swipe. His back broke through one tree, then another. The decreasing momentum made him fall slowly to the ground, but the force was still enough to make him bounce several times before stopping.


    "Arghhh!" he groaned, using both hands to push himself up from the ground.


    His head was still spinning, pain screaming from every part of his body. [Tingling Sense] activated simultaneously with [Adrenaline Boost], yet he didn''t have enough time to react. And to think he had been so proud of his skills and combat abilities.


    Forcing down whatever was rising in his throat, he stood up, muscles and bones cracking as they realigned. Whether from his blurred vision or reality, White Ward seemed to curl its lip in contempt. But he considered that reasonable. No wonder Lunar Shadow wasn''t the Lord of the Forest. It would take several wolf monsters to match White Ward.


    The supreme leader of Moirath Forest stepped gradually toward him. Its massive silhouette against the snowfall and winter''s white landscape added to its authority, as if space itself acknowledged this was its domain. It showed no fear of the human running away, believing no creature could move faster. And if they used items like teleportation gates - well, that wasn''t even worth mentioning.


    Though knowing he was fighting a losing battle, Nathan wanted to try one more time. He threw a punch in the air, loading his passive skills into standby. Once ready, he lunged forward, his fist cutting through the air, fast and dangerous.


    A second later, he found himself soaring high in the sky. He could see the distant mountain ranges, frozen lakes and rivers from this position. His mouth spewed blood. The claw marks on his chest sprayed tiny red droplets like rain.


    Damn you, system! What were you thinking giving me this quest? he couldn''t help but curse in his mind.


    He wished he could change the system or modify its quest-giving mechanism to include only small to medium requirements. At this rate, he wasn''t sure if he''d live long enough to use all the system''s features.


    Hovering in mid-air at his apex, he began to fall. Extending his hand forward, he pushed against the air to create thrust, trying to create distance from White Ward.


    He landed with a thud muffled by the snow. The cold from beneath his feet cleared his mind slightly. Taking out a healing potion made from Blue Cap Mushroom and the Blood Moss hemostatic mixture, he smeared it directly on his body. The skin he had been proud of seemed no different than a rag for White Ward''s amusement.


    His breath turned to mist before his nose, blurring the distant monster. When the mist cleared, it was already near his face, giving him a descending look. It was done playing, time to fulfill its responsibility of protecting its subjects.


    White Ward''s claws met Nathan''s Armor Scarab sword. A crisp shattering sound echoed through the space. The rainbow-colored fragments were sliced like thin paper, fluttering in the air.


    SLASH!


    Blood sprayed everywhere. Nathan only managed to react enough to step back slightly, avoiding a fatal blow. However, his unhealed wounds now had new, worse companions. He could see white bone exposed when he looked down. His abdomen seemed to be making a miraculous effort to keep his internal organs from spilling out.


    Should I just give up? a thought whispered in his mind.


    Even [Self Emotional Support] didn''t bother activating, as if approving, hoping he would surrender.


    The system''s quest board glowed brighter in his peripheral vision, making it clearer to read.


    Could a new item really change anything?


    Yes, definitely yes.


    He felt like he was gambling with his entire fortune. His life. But indeed, even with an impossibly difficult quest, there was still a chance of success. The thing he always avoided according to the Berserker school''s guidance. Because using it would diminish his anger. The emotions that always pushed him forward would become faint, possibly to the point of numbness.


    Mom, lend me your strength.


    Nathan recalled when he received the skill orb from Darkan, about the chaotic emotions in the darkness of his soul. He seemed to grasp them, squeeze them tight, letting the thorns of emotion pierce his heart. To let helplessness, depression, and anger have a chance to explode.


    Berserker 100%.


    Hidden effect of [Titan''s Descendant]:


    [Titan''s Berserker State]: when in Berserker state, the immense power of a Titan will be bestowed upon you.


    Just a few meters above Nathan and White Ward''s position, Darkan was floating, ready to intervene at any moment. He had been present since White Ward appeared. The hellish training plan had ended when Nathan defeated Lunar Shadow. For this inner elder of the Verdant Spire Sect, the new disciple had exceeded all expectations.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Throughout the Sect''s history, Darkan had experienced various disciples. Among them were undeniable geniuses suited for Physical Cultivation. However, they all eventually changed paths or left the Sect. In truth, only a small number actually died under his tutelage. But bad rumors tend to be exaggerated. Since he hadn''t produced any successful disciples to bring fame and results, his reputation suffered.


    Thus, Darkan truly worried for Nathan. Others had always failed at this training phase. Not just because they lacked the necessary foundation for Bloodline, but also because of mindset and motivation. That''s why he had asked Nathan why he wanted to fight, why he wanted to become stronger. Moreover, it required an unyielding personality. He had always been irritated by Nathan''s tendency to be overly cautious and deferent to others. But now, he didn''t care anymore.


    Darkan wanted to stop Nathan from activating full Berserker. After a moment''s thought, he held back. Perhaps it was better to let him truly experience this skill as soon as possible, avoiding unwanted situations from occurring due to lack of knowledge.


    His eyes blazed when an earth-shattering roar erupted below. A majestic form had appeared.


    Facing White Ward was no longer a small human, but an entity over three meters tall, still shorter than it, but the gap had significantly narrowed. The human''s skin had completely transformed, from faintly metallic to being covered entirely in black stone. Particularly in the chest, from a stone protrusion, a hard armor radiated outward. His hair stood jagged like sharp teeth mounted on his head. His clothes were in tatters, leaving only a bare body. Snow melted before touching him, leaving soft hissing sounds in the air.


    White Ward involuntarily shuddered, its soul seeming to hear screams of fear. The human possessed a special Bloodline, creating an invisible pressure. However, this suppression was still quite weak, only making it more cautious. The monster narrowed its eyes, feeling an increased urgency to eliminate its target. It couldn''t allow an existence with such threatening potential to survive and grow.


    Nathan was no longer himself.


    Rage encompassed him, leaving no room for reason.


    His current state operated purely on instinct.


    Exhaling deeply, Nathan launched his massive form forward.


    This time, his speed was no longer sluggish as before. His punch struck White Ward''s mouth, making the monster tilt its head to one side. Even distant species could hear the impact and White Ward''s roar. The remaining Vermilion Apes nearby could only tremble at the pressure emanating from the two entities near Crimson Lotus lake.


    White Ward''s claws swept upward, raking against Nathan''s outer stone layer. Frenzied sparks flew between them. Black stone was scraped off into small fragments, mysteriously dissolving when touching the snow. Nathan snorted once, the armor returning to its pristine state, barely affected.


    Seeing this, the monster executed its earlier skill. It opened its mouth wide, revealing a crimson palate along with two massive, sharp white fangs. Metal Roar was unleashed, once again churning the surrounding air. Unlike before, White Ward concentrated the sound and wind more directly at Nathan.


    Nathan didn''t raise his hands to defend, maintaining his advancing posture, despite the devastation occurring throughout his body. Black stone flew everywhere, snow getting pulled into the storm. After the roar passed, Nathan remained bloodless, completely different from their first encounter. His skin rapidly regenerated. Following this, two punches drove straight toward White Ward.


    The monster used mana to create a barrier, then used its thick-skinned, meaty body to reduce the vibrations. Nathan''s force was neutralized, leaving only a trench in the snow when the shock occurred.


    But the next punch wasn''t so simple.


    In the current state of complete loss of reason, Nathan couldn''t maintain calculations for passive skills. [Martial Art Mastery] was even more useless, becoming completely ineffective. Each time he punched, it was considered just an attack. And now, it was already the fourth punch.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    For the first time, White Ward faced such an enormous force coming toward it. Its instincts repeatedly warned of danger. It only managed to tilt its head so the punch landed on its shoulder.


    BOOM!


    White Ward found itself launched through the air, crashing through trees just as it had done earlier to Nathan. It thumped heavily onto the ground between rows of trees due to its massive form and weight. Coughing once, the monster finally regained its breath. It stood up in shock, its white eyes filled with doubt.


    Darkan, who was observing, clapped continuously. Having been a victim of Nathan''s punches, he understood exactly how powerful the force the boy was generating. Logically, if Tier 1 could deliver blows comparable to Tier 2 in full Berserker state, then Nathan currently possessed the strength of a Tier 3 Phase 3. An unthinkable and frightening number.


    Combined with passive skills, Nathan''s damage output was fluctuating similar to a Tier 3 Phase 6 unleashing attacks.


    White Ward was only at peak Tier 2. Even though nature had favored it with a powerful physique, it couldn''t withstand when a Berserker released such explosive force.


    The monster snorted uncomfortably, preparing to counterattack the human running long strides ahead, leaving behind heavy, thunderous echoes.


    Nathan jumped up, howling madly in the air, his eyes containing only killing intent and destruction. Just the action of clenching his fist made the air distort. Two simultaneous punches were launched with the [Flowing Strikes] skill.


    Not as powerful as before, but still enough to make White Ward respond with full force.


    The monster stood on its hind legs, its paws spread wide to block.


    The surrounding snow was instantly churned up, pushed far away to reveal the ground beneath. Nearby trees were uprooted, distant ones swayed. Branches and leaves were torn to shreds. Finally, a sound louder than a large bomb explosion shook the entire forest.


    At the point of contact with one of Nathan''s hands, [Rebound] activated. After a moment of hovering in mid-air, this skill deflected one of White Ward''s paws. The remaining paw stayed firm, leading to the Pressure Point Crush technique.


    A whooshing sound erupted. Nathan was thrown backward, his fingers bent at horrific angles, his forearm bones crossed at an unnatural angle, protruding through the skin. The stone skin was shredded by concentrated wind blasts with metallic properties. Blood painted an arc as he fell.


    "Grrrrrr!" Nathan only let out such a growl, completely losing the ability to speak. He felt no pain, only growing more enraged.


    He sprang up immediately, his fingers crackling as bones snapped back into position, grinding sounds emerging as stone rubbed against stone from healing wounds. He swung his right arm up, the forearm straightening instantly. Cut skin closed, blood once again flowing normally.


    His blood-red eyes blazed up, charging forward once more. His three-meter-plus form smashed into the ground, leaving a huge crater when White Ward dodged to the side. He reached out to touch a large nearby rock, fingers curling, digging into the rough, hard surface. With a roar, he hurled the rock like a cannonball.


    White Ward saw the projectile shooting toward it, its form stopping mid-air using wind aspect. Then, it curled up, somersaulting with claws extended outward, simultaneously propelling itself toward Nathan. The rock was shattered mid-flight, becoming fragments joining the curtain of snow surrounding them.


    Nathan, mindless, didn''t bother dodging, simply throwing his arms up to block. Skin was scraped off only to regrow, falling to the ground with soft thuds. Tensing up, he pushed White Ward away, legs coiling before launching forward, hoping to punch the monster''s stomach.


    White Ward narrowed its eyes and used Forest''s Authority. Instantly, an invisible pressure formed in the surrounding space, forcing Nathan down mid-action. If Sovereign Wisp was granted special ability to maintain Life Spring, then White Ward was similar. However, using this technique came at a considerable cost because unlike Sovereign Wisp, where creatures willingly submitted, most followed White Ward out of fear. So when absorbing the will of Moirath Forest''s residents, there was natural resistance, forcing White Ward to use more mana and willpower.


    "Grrrrr," Nathan growled under the pressure, his head forced to tilt, back bent into a curve.


    His neck crackled with breaking sounds as he struggled to lift his head, his gaze growing more frenzied when looking at White Ward.


    The monster snorted dismissively, taking advantage of Forest''s Authority''s effect to lunge forward. Its claws were coated with a dim golden aura. Metal aspect activated to its fullest.


    The stone armor of Titan''s Berserker state was sliced through like cutting tofu, until it reached Nathan''s chest, the most unique part of his body, where it finally stopped. The stone protrusion heated up, emitting a red glow, deflecting the claws to protect the heart from damage.


    From the outside, Nathan looked no different than meat mid-cut. His body was divided into four uneven parts by the claw marks. One slash at his jaw went deep into his throat. Blood wanting to flow out was forcibly stopped, moving like tentacles up the wounds, initiating healing. After a moment, everything sealed back together, stone growing over his body again. Once more, the Titan state manifested.


    By this point, White Ward began to waver. It possessed two aspects, wind and metal, making it both fast and capable of deadly strikes in combat. But this was the first time it had encountered such an aberrant human. It had even scraped through dragon scales, renowned as the ultimate defense among monsters. So who was truly the monster here - the one standing before it or itself?


    Nathan seemed tireless, continuing his assault.


    Seeing this, White Ward used Hunting Gale to create wind currents that disrupted the crazed human''s direction. However, each time he fell, he would spring back up, maintaining the chase. Because current wounds meant nothing to him.


    Extremely irritated, White Ward used its ultimate technique, Iron Body Defense. A golden armor appeared around it, its fur becoming razor-sharp, ready for close-quarter combat.


    The battle between the two was a series of continuous explosions terrorizing all other monsters. Some hibernating creatures awakened to express their displeasure had to scurry back into their dens. The Vermilion Apes struggled to follow, hoping to save their leader if anything happened. But their journey was equally troubled when Nathan''s or White Ward''s bodies were thrown through tree trunks.


    Not staying in one place, both moved throughout different areas, leaving devastation in their wake. Lakes were churned up, destroying ecosystems. Small hills were left with craters of varying depths, or long grooves created by White Ward''s claws. Viewed from above, tall trees had fallen like dominoes along the path of these two destroyers.


    Both sides exchanged equal wounds. When Nathan bled, White Ward also spilled blood. His arms recklessly launched continuous punches to penetrate the defensive layer, ignoring the fur spikes piercing his arms to pummel White Ward thoroughly. Each time [Amplifying Strike] activated, the tiger monster endured a period of agony.


    Conversely, metal and wind power enabled White Ward to counterattack. Although effective in breaking through the armor and causing blood to spray, the human still wouldn''t stay down, making it wonder if it wasn''t using enough force. What irritated it more were the bleeding wounds on its body, despite the opponent''s attacks lacking sharpness, relying purely on brute force. Besides that was a strange feeling in its mind. Occasionally, Nathan''s punches seemed to double the primordial fear it felt when he transformed into a Berserker.


    Fearing defeat, White Ward unleashed its final trump card. As a monster at peak Tier 2, just waiting to break through to Tier 3, it had touched upon some abilities of the next level.


    Burning all mana in its body, White Ward''s eyes blazed. Its body expanded another round, becoming far more terrifying and majestic than before. The white fur emanated a beautiful silvery color.


    The newly gained power helped it counterattack more effectively. Its strikes were no longer easily deflected. Each time its body clashed with the human, victory surely belonged to it.


    Nathan failed to realize he no longer held the upper hand. Thrown away by the monster with mounting wounds, he still stood up to fight. His strikes, lacking [Martial Art Mastery]''s precision and refinement, were easier to break. The increased foot speed from [Quick Feet] wasn''t utilized. [Tingling Sense] became mere noise as he ignored danger, charging in like a moth to flame.


    The result was White Ward pinning him down to attack. It used its heavy body to press him down. Its front limbs continuously raked at the human. Sparks and stone fragments constantly flew and vanished. Blood spread endlessly around, as if the human could produce blood infinitely.


    Nathan lay there, his red eyes never dimming in anger. The pain was no more than mosquito bites, insignificant. The stone protrusion on his chest alternated between glowing and darkening, completely blocking White Ward''s fatal strikes.


    The Lord of the Forest, with its battered body, gradually began panting. The enhancement technique could only last a short time. And clearly it had been effective, maintaining a clear upper hand. Yet the human was like a cockroach refusing to die, constantly rejecting death. Just when it thought he would breathe his last, the next moment the air would heat up as he returned.


    White Ward''s body returned to its normal state, revealing its wounds more clearly. A punch Nathan had landed on its eye now swelled up, blocking its vision.


    Nathan lay on the ground White Ward had churned up, cracks spreading like spider webs in all directions. He roared once, pushing White Ward back, once again standing to attack. The Berserker state seemed endless, never stopping.


    White Ward trembled, its fur standing on end from fear rather than technique use. It bared its teeth hesitantly. That action led to a punch connecting with its jaw with a cracking sound. Its four legs carved a long trail in the snow as it slid backward.


    It hesitated no longer, baring its teeth and locking onto its target. Its gaze fixed on the human running at high speed. One of its eyes turned black. In an instant, everything seemed to stop. A yin-yang illusion appeared behind White Ward.


    Nathan''s eyes met the tiger monster''s and he froze, his fist still extended, just a hand''s width from White Ward''s nose.


    His blood-red eyes began flickering erratically. The stone armor on his body trembled, falling like an avalanche. After a few more blinks, his body gradually shrank back to normal size, returning to his usual state.


    His hair no longer stood jagged, his skin lost its metallic sheen, his eyes grew dim. He didn''t even know what was happening before he fell face-first onto the ground, snow sprinkling on his back.


    White Ward dispelled its technique, its eyes returning to uniform white. It too seemed to have lost weight. Its entire body exhibited exhaustion.


    It lowered its head, trudging forward.


    White Ward opened its mouth wide, as if to devour the prey that had tormented it all day.

 Chapter 37

    Darkan couldn''t move.


    His disciple was about to be devoured, yet he remained frozen by an invisible force. No technique or ambient mana manipulation held him in place. It was pure pressure¡ªan overwhelming presence emanating from somewhere far away. Or more terrifyingly, from very close by, undetectable to his senses.


    This could only mean one thing: his opponent possessed cultivation far beyond his own. Not just above Tier 4 Spirit Cultivation, but also surpassing Physical Cultivation to render him helpless like this.


    Cold sweat trickled down Darkan''s back, a sensation he hadn''t experienced in a very long time.


    "Do not intervene, human," a deep voice resonated in his mind. "Unless you wish for instant death."


    Swallowing hard, he could only blink to signal his compliance, his head refusing to nod.


    Nevertheless, he was already channeling power through his body, seeking the emotional trigger needed to activate his Berserker state. Even if it meant risking everything, he had to try. Nathan couldn''t die here. There were plans in motion for the boy. Darkan refused to believe that even at full power, he couldn''t resist this hidden entity.


    "I know what you''re thinking," the voice spoke again. "Like you, the human child also has been chosen by us. So stay quiet!"


    The hot blood coursing through Darkan''s veins cooled instantly.


    Also? he repeated mentally.


    So the White Ward wasn''t trying to eat his disciple¡ªit had other intentions.


    Indeed, the monster only opened its maw to grasp Nathan gently, its teeth careful not to cause any harm. With a flick of its head, it tossed the boy onto its back, laying him spread-eagled across its soft fur. Despite its exhaustion, it carried him back to the clearing by Crimson Lotus Lake.


    Darkan finally relaxed, understanding what had just transpired.


    His disciple''s future had taken another turn. Whether for better or worse remained to be seen.


    Nathan remained unconscious for two full days before regaining consciousness.


    His eyes were hazy as he struggled to open them. His memories were a blur, stopping at the moment he decided to fully activate his Berserker state.


    If I''m alive, does that mean I won? he wondered.


    He attempted to raise his head but remained too weak to succeed, letting it fall back onto the soft pillow behind him.


    Soft pillow? His eyes shot wide open, panic spreading throughout his body.


    Only now did he notice the fur brushing against his ears was incredibly soft. Warmth radiated from his neck. His shoulders seemed to rest against one of the finest cushions he''d ever experienced.


    "Grrrr."


    He slowly turned his head to the right, where the breathing sound had come from. Had he possessed the strength, he would have leaped up immediately. His still-weakened heart seemed to skip a beat.


    The White Ward''s head, as large as Nathan''s entire body, rested on its paws, its nose twitching with steady breaths as it slept. The monster''s breathing movements transmitted warmth to Nathan, who was lying against its stomach.


    What the hell is going on? He couldn''t comprehend the situation.


    Scanning his surroundings, he discovered he was in the clearing near the Crimson Lotus lake. The Great Spine Wolf''s fur coat covered his naked body. Nearby, he spotted the Lunar Shadow''s corpse, its monster core and skill orb scattered about. He was fairly certain those items should have been lost somewhere else. Someone must have collected and left them here.


    His gaze instinctively returned to the White Ward, though skeptical, he couldn''t help but consider it as the culprit. With its demonstrated intelligence, the tiger-like monster was the only being he could think of capable of such actions.


    [Tingling Sense] hadn''t activated, suggesting the White Ward harbored no ill intentions. But that didn''t stop him from trembling in fear.


    As he attempted to stand, pain shot through his entire body, causing him to black out once more.


    When he regained consciousness, he no longer rested against the White Ward but lay on a makeshift bed of branches and dried leaves. Not far from him, a bonfire crackled cheerfully. The Vermilion Apes had returned, diligently watching over him and constantly adding fresh firewood to prevent him from freezing to death.


    Finally, he managed to sit up. His head buzzed slightly but remained clear enough. He couldn''t believe how thoroughly the Berserker state had drained him. He wondered how the battle had unfolded to leave him in such a devastated state. According to his knowledge, he should have only been incapacitated for a day or two. With his Titan physique, he could have shortened that recovery time significantly, just as when he received Darkan''s inheritance¡ªhis recovery rate exceeded even his master''s.


    The PsiLink had become useless without power. With no footage to review, Nathan shook his head in resignation.


    The motion caused him to notice something in his peripheral vision.


    The Passive System had a bright red notification.


    Quest ''Become the Lord of the Forest'' Completed!


    Rewards Granted: 5 Skill Rolls, New Items in Shop.


    Proceed as you wish.


    His eyes widened in disbelief at what he saw.


    I really won?


    But the White Ward was clearly still alive. His confusion about everything only deepened. No one had died, yet he was somehow the victor, after lying unconscious for three or four days.


    He still couldn''t accept that he was now the Lord of the Forest. He didn''t feel any different. If anything, it felt rather anticlimactic. He knew any monster that received this title would gain special abilities related to environmental manipulation. Yet clearly, he felt no connection whatsoever to Moirath Forest.


    Unable to resist his curiosity, he opened the system''s shop tab.


    Shop


    Skill Roll: 200 credits.


    Skill Point: 100 credits.


    Skill Breaker: 5000 credits.


    Skill Revealer (Rare): 500 credits.


    Skill Revealer (Very Rare): 750 credits.


    Skill Revealer (Ultra Rare): 1000 credits.


    Skill Locker: 500 credits.


    *Further items require unlocking.


    *Prices are subjected to change.


    --


    [Skill Revealer]


    Description: Reveals which skill will appear in the next roll. If used again, the skill pool will automatically shuffle without using a [Skill Roll], providing a different skill instead of repeating.


    [Skill Locker]


    Description: Bind a skill revealed by [Skill Revealer] into place, preventing it from being shuffled out of the available pool. The locked skill will persist through all subsequent rolls until successfully chosen.


    Damn, it really thought this through, Nathan couldn''t help but curse at the system. It sure know how to milk credits.


    Now he understood¡ªeach roll shuffled the available skills. A Rare skill that could appear in one roll might be replaced by another in the next. The two new shop items primarily increased his control over subsequent skills. Calculating the implications, these items could become crucial if an essential skill appeared, helping avoid duplicate or redundant skills, something the system had already done to him.


    Thinking about how difficult it was to roll a Rare skill only to get [Cooking] made him wonder how many sleepless nights it would take to get over that pain. By his calculations, he was very close to getting another Rare skill.


    While excited about the system''s possibilities, a looming shadow appeared, blocking the morning sunlight warming him.


    His body stiffened, his head turning rigidly to one side.


    The White Ward stared at him with its stark white eyes and fearsome tiger face.


    With a flick of its head, the White Ward tossed a mangled Two-horned Boar from its mouth onto the ground. Then it lowered its head and nudged the battered creature toward Nathan, sniffing and gesturing to him.


    "Is this for me?" Nathan asked, his voice still weak.


    The White Ward gave a slight nod of its massive head, one paw continuing to push the Two-horned Boar forward.


    Frozen for several seconds, Nathan didn''t know how to react.


    What was with this respectful, nurturing attitude from this terrifying monster? He stared blankly, as if experiencing an unimaginable shock, not touching the offered item.


    Seeing this, the White Ward stood slightly straighter, its stomach rumbling with sounds of dissatisfaction. It had humbled itself to hunt prey, and now the human wouldn''t accept it.


    Startled, Nathan quickly raised both hands in a placating gesture, stammering.


    "Calm down, calm down. I''ll take it. Just lie back down. You''re scaring me when you stand!"


    Hearing this, the White Ward curled its lips in what seemed like a contemptuous smile. But it obeyed, actually lying down on all fours, head still tilted toward Nathan, eyes wide with expectation.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Nathan was terrified by all this attention. He couldn''t sense any hostility from the monster. But good grief, who could remain calm when a four-meter-tall tiger was staring at them intently?


    He was certain he couldn''t activate the Berserker state in his current condition. That was one of the prices paid for absolute power. If the White Ward decided to act up, he could only lie still and take whatever came.


    Darkan!


    His mind flashed to his master''s presence. From the beginning, he had wondered if the old man was here, but the warning before Nathan transformed had confirmed everything. Now, the notorious inner sect elder wasn''t intervening. This meant Nathan wasn''t in any danger near the White Ward.


    Thinking this way, he felt considerably relieved. After all, he was starving from not having eaten for days. Ignoring the massive head watching him, he struggled to his feet and approached the Two-horned Boar''s carcass. After some effort, he managed to hoist the heavy body up to roast it.


    An hour later, the aroma spread throughout the area. The Vermilion Apes, catching the scent, hooted continuously from the treetops, begging for a taste. They didn''t dare come closer like before due to the White Ward''s presence.


    As for the tiger monster itself, it too was unconsciously twitching its nose, saliva dripping uncontrollably. Like other monsters, it had a voracious appetite. But eating raw meat day after day had dulled its palate. Yet the aroma before it made it want to pounce forward and devour everything. Still, it maintained its dignity. It had brought the Two-horned Boar for the human, so it wouldn''t fight for it.


    Nathan glanced around, internally cursing what a greedy bunch they were. But it seemed the title of Lord of the Forest had indeed been bestowed upon him. Even the White Ward was having to restrain itself.


    Smiling proudly, he cut off a leg for himself, then tossed the rest to the tiger monster as a reward for hunting food for him.


    Before he could even start eating, the White Ward raised its head and snapped up the remaining Two-horned Boar in one bite. Nathan''s lips trembled as he heard bones crunching in that massive mouth. It swallowed with a gulp, and the entire Two-horned Boar was gone, leaving nothing behind. The Vermilion Apes could only grimace at the sight, unable to do anything. Provoking the White Ward would only get them served up next.


    Nathan shook his head watching the monster using its claws to pick its teeth, its eyes still fixed on the boar leg in his hands. To eat in peace, he turned his back and began replenishing his energy.


    While eating, Nathan reassessed everything. The Berserker state truly was a double-edged sword. Though unclear about what had happened, he guessed he had fought until completely broken down. Only then would his body push its limits to the maximum and beyond. The consequence was a body worn out for days. Perhaps at higher Tiers, he could better control the transformation process.


    Releasing the Berserker state also required emotional motivation, an aspect warned about in Darkan''s skill orb knowledge bank. Nathan currently used the ever-present anger at being unfairly thrown into this world. Long periods of tension had placed him on the edge of explosion at any moment. So with just a little provocation, he became no different from PTSD patients, becoming difficult to control. Or perhaps he was already suffering from it, and Berserker had come to him as a method of coping.


    Each time Berserker activated, the user would gradually lose emotional connection to the event that triggered the explosion. Memories and worries about his mother would slowly become calloused. Anger and self-pity would eventually become things hardly worth noticing. In other words, the Berserker path resembled a psychological treatment program. When overwhelmed, release it, destroy things, and then everything would get better. Though extreme, the effects were undeniable.


    Unless Nathan experienced another severe trauma, he needed to limit activating full Berserker, using it only in life-or-death situations. He couldn''t imagine forgetting his love for his mother, the terrifying pressure this world imposed on him, or his responsibility to Jessica. Now, he understood why Darkan had asked him what he fought for on that very first day.


    He simultaneously understood why his master had let him experience this transformation. Because right now, trying to remember, he could feel his emotions were no longer the devastating tsunami they once were, but had become lighter. Sighing deeply, he wondered how many times Darkan had gone through this process, leading to his master''s carefree attitude toward everyone.


    Having finished eating and regained his energy, Nathan turned back to look at the White Ward lying listlessly nearby. Its massive form still overwhelmed him. The fear of the monster wasn''t as great as before but remained present.


    "Can you speak?" Nathan asked.


    He couldn''t find any descriptions of the monster before him on PsiLink. A few related searches yielded nothing exactly matching. Some had similar attributes but different appearances. Others were the opposite. The closest match had different colored eyes.


    The White Ward raised its head, shaking it back and forth.


    "So you can understand," Nathan concluded.


    That was good enough already.


    "What do you want?"


    As if asked the right question, the White Ward stood up, walking slowly toward him. He barely reached its chin when standing.


    Nathan instinctively wanted to run. However, neither [Tingling Sense] nor [Adrenaline Boost] activated, so he forced down his emotions.


    The monster extended a front paw toward him. While wondering what it planned, a golden light flashed. Immediately after, its white pad was cut with a line, red blood seeping out. It pushed its paw toward him, head shaking as if signaling something.


    Nathan squinted, not understanding. Just as he was about to search PsiLink, a voice echoed in his head.


    "Cut your hand and press it against White Ward''s paw, kid."


    Darkan''s voice held urgency, as if afraid his disciple would miss a crucial moment.


    Without too much hesitation, Nathan obeyed.


    After cutting his skin with a knife, he grasped the paw that dwarfed his own.


    The moment their blood mingled, a shockwave resonated within him. He couldn''t identify what it was, but something had just formed in his mind. When he looked up, the White Ward made the same motion. It shook its head as if regaining clarity.


    When their eyes met in mutual confusion, an invisible bond signaled the other''s emotions. Nathan felt bewildered, while the White Ward seemed relieved.


    "Can you talk now?"


    Another signal came. It had no sound or language. It was purely the most basic expression of an idea. And that was a "No!" from the White Ward.


    Nathan blinked at what was happening before his eyes.


    Is this the monster contract people talked about?


    Correct, the White Ward''s concept answered.


    "So you''re my pet now?"


    As soon as he said that, the White Ward bared its teeth, growling threateningly at Nathan.


    With just that action, he knew he''d been too optimistic.


    Though the White Ward didn''t explain, Darkan helped clarify some of his disciple''s confusion.


    "The monster just proposed one of the ancient rituals, a blood bond. From now on, you and it will be like brothers, becoming partners. However, you still hold the higher position, since it was the one who proposed, and from what I see, it''s accepting its defeat in the recent battle. Even I find it a bit puzzling, but that''s what you need to know."


    "But why?" Nathan asked.


    "You''ll have to ask that little cat about that."


    "Little cat? This thing?"


    "It''s small compared to what I know."


    "So what species is it actually?"


    "Go figure that out yourself."


    A few sentences in and Nathan was already irritated with his master. All this cryptic talk annoyed him to no end.


    When asked why it wanted to become Nathan''s partner, the White Ward only replied that it was for the future. There was a small possibility that it and Nathan would bring about a transformation for its bloodline. Which bloodline, it wouldn''t reveal. Even how it knew this remained unsaid.


    "Yin-yang eye," Darkan, as if unable to hold back, connected with his disciple again.


    Nathan remained silent, waiting to see if his troublesome old master would say anything more.


    The result was just some meaningless muttering.


    The PsiLink search results were rather sparse. But they all referred to one effect, though with considerable debate.


    Yin-yang eye could allow its user to see a glimpse of the future, specifically the relationship between the user and their target. Additionally, because it interfered with one of the powerful aspects¡ªspace and time¡ªboth parties'' minds would experience a moment of suspension. Most discussions around this topic were skeptical and dismissive. The main reason was that this skill had been lost in the river of time, with no one to verify it.


    Reading this made Nathan look at the White Ward with newfound respect. He was quite certain the monster was a special type, perhaps even surpassing the Lunar Shadow. The thought of signing a contract with a monster royalty made him tremble with excitement. If he ever went to the Monster Republic, the White Ward would be his exclusive S-rank bodyguard.


    The tiger monster squinted at his dirty grin with contempt. It was quite resistant to the vision it had seen when using its life-saving skill. Its original intention had been to make Nathan faint and then eat him. Yet the vision had forced it to change course. Of course, it wouldn''t reveal this to its new partner unless it wanted to be lorded over constantly.


    The White Ward''s growl made Nathan turn to look at it. The concept it just transmitted requested him to give it a name. The contract process would only be complete when he gave it a unique name.


    Without hesitation, Nathan blurted out.


    "Fluffy?" he had always wanted to name his cat that.


    Tigers belonged to the cat family, right?


    The White Ward''s claws dug into the ground, clearly showing its cringe at the suggestion.


    Nathan froze when he received signals of insult and irritation from the White Ward. It seemed ready to curse his ancestors for daring to suggest such a low-class name.


    "But Fluffy suits you!" he persisted, trying to convince it. "Hasn''t anyone ever told you how soft and amazing your fur is?"


    As if to counter this, the White Ward activated its technique. Its fur stood straight up, each strand gleaming sharp and deadly.


    Seeing the monster puff up like a hedgehog made Nathan bite his lip to keep from laughing too loudly. Since realizing this was about forming a contract, he had become much less afraid of the monster.


    He raised his hands, gesturing for it to calm down.


    "Then how about Snowball? Your skin is so white after all."


    This time the monster''s face dropped, baring its fangs without bothering to send a warning signal. Its breath felt like needles pricking Nathan''s skin, making his whole body itch.


    "Alright, alright. Let me think."


    After some consideration, Nathan''s lips curled up. He grabbed his wolf fur coat and spun it behind him, making a dramatic entrance.


    The White Ward tilted its head, seeming to wait in anticipation.


    "Your name will be..." Nathan turned back, declaring in a grand voice. "Argentius."


    His eyes opened wide, expectantly looking at the White Ward. Yet it only stared back at him uncomprehendingly.


    Sighing in disappointment, he had thought this through very carefully.


    Looking at the confused face before him, Nathan could only explain.


    "Argentius means ''Silvery One.'' Your fur is white, and you possess the Metal aspect. Most importantly, you thrashed me during the snow season. Now do you understand?"


    The White Ward moved its head up and down, seeming quite satisfied. The name still sounded dignified, unlike ''Fluffy'' or ''Snowball''. It sat down on its hind legs, head held high, sending a signal to Nathan.


    The White Ward accepted this name.


    Suppressing a secret laugh, Nathan declared solemnly.


    "Then from now on, your name shall be Argentius."


    The White Ward roared, expressing its approval. The actions of both sealed the invisible bond tighter. The feeling was strange, but it brought with it a sense of trust. A commitment of blood.


    "For short, I''ll call you Argy," Nathan grinned widely.


    The White Ward suddenly froze, its instincts disliking being called that. Its whiskers trembled as it bared its teeth at Nathan.


    But he acted fearlessly, unconcerned. Having signed the contract, neither side could intentionally harm the other. Doing so would result in painful backlash. Blood had been given, the name bestowed¡ªall procedures were complete.


    "Too late to regret it now," Nathan''s smile grew wider.


    Argentius growled angrily, pacing back and forth to show its frustration.


    "Aww, is Argy-bargy grumpy today?" he teased.


    The giant cat grew even more furious, tearing at its surroundings with its magnificent claws.


    Seeing the monster''s cute side like this, Nathan was glad he had chosen to stay and fight Argentius. He wasn''t clear what vision his partner had seen, but he guessed it must have been worth it for such a powerful monster to choose to follow him.


    After being irritated for a while, Argentius calmed down. Its wild nature didn''t let it dwell too long on any issue. It still hated being called ''Argy'', but as long as no one else called it that, it could tolerate it.


    After some exchanges, Nathan understood his current position. He was indeed Lord of the Forest, but the power remained in Argentius''s hands. If he wanted to receive it, it would transfer it to him. Naturally, he declined.


    From Argentius''s concepts, he understood this role carried quite a few responsibilities. Discovering that the Lunar Shadow had been the main target made him want to both laugh and cry. According to the rules, he would have to intervene when disciples from other sects or organizations came to Moirath Forest for training if they engaged in indiscriminate slaughter.


    Therefore, he left everything to Argentius. The monster seemed unconcerned; for it, this role mattered little either way. Having it made hunting easier, not having it just meant spending more time. As it was considered Nathan''s subordinate, it would still carry out any reasonable requests.


    Having understood everything, Nathan went around organizing the Vermilion Ape pack and finding some crude clothing for himself. He really needed indestructible pants like a certain green giant.


    He saw the deep and shallow craters he had created while fighting Argentius. Curious, he jumped down to examine them. He truly felt tiny amid these bowls in the earth.


    I have gone so far, Nathan smiled proudly.


    In just about two months, he didn''t know how many times he had taken risks. Training, moving, and constant combat had changed him. Both outside and inside. He could hardly believe he had managed everything from food supplies to time management and strategy, even if it was with less intelligent monsters.


    Yet here he was today, far more confident. Though he couldn''t compare to geniuses like Keira, Xander, Zahra, and especially Zeryn, he was no longer lagging so far behind. He believed that one day, he would catch up to them.


    Especially now that he had found one of the skills most important to him. A skill that could change everything in the future after using five hundred credits to try a [Skill Revealer].


    You used a [Rare Skill Revealer].


    Your next Rare Skill is [Mind of Tranquility].


    [Mind of Tranquility]


    Description: allows the user to maintain perfect clarity of thought even in situations that would normally shatter one''s mental state. While active, the user gains heightened resistance against mental interference, though it doesn''t grant complete immunity to such effects.


    Notice: If you want to keep this skill for further rolls, use a [Skill Locker]. Or else, if you do not get this skill on your next roll, the subsequent rolls will not guarantee [Mind of Tranquility].

 Chapter 38

    Nathan hadn''t used his skill rolls yet, choosing to save them instead. Partly because his skill pool was already sufficient, and partly because he was contemplating whether he could save them for Tier 2. Based on the current pattern, he could conclude that the system never provided skills he couldn''t immediately use. This meant that skills related to mana aspects or mana cores would never appear no matter how many rolls he used.


    Tier 1 skills could still be used and synchronized with Tier 2, but except for [Mind of Tranquility] which was quite necessary, he assessed that he was already strong enough. His goal also included obtaining the [Skill Breaker] item to remove [Bad Mouth]. So if he could save resources, he would.


    One main reason was the Skill Orb from the Lunar Shadow. He had used it immediately after completing the covenant with Argentius. The Skill Orb, appearing like a miniature starry sky, dissolved upon touching his forehead. Knowledge instantly flooded into every corner of his mind.


    Monster Skill Orbs functioned quite differently from human ones. Due to species differences, one needed to personally calibrate the skills it provided. Unlike when absorbing the Berserker Skill Orb, Nathan couldn''t immediately utilize the treasure trove of Night Hunter''s Legacy.


    Crescent Moon Art, Night Walker, and Moon Step were undeniably unusable. Not just because they needed adaptation and adjustment, but also because these skills required substantial mana that demanded a Tier 2 mana core.


    The only skill he could inherit was Lunar Resonance. This could be considered one of the foundational skills for each Lunar Shadow. It helped monsters absorb essence from moonlight while receiving immense blessings under the full moon.


    Nathan would inherit this, greatly benefiting his future path. He felt somewhat touched by Darkan''s painstaking preparations. Lunar Resonance wasn''t just for Physical Cultivation but also for Spirit Cultivation. With just mana and some medicinal ingredients to guide the necessary essence, he could coordinate his spirit''s growth. Thus, he wouldn''t have to worry constantly about Spirit Cultivation making no progress.


    That night, he climbed a tall tree, his eyes reflecting the full moon hanging high above. He maintained his balance sitting atop the tree, something quite easy when possessing [Martial Art Mastery]. It took several attempts before he could fine-tune Lunar Resonance to yield results.


    By dawn, he had only absorbed a little. However, that was enough to prove he was heading in the right direction. Gradually, he would perfect the method and help himself acquire another essence source besides slaying monsters all day.


    Argentius had warned him not to cause too much chaos in the coming days. The Lunar Shadow had truly devastated Moirath Forest''s ecosystem too severely. Nathan could hear a hint of remorse in his partner''s voice. It shouldn''t have let things go this far to properly fulfill its duties.


    Nathan didn''t object and complied, considering it a favor to Argentius. He spent most of his time gathering materials, brewing wine, and storing supplies. As everything was coming to an end, he should prepare for his return. The items he had scattered throughout the forest, once collected, would fetch a hefty reward when completing missions for Verdant Spire Sect''s inner disciples. He truly looked forward to the day he could receive more important and larger-scale missions. Gathering, while earning points and mana stones, couldn''t compare to an official mission.


    One day, while Nathan was cultivating with moonlight atop a tree, Argentius''s angry roar resonated from below.


    He startled from his meditative state. Through the invisible bond between them, he sensed the anger Argentius possessed.


    Looking down, he realized what was happening. Without hesitation, he lunged downward, his hands creating shockwaves to accelerate his descent.


    With a boom, he landed, causing dirt and rocks to fly up around him.


    His left hand extended to catch Argentius''s charging head. His right hand threw a punch at the sword of the intruder.


    Argentius''s pushing force made him slide across the ground, but he eventually stopped.


    He used both hands to stroke the monster''s head, speaking to calm it down.


    "Easy there, buddy. Let me handle this."


    Argentius snorted in dissatisfaction but ultimately complied. It retreated, its eyes still locked with deadly intent on those behind Nathan''s back.


    Only then did Nathan turn around, observing the four people who had just entered this area with a smile. It had been a while since he''d spoken to anyone. Hence, he was quite enthusiastic.


    "Hello, guys," he said friendly. "Argentius meant no harm, so please forgive it."


    The monster heard this and bristled, telling Nathan it had done nothing wrong. Those people came and refused to leave. When they saw it, they drew their swords wanting to fight.


    Nathan nodded at the information just received. He could somewhat understand when someone met Argentius, the fight-or-flight instinct could easily be triggered.


    "A Tier 1?" the sword-wielding person Nathan had struck spoke with disbelief.


    He squinted as Nathan''s strike force still made his hand tremble.


    "My name is Nathan Reed, inner disciple of Verdant Spire Sect. And you are?"


    The young swordsman didn''t answer, instead raising his voice.


    "I have no obligation to answer that question. Step aside, you lowly Tier 1!"


    Nathan frowned, looking toward the other three people. They said nothing. Looking at their attire, Nathan guessed they also belonged to an organization similar to Verdant Spire Sect currently training at Moirath Forest. When he tried to use PsiLink, a notification appeared.


    A jammer is detected. You cannot search for personal information right now.


    Well, this is new.


    Just as he thought this, his PsiLink counterattacked.


    Jammer is automatically being used to protect you from leaking information.


    Wow, master really spent enough on my PsiLink.


    At this moment, the sword-wielding youth furrowed his brows deeper when he couldn''t extract data about Nathan through facial recognition. He could only use the name Nathan had revealed to scroll through information pages. When he knew everything, he looked down on Nathan even more.


    "Just a lowly disciple under an insignificant elder," this youth continued to insult. "Step aside before I change my mind."


    "Brother, if you don''t want to die, you should watch your mouth," Nathan warned.


    Your grandmother! The person you just insulted is up there. One breath and you''ll be meeting your ancestors right now.


    Hearing this, the youth became even more agitated, about to point his sword to duel with Nathan.


    "That''s enough, Callum. Stand down!"


    The shout from the remaining young man made even Nathan startle. Within that voice was not only authority but also carried strange energy.


    The person called Callum grimaced but ultimately didn''t dare to object and lowered his sword. With a hostile gaze, he stepped aside, making way for the person who had just ordered.


    He stepped into the campfire''s light so Nathan could see his face clearly. Unlike Callum who had a somewhat burly build, this new person was more slender. His height and body proportions would make others envious. His black hair, swept to one side, floated with each gentle and graceful movement. The blue uniform he wore seemed to emphasize his nobility, completely different from Callum who carried just an ordinary appearance.


    "I apologize for my junior brother''s rudeness, you..."


    "Nathan."


    "Ah yes, Nathan. We just smelled something fragrant and thought some item was here. Unexpectedly, it was food you cooked."


    Nathan looked back at the whole boar roasting over his fire. The Vermilion Apes had fled in fear, abandoning their duty to turn it evenly. The [Cooking] skill was making him cringe as he knew the meal he had painstakingly prepared was about to be ruined. He ordered Argentius to signal the red apes to return to work.


    The tiger monster''s roar made Callum raise his sword again, but then he involuntarily showed an impressed expression when two Vermilion Apes grabbed the spit to turn the heavy Two-horned Boar.


    "Truly impressive. Once again, I hope you''ll forgive us." The leading disciple continued speaking.


    "Ah, the apology. I accept."


    Nathan actually found this group more annoying than anything. This team leader''s tone was friendly but thick with pretense. He could have stopped things immediately, yet he let Callum cause trouble all this time before standing out to act dignified and mature. And Nathan was sure he had spoken his name loud enough for everyone to hear. Asking for it again was just trying to say he was above Nathan, and this treatment was already worthy enough.


    What made him let it go so easily was the system notification.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Since obtaining the two skills [Tingling Sense] and [Adrenaline Boost], he had never encountered a case where they didn''t activate simultaneously like now. [Tingling Sense] sent a signal but not entirely a danger signal, more like a sixth sense, as if wanting him to pay attention. And it came from the two remaining people. Looking briefly, they seemed to be two girls.


    He didn''t care much so turned back to face the person considered the team leader.


    "Can I know your name? Or should I just call you ''guy''?"


    "You can call me senior brother," he smiled and said.


    "Forget it!"


    "What? Say that again," Callum spoke up on behalf of his teammate.


    Nathan shrugged, his back leaning against Argentius''s leg to assert his position.


    "Look kids, counting actual age, probably none of you are older than me. But that''s not important. What''s important is that I''m also an inner disciple of Verdant Spire Sect. I cannot dishonor my sect when I myself am not being respected."


    "Inner disciple?" Callum snorted with laughter. "How far has Verdant Spire fallen to accept a Tier 1 into such an honorable position? Or perhaps that position is nothing but trash?"


    Nathan laughed loudly. Before, he would have been afraid of such arrogant people. He could forgive Elen, as the boy had truly admired him and seen him as a close brother before turning his back. But with others, who would like being treated as a servant?


    "I''ve shown you all great respect, never once insulting. You provoked my friend," Nathan pointed at Argentius baring its teeth, "yet I still considered this a misunderstanding. Don''t think I don''t know you were eyeing it. But trust me, you can''t defeat it."


    Hearing this, Argentius raised its head proudly, sending signals telling Nathan to continue.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    His lips twitched. This devil really liked being praised.


    "And you think you can defeat it?" Callum laughed and asked.


    "No, I''m just good at communicating with this big boy here." Nathan obviously wouldn''t reveal the extent of his abilities to a group of strangers. "But one more disrespectful word about me or Verdant Spire Sect, and I won''t mind testing whether I can make you flee from here or not."


    Nathan found his mouth becoming increasingly toxic even without [Bad Mouth]. This skill didn''t activate when he needed it, but deep down it was negatively influencing him.


    Hearing this, Callum fell silent. He was arrogant but his mind, though slow, still functioned. Nathan''s earlier punch wasn''t light, shocking his wrist which still hurt now. Especially when blocking the tiger monster, Nathan displayed remarkable physical strength.


    A clapping sound rang out.


    "Well, it seems I truly didn''t know the proper order," the team leader spoke up, still maintaining his smile. "My name is Reza, direct disciple of Azure Lake Academy. It''s an honor to make your acquaintance."


    Nathan, not wanting to attract more trouble to himself, nodded.


    What a pretentious dude, he cursed in his mind while smiling and saying.


    "Isn''t this better? Everyone be a bit friendlier. Very nice to meet you!"


    Reza still maintained his demeanor, high and mighty, appearing to object to Nathan''s suggestion. He had let Callum probe enough, so he stepped in to resolve things. By his assessment, the whole team together could still defeat Nathan and the tiger monster. However, they would pay a heavy price. And they came here with another purpose.


    "Then we''ll take our leave," Reza said with his level tone.


    Seeing the other party didn''t apologize for insulting him, Nathan didn''t care much either. Just passing ships. But the feeling about those two girls made him want to know more.


    "Would you like to stay for food? As you can see, the boar isn''t small."


    Reza was about to decline when one of the two girls bounced forward, her mouth laughing brightly.


    "Really? Can we join in?"


    Seeing the round eyes and petite figure along with the cheerful voice made Nathan unconsciously smile and nod.


    "Mirela is my name, you can call me Mir," the girl smiled and said.


    Reza saw this and scolded.


    "Mir, don''t be like that!"


    "I don''t remember allowing you to call me that, brother Reza."


    Nathan already liked this girl.


    "I''ll give you the best leg portion," he said.


    "Hehe, that''s why I let you call me that familiarly," Mirela playfully replied, her shoulder-length brown hair swaying with each giggle.


    That said, she went back, pulling the remaining girl forward.


    "This is my senior sister, Evelyn. You have to give her a portion too."


    The final girl finally stepped out to show her face. Her appearance stunned Nathan for several seconds.


    Evelyn possessed shimmering blue hair, like the sea surface sparkling under sunlight. Her face had hard and cold features. Yet her eyes broke that distance. The two pupils seemed to be inlaid with ice crystals from the coldest regions. They reflected and sparkled under the moonlight, mixing with the flickering firelight making nothing more beautiful in that moment. Her figure was slender but Nathan could sense the pressure radiating from each step through [Martial Art Mastery].


    The white eyebrows narrowed at Nathan''s gaze.


    "That''s enough, brother Nathan," Mirela pouted in reproach.


    Nathan startled as if waking from a dream. He wasn''t overwhelmed by Evelyn''s beauty, but was experiencing [Tingling Sense] overload. Besides that, a hidden signal from his Titan bloodline was also urgently warning.


    His skin had been very sensitive since reaching Tier 2, so when the girl came close, despite enduring cold from the surrounding snow, he still felt the temperature drop strangely.


    His eyes lit up.


    Don''t tell me she''s the one Orin was looking for.


    Ignoring the warnings from his skills, Nathan smiled enthusiastically.


    "Come, everyone sit down to get warm. The food is almost ready."


    He would naturally pretend to forget his inappropriate behavior just now.


    Reza saw this and spoke up, his voice losing some composure.


    "You two shouldn''t accept invitations from strangers like this!"


    "That''s right," Callum chimed in, "who knows if this bastard mixed poison in or not."


    The atmosphere around suddenly became still. Nathan''s glance at Callum made him step back. Clearly inferior to Nathan. He had killed countless monsters by now, and alone at that. So his killing intent wasn''t small. He might not kill people, but he wasn''t afraid of seeing blood. More accurately, he quite enjoyed it.


    Mirela, the small girl in the group, put her hands on her hips and retorted.


    "You ignorant fool, Callum. If there''s poison and you can''t detect it, then you deserve to die! Besides, we were here when he jumped down. So how did he have time to do such a thing?"


    She tried to phrase it nicely but essentially meant how could a Tier 1 poison Tier 2s? Using spirit to scan would reveal everything. This was a survival skill taught at all academies and sects.


    Nathan wasn''t offended at all, considering this his strength. People could misunderstand if they wanted, but with [Cooking] level 2 that he had raised to try new recipes lately, even if he poisoned these people they wouldn''t know. This skill initially made him wonder why it was ranked Rare, but now he had the answer. Too comprehensive.


    Callum wanted to argue but seeing Evelyn had sat down, he stopped. The people traveling together outwardly seemed led by Reza, but all decisions were influenced by that reticent girl.


    Mirela seeing this happily chose a spot to sit next to Evelyn, smiling brightly at the roasting boar.


    Argentius growled and sat down near the fire, watching the humans to see who dared steal its food.


    Nathan shook his head at his partner''s gluttony, then went to the cooking fire. As he walked, his wolf-skin cloak lifted, revealing his body clad only in makeshift shorts with solid muscles underneath.


    Mirela blushed. Her hands rose to cover her face, but the V-shape she formed still allowed her to peek through.


    "Brother Nathan, please cover up!"


    Startled, Nathan pulled the fur on his shoulder back, smiling awkwardly.


    "Lunar Shadow?" Evelyn finally spoke, her voice though whispered was quite pleasant and melodious.


    The two males, Reza and Callum, stiffened, becoming serious. Lunar Shadow shouldn''t be in Moirath Forest. However, whether it existed or not, someone who could use its fur as clothing was certainly not simple. They hadn''t paid attention to where Nathan''s cloak came from. But they trusted Evelyn''s judgment. She spoke as if asking, but was already ninety percent certain.


    "Yes," Nathan stroked the smooth fur, "all thanks to my big friend here helping out."


    Argentius hearing this snorted. It loved fame but didn''t like taking credit for things it didn''t do. However, mealtime was approaching, so it would behave.


    "Are you a Beast Tamer, brother Nathan?" Mirela asked excitedly.


    Beast Tamer was quite a rare profession in the Ehyrian Empire, where Verdant Spire Sect and Azure Lake Academy were located. So if Nathan was a Beast Tamer, he must be quite famous.


    "Not exactly, just lucky enough to become friends with Argentius."


    He didn''t call it ''Argy'' to maintain his friend''s dignity.


    "You''re so lucky!"


    Then Mirela scooted closer, leaning forward with expectant eyes.


    "Can I pet Argentius?"


    "Aren''t you afraid of it?" Nathan''s eyes widened.


    "You''re here, aren''t you? Plus, I possess the lightning mana aspect. Do you know what I''m best at?"


    Trying to suppress his admiration for Mirela''s mana aspect, Nathan nodded, his face solemn and serious as he answered.


    "The most important skill. Running!"


    Mirela burst into laughter.


    "Right, exactly! Yet everyone keeps saying running is something shameful! Don''t you find that ridiculous?"


    "If you can''t win then run. You don''t know how badly I wanted to run from Argentius at first. Look at those jaws, it could swallow me whole!"


    "Well I can run, so don''t worry. Let me pet it, please!"


    Mirela looked from Nathan then back to Argentius.


    Nathan told the monster to allow it despite its fierce resistance. Seeing how Mirela had a close relationship with Evelyn, he also wanted to score some points.


    After a moment, he gestured inviting Mirela to fulfill her wish.


    Reza and Callum sat down at a distance, visibly tense. They had been trying to show off throughout their journey. So it was unexpected that everything would fall apart like this. Especially Reza, his eyes locked onto Evelyn. If anything happened, he would grab her hand and flee first instead of Mirela.


    Mirela appeared hesitant despite her earlier enthusiasm. After all, Argentius was overwhelmingly huge.


    She slowly extended her hand toward the tiger monster''s chin. Slowly touching its fur. Argentius snorted once making her withdraw her hand. But she maintained her courage afterward, or more accurately that hidden desire, touching the fur again. This time, Argentius didn''t resist anymore, allowing the small human to stroke its fur.


    Nathan laughed. The monster kept protesting but was quite enjoying it. He knew because he wasn''t much different from Mirela. There wasn''t a day he didn''t pet or stroke this tiger. Its fur was truly too amazing.


    Mirela got so caught up she forgot she was facing a monster. From its chin she wandered down to Argentius''s belly. However the monster didn''t mind. After all, this girl had no ill intent from the start, before Nathan jumped down. She had even spoken up in protest so it had goodwill, letting her play around.


    When seeing the monster didn''t resist, Mirela collapsed onto Argentius''s belly, arms spread wide. Her face showed nothing but pure joy.


    Evelyn saw this and smiled. But immediately hid it afterward.


    Nathan with [Martial Art Mastery] and [Better Vision] always noticed the smallest movements and had seen it. He unconsciously smiled too. He truly hoped one day he could have a forest walk like this with Zeryn and Jessica.


    A while later, dinner was ready.


    As promised, Nathan cut a leg for Mirela and Evelyn. As for Reza and Callum, he just carved off some random parts and handed them over, considering it sufficient hospitality.


    Both accepted it, not caring too much.


    Mirela regretfully left Argentius. True, she was infatuated with this giant tiger, but Nathan''s cooking was truly too enticing. Just the smell alone was irresistible.


    Unlike the others, she showed no hesitation in grabbing it right away, not minding the oil and grease on her hands.


    "Hold on there, young lady," Nathan stopped her.


    Without letting her ask why, he had already sprinkled a thin layer of powder he had refined on the meat. Besides that, he also placed a plate crafted from Burrower Herds shell for her.


    "Now you can eat."


    Without fear, Mirela opened her small mouth and took a huge bite as if afraid the leg would disappear. She froze for a few seconds, making Evelyn worried.


    Nathan shuddered as everything seemed to drop to absolute zero.


    Mirela freed him by immediately chewing enthusiastically, her eyes lighting up like stars.


    Eating while talking made her voice sound muffled.


    "Eat sis Evelyn. So good!"


    Hearing this, Nathan felt proud. Now he understood why his mother always said seeing someone enjoy the food you cook is the happiest moment.


    Evelyn paused her movement, bowing her head to signal an apology to Nathan. He waved it off. Then prepared a plate with small slices of meat for Evelyn. He believed she wouldn''t be as natural and casual as Mirela.


    "Thank you," Evelyn gently replied, both hands accepting the plate from him.


    "Enjoy your meal," he smiled, hoping he would create a good impression with the girl.


    He returned to his portion of meat, and shared it with Argentius. The Vermilion Apes who helped hunt were also rewarded appropriately.


    Mirela both laughed and choked when seeing Argentius chewing contentedly on the remaining Two-horned Boar. When she was full, she gave what was left of hers to the monster. It couldn''t help but happily accept, and rewarded Mirela with another chance to cuddle it. When she rubbed too hard, her electric power unconsciously activated, causing small tingling sensations that made Argentius laugh. However, its laughter carried quite noisy vibrations.


    The two outsiders seeing Mirela give away her meat showed signs of regret. Although they had tried to resist, they ultimately ate it, and truly wanted more.


    "More?" he asked when seeing Evelyn had finished her portion.


    "I''m full, no need," she answered.


    Nathan nodded understanding, then stood up to cut more meat for her from his portion.


    "I said I don''t need any," Evelyn raised her sparkling eyes to look at Nathan puzzled.


    "Then you can give it to Mirela or your teammates. I can''t finish it all."


    Of course he was lying. For a Physical Cultivator like him, this was actually too little. It''s just that he had been absorbing essence from moonlight these past few days so he didn''t need to eat much.


    "I''m full," Mirela called out while busy playing with Argentius. "Eat it, sister Evelyn."


    Hearing this, Evelyn stopped being polite, using a fork taken from her storage ring earlier to continue eating. She didn''t even think about sharing with the two drooling guys. She was also displeased with their decision to want to fight Argentius. Their original agreement didn''t include this. If they fought, it would only make their goal more difficult.


    "So, are you all here at Moirath Forest for training?" Nathan curiously asked Mirela and Evelyn.


    "None of your business," Callum said.


    "Chill the fuck out," Nathan tilted his head to look at him, starting to get annoyed. "If you don''t want to say that''s fine too. I was just asking. Besides, I wasn''t talking to you."


    "My apologies," Evelyn spoke up, using a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, gracefully returning the plate to Nathan. "We cannot say."


    "If sister Evelyn says so then I have to keep quiet too," Mirela''s face fell as she said to Nathan.


    Right at this moment, Argentius sent him a signal. The group from Azure Lake Academy was carrying an ancient artifact to find a hidden location in the forest. But for the Lord of The Forest, Argentius had this matter in the palm of its hand.


    "Is it dangerous?" Nathan asked back through their mental link.


    The answer made him shudder.


    They''re gonna die, that''s what Argentius said.


    Nathan didn''t want this to happen so probed further. The secret location was a deep cave underground, home to the Nightmare Weaver, a monster that evolved after Web Weavers consumed enough Dream Moths. The spider monster had since evolved into a new species. This process took place silently over a very long time. Possessing powerful Tier 3 strength, it could defeat any monster in the forest.


    Argentius''s position as Lord of the Forest wasn''t challenged because Nightmare Weaver ignored everything, only focusing on cultivation after defeating humans who ventured into its territory. Argentius guessed Nightmare Weaver was keeping some item that attracted cultivators. It was just a matter of time before this monster would be caught.


    "Can you beat it?" Nathan wondered.


    50/50, Argentius replied.


    "What about with me added?"


    50/50.


    "Are you saying I''m a burden?"


    49/50 if you put it that way.


    Nathan was starting to feel an itch to bonk this monster on the head.


    Unless you let that ''other you'' appear. Then we''d have about seventy percent certainty.


    Nathan shook his head, abandoning any intention of scouting Nightmare Weaver. It seemed even Argentius wasn''t clear about the enemy, showing more wariness than usual.


    "You shouldn''t go," Nathan spoke up to advise. "I don''t know what you want to get from Nightmare Weaver, but you need to be alive to use it, right?"


    Reza sprang up in one motion.


    "How do you know about us wanting to find Nightmare Weaver?"


    Nathan saw no need to hide, so he pointed at Argentius.


    "My friend here is quite friendly, isn''t he?" Nathan smirked at Reza. "Even going so far as to warn you."


    "That''s because you''re both pathetically weak!" Callum sneered.


    "Want to test that theory, dung mouth?"


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    Finally decided to join the fun, Nathan silently celebrated.


    Mirela, seeing both sides reeking of gunpowder, stood up to mediate. But Evelyn had already done so, the cold radiating from her making everyone pause. Hot blood rushing to their heads instantly retreated.


    Evelyn stood up, bowing her head to Nathan saying.


    "Thank you for the meal."


    Then she turned to her teammates.


    "Let''s go."


    Mirela lingered, reluctant to leave Argentius''s fur, but finally departed.


    "Hope we''ll meet again, brother Nathan."


    Nathan absently nodded without trying to stop them anymore, guessing he would see them again soon.


    Indeed, after about several hours since he watched the four silhouettes disappear into the forest, a loud explosion rang out.


    He immediately jumped onto Argentius''s back, heading toward Nightmare Weaver''s location.

 Chapter 39

    Nathan and Argentius arrived at a secluded area deep within the forest, beside a cliff face. The cave where the explosion had occurred earlier was obscured by intertwining vines. The trees in front made it even harder to spot. Under normal circumstances, no one would pay enough attention to discover such a hidden cavern.


    At the entrance of the recently exploded cave, debris littered the ground. Evelyn glided across an undulating ice bridge conjured from her right palm. Her left hand shot out three mana tethers to pull her battered teammates away from danger.


    Callum had lost consciousness and an arm. His body was covered in small bloody wounds as if stabbed repeatedly. Reza was in slightly better condition, still conscious. However, his face bore the expression of someone who had witnessed the most terrifying thing in existence, his lips muttering incomprehensible words.


    Mirela had lost a leg, the wound cauterized through one of her electrical techniques. Her face was pale, but her arm still extended forward.


    At the cave entrance, tendrils of lightning lashed out, trying to ensnare the creature''s feet as it attempted to escape the cave. Smoke and dust obscured its form. What could be seen were rainbow-like reflections of light, maddened screams, and violet eyes enough to make anyone tremble in fear.


    Nathan signaled for Argentius to land near Evelyn. She was sliding swiftly and decided to jump down when she spotted the rescue team. She too was exhausted, her face as pale as the others. Though uninjured and maintaining her composure, she seemed to accept that their planned mission had failed.


    "You''re okay?" Nathan asked, extending his hand to help the wounded.


    "I''m fine," Evelyn whispered. "If possible, I hope you can help get them to safety."


    "What about you?"


    "I''ll stay here to cover the rear," her eyes determined. "The Nightmare Weaver may be strong, but I can still hold it off."


    "But..."


    A long shriek piercing through the night made Nathan break off mid-sentence, turning his head toward the cave entrance.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    He leaned to one side, his eyes barely catching something white shooting past his face with incredible speed.


    A clang rang out beside him. When he looked again, he saw Evelyn had created an ice shield in front of them to block the monster''s attack.


    "I''m sorry," she said.


    "For what?" Nathan asked, confused.


    "For not being able to extend the shield to protect you."


    Only then did Nathan notice the borders of the ice shield. It was still trying to extend but couldn''t. Evelyn had exhausted her energy.


    Snorting in amusement, Nathan said, "I can take care of myself. You don''t need to worry about me, just rest a bit."


    Evelyn maintained her stern expression, her crystal-blue eyes somewhat dimmed.


    "I need you to get my teammates to safety."


    Nathan was about to suggest they could all run together when Argentius signaled that the Nightmare Weaver had spread its web around the area. If they didn''t break through the web networks in time, they would easily be caught by the monster.


    "Shit!" Nathan exclaimed.


    Beside them, Mirela let out a groan, reaching her limit. She lost all strength and dropped her arms, the electrical tendrils dissipating, leaving small flames in the air.


    "Sister Evelyn, run!"


    Evelyn showed concern, immediately running to support the small girl.


    Nathan let Mirela rest in Evelyn''s arms. His mind was racing to find a way for everyone to escape in one piece.


    At that moment, a gust of wind threw everything around them into the air. Nathan had to stomp his feet forcefully to avoid being swept away. One hand gripped the clothes of Reza and Callum. The other extended toward Evelyn, leaving the choice to grab it up to her.


    Nathan looked ahead through the windstorm. His right hand felt human skin. Cold and soft. But he had no mind to dwell on the sensation. Letting out a roar, he had to use 15% of his Berserker state just to remain steady.


    Argentius was surrounded by a different air current, resisting quite easily.


    After a minute, everything gradually stabilized. The smoke and dust cleared, leaving only empty ground around them. Vines and trees had been blown far away.


    Nathan collapsed, breathing heavily. He turned his head to look back. Evelyn still maintained her composure. She couldn''t grab Nathan''s hand because she had to channel mana to protect Mirela. Nathan startled as he looked at the two despicable ones remaining. Callum and Reza had been battered even worse than before by the Nightmare Weaver''s attack. Blood wounds appeared all over their bodies. Reza had gone from muttering to himself to joining Callum in complete loss of consciousness.


    "Could you let go of my hand?" Evelyn reminded him.


    Nathan startled and complied. The cold from Evelyn still lingered on his hand.


    This cold is something else, he thought to himself.


    Argentius roared, warning Nathan of the enemy''s presence.


    The Nightmare Weaver appeared under the moonlight with a terrifying and horrific form. Its spider body was even larger than Argentius. Its legs scraped against the ground, covered in what looked like silver needles. Nathan guessed those were what had shot at him just moments ago. Its purple eyes were arranged chaotically, unlike normal spiders. Looking closely, one could see scenes hidden behind them - the dreams of those who had fallen before the monster. Its jaws and teeth were razor-sharp, protruding and vibrating with each angry breath.


    The monster''s posterior abdomen was constructed like crystals, reflecting in the moonlight. From afar, it might be an attractive sight. But up close like this, just its appearance alone was enough to give nightmares, let alone being hit by its techniques.


    The fur around its neck trembled as it hissed at Argentius.


    Nathan learned that the Nightmare Weaver was questioning what Argentius was doing. As a Lord of The Forest, Argentius should help it kill these humans.


    Becoming irritated at being treated as a subordinate, Argentius growled back. The gist was that what it did was its own business, and the disgusting spider shouldn''t question it.


    God damn it! Nathan cursed internally. Can you put aside your pride in this situation?


    Argentius pretended not to hear, continuing to face off with the Nightmare Weaver.


    "I will hold it back for you," Evelyn spoke up. "You need..."


    "Stop!" Nathan couldn''t help but snap despite not wanting to. "Trust me, if we could run, I would have already. That''s what I''m best at. What did you all do to make the Nightmare Weaver spread its web to prevent escape?"


    Evelyn was confused by the irritation of the young man before her. Clearly, she wasn''t used to being treated this way. She had thought Nathan had feelings for her based on how he treated her hours ago. It seems she was mistaken.


    "We retrieved a lost Artifact of Azure Lake Academy," she answered honestly.


    "Was it worth it?" Nathan replied curtly.


    "Are you suggesting we return it to the monster?" Evelyn frowned.


    "Bingo!"


    "That''s impossible!" Evelyn protested. "This is a precious and important item. Not just for the Academy but for me."


    "And because of you, we should die here?" Nathan glanced at her askance.


    Evelyn was speechless. She knew Nathan''s point and truly felt it was a sensible choice. They had overestimated themselves and underestimated the monster''s strength. She still had her trump card, but even then, victory wasn''t assured. The Nightmare Weaver wasn''t just a Tier 3 monster, but possibly a high-level Tier 3, at Phase 5 or six. She couldn''t understand why the sects had allowed a monster to develop to this level. The information at Azure Lake Academy only indicated the monster was at peak Tier 2.


    "Will they arrive in time?" Nathan suddenly asked.


    "Who?" Evelyn asked somewhat stupidly.


    "Your teachers or elders? Through PsiLink?" Nathan shook his head. He wasn''t too worried since he had Darkan, but was just trying to knock some sense into the girl.


    "I haven''t contacted them yet," Evelyn stammered.


    Hearing this, Nathan shook his head even harder.


    Evelyn seemed to be hiding something, as he didn''t believe she wouldn''t think of such a simple solution. The monster had exceeded Moirath Forest''s limits, so intervention from the elders would be normal.


    You two done fighting yet? Argentius irritably asked.


    "We''re not fighting," Nathan defensively retorted.


    She knew about you, Argentius continued without minding his partner''s response.


    "What do you mean?" Nathan mouthed.


    Our battle. Nightmare Weaver saw it all.


    "So it''s afraid?" Nathan''s eyes lit up.


    Wary, not afraid. If we really fight, remember the odds I mentioned before.


    "So can we negotiate?"


    That''s exactly what Nightmare Weaver wants, Argentius replied.


    Nathan looked at the Nightmare Weaver. Those unevenly distributed eyes that never blinked made his whole body shudder. Remembering the energy release that created the windstorm earlier made him fear it even more. If possible to kill it, he might consider trying once, especially when he could test his luck to get [Mind of Tranquility]. But at the same time, he also trusted Argentius''s assessment.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    The contract between them posed a problem for the tiger monster. If Nathan was injured to death, it would also suffer unimaginable pain. That could make it drop cultivation levels, from peak Tier 2 back to Tier 1. So it had no reason to lie to him.


    Suppressing the nausea in his stomach from the Nightmare Weaver''s appearance, Nathan stepped forward to stand alongside Argentius, signaling his acceptance of negotiations.


    Evelyn was about to speak when she saw his waving hand and immediately fell silent.


    "What does it want?" Nathan asked Argentius.


    Protection. She requests we take her away from the forest and find her shelter.


    The Nightmare Weaver had used up the Artifact''s power. Sooner or later, someone would come to capture or kill it. It had hidden long enough, and Evelyn''s group had exposed its lair.


    Nathan could obviously let Darkan handle it. But that wouldn''t help him negotiate conditions with Evelyn.


    "And it really trusts we can do it?"


    She has no other choice. Currently only you and I can communicate with her so she''s taking a risk asking for help. Remember, only when monsters reach Tier 4 can they communicate normally with humans, through speech or spirit. Below Tier 4, they can only use voluntary contracts like us, or be forced by a Beast Tamer.


    That made Nathan think about the feasibility of this. He had Darkan so he could ask his master for a Monster Storage Pouch. Then, put the Nightmare Weaver in and release it somewhere convenient. After all, he was already planning how to take Argentius with him.


    Darkan communicated directly into his brain.


    "Alright."


    Just that simple, Nathan felt warmth in his heart. His master didn''t seem too bad after all.


    "Tell it we can do it," Nathan said to Argentius.


    You''ll have to make a Binding Promise with her, Argentius warned.


    "That''s fine."


    Remembering Orin''s sickly appearance, Nathan wanted to do this even more.


    The Nightmare Weaver''s eyes lit up upon hearing the information relayed by Argentius. Behind it, a purple cloud appeared, forming a strange symbol.


    "Binding Promise," Evelyn whispered.


    She stepped forward, speaking to stop Nathan.


    "You don''t need to do this. I just need to return the Artifact."


    "It doesn''t need the Artifact anymore," he shrugged.


    Evelyn''s eyes brightened, her mind wasn''t slow to understand, immediately realizing where things were heading.


    "Then let me make the Binding Promise," Evelyn hurriedly said. "This was because of me, so let me take it."


    Nathan was surprised by Evelyn''s speed of reaction and reasoning. It made sense though, she was still intact among the four so she must truly have ability. Not just in judgment, but also a steadfast mind, to resist the monster''s skills. That was creating nightmares and breaking people''s psychology.


    "But it wants me," Nathan laughed in response. "It doesn''t trust the one who invaded its home, for one. Who knows if you might have a Tier 5 intervene in the Binding Promise. And it wants someone who can communicate with it to make the promise. You see, Argentius is vouching for me to the Nightmare Weaver. It trusts me because of this tiger friend here. They can sense the bond between us. But having Argentius vouch for you doesn''t seem possible."


    Evelyn wasn''t offended by that explanation. A Tier 3 monster already had intelligence, so its wariness of her and the powers behind her was completely understandable. She looked at her teammates. Mirela wasn''t a concern. But the teachers responsible for Callum and Reza might come after the Nightmare Weaver to eliminate it after she completed the Binding Promise. Only Nathan here had no major conflicts, making him the best choice.


    "Then I owe you this time," Evelyn said solemnly.


    Nathan had been waiting for just such an assurance.


    Raising his hand to receive the symbol from the purple cloud, he completed the Binding Promise with the Nightmare Weaver. The monster would wait for the day he left Moirath Forest and follow him. As for choosing Nathan as its master, a Tier 3 monster like it wouldn''t accept that. Even with Argentius''s invitation, it still didn''t trust this human to that extent.


    The Nightmare Weaver vanished from everyone''s sight, retreating to its cave by the cliff.


    "Thank you," Evelyn said when Nathan returned, his hand still flickering with purple light from the symbol branded into his skin.


    "It wasn''t anything difficult," he waved it off. "How''s Mirela?"


    "She''s fine. She''s taken healing medicine, it''s just that her mind was attacked too heavily."


    "What about you? Are you okay?"


    Evelyn nodded, though her weak breathing suggested otherwise.


    "So what do you want?" she didn''t dwell on this issue too long, asking. "If it''s within my power, I''ll help you."


    "I need your blood."


    Nathan immediately felt the surroundings grow cold.


    "To heal someone dear to me," Nathan quickly added.


    "Choose another request," she said, as if not allowing any objection.


    Not giving up, Nathan still clung to the old topic.


    "Do you have the Frost Sovereign Constitution?"


    "No," she said curtly.


    "Then something lower? But still ice-related?" Nathan had guessed he wouldn''t be so lucky, but he could deduce. Just needing a special ice constitution, even if not Frost Sovereign, it might still help Orin.


    "That''s none of your business," Evelyn, usually calm, began showing irritation.


    "Then I don''t need anything," Nathan''s face fell, feeling his intervention in this had become pointless.


    "Very well," Evelyn didn''t want to say more. "Add me on PsiLink and message me what you want when you think of it."


    Nathan turned off his PsiLink''s interference feature, accepting Evelyn''s friend request.


    Seeing Nathan''s dejected expression, Evelyn wanted to say something but stopped herself. His help today was significant, but not enough to demand such a thing. Especially when she possessed a constitution higher than Frost Sovereign. Giving away her blood like that to someone not very familiar would only be the action of a fool.


    "Well, I''m going," Evelyn announced. "If fate allows, we''ll meet again."


    "Goodbye," Nathan responded indifferently.


    Seeing his uncaring attitude, Evelyn felt strange. The male disciples around her usually rejoiced at receiving such a promise. Only he remained so cold.


    Evelyn had been gone for a while but Nathan still stood there. He was still troubled that his efforts had been for nothing. It wasn''t that he didn''t think about romance. But he had learned from experience with beautiful, radiant girls like Evelyn. That was to stay as far away as possible. Beauty would only bring trouble. If not now, then later. It was clear that his high school and college days hadn''t been pleasant at all.


    Letting out a deep sigh, Nathan returned to his dwelling with Argentius.


    A few days later, Nathan felt like he just wanted to find a hole to crawl into.


    The articles on PsiLink had pointed out how dangerous it was to voluntarily give blood to someone. Unless it was someone truly trusted, the consequences were unimaginable. Blood-focused cultivators could utilize the obtained blood to cause adverse effects. Or more dangerously, apply it in forbidden techniques that could lead to death.


    Nathan suddenly remembered he had "voluntarily" given blood to Darkan. Thus, he had placed himself in an uncontrollable position in someone else''s hands. However, now he could only trust his master.


    Blood lost from wounds would be less effective when collected. Not just because of contamination but also because the spirit imprint following the blood doesn''t allow deep interference. A miraculous protection that Spirit Cultivation provides. Of course, high-level cultivators could still easily overcome this barrier.


    Physical Cultivation had a similar mechanism, but it needed to reach Tier 3 to develop completely. At this stage, after cultivating the skin in Tier 2, Tier 3 would cultivate blood, helping the circulation in the body become increasingly perfect.


    Therefore, many assassins in this world highly valued cultivators with blood aspects in mana usage. In the opposite direction, one of the common features incorporated into protective items was ensuring that if blood did escape, it had already been interfered with to become unusable.


    Nathan felt like he had discovered a treasure trove of knowledge, continuously reading to understand more deeply about how cultivators had gone so far and the fearsome nature of the blood aspect. This wasn''t considered a rare aspect, so the possibility of encountering them was quite high.


    Remembering his Titan bloodline, Nathan felt somewhat confident. The stronger the bloodline, the higher the resistance possessed. Because it carried the lineage of generations. Wanting to overcome the defensive barrier of powerful and ancient souls protecting their descendants was a huge challenge. One thing that made bloodlines so sought after.


    Nathan kept hovering over the PsiLink screen, debating whether to message Evelyn or not before giving up. He had thought wrong about many things because he didn''t expect to encounter an ice constitution so early. From there, he had created a not-so-good impression. The result couldn''t be changed, so just let everything end like that.


    Waving his hand aside, he pushed this matter out of his mind. If even now Orin still couldn''t find ingredients for healing, then clearly it wasn''t easy at all. He would find another way. Just consider the recent events as doing good deeds without expecting returns.


    "Time to go, kid," Darkan announced one day when Nathan was collecting essence water from Thunder Crystal Frogs. "Something important has happened at the Sect."


    He nodded to signal understanding. He still wanted to stay in Moirath Forest longer. But all fun times must come to an end.


    Initially, he had really hated this place of sacred forests and poisonous waters. It felt like just yesterday he was scared by the Crystal Mauler, left with tooth marks by the Ripple Hunters, then hunted by the Blood Thirster pair to near death. Each defeated monster floated past his eyes like a slow-motion film.


    I''ve come very far, he told himself.


    Nathan Reed (24 years old -- male)


    Spirit Cultivation Level: Tier 1 (Initial), Phase 4.7.


    Physical Cultivation Level: Tier 2 (Iron Skin), Phase 3.9.


    He proceeded to collect the materials he had gathered in large, messy bags. Among these, most important were the jars of wine he had painstakingly prepared for Orin and future use. The cold weather had created obstacles but finally [Cooking] still provided additional methods so he didn''t lose everything.


    The issue when leaving was Argentius.


    Currently, the Nightmare Weaver was no longer staying in the forest, so the responsibility of maintaining order could only fall on the tiger monster''s shoulders. More importantly was Argentius''s attachment to Moirath Forest, the place that had provided it food all this time and freedom that nowhere else could give.


    If brought back to Verdant Spire Sect now, Argentius wouldn''t be able to run and play freely like here. It would either be sent to The Garden or have to stick close to Nathan to avoid harming disciples. More negatively, it could create conflicts with the monsters residing in The Garden. Argentius might be strong but there would always be someone stronger. It was rumored that the monster following Sect Leader Alaric had already reached Tier 4. Just one of its snorts would be enough to put Argentius in the infirmary for months.


    Therefore, Nathan decided to let it stay in Moirath Forest, then would take it away after it found a new replacement. He could only shake his head that he himself was Lord of The Forest but hadn''t done anything, also not paying much attention to the order of this ecosystem. The thought of having a power base was quite attractive. However, he didn''t have time. This could only be a plan for later.


    Darkan dropped a small gold-trimmed pouch down to Nathan from above.


    He caught it and examined it in his hand. Unlike storage rings, Monster Storage Pouches usually had quite cramped space, mainly because all the technology had been dedicated to allowing monsters to reside without leading to death. Storage ring space had no oxygen, so if forcing monsters in there, the result was self-explanatory.


    After a period of time, owners also needed to let monsters out to breathe and eat. Although monsters could enter an energy-saving state, it couldn''t be maintained forever. Therefore, when owners died and Monster Storage Pouches were lost, the fate of the monsters inside was also considered sealed.


    The Nightmare Weaver didn''t resist much when Nathan came. He opened the pouch''s mouth, and it voluntarily quickly crawled in. The giant spider monster suddenly became small, flowing with a wind straight into the pouch. Nathan tightened the pouch''s mouth, considering the first part of the procedure complete.


    Darkan descended from the sky beside Nathan. His feet still hovered a distance from the ground. Different from his usually gruff appearance, he preferred to move smoothly and gently like now.


    "Well done, kid," Darkan opened his mouth to praise, his gaunt face somewhat smiling.


    "That''s me," Nathan wasn''t shy to speak up.


    Immediately, he was hit on the head with a resounding thunk. Though he had grown stronger, he still felt sore, as if his head had just swollen into a bump.


    "Tone it down," Darkan as always, didn''t let Nathan stay excited for long. "That Zeryn kid lasted three months before leaving Verdant Spire."


    "I know," Nathan grumbled.


    The information on PsiLink these days was all about Zeryn and his achievements. Though not holding top positions or records, Zeryn''s results were much better than others. Because he was the only one who had lasted so long when entering Verdant Spire for the first time. This unprecedented event stirred up all Sect members.


    Zeryn had already been a bright star admired by everyone even before passing the trial. So now, his reputation was like the midday sun, dazzling to the point no one dared look directly. Although currently, Zeryn was still a Tier 2, but the future was undebatable. The mental obstacles when breaking through to Tier 3 or Tier 4 that people usually encountered would be nothing more than a walk in the park for Zeryn.


    And he''s my friend, Nathan silently rejoiced.


    He was truly happy for Zeryn, and no longer felt self-pity like before. Geniuses had the path of geniuses. Ordinary people had to find their own way to rise up. Just months ago, Nathan still didn''t know if he could continue on the cultivation path or not. But now, he could kill Lunar Shadow, defeat a Lord of The Forest.


    He would try harder, and harder still. Because now, trying wasn''t synonymous with hopelessness anymore. It had taken on a different meaning. Hope and future.


    Looking around one more time, Nathan smiled. The Vermilion Apes surrounding him all didn''t want Nathan to leave. They received Argentius''s protection at Nathan''s request. However, they still wanted to eat well. Now raw meat was no different than maggot-infested smell.


    Argentius was lying lazily, its mouth licking its front paw.


    "I will return," Nathan said to his partner.


    In response, the tiger monster let out a huge roar. Other species responded in turn. Moirath Forest followed the command and all raised their voices. Trees swayed from the monsters'' actions. Birds filled the sky from the noise. But this noise made Nathan smile.


    The farewell ceremony for the Lord of The Forest was complete.


    It was time to return to Verdant Spire Sect and find new glory.


    Only, Nathan still didn''t understand. The meeting with Evelyn and helping the Nightmare Weaver seemed like trivial matters, yet created unexpected karma in the future.

 Chapter 40

    Darkan brought Nathan back as roughly as he had taken him away. There was only the sound of wind and everything rushing past. It seemed his master truly had urgent business rather than just saying so. The winter''s cold didn''t affect him thanks to the protective mana barrier.


    He was thrown down and rolled several times on the ground right at the outer sect''s entrance, not even being taken into the ninth mountain. Darkan tossed all his belongings from the storage ring, telling him just one thing.


    "Return to the mountain and continue your training."


    Then Darkan flew back out. Nathan watched him leave in confusion, having thought his master had to return to report to Alaric or something.


    Shrugging his shoulders, he looked at the sect covered in a blanket of white and felt nostalgic. He had experienced winter at Verdant Spire twice now, but had never truly appreciated it like this time.


    In previous years, he genuinely hated the cold that permeated the air. Because that meant he had to spend sect points on essential equipment and some medicinal aids for training. But now, the cold was trivial. All his current sensations were thanks to the results of his training period. Having positive results truly changes one''s perspective and feelings.


    He slung everything over his shoulder as if they weighed nothing, though from afar people wouldn''t even see him behind the pile of equipment three times his size. He looked more like a servant or manual laborer than an inner sect disciple of a prestigious sect.


    Taking advantage of the journey, he stopped by to visit Orin. As usual, the outer sect elder was in the courtyard of his residence, his eyes focused on that enormous bonsai pot. Snow covered the leaves and filled the ground. Yet even from afar, Nathan could feel the heat emanating.


    Hot and cold but the snow doesn''t melt, he silently marveled at the strange sight as always.


    Hearing the crunching sound, Orin turned around. Upon seeing him, Orin''s face relaxed into a bright smile.


    "So you''re back, eh?"


    "Well, did you miss me?" Nathan asked with a loud laugh.


    "I missed your promise to bring back wine."


    Unlike Orin''s exhausted appearance during the summer and autumn months, winter seemed to bring some strange aid to the elder. Evidence being that he wasn''t wearing anything, exposing everything. Though his face looked no different from someone near death''s door, Orin''s body was incredibly firm, the muscles full and well-defined. His dark skin bore battle scars, telling stories of fierce fights. Snowflakes falling on him quickly melted into water, then vaporized in the blink of an eye. Somehow, Orin didn''t let the vapor surround himself.


    Nathan didn''t pry as this wasn''t the first time he had seen this phenomenon. If Orin was willing to share, he would have done so already.


    Nathan set his belongings aside, snow jumping up under their weight. He took out a bag half his size, from which he produced a round jar, the type of container he had crafted and modified from Burrow Herd and Ironbark.


    "Here''s your gift," Nathan cheerfully pushed the wine jar forward on the table.


    "Heh, so you really weren''t lying," Orin smirked.


    "Old man, if you don''t trust me like that, then forget about taking it."


    What Nathan grabbed was just air as Orin had already opened the lid and was taking deep sniffs.


    "Good wine!" he praised without having taken a single sip.


    "At least you have an eye for quality," Nathan commented.


    "Let me see... essence water, Crimson Lotus petals, balanced and enhanced flavor through Dragon Breath."


    Nathan''s eyes widened as the old man could guess the ingredients just from the aroma.


    "Damn," Orin exclaimed. "How did you get the ability to brew this kind of wine? These ingredients - outsiders might not know, but I understand their properties aren''t something you can just use as you please. They must go through stages that aren''t just difficult but require extreme precision too."


    "Well? Not a bad gift, right?" Nathan said proudly.


    "Magnificent!" Orin gave a thumbs up. "This wine can''t even be bought..."


    Orin suddenly went silent when he realized his slip.


    Meanwhile Nathan''s eyes lit up. From the outer sect elder''s words, he had heard what he had always yearned for. Money.


    "Oh no, I was mistaken," Orin wiped his lips, eyes blinking rapidly, "it''s quite easy to buy actually."


    "Easy to buy, huh?" Nathan held back his laughter, mouth twitching mockingly, "then after this bottle, old man, you can just buy more to drink. Besides, if it''s that easy to get, my gift doesn''t seem sincere enough. So give the wine back, I''ll find something rarer to give you."


    Orin had already stored the wine in his storage ring, not allowing Nathan to haggle. He had accidentally said something he shouldn''t have, so now he was eyeing the bag at the young inner sect disciple''s waist longingly.


    Nathan chuckled, took out another bottle, and waved it in Orin''s direction.


    Being a wine connoisseur, Orin understood immediately, taking out two wine cups from his storage ring and placing them on the table.


    Nathan shook his head looking at the two precious cups that Orin always boasted about. He or Zeryn had only heard tales about the miraculous nature of these cups, never being allowed by Orin to use them. Today, surprisingly, they were permitted.


    The wine, with its blue mixed with red color, gurgled as it poured into the white cups. The rich aroma spread through the air making their noses tingle with pleasure.


    Orin still showed great restraint by not hastily drinking right away but waiting for Nathan to pour a second cup. The two clinked glasses, not even getting to say cheers before Orin drained his cup. His eyes closed, lips smacking to savor the taste. His facial muscles relaxed in pure enjoyment and satisfaction. He hiccupped once in the ecstasy the wine brought.


    Nathan was even happier than when he had hosted Evelyn''s group. Because Orin wasn''t just anyone, but someone dear to him in this strange world.


    He raised and emptied his own cup. The wine''s fragrance shot straight to his nose up to his brain, making him unable to help but mirror Orin, his face showing only pure pleasure. When the sensation passed, he looked back at the cup with greedy eyes. Though he had made the wine himself and tasted it many times, thus understanding its flavor and effects well, the cup in his hand seemed to enhance those properties. Though very subtle, with [Cooking], he could notice it immediately. If one were to drink from this cup every day, the cumulative effects would become significant. No wonder Orin treasured these two cups like his own life.


    "Want it?" Orin asked with a smug smile.


    Nathan put the cup down with a clank, saying.


    "What''s the condition?" he didn''t believe he could get this precious cup just for two bottles of wine.


    "Just regularly supply me with wine and that''s enough," Orin replied casually, pouring himself another cup.


    "Deal," Nathan didn''t bother to negotiate.


    If not for Orin, his time in the outer sect would have been several times worse. Therefore, even without the cup, as long as he could, he would still help this outer sect elder find some solace. The look in Orin''s eyes, though always trying to appear otherwise, Nathan could still see the despair. Because he himself had once carried that same look.


    "Good," Orin laughed loudly, echoing across the courtyard. "You must be able to brew other fine wines too, right?"


    Nathan answered with a wink.


    "Does this cup have a name?" he asked.


    Orin''s movement froze at Nathan''s question. For a moment, his eyes were tinged with deep sorrow.


    Nathan was about to apologize, thinking perhaps he had asked something he shouldn''t have, when Orin answered.


    "The Chalice of Fading Memories," he shrugged. "It once had that name. I call it Mourner''s Comfort. You must understand why, right?"


    Nathan nodded. The effect of enhancing efficacy from the cup could probably be increased further. Thus, making even a high-Tier cultivator able to get drunk. Able to let unwanted memories fade away.


    He was about to return it when Orin stopped him.


    "Keep it, kid. You need it more than I do. With that peculiar constitution of yours. No point in keeping both cups anyway."


    Nathan could hear the melancholy in Orin''s final words. He silently poured more wine, and they drank another round.


    He left right after, with Mourner''s Comfort cherished in his hand. He preferred this name better. Just looking at the white cup with simple decorations as if made from porcelain, he strolled gradually toward the inner sect entrance.


    "Hey, Nathan," a loud call made him look up.


    Instructor Maxim with his buzz cut and wearing only a thin shirt was waving enthusiastically in his direction. Around him were outer sect disciples either paired up to spar or discussing knowledge. The scene made Nathan nostalgic for a moment.


    He smiled and walked over to Maxim.


    "Looking good, eh?"


    "I had a great instructor," Nathan replied.


    Maxim''s nose flared, accepting the praise.


    "You look taller?" Maxim squinted, evaluating. This sense of being taller wasn''t just physical, but in other aspects too. Nathan gave off the feeling that he was a formidable opponent to Maxim.


    "I wouldn''t know, but maybe."


    Maxim swept his eyes over the other disciples then commanded a blue stone pillar to rise from beneath the ground through a command sent via PsiLink. Nathan blinked in confusion, not understanding what his former instructor planned to do.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    "Help me out a bit here," Maxim winked.


    This outer sect instructor wouldn''t let the opportunity before him slip away. Inner sect disciples rarely came here so Maxim couldn''t ask for their help. Most importantly, Nathan''s story could be used as an example. Even a Tier 1 could still move forward rather than being left behind. That was what he wanted the outer sect disciples to understand.


    "Everyone," Maxim''s voice roared like a tiger across the training ground.


    The outer sect disciples stopped their activities, gathering before Maxim. Their eyes simultaneously assessed Nathan standing beside him wearing white wolf fur and tattered, patched clothes.


    Nathan suddenly shuddered at the not-so-positive looks from everyone.


    "This is Nathan," Maxim continued. "He''s an inner sect disciple, more precisely the direct disciple of Elder Darkan, master of the ninth mountain."


    Everyone''s eyes became bright. Some disciples who had studied with Nathan nodded, showing admiration. They hoped one day they could be in that position too.


    "And you''re not mistaken in your sensing, Nathan is currently still at Tier 1, Phase 4."


    This statement led to whispers below, people pointing and discussing. Seeing this made Nathan even more uncomfortable. He finally understood what Maxim wanted to do.


    Even if one was incompetent, being in the inner sect meant at least approaching Tier 2 breakthrough. As for Nathan, well, no need to elaborate.


    "But don''t be fooled by appearances," Maxim''s voice deepened, warning. "Nathan earned that position by taking second place in the outer sect tournament. I ask you, among you all, who is confident they could do the same?"


    The outer sect disciples gasped, feeling the fire in their chests surge. Disciples who had experienced the event months ago excitedly shared with friends, expressing admiration for the spectacular fights involving Nathan. However, some still snorted in disdain, gossiping that Nathan got into the inner sect through connections, or as some elder''s illegitimate child.


    "If you doubt, then today, let Nathan demonstrate his strength for you to see. To show you how he has changed over these four months."


    Maxim believed in his instincts, one of the strengths of a Tier 2. He had limited potential, unlikely to breakthrough. But time and experience were still enough to make uneroded judgments.


    Nathan nodded. Setting down his belongings, he went to the testing pillar. He looked at the pillar before him with an inexplicable fondness. He still remembered last winter, on a snowy evening, he had stood alone in the training ground punching the pillar repeatedly to vent his frustration and loneliness. The results kept showing 1.9 then 2.0, making him utterly dejected.


    Maxim stood beside him tilting his head, wondering why Nathan hadn''t acted yet.


    The other outer sect disciples had started whispering.


    Right after, they felt a cold wind blow past their faces, along with an ear-splitting crack.


    Nathan stepped aside, put his belongings back on, and said to Maxim.


    "I need to go now, Instructor Maxim."


    People were still wide-eyed when Nathan had already disappeared on the path leading to the inner sect.


    Maxim blinked in confusion. The testing pillar hadn''t lit up. However, that didn''t indicate the level of destruction Nathan had caused.


    On the stone surface was imprinted a fist shape, with cracks spreading around it. The testing pillar had been damaged. That meant Nathan had struck with power far beyond Tier 1 without any doubt. Though designed to withstand geniuses who could score beyond the scale like Xander or Zahra, it still had its limits.


    "So strong!" someone among the outer sect disciples exclaimed.


    Followed by words of agreement. That inner sect disciple''s punch looked like an ordinary matter, seemingly requiring no lengthy preparation. The disciples truly aspired to that. Just imagining being able to throw continuous punches like that, who could withstand it.


    "No wonder he could enter the inner sect," someone concluded, mainly to mock those who had dared speak disrespectfully earlier.


    Those ill-intentioned disciples just ignored it, not participating in the debate.


    From afar, not heeding Maxim''s command, Elen let out a sigh. His eyes carried the chaos of emotions like that day Nathan was insulted months ago.


    Maxim was still rubbing his chin, wondering why the pillar hadn''t lit up. Even if damaged, there should have been some signal beforehand.


    Of course the pillar wouldn''t light up, because Nathan didn''t use mana. That strength was the pure power of his current body obtained through Physical Cultivation.


    It was like a stern answer saying don''t judge him based on Spirit Cultivation.


    While on his way back to the mission center, Nathan had the movement booth stop, looking through the glass window down at the inner sect training ground below.


    Xander Caldoran was sitting in meditation, the gleaming spear gifted by the sect leader laid across the hill above. Around him, blue smoke wisped. His back was straight, his bearing majestic.


    Nathan waited patiently. A moment later, Xander''s eyes opened wide, releasing a sound wave carrying golden particles around.


    Tier 2, Nathan silently confirmed.


    Xander jumped up from his position, his hand grasping the spear. He twirled it a few times. Around him immediately appeared golden arcing lines flying chaotically. When these arc lines hit the wooden pillars arranged in a circle around, they created deep cuts.


    Even observing from afar made Nathan''s skin tingle. He was quite certain that even with his current level of Physical Cultivation, he wouldn''t dare take a direct hit. Before, such a slash would have been enough to split him in two, now it wouldn''t go that far, but would still easily sever one of his limbs.


    Xander hadn''t stopped, he held the spear thrusting forward. Nathan thought Spear Intent had been activated but that wasn''t the case. Another spear appeared, enveloping the physical spear in Xander''s hand. It was hazy, carrying the same golden color as the earlier slashes, advancing to pierce a wooden stake. Without doubt, the stake was pierced through, creating a long jagged gap.


    Xander turned his head toward a boulder, performing a similar motion. This time, he also used Spear Intent. As a result, his spear pierced through the rock surface like thin paper. A second later, the boulder exploded from within, shattering into small pieces flying everywhere.


    Metal Aspect, Nathan saw that all previous discussions about Xander were still correct.


    However, it seemed Xander had been taught more to incorporate the use of mana aspect as well as Intent together.


    The spear-wielding disciple threw his weapon into the air, using mana to keep the weapon floating. The spear spun once. At each interval, it created an illusion of itself. A total of ten brilliant spears were formed.


    With a roar, Xander shot his spears in all directions. The result left only wooden pillars pierced or cut through.


    Xander caught the spear floating down, using its butt to steady himself on the ground. Clearly performing a series of techniques had left him exhausted.


    Sensing someone watching him, he looked up to see Nathan observing. Xander smirked, pointing his spear at Nathan, signaling a challenge. His lips moved instead of speaking aloud.


    "I''d be crazy to fight you," Nathan muttered.


    Just now Xander had wanted a rematch. But Nathan had to face the harsh reality as warned by his master. The disciples of his generation were growing stronger, and weren''t inferior to him, only superior.


    Nathan still had enough confidence to engage in combat with Xander''s first technique. By the second technique, he no longer wanted to confront him. The third technique completely extinguished any desire to fight from him.


    In his head still echoed the warning about who would let him get close enough to fight. Just staying at a distance would nullify all his advantages. Even with Qi Armor, Nathan doubted he could hold out for long when facing a Tier 2 opponent. The passive skills could give him moments of surprise. However, if he couldn''t end it in one or two moves, then the consequence would only be defeat for him.


    He would still have confidence to try against other normal Tier 2s. But against genius types like Xander, no one would blame him for being cautious.


    The mission center staff goggled at the pile of items Nathan brought back. From monster hides like Great Spine Wolf, to Armor Scarab shells, or Blood Thirster parts. Most precious were the medicinal ingredients brought back. Following Argentius''s advice, Nathan hadn''t hunted too much, but mainly spent time exploring Life Spring, making his harvest even more abundant.


    It took an hour for the system to finish processing everything. The longest time was waiting for confirmation from those who posted the missions, usually other inner sect disciples or sect elders and higher-ups.


    The result was Nathan earning 21,740 sect points. He was ecstatic, having to read it several times to believe he had earned such an unimaginable amount of points.


    72 Initial Advancing Pills, Nathan silently calculated.


    With this amount, he couldn''t believe he wouldn''t be able to breakthrough to Tier 2. If not enough, he could still return to Moirath Forest or some other area to accumulate more.


    The main issue was that pill usage needed rest intervals, otherwise the effectiveness would decrease sharply. Nevertheless, he was still delighted with his achievement and results.


    Thinking back to Zeryn spending 100,000 points to buy PsiLink, he clicked his tongue at his own inferior ability. Zeryn had to cover many things and wasn''t simply saving up. As he thought, hunting for materials was one of the poorest ways to earn among mission types. More complex missions needed to be solved to hope for more resources for cultivation. This was understandable, as the sect grew medicinal herbs. Additionally, if urgent, they could purchase from market towns like Crystalton. If only relying on disciples going to collect, they could never meet the enormous demands of the whole organization.


    Unless he brought his harvest from Lunar Shadow to exchange, then it could be considered substantial. However, he wanted to auction these materials instead. That way he could find potential buyers willing to pay a large sum for what they wanted.


    Not thinking too much more about this issue, Nathan left with a lightened body. He was planning to take a walk to clear his mind when before he could do anything, everything before his eyes went dark.


    When he opened his eyes, he was in the sect''s great hall, where he had been invited when reaching the top 4 of the outer sect tournament. Suppressing the churning in his stomach, he looked around in panic.


    "Sorry about that," a strong female voice rang in Nathan''s ear. "I''m in a hurry so I could only do it this way."


    Nathan hastily bowed to the person who had just spoken to him.


    "Greetings, Elder."


    Elder Nalani of the seventh mountain was wearing what appeared to be an old worn bronze armor, but from it Nathan could smell an intensely pungent blood scent. The images of monsters carved on the armor made his mind feel like falling into chaos. Surely it was a rare and high-level item.


    "No need to be so formal," Nalani said cheerfully.


    Nathan only dared to raise his head then, truly taking in this elder''s appearance for the first time. Before, being too nervous, he hadn''t remembered who was who among the elders, except for Darkan.


    Nalani possessed a square face and brown skin. Her hair was bronze like her armor, braided into shoulder-length bunches. Her figure was both slender and firm. At her waist hung a sword. She was famous as one of the cultivators possessing high-level Sword Intent in the sect. With gray eyes, the inner sect elder made her presence even more eye-catching.


    Nathan looked around. Several other disciples were here, whispering about something he wasn''t clear about. What caught his attention was that Zeryn was also present. The genius who was like the midday sun of Verdant Spire Sect was leaning against a pillar, leisurely separate from everyone else. Zeryn seemed to sense it, then turned his eyes toward Nathan. He raised his hand to his eyes, signaling a greeting to his close friend.


    Nathan smiled, just hoping to go to Zeryn so they could chat all day about events over the past few months. But he couldn''t just leave before Elder Nalani.


    "Elder," Nathan spoke up. "May I ask why you brought me here?"


    Nalani, who was busy thinking about something, startled, turned to Nathan, saying.


    "Ah, yes. Right! I brought you here to ask something."


    "Please ask, Elder," Nathan said politely.


    "I hope you can give up your position to participate in the upcoming event in Maelivar city for one of my disciples."


    Nathan didn''t understand anything, inquiring.


    "What event?"


    "You don''t know?" Nalani was surprised.


    Nathan was about to use PsiLink to search when Nalani continued.


    "Let me tell you then. Every three years, the Kingdom of Caelindor holds an event for young people from various sects and organizations to compete. This year, Maelivar City was chosen as the venue. The city has named it ''The Shifting Trials''. It will take place next week."


    Caelindor was where Verdant Spire Sect was currently affiliated. That much Nathan knew. Everything else he was clueless about. Previously, these were all information he never thought he would participate in so hadn''t bothered to learn about.


    "Therefore," Nalani continued, "our sect will send talents. The condition is that only Tier 2 and below can participate."


    "And I have a slot to go?" Nathan asked strangely.


    Nalani hearing this burst into giggles, followed by other disciples in the hall also laughing. Nathan wasn''t sure if that was just meaningless courtesy laughter or mockery of him.


    "Of course. Each elder has a certain number of slot for their disciples. Darkan has you as a disciple this year so the Sect Leader has left a spot for you."


    Nathan remained silent, waiting for the elder.


    "I want to exchange this slot from you. Of course, you will still receive full compensation. After all, disciples with higher abilities should go, don''t you think? Not that I''m saying you''re inferior, but you need time to become stronger. The event three years later will surely have your part."


    Nathan hearing this nodded. Indeed he would be the weakest among the chosen disciples participating in the event. That was further reinforced when he saw Xander training an hour ago. And he was just a genius from the southern outer sect area. The number in the remaining areas as well as disciples from previous years meant this position must be fought fiercely to obtain.


    If he went, he would bring no benefit to himself, and would also affect the sect. During this time, he should intensify training as well as propose to Darkan to find another place like Moirath Forest would be better.


    After contemplating for a moment, Nathan spoke up.


    "Alright, I accept."


    Nalani smiled brightly in joy, saying.


    "Let''s settle it then! If you need anything, you can request at any time."


    "Then I''ll take my leave."


    "Okay. Return to your mountain."


    Nathan turned to leave, not knowing the other disciples wore contemptuous smiles on their lips.


    When outside the great hall, he was stopped by Zeryn''s hand on his shoulder.


    About to smile when Nathan saw his friend''s annoyed expression, he stiffened his face.


    "Let''s continue going," Zeryn said. "Back to your mountain and we''ll talk."


    Nathan didn''t understand anything but still nodded in agreement.


    When they reached the ninth mountain, Zeryn let out a breath, as if he had been holding it for long.


    "You''ve caused trouble, Nathan," Zeryn exclaimed.


    Before understanding anything, Darkan''s roar from outside made him freeze.


    Seems like as Zeryn said, he had just done something seriously wrong.

 Chapter 41

    "What the hell were you thinking?" Darkan stormed into the room without waiting for Nathan to reach the door, his face contorted with rage.


    Nathan flinched, taking a step back as an involuntary chill ran down his spine. Zeryn quickly retreated to a corner, maintaining the position of an observer. His face turned bitter seeing his friend in such a predicament.


    "Master," Nathan''s voice trembled slightly, "what''s wrong?"


    "You gave up your slot for ''The Shifting Trials'' to someone else?"


    Nathan nodded honestly.


    "Heavens!" Darkan threw his head back, enunciating each word. "What kind of dim-witted disciple did I take in? Giving up such a golden opportunity to others."


    "But I can still participate in the coming years," Nathan defended himself. "If I went this year, I wouldn''t be able to achieve anything anyway."


    Zeryn shook his head vigorously at those words. But he couldn''t intervene in this matter.


    Darkan''s eyes bulged, his lips quivering as if he was about to foam at the mouth.


    "Mother of¡ª you absolute fool! Are you even listening to yourself?"


    Nathan furrowed his brows, trying to keep his mind clear while Darkan was gesticulating wildly, looking like he wanted to beat him to a pulp.


    "Who told you to give it away, huh?" Darkan roared.


    It was then that Nathan had his epiphany.


    Even if Nalani had promised compensation, he didn''t have to agree. What he should have done was consult his master, Darkan. That would have been the simple and smooth approach. The optimal choice, the one he should have made, was to refuse. Because his actions in the great hall were nothing short of bringing shame not only to himself but also to Darkan. If the ninth mountain had other disciples, he would be smearing mud on everyone''s faces.


    His face turned pale as he realized his mistake.


    "Now you understand?" Darkan laughed loudly, his voice self-mocking. "What does Nalani have that I don''t? If you need anything, I can give it to you. That woman''s wealth is nothing compared to mine. You''re making it seem like your master is a beggar."


    Nathan held his breath, eyes downcast, unable to face Darkan. He had been carrying the heavy mentality of an inferior all this time, so he was subconsciously affected. He always chose the safest and least risky path for himself. While a person needs to understand the relationships they have and make choices contrary to what they had in the past. Only then can they change, can they advance.


    His actions not only indirectly labeled himself as a coward, unwilling to try when given an opportunity, but also poured dirty water on Darkan''s head. The inner sect elder''s bad reputation became even worse, but in a more terrible direction. Before, people feared Darkan, but now they looked down on him. Simply because of his weak disciple.


    "Wake up, Nathan," Darkan said gruffly. "You have support right here. Me. Use it. The title of direct disciple isn''t just for show. If this is all you can do with this position, then get back to the outer sect."


    Nathan''s mouth went dry, his mind in chaos.


    Unlike his participation in the outer sect tournament under Kyron''s threats, this time he had a way out. With that option available, he didn''t hesitate to take it, thinking it was the optimal path. He did use his master''s backing, but in the worst possible way.


    But what made him contemplate was why he felt this way. Part of it was perhaps because he saw Xander''s development. However, it still wasn''t enough to completely extinguish the changes he had gained after defeating the powerful monsters in Moirath Forest.


    He still remembered his confidence when facing the group from Azure Lake Academy. His mentality then was ready for battle. In short, it was because he felt he could, even if the odds were low. Of course, it was also thanks to Argentius, but even when alone, he was ready to resist when threatened. Like when he acted as if charging into fire by participating in the outer sect tournament where each battle was a bloodbath. Or when being chased by monsters.


    He wasn''t afraid of challenges.


    Why? The question kept popping up in his mind.


    Darkan paused, his eyes blinking, as if realizing something.


    "Damn that Nalani!"


    His curse made both Nathan and Zeryn look up, their eyes nearly popping out at the harsh words they just heard.


    "What do you mean, Master?" Nathan asked.


    Blue veins bulged on Darkan''s forehead as he clicked his tongue and spoke.


    "I know you''re dense, Nathan! But not this dense."


    Was that a compliment or an insult? Nathan was genuinely confused.


    "I''ve observed you these past months, and it''s enough to know you''re just a bit slow, scattered-brained, but not completely mindless." Darkan continued his rambling.


    "Get to the point, Master!" Nathan frowned.


    "Unless you''re being influenced, you wouldn''t act so rashly like this."


    Nathan''s eyebrows drew together, his body trembling at his master''s implication.


    "Your psychology has been manipulated," Darkan said gravely. "That damned Sword Intent."


    Zeryn coughed dryly upon hearing this. Darkan ignored him and continued explaining to Nathan.


    "Nalani''s Sword Intent is called Soul-Piercing Sword Intent. Long story short, you can understand it as something that cuts through the deepest defenses in the soul, then exposes the emotions that Nalani wants. In this case, according to my guess, it''s your self-doubt, indecisiveness, and fear of greater powers."


    Nathan''s fists unconsciously tightened, his face scrunching up.


    Negative emotions or disadvantageous feelings are always something people try to hide, or create a defensive layer so they don''t intervene with daily life, with decisions that could change their life. Thus, it''s terrifying when someone can pierce through that defense, exposing everything. Even more frightening is that this process happens very subtly, somewhat gently, making him unable to sense the change. Only when thinking back did he notice what was strange.


    If Darkan hadn''t exploded in anger making him examine himself, even if he lived his whole life, he wouldn''t have known about the manipulation of Soul-Piercing Sword Intent.


    "But doing this, wouldn''t she still be discovered by you?" Nathan asked curiously. Wouldn''t that mean it still didn''t lead to the desired result?


    "That''s why," Darkan exhaled sharply, throwing him a disappointed look, "I said you''re still stupid. Hey, kid," Darkan called to Zeryn, "what do you think?"


    Zeryn walked forward straight-backed, his bearing ten parts proper, and bowed to the one who just questioned him.


    "Greetings, Elder."


    "Cut the formalities," Darkan waved his hand.


    "The issue here is whether you should confront Elder Nalani or not," Zeryn calmly said. "Elder Darkan''s reputation isn''t good, so making a big fuss about this would only harm the ninth mountain. People will mainly say you''re incompetent, unable to protect your own disciple. And that''s if they believe what you say. But the other possibility is higher. No one will believe it."


    Zeryn tilted his head to look at Nathan, his shoulders hunching apologetically, but he persisted in speaking.


    "You don''t have a good reputation either. To everyone, you''re still the unworthy disciple among the inner sect disciples. There''s no evidence to accuse Elder Nalani."


    "Just because everyone believes that even without Sword Intent, I''m still a weakling who would make such a choice," Nathan concluded bitterly.


    Only if he had refused the proposal, ready to face the geniuses, would the result be slightly different. Everyone would still continue to underestimate him, questioning why he received this treatment. However, it would stop there, with some admiring his courage. Most importantly, the future was unclear. What if he actually achieved good results?


    "Give him some of your brains, Zeryn," Darkan shook his head in exasperation.


    Nathan bowed his head.


    "I was wrong, Master."


    Darkan went to the table and sat down, as if exhausted from his unquenched anger.


    At this moment, a system notification appeared.


    You got a new quest: ''The Shifting Trials''


    Objective: Successfully join the event held at Maelivar City without Darkan''s help.


    Rewards: 2000 credits.


    Penalty when failed: Deduct 2000 credits.


    What the hell? Nathan frowned. That means I''ll go negative.


    Unlike previous times, the system immediately responded.


    Your credits can go negative. In this case, all system functions will be completely locked until the debt is fully paid. Passive skills will continue to function normally. However, other items with active effects like [Skill Revealer] will lose their effectiveness.


    Nathan truly just wanted to collapse. Even the system seemed to want to punish something he couldn''t control.


    Even with [Mind of Tranquility], he didn''t believe he could dodge Nalani''s Sword Intent. Its name was Soul, not Mind. Not to mention, with such a difference in cultivation levels, unless he had this skill at level 4, dreaming about resisting would be futile.


    "It''s not entirely your fault," Darkan said after grumbling, his mood somewhat calmer, "even geniuses would find it hard to resist. Except for this kid here who also possesses Sword Intent, it''s difficult for anyone to stand firm against Nalani."


    Zeryn blinked, catching the meaning in the inner sect elder''s words. He held Nathan in very high regard.


    "She did this in front of Alaric, so she must have been confident in her intentions. What a cunning woman."


    Nathan understood that although he hadn''t seen him, the Sect Leader must have been somewhere in the palace''s great hall. He didn''t blame Alaric either. These kinds of power plays were common in places with hierarchical power structures. Let the subordinates handle subordinate matters.


    "But isn''t it too much investment just for one participation slot?" Nathan asked offhandedly.


    "Ha, seems your brain isn''t completely useless," Darkan smirked.


    "She''s trying to win over Xander," Zeryn said. "But at the same time, she doesn''t want to miss out on the disciples who have been working hard for the past three years."


    "Greedy devil," Darkan muttered.


    "Ah, I see," Nathan nodded.


    Now he understood everything. Having Xander under her wing was an investment for the future. He didn''t have a bad impression of Xander because of this either. Though they had only interacted a few times, he knew Xander was a person with a simple and steadfast mind. Surely knowing that this spear-wielding disciple would reject this approach, Nalani didn''t call him to gather with the other disciples.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Darkan raised his hand and slammed it on the table. A loud bang resonated, followed by the innocent table shattering into pieces.


    "Never mind these calculating types," Darkan shouted. "I''ll go reclaim the participation slot for my disciple."


    Nathan was stunned by Darkan''s protective behavior. Indeed, he didn''t need to do this; letting the matter slide was also a viable option. But unlike Nathan, who always thought of taking the easy path, Darkan prioritized what he wanted first. Once able to do that, Nathan wouldn''t be affected by Soul-Piercing Sword Intent in his decisions anymore.


    Ashamed at heart, he reached out to grab Darkan''s sleeve as he was storming off.


    "Wait..." his words were cut short as his body was thrown through the air, crashing through the wall into pieces, before finally stopping after rolling several times in the courtyard.


    Zeryn''s eyes widened, not understanding what had just happened.


    Seeing Nathan''s posterior pointing skyward, Darkan forgot what he was about to do and burst into laughter.


    "There''s no such thing as the most foolish, only more foolish!" he pointed at Nathan while scolding, his mouth unable to contain his laughter.


    Nathan, his entire body aching, struggled to stand up. He felt like all his bones were about to break. Looking fearfully at his master, he remembered that Darkan possessed a Physical Cultivation level that could defeat a Spirit Cultivation Tier 5. An unimaginable level of destructive power. Understandable how a slight movement could generate enough force to throw him like that. He had just tried to use his hand to stop a giant.


    "You don''t need to trouble yourself doing that," Nathan tried to avoid anyone dwelling on the topic of him leaving a massive hole in the wall.


    "What do you mean?" Darkan asked.


    "I''ll find my own way to participate in ''The Shifting Trials.''"


    Four eyes stared at Nathan incredulously, as if hearing something earth-shattering.


    "Did you hear what you just said, Nate?" Zeryn asked.


    "Yes!" Nathan tried to make his voice as firm as possible. "I skimmed through PsiLink while we were walking back here. The Kingdom of Caelindor wants talents from across the country to have a chance, so as long as you build up enough reputation, there''s a possibility of being invited, right?"


    "Right," Zeryn answered. "But it''s just a possibility, you understand? Not completely certain."


    "Then we''ll just have to try," Nathan shrugged.


    He didn''t want to do it this way, but the system forced his hand. 2000 credits was the result of months of work. He didn''t want to fall behind too much.


    "Haha," Darkan slapped his knee, appearing to cheer up, "this is more like the crazy kid I took in. But having the intention is good enough, I acknowledge it. Let''s go reclaim your participation slot."


    "No need to do that," Nathan said firmly, choosing his words carefully. "This is how I''ll make amends. I know I can''t resist Soul-Piercing Sword Intent, but in exchange, others might be able to fight against it."


    Keira and Xander surely wouldn''t be as easily manipulated as he was.


    "What do you mean by making amends?" Darkan asked curiously.


    "By showing everyone. Other inner sect disciples need the elders'' help to get slots to participate. But Darkan''s disciple doesn''t need that. Because he can find his own way."


    This time, Darkan couldn''t help but show his approval of Nathan. Zeryn was clapping continuously, his mouth grinning from ear to ear.


    "What if you fail?" Darkan continued asking.


    "It can''t get any worse than it is now," Nathan confidently replied. "You and I will just keep our bad reputations as they are."


    Hearing this, Darkan laughed loudly, unable to contain himself. His hearty laughter echoed throughout the courtyard without end.


    "Well done," the inner sect elder wiped tears from his eyes, "I''ll inform Alaric to let you join the group heading to Maelivar. And here, these are your belongings and rewards."


    Nathan caught the small bag Darkan threw at him. Before he could thank him, the man had vanished, leaving him and Zeryn staring blankly.


    When they opened the bag, both of them gaped for a long while, speechless.


    Nathan strictly disciplined himself, remembering that his master was several times wealthier than Elder Nalani, so there was no need to be particular about it.


    The next day, Nathan stood waiting with Zeryn in a courtyard designated as the gathering place for disciples participating in the upcoming event.


    Twenty-four disciples were participating. So on average, each elder had two to three slots. It was known that Sect Leader Alaric''s secret disciple would not be participating. Upon hearing this information, Nathan was very curious, wondering what kind of person would be accepted as Alaric''s disciple. This person more or less held the opportunity to become the next sect leader, so it was also a hot topic on the forums.


    Notably, the team leader was none other than Nalani. Perhaps because of this, this elder was directly in charge of up to five disciples, including Xander. Although holding a grudge against this elder, he couldn''t help but admire her diplomatic skills. While she might use the worst methods with Darkan, he guessed the other elders received considerable benefits.


    Zeryn and he stood in a corner, waiting peacefully, staying away from the other excited disciples. One was a disciple of the infamous elder, the other was someone who accepted no master.


    "How did you get a participation slot?" Nathan wondered.


    "When I open my mouth, the Sect has to give it to me," Zeryn replied quite provocatively.


    "Want to try one of my punches? It really hurts."


    Zeryn narrowed his eyebrows, remembering yesterday when Nathan was thrown. He could guess how much force Darkan had exerted. Yet, Nathan seemed completely fine now.


    "Learning everything except copying that muscle-bound Roran," Zeryn grumbled. "Seriously though, if the Sect didn''t give a slot to someone who survived three months in the Verdant Spire, it would create bad publicity."


    Nathan nodded in agreement. For this, Zeryn just needed to request it from the Sect Leader directly, no need to rely on anyone else.


    "Hey, underdog," a youthful and cheerful voice rang out beside them.


    Nathan turned around, seeing who it was and smiled brightly.


    "Hello Zahra."


    "That greeting was really anticlimactic," Zahra pouted.


    "Your humble servant is overjoyed to meet such a beautiful lady," Zeryn gracefully took her hand and kissed it.


    "Ew," Zahra pretended to gag, but her eyes sparkled.


    Nathan couldn''t bring himself to act to that extent.


    "You''ve gotten stronger," Zahra locked eyes with Nathan, then frowned. "But clearly not Tier 2. How strange."


    Nathan just shrugged at that, not saying anything more.


    "Playing mysterious," Zahra chided. "But I hope we can meet at the upcoming event."


    Hearing someone actually looking forward to his presence, Nathan couldn''t help but smile.


    "Just wait and see."


    Zahra responded with a radiant smile. She was a cherished disciple under Elder Galen, so despite opposition from her fellow disciples, she still got to participate. This carefree girl didn''t hesitate to accept the offer outright. Clearly, unless unavoidable, geniuses would immediately seize opportunities that came their way.


    "Disciples, gather," Elder Nalani spoke up.


    The disciples gathered together, looking toward Nalani. The elder, whose appearance seemed more suited for the battlefield, scanned everyone with calculating eyes. She paused briefly when seeing Nathan before moving on.


    "I only have one warning," Nalani said in a solemn voice. "Don''t bring shame to Verdant Spire Sect."


    Several gazes turned toward Nathan, who shouldn''t have been here.


    Knowing this would happen, he paid no mind, maintaining his gaze straight ahead.


    After speaking, Nalani waved her hand, summoning everyone''s transportation device.


    A gigantic lotus flower materialized in the air, its petals drooping around tiny fragrant seeds. In the center was a space large enough for a hundred people to sit. Below was a layer of protective vegetation, lush and full of vitality.


    The pink petals pointed upward, receiving a stream of energy from the peak of Verdant Spire. In an instant, everyone could see its colors become brighter, more vivid as if coming alive.


    "Everyone, get on," Nalani ordered.


    All obeyed, lightly jumping up. Nalani was about to help Nathan when she saw him spring high into the air, landing beside Zeryn. She looked down at the ground where Nathan had stood, seeing the cracks he left behind. With a meaningful smile, Nalani flew up, landing beside the disciples already seated on the lotus.


    With a gesture, the giant flower ascended rapidly, disturbing the surrounding air. When it reached a height above the clouds, it shot forward at an incredibly fast speed, many times faster than the ships connecting the surrounding towns. The passengers were protected by a thin mana screen, sufficient to block wind and other minor effects.


    Nathan was marveling at this transportation device. The seating was quite comfortable and cool, not hard and uncomfortable as he had imagined. He knew that different sects, academies, or organizations all had their special transportation devices. It wasn''t strange that Verdant Spire Sect possessed flower and tree forms.


    Because the space was quite spacious, the disciples split into groups to sit. Keira was also present and, naturally, she sat alone. She participated under Alaric''s orders, as compensation for not being accepted as a direct disciple by any elder.


    Zahra ignored her senior disciples under Elder Galen, sitting with Nathan and Zeryn. Surprisingly, Xander came over too.


    "Not a word," he scowled at the group.


    Nathan chuckled, letting Xander do as he pleased. It seemed he had heard people discussing how Nathan lost his slot. This was his way of showing he didn''t approve of that. Truly an interesting person, just lacking in words and communication skills.


    Nathan watched the scenery pass by beside him, his mind wandering back to yesterday''s events, about Intent and Aspect. Like how monsters had their own Aspects. He had asked Darkan before leaving, while checking about the remnant soul of the Wood Wraith in his body as well as the Lunar Shadow''s sigil. He was quite surprised to learn from Darkan that he had already eliminated the Wood Wraith. As for the Lunar Shadow, his master could do nothing about it. In his assessment, it would be more accurate to say his master was avoiding the matter altogether, and hadn''t even bothered to explain anything further to satisfy his eagerness to learn.


    "What''s your Aspect, Zeryn?" Nathan spoke up, seeking guidance from elsewhere.


    His question made both Zahra and Xander open their eyes wide in anticipation.


    "Sharp," Zeryn answered without hesitation.


    "Sharp?" Nathan thought he''d misheard.


    He could look it up on PsiLink, but he trusted Zeryn would understand this better. The amount of information Zeryn could access seemed far beyond what he could search for.


    "Yup," Zeryn crossed his arms and nodded. "It''s exactly the sharpness you''re thinking of."


    Then, Zeryn opened his hand, and mana in the shape of a sphere appeared on his palm. He moved it toward Nathan.


    "Touch it."


    Unable to contain his curiosity, Nathan put his fingertip into the ethereal mana sphere. A tingling sensation immediately responded from his skin, as if dozens of small knives were continuously cutting and slashing. It felt similar to when he circulated essence in his body.


    Seeing this, Zahra followed suit. Her movement was so quick that when Zeryn shouted "Don''t!" her finger was already fully inside the sphere.


    The sphere immediately dissolved. Nevertheless, tiny droplets of blood sprayed out.


    Zahra blinked, looking at her index finger covered in cuts. She didn''t cry out in pain, just curiosity.


    Zeryn had created the sphere with enough intensity to test his hypothesis about Nathan. Though unspoken, he knew his friend was following the path of Physical Cultivation.


    Xander and Zahra simultaneously glanced at Nathan, noting the information they could gather from this small incident.


    Nathan wasn''t too concerned, still in his train of thought.


    "So what''s Intent? How do you get Intent? From what I understand, Aspect comes naturally, but Intent doesn''t?"


    "That''s right," Zeryn confirmed. "Intent is when you practice something enough, or study it long enough, and from that you develop a purpose for how you want to use it, it becomes Intent. That''s putting it simply, but it''s much more complex."


    "You have to be companions with your spear," Xander spoke up. He paused when everyone looked at him. "Weapon-related Intent like Sword, Spear, Blade, Hammer, Shield, are the most common. The origin is wanting to have a weapon beyond the weapon, something invisible that always stands by your side."


    Hearing such a romantic description made Nathan nod.


    "So when you think about something hard enough, it materializes?"


    Both Intent possessors froze, unsure how to respond. Because it really was like that.


    Zahra was laughing uncontrollably on the side.


    "That''s not wrong," Zeryn admitted. "It''s called Intent after all, so yes, if you think about it day and night, it''s quite possible."


    "So how is your Sharp Aspect different from Sword Intent?" Nathan didn''t want to talk more about methods, preferring to understand the effects better. "Aren''t both about cutting something?"


    "The two things are similar but still have differences. It''s lengthy to explain, but you can distinguish them by putting the Soul factor into the equation."


    Nathan understood Zeryn was trying to clarify some of his questions about what happened with Nalani.


    "For my Sharp Aspect to pierce through current physical defenses is impossible," Zeryn continued. "But even at Tier 2, if I spend enough time practicing and cultivating, I could still reach the level of Soul-Piercing Sword Intent. From there, invade the heart and cut the opponent."


    "So there''s still a cumulative effect between Aspect and Intent?"


    "Of course. A cut from me will have higher effectiveness when combining both."


    Zeryn pointed toward Xander, who was also listening attentively.


    "This guy possesses Metal Aspect. Following the logic I mentioned, it has a similar cumulative effect. Metal Aspect is quite common among those with Sword Intent or related Intents."


    "The issue is that Sharp Aspect is purer in terms of attack," Nathan reasoned. "While Metal Aspect can defend better."


    "That''s exactly right," Zeryn gave a thumbs up in praise. "Unless I use strength to cut away whatever''s coming at me if the Mana Barrier isn''t enough for protection."


    Nathan rubbed his chin, thinking about the answer. He had understood more about the relationship between Aspect and Intent.


    "So does Sharp Aspect have any other Intents?"


    "Of course!" Zeryn answered, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Weaving Intent."


    All three others swallowed in anticipation, waiting for Zeryn to continue.


    "When thinking about the nature of Sharp, you have to understand it''s not necessarily about swords, knives, or spears. It could be needles too. There was once a Cultivator who, well, as you said, thought hard enough about weaving, wanting to take Sharp Aspect out of the common path of attack. And she succeeded, creating her own path. She applied Weaving Intent in many aspects, including tailoring, creating puppets, or forming formations. Do you know what Weaving Intent created when it reached its peak?"


    The silence made everything tense, as if waiting for the ending of a movie.


    "Weave reality itself."


    All three took a deep breath, their minds unable to keep up with the magnitude of the answer.


    "You didn''t hear wrong. This person could use Sharp Aspect to tear a space, then use Weaving Intent like sewing clothes, weaving a separate reality where people could tour and visit."


    "That powerful?" Nathan marveled.


    "Of course!" Zeryn spoke enthusiastically like a teacher. "Yet that''s nothing compared to that girl''s Aspect."


    Everyone turned their heads to follow Zeryn''s finger pointing at Keira. The girl opened her eyes from meditation when she saw eight eyes looking at her.


    All four somehow bowed their heads apologetically and turned back to each other.


    "Illusion Aspect has quite a few legends. At high levels, when the Aspect becomes more powerful, a cultivator can create illusions indistinguishable from reality, trapping enemies inside with no escape."


    "You mean, it goes beyond even mental defense barriers?" Nathan asked shakily.


    "Exactly."


    Zeryn''s confirmation made Nathan realize [Mind of Tranquility] wouldn''t be absolute. However, he had already guessed roughly with its Rare ranking.


    "But we''re talking about Intent based on Aspect. So try thinking about what direction Illusion could take?"


    "Make the false become real," Zahra quickly answered.


    "Bingo!" Zeryn clapped.


    Nathan and Xander gulped, swallowing their own answers.


    "My example earlier was just almost real, not yet real. Because Intent is needed to truly achieve that. Nathan''s comment made me notice, it seems the world''s will works very strangely, allowing intention to be materialized. Anyway, there was once a Cultivator who went in this direction, pushing Illusion Aspect to its peak. And you must remember Illusion Aspect is a rare Aspect, so you rarely or cannot see events like this in recent times."


    "So what did he actually do?" Zahra couldn''t wait, asked.


    "Turned an entire empire from nothing into reality!" Zeryn dropped a bomb.

 Chapter 42

    Nathan, Zahra, and Xander wore stunned expressions as Zeryn revealed the truth about Aspects and Intents. Meanwhile, Nathan realized something else: the information on PsiLink was limited. His own ignorance was understandable, but the other two couldn''t be as clueless as him. Zeryn simply possessed knowledge far beyond what other disciples had access to.


    Even Elder Nalani, who had been vigilantly monitoring their surroundings, started when she caught fragments of the conversation from the group of four. For her, this wasn''t classified information, but for disciples, it was difficult to access. She found herself reassessing Zeryn. This seemingly arrogant disciple wasn''t as simple as everyone thought. The background he had registered and been investigated for by the Verdant Spire Sect might not be entirely truthful.


    Zeryn, meanwhile, was completely at ease, relishing the knowledge-hungry gazes of those seated around him. Seeing the three lost in their thoughts, he mischievously decided to complicate things further.


    "How about turning an empire from existence to nonexistence?"


    Frown lines creased the foreheads of Nathan, Zahra, and Xander.


    Indeed, thinking about it in reverse makes sense too, all three thought silently.


    What''s more terrifying than a definitive answer? A half-truth, neither right nor wrong, that plunges everything into chaos.


    Seeing everyone about to overload their mental processors, Zeryn laughed heartily and said, "You can''t understand it. Don''t try. Even the strongest practitioners haven''t figured out the answer yet."


    "You''re joking," Zahra spoke up incredulously. "How is that possible? Even Tier 9 masters can''t find the solution?"


    Xander nodded vigorously beside her, showing his agreement.


    Nathan, with his limited knowledge, chose to trust Zeryn''s words.


    "That''s the very intrigue of this Cultivator."


    "Why haven''t you mentioned any names so far?" Nathan interjected.


    Zahra and Xander looked at him with questioning eyes, as this was common knowledge. Only Zeryn understood the situation and explained.


    "You shouldn''t mention Tier 9 names. You can use their titles, but not their names. I can''t remember all those titles, so I keep it vague. The reason is simple¡ªthey can hear you. It''s like triggering an invisible chain reaction. Say their name once, and no matter how far away they are, they''ll hear you."


    Nathan shuddered in fear, his mind unable to comprehend such an entity.


    "Please continue," Nathan urged Zeryn.


    "Where was I? Ah, yes, the intrigue. This top-tier cultivator had meticulously prepared for over a thousand years. Many speculate the plan might have stretched even longer. Throughout history, people simply assumed this empire actually existed in the river of time. This empire appeared in the historical records of other empires during their conflicts. A Tier 8 Emperor had actually battled with this empire''s Emperor, with both pictorial and written evidence."


    "Is the empire''s name forbidden too?" Nathan asked.


    "You''ve hit the core issue," Zeryn said mysteriously, lowering his head. "The name was erased by this very cultivator. Subsequently, the entire empire vanished. This led to strange holes appearing in history. Later generations decided to forget about it, let it disappear. Moreover, no one really believed someone could accomplish such a feat. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."


    The three students pondered, each making their own judgments. This was a world of absolute and bizarre power. As long as something was possible, even with a low probability, given enough time, it would eventually produce an unbelievable result through a large enough sample size.


    "What happened to this person?" Nathan asked.


    "Hunted down," Zeryn said matter-of-factly. "This power was too great and had been misused. Perhaps for this Cultivator, they were just experimenting. But the results affected reality."


    "Did they actually die?" Zahra asked, eyes wide with anticipation.


    "Like the erased empire, no one knows for sure. When Tier 9s hunt someone, the outcome seems predetermined. But who really knows, right? Whether they faked their death remains a debate among high-level scholars."


    All three inhaled sharply, feeling their current power was like a drop in the ocean. They shared a common thought: admiration for that person. If they were truly still alive, meaning they could escape the encirclement of other Tier 9s, amid the world''s peak power, what kind of incredible capacity would that require?


    "While no one''s certain about that one, the next person is quite definitely still alive," Zeryn continued feeding their curiosity.


    Six eyes shifted from contemplative to bright with anticipation of Zeryn''s next words.


    "Also an Illusion Aspect user, but this one developed Mirror Intent."


    Based on everything he''d heard so far, Nathan could somewhat guess what had happened.


    "A world within mirrors?"


    Zeryn startled, looking at his friend with slight disbelief that Nathan could deduce so quickly. Nathan remained silent about knowing this from old movies and media.


    "Yes, the world within mirrors," Zeryn explained. "This person was always fascinated by the world''s reflection in mirrors. They wondered if there might be another world inside mirrors. Through normal science, you''d know there isn''t. But they, according to others, went mad, obsessively pursuing this research direction. Until one day, they actually managed to step into mirrors and exist within them. Initially, they couldn''t do much, but after countless attempts, they found ways for the mirror world to influence the real world. Just imagine what diverse and dangerous capabilities they wielded."


    "We could kill someone in the mirror, and the person in real life would die," Xander said.


    "Or duplicate everything?" Zahra chimed in.


    "Or lose the ability to distinguish what''s real from what''s false."


    Once again, Zeryn was stunned by his friend''s analysis. Nathan just shrugged as if to say it was just a guess.


    "As Nathan said, this genius became lost. Unable to distinguish the real world anymore, they became trapped in the mirror world. People couldn''t see them, but conversely, they could see everything. Like a one-way mirror."


    Hearing this, Zahra felt chills run down her spine. From now on, she couldn''t look at mirrors normally.


    Nathan just thought about how suffocating and hopeless it must be, living within one''s own illusion.


    "That''s why Intent, though powerful, is dangerous to both others and oneself. You all must be careful about your development path."


    "So can Aspect compete with Intent or not?" Nathan asked the question that had been bothering him since being struck by Nalani''s technique.


    "It can, and often does," Zeryn confirmed. "If your fire is strong enough, you can burn through illusions. If your wind is intense enough, you can resist Sword Intent. As metal becomes increasingly solid, it cannot be pierced. Nothing is absolute. It''s just about the user''s mastery."


    Nathan exhaled in relief. Zeryn''s stories made him want to become stronger. He berated himself again for giving up the opportunity to participate in an event that might have offered rewards to help him advance.


    "According to what you''re saying, all Aspects can lead to Intent. So why is it so rare?"


    Nathan''s question made Zahra and Xander shake their heads at his level of understanding.


    "Rarity depends on the circumstances," Zeryn remained patient. "In the East, Sword Intent isn''t rare. It also depends on what profession you''re aiming for. Ah, speaking of which, once you reach Maelivar, you''ll encounter plenty."


    "What Intent is common there?"


    "Creation Intent," Zahra enthusiastically replied.


    "One of the most common Intents among Artificers," Zeryn explained. "This is an Intent that can adapt to many Aspects. You can think of fire providing energy for engines. But water isn''t inferior either. Steampunk creations still have their place in society. Earth, metal, or lightning are even more prominent."


    Nathan truly learned a lot. He gradually saw himself heading toward a place that would enrich his experiences, moving to a new chapter.


    "Artificers rarely appear in combat-oriented Sects like Verdant Spire," Zeryn tried to complete his lecture. "These talents are usually heavily recruited by governments and suitable academies. Anyway, Nathan, you must remember, it''s not necessary to pursue Intent, as you can always compensate for your weaknesses with another Aspect."


    Nathan signaled his understanding of this. From Tier 3, the mana core would expand, allowing one to either focus on developing their existing Aspect or cultivate a new one. Thus, fire''s weaknesses could be compensated for by other elements. For instance, if lacking in speed, one could add lightning to assist.


    "Since you''ve heard enough about Intent, you should know the legend of The Grand Elementalist. She could control six aspects: metal, wood, water, fire, earth, and lightning. And despite possessing powerful Intent, anyone would fear the diversity she brought."


    "Even Space Aspect and Time Aspect users?"


    "Even them," Zeryn answered sharply. "The ways to use Aspects are far more diverse than Intent. So don''t worry, you can still defeat Xander again without having your own Intent."


    Hearing this, Xander straightened up, his breathing becoming slightly rapid. He truly looked forward to combat.


    This guy only thinks about fighting, Nathan silently cursed.


    "Space and Time Aspects are as rare as Illusion," Zeryn seemed to remember. "But they''re used by everyone daily."If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    This time, all three knew what Zeryn was implying.


    "PsiLink is arguably one of the most breakthrough creations for Cultivators, making real-time communication and information sharing possible. And The Creator of All Creators, the respectful title people gave to its creator. Though not as renowned as PsiLink, they still have other formidable inventions."


    "Does he only possess Aspects or does he have Intent too?" Nathan asked.


    "He''s a monster," Zeryn said bluntly, not afraid of being overheard. This made everyone wonder, since they were all using PsiLink. Even without naming names, being recorded was still possible.


    Nathan instinctively thought of the media companies providing social applications on Earth, with eavesdroppers always around.


    "You don''t need to be afraid," Zeryn chuckled. "He''s not free enough to care about such trivial matters. Calling him a monster might even be welcomed. Because not only does he possess Space and Time Aspects, but he also has two Intents, Creation and Connection."


    "How can one person have enough time to achieve all that?" Zahra marveled, followed by a vigorous nod from Xander.


    "That''s why there''s only one person like that," Zeryn said.


    "Isn''t that too dangerous?" Nathan spoke up. "Monopoly and all?"


    Zahra answered for Zeryn.


    "That''s true. But the difference with inventions is that they can be replicated. Currently, besides the PsiLink network, various powers have their own internal networks. Some places still use old communication methods like through tokens, small jades, or specially crafted items."


    A kind of deep web? Nathan silently wondered but didn''t voice it.


    "The Creator''s power is truly immense," Zeryn said. "The amount of information on PsiLink is so vast that just by standing on anyone''s side, power would instantly tip in that direction. Fortunately, he works with top organizations rather than being independent or biased toward anyone. Otherwise, a pursuit case like with the Cultivator who created and erased an empire might happen."


    Nathan took a deep breath, feeling for the first time that everything around had someone''s hand in it. Who knew whether the reality everyone trusted had even a tiny trace of manipulation.


    Tier 9s always kept each other in check, but once control was lost, the world truly wasn''t enough as their battlefield.


    The four didn''t discuss further, each turning to their own thoughts.


    Clouds and wind accompanied the group of disciples on their flight. In the distance, one could see the sun as a small dot against a canvas of white and blue.


    How is the sun here different from Earth''s? Nathan was wondering, as after receiving such a large amount of information, he had more questions about everything around him, when murmuring arose.


    He turned his head, finally seeing where the group would land: the city of Maelivar.


    The city was designed in a square shape, with four corners protruding sharp fortresses ready for any siege attempts.


    Nathan''s first impression of Maelivar could be summed up in a few words: industrial and bustling.


    The city''s dominant colors were gray and black, but unlike Nathan''s impression of constructions appearing in novels he''d read, it didn''t carry smoke and dust. Instead, the air was quite clean, visibility unobstructed. The city walls were covered with sturdy black metal. At regular intervals, there were defense points manned by people and large gun emplacements. These guns possessed long barrels and large bases, with smaller types alongside, ensuring both rapid-fire capability and high destructive power. The surrounding land had moats with four bridges leading into the city from each direction.


    Maelivar was famous for its modernity and industrialization, primarily using Artificer inventions. The Verdant Spire Sect disciples could see square platforms moving back and forth in the city''s airspace. Above them were sometimes people, sometimes cargo or machine parts. These transport vehicles'' destinations were towers around the city, where they would receive and proceed with the next distribution process. It was like an aerial train network.


    Looking higher revealed Maelivar''s air defense system. From below, nothing could be seen, just like the platforms below combining to form a massive screen. Above it was a square structure, created by continuously moving cubic blocks. Inside were extremely complex connections. Outside protruded landing pads for various sizes of aircraft.


    "Whoever designed this city must have had a vendetta against circles and curves," Nathan muttered.


    Hearing this, Zeryn and Zahra giggled. Even Xander maintained his serious expression, though anyone paying attention would notice his lips quivering.


    Not just the outside, but inside Maelivar also followed a design principle. The city''s overall layout was divided into four areas, unsurprisingly following the square''s corners. The center was the inner city, housing the high-income class and officials, still built in a square shape. Thus, each district seemed to have a bite taken out of the inner city.


    The four areas of the city could be distinguished from above by their characteristics. In the Northwest, with constant explosions and rumbling sounds, was where machines and electronic devices were manufactured. In the Northeast, buildings glittered with lights even during daytime, the busiest area with trading activities. The Southwest was notably spacier with sprawling gardens and advanced irrigation systems, where the city cultivated rare medicinal herbs instead of risking uncontrolled growth outside the walls. The final district, the Southeast, could be considered mixed, with a bit of everything, but most concentrated with guilds and cultivator-related organizations. Buildings like hospitals and Guard Stations appeared in a systematic pattern, maintaining order and peace within a necessary radius.


    The question is whether they use radius to measure effectiveness or square side length, Nathan silently quipped.


    The lotus beneath them gradually slowed as the defense system below activated. The large gun barrels that had lit up with blue light targeting them were turned off just seconds later.


    From afar, a small dot moved gradually up to the lotus flower. When close enough, the dot revealed itself as a City Guard in a light gray uniform, accented by silver protective parts. Under his feet was a pair of anti-gravity boots humming rhythmically. His face was covered beneath a mask. It was lowered when approaching the lotus, revealing the face of a quite youthful man with eyes full of vitality.


    "The city of Maelivar welcomes our honored guests from Verdant Spire Sect," the guard''s voice trembled slightly, seemingly his first time doing this. "You can call me George. I will be responsible for escorting you to your hotel and helping resolve any necessary matters."


    Elder Nalani stepped forward, maintaining her height advantage over George, nodding slightly.


    "How many other organizations have arrived?" she asked.


    After a few seconds, George respectfully answered.


    "Dear honored guest, more than six organizations have arrived. Additionally, some young people from various provinces have also arrived."


    "Has The Obsidian Fang Sect arrived?"


    "They have, ma''am."


    "Then lead the way!" Nalani commanded.


    George seemed unperturbed by this behavior, smiling brightly and gesturing for the group to follow.


    Nalani guided the massive lotus to follow their guide''s flight path.


    Other City Guards gradually rose from the battlements, forming a neat formation with two parallel lines.


    Small square platforms emerged from holes in the city walls. They automatically connected with each other, creating a space large enough to receive the descending lotus.


    No sound was produced as the lotus, under Nalani''s control, hovered slightly above the platform. The disciples didn''t wait for instructions before jumping down one by one. Most landed quite gracefully and smoothly, just like how the lotus had descended. Except for Nathan. With his physique, when he landed, the metal surface beneath his feet seemed to want to cave in. Naturally, this was accompanied by a reverberating sound that startled everyone.


    "Is this guy trying to show off?" a disciple criticized.


    Following were several whispers.


    Nathan pretended to be deaf and blind, acting as if nothing had happened.


    Nalani didn''t concern herself too much, waving her hand once, causing the lotus to gradually shrink and float into her storage ring.


    "Everyone," George announced loudly, "Please follow me!"


    The group filed after him. Once they had stepped onto the city wall, the surface behind them broke apart, returning to the small pieces like before. They flew back inside the city wall. The other guards returned to their posts.


    "I bet," Nathan secretly smiled, covering his mouth as he spoke to Zeryn, "the next transport device will also be square."


    "Without a doubt," Zeryn confirmed.


    Everyone would not enter the internal structure of the defensive wall but would walk to the other side to board the transport device. The city did not allow other forces to scout their military mechanisms and management.


    After waiting a moment, just as Nathan had said, a square platform was directed from above toward George. The difference was that it was larger, enough for fifty people to stand on.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, please!" George bowed, extending his hand.


    Nalani slowly went first, followed by the disciples. When everyone was on the hovering device, railings rose from each edge to prevent falls. Additionally, there were simple chairs. On the seat surfaces, a thin top layer was inflated, creating an air cushion for everyone. Only a few sat down, while the rest stood admiring the city.


    Viewing from above had already shown Maelivar''s magnificence, but moving through it made it feel even more special. Unlike the towering ancient trees at Verdant Spire Sect, here was a forest of metal. Large cubic architectural structures filled the city. The buildings could be monolithic or composed of smaller blocks. They could move and exchange with surrounding buildings, creating a network of exchange when needed, such as cooperation between two technology companies. Thanks to this easy mobility, parties could quickly exchange and experiment.


    The gaps between the floating buildings still had towers rising higher than all else. These belonged to organizations and the four greatest houses of Maelivar. The tower with a sword emblem imprinted on its wall that the Verdant Spire Sect disciples had just passed belonged to house Aetharis, a power nearly equal to the Duke of Maelivar. The other three powers were evenly distributed in three areas. Besides them, most numerous were probably the research towers belonging to the Grand Artificer Guild, the most respected profession in the city.


    They had entered from the Northwest of the city, with their destination being the Southwest. Because George wanted to let the disciples view the city, the journey took over ten minutes to reach Maelivar''s cultivation area. This place was the most spacious and pristine in the city, so the leadership favored it for receiving distinguished guests. To ensure no impact on the fields and gardens'' cultivation, only a few powers were granted construction rights here.


    Their destination was The Ethereal Sanctum Resort, an asset under the ownership of house Merinor, one of the city''s four greatest houses. The resort was quite spacious with towers connected by walkways. The penthouse rooms could overlook either the magnificent vegetation landscape or the bustling urban scenery. It also provided floating platforms high up for those who desired them. Swimming pools and ball courts were scattered around, serving guests'' entertainment needs.


    George directed their transport device to land in the spacious courtyard reserved for receiving guests. The resort''s staff and managers were already waiting below in their formal uniforms.


    "Welcome, honored guests from Verdant Spire Sect," the resort staff respectfully bowed deeply. Their eyes showed no contempt or inferiority. Rather, there was excitement. If they could serve attentively and impress anyone here, the future might open a new chapter. These seemingly inexperienced young people all carried unimaginable potential.


    The manager, with his long face and lanky figure, bowed again before Nalani.


    "Respected lady," his voice was as smooth as the over-gelled hair on his head, "we have been waiting here for some time. Are you tired from your journey?"


    "Not at all," Nalani said indifferently.


    The manager maintained his professional smile, continuing humbly.


    "Please forgive this servant if there''s any discourtesy to you and the disciples. But on the registration, there were only 25 guests listed. By my count, there are currently twenty-six people. Might you need assistance with this matter?"


    Nalani briefly revealed a look of disgust toward Nathan but it vanished immediately, returning to her stern expression. Only thanks to [Better Vision] as well as [Martial Art Mastery] and constant attention did Nathan catch this slight movement.


    Initially, he had planned to stay with Zeryn or pay to stay. Darkan had given him enough money for that. The lack of an extra room was surely because his master didn''t want him mingling with others, especially Elder Nalani.


    Therefore, he cut in.


    "Elder Nalani," he still suppressed his irritation while maintaining respect for his superior, "please forgive the trouble I''ve caused. I will find accommodation in the city to avoid disturbing you and my fellow disciples. Would that be acceptable?"


    "Yes!" Nalani quickly agreed, revealing her desire to dismiss Nathan soon. To her, Nathan would amount to nothing, keeping him would only give other forces something to gossip about. Verdant Spire Sect could fight the entire city of Maelivar, so they shouldn''t bring unnecessary negative attention to themselves.


    Nathan stepped back, returning to the transport device. He winked at Zeryn, then shrugged at Zahra and Xander. These two seemed unhappy with how he was being treated.


    "Guard George," Nathan called when the Verdant Spire Sect group had followed the resort staff inside, passing through a magnificent fountain.


    "Yes, sir," George maintained his respectful attitude toward Nathan.


    Simply knowing Nathan was a direct disciple meant that even if he was marginalized by his fellow disciples, George didn''t dare change his attitude. His lowly soldier position was only worthy of carrying Nathan''s sandals.


    "You don''t need to be so deferential. Really!"


    Nathan truly wasn''t comfortable with this behavior.


    In response, he only received rapid head shaking. George was still being monitored. He could be friendly, but duty didn''t permit it.


    Nathan snickered, feeling bureaucracy was the same in any world.


    "Please take me to the Northeast area. There will be suitable compensation."


    Then he took out a Standard Mana Stone, worth a hundred times more than a Lesser Mana Stone, rotating it in his palm.


    George''s eyes lit up, understanding Nathan needed more than just transportation.


    "I won''t disappoint you," George said solemnly.


    The transport device gradually rose higher, then drifted toward the Northeast.


    Nathan needed to implement the initial steps of his plan. He only had a few days to execute it.

 Chapter 43

    Viewing Maelivar from above offered a distinctly different perspective compared to being within its streets. The city''s bustling atmosphere transported Nathan back to memories of Earth.


    Flying vehicles swarmed around him like ants. Their designs varied wildly, from simple squares like the one Nathan and George rode, to bizarre spoon-shaped contraptions, to elaborate rose-like forms that seemed more for show than function. The diversity of transportation clearly reflected the city''s cosmopolitan population¡ªthese weren''t the vehicles of natives.


    The cacophony grew louder as they approached the Northeast. Nathan could hear piercing whistles ahead where several paths had become completely gridlocked. City guards were shouting themselves hoarse trying to direct traffic.


    Nathan observed his destination: the Common Market District. This was where he planned to go after finding lodging. It was an area the Duke of Maelivar had designated for Cultivators to trade freely. Of course, everyone still had to pay certain fees, either as a percentage or a fixed amount. Even from a distance, one could see the platforms stacked orderly from bottom to top. Yet each stall on every level had its own distinct appearance. Some were meticulously arranged, while others simply dumped their wares out with apparent indifference. Those who knew how to shop understood that a merchant''s professionalism mattered far less than having the right goods.


    Customers could use the elevators or transport devices like Nathan''s current ride. Alternatively, they could rent flying boots like George''s to browse and shop. Some Tier 3 cultivators and above could fly independently without needing such boots.


    "Flying is prohibited in Maelivar, right?" Nathan asked George casually.


    "Yes, young master," George replied. "Except for the Common Market District, flying is forbidden throughout the city unless necessary or properly permitted. You see, not all cultivators maintain their composure. Allowing them to fly freely would likely lead to collisions with city residents and unnecessary consequences."


    Nathan nodded in acknowledgment. Though in his mind, he suspected economics played an equal role. Looking at the teeming crowds, he wondered how much daily revenue the city generated from flying boot rentals alone.


    He gestured for George to slow down and circle the area.


    "How long have you lived here, George?"


    "My parents lived in Maelivar, so you could say all my life."


    "Never been outside?" Nathan asked curiously.


    "Never had the chance," George answered honestly.


    Nathan looked the guard up and down. Given his youthful appearance, Nathan guessed he was even younger than himself. To be working as a city guard, his potential was likely rated as ''Average'' or ''Below Average.'' Otherwise, he would have belonged to an organization like the Verdant Spire Sect. He had probably studied at a lower-tier institution and graduated from there.


    "Then you must know the city well?" Nathan inquired.


    "Well enough," George smiled, his voice carrying a note of confidence. "Feel free to ask anything."


    Nathan could find information on PsiLink, but like the Internet of his previous world, it was filled with questionable content, much of it useless. Various factions and companies could pay to post or delete articles to improve their image. Getting an objective assessment would require considerable time to filter through everything. Asking locals, especially someone from the guard force who kept constant watch over the city, would generally prove more reliable.


    He also doubted George would dare deceive him. Given Nathan''s status, he could make life unbearable for a city guard without lifting a finger¡ªjust words would suffice.


    Darkan''s earlier rebuke had made him acutely aware of his social position. Having such backing was truly advantageous.


    "So tell me," Nathan said, "if I wanted to auction some items, who should I seek out?"


    George stroked his chin thoughtfully before answering.


    "One good option would be approaching one of the four major trading houses in Maelivar. House Merinor might be particularly suitable, given their history."


    "Why do you say that?" Nathan narrowed his eyes.


    "I know their Resort recently displeased you. However, House Merinor is known for maintaining relatively neutral standings. Thus, they would likely handle your items fairly without allowing serious issues to arise."


    "You mean other houses might manipulate prices or scheme behind the scenes to acquire my items?"


    "I wouldn''t say that," George said cautiously.


    Nathan nodded, understanding that he needed to interpret the information himself rather than expecting George to spell everything out.


    "From what you''re saying, this isn''t the only option?" Nathan continued.


    "Correct," George confirmed. "There are third-party organizations that can conduct auctions for you. The downside is they charge higher fees since they don''t receive tax benefits from the city."


    "And the advantages?"


    "They follow stricter policies and regulations since their business extends beyond Maelivar or the Kingdom of Caelindor."


    "Any recommendations?"


    "The Amber Path Coalition would be a solid choice in my opinion. They have a branch here. Their reputation is quite reliable."


    Nathan immediately filtered through the jumbled results about trading houses on PsiLink. As George had said, The Amber Path Coalition received predominantly positive reviews. While there were negative posts, they seemed dismissible.


    "If you plan to trade items beyond just here, throughout the empire," George continued, "you should visit The Amber Path. Their membership benefits are quite advantageous, enough to offset the higher fees when consigning items for auction."


    "Do you know the requirements for becoming a member?" Nathan asked, as this information wasn''t disclosed on PsiLink.


    George''s eyes brightened, sensing his chance to prove himself worthy of that Standard Mana Stone.


    "There are many rumors about The Amber Path''s membership process," George said with some excitement. "However, I once heard it from my captain. He''s trustworthy, so this is likely accurate. The Amber Path doesn''t care if you bring them one big auction with a huge sum. They care about long-term business relationships that generate steady revenue streams."


    "So," Nathan said. "To become a member, you need to become a partner as well."


    "Exactly," George nodded. "I''ve heard members get discounts at all Amber Path stores once they have a membership card."


    Nathan was genuinely intrigued. He had found his target location for conducting business and implementing his plans.


    "How would you rate the city''s appetite for entertainment and gossip?" Nathan switched topics.


    George hesitated, looking at the inner disciple with skeptical eyes, unsure why such a random question had emerged.


    "I don''t quite follow," George said.


    "Let''s say there''s a rather special event that offers both entertainment and cultivation benefits. How likely are the wealthy to be curious?"


    "Probably not very."


    It was Nathan''s turn to be taken aback, not expecting such an answer.


    "Why?" he asked.


    "Because the chances of the event being special enough are quite low, I think. In a city this size, you can find everything."


    "Even activities that are somewhat... ''dark''?"


    He received only a professional smile in response. Seeing the expectant look still in Nathan''s eyes, George added:


    "Since I don''t know the scale and benefits of the event you''re referring to, I can''t really assess it. I just notice one common thread among places the elite frequent: exclusivity."


    Nathan nodded, understanding supply and demand well enough. Initially, he had hoped to profit more, but now it seemed that approach might backfire.


    "Alright," Nathan tapped the railing. "I don''t have many more questions. Just point me to a decent hotel and share one piece of information you think I should know, and this is yours."


    Nathan revealed a hexagonal Standard Mana Stone as large as his palm.


    George''s steady breathing hitched for a moment as he silently marveled at the wealth of disciples from organizations outside government control. A city guard''s yearly salary was good, but still insufficient to afford a Standard Mana Stone.


    After lengthy consideration, George chose his words carefully, his tone becoming heavy.


    "You should be careful with the houses in Maelivar. The Four Great Houses currently have undercurrents stirring. What kind of undercurrents, I apologize, but I don''t know. However, the tension is definitely present. So when interacting with their members or descendants, you should be cautious. Especially with House Aetharis."


    Nathan flicked the mana stone to the guard. That information was worth the reward.


    Receiving the mana stone, George told himself he had been right to maintain a respectful attitude toward everyone. If he had shown even a hint of impropriety toward Nathan, today''s outcome would never have happened.


    George used his position to guide the transport device into the Common Market District through his colleagues. Before leaving, he paid the rental fee and instructed Nathan on using the flying boots.


    What a dedicated employee, Nathan thought. Then again, he realized anyone receiving such a substantial tip would have to be quite surly to act otherwise.


    It took him a while to get used to the flying boots. The challenge lay in maintaining balance when the propulsion force acted on both legs. Thanks to [Martial Art Mastery], he was fortunate enough not to make a fool of himself in front of everyone.


    Once he could move freely, a wide grin spread across his face. His desire to play with water jet propulsion devices was finally fulfilled. He tilted his head back, pressed down gently with his feet, and soared upward.


    The wind caressed his cheeks as his hair streamed behind him. He weaved through the bustling crowd, earning strings of curses. He paid them no mind, alternating between flying and hovering. He ducked his head down, trying to shoot forward like a bullet. The whooshing in his ears drowned out all other sounds. Just before he would have crashed into the ground, he used his physical strength to flip everything around.


    His action created a wave of air pressure on the ground, knocking several pedestrians off balance. Some stall owners had to lunge forward to keep their wares from flying away.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Bowing his head in apology to those around him, Nathan slowly flew up, no longer playing around. He made a mental note to buy a pair of these before leaving. Though not particularly fast or maneuverable, they were enough for him. The real question was whether he dared spend mana stones to power them.


    He flew while browsing through the displayed merchandise. The endless variety of items from all categories made his eyes swim. Shining Tier 2 swords and armor dazzled onlookers. Talismans of all shapes appeared in paper form or as jade, some as small as pearls, others as large as fingers. Metals and ores were the most abundant, understandable given that Maelivar was an Artificer''s paradise.


    Nathan would occasionally pause when someone haggled with merchants, gathering information about pricing and negotiation tactics. PsiLink was a useful tool, but using it in front of merchants seemed to make them irritable and less friendly. It was like checking online prices while talking to a salesperson in a store.


    Initially, Nathan had only planned to browse around to satisfy his curiosity, but at one store, herbs displayed on wooden shelves caught his attention.


    Before him, floating inside a transparent sphere filled with swirling blue smoke, was a long, slender root. Its body was wrinkled with protruding fibers. Instead of being earth-colored, it emitted various lights. Standing long enough to observe, one would see all colors of the spectrum manifested.


    "Universal Root," Nathan muttered in amazement.


    The merchant, a gaunt man with a slightly hunched back, saw him and cheerfully smiled.


    "Young man, you have quite the discerning eye," he said warmly. "This is indeed a Universal Root, two hundred years old. Fifty years to sow the seed, fifty years to nurture it, using a hundred years to grow roots."


    Nathan let the man continue his introduction. While what he said about the root being two hundred years old was true, there was still an issue that Nathan didn''t immediately challenge.


    While listening, he browsed PsiLink, confirming that his knowledge from [Cooking] was unique. He suppressed a smile when he saw how jumbled the information about Universal Root was. This herb had been ''improved'' by later generations. Or rather, in his understanding, degraded.


    "How many of these roots do you have?" Nathan asked, cutting off the other''s rambling.


    "Three," the stall owner quickly replied. His mouth smacked as if dry.


    "What''s the price?" Nathan used his most disinterested tone, showing he didn''t really need to buy, just asking.


    "Thirty Standard Mana Stones," the other held up three fingers.


    "Mother of merchants..." his voice trailed off as he covered his mouth.


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    "What did you say?" the stall owner narrowed his eyes, asking.


    "Nothing!" Nathan waved his hands. Even if beaten to death, he wouldn''t believe the old man hadn''t heard him. A Tier 2''s ears couldn''t be that poor. He was just greedy.


    "Three roots for 60 stones, how about that?" Nathan bargained.


    "Mother of cunning tricksters," the stall owner''s face changed without hesitation, unlike Nathan who had shown restraint.


    "What did you say?" Nathan narrowed his eyes, asking.


    "Nothing!"


    They looked at each other with smiles. For the stall owner, he was somewhat irritated but dared not offend the young man before him. The red uniform and badge on his chest were enough to make him wary. Trading here could sometimes be frustrating in various situations. However, he couldn''t just casually speak rudely to anyone. Experience in observation told him Nathan was a customer best approached informally. While appearing outwardly indifferent, he had been paying attention to this youth since he entered the Common Market District.


    The only thing he had misjudged was assuming Nathan was clueless about herbs.


    When the awkward silence passed, Nathan continued, showing no compromise.


    "60 Standard Mana Stones."


    "You think that''s reasonable?" the stall owner rolled up his sleeves. "Fifty years to sow the seed, fifty years to nurture..."


    "Stop, stop!" Nathan raised his hand. "That song and dance routine was enough the first time."


    "You must understand that after two hundred years of growing, this price is more than fair. Don''t think I didn''t notice you using PsiLink. I''m being generous by not taking offense. But I''ve been doing business here for years, and you''ve just questioned my credibility."


    Nathan''s lip twitched, feeling as if he''d been scolded. He hadn''t actually looked up Universal Root''s price. But since he was already misunderstood, he might as well go with it. As he expected, the price did fluctuate around thirty Standard Mana Stones. However, the lowest quality only sold for about twenty stones.


    "Are you certain about what you''re saying?" Nathan lowered his voice, tilting his head slightly, sharp eyes fixed on the man before him.


    Instinctively, the stall owner swallowed. Trying to stop his eye from twitching to avoid revealing anything, he said:


    "Absolutely!"


    "All three roots are two hundred years old, right?"


    "Exactly!"


    "Yet you didn''t notice anything?"


    "Notice what?" the stall owner suddenly became wary.


    "That it''s only two hundred years old?"


    The gaunt man''s forehead wrinkled, feeling like he was being played. Still, he tried to hold back. The problem was these three roots hadn''t sold for several months now. Though rare, their practical application was too low. The problem lay right in the name¡ªUniversal also meant nearly useless. True, it was miraculous in neutralizing natural attributes like fire, ice, earth, and air, but it was easily disrupted when combined with other medicinal ingredients.


    "85 mana stones," the stall owner conceded.


    "I''m not changing my mind, still 60 mana stones," Nathan insisted.


    "Young man," the man''s voice became gentle, warm, "one should know when to yield, not push too hard."


    "Ridiculous," Nathan used a slightly superior tone. "A two-hundred-year Universal Root means it lost a hundred years of maturation. Fifty years for sprouting, fifty years for flowering. Even if the flowers are useless, that''s when the root should be harvested to ensure medicinal potency isn''t lost."


    The stall owner''s eyes widened, blinking at the young man before him. This information wasn''t unknown to him, just widely overlooked or ignored. The breeding process had indeed accelerated Universal Root''s development rate. Consequently, effectiveness remained at 80% to 90% when harvested. Previously, without three hundred years, potency would drop to 60%. Now, the market had standardized current prices, leading to trading at much higher than cost.


    Indeed, Universal Root''s value was only 20 mana stones. Trading such an unpopular item was only profitable due to the high profit margin.


    Nathan saw the stall owner''s jaw clench from grinding teeth. Inwardly delighted at having cornered his opponent, he outwardly lifted his chin in a challenging gesture, daring the other to refute him.


    "Who can verify this?" the stall owner still wouldn''t give up.


    "I can!" Nathan pointed to his chest.


    "You? Are you joking?"


    "Not convinced? Fine. The root body lacks sufficient wrinkles, the colors aren''t deep enough, and it''s rather weak at the tail end. If I''m not mistaken, the root flesh is still soft instead of being firm like when fully matured."


    The merchant''s lips moved. With [Improved Pattern Recognition], Nathan could read: "Completely correct!"


    "Met a ghost," the stall owner mumbled.


    "Watch your words," Nathan warned. "Well? Have I said enough, or should we invite an apothecary to inspect? Though if an apothecary comes, the consequences won''t stop at just a reprimand."


    The merchant''s hands went limp on the table. Having an apothecary inspect would destroy his reputation. His eyes turned hostile toward Nathan, but he still wouldn''t surrender. A merchant''s spirit wouldn''t allow him to lose like this.


    "70 Standard Mana Stones."


    "Deal," Nathan accepted immediately.


    The stall owner''s jaw dropped, realizing he''d been played. This damned kid had set the price at sixty just to make reaching his real target easier.


    As for Nathan, he just thought business should yield profit. The Universal Root indeed wasn''t of the quality he''d hoped for. However, it was still above average. He was actually being ''reasonable'' as requested.


    The stall owner exhaled deeply. At least he was still making a profit, so he waved his hand. The sphere containing the Universal Root on display was retrieved. Two more emerged from his storage ring. Placing all three inside a wooden box with properties that effectively preserved medicinal ingredients, he handed them to the young man.


    Nathan took out seventy Standard Mana Stones from the small pouch Darkan had given him. He looked at the pile of stones gleaming with blue light in his hand, feeling somewhat regretful. He hadn''t even had time to get used to having money. Closing his eyes, he tilted the pouch until exactly seventy stones had fallen out.


    With a heavy sigh, his hands trembling slightly, he collected the three boxes of Universal Root into his bag. Bowing his head in thanks, he left.


    "Spatial pouch?" the stall owner muttered questioningly.


    Nathan''s status should have warranted a spatial ring. The stall owner blinked, using Spirit to probe for the first time. The young man showed no reaction.


    "Holy shit, he''s Tier 1!" the stall owner nearly exploded. He''d been played like a fiddle by a Tier 1. Had Nathan been Tier 2, he would have sensed the owner''s scrutiny immediately.


    In a corner, a young man had absently noticed Nathan''s peculiar exchange. He wore a silk outfit with a smooth, comfortable surface. The hem was decorated with purple patterns that sparkled like tinsel. Around his neck hung a hawk-shaped pendant. His face was handsome, with somewhat soft features. What marred his appearance were the bags under his eyes. It seemed he hadn''t slept for quite some time.


    "Young master," a female steward''s voice rose beside his ear, "is something wrong?"


    "Just a disciple from some sect," he turned and said.


    "Should I investigate?"


    "No need," he waved his hand.


    Before him, his attendants were all hunched over, carrying purchased items in their arms. Passersby all stopped to either admire or envy. The total value of these items was more than they could earn in a lifetime.


    The female steward glanced around once, and everyone either lowered their heads and left or hurried past.


    No one dared offend one of The Four Great Houses.


    Laurent Nyralith stared intently at a rough black stone before him. Inside it, red light occasionally flickered, igniting the flame of passion in those seemingly exhausted eyes.


    Nathan kept his head down as he flew away, no longer daring to look east or west. He''d already spent nearly all hundred Standard Mana Stones Darkan had given him. He clutched the spatial pouch tightly in his hand, afraid someone might snatch it away.


    Darkan had wanted to give him a storage ring. However, the obstacle was that he couldn''t project mana outward to command the ring. Keira could possibly do it because she was at Tier 1, Phase 9, somewhat capable of such simple tasks. As a result, Nathan was forced to use a spatial pouch. This type was naturally inferior, with less space, only about the size of a wardrobe. What''s worse, security was extremely poor. If someone stole the pouch, they could easily take everything out since it lacked the defensive mechanisms of a spatial ring. The only advantage was that it could be used without mana. These items were mainly circulated among wealthy families, given by parents or elders to children.


    Nathan finally reached his destination, the Amber Path Coalition branch.


    This store occupied a considerable space in the air, with a flickering banner circling around it. Even high up, there was a row of projected images so anyone could locate it. Adapting to the city''s style, the store was set in a cubic structure with glass exterior walls allowing everyone to see the luxury within.


    The floor was laid with golden tiles. Antique lamps hung from the ceiling. Each partition wall separated different types of goods displayed for customers. Everywhere, staff members moved about in marble-colored attire, their manners graceful and fresh. Just standing at the entrance, one could feel the cool breeze and catch the gentle fragrance of flowers wafting from the store.


    Nathan looked like a country bumpkin, his head and eyes constantly scanning around as he entered, moving from one display shelf to another. There were far more Tier 2 items here, especially weapons and armor. In one corner, placed higher than everything around it, was a Tier 3 item. He felt drawn to it, standing there in awe.


    "Tier 3 Nine Star Saber"


    "Effect: Can store different types of mana aspects in each star, releasing them during combat."


    "Price: 4000 Standard Mana Stones."


    The saber''s exterior gleamed with silver light. Its curve was elegant and beautiful, marked by star symbols that flickered under the light. The handle was intricately carved, with a purple gem set in the middle containing sparkling points like stars.


    "Are you interested in the Nine Star Saber?" a youthful voice, somewhat gentle with a barely perceptible trace of weariness, rose beside Nathan''s ear.


    He startled out of his fascination with the saber, raising his hand to scratch his head as he spoke.


    "Ah, no. I''m here for something else."


    "Then what can I help you with, sir?"


    "I want to consign items for auction with The Amber Path Coalition."


    "Please wait here a moment, I need to consult with the manager."


    The girl left, approaching a manager who was checking inventory.


    "Sir," she called timidly.


    A weary sigh answered her before the male manager turned around with a frown.


    "Celene, you can''t come to me for everything."


    "Sir, there''s a guest who wants to consign items for auction," Celene ignored the rebuke, just trying to complete her task.


    The manager tilted his head to look at Nathan. Seeing his naive appearance, his face wrinkled in disgust. He should have been responsible for this task, but usually people who came here only brought low-level items. If they had high-level items, they were already renowned. As a precaution, he searched PsiLink for information about the young man in red uniform.


    When he found the image of being expelled from Verdant Spire Sect, he showed even more disdain. Even if he was an inner disciple of a major sect, there was no need for too much respect. In terms of status, the Amber Path Coalition was only bigger, not smaller than any organization in this city.


    "You handle it," the manager ordered.


    "But..." Celene wanted to object but was silenced by his glare.


    The manager turned back to his work. Or rather, to doing nothing.


    Celene took a deep breath, only daring to exhale after turning away to avoid the manager hearing.


    She forced a smile and walked gracefully toward the young man who still couldn''t tear his eyes away from the Tier 3 saber.


    Nathan was only pretending¡ªhe had seen the entire exchange between the employee and manager. Still, watching people like that was quite impolite.


    "Please follow me," Celene bent slightly, gesturing toward the stairs behind them.


    Celene led him upstairs, where everything became much quieter. To Nathan, the impression was no different from a laboratory. Six rooms were evenly divided on both sides of the corridor, with a large door standing separate from everything else at the end.


    The room he was led into was right next to the stairs. The interior contrasted completely with outside, being luxuriously and fully equipped. Comfortable sofas with soft cushions were placed on both sides. The table in the middle was filled with food, drinks, and wine. From his [Cooking] knowledge, Nathan could more or less guess these were all high-end wines. The glass walls offered a view of the city, allowing one to observe the bustle while discussing business.


    Celene pulled over a small table, placing a very professional cushion on it.


    "Please sit," she said.


    Nathan complied.


    "Please place the items you wish to auction here," she pointed to the violet cushion.


    Nathan didn''t hesitate, taking out the item he wanted to auction.


    Celene froze when she saw a monster core that seemed to contain an entire night sky placed on the table by the young man.


    Her sales instincts told her this was not a guest who came to freeload and drink wine that everyone despised.


    Her eyes brightened as she looked at Nathan. Her breathing became somewhat rapid at the future prospects. Yet Nathan wasn''t finished.


    He took out the Lunar Shadow''s tail, making Celene''s already difficult breathing now catch in her throat.


    "Where should I put this?" he asked.

 Chapter 44

    Celene wasted no time, darting away swiftly to fetch another cushion for her esteemed guest.


    After admiring the two items for a sufficient time, she turned her ever-present smile toward Nathan and spoke.


    "Would you mind waiting a moment? These matters require higher authority to resolve."


    Nathan nodded, showing his understanding.


    Tier 2 items weren''t particularly rare for trading organizations like The Amber Path. The rarity lay in the Lunar Shadow itself. This monster didn''t belong to the Caelindor kingdom''s territory, leading to its scarcity. And Tier 4 practitioners didn''t have time to hunt and bring them back. Most importantly, Lunar Shadows, like other wolves, exhibited pack behavior. Attacking and hunting them was no simple task. This further proved that Darkan wasn''t exaggerating when he claimed to be stronger than the Sect Leader.


    Celene whispered something through PsiLink, and just a minute later, the door Nathan had entered through swung open. The newcomer''s gaze swept quickly over the two items placed on the table before settling on the young man in red uniform.


    Like a gust of wind, in an instant, he stood before Nathan, offering a friendly smile while his orange-yellow robe still fluttered.


    "May I know your esteemed name, young man?"


    "Nathan," he replied calmly. "And you are?"


    "Thomas. Very pleased to make your acquaintance."


    "Please, sit. It''s rather difficult to converse while standing."


    Thomas cheerfully complied, finding this guest more approachable than the young masters of Maelivar.


    "So you wish to auction the monster core and tail of the Lunar Shadow?"


    "That''s correct," Nathan nodded. "I imagine it would suit some cultivators with corresponding aspects, wouldn''t it?"


    "Most certainly," Thomas replied cheerfully. "Not just for cultivation, monster cores of this type are also crucial for the city''s Artificers. You know how they have such peculiar interests."


    This high-level manager didn''t hide anything. Doing so would only create negative impressions from customers. In this age of open information, surely one must have done thorough research before approaching The Amber Path Coalition.


    Nathan merely tilted his head to absorb the information. Initially, he had planned to take it to Crystalton for auction. That place was remote but maintained a network wide enough to ensure him an acceptable profit margin. However, the opportunity to come to Maelivar proved even more suitable. Not only was it populous, but it also gathered wealthy cultivators.


    "Let''s discuss the percentage split then," Nathan cut to the chase. He had other matters to attend to and couldn''t stay here for idle chat.


    "65/35, how does that sound?"


    Sounds like a loss, can I say that? Nathan silently clicked his tongue.


    Such a distribution ratio was truly beyond his tolerance. He could use the experience of watching his mother haggle on Earth for Universal Root, but facing large business entities was somewhat insufficient. The knowledge gained from his internship on Earth only gave him a vague direction. The issue was that he wanted to follow that direction. First, he needed to make concessions.


    Seeing Nathan''s prolonged silence, Thomas felt slightly uneasy. Of course, he had his own profit-seeking intentions. If he could achieve a more favorable distribution agreement for The Amber Path, he would receive better rewards.


    Just as he was about to speak, Nathan spoke first.


    "That''s fine, it''s not impossible."


    Thomas''s beard quivered with inexpressible excitement. His black eyes widened like a lost child who had found their parents.


    "You truly are a forthright young man, Mr. Nathan."


    With a wave of his hand, he summoned a gold-plated bottle of wine set in never-melting ice cubes. With a snap of his fingers, the stopper flew out. Then he poured the clear wine into glasses that Celene brought from the room''s wall cabinet.


    Nathan accepted the glass, clinking it in a gesture of goodwill.


    The taste of wine lingering in his throat made him grimace, clearly showing his displeasure before the two Amber Path Coalition staff members.


    "What''s wrong, sir?" Thomas hastily inquired, showing concern, though more out of fear. The contract wasn''t signed yet, so the young man before him could leave at any time if dissatisfied.


    "Force of habit," Nathan smacked his lips to wash away the wine''s taste. "This is truly poor quality."


    Nathan''s words left both of them stunned, squinting at the wine bottle adorned with luxurious patterns. For the first time in his life, Thomas had to send his spirit to probe the wine bottle. He didn''t have extensive knowledge in this field but was quite certain there was nothing wrong with it.


    "Surely it''s just that we haven''t tasted anything better," Thomas said placatingly.


    Unexpectedly, Nathan''s attitude changed, now taking on the air of a salesman himself.


    "Would you like to try something else?"


    No, I don''t have time, Thomas almost said. But reminding himself of the 65/35 ratio, he held his tongue, forcing a smile instead. Celene beside him covered her mouth with a subtle smile, having never seen Thomas so flustered.


    Taking out his Spatial Pouch from his waist, Nathan produced a red oval-shaped wine bottle. He had used some sect points to change the appearance of his wine bottles. He couldn''t present bottles crudely made from Burrower Herd shells to people.


    Thomas''s first impression was that the bottle looked ordinary, nothing noteworthy, though it was remarkable that this inner disciple used a Spatial Pouch. Clearly, despite wanting to make presentations, there remained a frugal nature to the wine''s owner. Suppressing a contemptuous smirk, Thomas accepted the item the young man offered.


    Thomas opened the bottle, and immediately blinked in disbelief. The aroma alone delivered a more appealing taste than the wines currently sold at this Amber Path Coalition branch.


    An urge rose within him, and he poured out a deep blue liquid that rippled with occasional small sparks of electricity.


    Unable to wait any longer, he drank the glass clean in one gulp. An energy explosion occurred from his chest to his stomach. Afterward, warmth spread throughout, his body receiving energy, feeling extremely invigorated. He was about to take another sip when he heard Nathan''s dry cough.


    Thomas stopped, regretfully closing the bottle cap.


    "Well?" Nathan smiled at Thomas with an expression of certainty.


    The high-level manager had to acknowledge that Nathan''s wine quality surpassed other wines. This was somewhat unavoidable since Maelivar was a city mainly focused on Artificers. Wine and beverages were just items for experience. So taste and aroma only needed to be acceptable. Of course, they could import from other cities. But that was only possible from imperial centers.


    Neighboring countries like Caelindor were only considered middle-tier powers. Their leaders stopped at Tier 4 or Tier 5. Thus, the leaders and authorities had to show face to disciples from sects like Nathan. With such power, using a large sum to buy Tier 2 wine was already quite substantial. Who would have excess breath and money to buy Tier 3 or Tier 4 wine from the Empire? Just transportation costs alone were a major issue.


    Yet Nathan possessed high-quality Tier 2 wine. Thomas could feel the balanced essence in his body. Thus, the wine could also help Cultivators level up like using pills. The most notable point was the intoxicating smell. This feature alone was enough to ensure sales. Wine would no longer just be a beverage serving social events or entertainment, but truly serve its original purpose. Making the mind forget reality.


    "Truly an impressive experience," Thomas concluded.


    Nathan felt like he''d found a kindred spirit in business. Wine was ultimately just wine. The key to selling was the experience. Just that one statement allowed him to guess that Thomas was already developing several business directions for this product.


    "Do you want to auction this as well?" the manager asked with a friendly face.


    "What do you think?"


    "Not a bad choice, but not suitable in the long run."


    "That''s why I want The Amber Path Coalition as an exclusive distribution partner."


    Nathan wasn''t foolish enough to miss Thomas''s implication. Food and drinks, no matter how good, could still be dissected to the smallest detail for replication. Without a power backing protection, distribution, and fighting for benefits, Nathan could forget about making money from this direction.


    Thomas tapped his fingers, appearing thoughtful. Actually, he was discussing with peers at his level through PsiLink. This was both a good business deal and seemingly pointless.


    To push things along, Nathan placed another bottle on the table, with the same container design.


    Curious, Thomas once again opened the bottle, inhaling deeply. Finally unable to resist, seeing Nathan didn''t object, he poured himself a glass of the red wine.


    After a while, Thomas appeared dazed.


    "Can you produce other types of wine?"


    "Of course," Nathan shrugged. "As long as I have the ingredients."


    "How many types?"


    "How many do you want?" Nathan couldn''t help but smirk.


    [Cooking] is the best, he silently cheered.


    Thomas nearly dropped his glass. Celene couldn''t believe her eyes as she looked at the young man before her. They were about the same age, but he wasn''t just an inner disciple of a major organization, he also possessed knowledge others spent their entire lives acquiring. She could only curse inwardly at the talented people of the world.


    Nathan''s answer had changed all calculations, making him an investment worth considering. Why were all powers willing to invest money and capital in Maelivar''s Artificers? Not just for first access to technology, but also for diversity. Even if they wanted to copy, it took time, and by then the creator would have a new version, or introduce an invention that changed everything. That was the difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary. The Amber Path Coalition conducted these business ventures hoping for just one such person to compensate for all investments.


    Before Thomas stood such a person. Diversity defeats all competitors. Unless someone dedicated time to learn this approach. However, Thomas assessed that possibility as low. The art of brewing wine was lost with society''s development, only thriving in the east. And that area banned PsiLink, so knowledge certainly couldn''t reach here.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Thomas had just one question left to close the deal.


    "What about Tier 3 wine?"


    "When I reach Tier 2," Nathan confidently replied.


    Thomas snapped his fingers, summoning a paper and a storage ring placed beside it.


    "Inside are one thousand Standard Mana Stones," he solemnly said, pointing to the item on the table. "And this is the contract, protected and enforceable worldwide under The Golden Path Trading Consortium''s supervision."


    Nathan wasn''t sure how to react to this development. Wine was ultimately just a minor part of life, how could things change so quickly.


    "The Amber Path Coalition is named after The Golden Path," Thomas explained, seeing Nathan''s skepticism. "The organization is maintained by Tier 9s, so you can rest assured. As for why we accept this transaction, it''s because we assess your future potential."


    "What do you mean?" Nathan probed.


    "You can brew Tier 3 wine which is already precious. Surely you know how expensive level-up medicines for Tier 3 are, right?"


    Nathan didn''t know, but chose to nod, as this seemed the most reasonable action at the moment.


    "Your wine aids cultivation," Thomas continued. "Thus it can be compared to medicines. Furthermore, it has quite drinkable and digestible neutralizing properties, with few side effects. That''s according to my assessment based on my experience. I hope you maintain such quality in the future."


    Nathan showed understanding. He indeed hadn''t emphasized cultivation aspects in his products from the start.


    "That leads us to Tier 4, Tier 5, and beyond to Tier 6 and above. Medicines at this point are already using figures of hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions of various mana stones to conceptualize. And if there''s wine providing similar effects on the market, then you understand, right?"


    Nathan had an enlightening revelation. He had been limited by his own worldview. But investors would look at the future too.


    He picked up the contract, skimming through it. The initial distribution ratio was quite poor, 7/3, with three parts leaning toward him. This was quite understandable when The Amber Path Coalition had to handle advertising, management, and distribution.


    The ratio would change when he leveled up, reaching 5/5 once he reached Tier 4. Future terms could be renegotiated.


    "You can keep the contract without having to sign right now," Thomas said. "The paper in your hands is a special invention for merchants. After you think it over, just sign and it will take effect immediately without having to appear in person. If you change your mind, just leave it, and the paper will self-destruct when the time comes. Of course, only you can sign, no one can sign on your behalf. We make sure of that."


    Hearing this, Nathan put the contract away. He looked at the storage ring, asking.


    "What about this?"


    "This is considered a relationship fee with you. Rest assured, it''s completely unrelated to the upcoming auction. Consider it a deposit for us to have priority access to you in the future."


    Nathan finally understood why The Amber Path Coalition was so highly regarded by everyone. He could imagine the awkward situations if he had gone to trading guilds belonging to the great houses. Before him lay an opportunity to expand across the entire empire. The split figure for the auction seemed well spent. However, he wasn''t done yet.


    He pushed the ring forward, saying what he had aimed for from the start.


    "I assume slots for The Shifting Trials aren''t for sale?"


    Thomas squinted, giving a slight smile, not revealing too much of what he was thinking.


    "Duke Kael won''t allow that," he said. "The event participation slots are direct invitations issued from Duke Kael''s office. I''m quite certain that trading participation slots is impossible, one way or another."


    Nathan, though having anticipated this, let out a long sigh. In the end, he would still have to take action.


    "I need The Amber Path''s assistance in securing a participation slot."


    "You..." Thomas found himself stuttering, "You''re not joking?"


    "Not at all."


    "Aren''t disciples like you already receiving direct invitations?"


    "For certain reasons, I must make my own way."


    "While there''s only over a week left?"


    "That''s right."


    Silence enveloped the room''s atmosphere. It wasn''t until Nathan cleared his throat that Thomas snapped out of it. He blinked questioningly.


    "So what do you plan to do to raise your reputation enough to catch the duke''s office''s attention?"


    Nathan heard the warning and reminder of difficulty in Thomas''s question. He ignored it and pressed on.


    "I want to organize intimate dinner parties, with courses designed by me."


    Another awkward silence fell. Celene and Thomas''s inner thoughts simply couldn''t believe what they were hearing. There had been Artificers who created breakthrough inventions that made city residents talk. There had been Alchemists who created new chemical mixtures, changing the research process of decades-long projects. There had been Cultivators who fought above their level, Tier 2 battling Tier 3 and winning to build their reputation. Never had anyone proposed cooking to gain reputation.


    Nathan felt himself heat up under the staring gazes of the two people opposite him. He knew what they were thinking. He had considered other options, but this approach was the most feasible. He could barely win against a normal Tier 2, demanding to defeat a genius or Tier 3 without preparation was even more unrealistic.


    "What do you think?" Nathan broke the silence.


    Clearing his throat, Thomas regained his posture, seriously responding.


    "This is something you can''t expect the trading guild to help with."


    A ''No'', Nathan reasoned in his head. That''s good. A ''Yes'' isn''t always good. That''s what I was taught.


    Celene standing nearby also nodded. Being able to brew good wine was one thing, but cooking an entire course was another matter entirely. Moreover, it had to surprise people, leading to widespread discussion.


    "It seems like everyone doesn''t feel my skills are sufficient for this unimaginable task. Investing in me earlier was already risky enough, so surely you don''t want me to smear mud on my face by doing something uncertain. From there, affecting future wine sales ability once customers learn the wine comes from someone who once made a fool of himself for the entire city to see."


    Thomas''s eyes widened at the young man''s words. The words just spoken were even more thorough than what he had been thinking. Celene straightened up, her eyes focused intently on the exchange between the two.


    "That is indeed the case," Thomas said regretfully, "we think we''ve taken enough risks today."


    Nathan wasn''t deterred by this, but instead grew even more confident.


    If you know what people are worried about, then address it.


    "How about this," he proposed, "let''s not rush to conclusions. Your concern is valid. I am, after all, just a stranger who walked in here hoping to sell some items. There''s no trust between us. So I think what we need is to build that foundation for this seemingly impossible venture."


    Thomas crossed his legs, resting his elbow on his knee in thought. After a moment, he said.


    "What you say isn''t wrong. If you can prove yourself, then we might be able to provide support."


    Nathan smiled, more than halfway there. He arranged his words carefully before speaking.


    "Then find me a kitchen to rent with all the necessary equipment. Don''t worry, I''ll cover the costs. If the thousand Standard Mana Stones in the Spatial Ring isn''t enough, then use my auction money. Invite a few people who you think would be most suitable to come for a tasting. If my cooking convinces everyone, then we proceed with the plan. How''s that?"


    "The costs should be sufficient," Thomas stroked his chin, calculating. "This approach shouldn''t cause any problems or issues."


    Nathan knew it was time to seal the deal.


    "Think about the potential of this," he said enthusiastically. "It''s a crazy idea, I know. But think about the money the guild could make. I plan to hold dinner parties for three nights, with limited seating. You understand what that means, right?"


    Thomas''s eyes lit up, his hunched posture from thinking with his chin on his knee suddenly straightening, his voice excited.


    "Auction the attendance!"


    "Exactly," Nathan followed up. "Once it''s truly successful, you can imagine how high the price might go for a single seat. And that''s not even considering the fear of missing out effect."


    Thomas drummed his fingers continuously on his knee, his mind racing through necessary calculations. Gradually, the corners of his mouth pulled higher.


    "Not bad, truly not bad," he muttered.


    "I''m willing to accept a 7/3 split, seven parts profit for The Amber Path Coalition. My only requirement is that you prepare the ingredients."


    Thomas didn''t hesitate anymore, extending his hand toward Nathan, solemnly saying.


    "This is a reasonable business venture. We''re ready to cooperate with you."


    Nathan quickly grasped it, smiling deeply. The first step of the plan was essentially complete. As for how it would progress, he couldn''t think too much about that.


    Thomas hastily stood up, glancing toward Celene, saying.


    "Let me call Amer to be your temporary support."


    "Amer is Celene''s manager?" Nathan asked.


    "That''s right."


    "Could I keep her instead?"


    Thomas squinted as if probing Nathan''s intentions. He knew that despite appearing proper, talented young people often had their vices.


    Nathan was unaware of being judged. He just didn''t like the manager''s attitude.


    "Please let me continue supporting Mr. Nathan, Mr. Thomas."


    Celene bowed her head and spoke. She didn''t want to miss this opportunity.


    "Alright," Thomas agreed. "Time is short. Celene can show you around the city while waiting. The auction items will proceed as soon as ready, perhaps tonight or tomorrow night. As for the kitchen and attendees. Hmmmm. Tomorrow morning seems appropriate. That''s the immediate schedule, you have no objections?"


    "None," Nathan replied. "Just follow your arrangements."


    "Then let me see you out. We need to have a meeting about your situation."


    Nathan stood up, waving his hand.


    "Go about your business. Celene and I will leave on our own."


    Thomas didn''t object, raising his hand in farewell with a smile hanging on his lips.


    When the two went down the stairs, Amer was already waiting, his face somewhat frowning. Upon seeing Nathan, he immediately put on a fawning smile.


    "Are you satisfied with the service at The Amber Path Coalition?" Amer rushed forward to ask.


    Nathan nodded perfunctorily, not wanting to respond.


    The manager still continued to inch closer, repeatedly frowning and raising his eyebrows at Celene. She maintained a straight gaze, pretending not to see as she followed Nathan.


    Amer''s face changed from discomfort to pale white when he received a message on PsiLink. He hurriedly went upstairs, even tripping midway.


    Outside, Nathan stretched himself. These financial matters gave him a headache. To think of this approach, he had stayed up all night without rest. Initially being bold with Darkan was just to ease the situation. But carefully contemplating at night made him see all the problems that needed solving. Fortunately, he chose to accept the 65/35 split at first, making the other party more lenient with him. Combined with the potential for wine-making, they were willing to listen to his somewhat crazy idea.


    Anyway, everything was in motion now, he just needed to prepare well for the next phase.


    Nathan followed Celene''s guidance, walking down the semi-transparent stairs to the ground below. This was Nathan''s first true time standing on the brick-paved streets of Maelivar city. Having been allocated to the areas above, the ground wasn''t too crowded. City residents moved about in perfect order, mostly not using transportation, mainly enjoying the bustling scenery.


    He blended into the crowd, wanting to take a walk. At the same time, recording for Jessica. After returning, he had asked Zeryn to connect them, so currently they could communicate with each other. Just that she seemed busy with something so hadn''t yet replied to Nathan.


    "Mr. Nathan," Celene''s tentative voice rose from beside him, "may I ask a few things?"


    "Go ahead," Nathan replied casually.


    "How were you able to negotiate like that with Senior Manager Thomas?"


    "Huh?" Nathan turned his head to look at Celene, her large eyes making him truly believe she didn''t understand. "I thought this was quite common. After all, everyone has this."


    He tapped his temple, where the PsiLink was installed.


    "That''s true," Celene said. "But too much information. It takes time to verify what''s effective. Some say always seek a yes answer, others say aim for win-win."


    "What do you think?" Nathan asked with interest.


    "You never gave up despite not getting a yes. And in my assessment, it wasn''t entirely win-win. It seemed more like win-lose."


    "So it''s a win, who loses?"


    "You lose, and The Amber Path Coalition wins," Celene gave her answer after some thought.


    "Are you sure?"


    They stopped at a beverage stall. Nathan bought them both a local fruit drink. The taste wasn''t too bad.


    Celene clutched her drink tightly, raising her head to answer.


    "I''m not sure."


    Nathan nearly spat out his drink trying not to laugh.


    "Did you need to be so serious for an answer like that?"


    Celene ducked her head, sipping her drink instead of answering.


    "Actually, it''s all win-win," Nathan explained. "My profit ratio is quite poor, right? While doing most of the work. However, when you change your thinking perspective, you''ll see The Amber Path has to pay a similar price. They''ll have to advertise for me, promote word of mouth for me, as well as risk their organization''s reputation. You understand this point?"


    Celene nodded.


    "Actually, I''m just a novice," Nathan shook his head and laughed. "Thomas must be far more cunning than me. He was just testing to see if I had enough reason, but he already knew what I was performing. Not for a moment did I have the upper hand."


    "Then why did he still do something so time-consuming?" Celene wondered.


    "To verify that I truly know what to do and wasn''t just talking big. Grand words are one thing, being able to execute is another. And what better way than to probe whether I had prepared for this situation or not?"


    Celene moved her head like a pecking chicken, reasoning everything in her mind.


    "But hadn''t Thomas already trusted you with the wine making? Why doubt you in the later part like that?"


    "That''s because initially he didn''t care whether I actually brewed it or not. Once I signed the contract, I just needed to provide wine. Even if someone else brewed it or I bought it from somewhere else."


    "That''s indeed the case," Celene mumbled.


    "So when the information that I was the brewer came out, Thomas hesitated. His silence was to assess me, not truly being as clueless as he showed on the outside."


    "That''s indeed the case," Celene seemed to have nothing else to say besides that.


    "These business people are truly frightening," Nathan shuddered.


    He had witnessed negotiations between his boss and partners before. It was much scarier than this. Currently, because information was quite completely public on PsiLink, many things were simplified. But once information was lacking, exploit loopholes would surely occur immediately.


    He didn''t know where to throw his drink cup when Celene snatched it, tossing it onto the sidewalk. A hole appeared like a monster from underground, swallowing the trash whole.


    "About the trick I used, it can be summarized in three phrases: ''No'', ''That''s right!'', and ''That''s fair!''"


    "Why is that?" Celene followed like a student, asking.


    "That''s what I was taught by my old boss. A ''Yes'' answer from the other party often carries more of a coping nature than true agreement. Getting a ''No'' answer is the signal you need to move forward, not step back. Because that''s when things really begin."


    "What about ''That''s right!'' and ''That''s fair!''? I didn''t hear those."


    Nathan chuckled, saying happily.


    "It''s just a concise way to remember. You can paraphrase it. Like Thomas saying ''not wrong'' or ''reasonable''. That''s enough."


    Celene stood still, eyes wide as if reviewing the entire process. After a while, she stared intently at the young man waiting in front of her.


    Then she blurted out, startling both herself and the other party.


    "Can I follow you as your subordinate?"

 Chapter 45

    Both stood still on the street for several seconds, each recognizing the awkwardness from the other.


    Celene composed herself, cleared her throat, and spoke.


    "You must have some subordinates by now, right?"


    Nathan understood what Celene was implying. Building a power base was quite common among core disciples of various sects, like Ben who followed Zeryn in Crystalton. This arrangement allowed disciples to focus on more important matters while still handling minor tasks.


    He hadn''t considered this yet due to the recent time constraints.


    "Oh," Celene exclaimed, "so you don''t have anyone at all."


    Her face lit up with renewed vigor. This was an incredibly rare opportunity. While one could have many followers, the first would always be unique and special. If she bet correctly on this young man''s future, her returns would far exceed all others.


    Little did Celene know that this position had already been claimed by a certain white-furred monster.


    "You must need someone to help you?" Celene probed.


    "Yes," Nathan replied.


    "For example, with the upcoming wine transactions. You''ll need someone to handle transportation or conduct negotiations while ensuring your interests are protected. Am I right?"


    "That''s correct."


    "I can handle that. Along with some side operations."


    "Such as?" Nathan found himself intrigued.


    "Such as manipulating your wine supply a bit. Meeting The Amber Path Coalition''s quota on one side, while selling on the side. Profit isn''t the main concern; it''s about pressuring the guild. We wouldn''t be violating the contract since I''d be the one doing it."


    Nathan''s eyes widened at her analysis and willingness to backstab the very organization she worked for.


    "That makes sense," Nathan commented.


    Hearing this, Celene''s brows furrowed even deeper. She looked around, realizing their current location wasn''t suitable for such a conversation. She didn''t want to leave a poor first impression.


    "Would you like to try one of the popular restaurants here?"


    "Not a bad suggestion. Lead the way."


    So the two walked forward in silence. Celene was likely calculating everything, while Nathan took in the sights of the city.


    After several turns at intersections, Celene led him to The Essence and Spice restaurant.


    While the restaurant''s structure followed the local angular style, it had its own distinctive decorative elements. At its center, a crystal hearth glowed brilliantly, radiating warmth. The service setup was eye-catching, with just one circular table surrounding the kitchen like a bar counter. The chefs stood on one side, their hands dancing skillfully with meat and ingredients. The other side was reserved for dining guests. Private tables were available upstairs for those who preferred them.


    "Shall we sit down here?" Celene asked, already guessing Nathan''s preference.


    Nathan nodded. He wanted to observe the chefs and evaluate their skills.


    The girl beside him hesitated slightly. She took a deep breath and exhaled to steel her resolve.


    Celene got a Standard Mana Stone for the receptionist. The staff member, dressed in neat and tidy purple attire, smiled and bowed deeply, inviting them both inside.


    Once they were settled at the counter surrounding the kitchen area, Nathan finally spoke up.


    "The entry fee is that high?"


    Celene concealed a pained look, her lips still trembling slightly as she spoke.


    "This is one of the most renowned restaurants in Maelivar. I assume you''d want to scout a bit before actually hosting dinner parties."


    Nathan nodded thoughtfully. That had been his initial plan. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you''ll win every battle. Sun Tzu said that, if he remembered correctly.


    Celene took charge of ordering instead of letting Nathan do it. She figured this young man would order everything on the menu.


    Nathan gave a wry smile at being misunderstood like this. However, seeing that Celene had already ordered the most expensive dish, he didn''t comment further. He only needed to evaluate the restaurant''s proudest dish anyway.


    While waiting, Celene returned to the main topic.


    "You didn''t say ''No.''"


    Nathan smiled. This girl was actually applying his own negotiation method.


    "You must be thinking that you don''t need to decide right away because with your position," Celene continued, "you can find other candidates."


    A flash of surprise crossed Nathan''s eyes. That was exactly what he''d been thinking. Celene might have sparked his interest in finding someone to work for him. But she wasn''t necessarily the candidate he had in mind. George was a promising option. Nathan could invest in helping this guard rise higher in the city''s power structure. From there, he could obtain breakthrough information.


    Celene was a girl who, by his assessment, was resilient and eager to learn. Those were good qualities. However, her current potential wasn''t enough. Asking him to spend time observing or evaluating her during his limited time was unthinkable.


    Nathan suddenly realized this was the same view Verdant Spire Sect had of him before the tournament. Despite possessing other admirable qualities, results were what people aimed for more. He felt a twinge of discomfort.


    Seeing Nathan''s expression, Celene tried to maintain her composure.


    "I''ll take your silence just now as a ''No'' from you? What I lack must be something to prove my capabilities to you."


    Nathan absently looked elsewhere, getting a headache from this issue. He had helped her because he empathized with being pressured by superiors, but he wasn''t foolish enough to just accept anyone. Poaching an employee from their partner, The Amber Path Coalition, wasn''t a wise choice at all.


    At this moment, the chef had finished preparing their appetizer. Two beautifully decorated square porcelain plates were placed before them.


    "Enjoy your meal," the female chef said warmly.


    Nathan stared intently at the dish before him. Though he couldn''t judge the taste yet, its visual appeal was undeniable. True to its name ''Moonlight Pearl Scallop'', the shell reflected white spots of light, dancing in the air like they were playing. The meat was carefully placed in the center, garnished with perfectly round pearls.


    [Cooking] hadn''t emphasized this aspect. The skill focused purely on cooking and ensuring flavor and nutritional effects. Decoration was quite limited unless it affected the taste.


    Nathan didn''t think too much about it and picked up his utensils to eat.


    Celene beside him was somewhat surprised. She had thought someone who wanted to cook for fame would know the dining etiquette for nobility rather than being so casual. She kept quiet though. After all, she wasn''t in any position to criticize.


    After a while, Nathan let out a breath, feeling both disappointed and pleased. The dish would be delicious by his standards before receiving [Cooking]. From aroma to taste to texture, everything reached an impeccable level. However, it stopped there. The nutritional effects were almost completely lost due to the ingredient preparation methods and the added vegetables. The chefs'' focus was on making food taste good, not on [Cooking]''s aim of not only pleasing the palate but also making a person stronger.


    This was understandable; one could use medicine to become stronger. Dining was, after all, just an experience. From Tier 3 upward, a person no longer needed to eat. They only needed to supplement essence and mana for long-term energy. Even Tier 2 could manage with Nutrition Pills. Enjoying meals mostly served social and business purposes.


    "You seem unsatisfied?" Celene finished her portion and ventured to ask.


    "It''s acceptable," Nathan gave a noncommittal response.


    "If I can prove my worth to you, will you consider taking me on?"


    Nathan tilted his head, his face showing some weariness as he asked back.


    "Why are you so persistent with me? I think your career path at The Amber Path Coalition could lead to other opportunities."


    The flow of people coming to trade at the store was enormous. Nathan didn''t believe he was special enough to warrant this attention.


    Celene pressed her lips together, hesitating between whether to speak or not. Finally, she decided that having chosen this path, she should see it through.


    "To truly change one''s life, someone like me must follow a young master from prominent families, or disciples, distinguished students from various places. Only then can the future find its way out."


    "Way out?" Nathan wondered.


    "Out of this city," she said, her eyes shining. "I come from a long-established merchant family. By my generation, the business had declined. The debt burden now rests on my shoulders."


    Nathan swallowed hard, feeling sympathetic. His mother had also struggled with various expenses after his father passed away. All the debts for housing, or money borrowed from friends for his medical treatment, had to be repaid in full.


    "My brother was evaluated as having cultivation potential," Celene seemed lost in her thoughts as she continued. "So my parents didn''t want to place financial burdens on him. Instead, they hoped I could help. Things might have been manageable if my brother hadn''t offended an inner disciple of Obsidian Fang Sect. Now the money I earn isn''t enough."


    "So the family''s hope was your brother, but like that, he just added to the existing burden."


    "You could say that."


    Nathan finally understood the hidden reason behind Celene''s targeting him. His status. Just establishing this connection would make that disciple think twice.


    "My reputation isn''t as good as you might think," Nathan reminded her.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    "I know," Celene said quickly, her voice sincere. "Please forgive me for investigating your information."


    "It''s fine," Nathan said dismissively, "that''s normal."


    "However, I reassessed everything rather than jumping to conclusions. You''re only Tier 1 now, that''s very clear. But in that outer disciple tournament, you proved your ability. I believe there must be a reason why an elder who has lived for hundreds of years chose you as a direct disciple, a level above inner disciples."


    Nathan smiled, his view of Celene changing somewhat.


    "So why me? You could find others."


    "Who would accept a mere employee like me into their service?" Celene said bitterly. "I''ve tried for years, and you''re the only one I could get close enough to approach."


    "That harsh?"


    "You think other talented young people are as easy to talk to as you?" she smirked, her large round eyes flashing with deep-seated resentment. "I''d get scolded or reprimanded just for speaking a few extra words."


    Nathan looked at the plate being taken away by the server. He finally understood why Celene was willing to spend such a large sum for him to dine at this restaurant. A Standard Mana Stone wasn''t a small amount, even in a place with high living standards like Maelivar. Knowing she was in debt made this amount even more precious. He couldn''t help but recall a difficult time on Earth. The pandemic and economic upheaval could really push a person to the brink.


    Just as he was about to speak, Celene stopped him.


    "I said those words earlier to get you to give me a chance, not hoping for immediate acceptance. Although getting a chance is already pity, I still don''t want it to be more pathetic."


    Nathan chuckled, taking wine from his spatial pouch, asking the staff''s permission before pouring it into the glasses before them. He clinked his glass first to ease Celene''s hesitation.


    "Cheers for the lower class."


    Celene relaxed, picking up her wine glass to drink. She had been hoping to try it since seeing Thomas''s praise. The taste and aroma of the wine left her speechless, further strengthening her faith in this seemingly approachable young disciple.


    The next dish was called Symphony of The Sea, using fish and various seaweeds to create an unusual but still distinctive mixture. One could smell the fresh ocean breeze emanating from the broth.


    After eating this most expensive dish, Nathan lost all interest in the two remaining courses. He had made a preliminary assessment of the quality, feeling more confident in his direction. After all, his approach was quite unique and would surely bring the desired effect.


    "You said you wanted to get out?" Nathan asked absently.


    "Yes," Celene wiped her mouth with a napkin, smiling. "Maelivar is wonderful, but my history with it makes me uncomfortable here."


    "And only by leaving will you feel liberated?"


    "That''s right. You sound like you understand this. How strange."


    Nathan rested his hand on his chin, his eyes gazing distantly at his life. If he could pinpoint a moment that changed everything, it would be when his mother decided to leave their old city for a new place. He had reacted very strongly then, having to leave his childhood friends behind. Only later did he understand a bit about the geographical imprisonment each person feels.


    Verdant Spire Sect might have become such a thing if he hadn''t received the system. So partly, this was why he didn''t want to take on a staff role in the sect.


    "I think I''ll have use for you in the next few days," Celene said firmly. "During that time, please accept a PsiLink friendship with me."


    Nathan confirmed his agreement as soon as he received the invitation.


    Just as he was about to stand up to leave, a message from Celene arrived. It was the contract she had drafted. He blinked at the girl before him, wondering when she had found time to complete this.


    "I prepared it beforehand," Celene smiled proudly, "in case the opportunity presented itself."


    Nathan skimmed through it for ten minutes, concluding that Celene must be crazy. Was this what people called ''selling yourself to capitalism''?


    The contract terms had almost nothing in Celene''s favor. The required salary was low, and the profit sharing from transactions could be considered negligible, only 0.1% or less. Moreover, he had full authority to terminate the contract if he felt like not maintaining it. Of course, Celene could use his name to benefit herself in one way or another. However, this was truly a contract no different from slavery.


    "We''ll have to discuss these terms again," Nathan said, raising his hand to prevent any objection.


    He stood up, paying for dinner instead of letting Celene take out her purse again. He tried to endure the pain of spending such a large amount on eating. A Standard Mana Stone was enough for people in Crystalton to live comfortably for several years.


    This extravagant city is frightening, Nathan silently cursed.


    He convinced himself that if city dwellers were willing to spend money to eat at places like Essence and Spice, they would want to attend his dinner party.


    Outside, Celene remained silent, feeling she might have upset Nathan.


    "Does The Amber Path Coalition have any hotels in the city?" he asked.


    Celene raised her head, adjusting back to her professional demeanor, moving forward to lead the way.


    "That''s certainly the case. We want to enhance customer experience as much as possible."


    Nathan followed her, returning to the old route. The city was now moving towards night, with lights being lit.


    Maelivar would truly make Nathan miss its noisy and radiant beauty. During the day, it was no different from a heavy industrial zone, but at night it had a certain allure. The city''s square architecture, once lit up, made everywhere look like lanterns floating in the air. The passing vehicles and transport equipment became spots of light decorating the night. The flow of people remained bustling, but couldn''t obscure the city''s brilliant glow.


    While still looking around, Celene had led him to a hotel right behind The Amber Path Coalition store. No sign was displayed.


    "The hotel only serves customers coming to trade with the guild," Celene explained. "Priority is given to partners. Thomas has already booked a room for you."


    Nathan nodded, walking past Celene to enter the lobby.


    He paused, tilting his head to speak to her.


    "Underselling yourself isn''t always good. You should have more faith in yourself."


    With that, he disappeared under the guidance of the hotel receptionist.


    Celene stood there, her eyes unblinking until that back was no longer visible. Only when her eyes were dry did she let out a breath. It seemed she had overdone things today.


    The room Nathan received left him shocked for several minutes. It was more luxurious than anything he''d ever seen before. Everything was covered in either bright gold or pristine white. The tiled floor was cool to the touch. Above, chandeliers were evenly distributed, emitting a warm, gentle light. Glass surrounded the room, allowing him to see the floating lanterns both near and far.


    Most notably, the room had a system for condensing ambient mana, helping guests adjust their spirit through breathing exercises and replenish energy.


    Too exhausted, Nathan threw himself onto the bed that seemed to want to embrace him, swallow him into the depths of comfort. In just a moment, he had dozed off, truly sleeping soundly since arriving at Moirath Forest.


    The next day, he was called to The Amber Path Coalition through Celene''s notification.


    The girl had been waiting for him outside the hotel since early morning. Seeing his sleepy expression, she showed no reaction, just happily welcoming him.


    She led him upstairs at the guild, but instead of the first room, they went further. When they were nearly at the end of the hallway, she opened the left door, gesturing for him to enter.


    What greeted him was every chef''s dream paradise. A kitchen with every type of equipment from simple to the most advanced was laid out scientifically before his eyes. The gleaming metal surfaces made him blink several times to adjust.


    On this side of the kitchen area, a group of people was gathered together, including Thomas. Three men and three women, ranging from middle-aged to elderly, were engaged in quiet discussion. When they saw Nathan enter, Thomas signaled them to be quiet. He stepped forward, shook hands with Nathan, then proceeded with introductions.


    "Ladies and gentlemen," his voice loud and clear, "this is Nathan Reed. The one I mentioned for this event."


    The other five people smiled lightly, merely nodding in greeting rather than being as warm as Thomas. They had received payment to be here. Since this business deal had already gone to Thomas, their hospitality wouldn''t yield much benefit.


    "As I said," Thomas continued once the formalities were done, "Nathan wants to cook for us today. Then each person will make their own assessment of whether The Amber Path Coalition should proceed with the intimate dinner event."


    "We have about two hours," a woman wearing thick glasses stepped forward, her voice somewhat authoritative. She was primarily addressing Nathan rather than Thomas.


    "How does that sound?" Thomas asked Nathan.


    "Should be enough."


    Hearing the certainty in the young man''s response, Thomas felt even more assured. He was currently in charge of this matter, so he didn''t want any unexpected situations. He gestured for the other senior managers to sit at the table prepared in the room. Then turning back, he patted Nathan''s shoulder.


    "Good luck. That is, if you need it."


    Nathan smiled as he stepped into the kitchen area. The aroma of the materials he had requested hit his nose straight on, invigorating him. Celene followed behind as ordered by her superiors to assist him if needed. Nathan didn''t mind and began taking inventory of the materials to check their quality.


    The six senior managers of The Amber Path Coalition only watched indifferently, either discussing other work matters among themselves or monitoring through PsiLink. They were somewhat bored seeing Nathan showing no urgency or worry; fifteen minutes had passed, and the young man was still wandering around the ingredients rather than starting to cook.


    Just as they were about to reproach Thomas, all the switches in the kitchen were turned on, not just one at a time, but completely. That action made everyone present turn to look, wondering what the hell was happening. From the oven to the stoves, everything blazed with fire. Their mouths gaped when they saw Nathan''s movements.


    With his physical condition, he moved through the kitchen spaces dizzyingly fast, sometimes washing vegetables, sometimes evenly chopping meat. What made him radiate an inexplicable attraction was that everything seemed to follow a rhythm, precise to the second. When the oven had heated for ten minutes, it was also when he put the pressed meat rack in. Right after that, he turned to put vegetables into a pot at just the right boiling point. Before his hands could rest, a sizzling pan was already being thrown with spices. As if not busy enough, he proceeded to mix eggs with a specially prepared cream.


    Celene had no choice but to step out of the kitchen area, limiting the possibility of collision with Nathan. Her face constantly showed amazement. What dazzled her were the ingredients requested by the young man now dancing and whirling around. A rough calculation suggested several hundred Standard Mana Stones for Shardscale Drake meat and various rare medicinal herbs. Nathan didn''t seem to trust spices much as he mostly prepared everything himself. The remaining costs must have been for renting this high-end equipment. This was necessary as normal fire wouldn''t create the desired effect for Drake meat.


    Clattering sounds echoed throughout the room. Nathan''s movements were smooth and refined like an artist performing with their instrument. At some point, all six pairs of eyes were glued to the scene before them, completely immersed in both the skillfulness and the tantalizing aroma gradually spreading.


    Nathan spent more than two hours on his cooking process, but finally, no one spoke up or asked him to stop. They were all too busy swallowing hard, unable to wait any longer.


    When Nathan saw everyone''s expressions, he just smirked.


    Everyone ends up like Argy anyway, he thought cheerfully while completing the final steps.


    When six plates of food were served, the observers couldn''t wait any longer. However, they were somewhat wary seeing the ground meat that had been pan-seared wasn''t decorated at all. The extremely simple dish with a dark brown color was placed in the center with sauce poured over it. No garnish with any vegetables or leaves.


    "Please, everyone," Nathan said cheerfully.


    He really didn''t want to focus too much on a tasting session. After all, the effect he was waiting for didn''t come from decoration.


    Several clinking sounds rang out as the six senior managers picked up their knives and forks. Nathan didn''t stay to hear their opinions but returned to the kitchen to complete his pudding.


    He took out the Universal Root he had bought beforehand, chopped it into small pieces like grains, and proceeded to extract the juice. He could have requested The Amber Path Coalition to procure this for him, but for now, he had to pay for ingredient costs himself. Only when they truly approved would he feel comfortable requesting more Universal Root. Before that, save where possible.


    In the blink of an eye, he seemed to see seventy Standard Mana Stones being squeezed dry in his hands.


    On the other side, all the diners were eating in rapture. Celene only dared to stand still in one place, her mouth dry and tongue bitter with craving. Just the meat''s aroma had made her stomach growl.


    The dining plates were quickly emptied. In each person''s mind, they felt ecstatic, only wishing they could eat another portion. The spices blended together reasonably, creating an explosive reaction for the taste buds. The aftertaste carried a hint of sweetness from the broth. All six people briefly concluded that this was the best dish they had ever tasted.


    But that was all; their eyes carried appreciation, not the greed a businessperson should have.


    Nathan skillfully carried six small bowls, each containing a portion of pudding like any pudding, nothing too special. The surface swayed back and forth with his movements.


    With a click, all six bowls dropped in front of these temporary judges.


    At this point, one of them spoke up.


    "Your cooking is good," the man''s booming voice carried a seemingly negative evaluation. "It would be wonderful to open a restaurant. Don''t you think?"


    "Are you suggesting I should stop cultivating and pursue this profession?" Nathan coldly asked back.


    "This isn''t a bad choice, is it?" He chuckled, making his mustache wiggle in an irritating way. "Given your condition."


    Nathan''s eyes lowered, feeling annoyed. He came here with the status of someone proposing cooperation, not to be judged by things unrelated to business. The incident with Elder Nalani had made him more easily irritated in situations like this.


    Seeing both sides about to jump into a fight, Thomas stood up to intervene.


    "At least let Nathan complete his work, Robert!"


    Nathan acted as if he hadn''t heard, withdrew the bowl in front of the person called Robert, and handed it to Celene.


    "There''s still a portion of meat inside," he told her. "Eat the meat before eating this pudding."


    Celene was startled when she heard this. Perhaps Nathan hadn''t prepared the portion for her but for someone else. But he wanted to put that talkative senior manager in his place, so he did this. Either way, she happily complied.


    "You..." Robert jumped up.


    Nathan acted as if he didn''t see, spreading his arms to the other five people.


    "I''m confident I''ll get enough five votes from everyone. Enjoy this dessert before it''s too late."


    Hearing this, the other five immediately raised their bowls to enjoy. They had been waiting for a while now, their inner hearts somewhat displeased with Robert.


    Fifteen minutes later, each senior manager wore exactly the kind of look Nathan had been waiting for. Greed and anticipation.


    As he predicted, five votes in favor of this investment were cast.


    Tomorrow evening, Nathan would have a stage of his own.

 Chapter 46

    While Nathan was busy with his plans, notable events were unfolding on the other side.


    After the Verdant Spire Sect disciples had settled into their rooms, other organizations either arrived or were arriving in succession. Everyone''s convergence served a purpose: to conduct diplomacy and address any necessary matters, from minor to major, before the official event began.


    Verdant Spire Sect''s first meeting was with Obsidian Fang Sect, their ally for over a hundred years. Elder Nalani arranged the meeting. However, she spent most of her time in a private office with the delegation leader from Obsidian Fang Sect. Whatever they discussed remained unknown to the disciples, who spent their time socializing and enjoying themselves at Ethereal Sanctum Resort.


    The soccer game in this world had undergone modifications. Instead of being played on an open flat surface like a grass field, the playing area was an oval-shaped space with walls built from durable, highly elastic materials. The ball could be propelled not only by normal foot power but also by the players'' mana, creating chaotic and entertaining situations as it ricocheted off the arena walls.


    Verdant Spire Sect and Obsidian Fang Sect played against each other all day until the novelty wore off. The Obsidian Fang Sect wanted to meet Zeryn, but the young genius declined. He spent his time in meditation, cultivating insights gained from the Verdant Spire trial. Moreover, he was disheartened by Nathan''s public dismissal. Thus, he had no desire to make an appearance before his fellow disciples.


    As for Zahra, she remained carefree. She participated in the matches with explosive energy and drew considerable attention. Her movement abilities and bloodline instincts made her a formidable opponent on the field. Xander, conversely, was awkward and rigid when trying this game. His Spear Intent, which should have been a secret weapon, became mere entertainment. Nevertheless, neither sect dared to mock him too much.


    The main event everyone anticipated came that evening: a gathering between the various sects.


    Ethereal Sanctum Resort, recognizing the significance of this gathering, spared no expense in renting additional floating platforms. Combined with their existing facilities, they created a venue that captured the attention of onlookers throughout the city.


    As night fell, even from afar, pedestrians could see a floating glass cube rotating slowly in the darkness, reflecting the city''s lights. Spotlights were arranged around it to enhance its grandeur and uniqueness. The previous recreational areas were either pushed away or retracted underground, creating space to highlight this singular structure.


    The attention and investment this meeting received stemmed from its potential to shape future directions. Though not as crucial as the official gathering in the inner city at Duke Kael''s castle, these external meetings still held significance. This was especially true while tensions between sects and organizations hadn''t yet escalated before The Shifting Trials.


    Similar to Ethereal Sanctum Resort, other key venues would host comparable gatherings on subsequent evenings.


    As resort guests, the Verdant Spire Sect disciples were among the first to arrive. Besides Obsidian Fang Sect, Stormcrown Institute was also present. The three groups of disciples exchanged pleasantries and practiced their diplomatic skills as instructed by their superiors. Stormcrown Institute, not being allied with either faction, maintained a certain reserve.


    When the main banquet began, other factions arrived. First came the next generation of Maelivar''s four great houses. The young masters and ladies wore luxurious, eye-catching attire that some considered gaudy, contrasting sharply with the unified appearance of the sects. They were accompanied by promising young talents from the city, presumably also participants in the upcoming event.


    The heirs quickly moved to acquaint themselves with the disciples. Whispers of discussion and the gentle clink of wine glasses filled the air.


    Zeryn, though reluctant to attend, greeted anyone who approached him with a cordial smile. He understood the importance of socializing with the elite class. Only through such interactions could one''s opportunities for advancement truly increase. He skillfully took Emrys Merinor''s hand, kissing it with practiced grace while flashing a charming smile.


    "Thank you for hosting this gathering for us," Zeryn''s voice was warm, conveying genuine appreciation.


    Unlike other girls, Emrys smiled gently, her hand smoothing the purple dress adorned with gem-studded wave patterns from tail to chest as she curtseyed in response.


    "The honor belongs to House Merinor," she deflected credit from herself. "We only hope you find no cause for concern during your stay here."


    "Oh, not at all," Zeryn withdrew his hand, taking two wine glasses from a passing server and offering one to Emrys. "I can say the Resort''s service is the finest I''ve experienced thus far."


    Emrys covered her mouth as she laughed. She swirled the wine in her glass once, using her gray eyes to assess her counterpart. While Zeryn''s appearance here was somewhat casual, it was still captivating. However, she approached him for another reason.


    "I thought you''d be more particular, being one of the brightest talents here tonight."


    "You wrong me," Zeryn chuckled. "I''m confident in myself, yes. But not to that extent."


    "Is that so?" Emrys feigned innocence, though the information on PsiLink was enough to reveal certain aspects of this young man''s character.


    Zeryn shot her a look of discomfort when she raised her glass to drink, blocking his view. A moment later, he had restored his normal expression.


    "Then you wouldn''t refuse if I suggested discussing some matters with you?" Emrys tilted her head, allowing her expensive custom perfume to drift closer to Zeryn''s nose.


    "Why would I be difficult about that?" Zeryn waved his hand, partly to disperse the overwhelming fragrance. "I''d be delighted."


    "Then please," Emrys set her wine glass on a nearby table, gesturing for Zeryn to follow her to a private room.


    Zeryn had, to some degree, also chosen to approach Emrys. He had caught her eye the moment she entered, hoping to attract her attention. He succeeded while she harbored similar intentions. Choosing House Merinor was partly due to their neutral stance, avoiding extreme factions. As a result, the information they could provide would be the most comprehensive, though perhaps not the most verified or effective. Nevertheless, Zeryn would handle the remaining verification himself. What he needed was direction, and House Merinor wasn''t a bad choice for that.


    Similar situations played out in other areas. Houses Nyralith and Partheon each had their own targets. House Aetheris remained indifferent. The young master sent to this banquet was the sixth son of the family head, born to a concubine rather than the main wife, and thus received few resources. He was chosen simply because others didn''t want to attend. Only Obsidian Fang Sect showed interest in approaching him.


    After their brief conversation, Emrys and Zeryn emerged from the private room, exchanging smiles before parting ways. The young lady had to continue receiving and networking with others. Zeryn found a seat, tugging at his collar wearily, inwardly lamenting how much less fun this was without Nathan. His friend, though prone to objections, would always go along with Zeryn''s crazy schemes when asked.


    At this point, after several independent individuals had arrived, the major factions finally made their entrance.


    The disciples all turned to observe these groups who would become either future allies or enemies.


    Entering from the north door was a group of over ten disciples from The Living Metal Sect, wearing neat brown and black uniforms. They shared one common feature: thick vambraces on their arms. These were known to be their signature tools. The Living Metal Sect was one of the few organizations specializing in crafting, and surely their remaining disciples were engrossed in various locations throughout Maelivar city.


    Leading the group was Malik Ibrahim, with a thin frame and sunken eyes. Despite his seemingly weak appearance, he received cautious glances from over a hundred people who had arrived earlier at the banquet. This was because he was the famous genius known for fighting above his tier. The video showing him fighting to a draw against a Tier 3 cultivator continued to gain views without decline.


    At the east door, only one person entered. This sparked immediate discussion.


    "I thought The Burning Autumn Lodge announced they would send quite a few disciples?" a young man accompanying Lady Emrys spoke up.


    "They wouldn''t be so arrogant as to snub us by not attending, would they?"


    "That''s because the one who came is Adrian Kov¨¢cs," Emrys coldly informed everyone.


    Sounds of understanding arose from the crowd.


    Adrian strode in laughing loudly, his voice full of arrogance.


    "Hello, weaklings."


    Yet no one spoke up. Not because they weren''t annoyed at being addressed this way, but because they felt picking a fight with this bastard wasn''t worth it.


    Adrian was insane. This was the consensus from available information. Never had an organization needed to spend so much money covering up their member''s actions as The Burning Autumn Lodge had done for him. Currently, searching for information about this small youth yielded few results. However, warnings and negative reports about him still littered the forums, as long as they didn''t mention his past.


    Emrys, as House Merinor''s representative, felt obligated to step forward and say something.


    "Adrian, I hope you''ll show some restraint at this gathering."


    Adrian exhaled sharply, looking up at the girl who was a head taller than him, wrinkling his nose in displeasure.


    "Beautiful sister," his voice mocking, "you reek. Want me to burn some of that off?"


    Emrys''s face hardened, her eyes growing sharp.


    Seeing this, Adrian raised both hands in surrender.


    "Just joking, why so tense? Have you all lost your sense of humor?"


    With that, Adrian slipped past her into the banquet.


    He was even thinner than Malik. However, while Malik''s gauntness seemed to come from lack of sleep, Adrian''s thinness carried a more frightening aspect. He looked as if he had been wrung dry. The skin around his face bore ugly wrinkles, evidence that he had once been healthy. People could only guess this resulted from the terrifying events he had caused.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Adrian ignored the scrutinizing looks, heading straight to the food table, grabbing a mountain of dishes in the most unrefined manner before carrying his tower of plates to an empty seat. After that, people only heard constant munching from that direction. Everyone just shook their heads and ignored him, wondering how someone could eat so much yet remain so thin. They weren''t sure whether to admire this or not.


    The western entrance welcomed disciples from Azure Lake Academy. If Nathan were here, he would recognize their leader, Reza Karimi. Beside him was Callum. And of course, Evelyn was present. She looked somewhat different from when she met Nathan in Moirath Forest. Notably, the change was still ongoing rather than complete. Her skin bore snow-white marks, occasionally showing iridescent scale-like patches that shimmered with various colors when light struck them.


    Unfortunately for Reza, all attention focused on Evelyn. The team leader, realizing this, didn''t seem too bothered. As long as it was Evelyn, he was fine with it.


    "That girl gives off the same feeling as Nathan," Zahra commented to Zeryn, showing interest for the first time since the banquet began.


    "How so?" Zeryn asked curiously. He was different from his usual self, not paying much attention to Evelyn, as if waiting for someone else.


    "Bloodline thingy," Zahra shrugged. "The aura she emits keeps growing stronger."


    "What kind of aura? Delicious like Nathan?" Zeryn teased.


    Zahra laughed loudly.


    "More like the aura of a rival."


    "A rival for Nathan?" Zeryn wouldn''t let up.


    Zahra patted his shoulder.


    "Is he worth it?"


    With that, she returned to her food and drink.


    Zeryn observed the students from Azure Lake Academy. At first glance, truly no one emanated the same oppressive feeling as the blue-haired girl. Like Keira, she exuded an inexplicable authority.


    Evelyn, not particularly in the mood to participate, brightened when her teammate mentioned the Verdant Spire Sect disciples'' presence. She immediately looked in that direction, searching. Unfortunately, she didn''t see that disciple anywhere. She silently thought he must not have earned a slot to attend. Without dwelling on it further, she followed her friends forward.


    Zeryn caught the sweeping gaze of this captivating girl, who outshone even Emrys despite her simple attire. He was certain she had been looking for someone from his sect. He tried to recall but couldn''t think of anyone who had deep connections with Azure Lake Academy.


    The fourth group entering from the south door interrupted his train of thought. Zeryn''s relaxed posture immediately stiffened, his eyes growing serious. The person he had been waiting for had finally arrived.


    The delegation from The Resonating Blade School was modest, arriving with only six people. However, they drew the most attention. This was simply because the team leader, Sigrid Bergstr?m, carried a honored sword. Or more accurately, an official replica of it ¨C the Resonating Blade, from which the school took its name.


    Honored swords or any weapons with far-reaching reputations would be respected and listed among the most powerful weapons. The Resonating Blade was on this list, at least in the past, until it was broken. No one knew exactly how this happened. People could only speculate that it must have been during some epic battle between Tier 8 and Tier 9 cultivators.


    The replica sword lay in a seemingly simple leather scabbard inscribed with various ancient languages, drawing everyone''s attention. Though a reproduction, it was said to be more precious than Tier 4 blades. The main reason was that a portion of the sword soul from the broken blade had been transferred to this replica.


    An honored sword couldn''t exist without a sword soul, its own will. Though this soul had been broken, it remained far more powerful than other weapons. For it had once been the emperor among emperor weapons. Even in its fallen state, it still commanded respect from lesser beings.


    With the appearance of The Resonating Blade, disciples carrying weapons felt embarrassed and discretely stored them in their spatial rings, avoiding loss of face.


    "Thieves," Zeryn whispered through clenched teeth.


    His gaze locked onto Sigrid. The red-haired girl, sensing the hostility, looked up to see who it was. Upon seeing Zeryn, her eyebrows furrowed. She didn''t understand why she was receiving such negativity, but she knew this was a formidable opponent. The headmaster had warned her to watch out for this handsome young man. He was one of the most dangerous individuals who might appear here. Not for any other reason than his Sword Intent far surpassing his peers. Nevertheless, she glared back without fear. With the Resonating Blade in hand, she had nothing to fear.


    The sword in her hand trembled as if sensing her emotions. It released its will to assist her. In the air, invisible to all, a formless thrust formed.


    Zeryn groaned as his eyes felt like they were being split in two. Blood trickled from the corners of his eyes.


    Zahra quickly stood to support him, asking worriedly.


    "What''s wrong, Zeryn?"


    "Nothing."


    "Nothing doesn''t make you bleed. Who dared to attack here?"


    The pain prevented Zeryn from saying more. He took a deep breath, letting his Sword Intent rise, cutting through the force emanating from the Resonating Blade. When he opened his eyes, though lined with red streaks, they held a sharpness that seemed almost tangible.


    Sigrid barely had time to secretly rejoice in her successful retaliation before she was forced to step back. She blinked in disbelief at what had just happened. About to urge a counterattack, she noticed something strange about the sword in her hand. It had become unusually docile, no longer vibrating. It had admitted defeat. She looked back at Zeryn''s smirking face, secretly terrified of his power.


    No one knew that in just a few seconds, there had been an exchange between two geniuses from both sides. The group only thought Sigrid stood there to observe, unaware of what had transpired. She tilted her head away, accepting her defeat, silently vowing to directly defeat Zeryn in the upcoming event.


    Watching the group from The Resonating Blade School walk in the opposite direction, Zeryn shook his head to regain his composure. His eyes still ached but it wasn''t too serious. Only he understood why he had been able to counter-attack and silence that sword.


    While resting, he noticed commotion nearby and finally paid attention to the last group of disciples arriving. Wearing dark blue uniforms like the night sky, the disciples of The Thousand Stars Pavilion entered with uniformly arrogant expressions. Upon seeing them, most people had to be cordial, showing even more respect than they had to The Resonating Blade School. This was because they were the only organization with a Tier 6 leader among all participating parties. For comparison, the Kingdom of Caelindor''s highest was only Tier 5, similar to surrounding powers. This had created a bad habit among these disciples of looking down on others. Anyone who was dissatisfied could only swallow their pride. These disciples were the Pavilion''s future, and the possibility of being punished by a Tier 6 cultivator when things went wrong was not small.


    Things became even worse when these people directed murderous intent toward the Obsidian Fang Sect disciples, allies of Verdant Spire Sect.


    Emrys, seeing the situation deteriorating, stepped forward to mediate, hoping things wouldn''t escalate further on her family''s territory.


    "Welcome, Jingyi. Everyone has been waiting long to meet the disciples from The Thousand Stars Pavilion."


    "Really?" Jingyi, with her pitch-black hair, gave a slight laugh. "I only feel hostility since stepping in here. Perhaps I should leave and wait for House Aetheris''s party instead? They surely wouldn''t invite trash to attend."


    Emrys struggled to keep her face from twisting at this insult, maintaining her smile.


    "Well?" Jingyi still wouldn''t let up. "Give me an answer."


    "Everyone can be friendly," Emrys calmly said. "Why don''t we all have a drink, eat something, and have a little talk?"


    "Hmph."


    Jingyi ignored her suggestion, tilting her head to look at the Obsidian Fang Sect group. The targeted disciples felt like they''d fallen into an ice pit under that threatening gaze.


    Then Jingyi turned, about to leave.


    Emrys stepped forward, hoping to stop her.


    "Everyone..."


    "Shut your mouth," Jingyi snapped. "We won''t stay where we''re not respected."


    With that, Jingyi led her entire group away.


    Emrys froze completely, her face turning pale beneath her makeup. She lacked the strength to even feel angry as she realized she might have handled this situation poorly.


    This turn of events left many people unsure how to proceed. They ultimately chose to leave.


    The Living Metal Sect and Stormcrown Institute left first. Sigrid, still shaken by the sword in her hand, didn''t object when her teammates suggested leaving. Only Azure Lake Academy remained unchanged from start to finish, never once showing surprise or caution toward anyone. They stayed, continuing to socialize.


    Adrian from The Burning Autumn Lodge remained equally unconcerned. He hadn''t stopped eating once since the beginning.


    The sickly young master from House Aetheris smirked once, then didn''t stay much longer. Though looked down upon at home for being less capable than his siblings, he still maintained the inherent pride of a noble. He might be insulted at home, but outside he absolutely had to show that he stood above others.


    Laurent Nyralith was present like other Artificers, focused solely on their discussions. Losing The Living Metal Sect affected their mood slightly as they lost one side of the debate. That was all there was to it. Laurent had tried to find Nathan but without success. He didn''t pay it much mind, remaining focused on listening to everyone''s sharing.


    House Partheon, having lost their main target Jingyi, lingered only long enough to save face for House Merinor before departing some time later.


    This event left Emrys Merinor silent in a corner. The welcome speech and various prepared games and gifts were essentially wasted. With the current situation, House Merinor would likely be the subject of mockery across PsiLink throughout the night and the next day. The consequences, whether good or bad, were mostly clear.


    One should not offend those more powerful than oneself.


    Zeryn observed everything with an indifferent attitude. These power plays by young people were just surface-level theater ¨C the truly concerning ones were the powerful figures standing behind them. For it only took a thought from them to truly make others afraid.


    As for Verdant Spire Sect, The Thousand Stars Pavilion wasn''t yet enough to be considered a threat. That was what he knew from his sources.


    While people were buzzing with discussion about last night''s meeting of promising young talents, Nathan was busy in the kitchen.


    Though the plan had been approved, he still needed to prepare several dishes. Ingredients frequently came and went under Celene''s supervision. She watched entranced as Nathan demonstrated his skills. The young chef''s movements and demeanor truly mesmerized others. Most importantly, she could wait to sample whatever dishes Nathan felt inspired to cook.


    As evening approached, Celene received a notification from senior management and immediately informed Nathan.


    Nathan turned off the stove, his eyes scanning around. He truly liked having a kitchen like this to himself. Best would be if he could stuff it into a storage ring and take it out whenever he wanted. If life ever got too difficult, he could choose to both travel everywhere and be a nomadic chef ¨C not a bad idea at all.


    He stepped out to face Celene, receiving the information package via PsiLink. The results made him frown, somewhat dampening his spirits. Only six people would attend, half of the initial target of twelve.


    "It''s because manager Robert didn''t actively network," Celene explained.


    "Even though he would profit from commission if he fulfilled his responsibilities?" Nathan asked.


    Celene fidgeted with her fingers, choosing her words carefully.


    "On the surface, he claims he tried his best. But Robert is the manager who brings the most profit to The Amber Path Coalition. So unless he deliberately influenced this result, it''s unlikely he couldn''t bring even one person."


    "And if he had actually done his job, how many people would you estimate he could have brought?"


    "At least two, at most four."


    That many? Nathan was secretly surprised.


    However, he didn''t regret his previous actions at all. He needed to let others know where his boundaries lay rather than continue being cautious. Even if that came with a price to pay.


    "Did you deliver today''s food to my friend Zeryn?" Nathan asked.


    "Already done," Celene answered, wondering if this was really the focus.


    "That''s good then," Nathan nodded. "Do you have any insights about the current situation?"


    Celene tilted her head in thought, partly surprised by Nathan''s calmness today. He seemed somewhat different from two days ago.


    An idea flashed in her mind, but she bit her lip, unsure whether to speak.


    "Just say it directly, I won''t blame you."


    Celene steeled herself, straightening up, and spoke.


    "Forgive my directness, but with this guest list, don''t expect to gain the reputation you want."


    "What do you mean?" Nathan asked without taking offense.


    "We need to elevate the discussion level of tonight''s dinner. One way or another."


    "You''re talking about dirty marketing?"


    Celene, excited to show her expertise, suddenly choked up, only able to nod.


    "Currently, the hot topic is last night''s young talents'' gathering in Maelivar city," she explained. "So to overcome this topic, you not only need to use your skills and unique dishes to attract attention, but you also need to create discussions, both positive and negative."


    "You already have someone in mind?"


    "Yes," Celene tapped her lips, looking worried. "But it could push things toward either the worst or best outcome. The focus is that it will be very costly."


    "I''ll handle the money," Nathan said calmly.


    "It''s not about money, but owing favors."


    Nathan nodded in understanding. Money wasn''t everything; sometimes what people wanted was a promise of repayment when things went wrong.


    "It''s fine," Celene exhaled to steady herself. "I''m willing to pay this price."


    Before leaving, she reminded Nathan.


    "I just hope you''ll truly consider taking me as your follower. During the time before I actually bring that person here, please extend the duration as long as possible."


    With that, she rushed off, delegating someone else to guide Nathan.


    He chuckled at Celene''s determination. If everything went smoothly, he would seriously consider her proposal.


    He changed into his chef''s uniform, which bore both the Verdant Spire Sect and The Amber Path Coalition emblems embroidered on the chest.


    Zeryn messaged him on PsiLink as he was heading out.


    "Your help is on the way."


    Smiling, Nathan felt more confident.


    Whatever today''s outcome might be, he had already tried his best.

 Chapter 47

    Nathan was led to what he could only describe as the backstage area. He wasn''t sure if that was the right term, but it seemed fitting enough with the curtains drawn, leaving only thin slivers of light seeping through the gaps at the bottom and middle.


    The Amber Path Coalition had given this event the attention and organization it deserved. They had transformed the upper level of their guild hall into an auditorium by restructuring the walls. Instead of the glass panels common elsewhere, the walls were adorned in warm, bright colors, with shades of red, yellow, and orange dominating the palette. The stage area was accented with streaks of green, emphasizing its importance as the performance space.


    Nathan took several deep breaths, his nerves still jangling despite having [Random Talent].


    Your today''s talent is Chilly Chill.


    Its effect was to make him remain calm in any situation. That explained why he had been able to maintain his composure while discussing tonight''s arrangements with Celene, even though things weren''t looking particularly promising.


    He opened and closed his hands repeatedly to keep his blood flowing and to have something to do while waiting. The sounds from beyond the curtain were muffled into indistinct noise. He felt like he was back in school, or preparing to present to official employees or company managers. His heart alternated between racing and slowing, his stomach clenching then settling. The effects of Chilly Chill kept surging and ebbing like waves.


    Outside, Thomas''s voice grew closer as he gradually moved toward the curtain.


    "...a rising talent from the Verdant Spire Sect. I rarely make guarantees in life due to my ethical business principles."


    A ripple of soft laughter rose from the guests. Nathan, with his enhanced hearing, could tell that tonight''s gathering wasn''t as small as he''d thought. He surmised that The Amber Path Coalition had invited additional spectators, either reporters or city influencers, to witness the event.


    "But tonight, I''ll make an exception," Thomas''s voice brimmed with excitement and vitality. "Anyone fortunate enough to taste the upcoming dishes will have an unforgettable lifetime experience. If not? I''m prepared to offer a full refund. You may hold me to my word."


    Nathan couldn''t help but chuckle at the supreme confidence of the senior manager who had taken on his business proposition. He figured he''d been lucky to meet him rather than someone like that Robert fellow.


    "Well then, I won''t keep you waiting any longer," Thomas''s voice rose, "let''s welcome our star of the evening. Please give a warm welcome to our chef, Nathan Reed!"


    A swift swooshing sound marked the curtains being drawn aside.


    The light from the lamps positioned around all four sides momentarily blinded Nathan. He adapted quickly.


    If not for the Chilly Chill talent, he would have been trembling at the number of attendees.


    The Amber Path Coalition had elevated Nathan''s cooking performance to the same level as dance and musical performances, second only to Artificer competitions or product launch events. This made sense, given that was Maelivar''s focus.


    For this reason, they had invited quite a few guests purely to watch, though they wouldn''t be eating. These individuals were more focused on socializing and networking, rather than paying much attention to the young chef. Their primary interest lay in exercising their tongues for conversation, not for tasting.


    The viewing area was divided into three sections, with the nearest featuring comfortable seats and spacious tables with refreshments for the VIP guests. The middle section had simpler seating with just enough space to move through, primarily reserved for journalists. The highest and farthest section was standing room only, mainly for curious onlookers with nothing better to do.


    Currently, the occupancy rate across all sections was only about fifty percent. The important guests who had come were mainly there out of respect for The Amber Path Coalition.


    Near Nathan''s kitchen was a circular area. This was Nathan''s specific request, despite the city''s predominantly rectangular architecture. It simply allowed guests to view the entire process while keeping his walking route short and comfortable. Additionally, it aligned with his intended theme.


    Nathan bowed politely to everyone as custom dictated. His movements were calm and graceful as if he had done this countless times before. This earned him a few whispered words of approval from the crowd.


    He scanned the room once, exhaling softly, knowing how difficult it was to build a reputation. This many people wouldn''t be enough to create the buzz needed to reach Duke Kael''s office. He could only hope his assistance would arrive in time.


    Pushing aside further thoughts, he lifted his head and smiled at everyone. The circular table in the center had a gap allowing him to step inside. He made a round checking all the kitchen equipment, using it as an excuse to buy time for Celene.


    When he reached the oven, what he found inside made him blink several times. He looked up at Thomas and received a wink from the man.


    Set in the center of the heating element was a fire-producing gemstone. He didn''t know its name but understood its function. He wouldn''t have to worry about heating up or cooling down times anymore, able to reach his desired temperature in just seconds. This would ensure the dishes maintained the quality he wanted.


    He silently thanked Thomas for listening to his complaints after yesterday''s test meal.


    "Honored guests, please proceed to the table," Nathan announced in a dignified voice, having completed his inspection. He couldn''t delay for late arrivals at the expense of those already present.


    Six people rose from below and stepped forward.


    They wore elegant and noble attire befitting their social status and financial means. It was worth noting that while not heavily advertised, The Amber Path Coalition had sold these seats at a premium price. After all, they had to cover the costs of ingredients and organization. Most of these six had purchased their seats at the floor price of three thousand Standard Mana Stones.


    Nathan silently calculated, momentarily staggered by tonight''s figures before the talent''s effect steadied him. His mood turned somewhat wry as he thought about [Cooking]. This skill provided him with the ability to grow stronger rapidly. But it was expensive, expensive beyond imagination.


    Three thousand Standard Mana Stones could sustain a town like Crystalton for several years. Yet here it was being used for a single meal. He didn''t even dare think about how just a few months ago, he had been overjoyed at having 100 Lesser Mana Stones in hand.


    The chairs around the table moved automatically, making space for the six honored guests to be seated. They smiled at Nathan, showing some anticipation for tonight''s event.


    Nathan cleared his throat and spoke.


    "First, I thank you all for coming to this modest dinner tonight. I know I''m practically a novice asking for unprecedented attention and trust."


    Heads nodded in agreement.


    "Therefore, I won''t disappoint you. Tonight we have a five-course dinner. I''d like to introduce each dish''s name, but I think I''ll explain them better as they''re served. I hope you don''t mind."


    No one voiced any objections.


    Nathan bowed once more, stepping back to return to his culinary sanctuary.


    Typically, such dinner parties would include musical and dance performances to entertain the guests. However, Thomas had insisted on removing them, arguing that Nathan himself was an artist. His business mind had created a brand for the young chef. People weren''t just coming to eat; they were coming to witness an artist at work.


    As a result, the whispers below questioned what The Amber Path Coalition was doing, silently criticizing their event organization skills.


    The six guests also shifted uncomfortably in their seats, unsettled by a dinner that differed from their expectations.


    Nathan, with his unwavering calm, looked over the ingredients arranged in a spiral pattern as he had requested. Plants and animals were separated. Knives and other utensils were exactly where he wanted them. Pans and cutting boards awaited his touch. The entire kitchen seemed to echo with calls for his attention.


    He almost thought he was entering [Cooking]''s hidden state, like the Into The Zone of [Martial Art Mastery]. But it was really just excitement building up inside him.


    Closing his eyes, he steadied his breathing.


    When he opened them, he moved into action.


    His movements weren''t much different from his demonstration for The Amber Path Coalition''s senior managers. He made a round at extremely high speed, each hand movement activating different equipment. He simultaneously threw ingredients that needed to be boiled, fried, or roasted into their respective pots and areas. Then he returned to tasks requiring attention like chopping vegetables and preparing seasonings.


    When he placed a fish on the board and began removing its skin and bones, each of his gestures was so elegant and precise that everyone had to stare. Not a single movement was wasted. There wasn''t even a moment''s hesitation. Everything could only be described as perfect. Nathan felt like those sashimi chefs he used to watch online in his previous life.


    The guests below finally understood the reasoning behind The Amber Path Coalition''s decision. They stood there mesmerized, not forgetting to record videos to share with friends. Even before the cooking stage, they knew the upcoming dishes couldn''t possibly be bad.


    The clinking sounds of knife meeting cutting board, the sizzling from the pan, and the humming from the oven took turns rising up. Though so fast only afterimages could be seen, Nathan''s cooking techniques never once faltered, as if he were a robot rather than human.


    Just as he finished cutting some greens in his hand, Nathan looked up, moving to the specially modified cooking pot. At its peak sat an orb emanating the golden-orange light of the sun. He placed the fish he had just cut inside, one hand resting on the pot''s rim to sense it, while his eyes remained fixed on the contents within.


    As if there was an automatic timer in his head, after a few minutes he struck the pot''s side, causing the lid to fly up, followed immediately by the tray of processed fish. His hand caught the tray as it hung in mid-air, turning to divide the fish onto six plates with his chopsticks, setting the remainder aside.


    Six portions were balanced on his arms without any mishap as he brought them out to the guests. The system probably hadn''t expected Nathan would use [Martial Art Mastery] in a situation like this.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Six guests looked down at the portions before them. The round fish slices were cut with exquisite precision and arranged in a spiral pattern atop a plate with curves rippling like waves on water''s surface. Around them sat small white spheres, emanating artificial mist.


    "I call this dish Dawn''s Whisperer," Nathan introduced with his hands behind his back to the guests who were still properly waiting for him. "The meat is from the Dawn Lotus Fish, a species that has the habit of absorbing sunlight nutrients in the morning. As you saw during my cooking process, the pot wasn''t used for cooking, steaming, or boiling, but functioned as a miniature sun. The Dawn Lotus Fish was still not completely dead when brought in, so with a little stimulation following its natural habits, the meat becomes significantly more special. As for how special, please enjoy and find out."


    Pairs of knives and forks clinked as they were picked up, then everyone couldn''t wait to bring the translucent round fish slices to their mouths. With just the first bite, all six guests wore satisfied expressions. They all came from various powers large and small in Maelivar and had eaten many dishes in their lives. But truly, just with this first dish, they could judge that Nathan''s culinary skills far surpassed their past experiences. The flavor was light and pure, like tasting the freshness of dawn melting in their mouths, making their minds feel refreshed.


    The spectators below saw the expressions of the wealthy people in front and clicked their tongues, both envious and admiring.


    Nathan smiled with satisfaction, not immediately cooking as he still remembered he needed to stretch time whenever possible.


    The six guests quickly dispatched the four slices of fish. Their eyes all lit up in anticipation of the next course.


    Nathan automatically collected the plates and cleaned up. This first dish was inspired by his days fishing in Crimson Lotus Lake with the Vermilion Apes. He and those monsters had nearly drained the lake due to their gluttony.


    The six guests tilted their heads in discussion with each other, all agreeing about Nathan''s cooking ability. Two of them even wanted to invite him to be their private chef. He politely declined to comment on this matter, instead asking about everyone''s experience. He didn''t have time for that. Additionally, he figured his value wouldn''t stop at just a few thousand Standard Mana Stones.


    When he couldn''t delay any longer, he began preparing the second course.


    After about half an hour of performance with kitchen utensils, he brought out black plates. On top was meat carrying an odd pale blue-white color. The rising fragrance wasn''t heavy but carried a hint of lightness. The accompanying vegetables were mushrooms, including Blue Cap Mushroom, matching the color of the dish and maintaining contrast with the black plate.


    "Heaven''s Breath," Nathan said. "A dish made from Skyreach Bird. Though small, this bird can fly very high, the reason being it possesses something humans have always desired. Mana-rich veins. If we were born like that, everyone would already be at the peak of Tier 1 since the beginning."


    The listeners all nodded in agreement. Monsters always carried strange characteristics. Unfortunately, the world always tried to maintain balance. Skyreach Birds had an advantageous start, but weren''t convenient for cultivation. They flew high only to escape predators. Humans, for instance.


    The second course ended as quickly as the first. The taste was even harder to resist than Dawn''s Whisperer. Most importantly, it maintained the initial ethereal sensation. The light taste of bird meat on the lips made the taste buds feel refreshed, as if experiencing flight in the sky.


    Everyone put down their knives and forks, sensing a familiar energy flow.


    Mana?


    They all opened their eyes wide to look at the vibrant young man before them. He smiled at everyone, confirming their sensations weren''t wrong.


    Monster meat always carried superior nutritional content, including mana and essence. However, humans didn''t eat it to become stronger because preserving these two types of energy during cooking was extremely difficult. Each type of meat or vegetable required a vast amount of different knowledge. Adding just one ingredient would make the cooking equation unbalanced. And not everyone had the resources to try again and again to produce an effective recipe. Cooking to provide energy or cultivation was many times more expensive compared to investments in Alchemists.


    Only a few cultivators who followed the savage path of devouring would fully inherit the benefits from raw meat or medicinal ingredients. Even that wasn''t easy due to the body transformation process. Whether they could still be called human was debatable.


    All six people were veteran businesspeople, and they glanced at the senior managers sitting in a corner drinking wine. They secretly regretted letting a chef like Nathan slip through their fingers. They quietly guessed that the next course would be even more precious.


    Nathan smiled, going to collect the spotlessly clean plates, and poured his own wine for each person. He had changed the bottle''s appearance to increase its luxurious and extravagant feel. From the gold-plated bottle mouth fell red wine for each guest.


    Knowing the young chef wouldn''t do anything unnecessary, each person carefully tasted the offered wine. As a result, all had to blink several times, their reactions even stronger than to the dishes.


    "This is wine I personally refined," Nathan smiled and said. "If you like it, you can purchase it through The Amber Path Coalition in the future to enjoy."


    The senior managers sitting on the other side all raised their wine glasses toward the honored guests.


    "This guild bites thoroughly," one person at the table said sourly.


    This statement echoed the feelings of the others. The problem was that they themselves didn''t have enough reputation as the four great houses to compete with The Amber Path Coalition. This consequence they had to bear themselves. However, whether they would truly give up or not, nobody knew.


    Nathan was about to step back to prepare the next dish when the main door suddenly opened.


    He immediately stopped his movement, secretly rejoicing that he had stretched time a bit.


    A girl wearing an elegant dress in blazing red entered. At her shoulder was a flower corsage enhancing the radiance she brought. The sound of heels tapped evenly on the floor as she walked forward, straight to the dining seat.


    Everyone had to make way for her without daring to show any annoyance.


    Thomas hurriedly stepped forward to greet her.


    "Welcome, Miss Emrys. May I ask what brings you here?"


    "I wish to join tonight''s dinner, is that possible?" Emrys asked, neither warm nor cold.


    "This..."


    Thomas tilted his head to ask Nathan''s opinion. Price-wise there was space available, so no problem there, the concern was whether the food already cooked could maintain its quality. When he received a confirming nod, he smiled brightly.


    "Of course. Please, take a seat."


    The current guests showed no reaction to this late participation from the Merinor house''s young lady. After all, they didn''t have enough face to do so.


    Emrys maintained her nobility as a well-bred lady, politely nodding to greet everyone. Finally, she turned her appraising gaze to this direct disciple from Verdant Spire Sect. After a moment, she spoke.


    "I was recommended to come here by someone who promised me certain things. I hope you won''t disappoint me."


    From Emrys''s words, Nathan deduced this must be the assistance Zeryn had mentioned. He was somewhat amazed at his friend''s working speed. Then again, such efficiency was expected of a rising star among the younger generation.


    "Then allow me to demonstrate," Nathan responded with proper courtesy.


    Just when he thought this would be the last guest of the night, Nathan couldn''t help but start when the recently closed door was violently flung open.


    A thunderous bang made everyone freeze and turn toward the back. Amid the creaking of hinges that seemed ready to tear off from the impact, a group of people entered.


    Leading them was a young man around Nathan''s age with a high-and-tight haircut. His attire wasn''t flashy, but rather a form of combat or training gear designed to be both form-fitting and comfortable for movement. However, contrasting with the dignity his outfit conveyed was an insolent face, chin raised high in contempt of everyone around him. His eyes were sharp enough to cut.


    Following him was a small group wearing similarly designed outfits, differing only in color. Theirs were grey-black, while the young man''s was white.


    Even with Chilly Chill''s effect, Nathan couldn''t help but stiffen. Zeryn would never invite someone like this to his dinner. Therefore, this person could only be the result Celene had promised to bring.


    I don''t know if you''re helping or killing me, Celene, he silently sighed.


    "Lachlan Rourke," whispers rippled through the crowd. "Who invited him?"


    "Was it Amber Path Coalition? They must be crazy."


    "Surely not, since they''re wearing the same expressions as us."


    Indeed, the senior management group of the trade guild wore looks of disbelief as they stared at the entrance. Among their invited guests, they couldn''t have sent an invitation or contacted this person. He could come to dinners tomorrow or the day after, but not today. Anyone who came today would more or less reflect The Amber Path Coalition''s relationships. And the name Lachlan Rourke was something they least wanted to be associated with.


    Nathan had spent some time browsing PsiLink when he had free moments since arriving in Maelivar. Among the jumbled information, the name Lachlan Rourke stood out above all. In a negative way.


    He felt he had to step up before the young man with the impudent face could make a scene. The round table created a gap for him to step out.


    He tried to force his most friendly smile, seizing the initiative to speak first.


    "I''m truly glad to have you attend tonight''s dinner, Mr. Lachlan."


    "What right does a kitchen dog like you have to speak to our master?" an attendant following behind pointed at Nathan.


    Lachlan glared at him as if to show authority, but his eyes carried a hint of satisfaction, clearly not truly upset with his subordinate. Though reprimanded, the subordinate just sneered and withdrew his hand perfunctorily.


    Nathan laughed loudly, as if to dispel the tension.


    "Everyone''s a friend at tonight''s dinner."


    Lachlan''s perpetually curled lip tightened, his eyes growing cold as he spoke for the first time, carrying a heavy tone with a hint of malice, leaving Nathan no room for retreat.


    "Who''s friends with you?"


    Motherfucker, was what [Bad Mouth] had activated wanting Nathan to say but couldn''t.


    Skills conflicted.


    Consequences: Chilly Chill will override [Bad Mouth] according to your desire.


    Damn it! Without this am I digging my own grave? Nathan silently cursed the system.


    Silence enveloped the space. Around them, people shook their heads in dismay at Nathan''s choice. They all judged him foolish for inviting Lachlan to attend the dinner. For clearly, he was the culprit, not The Amber Path Coalition.


    "Then how about the opportunity to become friends?" Nathan said steadily, maintaining his composure.


    Hearing this, Emrys had to secretly give Nathan a thumbs up. The honored guests agreed as well.


    Lachlan surely came here for a reason, so what he really wanted wasn''t to cause trouble. On one hand, he wanted to demonstrate his status through his crude entrance. On the other hand, that was also a ladder to step down and join the dinner.


    Nathan had cleverly resolved this issue by acting humbly, accepting his position as inferior rather than superior. This both showed he was weak and ready to please the other party, exactly what Lachlan wanted.


    Lachlan smiled, patting Nathan''s shoulder, somewhat surprised by the firm response from the muscles he struck.


    "Well then, we''ll see how you perform."


    "Then allow me to demonstrate," he said, identical to what he had told Emrys.


    After that, he gestured inviting Lachlan to the table. The entourage stood to one side. They could be crude to serve Lachlan''s wishes, but understood their own position. From Nathan''s perspective, it was similar to the descendants of a Tier 4 - they couldn''t just offend anyone they wanted to offend. Even though the direct disciple of Verdant Spire Sect always maintained a humble attitude.


    Nathan followed Lachlan back to his position. The arrogant fellow chose to sit next to Emrys, putting his feet up on the table without any regard for etiquette.


    The young lady of the Merinor house frowned at this troublemaker''s uncouth behavior.


    "Girl, do you have somewhere to go tonight?" Lachlan teased.


    "I am the young lady of House Merinor," Emrys said, assuming this bastard truly didn''t know. However, the response was completely opposite.


    "Oh, I know. But haven''t they kicked you out after last night''s incident? I wouldn''t mind taking you in to warm my bed."


    Emrys whipped her head around, eyes angry as she looked at Lachlan. Then she turned back to Nathan.


    "Is this how you treat your guests?"


    Her tone was full of indignation. Even though Zeryn had highly praised the young man before her, she couldn''t accept being insulted like this. Nathan, as the host, had to step in to resolve this before she had to take matters into her own hands.


    Without Chilly Chill, Nathan''s teeth would surely have been chattering from the deadly chill emanating from this Lachlan Rourke. It was no exaggeration that everyone avoided him like the plague.


    He didn''t blame Celene too much. He understood that the "dirty marketing" effect she mentioned could only be maximized through the most notorious figure. The guests and journalists present were maintaining an oddly suspicious silence because they were quietly discussing on PsiLink. The first step in the debate about his reputation.


    He stepped forward, bowing apologetically, using the same approach he had with Lachlan.


    "I''m willing to change seats for you, as well as offer a promise," Nathan deliberately referenced what she had said earlier. If Emrys could have exchanges with Zeryn, then she could have exchanges with him. "I promise that after tonight, you won''t regret coming here. It might help with your situation somewhat."


    Hearing this, Emrys started, somewhat bewildered that someone like Nathan could help her with anything. Her investment was in Zeryn. However, given the current situation, even with very low probability, she still wanted to find a way to resolve last night''s incident. If that only required enduring some meaningless insults, it would be worth it.


    Emrys nodded, pushed her chair back to stand, and walked around to sit opposite her previous position.


    Her action drew evaluating glances from below, but she ignored them.


    Lachlan just smirked, not particularly concerned, only growling out.


    "I came here to eat."


    And you haven''t even paid for your ticket yet, Nathan thought irritably.


    His mood immediately returned to ripple-free calm.


    "Coming right up," he returned to his kitchen, preparing the reserved portions of Dawn''s Whisperer and Heaven''s Breath.


    On the other side, the senior managers of Amber Path Coalition all shifted uneasily as they saw the current debates exploding on PsiLink.


    They weren''t good at all.

 Chapter 48

    Celene rushed to the venue where the feast was being held. She leaned against the doorframe, panting heavily as she surveyed the scene before her.


    Though she couldn''t yet make her way to the front, the whispers around her confirmed that her intended target had arrived. Scanning through PsiLink, she witnessed a torrent of abuse being hurled at Nathan, with people calling him by the most unsavory names and epithets for showing friendliness toward Lachlan Rourke.


    Celene swallowed hard, steadying herself with the reminder that this had all been anticipated. The negative marketing that both she and Nathan had aimed for had to start with a wave of antagonism. How to turn the tide would depend entirely on Nathan''s conduct.


    Finally managing to squeeze her way to the front, she positioned herself to the side, enduring disapproving glances from The Amber Path Coalition''s senior management. After this, if tonight''s results didn''t improve, she was certainly going to be fired. Her head spun slightly at the thought of such a future.


    She tilted her head to look at Nathan, who was intently focused on the dish before him, and reinforced her faith in him. She kept reassuring herself that if everything fell apart, Nathan would still take care of her. She couldn''t count how many times tonight she had had to pat her chest and tell herself this, each time based on what might have seemed like foolish speculation.


    Finally, she turned her attention to Lachlan Rourke, the young man who sat arrogantly with his legs crossed on the table, distanced from the other guests. He maintained his contemptuous, disdainful attitude toward others.


    Region Commander Axel Rourke, Lachlan''s father, had always been a controversial figure among the people of Maelivar. His assigned jurisdiction encompassed Maelivar, which created military conflicts with Duke Kael.


    In a world where Cultivators possessed immense destructive power, conflicts ranging from small to large scale were inevitable. A single individual could create intractable problems for an entire nation. Therefore, Duke Kael''s policy had always been to maintain control and deterrence over cultivators. This was also to combat criminal organizations involved in merchant guild robberies or assassinations. However, Commander Axel consistently blocked Duke Kael whenever he raised these issues. Axel''s excuse was that the military had other matters to attend to, rather than dealing with such trivial concerns.


    What angered the citizens even more was that Maelivar still had to pay tribute in both money and military supplies to Axel Rourke''s army. Duke Kael could do nothing about it since he had no Marshall backing him. As a result, both the citizens and leadership of Maelivar were at odds with the Regional Commander and anyone associated with him.


    To add fuel to the fire, the central officers under Axel Rourke''s command were draining resources from Maelivar.


    To show respect, cities would not send their youth to participate in events like The Shifting Trials in other cities. The leadership understood that they should let others'' young generation have opportunities to grow. Only this way could the necessary balance within a nation be maintained. Above all, it was to avoid unnecessary animosity. If a Duke''s child were to meet with misfortune, leading to intense confrontation, the results would only get worse and worse. Physical injuries would be minor compared to creating vulnerabilities for neighboring countries or other forces lying in wait.


    But the military didn''t fall under the jurisdiction of city nobility and leadership. Axel Rourke held no bestowed title and belonged to the military side. However, the Marshall''s power was sufficient. The king turned a blind eye to these matters. This led to Axel''s generals behaving excessively. Among them was his wayward son, Lachlan Rourke.


    Three years ago, when Axel Rourke was still stationed in the west, Lachlan Rourke had already participated in a similar event in the city of Daliphon with young men under his father''s command. This year, he appeared again in Maelivar, leading to intense protests from both the upper echelons down to the youth. Duke Kael could only intervene by limiting the military''s participation slots to five people, far less than the ten allowed at the Daliphon event.


    The small flame of anger and frustration erupted into a volcanic rage in the citizens'' hearts when they learned that Lachlan Rourke was a bastard. In just the two short weeks since his arrival in Maelivar, he had been carousing, drinking, and causing havoc while the City Guard could only arrest and release him the same night. The most infuriating incident was when a girl committed suicide after being used by him. The girl''s family, being commoners, were forced into silence.


    Discussions on PsiLink had to be careful, not too direct with curses for fear of bringing trouble upon themselves. When faced with accusations, Axel Rourke would simply brush it off with a casual remark suggesting that soldiers were just having a bit of fun after the tensions of the battlefield. But which battlefield, the commander never specified.


    Thus, when Lachlan appeared at the dinner party, everyone''s expressions were particularly vivid. Most wanted to leave or throw things at Nathan, but seeing the Merinor family''s young miss gritting her teeth and enduring, they all forced themselves to hold back. They could only express their anger through eyes that wanted to tear Nathan apart. After all, they hadn''t been able to do anything to that cursed Lachlan.


    Celene shuddered involuntarily, her emotions complex and varied.


    The main target up on the cooking platform only wished his goosebumps would be enough.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense] x 65. One credit given.


    ...


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost] x 65. One credit given.


    Nathan estimated that nearly a hundred notifications had popped up in his Passive System already. [Adrenaline Boost] had several times nearly ruined his cooking process as his heart rate suddenly increased, making his hands shake when the skill activated. Chilly Chill immediately suppressed these emotions.


    He felt as if he were surrounded by monsters rather than people.


    He knew that among those present were even Tier 3 cultivators. Their hatred was truly something a Tier 1 like him couldn''t bear. He suspected it might be coming from the six guests sitting right here.


    He was unaware that in this situation, he was actually receiving some positive evaluations from those around him. To them, he was still just Tier 1, yet he could withstand the hostility emanating from cultivators'' spirits. That alone was an achievement proving his capability.


    Regardless of the constant turmoil churning in his gut, he struggled to maintain his pace and rhythm, his hands remaining steady despite everything around him feeling like an earthquake. Because right now, the Shardscale Drake meat was the most important thing. For no other reason than it being eye-wateringly expensive.


    Shardscale Drake was a Tier 3 monster. Hunting it required an entire complex process. It was the reason for the inflated price of tonight''s dinner. Just a shoulder cut already cost nearly a thousand Standard Mana Stones.


    Monster meat was usually purchased by Alchemists to make pills, but only in small quantities. Therefore, the market normally didn''t have much supply because nobody kept the meat for anything else. The skin, monster core, or monster teeth were the valuable parts that had already been consumed. This created conditions for the selling price to reach unreasonable levels.


    The reason Nathan had to choose Tier 3 meat was because of the quality of essence still preserved inside. Meat that hasn''t gone through processing would lose quality very quickly. With cooking being secondary in this world, preservation techniques could be considered at level zero. He could only choose Tier 3 meat because even after losses, the essence inside would still be sufficient.


    As for why not use the monster core instead, it was because [Cooking] had no knowledge for processing this essence-rich item. Either the skill wasn''t high enough level, or simply because monster cores weren''t meant to be eaten. Nathan''s ability to eat one when defeating the Vermilion Ape Leader was due to the influence of Berserker and [Titan''s Descendant].


    Nathan completed the meat grilling process to eliminate the gamey smell. The fire from the specially crafted stones proved incredibly helpful, allowing easy temperature control. He assessed that this dish would taste significantly better than before.


    With the challenging phase complete, he moved through the remaining steps quickly. Being a dish with considerable fat content, the aroma mixed with other ingredients wafted up in clouds, drifting into the noses of the distinguished guests and observers. The discussion volume gradually decreased, replaced by sniffling sounds from those affected by the tantalizing smell.


    The most important course of the evening was complete. Nathan divided the dish into eight portions and served them to the guests. The meat, charred on the outside but juicy within, was placed on elaborate plates that seemed assembled from colorful scales. Beside it were streaks of sauce to enhance the flavor.


    He swiftly collected the two empty plates from Emrys and Lachlan who had cleaned them spotless. Though initially indifferent, after eating, Lachlan had to change his expression. He ate ravenously like a hungry wolf, though he still maintained enough dignity not to ask the chef for more.


    "Dragon''s Pride," Nathan introduced after stepping back slightly, capturing the attention of all eight guests. "The name might make everyone here wonder if I''ve gone mad. A drake isn''t a dragon."


    Instead of the previous light chuckles, this time everyone remained silent. Clearly, their hatred for Lachlan had spread to Nathan.


    Nathan kept his sigh internal, calmly continuing.


    "But a Drake''s dream is to become a dragon, as they are, after all, descendants of this noble species after many generations of hybridization. One could say that pride runs in their blood despite being looked down upon. And surely among us all are those who share a Drake''s stubborn nature, hoping one day to match the nobility of dragons. I, as today''s head chef, hope all guests truly achieve that goal."


    Nathan''s slow but powerful words made everyone feel a degree of empathy. This was indeed the emotion every cultivator carried. Just as dragons looked down on drakes, cultivators were all looked down upon by those stronger and more noble. And everyone understood that in this world, variables were numerous. You could be the mountain peak today, the sun that everyone must bow their heads to avoid its glare, yet still be overthrown and replaced at any moment. Stories of lowly drakes becoming dragons after many trials and evolution were not few. So Nathan''s metaphor wasn''t wrong at all.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Clap! Clap! Clap!


    Everyone turned their heads toward Lachlan Rourke, who was applauding frantically. The newfound appreciation for Nathan dissolved like smoke in the wind.


    If anyone had noticed, they would have seen Nathan''s face fall, but it returned to normal in just a fraction of a second.


    "Well spoken!" Lachlan said loudly. "But if you say it like that, aren''t you implying that everyone here is a Drake, those lowly and cowardly lizards? Not noble like Dragons?"


    Mother of... This crazy beast! He''s twisting everything I said. Nathan truly wanted to roar. He considered whether making a scene here would achieve a similar effect of getting reputation. In just one second, he''d thought it through, concluding that people would judge him more negatively. He had invited them here, but was letting them be spun around like tops.


    "So according to you, Lachlan, who here is a dragon?" Nathan casually asked. "I certainly wouldn''t dare claim to be one myself."


    "Obviously, it''s me," Lachlan lifted his chin and answered without hesitation.


    "Oh, so that''s how it is," Nathan smiled.


    Everyone who heard this became even more irritated with Lachlan.


    Emrys cast an appreciative glance toward Nathan.


    Celene''s jaw dropped in disbelief. In just a few sentences, Nathan had dodged the bullet aimed at him, even managing to bend the danger back toward the one who had fired it.


    Lachlan absently looked around, realizing what the chef had just done. The hatred he had wanted Nathan to bear had ultimately returned to himself. Rather than Nathan implying it, he was the one pointing out that everyone else was inferior, and he was noble and deserved submission. With the existing hatred, this only made him bear more animosity.


    "Very good!" Lachlan clapped once more, laughing loudly. "You really are an interesting one!"


    And you just shut up, will you?


    Ignoring the troublemaker, Nathan addressed everyone else.


    "Now then, please enjoy. Don''t let the food get cold from waiting too long."


    Lachlan smirked when he saw Nathan once again taking a jab at him, criticizing him for prolonging the time.


    Emrys grinned, seeming to realize that this friend of Zeryn''s wasn''t simple at all.


    With a bit of reasoning, no one here deserved the title of dragon more than Nathan based on the previous story. Whether a weak or disadvantaged dragon. Simply because he was a direct disciple of an elder from the Verdant Spire Sect. Unlike young ladies and young masters who automatically received family nurturing, disciples like Nathan had to struggle to win their positions as heirs and receive cultivation.


    The Kingdom of Caelindor was at peace, so Lachlan couldn''t possibly be someone who had matured through war. Speaking of hardship, rising up, or status, there was no comparison. As for psychology or etiquette, there was no need to speak of it. Ten Axel Rourkes wouldn''t be enough for Alaric Tethras to fight. Organizations like the Verdant Spire Sect were only held in check under the Emperor''s feet. So bearing fangs and claws at Nathan wasn''t really intelligent.


    Nathan remained unaware of everyone''s current thoughts, focusing only on their reactions. He kept glancing at the clock, as if hurried. The time extension didn''t seem to be as minor an issue as it appeared on the surface.


    Dragon''s Pride entered the guests'' mouths. After one bite, those who had maintained their composure before no longer showed any restraint. The dish should normally be savored slowly, but this course forced them to eat quickly. Not just because it was indescribably delicious, the most refined meat dish they''d ever tasted, but also because of the essence spreading through their bodies. The essence had been subdued, not naturally fierce, quietly ruling within each person''s body.


    By this point, they finally understood what Nathan was trying to do. Not just eating, but also providing cultivation resources, like consuming pills.


    "Truly a unique experience," one guest praised appreciatively.


    Dishes at other establishments almost always eliminated the monster''s natural essence to make it easier to eat and digest. Nathan''s dish had far exceeded that ordinary standard.


    "I''m very glad you enjoyed this dish. Shall we proceed to the next course?"


    Everyone could hear the urgency in Nathan''s voice, so no one objected.


    Lachlan shrugged when Nathan looked his way, his eyes seeming to say, "If you want to start something, just say the word, I''ll accommodate you right away."


    Seeing his opponent unusually quiet, Nathan immediately collected the plates. Then, he brought out the fourth course for everyone. Inside dark-colored bowls was clear soup through which one could see the bottom. Regular people looking at it would think they were being served plain water. But the aroma rising up indicated something entirely different.


    "Nature''s Balance. A dish with Harmony Root as the main ingredient. We are part of nature, so balance is something we should aim for."


    Not paying much attention to the introduction, everyone raised their spoons to taste the dish. Everyone judged this to be the least impressive dish so far. The taste was still good, but it didn''t carry the explosive sensation of the previous courses.


    One round passed, and Nathan brought up the final dish.


    When the plates with triangular pudding were brought out and placed on the table, the eyes of six people from The Amber Path lit up brilliantly. They knew the performance had reached its climax. The supreme attack from the young chef had arrived.


    Nathan was somewhat hurried now. Though outwardly he remained composed thanks to Chilly Chill''s effect, his mind was running at full capacity.


    When the small palm-sized puddings placed in crystal plates were served, everyone turned to look. The pudding looked ordinary, nothing outstanding. If anything, it might have been the light reflection from the plate that gave it some vibrant colors. The pudding''s surface was smooth, floating under Nathan''s movements.


    He placed the portions before everyone, but before he could introduce it, there was already a gulping sound from Lachlan''s direction.


    The pudding on the plate had vanished.


    Nathan''s mouth corner twitched continuously, seeming as though even calmness had its limits.


    Lachlan''s disrespectful action once again caused everyone to mutter. They cursed this attention-seeking person with ugly words. Only when the entourage shouted out wanting to find who had just spoken did everyone fall silent again.


    "Even after eating, one can still listen to the introduction, right?" Lachlan snickered.


    Nathan smiled and nodded. Then, he spoke.


    "Universal Resonance is the name of today''s final course. Unlike the previous names that were tied to ingredient characteristics, this name carries a completely different meaning. Ah, though if you consider the main ingredient being Universal Root sharing the same word, it makes sense too."


    "Then why does it bear this name?" a middle-aged guest asked.


    "Well, you''ll have to wait until everyone has finished eating to find out."


    Since they weren''t worried about essence dissipating like with the Shardscale Drake meat and had reached the event''s final segment, the small pudding was savored rather than eaten quickly. Everyone truly felt that good food should be eaten slowly.


    "I suppose you''re all wondering what''s so special about this, aren''t you?" Nathan circled around once, asking those who had eaten his dishes, naturally excluding Lachlan. This bastard keeping his mouth shut was already helping him tremendously.


    The guests smiled awkwardly. That was indeed their thought. Besides being delicious and allowing simultaneous cultivation, it wasn''t particularly special. Three thousand Standard Mana Stones didn''t seem worth it. As everyone had secretly thought, it was mainly about giving The Amber Path Coalition some face. If asked to participate a second time, they''d rather stay home taking various Advancing Pills and then go to a restaurant. Such extravagant spending wasn''t wise.


    "As you say," Emrys answered straightforwardly on everyone''s behalf. "Just this alone won''t let you compare to the reputation of other young people."


    Nathan cheerfully turned toward Emrys.


    "Then, Miss Emrys, how would you evaluate tonight''s dinner?"


    Emrys appeared thoughtful, her false eyelashes sparkling under the lights as she blinked, then said.


    "A wonderful experience, I must say. Eating and cultivating simultaneously isn''t something new. But eating well while being able to cultivate is rare. I never thought I would experience such an explosion of flavors while simultaneously benefiting as a cultivator."


    "Such exaggerated talk," Lachlan spoke up mockingly.


    Nathan quickly moved forward, blocking Emrys''s view of Lachlan.


    Hearing comments from the guests, people began to realize why this dinner was special. They huddled together, whispering praise for Nathan. However, they weren''t overly enthusiastic or appreciative. There was talent, but it wasn''t exceptionally outstanding.


    Celene beside them struggled to hold herself back from objecting. She couldn''t interrupt while Nathan hadn''t finished his work.


    "But I''m surely saying what other guests are agreeing with," Emrys continued. "That''s all there is to it. Nothing special."


    "And not worth the money," Nathan finished for the young miss of the Merinor family.


    Emrys nodded slightly.


    Nathan turned to everyone, still maintaining his cheerful, excited expression.


    "Let''s play a little riddle," he said, not waiting for anyone''s opinion. "The first dish, Dawn''s Whisper, what was it made from?"


    "From Dawn Lotus Fish," the female guest answered.


    "And what characteristics does it have?"


    "That would be expanding blood vessels to absorb sunlight and purify the body."


    "So how do you feel about your blood vessels now?"


    The diners froze for a second before hurriedly checking. Their blood vessels had become much more unobstructed than at the start.


    "Dawn''s Whisper''s effects need time to seep in, so you can only feel it clearly now," Nathan explained.


    "Then Heaven''s Embrace and Dragon''s Pride respectively provide mana and essence?" the guest next to the female guest quickly asked.


    Nathan nodded, answering.


    "That''s correct. A small monster containing much mana, and a large monster containing much essence."


    "Then I guess your next question is what effect does the Nature''s Balance soup have?" Emrys smiled charmingly as she joined in.


    "I assume you already have your own answer?" Nathan asked.


    "That''s right," Emrys twirled a lock of her hair. "Harmony Root isn''t just widely used by Alchemists but also by Artificers when crafting various fuels. So I know a bit about it."


    "Just spit it out instead of dragging on," Lachlan irritably scolded.


    Emrys, wanting to see where Nathan was leading everyone, ignored the insult.


    "Its effect is neutralization, a type of stabilizer. An ingredient in cultivation medicines. So the fact that everyone still doesn''t feel uncomfortable after taking in mana and essence must be due to Nature''s Balance."


    "Miss Emrys is indeed well-learned," complimenting the young miss of the Merinor family once, he turned back to face the other guests. "Thus, everyone has evaluated tonight''s performance as not particularly impressive because of the effects felt in your bodies. It''s simply mixing Advancing Pills with food."


    Everyone remained silent, mainly not wanting to openly confront Nathan. People below also nodded, understanding the effects that tonight''s dinner brought.


    Celene pressed her lips together, taking a step forward, judging this to be what Nathan needed right now.


    "Then what was the fifth course for?"


    Her question made everyone who had been thinking also exclaim something similar.


    Nathan tilted his head in appreciation of that girl. Emrys furrowed her brows. She hadn''t asked about the fifth course because she had judged it to be purely a dessert. Universal Resonance was just a grand-sounding name but didn''t represent anything. Perhaps Nathan just didn''t want to end things too plainly. It seemed she had judged wrongly, so she remained silent to observe the developments.


    "Does anyone here know about Universal Root?"


    The guests appeared thoughtful, not too impressed by this herb.


    "Universal Root doesn''t have very high practical applications, and current cultivation is rare. Though the nurturing process is easy, it''s quite hard to find. Its characteristic is simply carrying comprehensiveness. But comprehensiveness is hard to balance, hard to use. As a cultivator, cultivating many aspects isn''t always good. Not everyone can be a Grand Elementalist."


    Nathan used Zeryn''s knowledge to speak. He believed his analysis about diversity versus specialization wasn''t wrong. Evidence being that no one spoke up to object.


    "Therefore, using Universal Root is very risky, requiring very high processing ability. At best you just waste ingredients, at worst it can cause poisoning."


    Everyone hearing this straightened up, their eyes immediately becoming guarded.


    "But not fatally," Nathan quickly said. "You don''t really think I want to make a name for myself by killing people, do you?"


    Sighs of relief rose up, mixed with a few laughs.


    "So what did I use it for? Where does the strange thing lie? Why am I so confident? Why is The Amber Path Coalition so daring?"


    Nathan raised his index finger, pointing toward Lachlan, forcing this provocateur to stay quiet.


    Lachlan glared with wide eyes, about to react when Nathan already started counting down loudly.


    "5...4...3...2...1. Everyone, please enter the cultivation state!"


    Though not understanding why, everyone closed their eyes and entered a meditative state, including Lachlan. For cultivators, this was quite easy to do.


    The air around the guests heated up. Not just that, the Tier 2 cultivators could even sense a strange wave dispersing from them.


    No one dared to disturb them, while Nathan let out a relieved breath. The work wasn''t over, but the majority was complete. He quietly stood waiting for the individuals before him to wake up.


    The senior managers of The Amber Path Coalition all stood up, their faces proud and expectant.


    The other guests increasingly realized something strange. If it were just cultivation, the diners up there wouldn''t maintain it for so long and concentrate so deeply. They could stop midway and continue cultivation later. After all, the amount of essence and mana introduced into the body wasn''t so much as to be regrettable.


    After fifteen minutes of silence, the diners opened their eyes.


    Their gazes, including Lachlan''s, toward Nathan were no different from those of The Amber Path Coalition''s senior management. Full of greed and anticipation.


    This was no ordinary form of cultivation. What they gained was something everyone yearned and strived for - an increase in Aspect Affinity.

 Chapter 49

    Aspect Affinity was something every Cultivator Tier 2 and above yearned to improve. A cultivator possessing Fire Aspect with higher Affinity could create greater impact while using related skills with the same mana consumption.


    Affinity could be enhanced through various methods after being established at the end of Tier 1 or early Tier 2, such as potions concocted by Alchemists or Herbalists, exposure to pure energy sources, and training through diverse methods. The common thread among these approaches was that they were all expensive, rare, and rigorous when it came to training regimens.


    Enhancing Aspect Affinity not only helped a cultivator become stronger compared to their peers but also secured their future development path. Possessing too low an Aspect Affinity would make breaking through to Tier 3 and subsequent Tiers increasingly difficult. While Tier 3 had a fifty percent chance, Tier 4 would drop to less than one percent.


    Notably, Aspect Affinity absorption at Tier 2 was the most crucial, as this was both the first step and the foundation. Waiting until Tier 3 or Tier 4 to seek improvement would be unwise. Because potions would encounter resistance due to uneven quality, requiring higher intensity than usual.


    Thus, it was no surprise that the method of cooking to improve Aspect Affinity appeared at level 2 of [Cooking]. Nor was it unexpected when everyone started looking at Nathan with hungry eyes.


    Just having the ability to cook dishes of this caliber would make his value skyrocket overnight.


    Nathan looked at everyone with a proud expression, a smile constantly hanging on his lips.


    "How do you all feel right now?" he asked.


    "You''re making it difficult for us," the man from earlier hastily spoke up, taking the opportunity to gain Nathan''s attention. "Words are insufficient to express the benefits we''ve received today."


    "That''s right," the woman beside him continued. "We got quite a bargain with your cooking; we only regret not being able to pay more."


    "There''s no need for that," Nathan replied graciously.


    Emrys rested her hand on her chin, deep in contemplation. She truly hadn''t expected the young man before her to be so talented. Initially, she had some resistance when Zeryn asked for a favor right after their first meeting. Now, she only blamed herself. The pride of being a child of one of the four great houses diminished somewhat. Currently, she was only thinking about how to recruit Nathan.


    At this moment, Lachlan spoke up with an arrogant tone.


    "You''re worthy of being my chef. I truly want to eat like this every day."


    "Excuse me?" Nathan expressed his displeasure, though his voice didn''t drop as intended due to the Chilly Chill talent.


    Several contemptuous snorts were directed at Lachlan. The fact that these people couldn''t do anything to him didn''t mean they were afraid. When it came to interests, they had enough tricks to cause trouble for Regional Commander Axel Rourke.


    Thomas, being the direct host for Nathan, stepped forward to warn him.


    "We welcome everyone with respect, so I hope you''ll do the same, Mr. Lachlan."


    "Did I say something wrong?" Lachlan smirked and said. "These dishes are too expensive even if you know how to cook them. That''s why you''re still Tier 1, right? Otherwise, you''d have cooked for yourself and advanced already."


    Lachlan''s argument wasn''t entirely wrong. Nathan didn''t cook for himself largely for this reason. Not to mention that for someone who hadn''t confirmed their Aspect Affinity like him, eating these dishes would be pointless.


    The error lay in suggesting that he needed others'' help. Ever since Darkan and Zeryn''s intervention, he hadn''t been poor. Well, to be precise, he was poor, but his master wasn''t. Just a small handout would be enough for his needs.


    Sensing the gunpowder-thick tension floating in the air, Nathan waved his hand, signaling Thomas to let it be. This was the best way to deal with a troublemaker. He only needed Lachlan to serve his purpose of creating discourse within the Maelivar community. He guessed the topic about him had already climbed to the top of the search trends tonight.


    "I''d like to invite you to be my private chef for a dinner at my residence," the man who had been enthusiastic about Nathan spoke up. "You can call me Ken for familiarity."


    "Keep it down," the woman beside him said with contempt. "It''s not your turn yet."


    The four quiet people around the table cast warning glances at Ken. At this table, he truly lacked the weight, but his overly cordial manner was irritating, a testament to a lower-ranked individual trying to climb higher.


    Ken ignored them, focusing intently on Nathan.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, I won''t be accepting any requests at this time."


    Hearing this, everyone showed disappointment, but immediately brightened up afterward.


    "I will accept requests after The Shifting Trials."


    It was time for Nathan to play his final card.


    "Surely everyone here knows what I''m looking for. A young disciple wishing to compete with his peers. So, I wasn''t exaggerating when I said friendly words could become friendship with Lachlan here."


    Not letting people frown too long at the troublemaker''s upturned chin, Nathan continued.


    "Or the opportunity for friendship, as I mentioned earlier. These words aren''t meant for just one individual but for all of you."


    "What do you mean?" Emrys raised an eyebrow with interest.


    "I mean to make friends, one must show sincerity, right?" Nathan spread his arms toward everyone. "Having you all here is my honor. Your sincerity is shown by your willingness to spend money on an obscure and nameless existence like me. Therefore, in return, everyone who paid for today will have a seat at tomorrow''s dinner."


    Ken jumped up, his lips trembling.


    "You, you''re serious?"


    "Do I look like I''m bluffing? Remember, I need to increase my reputation!"


    At this point, Thomas and the senior managers of The Amber Path Coalition stepped forward.


    "Mr. Nathan, you can''t..."


    Nathan gestured for Thomas to stop speaking.


    In just a second, the senior manager had finished thinking and raised his hand to stop his colleague who was storming forward. If there was any dissatisfaction, it could be discussed later; they couldn''t make the young man lose face right now.


    Seeing the reaction from The Amber Path Coalition staff, Ken couldn''t hold back an exhilarated cry, dropping back into his seat, unable to believe the treatment he''d received.


    The others shared Ken''s expression. Their eyes were wide open as if they still couldn''t digest the information.


    A man who hadn''t spoken since the beginning of the feast asked the question in his mind.


    "Tomorrow will be the same as today?"


    "Just like today," Nathan confirmed.


    All eight people took a deep breath, including Emrys and Lachlan.


    Nathan''s implication was that his chance of failure was zero percent. Unlike Alchemists or Herbalists who concocted potions or mixtures to enhance Aspect Affinity, which always had a certain failure rate.


    Looking at and hearing Nathan only talk about the main ingredients of each dish could easily mislead people. Among the five dishes, there were at least a hundred ingredients used besides monster meat and rare medicinal herbs. If viewing the process of making potions and mixtures as equations, then solving problems with hundreds of variables was very challenging. That''s not to mention the randomness of ingredients. Each branch of Universal Root had different characteristics and effect intensities, so measuring and balancing in a short time required an extremely massive amount of knowledge.


    Nathan could only smile wryly. If there was anything to blame, it was how overwhelming [Cooking] was. Its only drawback was that it didn''t give Nathan money to implement the knowledge it provided.


    Although still doubtful, the diners didn''t voice their concerns. Even if the effects were lesser, benefiting a little would still be enough.


    "And we can do anything with this participation ticket?" Ken spoke up to ask.


    Nathan saw through these cunning merchants'' thoughts and bluntly replied.


    "Yes, you can do whatever you want with it. Even auction it off."


    The flame that hadn''t died down from the meal made all six pairs of eyes burn even more intensely. Only Emrys maintained her composure; she already had her own plans.


    Seeing the nearly excessive reactions from the diners at that table, the observers around them were somewhat confused about what was happening. Since no one had spoken about enhancing Aspect Affinity yet, most didn''t grasp the impact of tonight''s dinner.


    This was also why Nathan had to make this disadvantageous move. These cunning businesspeople would likely suppress the information about what happened today and keep it to themselves. Even if Nathan revealed the special effects without receiving confirmation from anyone, his credibility would still be questionable. He could, of course, stop the cooking campaign altogether in retaliation. But that would be no different from cutting off his own path forward. He could only cook for the small opportunity, while they could still buy seats at a low price due to lack of competition.


    That had changed now; he could share with the press, and with today''s diners'' reactions, the likelihood of people believing him would be higher. Once that happened, information would spread much faster.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Another part of Nathan''s safety measure was Lachlan Rourke himself. Thanks to him, Nathan''s name was becoming a hot topic on PsiLink as people thought he was friends with Lachlan. However, with his recent action, people would feel gleeful rather than hateful toward him. Because clearly, he had directly slapped Lachlan''s face by not giving him a slot for tomorrow. Through this, he implicitly told everyone that he was just someone being harassed, a humble disciple caught in an unnecessary conflict with Lachlan. From dirty marketing to clean marketing.


    Nathan nodded in thanks to Lachlan Rourke. He felt no remorse. After all, he had cooked for him for free. Consider it an equal exchange.


    Lachlan seemed to understand, slapping his hands on the table and laughing loudly.


    Then, he stood up, smoothed his clothes, and while walking toward his entourage, waved at Nathan.


    "See you tomorrow, you clever chef."


    People parted to let Lachlan''s group leave.


    As soon as the door closed, curses against that young man were raised among the crowd without restraint.


    Ken and the other guests also stood up, eagerly departing. They couldn''t wait to auction off tomorrow''s seats. Enhancing Aspect Affinity was valuable, but earning an equivalent amount of money wasn''t bad either. Especially when they could both make a profit and earn a debt of gratitude from others. Not just the children of noble families, but those stuck at peak Tier 2 or newly advanced to Tier 3 would fight tooth and nail for this opportunity.


    Nathan shook his head and laughed, proud that his plan had succeeded. He was just exasperated with these cunning merchants. Without his recent action, they would certainly have done as he said, not spreading the word to anyone.


    Emrys politely stayed behind a moment, extending her hand to shake Nathan''s.


    "Indeed, a friend of Zeryn''s couldn''t be inferior to anyone," she confirmed her reason for coming to support Nathan.


    "Thank you for coming. I''m truly sorry that Lachlan took all the spotlight and for the disrespect you had to endure tonight."


    "You don''t need to say that. My reputation still isn''t equal to his. Besides, your food has more than made up for everything."


    They exchanged a few more words before Nathan saw Emrys off.


    The reporters and influencers followed the diners to hunt for information. They were eager to know what had happened. All six diners enthusiastically recounted their experience without hiding anything as they had initially planned. They weren''t cultivation geniuses; eating more wouldn''t improve them much anyway. Instead, they now needed to take advantage of the opportunity to raise the ticket prices.


    Everyone had left, leaving the quiet space of the room that had been set up like a stage. The fragrant aroma of food still lingered in the corners.


    Nathan took a deep breath, preparing for the inevitable storm.


    The stern-looking female senior manager with glasses stepped forward and spoke with an annoyed tone.


    "Mr. Nathan, giving away tomorrow''s slots wasn''t part of the agreement."


    If it had been, would you all have been so eager? Nathan silently cursed.


    "I apologize that I can''t take your side in this matter," Thomas spoke up, his eyes showing regret.


    "It''s fine," Nathan waved his hand at Thomas.


    "I told you, this guy isn''t as good as he seems," Robert, who had jabbed at Nathan during the cooking trial, emerged from behind the chicken wing. He had been monitoring tonight''s feast. When it showed signs of success, he had silently gritted his teeth, somewhat regretful. Now seeing this young man in trouble, he immediately came out to mock.


    "I still have to show some respect to Lachlan for my own reasons," Nathan''s voice was cold, and with the Chilly Chill effect, it made it even harder for people to guess what he was thinking. "But with you, I don''t mind getting physical."


    Hearing this, Robert startled and stepped back. Maelivar prohibited fighting but would turn a blind eye if there was reason when it came from people like Nathan. Pushing too hard would affect relationships with the sect behind him. As long as no one was killed, it was acceptable.


    Thomas reluctantly moved to shield Robert, mentally cursing his colleague''s ancestry. Robert was very capable, but it was precisely because of this petty nature. Being offended by a few words and wanting to harm someone he shouldn''t was truly pathetic.


    Nathan rolled his eyes to look at everyone, and upon seeing the wariness in their eyes, he hid a smile.


    Having status is really good, everyone has to be considerate.


    "I know I can''t compensate enough," Nathan said slowly. "But for now, my percentage will be yours."


    "Are you serious?" Thomas started to ask.


    "Could everyone stop asking that kind of question?" Nathan smiled and said.


    The senior managers discussed among themselves for a bit. Then they let the woman with glasses represent them.


    "We accept this negotiation. On the condition that you''ll only receive money after compensating for the losses."


    "That''s fine," Nathan readily agreed.


    Everyone exchanged nods and dispersed. Celene was assigned by Thomas to stay and take care of Nathan.


    Only when there were just two people left in the empty room did Nathan sigh and sit down. He could remain calm thanks to the effect provided by [Random Talent] but still couldn''t avoid the accumulation of psychological pressure and hidden anxiety. He felt like it had only been two or three days, but he felt more tired than the months of struggling in Moirath Forest.


    Celene shuffled over, her eyes wide with admiration.


    "Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed. "I still can''t believe you dared to do that. No, that you could think of it."


    "Could you lower your voice a bit?" Nathan waved his hand.


    "Oh, sorry."


    Then, she pulled up a chair and sat down opposite Nathan, seemingly without any distance. She was currently too excited.


    Seeing the joyful expression on behalf of himself from the girl, Nathan unconsciously became cheerful.


    "How did you manage to think of doing that?"


    "When working with business people, you always have to think about profit first," Nathan replied. "Once you place this issue as the center of perspective, you''ll see my dinners would be bait to be exploited."


    "That''s right," Celene rubbed her chin, thinking very carefully. "If you didn''t give them auction rights, they would have no reason to give away this dinner to others. And you, once that happened, would have to say goodbye to your slot in The Shifting Trials. By then things would be done, you could only continue cooking to earn money, as compensation."


    "You reason quickly," Nathan sincerely praised. He didn''t consider himself particularly clever with these matters. Everything came from learning from past experiences. If comparing, he was far behind Celene and Jessica in thinking skills.


    "Not as good as you," Celene said.


    "You should know it took me half a day to prepare for this."


    "But didn''t it still work out successfully? Underselling yourself isn''t good."


    Nathan''s eyes widened when Celene dared to use what he had said to her the day before.


    "You dared use my spell against me?" he couldn''t help but mimic that wizard from the movie.


    "Spell? What spell?" Celene tilted her head, not understanding.


    "Nothing," Nathan waved his hand. "Thank you for bringing Lachlan."


    Celene shrunk back, showing embarrassment.


    "I feel like I made a wasted trip. Even without Lachlan, you would have managed with your approach."


    "You''re wrong again," Nathan chuckled. "Lachlan was a necessary catalyst. Not just talking about the media effect from attracting crowd hatred, but the important thing was that I showed my stance. The image of a disciple friendly to Maelivar''s people was built. I made Lachlan lose face in the clearest way. They''ll see my initial wariness, then see my transformation later, becoming uncompromising when backed into a corner."


    "And that''s exactly the emotion everyone has when facing Lachlan," Celene exclaimed.


    "Bingo," Nathan snapped his fingers. "And nobody can do anything with their hatred. I did it for them. People will support me because of this, partly wanting me to participate in The Shifting Trials. That''s at least what I think."


    "You did what even the young masters and ladies of the great houses don''t dare to do," she commented.


    "What can I do! I have a crazy master."


    Celene wasn''t sure if she had heard wrong. Although the words were insulting, Nathan seemed somewhat proud.


    Darkan had told Nathan to cause havoc if that was the way for him to get a slot in The Shifting Trials. When he asked his master''s intention, it was about training him to get used to wielding power rather than continuing to bow before others.


    With tonight''s results, he assessed that he had absorbed Darkan''s philosophy quite well. Without him, Nathan would have been too fearful and hesitant to take any bold actions. His overthinking nature would have conjured images of becoming a target for the greedy and ambitious. Visions of being imprisoned, tortured, and forced to follow kidnappers'' demands would have made him falter. Only with someone backing him could he act this freely.


    "What price did you have to pay to invite Lachlan Rourke?" Nathan asked.


    "Just a bit," Celene scratched her head.


    "How much is ''a bit''?"


    "About a few hundred Standard Mana Stones."


    "What? Are you joking?"


    Although Nathan had dealt with large sums while organizing the dinner, it was ultimately paid by The Amber Path Coalition. He still maintained a mindset that valued each mana stone.


    "Where did you get that much money?"


    "Personal saving and loans," Celene stammered.


    Nathan rubbed his eyes with both hands, truly unable to believe the girl before him was so reckless. This loan must have come from unsafe sources. Banks couldn''t disburse that quickly.


    "Do intelligence agents eat mana stones instead of food to be so greedy?" he snapped.


    "You saw Lachlan''s subordinates yourself. Just a bunch of opportunists."


    Nathan helplessly couldn''t say anything. He stood up, stretching to relax his body.


    "Go collect the auction money for the monster core and Lunar Shadow tail, then go pay off your debt right away."


    He walked past her toward the door. It took a few seconds before Celene startled awake and chased after him.


    "You don''t need to do that, I can manage."


    "I don''t accept my subordinates carrying high-interest loan risks while working. Too dangerous."


    Celene once again froze. When she digested the information she had just heard, she joyfully ran toward the young man holding the door open waiting for her to follow.


    As Nathan desired, discussions popped up on PsiLink like mushrooms after rain, especially during the period when the city was welcoming talented youth from everywhere.


    Tags like #Nathancooking, #LetNathancook, #AspectAffinity were among the most searched keywords.


    Additionally, newspapers and influencers actively wrote articles with titles like: "What Happened at the 3000 Standard Mana Stone Dinner?", "Drake to Dragon: Metaphor or Mockery?", "Watch This Tier 1 Cook Like He''s Tier 3 Artist!", "The Amber Path Coalition''s New Golden Goose?", "Verdant Spire''s Direct Disciple: Friend or Foe of Lachlan Rourke?"


    Along with these positive articles, the debate starting from Lachlan remained heated, causing controversy. Comments from skepticism to downright insults toward Nathan appeared. Most didn''t believe a disciple from a prestigious sect would have to run a restaurant. Or doubts about the ability to improve Aspect Affinity through eating, something never heard of before. Or simply cursing the upper class for daring to pay an unimaginable sum for these events.


    Particularly, the article "[Market Watch] Aspect Affinity Enhancement Methods: Traditional vs Culinary" led to an unexpected chain reaction. The previous debates were all things that Nathan and Celene more or less expected to happen. Except creating conflict with both Alchemist and Herbalist factions had never been considered.


    Alchemists were better because they discovered the difference between the two approaches to increasing Aspect Affinity. However, Herbalists were completely opposite. No matter how many perspectives were changed, people concluded that the way Herbalists made medicine was quite similar to how Nathan cooked.


    In just one night and morning, the name Nathan Reed had proudly stood among other prestigious young people. Though not equal, he had approached a level worthy of others'' recognition of his abilities.


    The afternoon after the controversial dinner, Nathan was forced to let the Herbalists and some Alchemists come to The Amber Path Coalition''s office to discuss the cooking issue.


    He silently cursed whoever raised this unnecessary conflict, but after some thought, changed his attitude. He could use this to further affirm his professional image. The title of chef was hard to avoid being undervalued compared to professions with age and solid foundations.


    Before starting a seminar, Nathan bluntly cut off everyone by declaring that cooking and the Herbalist approach were not similar at all, especially regarding effectiveness and speed. He analyzed how cooking needed time and harmony so stages couldn''t be shortened. Conversely, Herbalists could prepare medicine right on the battlefield with just a few herbs.


    Of course, this was just Nathan''s way of covering up and giving face to the Herbalists. He believed that once his skill reached a higher level, he would be able to approach dishes that didn''t need fire or much elaboration. Especially dishes that could use mana as a conductor like Herbalists did.


    As for Alchemists who researched deeper into compounds and chemical formulas of ingredients, it was even more different.


    With Nathan pointing out the weaknesses of his own profession, the Herbalists and Alchemists immediately showed much more friendliness than before. They entered aggressively but left with smiles on their faces. Because after Nathan''s analysis, all three sides engaged in heated discussion.


    Scholars, after all, had some common ground in respecting those with knowledge. And Nathan''s understanding was truly vast. For each topic, each issue, he proposed a type of vegetable or meat to solve it. For example, the issue of Aspect Affinity. Everyone looked at him strangely when he only knew about eating. But they couldn''t help but admire the diversity Nathan brought, opening everyone''s eyes. Many individuals recognized the similarities and patterns of ingredients Nathan pointed out, all eager to hurry back to experiment.


    Thus, in just a few hours, two hostile factions completely changed their attitude. They went on PsiLink to correct everything, affirming Nathan''s professionalism and looking forward to another broader discussion. They couldn''t stop praising when Nathan readily shared the recipe and working mechanism of last night''s dinner. The Alchemists and Herbalists all confirmed the effectiveness was undebatable. As for sharing widely, out of respect for Nathan they wouldn''t do that.


    One day was too short, so even though the second night had enough twelve guests and more observers, the needed figure still hadn''t appeared.


    It wasn''t until the third night that the person who needed to come arrived.

 Chapter 50

    After the memorable evening, Emrys returned to the Merinor mansion. The winter air had weakened, leaving behind gentle breezes along the path from the courtyard to the main gate, lined with meticulously trimmed arbors on both sides.


    When she reached the entrance, no one came to open the door for her. She relaxed her furrowed brows and took it upon herself to do what the servants should have done.


    What greeted her wasn''t a magnificent waiting hall, but rather floors reflecting moonlight streaming through the grand windows on all four sides. The lights were off, the fireplace dormant. The air carried dust and the scent of dampness.


    Exhaling a breath that turned to white mist, she entered, her heels echoing against the floor in the heart-wrenching silence.


    This had once been one of the busiest areas in Maelivar, where the powerful would gather and the lowborn could only dream of entering. Above should have been the most luxurious chandelier, not only radiating warm golden light but also outshining even the starry sky. Below should have been extravagant carpets used only once. Servants should have been bustling about endlessly.


    Whoosh!


    A gust of wind snapped Emrys out of her daze.


    The House of Merinor was no longer what it used to be. The headquarters had moved, abandoning this place. Outsiders couldn''t understand why, always assuming some high-level conflict within the Merinor family had caused this situation. Only those like Emrys, a child of the main bloodline, understood the real reason.


    She walked to the foot of the stairs, using the heel of her sharp stilettos to pierce a small hole in the dust-covered floor.


    After a moment, sounds representing the movement of iron, steel, and stone rang out. Before her eyes, a passage formed, a dark tunnel leading straight into the earth''s depths.


    Fearlessly, she descended, careful not to fall. Each step brought colder air. The metal walls surrounding the staircase, initially smooth and intact, gradually gained more cracks like cobwebs. The steps became increasingly jagged.


    Emrys channeled mana into her eyes, observing the tiny particles floating in the air. They came from the material that made up the walls. A hard and expensive material. Yet it had been devastated to such an extent.


    Finally, she set foot in the Merinor family''s secret basement. The basement didn''t follow Maelivar''s design principles. It possessed a circular surface with a radius of about fifty meters. Looking up revealed several flickering lights still operating, illuminating a ceiling covered in eerie thorny spikes.


    At the center of the circle was an elevated stone platform. Atop it was a gaunt back turned away from Emrys.


    "Brother, I''m here," Emrys called out loudly, trying to make sure he could hear her.


    The ragged, damaged long hair swayed once. The movement seemed unnatural, like that of a low-grade robot, stiff and rusty.


    "Emrys?" a hoarse, weak voice spoke, barely audible. It was as if the person hadn''t spoken for a long time.


    "It''s me, brother Arthur."


    A choking sound came from the other side, unclear whether it was laughter or coughing.


    Arthur still didn''t turn around, his hunched, bare back still facing his sister.


    "Why have you come here?"


    "I need your help," Emrys said sincerely.


    "Oh, tell me about it," though difficult to hear, his voice revealed clear indulgence.


    "I''ve done something reckless. The children of other family branches will surely tear me apart for this."


    The light from the lamps went out suddenly, plunging the entire room into darkness. A moment later when it came back on, the sight before Emrys made her start.


    The back facing her had vanished, leaving only the head and limbs. The strange thing was that none of it collapsed or fell to the ground, but seemed to be maintained by some kind of energy.


    Arthur coughed dryly once. Then, the flesh returned. From nothingness, red blood drops formed, then muscles and blood vessels like puzzle pieces all returned to their original positions. The back with its spine seemingly about to pierce through the skin was whole again.


    "Are you alright?" Emrys asked worriedly.


    "It''s nothing," Arthur''s voice still lacked vitality as before. "Just a daily occurrence."


    Emrys moved her lips, her eyes sparkling with concern, wanting to speak but then stopping herself.


    "Speak," Arthur said hoarsely. "You wouldn''t seek me out just for some matter of reputation. I''ve had enough time here to think about everything, dear Emrys. And I believe my sister wouldn''t be so useless."


    Emrys smiled, pride swelling in her heart at what she had just heard.


    "Perhaps your chance has come. Haven''t you always been troubled by the Aspect Affinity issue?"


    Crack.


    The back straightened up, showing emotion for the first time.


    "Get straight to the point," Arthur said, this time much more clearly.


    "Hasn''t your problem with increasing Aspect Affinity all this time been because you couldn''t find the corresponding materials?"


    "Emrys, get to the point," Arthur showed some irritation at his sister''s roundabout way of speaking.


    Emrys pouted, not truly afraid, and said.


    "What if Aspect Affinity could be made from ingredients with broad properties like Universal Root?"


    Arthur remained silent in response, as if thinking.


    "Impossible," he concluded, his words making his shoulder-length messy hair quiver. "The refinement requires too much knowledge. I don''t believe anyone in Caelindor can do it. Or some Tier 5 Alchemist. And those guys, we can''t afford to hire."


    "The person who can help you is only Tier 1 right now!"


    "What?" Arthur shouted.


    The basement immediately experienced tremors. Dust particles appeared more numerously. The surrounding walls seemed to be gradually disappearing.


    "Don''t disturb me with your sensational stories, Emrys."


    "I''m not joking," Emrys said. "I experienced it myself just tonight."


    Arthur''s back heaved, then became more regular, speaking calmly.


    "Then tell me what happened!"


    After hearing everything, Arthur''s back stopped breathing altogether, as if someone had crushed his lungs. Only his heartbeat still echoed strongly around the basement.


    "Miraculous!" Arthur muttered. "Miraculous! Everyone at the dining table increased their own Aspect Affinity without needing specific refinement. Truly a genius."


    "I''m not sure if it will work for you," Emrys said hesitantly. "But it''s worth trying, right? Perhaps even if the Universal property only has a small effect, it''s still better than nothing, isn''t it?"


    "Right, right," Arthur nodded.


    "So will you come tomorrow?"


    "I don''t want people to know I''ve emerged."


    "I''ve already taken care of the disguise, don''t worry."


    Arthur laughed loudly, but because his throat was parched, it sounded more like choking.


    At this point, the stone platform finally rotated, revealing the front of this Merinor scion.


    His face was hidden under messy, dirty hair, showing only hands that were skin and bones. Above his two hands were two black metallic spheres floating in the air. They separated into small dust particles like the cracks on the wall. Then, they returned to their original shape by gathering back together.


    Seeing this, Emrys grew even more delighted. This showed that Arthur was increasingly gaining better control over his Aspect.


    What held Arthur back was precisely because of this innate Aspect. It brought danger to the entire family, which was why everyone had to leave. As for him, he had to be isolated, continuously training and seeking control in this dark prison.


    An Aspect that made people tremble in fear even more than Space and Time.


    Aspect Entropy.


    Nathan, on the second evening, was completely unaware that a terrorist like Arthur Merinor would be attending his dinner party. But Lachlan Rourke kept his word and appeared. Regarding this, Nathan wasn''t too concerned since the payment had been received in full.


    The diners reached twelve people with unceasing anticipation for the meal from the young disciple from Verdant Spire Sect.


    His meticulous preparation efforts had achieved effects beyond expectations. The volume of discussion threads and comments on PsiLink forums sprouted like mushrooms after rain. This pushed the dinner price to a new height. From the floor price of three thousand Standard Mana Stones, it gradually rose to double, with the final seat reaching seven thousand.


    This number increased even faster after the second night''s auction was completed. Nathan hadn''t forgotten George''s advice about exclusivity. Demonstrating scarcity was an indispensable trick. Once people knew opportunities were becoming fewer, prices could increase uncontrollably.


    The hottest topic immediately exploding among Maelivar''s citizens was a dinner seat costing a full nine thousand Standard Mana Stones. Even Nathan couldn''t believe what he heard and saw. Someone was willing to pay such a price to increase their Aspect Affinity.


    Instead of feeling overly joyful, he felt he had just opened another gate of instability in his life. With the value he provided, people would target him and tear him apart. Fortunately, his position wasn''t inferior compared to others. If he were just a wandering cultivator, an independent cultivator, he would easily become a target and prey for others. Being captured, thrown into isolation chambers, tortured for the formula were just a few things he could immediately think of.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    The second night passed smoothly. His acclaim rose even higher when he didn''t repeat the menu from the first night but made changes to keep people from getting bored. The diners still maintained their surprise at the flavors, ensuring both effectiveness and taste reached their peak.


    What others cared about was that Nathan could control cooking variables completely, something seemingly impossible. Praise from Alchemists and Herbalists further reinforced the image of an important seed not just for the kingdom of Caelindor but for the entire Ehyrian empire. The future was what everyone expected from Nathan.


    On the third night, Duke Kael''s daughter came - Ruby Voss.


    When he saw this young woman enter, Nathan involuntarily trembled.


    His psychology was in a rather strange state after losing Chilly Chill. Part of him still remembered how the feeling and urge originated from within his mind, part of him couldn''t comfortably control himself as desired. Rather than not knowing, now he felt even more frustrated because his emotions were all jumbled up. He realized how easily he was influenced by emotions. Like right now, he just wished he could stay calm to welcome the guest he had always been waiting for.


    Ruby Voss was quite contrary to other noble young ladies or gentlemen who had appeared before. She wore a rather simple form-fitting dress in gray-black. That only accentuated her ruby-like red eyes. Her black hair was elegantly tied in a high bun. Her oval face was serene and noble.


    Everyone stood up to welcome her, including the diners at the table, among them the young masters of Houses Partheon and Aetharis. Ruby gently bowed to everyone, exchanged a few words with the two young men, and walked to her seat.


    Nathan was somewhat flustered at this point, unsure what to do. He was completely different from the previous two nights. He had really spent all his energy thinking about the first night. The rest he left to fate. So when Ruby Voss actually came, he was both excited and anxious.


    However, everything has its limits. He gradually regained his composure. Although he had missed the greeting step, he wasn''t sweating or darting his eyes anymore. He decided to express himself through skill rather than words. The former was surely less dangerous than the latter.


    The dishes were quickly laid out. Tonight Nathan had decorated even more beautifully. However, he had removed the dish introductions to avoid making a bad impression. Although Lachlan didn''t come, it was better to prevent being analyzed and dissected.


    The dinner ended after everyone completed their process of increasing their Aspect Affinity. Nathan was sensible enough to let the guests socialize with each other rather than rushing to question Ruby immediately.


    Finally, he saw those red eyes looking at him with a smile.


    After seeing all the guests off, Ruby Voss stayed behind. Nathan appeared before her in a more proper but somewhat stiff outfit.


    "Hello, Miss Ruby," Nathan tried to stay calm as he spoke.


    "Isn''t it a bit late for that?" Ruby''s voice was quite gentle, slow, evidence of proper upbringing from childhood.


    "Ah well, I..."


    "I don''t bite, you know," Ruby giggled. "Come, sit down, you''re the host after all."


    Breathing out a relieved sigh, Nathan sat down across from her at the round table now occupied by just the two of them.


    Ruby twirled the wine glass in her hand, her small nose sniffing with satisfaction.


    "The wine you brew is really delicious," she praised. "If only I could drink it every day."


    Then she cast him a look that he refused to understand. Clearing his throat, Nathan said.


    "You can visit The Amber Path Coalition later to satisfy your needs."


    "Is that so?"


    Nathan continued to pretend not to see the flash of disappointment that crossed the face of the girl who commanded all attention before him. Inwardly, he panicked, wondering what the hell was happening.


    Is this really a Duke''s daughter?


    Ruby downed the wine in her glass, her red eyes flickering like flames in intoxication. Nathan could see why those young masters paid attention to her not just for her status, but for herself as well.


    "Do you know why I came here?"


    "Let me be bold and rather straightforward. To give me an invitation."


    Ruby pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows reproachfully.


    "Can''t you pretend to let me add a bit of mystery?"


    "So it''s true?" Nathan insisted.


    "You really are such a boring fellow."


    "I apologize for that."


    "A young man shouldn''t say that but should talk about how he''ll make it up," Ruby waggled her finger saying. "But you look like someone with zero experience so I''ll let it pass. Really not worth my effort fighting to come here today."


    Nathan laughed awkwardly, once again ignoring what he heard and understood.


    "If you won''t give me mystery then I''ll force you into a framework," Ruby said with a mischievous smile. "What caught the attention of Duke Kael''s office wasn''t these dinner parties. It was for another reason."


    Nathan couldn''t hide his curiosity. He had done very well, had raised his reputation high. Yet it seemed that wasn''t enough.


    "You mean without this ''reason'', I wouldn''t have been invited?" he asked.


    "Not necessarily," Ruby smiled more brightly when she saw Nathan had fallen for it. "Maybe someone else would have come instead of me, or maybe we would have forgotten about you. You see, everyone''s quite busy these days."


    Nathan tried to suppress a frown, still maintaining a relaxed face with Ruby. Meanwhile, she smirked, still seeing through her counterpart''s emotional disguise.


    "Would you like to know why?" Ruby teased.


    "Please enlighten me, Miss Ruby," Nathan truly wanted to know.


    "Isn''t this better? You keep wanting to follow your own pace."


    Then her eyes sharpened considerably.


    "Don''t try to stand as equals with me when you can''t, understand?"


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    Nathan felt his whole body go cold, like when he first faced Argentius. The opponent''s dominance, dignity, and strength made him freeze up.


    Seeing Nathan say nothing, his eyes somewhat dazed, Ruby drew herself back, sat up straight, replacing her previous casualness with unimaginable seriousness.


    "What relationship do you have with Arthur Merinor?" her voice was full of aggression, creating pressure on the listener.


    "Arthur?" Nathan blurted out.


    Ruby frowned briefly, then immediately relaxed.


    "What do you know about Arthur Merinor?"


    "To be honest," the annoyance in Nathan''s heart finally surfaced, he also didn''t believe Ruby would dare harm him. "I don''t know who he is at all. I know Emrys, but not Arthur."


    The numerous children of great families was common knowledge. He wouldn''t be free enough to investigate each person.


    Ruby tilted her head in thought, suddenly laughing.


    "Overthinking it," she muttered.


    After saying that, she took out a letter from her storage ring and placed it on the table, smiling brightly as if the previous scene had never happened.


    "Congratulations to you."


    "Um, thanks?"


    Ruby, as if feeling she no longer needed to stay, stood up to leave. Nathan, wanting to be cautious, called after her.


    "Is Arthur Merinor your enemy?"


    More accurately, he was asking if House Voss and House Merinor were on bad terms.


    Ruby stopped her steps, hand on her hip tapping a few beats as if thinking. Then, she turned around, looking straight at Nathan and asked.


    "In The Shifting Trials, will you assist my siblings and my father''s forces or House Merinor?"


    "Can I choose neither side?" Nathan quickly replied.


    Ruby burst out laughing, a laugh of contempt and pleasure.


    "A coward''s choice. But a wise one. Lucky for you all that Arthur isn''t participating, otherwise, tsk tsk, nothing interesting would happen. Remember, don''t mention this name to anyone."


    Nathan didn''t bother responding after being both scolded and engaged in a conversation with no clear direction. He didn''t see off the imperious young lady but instead silently looked at the invitation letter with pride.


    Celene entered after knowing Ruby had left. Her eyes were bright but were immediately stopped from voicing congratulations.


    "There wasn''t any Arthur Merinor among the diners, right?" Nathan asked as soon as he saw her. He wouldn''t listen to someone who showed ill will towards him. Information necessary to protect one''s life was essential.


    Celene hesitated, without delay checking the list again. She even used facial recognition features. Only after being certain did she answer.


    "No, there wasn''t."


    "Then why was I questioned by Ruby about this person?"


    "Disguise perhaps?"


    "Disguise?"


    "Yes, a form of human skin mask."


    "So that means Duke Kael''s intelligence network can find someone even if they''re in disguise?"


    "I think so."


    Nathan involuntarily shuddered, reminding himself not to make too many enemies.


    "Why can''t I find information about this Arthur on PsiLink?" Nathan wondered.


    Celene paced back and forth, muttering the name Arthur. It seemed she wasn''t any different from Nathan.


    After a while, she suddenly lifted her head.


    "Arthur! That Arthur! No wonder we didn''t know."


    Nathan patiently waited for Celene to explain.


    "I got this information from my unofficial sources, so the reliability isn''t too high. Legend has it House Merinor had a child who died young. Quite hard to believe with their resources and wealth. But that''s what happened. Reportedly, this Arthur had a rather rare disease. The night he died was also the night House Merinor left their mansion, becoming a forbidden zone in the Southeast area."


    "According to information I got tonight, he''s very much alive!"


    Celene startled, realizing Nathan was sharing confidential information with her, confirming the trust between them. She kept silent, not daring to say anything more about this issue.


    "You should focus on the gathering night at Duke Kael''s castle instead," she changed the topic, while reminding Nathan.


    Before the official event begins, there will be a gathering of everyone for announcements. This is mandatory for the organizers to know exactly how many people will participate. If anyone doesn''t come, they''ll automatically be considered as giving up. So the scale will be several times larger than the parties organized by the young generation of the four great houses.


    "Why do you say it like that?" Nathan asked, tossing aside the matter of Ruby Voss. "Don''t we just need to show up and then leave?"


    "That would be true if not for Lachlan Rourke."


    "That bastard again?" Nathan truly admired this young man''s talent for causing trouble.


    Celene nodded helplessly, even she felt irritated despite not participating.


    "Usually the gathering would proceed quite smoothly, so this ceremony hasn''t been used for a long time."


    "Let me guess," Nathan touched his lips thoughtfully, "a ceremony to prove one''s worth to participate, right?"


    "That''s right," she nodded, not too surprised that Nathan knew. Those who understood this best were disciples from the sects.


    This competitive environment was full of challenges to prove ability and find ways to advance. Nathan hadn''t encountered it yet because he was always moving, hadn''t stayed in a sect long enough to trigger this reaction.


    "Because participants include professions not focused on combat like Herbalists, Alchemists, or Artificers. These people are usually chosen and bring along two guardians to assist them."


    "And Lachlan will target these participants to eliminate these participation slots, weakening the overall enemies." Nathan understood.


    "What''s condemnable is that challenging Lachlan''s faction isn''t too positive. Not just Lachlan, but his subordinates are also fully equipped to compete."


    "Hasn''t Duke Kael already limited Regional Commander Axel Rourke''s side to five people? Doing this isn''t it like provoking the Duke further?"


    Celene shrugged her shoulders, nodding repeatedly as if confirming everything Nathan had just asked.


    "The reason Lachlan gave was quite righteous. Resources for this event come from the whole kingdom, so what he''s doing is ensuring the nation''s investment is worthwhile. The weak or those who block the way should just get out."


    "Just as I thought, he''s not some brainless playboy but has a belly full of calculations, right?"


    "Partly that, partly thanks to the advisors behind him."


    Nathan pondered for a moment then his eyes lit up asking.


    "I got an invitation because of my chef profession, so surely I can bring two guardians?"


    Celene''s face wrinkled somewhat as she chose her words.


    "Both right and wrong."


    Receiving such an answer, Nathan reflected again. The right to have guardians he surely had. But whether it could be implemented was another matter.


    "You''re too late to find people to go with," Celene voiced the thoughts in Nathan''s head. "All quality individuals have already been chosen. Furthermore, if you find someone now or on gathering night, it''s not certain whether that person has been bought off by Lachlan or not. Once that person gets on the arena and surrenders before even fighting, you''ll be the only one bearing the consequences. Even if they haven''t been bought off yet, surrendering right there and then going to lick Lachlan''s boots is still a possibility. Of course, there are those who choose to follow you because they want to. But the risk is still too high. Especially when you''ve tried so hard to get a participation ticket already."


    Cultivators without too much potential often choose to be patrons for those with professions. If they serve well, they might get an Alchemist to make them a necessary potion for advancement. Similar with Herbalists. As for Artificers, who wouldn''t want better equipment? Once choosing correctly someone with potential, the path ahead becomes much smoother.


    Nathan could be such a person, but as Celene analyzed, he had moved too late. During the past three days, others weren''t just playing and enjoying themselves. There was no place for the idle in a world where power reigns supreme.


    "But I''ve seen many Artificers who are good at fighting?" he wondered.


    "True, those people will participate without needing Guardians."


    "What if there''s team fighting?"


    "Then the Alchemist, or even those less combat-oriented like Herbalists must step up in supporting roles. Potions or using fragrances to buff teammates'' strength aren''t rare. That''s their strength. The guardians can only accompany them that far. After all, most participants want to establish relationships with these professions."


    "Seems like only I clearly have a support profession, yet must face them head on."


    "You mean you''ll fight directly?" Celene was surprised.


    "Were you calculating all this time how to get me two reliable guardians?"


    "Yes."


    Nathan laughed loudly, making Celene even more confused.


    "You think that because I''m Tier 1, right?"


    "Isn''t that so?" Celene asked bluntly.


    "Who do you think killed the Lunar Shadow that was brought to auction?" Nathan smirked, teasing the girl who underestimated him based on preconceptions.


    Celene moved her lips, her eyes blinking in disbelief. Finally, she managed to speak.


    "It was you?"


    "It was me," Nathan declared proudly.


    The girl still didn''t believe it, but seeing the confidence emanating from Nathan, she could only accept.


    Nathan didn''t say much more, silently calculating for tomorrow.


    To prepare thoroughly, he used the rolls for his passive skills.


    Besides the joy of achieving [Mind of Tranquility], he obtained an aura skill for the first time. But the system always knew how to invisibly punch him in the gut when it gave him a skill from the same family as [Bad Mouth].

 Chapter 51

    [Bad Omen]


    Description: You randomly predict bad events in the future. The predicted events have a very small chance to manifest as reality. Probability of manifestation decreases with the scale and complexity of the predicted event.


    Nathan clicked his tongue silently at the skill he''d just received. What kind of bizarre skill-granting system was this? He was genuinely concerned about what he''d been given. Part of him had grown too comfortable when the system stopped providing weird skills like [Bad Mouth]. The low probability had made him believe he wouldn''t be unlucky enough to roll another one. If he did, he''d believed he would have enough credits by then to buy a [Skill Breaker] and remove it immediately. Yet here he was, still not having completed the mission to earn 2,000 credits.


    What is the system trying to do? he silently asked himself and the system to see if it would answer.


    Unsurprisingly, he received no response. He couldn''t believe the system would provide such a double-edged skill that could harm both enemies and himself. While the effects of [Bad Omen] might be small, they could also be devastating. A single slip of the tongue could lead to unavoidable disaster. The fortunate part was the ''very small chance'' rather than the absolute nature of [Bad Mouth], meaning that even if the skill activated, it would most likely fail.


    He pondered silently about how [Bad Omen] worked, wondering if it operated on predestination or if things would change course because of what he said. If it was the latter, he felt somewhat afraid, as the passive system showed its potentially extreme latent danger.


    Reminding himself to be even more careful with his words and keep his mouth shut, he pushed this skill aside to look at the others.


    [Counter Strike]


    Description: Grants a 17% chance to automatically execute a perfect counter-technique against incoming attacks from enemies. The counter adapts to the type of attack received, using the opponent''s force and momentum against them.


    Another skill added to the fourth-attack pattern he''d been hoping for. However, this skill wasn''t as perfect as he''d thought because it overlapped with [Rebound]. The system, seemingly aware of his exploitation tendencies, had clearly stated that he couldn''t trigger it by attacking himself¡ªit had to be a genuine enemy attack. This was another skill that didn''t work particularly well with mana-based attacks. While it synced well with [Martial Art Mastery], its effectiveness wasn''t particularly impressive.


    With a mindset already dampened by [Bad Omen], he accepted this skill cheerfully, as it was still far more useful. He didn''t hesitate to upgrade it along the Methodical path¡ªevery fourth attack he received would trigger [Counter Strike].


    [Anger Management]


    Description: Grants better control over your angry emotion. Does not guarantee perfect control.


    If the system were a physical being, he would have punched it a few times. This skill seemed to mock his Berserker path. Nevertheless, he focused on contemplating the potential of [Anger Management]. Several possibilities had already emerged in his mind.


    The final skill was [Cold Resistance Aura], which worked exactly as its name suggested, nothing particularly special. He briefly thought of Evelyn, imagining that he wouldn''t shiver just from her presence anymore.


    Nathan stood up, ready to leave. Celene silently followed, having wondered what Nathan had been doing staring into space all this time, acting as if she didn''t exist.


    When he reached the door, Nathan suddenly blurted out.


    "I''m going to slip."


    Right after, his foot stepped into a puddle of water. Just as he began to slip, he twisted his body and regained balance with [Improved Balance] combined with [Martial Art Mastery].


    Triggered [Bad Omen]. One credit given. Prediction is true.


    His anger rose like an erupting volcano. Then, as if he were an outsider, he observed his emotion and could command it.


    Triggered [Anger Management]. One credit given.


    He calmed down immediately, no longer controlled by his emotions. He blinked, hardly believing these two skills had manifested so soon.


    "Are you alright?" Celene hurriedly asked, looking at the puddle of cleaning water on the floor. She wondered who had been so careless. Such things shouldn''t happen in an establishment as prestigious as this.


    Nathan waved his hand dismissively, letting it go. His brows remained furrowed due to his situation. Everything was already difficult enough without getting stuck with something this ridiculous. He just hoped the skill would behave somewhat, like [Bad Mouth]. If he could stop himself from completing a sentence, he guessed the predictions wouldn''t come true.


    Thanks to the rare skill, he got an additional roll. He decided to stop after getting five skills and save the remaining roll for another occasion.


    Nathan spent the next period in the training room rented by Celene. The training facilities here were of higher quality than those in the outer court of Verdant Spire Sect. Instead of Straw Men, they mostly used training automatons. He had verified the effects of [Counter Strike] through these automatons. By requesting them to use mana bullets, he learned that this skill was quite ineffective. He could dodge or deflect them, but couldn''t redirect them back. Either because he couldn''t project mana yet, or the skill was just limited that way.


    Maybe they''re leaving room for [Deflect]! Nathan formed a hypothesis.


    He then experimented with a few other things, then used the money earned from the auction and cooking to buy some equipment for himself. Though he really liked the Nine Star Saber, being a Tier 3 weapon, he didn''t want to buy it. The high price was one thing, but he wouldn''t be able to use it to its full potential. Therefore, his focus was on items and equipment he could use in the immediate future.


    Finally, the gathering occurred.


    He made his way to the inner city, the square at the architectural center of Maelivar, with Celene following. These four thick walls formed the second line of defense in case the outer walls were breached, so the construction materials were of higher quality and equipped with even more powerful gun emplacements. Most notably, the inner city was considered the center of a defensive array. In case of war, whoever controlled the inner city could activate an additional mana barrier. Only when control of the inner city was lost would Maelivar fall.


    The inner city, apart from Castle Voss where Duke Kael resided, was quite sparse, with only a few mansions of the nobility built around. It had various gardens mainly for viewing, artificial lakes for young nobles'' strolls, and venues for leadership exchanges.


    Since it wasn''t permitted, event participants like Nathan could only follow the main road to the castle without wandering around.


    Castle Voss looked increasingly majestic as they approached, with watchtowers rising like arrows piercing the sky. Guards moved vigilantly along the surrounding walls and flew around, maintaining constant observation of the guests.


    According to leaked information, Duke Kael had also stationed four Tier 3 cultivators for protection, preventing any possible incidents.


    Nathan increasingly felt the pressure as he neared the castle''s eastern gate. By his calculations, this made Maelivar''s defensive structure three-layered, with the walls before him being the final barrier.


    The crowd was so large that he had to queue. Celene, following behind, felt anxious as it was her first time attending such a major event. In her mind, she had plans to expand relationships to assist her current master, the composed young man in red Verdant Spire Sect attire standing beside her.


    Nathan was only trying to appear calm, but internally he was fretting. He wanted to chat with Celene to ease his mind, but also wanted to prevent [Bad Omen] from activating. Earlier, he had been about to ask her about the training room when [Bad Omen] interrupted. Thus, this skill was no less intrusive than [Bad Mouth], hijacking his speech once activated.


    He focused on the whispered discussions around him.


    "Did you hear? Adrian thrashed another Tier 3 Phase 1 yesterday?"


    "Again? Does that guy find fighting above his level that easy?"


    "So admirable!"


    "Admirable maybe, but his personality is really weird."


    Nathan made a mental note about this Adrian character. On the right side, they were discussing another prodigy.


    "A Thousand Stars Pavilion seems quite confident this year."


    "Apart from causing trouble at the Merinor house party, they haven''t shown anything special."


    "They''re hiding their cards. Twenty-five people came but only twenty-four have been seen."


    "So we might meet their hidden person tonight."


    "Most likely."


    Nathan listened to the discussions feeling out of touch. He hadn''t had much time so he wasn''t very familiar with the various factions, only knowing that those participating in ''The Shifting Trials'' were mostly monsters.


    After that, there were too many names including wandering cultivators seeking fame that made his head spin, so he stopped paying attention.


    When it was his turn to be checked by the guards, he went in, easily bringing Celene along. There were quite a few participants who brought attendants to the gathering, so they didn''t face much resistance.


    Triggered [Mind of Tranquility]. One credit given.


    What the hell? Nathan silently panicked.


    He whirled his head around to look, but in his field of vision were only the sea of people, walls, and the night sky. Looking toward Celene, he frowned when he saw she didn''t seem particularly affected by any force. Even he felt the same.


    Are the Tier 3s in the castle doing this?


    He suddenly wanted to leave. Influencing the psychology of people here certainly couldn''t have good intentions. He didn''t believe he was the only one affected, but looking around, no one showed signs of being mentally manipulated.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Unable to distrust the Passive System, he could only remain on high alert.


    After passing the guards, he entered a wide courtyard that had been carefully arranged. Tall tables and food and drink stations had been distributed in various corners. There were also open spaces for young people to interact.


    Currently, two youths were unable to resist fighting on the arena. Their mana and attributes exploded with each strike.


    Nathan stood in a corner watching the match. Most cultivators possessed element-based Aspects, so one of them used fire while the other used water. Their clashing attacks left steam rising into a thin mist enveloping them. Below the arena, a youth using wind blew the mist away, leaving clear visibility for everyone to watch.


    After a while, Nathan assessed that his abilities wouldn''t be too bad for engaging with these disciples. He perked up, no longer as fearful of potential challenge situations.


    "Yo, Nate," Zeryn called out after entering from the castle''s south gate.


    Nathan greeted his friend with their signature handshake.


    "Holy cow, you really made it," Zahra followed excitedly.


    Nathan shrugged, opening his mouth to speak.


    "I''m gonna get slapped."


    Triggered [Bad Omen]. One credit given. Prediction is true.


    Right after, Xander slapped him hard on the arm, his other hand raising a middle finger.


    "Brilliant," Xander said.


    Xander was among the few who always monitored Nathan''s every move. The cooking performance that had everyone talking had been captured by his eyes. For him, this was more worthy of celebration than ever. The guilt of taking Nathan''s slot also lessened somewhat.


    Nathan wrinkled his nose, feeling neither pain nor discomfort from Xander''s encouragement. He was extremely frustrated with this [Bad Omen] skill. Currently, it had 100% effectiveness after two occurrences.


    Zeryn noticed what had just happened and looked at his friend puzzled.


    "Has anything happened to you all these days?" Nathan changed the subject.


    He had heard about the clash with The Thousand Stars Pavilion, unsure if Verdant Spire Sect had faced any conflicts in the days after.


    "What could happen?" Zahra smiled brightly. "I just schooled some people from other sects at football."


    Nathan smiled at this eternally cheerful girl. Her carefree nature was truly infectious.


    "Nothing worth mentioning," Zeryn said. "They might openly hate us, but they wouldn''t dare act like they did with Obsidian Fang Sect."


    Nathan nodded. He had heard that five disciples from Obsidian Fang Sect had been beaten severely enough to forfeit their participation.


    "You still haven''t introduced who this lady is," Zeryn nudged Nathan''s elbow, pointing.


    Celene, not wanting Nathan to feel guilty for forgetting about her, stepped forward and bowed slightly with refined manners.


    "Celene Nye. Very pleased to meet everyone. I''m currently an employee of The Amber Path Coalition assigned to assist Nathan here."


    She didn''t dare reveal her subordinate status under Nathan without permission.


    As for her master, he was blinking at her, having thought she would take this opportunity to establish relationships. But it was fine, he wasn''t too strict about such matters.


    Celene fidgeted anxiously, looking at the young group before her with admiration and a hint of fear. While the others weren''t mentioned, Zeryn Valtaris was a name listed among the top candidates for The Shifting Trials. There was considerable debate about his combat prowess since he hadn''t shown anything yet. The issue was that no one dared to challenge him. His calm yet somewhat imposing style made everyone wary.


    If Nathan knew what Celene thought about Zeryn, he would have laughed uncontrollably until the next day.


    Zahra stepped forward, enthusiastically chatting with Celene.


    "So you must know all about what Nathan''s been up to these past few days, right?"


    "I''m the one who monitored and arranged everything for him," Celene confirmed.


    Zahra''s eyes lit up, gossip mode activated.


    "Oh ho, then you can''t hide any details about what happened."


    To the side, Xander silently inched closer to hear more clearly.


    After receiving a nod from Nathan, Celene changed her attitude, her face beaming with spirit as she told the story. She spoke as if talking about her own family member, full of pride.


    Ignoring Zahra and Xander listening intently, Zeryn caught Nathan''s eye and moved to another spot.


    "The relationship isn''t just what Celene said, is it?" Zeryn grabbed two drinks, handing one to Nathan.


    "She''s a subordinate I just took in," Nathan replied, having no intention of hiding it.


    "That''s good. You should start building your power base."


    "I think so too."


    "You must know tonight won''t be peaceful for you specifically, right?"


    "Yes," Nathan rubbed his forehead. "Achieved the goal but stirred up a hornet''s nest."


    "Need me to step in?" Zeryn shrugged. "I can give you a discount on being your guardian."


    "Only if it''s for life."


    "Let me get a bed, knock you out so you can keep dreaming!"


    Nathan laughed, waving his hands.


    "I already boldly declared I''d do everything myself, so I''ll see it through. If I fail, staying in Maelivar to cook a few more dinners for some mana stones isn''t bad."


    "It''s up to you. But when you need help, take it. Don''t be too proud thinking you can handle everything."


    "Don''t you know me well enough, Zer? For two years now, I''ve basically been freeloading off you."


    The two clinked glasses and smiled at each other. Who would have thought they could now appear together at the playground of the kingdom''s most promising young talents? For Zeryn, it was genuine joy and pride seeing his friend come such a long way. As for Nathan, besides feeling grateful for the luck of meeting Zeryn and Orin, maybe adding Darkan too, there was aspiration. Only when truly feeling himself standing here, and not too afraid at that, did he see how far he''d come from the Nathan of the past. A Nathan who saw no way out, couldn''t throw a decent punch, always nervously fearing expulsion from Verdant Spire Sect. That past Nathan waved at him, raising a fist in encouragement. Never stop.


    Participants steadily entered the courtyard surrounding the main building. Nathan did a rough count and was shocked by the numbers. At least five hundred people would be his opponents.


    Now the Keep''s doors swung wide open, and a middle-aged man led a group of people onto the pre-built platform overlooking everyone.


    The young people, showing good measure, fell silent. The middle-aged man with his scholarly appearance cleared his throat and spoke.


    "Welcome, young friends from all corners of the kingdom of Caelindor. My name is Mingxia if you need it. I''ll be hosting today on behalf of Duke Kael. Actually, there isn''t much, just sharing some information about the upcoming Shifting Trials."


    No one was surprised at not receiving Duke Kael''s welcome. If not mistaken, he was currently having a small party in the reception room with elders like Nalani. Being welcomed by Tier 3s was already honor enough for the young generation.


    Behind Mingxia were Duke Kael''s subordinates and children, including Ruby Voss.


    Nathan narrowed his eyes in her direction. He wasn''t hoping for acknowledgment but wanted to see which individuals she paid attention to. Currently, by his analysis, Ruby''s focus was on Emrys Merinor standing quite far from where he was.


    Unable to resist, Nathan messaged Zeryn through PsiLink.


    "Do you know who Arthur Merinor is?"


    Zeryn whipped his head toward him, eyes full of surprise.


    "How do you know that name?"


    "Ruby Voss once asked me about him. What''s wrong? Is he someone scary?"


    "Did Ruby Voss say anything else?"


    "That Arthur had appeared at one of my intimate cooking gatherings."


    "What?" Zeryn spoke out loud rather than using PsiLink, drawing some glances from those listening to Mingxia''s welcoming words to each faction.


    Seeing this, Nathan voluntarily recounted everything to Zeryn.


    After pondering for a moment, Zeryn bit his lower lip, seeming uncomfortable.


    "Remember when I told you to become an inner disciple at a sensitive time?"


    "I do remember. Don''t tell me it''s related to this Arthur? No, related to the Merinor family?"


    "Still unclear," Zeryn answered. "That''s the direction I predicted. But fortunately, he''s not participating in this event. That''s a future matter, you focus on what''s ahead now."


    Nathan nodded somewhat understanding and not, finally listening to the introduction about The Shifting Trials from Mingxia''s mouth.


    "We won''t reveal complete information about The Shifting Trials'' rules to you," Mingxia spoke loudly and clearly, winking at everyone. "Because where''s the fun in that, right?"


    Some voices of protest rose up, but not as strongly as those who agreed. The more unstable elements there were, the more it emphasized the ability to handle situations. The young people here were mostly in their prime, always eager to showcase themselves in the most brilliant way possible. From there, lay the foundation for their future.


    Nathan felt knowing more was better. The blind spot in most people''s thinking was believing they were better than others. This was hard to avoid when raised in an environment that always praised individuals with outstanding abilities. They might fear existences like Lachlan, Adrian, Sigrid, but naturally didn''t think themselves inferior to the rest. This would be the foundation for unpredictable failure. Especially when lacking information to protect oneself.


    Unless you truly surpass the rest, you should grab every advantage.


    Though thinking this way, he didn''t say much.


    "This event aims to identify the sixty-four strongest names among you young people here. It doesn''t sound like much, but everyone should try hard. Because this list will be sent to the empire''s central government. A major event is about to occur, and in response to the Emperor of the Ehyrian Empire''s call, The Shifting Trials will have the honor of being the first qualification round."


    After a moment of silence at this announcement, everyone erupted in excitement. Discussions rose so loudly that nothing could be heard clearly.


    With just this information, this event would become increasingly bloody, though it was already brutal enough before.


    Nathan involuntarily shuddered thinking about the life-and-death battles in the coming days. His mind partly wondered about the Empire''s actions. What necessitated mobilizing vassal states like this.


    "Damn fortune," Zeryn cursed beside him. "We''re unlucky enough to live through one instability after another."


    Nathan heard and swallowed hard. He didn''t understand why he felt The Shifting Trials didn''t seem as heavy as before.


    "Please quiet down," Mingxia said calmly, his tone not raising at all. However, the pressure radiating from his voice quickly lowered the surrounding discussions. "As for how to determine the top 64, you''ll have to discover that yourselves. The only initial hint revealed will be through a point-scoring system."


    "And how it''s calculated, you can''t tell us either, right?" Lachlan sneered.


    All eyes turned to this young man who acted like he owned the sky. Not everyone was a citizen of Maelivar, so not everyone was annoyed with him. Some agreed, some praised his straightforwardness, some even thought about allying with Lachlan. Someone who dared to speak so arrogantly couldn''t be ordinary.


    "I''m afraid so, Mister Lachlan," Mingxia maintained his professional demeanor, showing no irritation, not even a frown. "But I promise it''s not too complicated, everyone rest assured. Well, I''ve presented the basic purpose like that. A few noteworthy points are that the event will be broadcast live, so try your best to show yourselves."


    This was something everyone already knew, so there wasn''t much discussion.


    Then, Mingxia took out a rather plain gray-black bracelet with only a few flowing lines.


    "This is the protective bracelet that Maelivar''s upper echelons prepared for contestants. Each person will receive one. Though I hope no one has to use it. First because it''s expensive and we hope to get them back. Second because a broken bracelet means that individual is eliminated."


    No one bothered listening to Mingxia''s jokes, focusing only on the latter part.


    "If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, break the bracelet to be teleported out of the event area immediately. You only need to channel mana into the bracelet with the intention from your Spirit. Of course, the array on the bracelet ensures others can''t deliberately break it to eliminate someone. That would be too ridiculous."


    Some disappointed looks appeared upon hearing this information. Cultivators with Shadow Aspects could have really exploited this. Quick and effective.


    One individual who was worried was Nathan. He couldn''t project mana to break the bracelet. He was about to raise his hand to ask when Zeryn covered his stomach laughing and shook his head telling him not to. The bracelet would still break if physically crushed. This was information Zeryn had gathered over the past few days.


    Nathan breathed a sigh of relief and continued listening.


    "But the bracelet isn''t omnipotent," Mingxia warned. "If you don''t activate the bracelet in time during a critical situation, you''ll still be teleported back. However, whether you''re intact is another matter. Emergency staff will work at full capacity, but the mortality rate still exists. You are the future of this country. If you want to withdraw, you can do so now. No one will judge you."


    Like hell! Nathan cursed internally, anyone who truly believed that would be even more foolish than him.


    No one moved. Even if they were afraid and had second thoughts, they wouldn''t dare act due to peer pressure.


    "Excellent! So everyone agrees to seek fortune in danger. Isn''t that the essence of cultivators like us? Danger in The Shifting Trials will come in countless forms, so I wish you all can stay safe, while pushing forward through all thorns, bringing glory not just for yourselves but for your organizations, for Maelivar, and for all of Caelindor."


    Everyone with burning fighting spirit raised their hands to the sky and roared. They were ready.


    "Alright, alright," Lachlan stepped out of the ranks, standing in the center, looking straight at Mingxia. "That''s done now, can we get to the main event?"


    "Of course," Mingxia bowed politely. "What would Mister Lachlan like to do? Party, dance, or make friends? I''ll be glad to assist."


    "Forget those trivial boring matters," Lachlan smirked, turning to everyone. "It''s time to prove you have the strength to participate in The Shifting Trials. Otherwise, it would be a waste of national resources. Don''t forget, this is an investment from all of Caelindor, not just Maelivar. Therefore, I won''t allow unworthy ones to seize the efforts that citizens put forth through their precious taxes."


    Hearing these intimidating words, though Mingxia maintained his composure from start to finish, he couldn''t hide his displeasure through his tightened jaw and cold eyes.


    Duke Kael''s entourage standing behind shifted uncomfortably, wanting to rebuke this arrogant fellow. But they couldn''t when they felt the pressure Mingxia was emanating.


    As for Nathan, he had already locked eyes with Lachlan Rourke.


    Lachlan''s finger slowly rose, pointing directly at him.

 Chapter 52

    Atop a towering building outside Castle Voss, where one could survey the entirety of the inner city, a man sat cheerfully swinging his legs over the edge of the rooftop. In his hand, he held a slender rod that looked so fragile it might snap with a single wave. He used the rod to tap rhythmically against his shoulder as he hummed, his eyes bright as he gazed down at the gathered crowd in the castle below, as if he could see every detail with perfect clarity.


    "My, my, quite a few promising seeds this year," he muttered, ceasing his humming as he swung the rod in a swift arc. "Though the formation prevents me from seeing how their minds were disturbed anymore."


    Earlier, he had used his power to create an invisible ripple affecting all the young people present for tonight''s gathering. Through this, he could observe who showed the most promise for him to pursue.


    Among all the young people present, his eyes were fixed on one youth in red attire. This young man had shown the strongest reaction when he had disturbed everyone''s mental state.


    "A Tier 1 with such impressive mental defenses," he mused to himself. "Truly a promising seed indeed. This little detour through Maelivar hasn''t been wasted after all. I should keep an eye on some of the others too. That boy with the Sword Intent shows similar promise."


    His brow then furrowed as he let out a breath of disgust before standing up, brushing off his clothes to straighten them.


    "These little rats are quick to catch the scent."


    After his complaint, he vanished without a trace.


    Mere seconds later, several shadows appeared on the rooftop. They clearly hadn''t come in physical form, using only a portion of their Spirit to manifest.


    "You all sensed that presence just now?" one shadow spoke, their voice impossible to distinguish as male or female.


    "Stop stating the obvious!" another shadow snapped. "Why else would we waste our evening gathering here?"


    "You¡ª"


    "Silence!" the third voice commanded with overwhelming authority. "If you can''t contribute anything useful, return to your quarters."


    "Duke Kael," the fourth shadow stepped forward, purple eyes gleaming behind the black mist. "This stranger appears just as The Shifting Trials are about to begin. Could they have some ulterior motive?"


    The shadow identified as Duke Kael remained silent and motionless.


    "Should we cancel or postpone the event?" another shadow inquired.


    "No," Duke Kael replied instantly. "This isn''t just about Maelivar''s honor anymore¡ªit''s a national duty. Increased vigilance will suffice. If we''re dealing with an existence beyond our ability to resist, canceling the event would serve no purpose."


    The other shadows nodded in agreement.


    "Disperse," Duke Kael ordered.


    No one lingered.


    Duke Kael''s shadow drifted toward where the rod-wielding man had sat. His shadow fluctuated violently as he attempted to find traces. Anyone using mana would leave some kind of signature. Yet Duke Kael couldn''t track anything¡ªworse, the attempt nearly caused his shadow projection to collapse.


    This could only mean one thing: the stranger was an existence far beyond Duke Kael''s level.


    Tier 5 wasn''t enough. It had to be Tier 6 or higher.


    Duke Kael''s shadow trembled more intensely, though whether from fear or something else remained unclear.


    After a while, the shadow vanished. The rooftop was left with only the wind and darkness, as if nothing had ever occurred.


    Back at the gathering, all eyes were fixed on Lachlan''s pointing finger.


    Nathan knew people were using their full processing power to research him on PsiLink. Though he had prepared for this, he hadn''t expected things to escalate so quickly. According to Celene''s analysis, even if he hadn''t invited Lachlan to the dinner party, today''s confrontation would still have been hard to avoid. Lachlan could have used someone else as the first target, creating a chain reaction leading to Nathan. Without Lachlan''s presence, the chances of success at the recent dinner party would have decreased. At that time, Nathan hadn''t been sure if Emrys would actually attend, so he had to spread his chances by baiting Lachlan to come. Whatever the case, he didn''t regret what he''d done to secure his place here.


    Lachlan''s words confirmed Celene''s analysis.


    "We have a Tier 1 among us. Don''t you all find that ridiculous?"


    Several mocking laughs rose in agreement.


    "Even the Artificers here are Tier 2. That''s the requirement to use advanced equipment in crafting. You all see that Spatial Pouch he''s using, right? Meaning he can''t even handle something as basic as a Spatial Ring."


    The laughter grew louder. Nathan clenched his fists, eyes narrowing.


    Lachlan pretended not to notice, turning to continue his lecture.


    "And he took over two years to reach that level. Hasn''t even achieved Tier 1 Phase 5 yet. Tell me, should we allow someone like that to participate?"


    Whispers about Nathan spread like a plague. The Verdant Spire Sect disciples cast looks of contempt at their fellow disciple. They hadn''t thought much of it when Nathan said he wanted to earn a slot by himself, even laughing it off, assuming he was bound to fail. They hadn''t anticipated this current situation.


    "He''s participating as a support profession, not as a combat specialist, you sharp-tongued jerk!" Zahra couldn''t hold back from objecting.


    Nathan appreciated her action. But this truly couldn''t change the outcome. If it could, Zeryn would have stepped in from the start.


    "That''s right, he''s here to participate like the Artificers or Herbalists, so why bring up cultivation levels?" a representative from the Artificer Guild spoke up.


    Lachlan shot him a piercing glance, making the words about to leave his mouth retreat.


    "Are your ears not working properly? I already said even those who lock themselves in laboratories all day are Tier 2. So is a Tier 1 here just for fun? From what I see, he doesn''t even have a guardian. So when he faces monsters and enemies in there, he''ll just give up? Remember, those life-saving bracelets are expensive. Wouldn''t it be better if he stepped aside and let someone else participate? Of course, this still needs Duke Kael''s approval. But him not participating wouldn''t be a bad outcome."


    These words hit the core of the issue. Quite a few people here had brought attendants like Celene. Letting them compete for participation slots sound intriguing. Or the guardians could take the slots. That way, instead of having to leave when Artificers faced challenges, they could continue seeking opportunities to grow stronger.


    Lachlan''s lips curled up, seemingly satisfied with how things were developing.


    "Duke Kael permits competition for participation slots," Mingxia announced, his eyes narrowing in confusion.


    Usually, participation rights could be revoked, but not transferred from one person to another.


    "Since this event is preparation for the Empire, Duke Kael wishes to see more competition," Ruby explained.


    People nodded in understanding. Previous events had proceeded rather peacefully, with various factions being cautious not to openly antagonize each other. Now things were different, with the Empire''s involvement changing the situation. Even if factions were displeased, they wouldn''t dare protest against the Emperor.


    "Can we call in our people?" someone in the crowd asked.


    "No," Mingxia replied firmly.


    "So you''re creating a playground for the military?" a young disciple asked indignantly. "Everyone can see which faction has the most attendants here."


    The young people in military uniforms following Lachlan smirked condescendingly at the others.


    Mingxia seemed confused by what was happening. After receiving some information, he broke into an unusual smile.


    "Ladies and gentlemen," Mingxia raised his hand to signal for calm, "hear me out. Duke Kael''s office anticipated this situation, so the invitations sent out weren''t just the usual direct participation type. Please check your invitations¡ªif they bear the ''Challenger'' seal, these individuals must earn their official slots tonight. The list of those with official invitations has been posted on PsiLink. You can check there for information."


    Nathan smirked upon hearing this. He had kept his eyes on Lachlan and caught the flash of surprise on the troublemaker''s face.


    "Duke Kael played him well," Zeryn chuckled in commentary.


    "Indeed," Nathan said. "If he hadn''t stirred up trouble, they would have kept quiet about the invitation categories. But now they''re using the wind to their advantage. Lachlan''s attendants are in for an exhausting night."


    After hearing this analysis, Zahra finally understood what was happening. She laughed heartily and said, "So you''re no longer their target, right?"


    "Not at all," Zeryn shook his head, his expression turning sour. "On the contrary, he''ll be the sweetest target in the bunch."


    "Because he''s Tier 1?" Zahra asked, eyes widening.


    "Exactly," Zeryn shrugged.


    "Idiots!" Zahra cursed.


    "You''re judging me based on the Outer Sect Tournament, aren''t you?" Nathan asked cheerfully, happy to see such support.


    "Do you know what smell you give off, Nathan?" Zahra asked seriously.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "What smell?"


    "The smell of monster blood. And not just any ordinary monster blood¡ªthe pure blood of Tier 2 monsters. The scent is so strong it''s sometimes hard to bear."


    Everyone stared at Zahra, including Nathan. He couldn''t believe her nose was that sensitive. He had heard about how killing left behind a faint blood scent. He''d never thought monster kills would lead to similar results.


    Celene finally started believing that Nathan hadn''t been lying. He truly wasn''t as weak as he appeared.


    "I don''t want you targeted," Zahra shook her head and continued, "because I want you to keep your advantage."


    Nathan nodded in acknowledgment. This was something he had considered. Being underestimated could be an advantage. An opponent might expose a fatal weakness due to overconfidence, creating an opening he could exploit thoroughly.


    "It''s fine," Nathan smiled at Zahra. "I''ll try to live up to your expectations."


    "The greatest underdog," Zahra finished, her smile spreading from ear to ear.


    With his friends'' expectant gazes upon him, he stepped forward.


    He raised his hand, pointing directly at Lachlan.


    "Send out your person, I''ll accept the challenge."


    His voice rang clear and confident, silencing the surrounding commentary.


    Even if he failed tonight, the image of a Tier 1 daring to challenge a group of Tier 2s would be unforgettable. Such audacity either marked one as a foolish madman or someone dangerously confident. This was on top of his existing reputation as a top-tier chef.


    "You won''t use your guardian?" Mingxia asked following procedure, though he understood the situation. Nathan wasn''t participating as a challenger¡ªDuke''s office still valued the young chef''s potential and future. It was only his low tier and entanglement with Lachlan that prevented him from having a guardian.


    "No," Nathan answered firmly. "I''ll fight myself."


    The surrounding crowd couldn''t believe what they were hearing. They had thought Nathan would invite one of the Challengers present to be his Guardian. That was the path support professions should take. Not every profession could be like Artificers, who could both fight independently and craft products to assist Cultivators. Challengers would likely choose to help rather than compete for official positions. Their purpose here could be relationship-building, trading future favors instead. Many who discovered they were Challengers had considered this approach, knowing the Aspect Affinity-enhancing dinner Nathan could provide.


    Nathan understood that Duke Kael had reversed his Guardian limitation. However, he disliked owing others, especially when it meant trusting strangers. He had somewhat decided to walk the path of rising through strength, so he should overcome this challenge himself rather than rely on others. Cooking was ultimately just a side profession. His fists were his true foundation.


    "Very well," Lachlan emerged from his contemplative state with a shake of his head, speaking loudly. "Thalos, step forward."


    An attendant in gray uniform stepped out. He had a clean military crew cut like the others. His sturdy build and square, serious face held a somewhat grim expression. Yet instinctively, he still looked down at Nathan with contempt.


    The young participants who were itching to challenge for participation slots contained their emotions, watching this match instead. Some even took out flying boots to get a better view. It wasn''t every day they could see a Tier 1 fight a Tier 2. Usually, they would have surrendered immediately or run away.


    "Thalos is Tier 2, Phase 1," Lachlan explained. "He''s not worthy to compare with many here, but he''s suitable for you. Otherwise, people might say I''m bullying a chef."


    "So I should thank you?" Nathan narrowed his eyes and asked.


    "Isn''t that how it should be?" Lachlan laughed as if it were obvious.


    Nathan ignored him, turning to face his opponent.


    "Everyone please step back," Mingxia said, raising his hand.


    A square platform materialized beneath Nathan and his opponent''s feet. Then it separated, hovering half a meter above the ground. Surrounding it was a transparent barrier that only flickered with blue light when touched.


    The protective formation had been established. Similar areas were created around Castle Voss''s courtyard. But no one rushed to them yet¡ªthey wanted to watch this first match. News about Nathan had clearly stated he was a direct disciple, ranking above inner disciples of Verdant Spire Sect. So everyone wanted to see if he had any real capability beyond cooking, since he had achieved this position before becoming a chef. He had used his Tier 1, Phase 2 strength to win runner-up, defeating those six to seven Phases above him.


    "The arena is ready," Mingxia announced. "You may begin. Each arena will have a Tier 3 referee ensuring safety. I hope everyone knows when to stop. The challenged party only needs to win 2 out of 3 matches to keep their participation slot. To avoid wasting time, only challengers have the right to issue challenges, not the other way around."


    Some questions and objections arose but weren''t too forceful. In truth, most people here wouldn''t be targeted by challengers. Choosing who to challenge required considering the backing forces. Everyone understood this was aimed at Lachlan''s attendants, so the burning gazes were directed at the largest group of nearly twenty people.


    Thalos, seemingly impatient, lowered his stance as mana smoke rose through his pores, making the air pressure noticeably heavier.


    "STOP!" Nathan shouted, making everyone jump.


    Seeing Nathan''s seemingly cowardly stance in the arena, laughter erupted around them.


    "See? How could he dare to fight!"


    "What''s he planning? Surrendering? Was all that just for show?"


    "What''s he digging for in his Spatial Pouch?"


    Nathan pulled out some dried meat and various bottles containing different solutions.


    "I''m allowed to eat before fighting, right?" he asked Mingxia.


    The Duke''s office representative couldn''t hold back an eye twitch, having never encountered such a contestant.


    "I suppose so," Mingxia said, not entirely certain.


    "You suppose so?" Nathan showed an annoyed expression. "I came here as a chef, this is how I fight."


    "By eating?" Thalos opened his mouth to ask.


    "What else, shit my pants like your mother?"


    Triggered [Bad Mouth]. One credit given.


    Yes, very timely, you cursed skill.


    A burst of laughter exploded among the crowd. They had truly never met someone as interesting as Nathan.


    His friends could only shake their heads helplessly. These people hadn''t even seen Nathan''s performance at the outer sect tournament. That had been even more spectacular.


    Thalos, the victim of the insult, turned red with anger and charged forward without hesitation.


    The match allowing Nathan to eat didn''t mean waiting for him to finish eating before fighting.


    Seeing his opponent''s swift speed, Nathan showed no fear, bending his legs to gather power. Leaving behind a wave of air, he shot upward to everyone''s surprise. In mid-air, he skillfully opened bottles with one hand while simultaneously chewing crispy pieces of meat with obvious relish.


    Thalos looked up, and though confused, didn''t waste too much time on this issue. His feet stomped the ground, two chunks of rock breaking off to attach to his feet, lifting him into the air. He leaned forward, his hands clenching to form stone gauntlets. He intended to intercept Nathan at their meeting point, throwing a punch to knock his opponent down.


    Seeing this, Nathan just shook his head, [Martial Art Mastery] having already read his opponent''s intentions. In the moment before contact, he tapped his side, changing his falling trajectory to smoothly avoid the opponent''s attack. Then he landed, casually dusting himself off with an air of composure. This only served to irritate Thalos further.


    Like Thalos, the spectators were gaping in amazement at Nathan''s capabilities.


    "What the hell? He doesn''t seem to be using mana at all."


    "Is this effect from his food?"


    "Must be."


    No one even considered Physical Cultivation. Because it was far inferior to Spirit Cultivation. Additionally, training it was expensive and full of dangers. All were too proud to believe Nathan had actually hung his life by a thread for three months straight. If enemy blood had been spilled, his own had flowed just as much.


    This was exactly what Nathan wanted. Partly to make people think food was his source of power. They would think they just needed to cut off this supply¡ªhis Spatial Pouch¡ªto have a chance at victory. The second purpose was advertising. He might not need a guardian, but he could still sell food items. In the upcoming event''s circumstances, he could use this to raise prices.


    Thalos landed on the ground. This floating rock technique wasn''t his specialty¡ªit was slow and consumed too much energy. He suddenly felt he needed to end this fight as quickly as possible.


    With renewed determination, Thalos thrust his hand forward, using his mana aspect to create floating rock shards in the air. He spread his fingers, and a rain of projectiles flew straight at Nathan.


    Biting his lip several times, Nathan activated [Quick Feet], combining it with [Better Vision]. He stretched forward, using his body''s flexibility to create an impossible angle, successfully and elegantly avoiding six rocks flying at him. Continuing, he spread his legs and jumped up, continuing to avoid impacts.


    His movements were so skilled that the watching eyes could only show admiration. In contrast, most viewers would have used mana shields around themselves to block, rather than completely dodging.


    "His body''s reactions are truly superior," everyone nodded in agreement, their minds analyzing what food could enhance these abilities.


    Some revelations about Thunder Embrace Wine shared by diners on PsiLink began spreading. This was a wine that could somewhat increase speed. People had more and more basis to conclude that Nathan was enjoying buffs from food.


    Seeing his attacks causing no damage to his opponent, Thalos showed no fear. The rock shards flying past Nathan gathered behind him at Thalos''s command. The incoming projectiles changed direction when he clenched his fist, clustering together. Two walls formed with Nathan between them. Thalos''s intention was clear to all watching.


    Nathan remained as before, continuing to avoid by jumping up, the only direction he could move in this situation.


    The two earthen walls below crashed together with a boom, sending rock fragments flying everywhere.


    Thalos''s lips curled as his five straight fingers contracted, raising upward.


    The rocks shot back into the air in a fan pattern, maximizing the affected area to reduce the opponent''s dodging capabilities.


    Seeing this, Nathan could only raise his arms to shield his face. The rocks slammed into him with loud impacts that the spectators could hear. The collision force jerked him from side to side, bouncing him around like a rubber pillow.


    The young people around involuntarily cringed at what they saw and heard. They could imagine the pain Nathan was enduring, especially without a mana barrier for protection. Although they knew Nathan''s fighting style couldn''t avoid bloodshed, they still shook their heads in disappointment. They had thought the fight would have something special, but everything Nathan showed was just defense after defense.


    A Tier 1 truly couldn''t fight a Tier 2.


    Celene clenched her fists, her nails digging painfully into her palms. She didn''t want her master to endure such treatment.


    "Everything will be fine," Zeryn spoke up to comfort her. "We''re not even worried yet."


    She looked at Nathan''s friends. Everyone was watching the fight with expectant gazes. She didn''t understand why they had such confidence, but could only focus and try to convince herself.


    The rock rain hadn''t ended. When they forced Nathan to the ground, the stones from above paused, then fell straight down.


    Unlike being limited in the air, Nathan could run and jump to minimize damage to himself. His face was covered in streaks of red liquid, flowing past eyes that seemed desperate.


    Seeing this, Thalos''s smile grew deeper. He had thought he would face a great challenge when he saw his opponent''s confidence. However, it seemed to be just an act. Just a few rocks and Nathan was already struggling this much¡ªclearly he couldn''t accomplish anything significant. The opponent wasn''t even using items as if thinking they would be futile anyway.


    He''s not creating distance, Nathan secretly smiled inside.


    His footsteps grew increasingly faster, with speed quite different from the beginning. His muscle fibers tightened with each forceful movement. In just a few steps, he had reached close to Thalos.


    Thalos showed no fear, pushing both hands forward. Earth bolts formed, shooting toward Nathan. Meanwhile, his hands were covered in earth and stone, forming solid and dangerous gauntlets.


    Nathan gracefully weaved through each earth bolt fired at him, letting them slip past without causing harm. His body''s ability to adapt to mental analysis since reaching Tier 2 of Physical Cultivation was displaying its full potential.


    Finally, their fists met.


    Triggered [Amplifying Strike]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Flowing Strikes]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Rebound]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Internal Trauma]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Bleeding]. One credit given.


    At the point of contact, Thalos''s stone covering shattered with a loud explosion. The shockwave spread across the entire arena, pulverizing the rocks Thalos had created, stirring up a cloud of dust.


    Thalos only felt a violent shock pass through his arm. He didn''t even have time to be horrified when he heard a whistling sound past his ear. By instinct, he raised a wall to his right side instantly. Though he was the weakest among Lachlan''s attendants, he was still an elite warrior. His reaction speed was still very fast.


    CRACK!


    Thalos couldn''t distinguish if that was the sound of the wall breaking or his bones snapping.


    Another whoosh. Through the chaotic air, he saw a kick heading straight for his chest. Not just that, but this force was even stronger.


    In the final moment before being sent flying, Thalos only saw his stone shield shattering against that kick. Then various strange forces hammered his body. The Mana Shield covering his entire body trembled violently. But it couldn''t help him completely. It was effective against cuts, stabs, or shots, because it could automatically concentrate mana at a point to resist. It was also effective against mana attacks. But against wide-area attacks with blunt, physical nature like punches and kicks, excess force still affected the body.


    He was about to raise walls behind himself to slow down when a red shadow arrived, very precisely maintaining just enough distance for an arm''s reach. Thalos was certain he had been hit by three distinct forces despite only one punch being thrown. His mind only had one frenzied question: how had his opponent achieved this effect?


    With a thunderous crash against the protective barrier, Thalos lost consciousness after enduring the One-inch punch.


    As the dust gradually settled, everyone could see the arena more clearly.


    The figure standing proudly with a straight back in red uniform.


    First round, Nathan''s victory.

 Chapter 53

    Evelyn was initially indifferent to this gathering. She attended mainly as a formality, harboring no intention to socialize or analyze the participating candidates like her fellow disciples. Instead, she hoped to avoid interruptions so she could continue improving herself through the rewards obtained from retrieving the Artifact for Azure Lake Academy a few days prior. Sadly, Mirela wasn''t participating this time. The girl''s cheerful, constant chatter truly brought joy to Evelyn.


    Callum''s arm had been quickly healed after being severed by the Nightmare Weaver. Though his complexion remained poor, a day or two of rest would likely resolve any lingering issues. Reza, meanwhile, acted as if nothing had happened in the cave at Moirath Forest, as though he believed Evelyn would forget his mental weakness if he pretended it away.


    Lost in thought, Evelyn noticed a commotion around her. Curious, she peered through the crowd to see a young man in military uniform pointing and berating another disciple.


    She glanced over, and her face immediately brightened.


    He''s here.


    The fact that he hadn''t sent her a single message had somewhat upset her. Taking the initiative to message someone wasn''t something she was accustomed to. She had always been on the receiving end of PsiLink communications, which led her to set her chat settings to silent mode, limiting disturbances and only allowing notifications from a select few like Mirela. She had kept postponing her return, wanting to ask Nathan if he needed anything she could help with. She hesitated until today when she would meet him.


    Comments about the red-robed disciple caught her attention. She absorbed everything from mentions of the chef to Aspect Affinity and angering Lachlan Rourke. The Azure Lake Academy disciples'' chat group participating in The Shifting Trials immediately shared videos of Nathan''s cooking process.


    She scrolled through them, watching a young man completely immersed in his craft, displaying masterful cooking skills. From the smallest movements to his demeanor, everything made others wonder where he found the time to practice. Now she understood why the Two-horned Boar meat had tasted so delicious and memorable.


    She heard Nathan''s voice from the front, pointing directly at Lachlan in challenge, reminiscent of when he had jumped out to confront the Nightmare Weaver. No matter how she looked at it, she and her teammates owed him their lives. That night, even if they had called for help, it likely wouldn''t have arrived in time. She might have had to choose to abandon one or two people if circumstances demanded it. Naturally, she wouldn''t have been bothered by the moral implications. It was a mission Reza had proposed without properly assessing the dangers. She wouldn''t risk her life and Mirela''s for someone else''s mistake, especially when Reza had been reckless just to impress her. That made her despise him even more.


    That night, she hadn''t called for reinforcements because she still had her trump card. Using it would have left her weakened, unable to carry all three people. She had hidden this from Nathan because there had been no trust between them. She hadn''t dared imagine a stranger would willingly risk their life like that. Although she later learned his objective had been her blood, after being refused, he had simply forgotten about it, showing no concern, forcing her to reevaluate her assessment of him. Others would have either left her to fend for herself or demanded something in return. She couldn''t tell if Nathan was foolish or simply carefree.


    Nathan''s mouth remained as crude as ever, insulting his opponent with vulgar words just as he had when confronting Callum. Evelyn shook her head slightly. She had never met a Tier 1 cultivator as peculiar as him. So talented, yet so crude.


    Yet she hadn''t doubted Nathan''s strength when he faced Thalos. Not just because he could defend against The White Ward with his bare hands, but because she realized Argentius was actually the one who should be taking orders. Nathan might not have noticed, and neither had her teammates, but in his casual manner, he had revealed this. While constantly claiming Argentius was a friend, he had commanded the tiger monster to manage the Vermilion Apes. Later, during the exchange with the Nightmare Weaver, it became clear that Argentius always turned to seek the human''s opinion. The true master was obvious.


    The more she thought about it, the more fearful she became, believing the Nightmare Weaver must have known something about Nathan to accept the peace proposal. For the monster''s safest option would have been to kill everyone present, possibly excluding Argentius. That would have been optimal. Yet the monster didn''t¡ªor more accurately, didn''t dare. The most plausible answer was that it wasn''t certain of its chances against a combined Nathan and Argentius.


    A Tier 1 human and a Tier 2 monster threatening a Tier 3 monster. She dared not voice her analysis when facing Azure Lake Academy''s higher-ups, knowing she would be labeled delusional.


    Thus, she wasn''t surprised when the victor turned out to be Nathan, now sporting a broad smile showing his gleaming white teeth, his face smeared with bright red liquid.


    Evelyn found herself smiling unconsciously. Immediately after, she returned to her usual self, her face wearing its characteristic indifference.


    Reza, standing nearby, had observed this slight change in his goddess. He narrowed his eyes at the stands, his fists clenching.


    Nathan wiped away the tomato sauce smeared across his face. Some had gotten into his eyes, causing a burning sensation, but nothing too concerning.


    All those attacks from Thalos were actually nothing that could penetrate the skin enhanced by his Physical Cultivation Tier 2. In comparison, those hits weren''t even close to what Lunar Shadow or Argentius could deliver. Thalos''s weakness was his lack of piercing attacks. His strength lay in wide-area techniques. Nathan could see the potential for enemy disruption in Thalos''s chosen style.


    What surprised Nathan himself was his own attacking capability. He didn''t think Darkan had misjudged, but rather that his master couldn''t fully understand the Titan bloodline''s potential. His destructive power couldn''t be calculated by level alone. First, his level was still higher, Tier 2 Phase 3.9 Physical Cultivation compared to Thalos''s Tier 2 Phase 1 Spirit Cultivation. Then there was the latent power that [Titan''s Descendant] provided. Though he lacked precise measurements, calculating the superiority, he estimated he was equivalent to a Tier 2 Phase 5 or higher.


    The spectators around still seemed stunned by how the match, which had been favoring Thalos, had reversed so dramatically. When they saw Nathan licking the red liquid, some gaped in astonishment while others laughed loudly.


    "Heavens! He just smeared food on his face instead of being injured."


    "How is that possible? He couldn''t use mana shield and didn''t use any equipment."


    "I''m becoming more interested in tasting his food now."


    Nathan smirked at the comments. He had deliberately appeared vulnerable. Because of that, Thalos had become overconfident, not thinking his opponent was actually formidable.


    Lachlan waved for his entourage to help Thalos down. He snorted in criticism.


    "Useless fool. Would it kill you to wear armor?"


    Thalos, having just regained some consciousness, grimaced. Fighting a Tier 1 opponent who used no equipment while he, a Tier 2, relied on gear would be too shameful. Yes, losing was humiliating, but winning while requiring assistance would be even more embarrassing.


    Then Lachlan turned to Nathan, smiling brightly as if his previous irritation had never existed.


    Nathan rolled his eyes, sighing deeply because what had to come would come.


    His fighting style had been dissected. Anyone here, unless completely foolish, could see his limitations¡ªshort-range and direct attacks. Thus, maintaining initial distance like Thalos had done, without underestimating the opponent, could prolong the fight and secure victory. The only issue was Nathan''s extraordinary toughness. Taking that barrage of flying rocks, others would either be bleeding or aching all over. Yet Nathan showed no signs of injury whatsoever.


    He wasn''t too worried; his trump cards remained unused. He wasn''t foolish enough to reveal everything here for everyone to see his full capabilities. He hadn''t touched Berserker, and his explosive force wasn''t at maximum. Just one moment of closing in, and he could take them down like he had with Thalos.


    As for activating the Titan''s Berserker State, that was out of the question. For some reason, before departing for Maelivar, Darkan had warned him absolutely not to use his ultimate technique. Even if it meant forfeiting The Shifting Trials, he couldn''t use it. The reason given was that it would leave severe aftereffects, not worth the risk. He was somewhat skeptical of this warning but didn''t question it much. He trusted Darkan enough to comply.


    Lachlan clapped his hands, not sparing his praise.


    "Your food truly lives up to its reputation, Nathan Reed. Eating it even increases combat power like this. Perhaps Caelindor''s future will see a trend of eating food instead of taking medicines for battle. Truly a revolutionary scene worth anticipating."


    "Stop spouting nonsense," Nathan showed Lachlan no face whatsoever. "Name your next challenger."


    Lachlan pouted, his eyes scanning the surroundings.


    "Would anyone like to challenge this young man before me? Any Challengers?"


    No one stepped forward; rather, they dispersed to other areas. The Challengers had their own targets and had already made their choices. The arena wasn''t the only one available. Most importantly, they didn''t want to offend someone like Nathan. They agreed with Zahra''s and the Artificer''s earlier words¡ªNathan was participating in a supporting professional role. Unless competing with him in cooking, which none were capable of, there was no reason for confrontation. This was a matter of proper conduct. Only those like Lachlan would rely on brute force.


    Seeing no response and people dispersing, Lachlan lost his enthusiasm. Suddenly his eyes lit up, and he straightened his posture, asking Mingxia.


    "Can we change the form of challenge?"


    "What do you mean, Young Master Lachlan?" Mingxia asked neutrally.


    "What if my side challenges Nathan to a football match?"


    "As long as Nathan agrees."


    Nathan heard this and furrowed his brows, analyzing the pros and cons.


    "Well?" Lachlan raised his chin. "Scared? It''s just football. Or perhaps you don''t know how to play."


    Nathan remained silent, ignoring the provocation. He wasn''t too eager to agree. He had watched football in this world before; the rules weren''t too complex. With the structure and rules of the game, it was quite suitable for 1v1 matches.


    Suddenly, his mind flashed to something from Earth. If his thinking was correct, he might be able to do it.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    "I''m gonna lose."


    Triggered [Bad Omen]. Prediction is false. One credit given.


    He hadn''t meant to say that; he had intended to say "This should work!" when this quirky skill interrupted.


    But the system''s response made him excited, discovering this skill could be used in such a way.


    By extrapolation, I''m going to win? he silently rejoiced.


    Wearing a smile, he raised his head, his words becoming confident.


    "I accept the 1v1 football challenge."


    Mingxia remained expressionless, merely nodding once. The previous arena transformed into a football field fifty meters long and thirty meters wide. Surrounding it was the usual oval-shaped wall. The field''s dimensions were smaller than regulation size to accommodate matches between small teams or individual duels.


    The field''s shape reminded Nathan of Futsal matches he had occasionally watched.


    "Kenna, enter the field," Lachlan ordered another of his followers to step up.


    Someone not wearing a military uniform stepped out from the ranks, bowing respectfully to Lachlan before passing through the barrier and entering the football field.


    This person''s presence confirmed Nathan''s hypothesis. Lachlan''s power base wasn''t limited to young military personnel but extended beyond. This could be through recruitment, or they might belong to lesser powers needing support from Regional Commander Axel Rourke. Wandering cultivators were a similar force. It sounded good in theory, but freedom wasn''t always beneficial. Surviving alone in this world required not just determination and great courage, but also, inevitably, luck. And who would stake everything on their luck?


    Kenna differed from Thalos in both his gait and demeanor. He was calmer, more deliberate. However, his eyes were similar, burning with the desire to prove himself.


    Nathan felt as if those eyes could truly burn him. Unlike the crude Thalos, Kenna remained courteous, clasping his hands in greeting.


    "Kenna Wight. Please guide me."


    "Nathan Reed. Please guide me."


    Nathan would always be polite to those who showed him respect.


    The two proceeded to stand at the edge of the center circle as per regulations, their spirits highly focused.


    "Does he even know how to play?" Zahra asked, waving her hand. She was one of the stars at this game, so she understood it wasn''t something just anyone could play.


    "Probably can," Zeryn shrugged in response. "Nate wouldn''t do something unless he was at least ten percent sure."


    "Ten percent?" Celene and Zahra exclaimed in unison, eyes widening.


    "He''s a risk-taker," Xander concluded for Zeryn.


    The three Verdant Spire Sect disciples nodded in agreement. From the outer sect tournament to single-handedly organizing evening feasts to build his reputation, anyone could conclude this bastard had a seriously high appetite for risk.


    Celene stared at the three, unsure how to defend her master. She agreed with their opinion but didn''t dare say it aloud.


    Nathan picked at his ear, silently cursing whoever was cursing him.


    Since the arena was closest to him, Mingxia continued as the presiding referee.


    "Begin!"


    A hard metal ball was dropped from above toward the center of the field.


    Two explosions sounded simultaneously. One clearer, one weaker.


    However, both shin guards had already crossed each other, trapping the floating ball in mid-air.


    Nathan''s eyes widened at the smoke still lingering around Kenna''s legs.


    Fire mana aspect! Nathan concluded.


    Kenna extended his hand to one side, creating an explosion to increase his own force. His calves looked like heated steel, gradually turning a golden-orange color.


    Nathan''s weakness was aerial combat; he couldn''t create additional pivot points when his entire body was suspended in the air.


    As a result, Kenna''s kick, enhanced by two explosions, won out, sending Nathan spinning once before landing.


    When Nathan looked up, Kenna had already caught up to the ball, his leg swinging in an arc, delivering a powerful kick.


    The jet-black metal ball whistled through the air, going straight into the three-meter-wide net.


    Kenna 1:0 Nathan.


    The fifteen-minute match clock stopped at fourteen minutes and forty-seven seconds.


    Now this is a player, Nathan marveled inwardly.


    Kenna smirked slightly, returning to his position. The side that conceded would receive the ball rather than contesting like the first time.


    Lachlan Rourke''s side applauded vigorously, shouting support for their teammate.


    Nathan''s side was weaker in comparison, with only Zahra cheering.


    "Go on, Nathan! Show them what you''ve got!"


    Nathan looked toward his friends. Zeryn only gave a thumbs up, his face showing sympathy as if to say losing wouldn''t be the end of the world. Xander stood straight, his expression serious, which Nathan understood meant ''don''t give up.'' Celene bit her nails, muttering to herself, barely daring to watch.


    Looking back at the opposition''s camp, he had already lost in terms of morale. But his spirit was incredibly invigorated. He knew he couldn''t lose.


    The ball was dropped from above, and Nathan immediately jumped up, swinging his leg for his kick.


    The force, enhanced by passive skills, especially [Amplifying Strike], created a small shockwave at the point of contact.


    Kenna was watching intently, ready to make a move but hesitated, as Nathan''s kick made the ball travel too fast for him to keep up.


    The whistling sound passed his ear. Without looking back, Kenna already knew the result.


    Kenna 1:1 Nathan.


    "Now this is interesting," Kenna smiled and said. He had felt some aversion when Lachlan pointed him out to fight a Tier 1. But now he understood how surprised Thalos must have felt when facing Nathan.


    In the next ball delivery, Kenna increased his explosiveness, making the ball shoot like a meteor, straight into the net. The ball hadn''t even fallen when it hit the wall, still spinning, with smoky friction rising.


    Nathan turned back to look for the first time, his lips trembling uncontrollably.


    What the hell! Is this playing or trying to kill someone?


    Seeing Nathan''s panicked face, Lachlan''s entourage pointed and laughed loudly.


    Nathan''s friends shook their heads vigorously, gradually considering the third challenge.


    Shaking his head to clear his mind, Nathan returned to the match.


    This time, learning from experience, Kenna had moved back, no longer standing too close, but choosing a position mid-field. At this distance, he could intercept the ball when Nathan shot toward the goal.


    Snorting in contempt, Nathan received the ball, still drawing back his leg to kick as before.


    Kenna clearly wasn''t a specialist goalkeeper, so he misjudged the direction when the ball curved in an arc past him, going into the net.


    Kenna 2:2 Nathan.


    Fourteen minutes remained in the match.


    Kenna couldn''t control his widening eyes as he stared at Nathan. This wasn''t a skill that amateurs could perform. He wondered if Nathan might be one of the talents in sports.


    Meanwhile, Nathan was laughing internally. He knew nothing about football, even in his old world. Watching football was a hobby, but when it came to playing, his most suitable position was sitting on the bench, from the beginning to the end of the match, never entering the field. Currently, to achieve what he just did relied entirely on [Martial Art Mastery].


    He remembered movies where kungfu was used in football, so he thought his skill could be used similarly.


    The result proved him right. Just by viewing the ball as a type of weapon, [Martial Art Mastery] would automatically tell him what to do. The exact position on the ball''s surface, how his foot should be positioned, how his body should lean¡ªeverything poured into his head. Now that he had reached Tier 2 Physical Cultivation, the adaptation between mind and body was as natural as clouds floating and water flowing, no longer facing major obstacles like before.


    Amidst Zahra''s screaming, Kenna launched his counterattack.


    Nathan decisively stood blocking in front of his goal.


    Seeing this, Kenna gently caught the ball, leading it forward rather than kicking immediately.


    When close enough, a series of explosions rang out from behind his calves. The ball glided through the air glowing red-hot, aimed straight at Nathan''s head.


    I have to dodge!


    Nathan followed his instincts, shifting his head to one side, not daring to meet the force head-on as initially planned.


    The ball crashed straight into the mana wall behind, making the entire formation flicker.


    Looking back at his opponent, he saw Kenna wagging his finger in warning.


    "Trying to block isn''t wise."


    Not just Lachlan''s team but the majority of spectators applauded Kenna''s performance. Football was one of the few common recreational sports, so most young people followed and had some passion for it.


    "I really want to compete with this Kenna," Zahra bounced excitedly.


    "Ten percent, Mr. Zeryn?" Celene asked worriedly.


    Zeryn chose silence, not answering this thorny question.


    When it was Nathan''s turn, Kenna immediately advanced the moment his opponent''s foot touched the ball.


    Kenna used explosions to quickly deflect the ball away. But his foot kicked through air. Looking again, he saw Nathan had trapped the ball with his ankle, bringing it down. Just like that, Kenna let another goal through.


    The spectators were tongue-tied. The ball wasn''t made of rubber, but solid metal. It was quite heavy, making Nathan''s recent movement extremely difficult. Yet, he made everything look as if the ball was as light as a feather.


    Kenna 3:3 Nathan.


    Nathan decisively chose not to defend, letting Kenna kick however he wanted. He suspected that even if he extended his leg, he couldn''t block the ball. His leg strength was immense, but it couldn''t compare to the explosive force Kenna possessed with each kick. It was like being shot from a cannon. His Physical Cultivation level wasn''t enough to withstand it.


    During his turn, Nathan led the ball to mid-field only to encounter something he''d only seen in comics and movies before. A wall of fire blocking his path.


    When everyone thought he would be stumped, Nathan swung his leg to kick. The ball bounced off the right wall then ricocheted straight into the net, passing through the wall of fire.


    "Knowledgeable enough to play like that?" Kenna had to admire and marvel.


    Nathan''s accuracy wasn''t something an amateur could achieve. He had fine-tuned the angle enough that Kenna couldn''t catch up, while keeping the distance not too far, giving the opponent time to react.


    In subsequent exchanges, Nathan continuously changed his tactics. His versatility gave Kenna headaches. The fire wall couldn''t always be used effectively, so there were times when Kenna had to close in on his opponent. However, Nathan''s ball control, feinting, fake movements, and physical presence all gave him trouble. Several times he was even humiliated by the ball being played through the gap between his legs. Meanwhile, Nathan calmly led the ball toward the empty goal each time this happened.


    When Kenna used Firebolts to interfere with Nathan''s ball trajectory, he discovered his opponent had anticipated it. Nathan reacted very quickly, changing his kicking position slightly in an instant, making the ball change direction. In cases where the Firebolt was used after the kick, he used [Martial Art Mastery] and [Better Vision] to analyze, using his body''s maximum speed to clear the ball in a different direction, or kick it against the wall making the ball bounce unpredictably.


    After a while, [Improved Pattern Recognition] memorized Kenna''s types of actions, helping Nathan read his opponent like a book, moving more lightly, gracefully, and effectively.


    8:7.


    9:9.


    11:12.


    15:14.


    The score changed constantly. The ball bounced back and forth frantically in the field. Fire flickered following the explosions. Not just from Kenna, but Nathan''s forceful steps on the playing field also produced similar sounds.


    Both sides were so absorbed in their duel they forgot everything else.


    The spectators couldn''t help but marvel. They seemed increasingly intrigued by Nathan, wondering what else this chef knew.


    Zeryn joined Zahra in cheering when he realized his close friend could compete so skillfully. Celene shed her worried exterior, raising both hands to cheer, hoping for her master''s victory. Xander, as usual, didn''t do anything excessive, but his hands trembled with excitement.


    Evelyn watched quietly from a distant corner, finding this sport not as boring as she had always thought.


    Only Lachlan''s face showed some displeasure. Except for Thalos, his followers were all Tier 2 Phase 4 or above. Sending them to fight Nathan wouldn''t work. Not just for face, but because it would damage morale. Beating a Tier 1 wouldn''t be glorious, but losing would be shameful. That''s why he had proposed football, using Kenna to bring victory. Just one more win in the third match and Nathan''s participation slot would be his. Then, being on the same side, Lachlan wouldn''t need the winners of rounds two and three to fight to determine who would own the slot¡ªhe could decide himself.


    However, the current situation didn''t look too promising.


    The match had only twenty seconds left. The score was 32:31 in Kenna''s favor.


    Nathan wasn''t too anxious seeing the little time remaining. He believed in [Bad Omen]''s result. He had prolonged the time whenever he had the ball, which was why the score was at its current level. Kenna''s destructive power was truly frightening, scoring every five or six seconds.


    Kenna was exhausted, sweat covering his head, squinting as he saw time running out. By his calculations, Nathan would score next. Then it would be his turn, and he just needed to delay a little to win.


    Unable to keep up with Nathan, Kenna didn''t even try anymore, letting his opponent score.


    32:32.


    The score made viewers tense up, all taking deep breaths in anticipation.


    Only thirteen seconds remained.


    Kenna received the ball. But instead of kicking immediately as usual, he turned and ran backward.


    Nathan recognized the intention and gave chase.


    Kenna spread his arms out to the sides, palms facing the ground. Under his feet seemed to be placed a large bomb.


    Not good, Nathan silently exclaimed.


    He stopped his pursuit, rushing backward to return to the goal.


    Nine seconds remained.


    The explosion from hands and feet sent both Kenna and the ball straight up, hovering momentarily at the apex.


    Seven seconds remained.


    Kenna descended slowly, not immediately kicking the ball.


    When the clock above showed three seconds.


    BOOM!


    His foot contacted the ball with two seconds left.


    In that instant, Nathan understood what he had to do. Thanks to careful observation of his opponent, he knew how the ball''s trajectory would go. For the first time, he was forced to attempt a block.


    Concentrating force in his legs, he launched forward.


    Kenna couldn''t believe his opponent would dare do such a thing.


    Celene and Zahra simultaneously let out a startled cry. Zeryn positioned himself ready to take Nathan for emergency treatment.


    Lachlan grinned broadly seeing his desired outcome about to happen.


    Evelyn in the distance slightly furrowed her brows.


    As for Nathan, in the final moment he understood his mistake.


    [Bad Omen]''s prediction being false didn''t necessarily mean he had to win. It could be a draw.


    Mocking himself, he prepared for impact.

 Chapter 54

    It freaking hurt, Nathan gritted his teeth, suppressing a groan.


    His foot stretched forward, the sole catching the ball that was spinning like a tornado. His other leg extended behind him like a pillar bracing against the sky, serving as an anchor. Despite this stance, the ball''s force was still pushing him backward.


    The Qi Armor was primarily used just to prevent injury, its effectiveness as modest as Thalos''s mana shield when facing such a situation.


    His calves and thighs trembled continuously, seeming as though they might sprain or break at any moment. Despite his robust physique, it still wasn''t enough to counter the ball kicked by Kenna.


    As Nathan had predicted, Kenna''s skill wasn''t limited to the initial impact. To simplify, Kenna had layered the ball''s surface with explosions following explosions. This was why the ball hadn''t stopped but instead appeared to be accelerating.


    The soles of Nathan''s shoes were completely worn as they scraped across the arena floor. He felt both terrified and impressed by Kenna. This Fire Cultivator must have trained extensively and developed various ways to protect their legs from injuries caused by such powerful explosive attacks.


    Admiration was one thing, but the current dire situation was another matter entirely. The clock had struck zero, but the match wouldn''t end while an attack was still in play. The ball was still airborne and aimed at the goal. Either it would score, or Nathan would successfully defend. Theoretically, this situation could continue indefinitely.


    That was exactly Kenna''s intention - once he scored, the match would end. The defeat would belong to Nathan.


    Nathan''s legs looked as though they''d been stung by wasps, the force coursing through them exceeding his body''s endurance limits. He considered using Berserker but doing so would reveal his trump card. Briefly thinking about [Bad Omen], he wondered if he was misinterpreting its effects. ''Prediction is false'' might indicate the skill had completely failed, meaning he shouldn''t pay attention to what was foretold. Hence, he couldn''t rely on the outcome to bet on the future.


    While contemplating whether to give up and fight a third match, his eyes lit up. Despite his reluctance and certainty of humiliation, he would use it - a skill he hadn''t touched in a long time.


    Letting out a roar to boost his morale, he pulled back his foot, using his maximum speed to retreat slightly, his toes stopping just before the goal line. His posterior faced directly toward the ball that was rushing forward at extreme speed.


    Triggered [Butthurt]. One credit given.


    He tried to suppress the groan rising in his throat, worried that the cursed [Bad Mouth] skill would take advantage of the moment and activate.


    Instead of one leg, he now had two legs to create counterforce. Simultaneously, he raised his hands, continuously throwing palm strikes forward, creating additional counterforce. His backside, according to his assessment, wasn''t too painful, as he had added an extra layer of Qi Armor for protection.


    The sad part was that everyone was looking at him with disbelieving eyes, more than half of them writhing with laughter. His posture looked both vulgar and crude. His posterior continuously wiggled with each movement.


    "Haha, that works too?"


    "It makes sense. If you''ve got thick skin and fat, that position would give you extra force to block."


    "But if it were you, would you dare do that in front of everyone?"


    "I certainly wouldn''t."


    Nathan''s friends'' faces froze. Zahra, after a moment of surprise, started waving her arms and shouting - she wasn''t seeing Nathan do this for the first time. Zeryn raised one hand to cover his face. Xander clenched his fists, stopping himself from making a similar move. Celene looked around, wondering if she was dreaming.


    Evelyn was so embarrassed she had to look away. She silently cursed Nathan for still being so crude, just like that night in Moirath Forest when he carelessly exposed himself wearing nothing but underwear.


    Kenna, as the opponent, was dumbfounded, his eyes twitching continuously. The same went for Lachlan and his entourage. This was just a game, not a comedy stage, right?


    Nathan was still being pushed forward, but he could feel the force weakening. Kenna had aimed directly at the center, preventing him from grabbing the goal posts for defensive leverage. Nevertheless, his strength held, allowing him to endure.


    The ball spun so frantically that it depleted all of Nathan''s essence for Qi Armor. He hadn''t eaten to replenish after accepting Kenna''s challenge. Most of his energy had been used to defeat Thalos. Thus, the ball spun against his posterior. The generated heat spread through the fabric, nearly making him jump from the burning sensation.


    Straining with all his might, he kept his posterior still, preventing it from moving.


    Just when he had been pushed past the chalk line and thought the ball would follow through, it stopped. The ball ceased spinning, emitted a thin wisp of smoke, fell, rolled gently, and stopped before the boundary line.


    A breeze blew past. Nathan felt cool. Both externally and internally.


    He quickly grabbed another shirt and wrapped it around his waist.


    When he looked down at the spectating eyes, his face alternated between green and red.


    My reputation is completely destroyed, he wailed internally.


    People were still stunned by what had just transpired. When they finally understood, they burst into laughter until they were bent out of shape. Some even fell to their knees from running out of breath.


    Lachlan''s group laughed the loudest, as if afraid Nathan wouldn''t hear them.


    Kenna looked at him with some sympathy, though his lips still trembled uncontrollably.


    At this point, even Zahra fell silent.


    "Don''t be quiet, Zahra," Zeryn spoke up, lips pressed together, trying to hold back. "If you don''t say anything, our friend will die up there."


    Hearing this, Zahra sincerely complied.


    "Way to go, Nathan!" her voice stood out amid the ringing laughter.


    "That''s right, way to go," everyone unanimously agreed. "That was spectacular."


    "Keep it up, Nathan!"


    Nathan glared at his friend with bulging eyes, hoping she''d stop adding fuel to the fire.


    Evelyn gave up, genuinely laughed once, then quickly concealed it.


    "How do we resolve a draw?" Nathan shouted at referee Mingxia, who still didn''t understand what was happening.


    "No," Kenna spoke up. "In this football match, you win!"


    Mingxia glanced at Lachlan.


    "Why look at me?" Lachlan said irritably. "Listen to them."


    Shrugging once, Mingxia extended his hand toward Nathan.


    "Nathan wins. According to the rules, he will not accept any more challenges."


    "Are you sure?" Nathan asked Kenna.


    "This is what you deserve. For a Tier 1 to be able to do that, I find it extremely worthy."


    Why do I feel like he¡¯s mocking me? Nathan wondered.


    With that, Kenna stepped down from the arena, bowing in apology to their leader. Lachlan waved dismissively, not paying much attention. He looked at Nathan.


    "Both a talented chef and comedian. You really shouldn''t be fighting."


    "No need for your concern," Nathan replied firmly.


    "Really? You see, allying with me wouldn''t be bad. Not only can I invest in you, but my teammates here can protect you in the coming time. Not a bad deal, right?"


    If there hadn''t been prior conflicts, that would indeed be true. But without conflicts, these challenge events wouldn''t have occurred. Without them, Lachlan wouldn''t have seen Nathan''s combat potential, leading to this invitation. A vicious cycle.


    Nathan knew Lachlan seemed to guess something through observation rather than focusing heavily on cooking skills. He thought bitterly that he must have revealed a weakness when exposing his sensitive area. Normal people would have suffered burns, skin peeling, or injuries from contact with that ball. Yet he remained completely unharmed.


    Thinking of his opponent as a troublemaker, Nathan turned away abruptly, leaving the arena for others. He had peacefully overcome tonight''s trial; his spirit and body had been tired enough these past few days.


    Greeting him was a radiant smile from Zeryn.


    "What will your new name be?" his close friend teased.


    "What do you mean?" Nathan frowned in confusion.


    "I thought Nathan died up there. Don''t you want to change your identity, change your name?"


    "Is that possible?" Nathan showed a glimmer of hope.


    "Of course," Zeryn said confidently. "Just let me name you, and I''ll help."


    "What name?"


    "Buttshower!"


    A whooshing sound rang out.


    Nathan''s punch hit empty air. Zeryn had already glided a good distance away.


    Nathan raised his middle finger, ignoring him.


    "Way to go, Nathan," Zahra said cheerfully.


    "Can you use a different phrase?" Nathan would probably be haunted by his friend''s words for life.


    "WAY. TO. GO!"


    Clenching his fist, he decisively turned to Xander.


    "Way..." his friend with the spear opened his mouth.


    "Shut up!"


    Celene sheepishly approached.


    "Good performance, Nathan."


    "Do you know what you shouldn''t say right now, Celene?"


    "Please enlighten me."If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "That was a compliment," Nathan sighed. "Any positive words said now will just sound grating. You just need to say ''everything will be fine'' and that''s enough."


    "What if I say that''s wishful thinking?"


    Nathan felt truly lost amid the stifled laughter of his friends and subordinates trying to hold back their amusement. If he could turn back time, he wouldn''t have remembered [Butthurt], would have accepted defeat. Better to fight until bloody in the third match than suffer this humiliation.


    Seeing Nathan''s interaction with his friends, Evelyn finally understood why Mirela always wanted to meet Nathan again. Seeing there was nothing left to watch, she turned to leave, finding a quiet place to sit down and cultivate. Reza wanted to follow but held back. He still wanted to observe and make some friends, preparing thoroughly. This was also a way to score points after the humiliating encounter with the Nightmare Weaver.


    The surrounding crowd finally dispersed, either observing or attending to their own business.


    Nathan finally had room to breathe and immediately changed into different pants.


    When he came out, the arena had returned to normal with two young people standing above, preparing to fight. One side was one of Lachlan''s subordinates. The number of regular military personnel with official slots following Lachlan still adhered to Duke Kael''s imposed limit - just four people. As for the remaining members, around fifteen in total, they were mostly forces or relations from outside the military. Besides them were guardians protecting an Alchemist. The rest, like Thalos and Celene, were brought here to learn and issue challenges. If they performed well, they would accompany their superiors in the future event; if they failed, it would count as gained experience.


    Looking at the number gathered around Lachlan Rourke, other factions couldn''t help but tremble in fear. This would be a formidable faction once in The Shifting Trials. The introduction of Duke Kael''s challengers was meant to weaken this faction. However, the battle results weren''t very promising.


    Lachlan''s subordinate fighting was someone who possessed the Shadow aspect, not as rare as Illusion but still uncommon. She conjured small floating balls throughout the arena. The lighting cast shadows of these orbs on the surface. From there, she could appear and disappear at any of those shadow points. When her opponent realized this and tried to use fire to destroy the orbs, it was too late. She appeared from the opponent''s blind spot, her nimble form gliding forward, placing a knife to their throat, ending the match.


    Nathan shuddered, wondering how one could fight against such an opponent. The answer was: with great difficulty. He had the ability to take hits, a strength that could be used against any opponent. But how long he could last was the real issue. Long enough for the opponent to tire and make mistakes, or too short to mount any resistance? Even using [Martial Art Mastery] to think it through, in his current state, he would struggle to defeat that girl. Unless his Spirit Cultivation reached Tier 2, or Physical Cultivation reached Tier 3. Of course, this excluded the possibility of transformation with Berserker.


    Seeing that demonstration, no one else stepped up to challenge the girl with the Shadow aspect. Other targets were chosen by the challengers.


    Nathan turned his eyes to other combat arenas. Battles were taking place but not too intensely.


    "Seems like the number of challengers isn''t very high?" he half asked himself while probing Zeryn''s opinion.


    "That''s right," his friend answered. "There aren''t challengers every year. This whole thing was mainly created to deal with Lachlan. Of course, those chosen Challengers have their own intentions. If Lachlan''s team is too difficult to handle, they play with other participants. So the small number is understandable."


    "Is this to avoid offending the forces that received invitations?"


    "What else? Maelivar is close to Verdant Spire Sect, so this year there are many participants. In previous years, only four to five people were sent. First, it''s far, second, it''s to avoid affecting young talents from other regions. So if the challengers made things difficult for such a small team, it would irritate the young generation of various sects. They already had to struggle to come, and then they have to fight others to keep their positions? Sounds very complicated. Moreover, if there are any conflicts, people can resolve them during the event itself, no one stirs up trouble like Lachlan."


    "Then why have this challenge system in the first place?" Nathan didn''t understand. "Wouldn''t it be better to leave it out of the rules?"


    "Tradition," Zeryn shrugged. "This youth gathering event has been going on for several hundred years. Back then, Caelindor was still establishing relationships with surrounding powers, so they sent out invitations indiscriminately. It was a mixed bag, you know. That''s why they had the challenge system to filter out the weaker elements. Until several decades ago, when all factions tacitly agreed not to clash before the actual event, this tradition was forgotten. Then Regional Commander Axel Rourke came along and reignited this issue."


    "Though I hate to admit it," Nathan said bitterly, "this bastard Lachlan is strong enough to ignore whether others see him as a thorn in their side or not."


    "That''s right. The Challengers might target his subordinates, but no one dares to touch him. I also wonder if I could beat him."


    "I thought your Sword Intent had leveled up?"


    Zeryn took out a sword from his storage ring. His eyes focused on the blade, making it vibrate. Just when it seemed something dramatic would happen, a clear sound rang out. The sword shattered, cracks spreading like spider webs. Shortly after, the metal that had once formed the blade crumbled to dust.


    "Holy shit!" Nathan marveled. "And this isn''t strong enough?"


    "This is a failed result," Xander corrected Nathan, who was gaping in astonishment.


    Zeryn dusted off his hands, calmly saying, "The desired result is for the sword to remain intact. That''s how to create the intended effect. It''s also the next level of Sword Intent."


    Nathan understood some parts and not others, but nodded anyway.


    "But you''re close, right?"


    "Close, I just need a bit more refinement."


    Hearing Zeryn''s confident tone, the one who reacted most strongly was actually Xander. This battle maniac was creating pressure from all sides. On one hand, he wanted a rematch with Nathan; on the other, he wanted to challenge Zeryn.


    The Resonating Blade not far away trembled, signaling to Sigrid. She looked up, glancing around making her red hair flutter, finally looking toward Zeryn. She had never had any hostility toward that young man, but somehow she felt herself being drawn into an unwanted battle.


    "It''s time," her friends beside her exclaimed, drawing back her attention.


    Zahra simultaneously exclaimed, "They want to make their move."


    Nathan looked on, his face uncomprehending.


    "During the time you were preparing for the evening feasts," Celene explained, "the factions weren''t peaceful at all. The Thousand Stars Pavilion has actually come to blows with The Obsidian Fang Sect."


    "Isn''t Obsidian our ally?" Nathan asked Zeryn.


    "But not to the extent that we''ll intervene in this matter," Zeryn replied indifferently, seemingly unconcerned.


    Nathan fell into contemplation, wondering what could have caused such intense opposition between the two factions. He had heard enough about The Thousand Stars Pavilion''s reputation to instinctively avoid making enemies of them. Moreover, since Elder Nalani hadn''t made any suggestions, the disciples turned a blind eye despite Verdant Spire Sect clearly being superior in combat strength.


    "How many people have been affected so far?" Nathan probed Celene.


    "Six people have been severely injured," she answered. "They''re currently being treated, but the general situation is that they won''t be able to participate in The Shifting Trials. The Thousand Stars Pavilion chose a very clever time to issue challenges. Unless the disciples from Obsidian Fang Sect have supreme-grade healing medicine, the side effects will be too severe to maintain their best condition for participation."


    "The Obsidian people wouldn''t be foolish enough to decide to fight, would they?"


    "It''s about honor," Xander said, his face rarely showing such disgust and irritation.


    "Individuals from The Thousand Stars Pavilion have been hurling insults at each member of Obsidian," Celene recited what she had concluded. "Most could be ignored, but some individuals couldn''t control themselves and accepted the challenges at various arenas throughout the city in recent days. Especially when certain sensitive information was somehow dug up. This couldn''t be prevented by either the authorities or other factions."


    "All because of one Tier 6," Nathan said sarcastically.


    "All because of one Tier 6," Celene repeated, confirming once more.


    Nathan wondered how his eccentric master compared to that Tier 6. He assessed that if Darkan couldn''t win, they would at least be evenly matched. To be able to completely defeat the Sect Leader, Darkan must possess at least the attacking power of a Tier 6 or higher. And that was without considering Alaric using Verdant Spire''s sect treasures.


    Unconsciously, he felt more reassured, lucky to have been accepted under Darkan''s tutelage. Part of him also had his own pride, because becoming the old master''s disciple wasn''t an easy feat.


    A young man stepped out from The Thousand Stars Pavilion''s ranks, walking toward the arena ahead. Though he wore the same blue-black uniform decorated with patterns resembling stars in the night sky like his companions, he exuded an aura that made him truly appear as a star that everyone had to look up to. His face was distinct with sharp features, his eyes half-lidded with pride, his long silver hair tied back swaying as one with his movements like an immortal being.


    "Who is he?" Nathan asked.


    No one answered him, because no one knew. Recalling the conversation while waiting outside the gate, he guessed this must be the secret member of The Thousand Stars Pavilion.


    "We still don''t know who he is," Zeryn shook his head and said, "but my instincts tell me he''s truly dangerous, perhaps even more so than Lachlan."


    Hearing how serious it was, Nathan paid even closer attention.


    "I wonder if Duke Kael''s actions will truly bring the desired results," Celene commented. "We haven''t managed to pressure Lachlan, but the biggest victims tonight surely won''t be from the military side."


    "Do you know why the two sects are in such intense opposition?" Nathan asked.


    "Because the young master of Obsidian Fang Sect called off an engagement with one of The Thousand Stars Pavilion''s inner disciples," Celene answered.


    "Just because of that?"


    "Of course not," Celene said. "The main issue is that Obsidian was the one who proposed this marriage, not the Pavilion."


    "Why does it sound so ridiculous?" Nathan''s face wrinkled in assessment that this wasn''t a sufficient reason.


    "I think Zeryn would know more about this matter," Celene humbly replied.


    Having maintained an observant mindset from the start, she knew this sword-wielding genius possessed knowledge far beyond ordinary people.


    "To get to the deeper issues, we need to go back a hundred or two hundred years," Zeryn explained patiently. "Back then, both sides found a document about some ancient cultivation technique. During the exchange, the higher-ups of Obsidian made some modifications to their part. So when practicing, the Leader of The Pavilion went berserk, went crazy. The result was damage to his cultivation base, from a Tier 5 becoming an ordinary person, barely managing to stay alive."


    "Holy hell! That''s way too much!" Zahra exclaimed.


    "It''s somewhat understandable! Obsidian was too paranoid, thinking The Pavilion would do the same thing, so they made the first move as a precaution. Once they had the complete technique, they planned to analyze it before cultivation rather than practicing it immediately. They just didn''t expect that Pavilion leader to be a cultivation fanatic with few schemes, so he very innocently offered the real version for exchange. Unable to contain his excitement, he started cultivating immediately without testing, leading to unwanted results. Though that''s what happened, the fault still lies with Obsidian."


    Everyone listened attentively, including Celene. This information was known only to a select few. After all, from the story, outsiders would mock The Thousand Stars Pavilion, saying their leader was a fool. But now with a Tier 6 ruling over them, this information was suppressed.


    "To make amends, Obsidian proposed the marriage alliance, viewing it as a way to bind their futures together and provide compensation to The Thousand Stars Pavilion. But then something happened near the wedding day. You must understand that by then, invitations had been sent out, heralding a wedding of the millennium. Everyone was anticipating and looking toward these two powers."


    "Then Obsidian backed out," Zahra said irritably, clearly disapproving of Obsidian''s conduct.


    "Breaking off the engagement is one thing, but how they did it is what really matters. Word has it that the young master caught the eye of a princess, the Emperor''s daughter, which led to this cruel decision. What''s worse, it was right before the wedding day, causing The Thousand Stars to lose face. The bride-fetching ceremony became an endless stream of apologies. And this only happened a few decades ago."


    "Why do I have a feeling they deserved it?" Nathan said.


    He was met with nodding heads of agreement.


    "What Obsidian didn''t anticipate was that Tier 6 cultivator of The Thousand Stars Pavilion," Zeryn continued. "Ironically, thanks to the failure in cultivating the ancient technique, the previous Leader had discovered the crucial point, not only successfully correcting it but also improving it, and passed it on to his direct disciple. This disciple later became the unrivaled Tier 6 in the Caelindor kingdom region. Upon taking leadership, he taught the disciples to hate Obsidian Fang Sect. Even more ironic, the marriage with the princess never happened. When Obsidian tried to reconcile, they were only met with more contempt from The Pavilion. Finally, it led to the current situation."


    Celene''s eyes widened at Nathan''s friend. She could be certain this information wasn''t easily obtainable. There might be some public knowledge, but details to this extent were unthinkable. She silently assessed Zeryn''s standing. Nathan might be casual because they were friends, but she had to stay vigilant for her master''s sake in all aspects.


    "What happened to that injured Leader?" Nathan, truly admiring this person, voiced his curiosity. Just hearing about him was enough to know what kind of admirable genius he was.


    "Dead," Zeryn replied. "Couldn''t extend his lifespan. The collapse from incorrect cultivation was too complete, leaving no room for hope. That''s another reason for the later generation''s irritation with Obsidian Fang Sect. If this person had lived, people speculate that The Thousand Stars Pavilion could have gone much further. The current Leader doesn''t have the research capabilities like his master, but has talents in other aspects. That''s life''s truth - no one can be perfect in everything."


    "Indeed, it is quite regrettable," Nathan sighed, then furrowed his brows. "Then why are we allied with Obsidian? This might be obscure to disciples, but someone like the Sect Leader couldn''t possibly be unaware."


    "Because Obsidian is willing to pay a considerable price to Verdant Spire Sect," Zeryn smirked. "Our sect appears peaceful and non-aggressive, but our capabilities are still among the top."


    From Zeryn''s implications, Nathan realized that Verdant Spire Sect might not be as simple as he thought. Perhaps Darkan wasn''t the only element intimidating the surrounding powers.


    At this point, Mingxia recognized the tense situation and moved to oversee the developing conflict.


    "Sir Zhanyu," Mingxia, who usually treated everyone equally, showed unusual deference to the young man. "Who do you wish to challenge? You''re an official participant, you cannot issue challenges."


    "How boring," Zhanyu said, his voice gentle yet carrying an air of authority. "Then as long as it''s not about competition, it should be fine. Consider it an exchange between young talents."


    Mingxia paused, seeing Ruby Voss nod, then let out a sigh. He too thought everyone would have to accommodate this disciple from The Thousand Stars Pavilion.


    "Then let it be as you wish," Mingxia said.


    Zhanyu''s sharp gaze swept across the grimacing disciples from Obsidian Fang Sect.


    "You worms, who will have the honor of being crushed under my feet?"


    Commentary erupted among the spectators.


    Nathan''s tongue went stiff. He truly hadn''t expected there would be someone with a more venomous tongue than Lachlan.


    However, unlike that troublemaker, Zhanyu immediately proceeded to show everyone why he could afford such arrogance.

 Chapter 55

    Whispers rippled through the crowd around the arena. The earlier questions about the final disciple of The Thousand Stars Pavilion were finally answered. However, when questioned, the Pavilion''s disciples merely lifted their chins proudly, refusing to answer as if they themselves were Zhanyu.


    "Must be one of the Rare Aspects," was the consensus among most people.


    Elemental Aspects like fire, water, air, and earth were the most common, followed by uncommon types like shadow, light, and lunar, then came the rare ones like Illusion. Contrary to their rarity, the list of rare Aspects was quite extensive in number. It was precisely because of their unique nature that such situations arose. Guessing what Aspect Zhanyu possessed was quite challenging.


    Most participants here had suspected The Thousand Stars Pavilion would keep Zhanyu hidden until The Shifting Trials began, creating an element of surprise. They were quite certain many would be at a disadvantage when facing him due to lack of information.


    However, given the current situation, it seemed Zhanyu and the Pavilion disciples were openly looking down on everyone. Their attitude clearly suggested that knowing wouldn''t make any difference - what could anyone do about it anyway?


    The commentary continued unabated, yet no one had answers since the challenged side had yet to send someone up. The Obsidian Fang Sect disciples all wore scrunched-up expressions, their eyes darting away to avoid the gazes being thrown their way. The spectators showed no sympathy or empathy - this was simply the natural order in their world of power struggles. They were mainly here for the drama, perhaps even hoping to add fuel to the fire. Evidence of this came in the form of taunts being thrown about.


    "What''s wrong? Is the time-honored Obsidian Fang too afraid to fight?"


    "Even if you lose, you should at least fight - that''s the spirit of cultivators."


    "Could the rumors be true? Are the Obsidian all cowards?"


    The Obsidian Fang disciples trembled, their anger mounting. If not for several of their fellow disciples still requiring treatment from earlier battles, they would have already thrown caution to the wind. They knew the crowd harbored no good intentions, so they could try to ignore the taunts. But having Zhanyu stand there looking down on them was truly unbearable. After all, these were young people with hot blood running through their veins - nothing was harder to endure than humiliation.


    "Don''t be rash," was the internal mantra of every Obsidian disciple. No matter how much shame they had to swallow, they couldn''t risk losing their opportunity in The Shifting Trials.


    Jingyi, the female disciple who had clashed fiercely with Emrys a few nights ago, stepped forward when she saw the situation remained unchanged.


    "Such thick skin indeed, willing to endure insults - truly worthy of the Obsidian Fang Sect''s name."


    The mocking laughter drowned out any protests from the Obsidian team leader.


    "How about this," Jingyi said, tilting her head as the surrounding noise died down. "Zhanyu, why don''t you give them a handicap? What do you say?"


    Zhanyu let out a derisive laugh before responding.


    "No problem. As long as you get up on the arena and land a single hit on me. You heard right. Just one hit. I''ll admit defeat."


    Hearing this, the Obsidian disciples looked up with furrowed brows.


    "That''s not all," Zhanyu raised his hand casually and continued. "If you win, I''ll withdraw from this event."


    He then turned to look at Jingyi.


    "Including the team leader of The Thousand Stars Pavilion. We''ll both withdraw. Senior sister will agree, won''t she?"


    Jingyi shot a sharp glare at her junior disciple. He was calling her out for interfering in his business. Initially, the plan had been as everyone suspected - to keep Zhanyu hidden according to the elders'' wishes. However, this genius had no interest in staying low-key or being modest; he wanted to show off. When he stepped onto the arena, even Jingyi couldn''t stop him.


    Zhanyu''s words had forced her into a position where she had to agree. She couldn''t say anything against it. More importantly, it would reveal that The Thousand Stars Pavilion lacked confidence and courage. And although she despised and resented the arrogant and detestable figure standing in the arena, she couldn''t deny the strange faith she held in Zhanyu.


    "Fine by me," Jingyi waved her hand with apparent delight. "I''m more than willing to head home with junior brother Zhanyu if he loses."


    She turned to look at the Obsidian disciples, making sure to dig the knife in as deep as possible.


    "Of course, once you accept these terms, you must send three disciples to fight. Don''t think you can claim all the benefits so easily. And you must fight - forfeiting isn''t an option."


    She smirked at Zhanyu, as if saying this was payback for daring to provoke her. Fighting consecutive matches against three opponents wasn''t the issue. The main concern was that fighting multiple times would more likely expose weaknesses. Opponents could then analyze his fighting style. This was her way of disciplining and educating Zhanyu for defying his superiors.


    "You venomous snake," Zhanyu muttered under his breath, then returned to his casual stance to wait.


    Nathan and his friends watched everything unfold with wide eyes.


    "Are they even thinking straight?" Nathan blurted out, unable to believe what he was hearing.


    "Their mindset is nothing like ours," Zahra wrinkled her nose. "This is typical of those who rely on brute force. Even our Zeryn isn''t this boastful."


    Xander participated by nodding vigorously.


    "Hey, throw some more shade my way," Zeryn said with a grin. "I''m loving it."


    Zahra shot him a look of disdain before turning her attention back to Zhanyu.


    "There''s definitely a dangerous aura about him," she commented. "But he''s just so... irritating."


    "Your nose seems to have quite a few functions," Nathan chuckled.


    "Of course," Zahra placed her hands on her hips proudly. "Your scent is the most unique, by the way. But I''ll need to check with the family to confirm. That''s all I know for now."


    The others, including Celene, glanced between Nathan and Zahra with meaningful looks.


    Nathan waved his hands, not wanting to discuss this topic further as he noticed movement from the Obsidian Fang Sect''s ranks.


    "Looks like they finally couldn''t resist the temptation," Zeryn shook his head.


    The Obsidian sect sent forth three disciples, lining up to face Zhanyu one after another. Their ranks were growing thinner, but after some discussion, this was their decision. The face-saving aspect wasn''t their primary concern anymore - their defeated comrades had already opened their eyes to reality. If these three could defeat Zhanyu, that would be excellent. But they weren''t counting on it. Their real aim was to provide information to all the young cultivators present at Castle Voss tonight.


    If they couldn''t handle the enemy themselves, they''d let others do it. As long as someone could stop Zhanyu in the upcoming event, the Obsidian sect would have significantly less pressure. This way, they wouldn''t be hunted down like insects by The Thousand Stars Pavilion.


    A young disciple who had been selected shook his head, as if trying to shake off the frustration in his heart, and stepped forward. He didn''t want to participate in this confrontation, but he understood the weight of the situation. Since he was promised a share of the rewards, he could only grit his teeth and accept.


    "My name is..." he raised his hand to perform the ceremonial greeting but was cut off by his opponent.


    "Don''t care. You''re just going down. Referee, start!"


    Mingxia narrowed his eyes at being ordered around but showed no outward reaction, merely waving his hand to signal the start.


    The young Obsidian disciple carefully equipped armor from his spatial ring and channeled mana to his feet before launching forward. As he moved, he drew his sword. Before the sword''s ring could fade, everyone heard a loud crash. In the blink of an eye, he was already flattened against the ground.


    Zhanyu snorted in contempt, letting his body float up before landing right above his opponent. He raised his foot to stomp down. The force didn''t look particularly powerful, yet the results were devastating.


    The young disciple''s body erupted in blood everywhere, showing signs of being crushed. The armor he wore showed signs of breaking. Mana was desperately trying to protect his head, preventing anything more serious from happening. However, his eyes were filled with chaos, gradually becoming cloudy, on the verge of losing consciousness.


    At this point, Zhanyu raised his other foot as if preparing for another stomp.


    "Stop!" Mingxia shouted. "Zhanyu has won."


    But Zhanyu didn''t listen, stomping down anyway.


    The arena''s surface warped. All defensive attempts were shattered, and the body of the young man beneath was deformed. With his last bit of effort, he could only protect his head. The shock from other parts of his body rendered him unconscious.


    "Mr. Zhanyu," Mingxia growled.


    "I did stop," Zhanyu turned and said. "You have to let me put my foot down, right? Or should I just walk around like this with my legs spread?"


    Mingxia didn''t bother responding, ordering his subordinates to take the unfortunate disciple away for treatment. Respecting The Thousand Stars Pavilion didn''t equate to fear. Both the country and Maelivar city''s principle was to protect the younger generation as best they could. Casualties would occur, but absolutely not before The Shifting Trials.


    The blood-soaked figure was carried away. The spectators were still in shock over what had transpired. The Obsidian Fang disciples'' faces turned pale, contemplating withdrawal. What was the point of fighting? They couldn''t even tell what their opponent had just done.


    Jingyi''s lips curled into a smirk. This was the kind of absolute faith she had in Zhanyu.


    The silence lasted too long for people''s comfort. Discussion soon erupted, mostly questioning the nature of Zhanyu''s power. Some suggested it was Gravity, but others refuted this, claiming they''d encountered that Aspect before. Others theorized it was some form of aura skill causing pressure. Or perhaps pure mana manipulation.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    "Space Aspect," Zeryn said after some analysis.


    The four people around him blinked in confusion. Not because they didn''t believe him, but because the revelation was somewhat terrifying.


    "How can you be so sure?" Nathan asked.


    "Typically, Gravity Aspect creates a downward pull in an area. That would affect the air and dust particles in that location. Just now, the pressure occurred directly above that disciple''s head. Yet the air above wasn''t disturbed at all."


    "Like an object was created to crush him down," Nathan''s eyes widened in understanding.


    "Exactly! Narrowing down the types of aspects that could do something like that at our level, only Space Aspect fits. Gravity Aspect might seem similar but requires high-level control, so I ruled that out. And as you said, when he was hit, if you observed carefully, the head took the impact first. That wouldn''t happen with Gravity. Plus, I don''t believe a Tier 2 would be so overwhelmed by gravity alone, unless someone could precisely confine the affected area."


    The group nodded, genuinely impressed by Zeryn''s analytical abilities. Of course, they didn''t feel inferior because of this. Zeryn simply had broader knowledge, but his combat intuition was still untested.


    "He''s way too powerful," Zahra sighed. "I want a rare aspect like that too."


    Everyone around silently agreed that who wouldn''t want one.


    Celene, who didn''t pursue the path of solving problems with fists, quietly listened. She could only conclude that things would become more complicated from here on.


    The third member of Obsidian Fang Sect''s combat team pushed his companion aside, making a move to step forward.


    "Forfeit right after my turn," he said, emphasizing each word.


    As he walked up, his bearing was dignified - even in defeat, he would maintain his pride.


    "Shut that filthy mouth of yours," he pointed and cursed at Zhanyu. "My name is Ryusei. I may not be able to defeat you, but when you eventually lose, it will be because of what happens today."


    Zhanyu glared with fury, about to say something when Mingxia interrupted with the signal to begin.


    Ryusei left only afterimages and electric sparks in his wake. In an instant, he appeared right next to his opponent. A baton had materialized in his hand, swinging downward.


    Ryusei''s strike met what felt like an invisible wall, electricity crackling and spreading from the point of impact with hissing sounds. Eyes widening slightly in surprise, Ryusei didn''t dwell on it, letting his combat instincts take over. He glided away, creating distance between himself and Zhanyu. As he reappeared, a boom echoed from his previous position as if something heavy had fallen.


    Now, everyone confirmed their theories. Zhanyu truly possessed the Space Aspect. They began analyzing the brief exchange. Though short, it provided crucial information.


    Zhanyu''s attacks could be dodged with speed.


    The Thousand Stars Pavilion disciple straightened his back, his eyes finally shifting from their dead-fish state to something more vibrant. His teammates had always held back out of respect, so his previous victories weren''t interesting. Only opponents like Ryusei brought real challenges, brought excitement.


    Not fully grasping his opponent''s true strength, while still being underestimated, Ryusei continued his assault.


    He dove in from all directions, afterimages of lightning flashing constantly in his wake. Each strike met similar barriers as before.


    Zhanyu stood behind his defenses with casual grace, looking around with interest.


    Ryusei leaped high, pulling another baton from his spatial ring. He raised one baton and struck it against the other. The collision sent sparks flying, illuminating his frenzied face. His black hair singed at the edges. His eyes transformed into a brilliant blue-white glow.


    From a distance, he swung both batons downward. Their tips suddenly extended, automatically breaking into segments, transforming into whips. The electric whips struck Zhanyu''s protective barrier. Everyone could hear a clear, crystalline sound like breaking glass.


    Zhanyu''s defensive line had shattered.


    Sensing danger in that instant thanks to his Overcharged state, Ryusei glided away. A shockwave appeared where he had been hovering. Two large, heavy objects had clearly collided.


    Ryusei looked up, swinging his left whip toward his opponent. Facing him was the invisible defensive barrier, already reconstructed. He exhaled tiredly, about to resume his attack when his vision blurred.


    When Ryusei opened his eyes, he found himself standing right next to Zhanyu. A sweeping arm forced Ryusei to retreat. Where Zhanyu''s arm passed, looking carefully, one could see the air and space twisting in an arc, distorting the image slightly. Ryusei''s back hit that defensive wall. He used his baton''s pointed end to punch through a hole, then used his Lightning Aspect to run away, once again distancing himself from his opponent.


    Nathan watched the battle with his mouth agape, completely captivated while feeling a measure of fear. This was truly the pinnacle of genius among the younger generation. Breaking through to Tier 2 could transform a cultivator to this extent. It wasn''t an exaggeration to say that a thousand Tier 1s couldn''t compare to a single Tier 2.


    Despite his concerns, Nathan felt a surge of anticipation. He wanted to clash, to test whether his full strength could compare to these prodigies.


    Ryusei no longer dared to stay in one place too long, continuously changing positions while swinging his electric whips. His speed made everyone silently click their tongues. In terms of pursuit, he would be a major problem.


    Zhanyu still used only his old move, not budging, as if the initial agreement included not only getting hit once but also not moving at all.


    Sweat rolled down Ryusei''s cheeks, instantly vaporizing from the heat radiating from his body. After moving frantically and attacking like a storm without success, he stopped. Knowing this wasn''t wise, but he needed to do it to execute his ultimate technique.


    Ryusei spread his arms, gathering power, and roared.


    "Lightning Crown Formation! Release!"


    Six Lightning Orbs that Ryusei had hidden during his movements expanded, forming the six points of a formation.


    The Lightning Orbs connected with each other through electric arcs. They extended downward like a crown, with Zhanyu at its center.


    The electricity seemed to gain strength, expanding as the buzzing sound grew louder, becoming uncomfortably irritating. A second later, everything exploded. Lightning bolts rained down relentlessly.


    The spectators couldn''t see clearly what was happening inside due to the technique''s effects.


    Ryusei struggled to maintain his clenched hands steady, preventing the Lightning Crown Formation from losing balance and self-destructing.


    Once again, his vision blurred, and he vanished. A smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth, as if he had anticipated this, just waiting for his opponent to use that strange teleportation technique again.


    The scene before him became clear - Ryusei stood inside his own formation for the first time. Around him was the majesty of lightning. Blue electric arcs writhed like snakes all around. The six Lightning Orbs shone like miniature suns.


    Then he started, realizing the defensive barrier hadn''t completely broken but seemed to have multiple layers stacked on each other. When a lightning bolt struck and created a hole, another layer appeared beneath it. And when the second layer was destroyed, the outer layer began to heal. Ryusei''s mistake was not concentrating his attacks on a single point, leaving no time for the defensive layers to regenerate.


    He knew his error but had achieved his goal. Next time, he''d remember. Next time, he''d have the Lightning Crown Formation strike a single point, and he could break through his opponent''s turtle shell.


    Ryusei leaned forward, his entire body wrapped in lightning. He intended to electrocute his opponent to death.


    His hand grabbed his opponent''s hateful face, who was also reaching forward like before.


    A second later, Ryusei''s smile vanished. What he had grabbed was just air, nothing there.


    He looked down and saw a strange, disturbing point that seemed to be tearing through space. Unable to retreat, he only felt his entire body experiencing the worst pain of his life. Blood sprayed everywhere, but the liquid hung suspended in space, as if trapped, imprisoned.


    Without its master''s control, the Lightning Crown Formation gradually collapsed, returning the arena to its original state. The air still carried the smell of burning, with small electric arcs occasionally flickering like earthworms.


    With all visual obstructions gone, people could finally see the battle''s outcome.


    Zhanyu was no longer in his original position but standing in a corner observing everything. His position was precisely outside the Lightning Crown Formation''s range. People were wondering if Ryusei''s efforts had been wasted when gasps of shock erupted.


    Ryusei''s body hung suspended in mid-air, space-cutting wounds still continuously appearing across his body. His shoulders seemed to be impaled by two invisible spears, keeping him from falling. The strange thing was that new wounds were still being created. Zhanyu''s Spatial Cuts terrified everyone. A single wound wasn''t too frightening, but the continuous repetition would shatter anyone''s sanity.


    Ryusei''s blood hung like undying roses in the air, making everyone shudder.


    "The winner is Mr. Zhanyu," Mingxia announced indifferently. Though appearing unconcerned on the surface, during the critical moment, he had stepped in to protect Ryusei''s vital points. Other Tier 2s might not have seen clearly what happened, but he saw everything. From the moment Ryusei set up his formation, Zhanyu had already stepped out, standing in a blind spot, shielding himself while watching his opponent like a comedy actor trying to perform. Then came the moment of teleporting Ryusei into his own formation. From this, one could conclude that Zhanyu''s skills weren''t completely comprehensive. Of course, Mingxia wouldn''t say anything or interfere. The young people here would have to rely on their own courage to figure things out.


    "He wasn''t hit once during that entire exchange?" someone in the crowd asked.


    "Not once," Mingxia answered. "I stake my honor on this, as well as the reputation of Duke Kael''s office to verify it."


    Commentary spread like ants from a broken nest. Most young people here, seeing Ryusei fight like that, wondered if they could resist any better. Difficult. That was the answer. Ryusei''s combat prowess was on par with most people present.


    Therefore, the more they thought about it, the more frightening Zhanyu seemed. What kind of monster was he?


    The staff members who stepped forward to help Ryusei down had to stop, their faces scrunching up as they looked toward Mingxia. A wave of mana emanated from tonight''s event supervisor. Then, Zhanyu''s technique was dispelled. Ryusei fell into the arms of the medical staff.


    "I forfeit," declared the remaining Obsidian Fang disciple loudly.


    Accepting the challenge was one thing, actually going through with it was another. Ryusei had already stepped up as the sacrifice. That was enough. He didn''t believe he could do better than his teammate. After all, Ryusei was placed last because he was their trump card, stronger than the rest. If the better fighter had failed, what was the point of going up to fight?


    The Thousand Stars Pavilion side wanted to speak up, but Mingxia cut them off.


    "Victory belongs to The Thousand Stars Pavilion. This was a friendly exchange between you all. I hope you''ll save your strength for the upcoming event instead."


    Judging by the severity of their wounds, it seemed neither Ryusei nor the earlier crushed disciple would recover in time to participate.


    "Are the injuries that serious?" Nathan asked.


    He remembered participating in the outer sect tournament at Verdant Spire Sect where wounds were treated and healed.


    "You beast," Zeryn said, "no one''s arguing that. Your physical constitution far exceeds normal people. The key difference is that when you were injured, you were only at Tier 1. Those injuries were at most physical damage, leaving no hidden internal threats. For someone like Ryusei there, Space Aspect will continue to ravage his body, so recovery time will be longer. Treatment medications are also more expensive. That''s why Tier 2 battles require such caution. You need to be careful too."


    Nathan nodded, not too concerned about this issue. He had already tested it. Fighting with Lunar Shadow and Argentius had given him experience with various mana aspects. He never ceased to be amazed by the Titan bloodline. His recovery ability and endurance truly exceeded anything he knew.


    Zhanyu waved his sleeve as he returned, both bored and annoyed. He didn''t care much about displaying his techniques or weaknesses. So what if they knew? If anyone thought they could win against him, he wouldn''t hesitate to accept their challenge. That was the mindset of someone truly strong, not just someone bearing the title of genius.


    People discussed Zhanyu more and more, both his talent and his arrogance. Most said he had the capital to be proud, so such behavior was normal. This hot topic even surpassed the reputation Nathan had built with his dinner parties.


    Say what you will, this world valued strength above all, so even though Nathan was a brilliant individual with immeasurable value, someone who demonstrated overwhelming power drew more attention. Zhanyu, with one of the rare Space Aspects, was the idol, the person everyone wanted to become.


    A chef? Sounds nice, but would still have to yield before someone like Zhanyu. Better to know your place in the kitchen and stay in the background.


    Nathan didn''t care much; he actually hoped people would underestimate him more. He hadn''t even revealed his newly acquired skills from the system yet. Whose trump card was stronger remained to be seen.


    The evening gathering continued with diminished energy. Though there were still some noteworthy fights, none stood out like Zhanyu''s. The Artificers also took the field, helping Nathan understand how this unique profession fought.


    That meant wearing modern armor, shooting missiles and high-energy beams. Nathan watched mesmerized, like returning to his childhood watching sci-fi films. Things he thought would never happen were unfolding before his eyes. And the destructive power of these tools and weapons was no less than other Cultivators. The only major weakness was their excessive fuel consumption. Watching mana stones being consumed without mercy made Nathan secretly click his tongue. True enough, the supporting professions were the ones making good money.


    The Nyralith young master demonstrated his prowess with a new invention, using a sword like a lightsaber to cut through the Aetharis young master''s weapon.


    The Merinor and Partheon houses also took the field, showing a bit of their potential to forge alliances. Lady Emrys, unable to establish relations with The Thousand Stars Pavilion, decisively befriended Verdant Spire Sect. Her main targets were Zeryn first, then Nathan.


    As for Lachlan Rourke, Duke Kael''s plan hadn''t been very effective. The military''s five-person team only reduced to four. Other wandering cultivators showed exceptional talent, either gaining or maintaining their official slots. This large team only diminished slightly. Their overall strength wasn''t much affected, proving the military''s superior capabilities.


    The gathering night finally ended, with each side either achieving or failing to achieve their goals.


    Three days later, The Shifting Trials officially began.

 Chapter 56

    The contestants had arrived early at Maelivar''s central square. This area, situated in front of Castle Voss, was built to serve as a venue for official announcements and major city events. Today was one such occasion.


    The square wasn''t just filled with young disciples from various factions; it had also drawn many local citizens. The reason was simple.


    Everything would be broadcast live.


    Viewing stands and screens had been erected on all four sides, ensuring that every memorable moment from The Shifting Trials would be transmitted, sparking discussions across different locations. The organizers hadn''t disclosed how long the event would last, so the screens would remain active continuously. Anyone with free time could watch. To facilitate business opportunities around viewing positions, the city had made special allowances for people to claim nearby spaces¡ªthey could construct viewing rooms for guests, provided they paid the appropriate taxes. Overall, an atmosphere of excitement and jubilation burned bright in the heart of the city.


    This wasn''t just entertainment for the citizens; it was also for potential investors. Word had it that hidden powers would blend in to scout for promising seeds. Even higher organizations like those from the empire, or those under Tier 7 or Tier 8, would extend olive branches to exceptional individuals.


    Such a major event, occurring only once every three years, typically came with peripheral activities¡ªmost notably, betting. Lists of the most outstanding young talents had been compiled, with predictions about the final top 64 contestants. The betting odds fluctuated constantly based on various assessments.


    "Tsk tsk," Zeryn clicked his tongue while browsing the betting pages. "Why are my odds so low?"


    "Do you want a beating?" Nathan asked. His bastard friend clearly knew why but still asked in that condescending tone.


    "Ah, my dear friend," Zeryn''s eyes sparkled. "Your odds are quite impressive."


    Hearing this, Nathan''s interest was immediately piqued.


    "How high?"


    "Bet 1 to win 11."


    "That high? What about you?"


    "1 to win 0.3. Pathetically low."


    Nathan restrained himself from snapping at his friend.


    "What about Zahra and Xander?"


    "1 to 1.1, and 1 to 1.2."


    "How the hell are my odds so high?" Nathan said in disbelief. "Didn''t I already show what I could do three days ago?"


    "Yeah, and you were thoroughly analyzed," Zahra chimed in.


    Xander nodded in agreement. However, he alone still believed Nathan was holding back, just like during the outer sect tournament. They had thought that was all there was, but he kept pulling out one surprise after another.


    If Nathan knew what Xander was thinking, he would have told his friend to stop understanding that way. What happened at the tournament wasn''t really under his control. Everything was thanks to the system. After some evaluation, Nathan felt that period was like the system compensating him. The [Welcome Package] was essentially equivalent to a [Newbie Supporting Pack] in online games. New players always receive buffs to hook them in, but after that, it''s just grinding until death.


    "What about Zhanyu then?" Nathan retorted. "Surely he was analyzed just as thoroughly."


    "1 to win 0.29," Zeryn said with a wrinkled nose.


    "Even lower than you? Doesn''t that mean people rate Zhanyu higher?"


    "What can you do?" Zeryn shrugged. "Space Aspect is a rare thing. People don''t believe that''s all Zhanyu has. And even if that were everything he had, when matched against the abilities of other participants, it''s still very difficult to counter him."


    No one argued. Watching Zhanyu''s techniques seemed simple enough, but no one really knew his limits. They could learn something from his match with Ryusei. The problem was there wasn''t enough verification to claim that was Zhanyu''s weakness.


    "People are rating you based on your participation as a chef," Zeryn said. "So compared to the three major professions like Artificer, Alchemist, and Herbalist, your chances of winning are quite low. That''s not even counting the smaller professions participating. And this year, the number of Artificers is extremely high. It''s going to be tough for you to squeeze in."


    Nathan had completely forgotten about this. He had always assumed he would fight with his fists rather than rely on his profession. According to many predictions, The Shifting Trials would have various types of challenges, so the parts for Artificers and other common professions would be evenly distributed. With him being the only chef on the list, it was pretty certain there wouldn''t be any opportunity for him to use his expertise. Especially since the event had been prepared before he received his official invitation.


    Though thinking this way, Nathan''s eyes still lit up.


    "So I can bet on myself?"


    Zeryn''s eyes shone even brighter than his friend''s, quickly saying, "Of course! I don''t want you stepping onto this path, so let me do it for you. Don''t get involved yourself."


    "Why do I smell something fishy in your words?"


    "Have I ever deceived you?" Zeryn asked righteously.


    Nathan had a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu about the night riding flying swords back to the hot springs at Verdant Spire Sect.


    Nevertheless, he chose to trust Zeryn. His friend might be reckless but would always be serious about matters like this when they involved cultivation resources. Moreover, Zeryn''s credibility rating was quite high, so he could place larger bets than normal people.


    Nathan pulled his friend''s head down, their heads huddled together to shield from prying eyes around them. Zahra and Xander curiously tilted their heads to look. Celene couldn''t come along to gather in the wide courtyard today.


    From his Spatial Pouch, Nathan poured out his fortune.


    "Holy shit, Nate!" Zeryn shouted. "You''re this rich?"


    "Holy shit, Zer!" Nathan pinched his friend''s shoulder. "Keep your voice down."


    Zeryn grimaced under Nathan¡¯s force.


    After three nights of hosting dinner parties, The Amber Path Coalition had sent him a hefty sum. Over ten thousand Standard Mana Stones. More than two-thirds he had left for Celene to invest and purchase a small shop in Maelivar for convenient wine business and storage. He brought the rest with him. Keeping only a small amount in case he needed to supply mana, he gave everything else to Zeryn.


    With his odds being so high, just thinking about success made him drool.


    "I''m going to place the bets," Zeryn said eagerly. "You wait here."


    "I''ll go over there for a bit," Zahra said, scratching her head.


    "I need to use the bathroom for a moment," Xander said seriously.


    The three split off in different directions, but after a while, they all headed in the same direction.


    Nathan''s lips twitched at the actions of the three.


    Left alone, he observed his surroundings.


    He was currently standing near the Verdant Spire Sect group. Not too close partly to avoid Keira, and partly because his fellow disciples didn''t like him anyway. Around him were other groups. The Obsidian Fang Sect looked the most lifeless of the bunch due to what had happened in just a few short days.


    Now, he had time to look at the other forces besides the major ones. There were quite a few small groups of four to five people from distant sects of the Caelindor kingdom. Their uniforms ranged from ordinary to bizarre, with all sorts of accessories worn on their bodies. Knowing they were guests here, these groups didn''t cause too much trouble to be targeted during the gathering nights before.


    A rough count showed about a thousand people. Among them, Artificers made up the largest number. They came not only from guilds and merchant associations but also from the four great houses, as well as individuals who had been invested in and had emerged from their secret research chambers to seek opportunities.


    In the middle of the square, a high platform had been erected with stairs on all four sides. Around it were planted long cubic pillars, inscribed with strange symbols.


    The three returned, their eyes carrying anticipation.


    Nathan checked his betting odds, which had dropped from 11 to 8.


    "Damn it!" he sighed. "Don''t you know how to be subtle?"


    "Share the fortune, my dear friend," Zeryn patted his shoulder.


    "Share the misfortune too, right?"


    He was answered with shameless giggles.


    Mingxia floated down from Castle Voss on a platform, with hooded figures standing above.


    When they reached just above the high platform, the delegation from Duke Kael''s office stopped.


    "Welcome, contestants of The Shifting Trials," Mingxia''s voice was amplified, clear for everyone to hear, including the spectators. "Duke Kael should have been the one performing this ceremony. But please understand and forgive us, as some urgent matters require his attention. However, Duke Kael promises to be present for the closing ceremony and award presentation for the most outstanding individuals."


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    Mingxia didn''t want this responsibility either. Sending him to preside was a disrespectful action towards the powers behind these young people. Some individuals here, in terms of influence, could make even Duke Kael show deference. Take Zhanyu from The Thousand Stars Pavilion, for instance. It was no surprise when investigation revealed he was a direct disciple of their Tier 6 Leader.


    Standing here giving speeches meant Mingxia had to bear evaluating gazes, taking the brunt of criticism from several parties. He could sense disapproving looks from some hidden observers of the event, like the Tier 4 elders from various places. But he absolutely couldn''t explain that Maelivar''s high-level officials were dealing with a mysterious appearance. They had thought the stranger would stop after the gathering night, but on subsequent evenings, the surveillance system kept detecting disturbances from this person. As if they were intentionally revealing their presence to play cat and mouse with everyone.


    The disciples had no major opinions, only discussing in low voices for a while.


    "This year''s event has been meticulously prepared not only by the city''s team but also with the help of formation masters sent from the empire," Mingxia continued. "Because this event is more special than previous years, a precious item has been brought to assist everyone. A large-scale pocket dimension will be where you young people compete with each other."


    This information surprised not only the contestants but also created discussion among the spectators. Usually, the event would be held at some location around the city with pre-arranged challenges. Using a pocket dimension this year showed just how large the investment was. Many people began speculating that the rewards this year could only be more, not less.


    "I know you''re all eager, so I won''t ramble on," Mingxia bowed to the white-robed figures around him, then turned back to the crowd. "What needs to be known, you all already know. The rest you''ll have to rely on yourselves to discover."


    The four hooded figures floated above the four pillars of the high platform. They raised their hands, forming strange hand seals, then pressed downward. The symbols on the pillars lit up with blue light. On the ground, people could see lines extending outward like a spider web. The contestants standing in the square felt slight tremors beneath their feet.


    Mana was drawn from the city''s reserves into the four pillars. After gathering sufficient energy, four beams of light shot out, converging at the center. In an instant, a black tear like an eye from the underworld appeared. Its edges were reality being torn apart. Inside was a deep, dark void. Strangely, no matter where one stood, they saw the same vision, as if this spatial tear would move according to each person''s viewpoint.


    The rumbling of wind rose as pressure changed. Everyone''s hair and clothes fluttered in response.


    "The entrance will close after the contestants enter," Mingxia said. "On the final day, it will open again to welcome everyone back. Enter now, contestants! Claim the resources that belong to you! Remember, cultivators seek opportunities even in the darkest abyss! Your legend begins today!"


    Passion surged in all the young people present. With roars of excitement and self-encouragement, figures charged forward.


    One by one, they were swallowed by the giant dark mouth, disappearing into that unknown space.


    The sound that reached their ears couldn''t drown out the powerful footsteps of everyone.


    Lachlan''s group walked leisurely at their own pace, looking around with contempt as if watching country bumpkins who didn''t understand anything.


    The young masters and ladies of The Four Great Houses maintained their dignity. Yet their eyes still burned with fighting spirit.


    Ruby Voss and other outstanding individuals under her father also joined in.


    Gradually, the number of people in the square diminished.


    "Shall we go?" Zeryn asked his companions, ready to move.


    "Let''s go," Nathan took a running start and charged forward.


    "If we meet, you can''t avoid a duel with me," Xander declared with imposing spirit.


    Nathan didn''t reply, only waving to Zahra, who was gliding away using wind under her feet.


    "See you all inside!"


    Just as she finished speaking, her head plunged into the rift, followed by her body, then legs, and completely disappeared.


    Zeryn and Xander followed after.


    With his heart beating fast and strong, Nathan couldn''t help but stretch his lips into a smile. He concentrated force into the ground, his legs springing up past the stairs, and with one final leap, he charged straight into the spatial rift.


    Nathan only saw a colorless darkness before his eyes. All his positioning abilities seemed to be stripped from his brain and body. He felt like he was drifting underwater, unable to breathe. His whole body became tense, cold. That condition only lasted a second, then he was standing on solid ground.


    Covering his mouth to suppress the nausea rising from his stomach, he struggled to keep himself from falling flat. Shaking his head to regain clarity, he opened his eyes to look around.


    The sky had no sun, yet the space around wasn''t dark. He guessed this was the artificial light often heard about being installed in pocket dimensions. There were no clouds either, only distant mountain ranges on one side and bizarre architectural structures on the other.


    Where he stood could be considered a plateau with withered grasslands. To the left was dense forest, stretching endlessly to the right. Both front and back led to mountain passes or mountain ranges.


    He took a minute to take in everything around him, surprised by the size and vastness of this space. He truly wished he had a place like this. If he could just plant crops and raise livestock, he wouldn''t have to worry about supplies for his cooking endeavors anymore.


    However, he saw no one around. He concluded this must be the event''s random teleportation mechanism. He was about to use PsiLink to communicate when he received a notification.


    PsiLink is disabled. There is no connection node in the area.


    Blinking in disbelief for a moment, Nathan came to understand how PsiLink worked. This was like those times he went to the outskirts where connection was poor, or even some remote areas where there wasn''t a single signal bar.


    He only smirked at his current situation. Come to think of it, he had just gone through a similar trial, so he wasn''t too worried. Experience and knowledge were still in his head, enough for him not to rely too heavily on PsiLink.


    Suddenly, there was a slight rustling sound from one of the dry grass patches beside him. His spirit immediately became alert.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    His head tilted backward, barely dodging a blade swing, the cold edge passing by his nose. Using a bit of force, he retreated backward, observing his attacker.


    It was a lizard monster capable of moving fluidly on two legs, its body wearing crude leather armor. Its skin grew jagged spikes, especially in the tail area. The right hand held a blade while eyeing Nathan with pitch-black eyes. The membrane covering its eyes closed vertically as it lowered itself, preparing for a second attack.


    Nathan used [Martial Art Mastery] to easily dodge the incoming slash. Simultaneously, he nimbly jumped high to avoid the tail swing from the monster. From his height in midair, he launched a punch down onto the enemy''s shoulder.


    The monster screeched in pain, collapsing to the ground. Nathan had accurately struck where the monster''s armor provided no protection. He estimated that the bones and joints beneath that blue-scaled skin were now a messy pulp.


    Nathan slowly approached, not daring to be too careless. Without PsiLink, he didn''t know what this monster was called like back in Moirath Forest. He wasn''t free enough to memorize each creature. He seriously reminded himself that depending too much on technology wasn''t good at all.


    Just as he feared, the monster still had a trump card. From its lying position, it swung its tail up, shooting dried spikes from its tail toward Nathan.


    With a swift motion, he swung both hands from back to front, creating a loud clap. The force generated from his superior physique sent out a shockwave that blocked the incoming spikes. They fell scattered to the ground.


    The monster flicked its tongue in fear, threw away the blade in its hand, and turned to flee.


    Nathan calmly leaned to one side, his hand reaching out to grab the blade''s handle, then threw it back at the monster. The blade pierced through the crude leather armor, making it fall face-first.


    Seeing it still struggling, Nathan used his fist to drive the blade through its body into the ground.


    The monster''s hand trembled, then gave up its life.


    A stream of essence flowed out and rushed into Nathan''s body. The amount was quite meager since it was only a Tier 1 monster. Regarding Phase, he estimated it to be around 7 to 8.


    Suddenly, the bracelet on his neck vibrated. He brought it up to look, and floating above the bracelet was a monogram screen displaying the number one.


    He frowned, wondering what was happening. The rules hadn''t been revealed much, so he and others would have to figure things out themselves.


    The bracelet vibrated after he killed the monster, showing the number one. Following normal logic, perhaps it started at zero, then progressed to this.


    The question was whether he got one point for killing a monster, or was it because he killed a Tier 1 monster? Would Tier 2 yield more points?


    The objective was clearly to earn as many points as possible. However, he figured things weren''t that simple. Points probably couldn''t only be earned from killing monsters. He had to remember that the majority of participants came from support professions like Artificers. Even though there were combat-oriented individuals like Laurent Nyralith, the organizers must have designed other ways to earn points for the remaining participants.


    Not thinking anymore about others'' problems, Nathan returned to his own situation. With the current circumstances, at least he knew what he needed to do. If it was killing monsters, he had experience. He set himself the goal of finding a Tier 2 monster to test his hypothesis.


    The two skills that often came together, [Tingling Sense] and [Adrenaline Boost], appeared again in the system notifications.


    Without hesitation, he jumped high. Right below were arrows shot from the tree lines on the left striking down.


    Another rain of arrows shot at him in midair. For this kind of attack, he wasn''t worried at all. His hands danced in the air, deflecting any arrows coming his way. When landing on the ground, he utilized the excess force, launching forward like a bullet toward the group of lizard monsters who had come in response to their companion''s call.


    Awaiting him were not just arrows but also spikes shot from the enemies'' tails.


    Having prepared beforehand, he raised his arm, a blue light screen appearing on forearm, deflecting the projectiles around him.


    Looking down at the pitch-black vambrace he wore, Nathan felt both glad and slightly regretful. These items that relied on mana stones for energy were both expensive and inefficient. Simply because few people made them and they broke down quickly. Using raw mana usually led to huge wastage. Mana entering the body would go through a refinement phase via the cultivator''s spirit, making it not only more stable but also superior in efficiency. That''s why devices in Maelivar either needed massive processing networks or special formations like the ones used to create portals to this space.


    Nevertheless, these items were Nathan''s lifeline right now. Since he hadn''t hesitated to spend money buying them, he wouldn''t hesitate to use them. He''d deal with repairs when needed. He also didn''t want to bend over backward collecting shields like he had done with the Ironbark Sentinels or Woodwraiths.


    Clanging sounds rang out as the monsters drew their blades and rushed to attack Nathan. Some ran on two legs, while others slithered on the ground to find different angles of attack.


    The archers hiding in the distance had their bows ready to shoot at any moment.


    Nathan smiled slightly, letting out an excited shout as he launched his attack. He was in the midst of the monsters throwing punches and kicks. Every time he landed a hit, a monster''s body would be deformed. Some had their chests caved in, some had their entire bodies bent unable to straighten, some had their tails crushed flat under his feet.


    During all this, he still skillfully used the mana shields from his Vambrace to block desperate, unpredictable strikes from the monsters. He especially had to keep track of arrows shot from the tree lines. The archers didn''t stay in one place but continuously moved from position to position, disrupting Nathan''s memory of their locations.


    One monster after another fell under his intensity. A rough count showed dozens had fallen, yet he hadn''t broken a sweat. These were just Tier 1 monsters unable to use mana, so they naturally couldn''t harm him.


    He heard a long cry from within the forest. The lizard monsters who heard it decisively turned tail and ran, abandoning their dying companions on the ground.


    Nathan knew their leader had appeared and gave chase. This leader, according to common knowledge, must be a Tier 2 monster, enough to test him.


    When entering the towering tree lines, he felt like he was back in Moirath Forest, with the moisture and the smell of life-filled earth rushing into his nose.


    He didn''t hurry to chase the lizard monsters, using them as guides showing the way. He jumped on high branches, his hands swinging like Vermilion Apes. The archer lizards didn''t forget to shoot warning arrows at him. But with their speed and power, he just swatted them away like flies and mosquitoes.


    Just as he was thinking the monsters must be heading toward their advantageous environment, Nathan suddenly stopped. An invisible signal struck straight into his head.


    Frowning, he stopped pursuing the lizard monsters and turned his head in another direction. The signal was coming from there.


    "No way this kind of bad luck exists," Nathan muttered.


    Without thinking too much, he followed that signal.


    Through rows of trees with rustling leaves and wind, that signal grew stronger, clearer.


    The closer he got, the more certain he became that he wasn''t sensing wrong.


    He entered a clearing that had been recently created. Trees around had fallen chaotically, soil and sand turned up messily. Deep gashes marked the tree trunks. The air carried a hint of sharpness, pressure, making it slightly hard to breathe.


    On one side was a group of disciples wearing different outfits. Some held swords, some spears, various weapons. A group of six people all burning with fighting spirit, their eyes greedily looking at the prey before them.


    Their prey was Argentius.

 Chapter 57

    Argentius bared his teeth, his body shuddering with gentle tremors. His fur bore scorch marks, though no wounds were particularly severe. In one-on-one combat, he feared no one, but facing six opponents simultaneously proved somewhat overwhelming. Unless he fought with full force. The main concern was the aftermath - without protection, he would become prey for others.


    The remaining six young cultivators glared at the tiger-beast before them. Similarly, they showed little impact from the brief skirmish. Both sides had merely been testing each other. The monster was truly powerful - that was everyone''s conclusion. Even among Tier 2 creatures, it far surpassed others of its kind. Especially since Argentius possessed dual aspects, wind and metal, significantly increasing its value.


    Even without PsiLink, these contestants recognized Argentius''s considerable worth. Particularly when the bracelet on each person''s wrist began flashing. The previously silent bracelet suddenly lit up near a high-level monster. This indicated that Argentius could be either a treasure or a high-scoring hunt.


    Though barely half an hour had passed, most had somewhat figured out the mechanics of The Shifting Trials. Tier 1 monsters only gave one point, so Tier 2 monsters must offer more. The flashing bracelet served to alert contestants to nearby high-point sources, guiding them to their targets.


    Nathan observed his bracelet, pondered briefly, then stepped forward. He had no other choice in this situation. By his assessment, any single one of those six might not be able to match him in full Berserker state. But six together formed a formidable force that would be hard to counter. Argentius fought evenly with him, so with some calculation, letting his furry friend face them alone wouldn''t be wise.


    Seeing another person join in, the six smiled. Defeating the tiger beast was within reach but would cost them. Monster races naturally exceeded humans in raw power. Hence, having additional help was welcome.


    "Nathan Reed?" questioned the one in green attire.


    "That''s me," Nathan raised his hand in greeting while mentally connecting with Argentius.


    Why are you here, Argy? Though now''s not the time for that. Are you alright?


    Argentius narrowed his eyes at the nickname but still sent a response signal.


    "I''m fine. So what''s it going to be? Fight or flight?"


    Nathan had to suppress a twitch of his lips, hearing his partner seemingly more inclined to flee than fight.


    "There are quite a few other monsters around," Argentius continued through their mental link. "Being exhausted wouldn''t be wise."


    Hearing this, Nathan turned to face the expectant eyes.


    "What''s everyone thinking?"


    The group stared back oddly. What kind of strange question was that?


    Most importantly, everyone keenly noticed the monster had stopped attacking and seemed to be waiting. Normally, it should either harass the group or flee. Instead, the tiger beast had retracted its fangs, its facial muscles relaxing as if calmly observing.


    Twelve eyes snapped toward Nathan, who remained stationary, forming a triangle, showing no intention of approaching the group of six.


    Could you guys be a little less perceptive? Nathan worried about their sharp instincts.


    This was fitting for disciples or students of major sects and organizations. Nathan wouldn''t become arrogant just because his strength had increased dramatically in a short time. If he had stepped into hell for training, perhaps others had descended even deeper levels in pursuit of power.


    In an instant, what seemed like a casual question hung in the air like gunpowder near a spark.


    "So are you allied with it or trying to monopolize it?" one person questioned Nathan.


    Nathan stepped closer to his tiger friend as his answer.


    "This can''t be coincidence," another cursed. "You cook, know how to fight, and even have a monster partner?"


    Nathan shrugged, realizing only then that he did have quite a few tricks up his sleeve.


    The group of six''s momentum faltered. They had surrounded Argentius mainly due to lack of trust. Their presence here was merely a chance encounter. If they let others take advantage, they might be eliminated from The Shifting Trials through backstabbing before making any progress. Going all out would make even a peak Tier 2 monster manageable. The challenge was protecting their own backs.


    Four people exchanged glances in silent communication before gradually stepping back, choosing to leave. They could find opportunities elsewhere, rather than staying in this risky situation.


    In the end, only two remained watching Argentius and Nathan.


    "Are you sure about this?" Nathan couldn''t help but ask.


    He was quite certain Argentius alone could handle these two, let alone with him added to the mix.


    The young man in green who had initially asked his name replied calmly.


    "Not sure, but worth the risk. Truth is, you''re a Tier 1. You might have a strong physique due to your bloodline, but that''s all. Not too big of an issue."


    The second person, wearing gray with close-cropped hair, chimed in.


    "You might have that tiger as your partner, but I have my own luck in meeting an old friend here. Just need to remove you from the fight, then the tiger beast becomes manageable. Especially without those four troublemakers around."


    Just as Nathan was about to speak to buy time, he felt himself suddenly restrained.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    His arms and legs were bound by four vines that had shot up from the ground. The attack speed was so fast he couldn''t react in time.


    Argentius immediately entered combat mode, charging forward to headbutt a large rock thrown at Nathan by the gray-clothed figure.


    A deafening explosion accompanied by a piercing wind burst outward. The large rock shattered. Sharp winds surrounded Argentius, continuously cutting the debris in mid-air. It quickly turned its head, slashing its claws toward Nathan.


    He felt only a cool breeze pass by as the vines were severed. Before he could reassess the situation, he sensed mana movement from the opponent through [Martial Art Mastery]. He leaped high as the rock fragments shot toward him.


    At the peak of his jump, he dove headfirst. Gathering force and skills into his legs.


    Bring me down, he commanded Argentius.


    A strong wind accelerated his descent.


    Both enemies smiled, simultaneously raising their hands. From the small earth particles still floating in the air, wooden tendrils suddenly sprouted. They wove together into a net in the sky above. With a pushing motion, they hurled their trap toward the chef plummeting like a meteor.


    Nathan let out a roar, using a technique derived from [Martial Art Mastery], concentrating force into a single toe, transforming it into a spear-like strike against the enemy.


    The wooden net that seemed poised to envelop Nathan produced a crisp cracking sound. The wood fibers at the point of impact split apart, then spread to surrounding areas, breaking its structure. The strangely resilient wooden material couldn''t withstand such extreme force.


    The residual force from [Amplifying Strike], [Flowing Strikes], and [Rebound] sent a gentle breeze downward. The broken wood scattered into tiny fragments.


    Both young men watched without blinking, unable to believe their eyes. They knew Nathan possessed extraordinary physical strength, but hadn''t imagined it this overwhelming. Based on his fight with Thalos, Nathan had won through tricks and deception rather than superior ability.


    These two had clearly trained together before, allowing such smooth cooperation. So when they saw Nathan still diving toward them, the gray-clad youth swung his arm downward. An earth mound rose up, carrying them backward.


    Just then, Nathan''s fist crashed into where they had stood.


    The explosion made the gray-clad youth start, hastily raising an earth wall for protection against further attacks.


    Once sure they had a safe distance, he lowered his earth wall to look back at their opponent. Through the dust cloud stood a figure in red uniform, casually shaking his wrist. His eyes held a mocking look as they gazed their way. Below his feet was a shallow crater, creating an uneven line of sight. Though they were looking down, they felt like the ones being threatened.


    "Still think I''m an easy meal?" Nathan asked.


    Argentius hadn''t even joined in yet, though during those brief pauses, it could have intervened.


    Currently, Nathan wanted to avoid intense confrontation since he didn''t know how the event would unfold. Fighting too aggressively might cause these two to use unexpected techniques. Case in point: their combination of earth and plant mana aspects supporting each other just now. Furthermore, if Nathan had prepared some life-saving items, surely his opponents weren''t foolish enough to forget such essential preparation.


    The earlier exchange served as a warning to the opponents. Nathan wasn''t someone to be trifled with.


    Accepting Nathan''s good will, these two disciples retreated, no longer pressing the issue. After that display of strength, they lost their initial confidence that binding or trapping Nathan with vines and earth would be enough. Their test hypothesis had failed. No reason to persist further. Like the other four, they could seek opportunities elsewhere. With the tiger beast''s participation, their self-proclaimed high chances of victory would decrease significantly.


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    Only after the two had gone far did Nathan let out a breath. Barely into The Shifting Trials and already such intense encounters. He had some expectations about how the coming days would unfold.


    He turned back to Argentius, who was licking his disturbed fur back into place.


    "Now tell me what happened?" he asked.


    Argentius glared at Nathan, not answering immediately but finding a place to lie down. He looked tired.


    "A Tier 4 human came to Moirath Forest and captured several monsters," Argentius said.


    "Including the Vermilion Apes?"


    "That guy seemed to find those weaklings beneath him, so no. He only took the high-level ones."


    "And how do you know it was a Tier 4?"


    "Cause I know."


    Nathan fell silent at Argentius''s attitude. Remembering the forest incident, he exclaimed.


    "Could it be because of Nightmare Weaver?" he asked mentally rather than aloud, wary of being overheard.


    "Perhaps," Argentius appeared thoughtful, though his facial movements made it hard for Nathan to read his expression. "That one came and turned the forest upside down. Come to think of it, Nightmare Weaver''s former dwelling area was searched most thoroughly."


    Nathan rubbed his chin, wondering if this was an action from Azure Lake Academy. Perhaps Reza or his teammates had requested help from a Tier 4. Nathan wasn''t too confident in his line of thinking. Or Nightmare Weaver had been chosen as one of the trials. Conveniently, the Tier 4 had captured extra monsters from The Moirath Forest.


    He looked at his bracelet, which flashed more intensely near Argentius. So besides recording points, the bracelet also alerted contestants to nearby objectives. This could be quite dangerous if he kept Argentius with him. Especially since he only had one Monster Storage Pouch, currently holding Nightmare Weaver.


    Releasing the spider monster would violate the Binding Promise. The mental backlash would completely paralyze him. It would also risk Nightmare Weaver turning on both Argentius and him. Because the fault would lie with him, not Nightmare Weaver.


    Caught in this dilemma, he frowned at Argentius.


    "Argy, can you shrink yourself?"


    This was the only solution he had right now. If Argentius could become smaller, they could hide him or let him sneak around with Nathan. Even if the bracelet signaled his presence, other contestants might not find him. With his current massive form, another six people showing up like earlier was bound to happen.


    Initially, people didn''t risk confronting Argentius because resources were still plentiful, but after a few days, when objectives became scarcer, no one would show such restraint.


    "Don''t call me that," Argentius wrinkled his face, showing clear displeasure. "And no, I cannot."


    "You stubborn beast," Nathan fumed. "I''m worried about you, you know?"


    "I''ll bite whoever shows up. What''s there to worry about?"


    This wild monster, Nathan cursed silently.


    Ignoring his headstrong companion, Nathan glanced through the system notifications. After passing through the teleportation gate, he hadn''t had time to check.


    Quest ''The Shifting Trials'' Completed


    Rewards Granted: 2000 credits.


    Proceed as you wish.


    --


    You got a new quest: ''Peers pressure is not a problem!''


    Objective: Become one of the top 64 of The Shifting Trials.


    Rewards: Rewards are based on your performance. At least 2000 credits will be awarded.


    Penalty when failed: None.


    Each time Nathan checked system notifications, he had to suppress his emotions. It never gave small quests but always massive, overarching ones that frustrated him.


    Fortunately, the previous quest had succeeded smoothly - he had truly feared having negative credits and needing to grind quests or abuse passive skills to pay off debt. He would try his best but wouldn''t stress too much about this quest. The credit reward was quite tempting, enough to buy a [Skill Breaker] and remove either [Bad Omen] or [Bad Mouth].


    With a new target, he needed to accumulate points on his bracelet. For now, he had a target in mind. The lizard monster army from earlier must be heading toward their leader, a Tier 2 being.


    He discussed this with Argentius. Surprisingly, he received immediate agreement rather than the usual fussiness from his partner.


    Both immediately set out, backtracking their previous path.


    He sat on Argentius''s back, roughly indicating directions through the forest. His partner used his nose to sniff eagerly. Finding it not very effective, he commanded the winds to converge, bringing all scent traces together. Nathan observed everything while sighing, partly envious, wondering when he would develop his own mana aspect.


    After tracking footprints and scents, Argentius locked onto a direction. He charged through the tree lines, ramming down any trunk in his way. His fierce pride wouldn''t allow him to jump or dodge obstacles.


    Nathan had to hold tight to his furry partner''s mane. The muscular contractions from Argentius were incredibly powerful, not to mention his swift speed. Sometimes he still couldn''t believe he had formed a contract with such a powerful being.


    The lizard monsters, either sitting or lying down resting from battle, jumped up startled when they sensed a powerful presence approach. They stood distributed around a moderately deep pool, wide enough to provide water for their tribe.


    They didn''t know why they were here. Earlier they had been in their natural habitat, then in the blink of an eye found themselves in this strange land. That''s why they had split up to scout earlier, partly to search for threats, partly to gather information for their leader.


    "ROARRRR!"


    Argentius''s roar made the scales on the lizard monsters stand on end as they simultaneously drew their weapons in defense. Their eyes, uncontrolled by fear, stared at the white deadly presence before them.


    "Could you be any louder?" Nathan cursed, fingers digging at his still-ringing ears. He had suffered the brunt of that roar at closest range and found it extremely unpleasant.


    Argentius snorted derisively, shrugging his shoulder to throw the human off. Nathan complied, not wanting to be caught up in any more shocking actions.


    He had scolded partly out of fear the lizard monsters would run away. But the current situation wasn''t developing in that direction. They remained, seemingly intent on protecting the pool. Either they feared scattering meant death, or they were betting on their leader.


    "There''s something else under the pool," Argentius said through their mental link.


    "Besides their leader?" Nathan asked.


    "Yes."


    "Then let''s fight."


    Nathan didn''t think too much about the current situation. Even if their leader was strong, it couldn''t be stronger than Argentius. This one had stood against him in full Berserker state, had been Lord of The Forest. Facing this group was merely a stroll.


    He jumped forward, charging toward the monster group gathering to block their advance.


    His punches created powerful shockwaves, knocking down several lizard monsters at once. Those nearby had their heads crushed, skulls broken, or limbs torn off. They continuously shot arrows and tail spikes at him. He either dodged or used his vambrace to block without taking any damage.


    Just as he was about to tell Argentius to help end this quicker, he saw a white ball leap into the air. It spun once then plunged straight into the center of the pool.


    A splash startled both Nathan and the monster group. Waves frantically spread to the shore, water droplets spraying up like rain.


    The monsters around Nathan shrieked in horror, pulling their entire group toward the pool, ignoring the human staring in bewilderment. They leaped or crawled into the pool''s water, hoping to support their leader.


    Nathan also approached to watch the spectacle. The pool''s surface didn''t cease its turbulence, but continued raging violently as if a storm lurked below. The monsters that had just rushed near Argentius''s position were thrown back by some force, flying back to shore. The unluckier ones smashed against rock outcrops, their heads and bones shattering.


    Nathan had initially been thinking how to lure the leader lizard up when Argentius took the most direct approach. Charging straight in. He wanted to see what was happening but couldn''t because of the water and white foam.


    He caught glimpses of Argentius surrounding himself with a sphere of air mixed with metallic properties, then swimming downward. This way, he wouldn''t have to worry about oxygen while underwater.


    The deeper he went, the less Nathan could see despite [Better Vision]. Helplessly dropping his hand, he could only warn his partner not to kill the Tier 2 leader yet.


    Finding a place to sit, he watched like someone observing their pet at play, his expression both exasperated and indulgent.


    After making quite a commotion, Nathan noticed the pool''s surface was no longer churning from disturbance. The Tier 1 lizard monsters knew enough to back away, retreating far from the shore. They could only hope their leader, in whom they''d placed their faith, would emerge victorious.


    Thud!


    That sound was like each lizard monster''s heart dropping into an abyss. Because on the open ground before the human lay their leader. A lizard monster with a larger body, sporting a long horn on its head that emitted a dim blue light.


    Argentius burst through the pool''s surface right after, landing beside Nathan. His fur wasn''t wet at all, his whole body emanating an air of composure. As if earlier had just been play - if he''d wanted to, he could have killed that monster with one bite.


    The surrounding monsters had just taken a step when Argentius''s glare intimidated them into stopping. They didn''t have enough intelligence to think through what to do. Just like that, they knelt down, laying down their weapons in apparent submission. For them, the outcome was either being eaten or being allowed to follow a new leader.


    Nathan stood up, observing the leader still barely clinging to life at his feet. He didn''t let it suffer any longer, crushing its head with his foot. A stream of essence seeped into his body. Equal to defeating The Great Spine Wolf, it was too small to make any impression on his cultivation.


    His bracelet vibrated, his points changing. Previously at 24, they jumped to 229.


    So the points depend on which Phase of Tier 2 they''re at? he wondered.


    Tier 2 monsters giving higher points wasn''t debatable. However, defeating someone like Argentius should give more points. He estimated someone of his partner''s caliber might be worth a thousand points.


    Looking at the large monster, he felt a headache wondering how to handle things going forward.


    Meeting Nathan''s evaluating gaze was an expectant wrinkled nose.


    Nathan looked back at the lizard, immediately understanding Argentius''s purpose.


    "No free lunch, eh?" Nathan muttered, mentally cursing Argentius as a glutton.


    Annoyed, Argentius spat out what he''d been holding in his mouth. The implication being that this was his payment.


    Nathan looked at the rough, saliva-covered stone before him with some disgust. He knew this was what the lizard monsters had been guarding. He kicked it into the pool to wash it once before picking it up to examine.


    Currently without PsiLink, but his knowledge was sufficient to know this item''s use. This was one of the stones that helped accelerate cultivation speed, suitable for both cultivators and monsters. The blue color and ripples within indicated it was suitable for water mana aspect.


    That meant Nathan couldn''t use it currently. Future use was also questionable since he wasn''t sure he''d develop water affinity. Still, its value remained. He could use it for trade or sell it if needed.


    Storing the stone in his spatial pouch, he cheerfully looked at Argentius. He wondered if he was cheating by having this unexpected help. Farming points this way was certainly a comfortable way to pass The Shifting Trials.


    That is, if no one came hunting this big tiger.


    Seeing Nathan just standing there, Argentius irritably bumped his head against him.


    "Alright, alright. Cooking right away," Nathan said, carrying the leader lizard''s corpse.


    As for the rest, Argentius disdainfully sampled through them. Nathan didn''t think about collecting ingredients. Unlike the times of scarcity in Moirath Forest when he had to calculate everything carefully. Besides, the spatial pouch didn''t have room for less important things.


    Finding a place to camp, Nathan started a fire and took out his cooking utensils. These were mostly items he''d bought before going to Moirath Forest that Darkan had snatched. Now that he''d gotten them back, he finally had a chance to use them.


    After some preparation and arrangement, a delicious aroma wafted through the forest. The sky gradually turned dark. Without a sun, the unnatural feeling from this transition brought a strange sensation.


    Nathan wasn''t sure if night would bring out different kinds of monsters. He planned to find out after replenishing Argentius''s energy. His monster partner seemed to have gone hungry for several days. Maybe right after he left, there had been nothing to eat.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Nathan''s skin prickled as he became alert.


    [Adrenaline Boost] didn''t trigger?


    "Argy, hide now," he ordered.


    The current situation could mean enemies appearing. He needed to hold them off to give Argentius a chance to escape.


    Before Nathan''s dumbfounded gaze, Argentius suddenly shivered, his body gradually shrinking. From nearly twice Nathan''s height, he decreased to two meters. His massive head and giant fangs shrank to toothpick size. This process continued until Argentius was only an arm''s length long. His razor-sharp white fur also changed, taking on a mystical softness.


    Argentius''s eyes narrowed as he looked at the human he''d contracted with. This kind of look was exactly why he hadn''t wanted to reveal his ability to shrink earlier. His thick skin and fat almost wanted to break out in goosebumps.


    "You''re so fucking cute," Nathan groaned.


    Wasn''t this just a short-haired bicolor cat? Argentius''s muscular form when shrunk made him look chubby and plump, incredibly pettable and cuddle-worthy.


    Nathan''s hand unconsciously reached out.


    Argentius snapped and bit him once. Since he was in his small cat form, the bite was no more than a scratch, more like playful affection.


    Letting out an annoyed breath, Argentius sneaked away, hiding in the shadow of a nearby tree.


    When the person who triggered [Tingling Sense] appeared, the bracelet also vibrated, displaying a hologram-like board.


    Today''s rankings for everyone were up.


    And among them, someone had already scored 10,000 points.

 Chapter 58

    On the very first night, just after a few hours, Adrian Kov¨¢cs''s name became the most attention-grabbing thing. He was perched atop the rankings with over 10,000 points.


    This not only left everyone speechless with disbelief but also carried a hint of terror about his capabilities. Including Nathan.


    Nathan had eliminated Tier 1 and Tier 2 monsters. A lizard monster, even in its early Phases, wasn''t easy to defeat. Yet it only yielded just over 200 points. With some deduction, a Tier 2, Phase 9 monster like Argentius might bring in a thousand points. If not one thousand, then two to three thousand. To accumulate ten thousand points in such a short time, Adrian must have encountered a pack of Argentius-level creatures.


    Or it was a Tier 3 monster, Nathan shuddered at the thought.


    He wasn''t sure whether this Adrian person was unlucky or fortunate anymore. Currently, he couldn''t continue studying the rankings because he needed to welcome his newly arrived guest.


    Evelyn similarly raised her head with amazement after glancing at the notification from her bracelet. Second place had barely over a thousand points, while first place was already so far ahead.


    She looked at the young man before her, her crystal-blue eyes dancing like sparks under the campfire''s light.


    Both stared at each other for a moment. Finally, Nathan spoke up.


    "Um, hello?"


    "Hi," Evelyn replied curtly, mouth opening to say something but then stopping.


    Nathan noticed she had communication issues, so he pushed aside thoughts about two weeks ago and invited her to sit.


    "You can sit here if you''d like."


    Evelyn nodded and complied. Nathan was somewhat surprised by her compliance. He had expected her to have the cold, aloof air of a beauty, while also being strong. Even now, he hadn''t forgotten how she single-handedly helped three people escape from the Nightmare Weaver''s encirclement.


    "Tonight we have lizard meat," Nathan said. "You can join if you want to eat."


    Evelyn took out a cloth to place on the ground before sitting. She tilted her head and asked.


    "You sound like you don''t want to eat what you cooked?"


    "That''s right," Nathan laughed. "I don''t like lizard."


    He still hadn''t forgotten the prank his mischievous friends played when they put lizard tail in his food plate when he was very young.


    "Excellent," Argentius sent a signal through the mental channel upon hearing this.


    "Me neither," Evelyn said. "Call your friend back. I won''t take advantage of someone who once helped me."


    Nathan nodded. There was no need to call as Argentius would find his way back anyway. His evening was still here after all.


    While stoking the fire to grill the meat, both of them blurted out simultaneously.


    "Why did you come this way?"


    "Why didn''t you message me?"


    Nathan''s movements paused for a few seconds before he let out a chuckle.


    Evelyn''s eyes blinked, unclear whether due to her mana aspect''s characteristics or her own nature, maintaining her calm demeanor.


    "Well, I was shy," Nathan scratched his head. "Sorry for making such an unreasonable request. I only learned afterward that I shouldn''t ask for someone''s blood like that."


    Evelyn furrowed her brows in disbelief.


    "Really," Nathan quickly added. "I''m clueless about everything."


    "You shouldn''t be like that," Evelyn said.


    "Right. Someone''s blood should really be handled carefully."


    "No. I mean you shouldn''t be clueless about everything. To protect yourself."


    Nathan raised an eyebrow at that. He understood Evelyn was saying that not knowing such common knowledge would easily lead him into difficult situations. Take this blood incident for example. After learning everything, Darkan had told him that he had dealt with it all. The blood collected during his outer sect tournament examination had been retrieved and destroyed. Currently, since he couldn''t use spirit to disrupt blood structure, he needed to let it be contaminated when leaving his body to limit issues.


    "Thanks for the reminder," Nathan said cheerfully, not bothered by being cautioned by others. "Besides, I didn''t dare approach someone like you. If I didn''t get a response, my fragile little ego would have shattered."


    After saying this, he plastered an exaggerated look of mock pain on his face.


    "Why?" Evelyn asked, puzzled.


    "Because you''re so beautiful," Nathan shrugged.


    Evelyn''s face froze.


    "Hey," Nathan''s eyes widened. "This can''t be the first time someone''s complimented you like that."


    "No one is usually this direct," Evelyn muttered.


    "I didn''t say anything wrong. It''s just the truth. Please forgive my actions if they were offensive. I didn''t mean anything like suggesting you''re arrogant or distant. It''s just leftovers from my past. My fault. Not yours."


    After closing his mouth, Nathan wondered what the hell he had just done, talking so much yet saying nothing substantial. If Zeryn were here, he would have handled this better than him.


    "What does that have to do with anything?" Evelyn said, slightly irritated. "Appearances don''t dictate behavior."


    "My fault. Not yours. Not anyone else''s."


    Hearing Nathan''s firm response, Evelyn didn''t pursue the topic further. She just wanted him to understand that unless someone was clearly bothering her, she wouldn''t respond with silence.


    "Our situation is about repaying a debt. I would have responded if you had messaged me."


    "Then let''s pretend I didn''t know what to ask for," Nathan said.


    At this moment, Argentius returned. The transformation seemed to limit its movement abilities; normally, it wouldn''t be this sluggish.


    "What an idiot," Argentius''s wireless message carried a contemptuous vibration. "I gave you time to talk with the girl. Yet you don''t know how to take advantage. You blockhead."


    "Say one more word and I''ll kick over the grilling meat," Nathan snapped.


    Argentius instantly became obedient, slowly moving to lie down next to Nathan. Its eyes were fixed on the lizard body rotating over the fire.


    Evelyn''s hands and feet were somewhat restless, as if she couldn''t contain herself.


    Seeing an opportunity for revenge for daring to insult him, Nathan seized it immediately.


    "Cute, isn''t it?" he gestured with his chin toward Argentius.


    Evelyn responded with a nod.


    Argentius glared with its eyes on its chubby cat face.


    "Look how angry it is," Nathan teased. "Still doesn''t lose that adorable charm."


    Evelyn very agreeably nodded again.


    Argentius angrily roared. The funny part was that what came out wasn''t a forest-shaking sound, but rather like kittens demanding food.


    The monster tiger immediately shut its mouth, head held high as if trying to salvage its image. One human laughed uncontrollably while the other covered her mouth.


    Without needing to ask, Nathan guessed this transformation had limitations. The first was that it couldn''t return to its original form immediately. Or it could, but it would require consuming energy.


    The meat was cooked, so Nathan took it down and placed it beside his companion. Though it was just a small cat that could be easily grabbed, its eating speed was still faster than normal people. While biting, one could see Argentius''s nose wrinkling in displeasure. It truly wasn''t used to processing delicious food this slowly.


    Nathan took out some dried food he had prepared and gave Evelyn a portion. Both watched Argentius with interest. The monster transformed into something adorable tried not to respond to anything.


    "Why did you name it that?" Evelyn spoke up to ask. "Argentius?"


    "It roughly means silver-like, like its fur," Nathan swallowed a piece of meat and answered. "Do you have any ideas?"


    "Sort of."


    "Let''s hear it."


    After hesitating and mumbling for a while, Evelyn blurted out.


    "Galaxy Devourer."


    Thump!


    Nathan dropped his piece of meat.


    Argentius opened its mouth wide, dropping its food.


    One side blinked their eyes with amusement.


    One side blinked their eyes with anticipation.


    Evelyn''s face slightly reddened, and she continued as if trying to fix the situation, but only made it more awkward.


    "Universe Destroyer works too, or Worlds Annihilator," as if to explain why she chose these names, she added. "It looks like that, after all."


    "Cute enough to destroy the universe?" Nathan couldn''t hold back his thoughts.


    Before Evelyn could answer, Argentius had already jumped out, baring its teeth at Nathan.


    "Change my name," Argentius demanded.


    "You just gave it ideas it shouldn''t have," Nathan ignored it and said to Evelyn. "It''ll think it''s strong enough to deserve names like that."


    "It could be a future goal," Evelyn remained firm in her suggestion.


    "But it''s mouthful," Nathan analyzed. "By the time we finish calling it, whatever needs to be done would probably be finished already."


    "You can communicate mentally, can''t you? So there shouldn''t be any problem."


    "You''ve really thought this through, haven''t you?" Nathan asked with a smile.


    Evelyn turned her face away, not answering. She had only thought about this idly after seeing Mirela playing with Argentius in Moirath Forest.


    Nathan obviously wouldn''t change the name, no matter how much Argentius demanded. Just thinking about the pompous attitude every time he called it that way was already problematic. Later, when introducing it to others, he''d probably be embarrassed enough to dig a hole and bury himself.


    After whining unsuccessfully, Argentius irritably returned to its dinner. It maintained its sharp gaze glaring at Nathan.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "Not just because of the bracelet," Evelyn said after finishing eating, "but also thanks to sensing a certain item that I came here. Currently, I can''t sense it anymore."


    The bracelet was according to Argentius. As for that item, it must be the stone in the lake.


    "You can sense items like that?" Nathan asked.


    "Yes. A kind of essential connection. It might carry water or ice properties that resonate with me."


    "Are all Tier 2s like you?"


    "Not exactly."


    Evelyn didn''t say more, leaving Nathan to understand her meaning.


    So she''s like a mobile radar, Nathan silently concluded.


    Before coming here, Evelyn had passed by the lake where the lizard monsters once ruled. The battle traces there told her the culprits were likely the two sitting here. However, if they didn''t disclose it, she wouldn''t be tactless enough to probe.


    Nathan also wouldn''t thoughtlessly give away items he''d obtained. Moreover, strictly speaking, the stone belonged to Argentius. He was just keeping it safe. He wasn''t unreasonable enough to consider a dinner as payment for such a valuable item.


    If some people knew this thought of his, they would be envious of Argentius''s position. Being cooked for by him at a cheap price was such an honor.


    After thinking for a while, Nathan spoke up.


    "So we part ways from here, right?"


    "Would you mind forming an alliance?" Evelyn blinked her enchanted eyes.


    A gentle breeze blew through the forest, making her blue hair flutter like ripples in the night sea.


    Closing his eyes to regain composure, Nathan could finally ask.


    "Why would we need to do that?"


    "So I can have a chance to repay my debt to you," Evelyn''s voice was steady. "I don''t want this weighing on my mind. If we encounter any troubles along the way, I can help."


    "You''re weird, you know that? And that''s a compliment."


    "No one compliments like that," Evelyn''s face fell.


    "Well, now you know someone who does," Nathan said casually. "About that offer, I accept."


    Evelyn nodded, returning to her silent state as if letting Nathan decide everything.


    He didn''t understand why she was so composed and seemingly indifferent. Other contestants should either be excited or at least somewhat anxious about The Shifting Trials.


    He accepted the alliance as a form of insurance. Surely most contestants would sooner or later have their own teams. If not, then the socializing and networking from before would have no purpose. Although hindered by the inability to communicate through PsiLink, situations like Evelyn and Nathan randomly meeting could occur. From there, forming companionship could lead to deeper progression into the inner rounds.


    "What''s your assessment of Adrian?" having confirmed their current relationship, he didn''t hesitate to discuss. "I''m guessing he just took down a Tier 3 monster."


    "You''re not wrong," Evelyn replied, waving her hand to display the rankings. "Currently, I have over 500 points. Results from defeating a Tier 2 Phase 3 monster and several Tier 1s."


    After asking Argentius a question about the lizard pack leader''s level, Nathan concluded.


    "So a Tier 2 Phase 2 is worth two hundred points. Phase 3 is three hundred points. Though not certain, let''s assume it progresses that way. By the time we reach Tier 3, it multiplies tenfold."


    "Probably," Evelyn appeared thoughtful. "If that''s the case, there won''t be many Tier 3 monsters to hunt."


    Nathan nodded. Even if the Tier 4s could gather a group of Tier 3 monsters, they wouldn''t recklessly throw them into The Shifting Trials. First, not everyone was an outlier like Adrian. A Tier 3 monster could still knock out a Tier 2 cultivator in a short time. Against something like Argentius, even six Tier 2s working together might not achieve absolute victory, let alone facing something beyond their level.


    The other reason was controlling these monsters in different areas. If there were too many, constant fighting would break out. At that point, The Shifting Trials wouldn''t be for contestants but would become the monsters'' playground.


    The logistics and distribution problem was there for the organizers to establish such a system.


    "So our targets are Tier 3 monsters for points," Nathan concluded. "Or fighting enough Tier 2s. Though I''m quite skeptical about the feasibility of the latter case."


    Evelyn didn''t object.


    Tier 2s were likely the most sought-after targets for many contestants due to their lower risk. Tier 3s would require more careful calculation. Teams would need certain cohesion and trust. A grueling battle with a Tier 3 would certainly lead to exhaustion immediately afterward. Whether others would take advantage of the situation was a thorny problem.


    Nathan had Argentius, so he wasn''t too worried about numbers or strength. He also wasn''t surprised that The Shifting Trials would set Tier 3 beings as targets for contestants. Not only for challenge but also to test the young talent''s reputation. Tier 2 cultivators weren''t rare, so to deserve the genius title, fighting above one''s level should be expected.


    After Argentius finished eating, Evelyn and Nathan agreed to scout the surroundings, expanding their information. Unclear how long The Shifting Trials would last, they couldn''t be careless and sit in one place too long.


    The rankings had stopped updating. Perhaps they would change the following night.


    Eliminating the northern direction where they encountered the lizard monsters and the western direction where Evelyn came from, both advanced south from their campsite.


    Nathan used his physical strength to move through the terrain of trees. If not jumping, he would swing from tree to tree, a skill that had become part of his body after learning from the Vermilion Apes. Evelyn easily kept up by using skills from her ice mana aspect. She created small grooves on the ground to glide along, reducing friction that would slow her down.


    Thanks to [Cold Resistance Aura], Nathan never had to shiver from the blue-haired girl''s power anymore.


    One person searched for information from above, while the other sought information from below. After traveling like this for about half an hour, ignoring the scattered Tier 1 monsters, they received signals of a Tier 2 monster from their bracelets.


    "Over there," Argentius pointed its tiny paw in one direction after raising its nose to sniff.


    Nathan nodded to his companion perching on his shoulder, changing direction. Sadly, the transformation made Argentius more passive than ever. He just wasn''t sure if this was the truth or if Argentius was playing tricks on him.


    Nathan and Evelyn approached a massive, ancient tree. White flowers bloomed on its canopy, surrounded by luminescent powder that lit up like dancing fireflies.


    Evelyn stopped beside Nathan after he landed from his jump.


    The bracelets on both of them flashed continuously, stronger than before, signaling a Tier 2 monster beside Argentius nearby. Nathan swept his eyes around, pointed at the ancient tree, and turned to ask Evelyn.


    "Is it that one?"


    The girl nodded. Argentius raised its nose to sniff again, confirming the signal. This tree was the most peculiar thing here, so there was no doubt.


    To test, Evelyn raised her hand, creating an ice bolt to shoot at the trunk. The sparkling projectile''s tip flew through the air. When it nearly reached its target, a branch swatted it away, sending it vanishing into the forest''s darkness.


    Both immediately entered a state of alertness.


    Rumbling creaks echoed as the tree moved. Its roots lifted from the ground, moving like four legs. Most notable was its upper portion. The branches and twigs twisted, extended, retracted, and wove together to form snake-like heads. Each head had flowers arranged into pairs of eyes. Leaves rolled together to create pairs of horns. When it fully rose, more than twelve flower eyes glared at the two humans.


    Waving for Argentius to retreat, Nathan flexed his muscles preparing for battle. He thought this would be an upgraded version of the Woodwraith from Moirath Forest. But Evelyn quickly tapped him.


    "Forest Hydra. Cut off one head and it will use the life force of surrounding trees to regenerate. This is its favorable environment."


    Nathan paused, wondering if the girl beside him really spent time memorizing this information. He thought about how he wasn''t from this world and had only been here for over two years. If he spent his whole life here, he should know a thing or two even without PsiLink.


    "Any strategies?" he asked.


    Evelyn was about to answer when one of the monster''s heads snapped forward, separating the two as they jumped aside to dodge.


    Nathan countered the next head with a kick, making its mouth emit a sound as if expressing pain. Evelyn created an ice path to slide on, avoiding another strike.


    Two more heads opened their mouths, shooting sharp wooden spikes at their targets.


    Before Nathan could move, he was caught by the tongue of the head he''d just kicked. Recognizing his situation, he raised his vambrace to block. The crisp shattering sound of the weak mana shield rang out. However, it was enough to slow down the incoming spike. With a swift motion, he grabbed it, then hurled it straight at the head that had its tongue around him.


    Wood scattered after a cracking sound. The Forest Hydra''s head tried to retract its tongue in pain but found it couldn''t. When its flower-made eye blinked at Nathan, it discovered the human was holding on tight.


    Letting out a roar, Nathan yanked the tongue toward himself, forcing that damned head to be pulled forward. His prepared punch hadn''t landed when another head whipped in, throwing him back a distance.


    On the other side, Evelyn easily defended with an ice wall, landing gracefully beside Nathan.


    "This is troublesome," Nathan muttered.


    They hadn''t even cut off a single head yet and were already struggling.


    "Cover me," Evelyn said.


    Nathan nodded. Though he didn''t know what the girl planned to do, he just needed to do what he was good at.


    He put on Alaric''s gift that Darkan had confiscated earlier. It was a Tier 2 glove capable of creating a sharp outer layer when infused with mana. Currently, he couldn''t use this function. However, he could still use the solid metal surface to increase his damage output. He inserted a Lesser Mana Stone into the recently opened slot of his Vambrace. Once done, he sprang up because the monster wasn''t waiting for them to prepare anything more.


    Nathan simultaneously punched at two heads. Shockwaves from the collision spread around, blowing up dust. The wooden surface of the two snake heads caved in with a miserable shriek.


    Evelyn jumped high to avoid two snaps from two other heads. The final two heads continued their old strategy, shooting projectiles from their mouths.


    Not letting them have their way, Nathan kicked one head with full force from [Amplifying Strike] combined with [Flowing Strikes], making it fly up to take a projectile instead of Evelyn. The remaining arrow was caught by Nathan as he jumped up, using all his strength to stab it into the head that hadn''t recovered from earlier. The wood from the sharp and solid projectile allowed him to successfully pin one head to the ground. It thrashed but still couldn''t break free.


    A cold wind blew past, making Nathan look up. Without knowing when, two circular ice discs had appeared in Evelyn''s hands, emanating a thin mist. They spun rapidly like sawblades. With a wave of her hands, the two sawblades were thrown in an arc. They flashed in the air once before reaching their targets. With just a soft cutting sound, two of the Forest Hydra''s heads were severed. The dull thud of their fall echoed on the ground. The remaining neck portions wiggled as if not understanding what happened.


    The monster''s remaining heads screamed in pain. From trunk to neck, it tried to pull all its parts back together. This meant torturing the head Nathan had pinned to the ground. With a crack, that head was split in half, swaying in the air looking truly horrifying.


    Two more ice sawblades were thrown, but the Forest Hydra was prepared. Its branches bristled out like a porcupine, forming a defensive layer. The two sawblades still advanced, cutting through layers of branches. However, after a while, they were stopped, forced to shatter into small ice chunks.


    Nathan wanted to advance, but the roots under the monster''s feet broke through the ground, wrapping around him. He drew out a decent quality sword to slash. Under his immense strength, roots were cut and the sword shattered. Without hesitation, he took out a better quality sword, capable of self-channeling mana to create a blue-glowing edge. He continued clearing his path forward.


    His eyes glanced to both sides, noticing the life force from surrounding trees gradually becoming desolate. They withered at a speed visible to the naked eye. The soil and weeds around accordingly changed color.


    When he got close, the Forest Hydra''s ear-piercing roar made him look up.


    Six heads had been regenerated, the three destroyed ones returning intact. Six pairs of eyes made from small white flowers narrowed in anger. Their mouths opened wide, like rifles firing frantically at the two people.


    Nathan used his sword and movement abilities to skillfully dodge. [Quick Feet] and [Improved Balance] helped him avoid slipping whenever root whips struck his feet. Sometimes his body could automatically react thanks to [Counter Strike] to counter-attack.


    Evelyn created ice discs in mid-air, using them as platforms to jump from place to place. Simultaneously, she waved her hands to create icebolts for counterattacks, bombarding the monster. When an icebolt penetrated one head''s mouth, it instantly exploded, freezing it up to the neck. With a clench of her hand, the head exploded. But it regenerated immediately afterward.


    The Forest Hydra alternated between projectile attacks and head strikes, with roots beneath whipping everywhere. Its ferocity created difficulties for Nathan and Evelyn. Both sides exchanged equally powerful attacks. Not just Evelyn, but Nathan''s punches could also shatter the Forest Hydra''s heads. The main problem was the monster''s regenerative ability.


    Seeing no progress in the situation, Evelyn called out loudly.


    "Can you hold it alone?"


    "Unless your technique needs until morning to use," Nathan replied confidently.


    Through the battle, he had grasped the monster''s general capabilities. Combined with [Improved Pattern Recognition], he could predict its movements. Speaking of endurance, he was confident he wouldn''t be too inferior to it.


    Hearing this, Evelyn quickly retreated, hiding from the monster''s attack range.


    Left alone, Nathan received attacks continuously. The mana shield created by the Vambrace shattered again, consuming another mana stone. He switched to a Standard Mana Stone to improve quality, preparing for the possibility of the vambrace breaking from overload.


    During brief respites, he drank from his alcohol flask. Essence surged wildly within him. Creating another layer of protection from Qi Armor, he laughed loudly as he charged toward the monster.


    Under the Forest Hydra''s relentless assault, he countered with his combination of punches and kicks. Sometimes he jumped up, using the One-inch punch technique to break necks, other times using both hands to tear apart its mouths. He skillfully used his sword to cut the roots wrapping around his body, then drew another sword from his spatial pouch after they broke. If nothing else, he had prepared these items carefully before coming here. Making money was precisely for times like this.


    He enthusiastically fought back and forth with the monster, placing his trust in his newly formed teammate. Even if Evelyn abandoned him, he wasn''t afraid because if he couldn''t win, he could still escape. Confident in his persistence, he had truly met his match. This Forest Hydra was among the Tier 2 monsters he always avoided during training in Moirath Forest. It possessed a mana aspect that could counter him. If he could use fire, this monster wouldn''t have been such a big problem.


    "Nathan, fall back!" Evelyn shouted from behind.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    A wind carrying tiny snowflakes approached from behind.


    Despite having [Cold Resistance Aura], Nathan still felt the lethal danger. When he wanted to run, he saw the Forest Hydra, like him, recognized the threat when it no longer saw the second human and had prepared beforehand. Its lower body grew two legs, wanting to jump away, dodging Evelyn''s attack.


    Nathan didn''t hesitate to jump forward, both hands grabbing one of the largest roots in front of him. He jumped up, legs tensing, then stomped down hard. His strength made him sink into the ground. His arms showed blue veins from the pulling force.


    The Forest Hydra''s six heads were simultaneously jerked backward, turning their heads furiously toward the human on the ground. When they were about to cut off their own roots, Evelyn''s technique arrived. Looking like just an ordinary wind, its true terror was only revealed upon contact.


    The Forest Hydra''s movements gradually slowed, becoming rigid. Six pairs of eyes widened. Each head pointed in different directions as if trying to escape. The outer layer of wood and vapor cooled down, freezing into a patchy white layer. The massive Forest Hydra stood there like an imposing ice statue.


    Nathan, under the technique''s influence, wasn''t comfortable either. Thankfully, with passive skills from the system and Physical Cultivation training, his mind remained clear. He immediately used essence to force his blood circulation through the pain. The result brought warmth to his body.


    A gust of wind arrived beside him as Evelyn appeared. Her hand reached out toward him.


    She narrowed her eyes when she realized she didn''t need to draw away the cold affecting Nathan anymore.


    "Finish it," Nathan said, lips trembling from cold.


    Evelyn nodded, summoning two sawblades from her hands. She gently swung them. They cut through all six heads. The sound of wood breaking and ice shattering rang through the air. Six heads fell to the ground.


    "Someone''s coming," Argentius warned through Nathan''s mind.


    "Lachlan," Evelyn narrowed her eyes looking in one direction, said.


    Where''s my essence? Nathan silently cried out.


    The Forest Hydra wasn''t dead yet.

 Chapter 59

    "Create an opening in its body," Nathan shouted as he lunged forward.


    The Forest Hydra, despite having all its heads severed, continued moving on instinct. Or perhaps its cognitive center wasn''t where everyone assumed it to be.


    Hearing this, Evelyn unleashed another volley of her ice discs, sending them whirling past Nathan. The razor-sharp sawblades carved into the monster''s belly. However, the defensive bark proved incredibly resilient, gradually wearing down the ice saws, leaving only shallow grooves on the surface. Seeing this, Evelyn supplemented her assault with sharp, sturdy Icebolts, concentrating them on a single point.


    Her relentless barrage slowly carved open a gap in the Forest Hydra''s abdomen.


    Nathan bounded over the obstacle course of roots beneath him. Though unaffected by the cold Evelyn had generated earlier, they moved sluggishly enough to make his approach manageable.


    Crackling sounds echoed above his head as the severed neck stumps writhed, trying to break free from their frozen state. The noise intensified as life force from the surrounding trees frantically poured in. Wood fibers gradually took shape, regenerating at the neck wounds.


    With a final leap, Nathan thrust both hands into the substantial gap Evelyn had created.


    "Berserker, 10%."


    He roared as his skin took on an ashen hue, resisting the surrounding cold. Each breath produced a thin mist that swirled around him, obscuring his vision. Feeling the burning in his eyes, he closed them, straining with all his might to widen the opening.


    Crack! Crack!


    The regeneration of the six heads slowed as the Forest Hydra diverted its power to its belly, attempting to close the wound.


    Nathan felt tremendous resistance against his hands. Without hesitation, he increased Berserker to 20%. Then, he withdrew his hands, pulled them back, and chose an angle to strike at the edges of the gap he''d created. His passive skills amplified his attack with tremendous force. The tear widened accordingly.


    Bracing his feet, using all the strength in his core and body, he pushed his hands outward.


    The Forest Hydra, seeing this, redirected its regeneration back to its heads, hoping to use attacks to drive Nathan away. It focused on one branch first rather than all of them.


    A head took form just in time to catch Evelyn''s ice saw. It opened its maw wide, snapping down with precision. Ice shattered and fell from its mouth. Then it spat projectiles in all directions, deflecting the other attacks coming from the girl.


    As the second head was about to return, Nathan succeeded in his endeavor. The gash he''d carved was deep enough to expose the monster''s innards. A misshapen organ pulsed with connecting strands that flickered on and off. Currently, they were frantically flashing, indicating the monster''s panic.


    "Evelyn!" he yelled, noticing the monster once again increasing pressure on his arms. The roots wrapped around his torso were adding force. If not for his superior physique and Qi Armor, his bones would have shattered under the pressure long ago.


    With a whoosh, several Icebolts whistled past his ears and hair, carrying lethal cold as they pierced straight into what appeared to be the Forest Hydra''s heart.


    The heart exploded as Evelyn released her power, triggering the collapse of the monster''s entire system. Blood vessels lit up intensely, still trying to transport nutrients to a body rapidly losing vitality. The center blazed like a miniature sun.


    Nathan felt the forces around him diminishing rapidly. The roots drooped, no longer constricting him. Above, the second head, only half-regenerated, stared blankly at its completed counterpart, expressing disbelief. Both elongated necks stiffened, not from unmelted ice but returning to the motionless state of a tree.


    As the blood vessels before Nathan''s eyes dimmed, a green spherical object was revealed where the heart had been.


    He reached out to grasp it.


    Slash.


    A strike powerful enough to pierce his defenses sent him flying, so swift that even the combination of [Tingling Sense] and [Adrenaline Boost] couldn''t help him react in time.


    After tumbling several times on the ground, Nathan pushed off, returning to a standing position, raising his eyes to look at the newcomer.


    The one who attacked him wasn''t Lachlan, but rather a subordinate in white attire, wearing a short green cloak on his back. In his hand was a sword completing its withdrawal motion. Blood didn''t cling to the blade as the recent attack had carried wind aspect. His other hand reached into the Forest Hydra''s gap, retrieving the monster core, smoothly and skillfully storing it in a storage ring.


    Nathan gritted his teeth, words caught in his throat as pain became numbing from the slash wound on his flank. The bleeding had stopped, and he was using Qi Armor to push out the mana aspect. However, unlike his fight with Lunar Shadow, the wound wasn''t quickly entering a healing state. He guessed it wasn''t just the mana aspect, but that sword had left other complications in his body.


    Lachlan''s irritating applause rang out as he stepped slowly from the tree line, his face wearing a bright smile.


    "We truly have a connection, don''t we, young talented chef?"


    Lachlan received the monster core from his subordinate, examining it briefly.


    "Tier 2 Phase 7, not bad at all. Thanks!"


    Nathan didn''t open his mouth to speak, contemplating how to handle this situation. Earlier, when hearing Argentius and Evelyn''s warnings, he could have used the time to leave. However, his team had struggled to defeat the Forest Hydra, so he didn''t want to abandon everything. At least now the bracelet had changed its point count. His jumped up by over two hundred points, suggesting the mechanism split the points. He was just wondering why the essence from the monster had flowed almost entirely to him.


    The precious monster core might also have some unknown effect on the scoring system, but the current situation didn''t look favorable enough for him to reclaim it. Besides Lachlan, there were three others. Two weren¡¯t in uniform, while the other was the girl with Shadow Aspect who had shown herself at the gathering.


    Outnumbered, and outmatched in power.


    "Oh, beautiful lady," Lachlan whistled toward Evelyn, "would you like to join my team? I promise to treat you exceptionally well."


    Hearing this, Evelyn frowned, her hand emanating white smoke.


    "Why so quiet?" Lachlan pouted in contempt. "You two don''t think much of me, do you?"


    "You''ve got the monster core," Nathan replied irritably. "What else do you want?"


    "You," Lachlan spread his hands saying, his gaze even more intense than when he looked at Evelyn.


    Nathan shuddered, if he didn''t know a bit about Lachlan, he would have misinterpreted that look as something more sinister.


    He glanced toward Evelyn, nodding once. This fight couldn''t be won. The most viable option: run.


    "Come with me and cook for me," Lachlan said. "If you please me, I might even save a spot in the top 64 for you."


    Nathan raised both hands, appearing to surrender.


    "Well," the young man who had cut him smirked, "quite reasonable."


    Then, Nathan turned the back of his hand toward Lachlan''s group, lowered his fingers, leaving only the middle one raised.


    The frowns shooting his way coincided with a rain of ice bullets from Evelyn. He crouched down, springing backward. Mid-jump, he abandoned all subtlety or hesitation, grabbed Evelyn''s sleeve, and threw her ahead of him.


    Evelyn showed no reaction, just using the momentum to clear a path.


    Just as Nathan completed another leap, Evelyn''s ice rain was deflected. When the bullets were about to hit his back, she dissipated them, causing him no harm.


    "Catch them," Lachlan commanded leisurely, hands clasped behind his back as he followed unhurriedly.


    The young man in the cloak threw his sword forward, jumped onto it, then summoned winds to help him surge forward. The girl in uniform melted into the darkness, leaving no trace.


    "Son of a bitch, just my luck," Nathan cursed aloud.


    About to curse Lachlan when [Bad Omen] appeared.


    "I will be caught by him."


    Triggered [Bad Omen]. Prediction is false. One credit given.


    This thing he''d rather not believe or think much about. Even by deduction, many situations could occur. For instance, being eliminated from The Shifting Trials entirely.


    Feeling pressure behind him, Nathan, in mid-jump, twisted to punch to his right. Meeting him was the flat of the sword from that young man. The wind explosion between them helped him create more distance. However, simultaneously, slashes difficult to see carved into his Qi Armor with continuous shockwaves.


    Taking out alcohol to drink, he channeled speed from Thunder Embrace into his body. Lightning flashed at his chest.


    Right after, he saw a silver light flash.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    With a clap, his hands caught the knife in the female assassin''s hand as she emerged from a tree''s shadow. He was about to pull her in for a headbutt when she dissolved, abandoning her weapon in his hands.


    He threw the knife in the remaining direction. It was easily deflected by that young man.


    Just because he stopped for a moment, two tendrils created from shadows had formed to bind his legs. Not too worried, he took out a handful of sphere-shaped objects, throwing them around.


    The Artificer''s bombs exploded, blowing away leaves, branches, and dust. Most importantly, the light disrupted the Shadow Aspect technique. The tendrils became weak and unstable. With one strong motion, he tore through them, person launching forward.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Suddenly he felt an opposing wind, powerful and domineering. His speed decreased very quickly. As the sword approached, he turned his head, using [Martial Art Mastery] to exchange with his opponent. Sparks flew as his gauntlets clashed with the sword. At the same time, he had to carefully dodge invisible air slashes or edges clinging to that sword.


    When he saw the girl''s form materialize once again, he suddenly lost balance under his feet. He went along with falling on his backside, just in time to dodge a horizontal slash. The ice under his bottom was freezing cold, but helped him slide along a thin and narrow ice path. Surrounding him were glowing snowballs. Evelyn''s purpose was to help him weaken that girl''s techniques, who was no different from an assassin.


    Lachlan isn''t making a move, Nathan calculated silently, so there must be one more person.


    As he feared, another sound jumped out from the forest. He only saw a punch as large as half his body flying toward him.


    Letting out a harsh laugh, he swung his arm in response.


    With a boom, both sides were knocked back, the aftershocks shaking the surrounding grass and trees.


    The sword-wielding young man reached out to catch his companion. His hand spread open, creating a gentle breeze to neutralize the momentum.


    The person wearing the mechanical gauntlet nodded in thanks. He raised his gauntlet to inspect it, eyes widening in surprise at the enemy''s destructive power. The huge gauntlet had deformed, with electrical sparks like snakes crackling around it. Creating such damage with just physical strength, he dared not imagine what Nathan could do if he were an equal Tier 2, able to use mana.


    He removed the gauntlet, storing it in his spatial ring for later repair. Taking out a new one, he used jet boots to continue the pursuit.


    Nathan had no time to catch his breath, struggling incessantly. The enemy''s attacks were truly unbearable, always maintaining a certain distance rather than coming close. Even when they got close, they would immediately separate him. They targeted him and didn''t split their formation to catch Evelyn. However, this was also good, as it created an advantage for the girl to launch surprise attacks from the front, reducing pressure on him.


    Evelyn proved herself a formidable contestant in The Shifting Trials by not only helping create ice paths for Nathan to slide faster but also attacking. By leaving mana anchor points along the way, she skillfully hid them in the night. Then when enemies approached, she made them explode into small ice spikes. While this attack method didn''t cause massive damage, it was just enough to harass. Most importantly, it didn''t drain her mana too quickly. Since the battle with Forest Hydra, she hadn''t had time to fully recover. Mana from the mana stone she crushed was absorbed with lower efficiency compared to meditation.


    "Need my help?" Argentius''s question echoed in Nathan''s head.


    "No," he was resolute. "Keep to the outer perimeter and maintain distance from us. Report any monsters you encounter."


    "Understood," Argentius complied.


    Nathan couldn''t let Argentius reveal himself. Not just because he wanted to keep it hidden when the situation hadn''t reached desperation, but also because Lachlan''s team might thoughtlessly change targets. After all, this was an event based on points. He figured eliminating contestants might also bring points, but currently both Evelyn and he only brought value equal to Argentius. Wasting time on them wasn''t worth it.


    The most worrying thing was that he had a life protection ring while Argentius didn''t. One careless moment and his partner would be beyond redemption. Even if Argentius was strong, Nathan wasn''t confident the monster had enough potential when compared to Lachlan. That bastard hadn''t even made a move and he was already concerned enough.


    He heard a hissing sound near his ear and immediately focused, turning his head to look back.


    A barrage of rockets was fired at him by that Artificer. When he changed direction, they would still pursue without letting up. The speed wasn''t fast, as if just wanting to warn him.


    He charged straight into a tree trunk, legs swinging with all his might. Under his kick, the tree tilted to one side, the part near the roots breaking, revealing the jagged inner flesh of the tree. He dug his hands into the rough surface of the tree, grimacing as he used force then uprooted it completely. The tall tree became his staff, swinging at the rockets making them explode spectacularly, light bursting like fireworks.


    The three pursuers were blinded, especially the girl hidden in the night. When they could see clearly, they saw a huge tree trunk hurtling toward them. The girl melted into a nearby shadow. The cloaked young man swung his sword to cut the trunk. The remaining Artificer used his gauntlet to block.


    "Careful," the girl called out.


    From three angles, three boulders large enough to crush them were thrown.


    The young man skillfully used wind to dodge. The Artificer raised his gauntlet, creating a small explosion from his palm, just in time to block the boulder flying toward him.


    "What a troublesome Tier 1," he grumbled.


    His companion''s cloak shifted slightly as his neck nodded in agreement.


    Nathan continued running, flying and jumping between branches and tree limbs. The girl using Shadow Aspect was probably limited by distance, or she would have caught up to him already. As for Wind Aspect, although it moved quickly, trees were still wind''s enemy, creating enough obstacles to prevent reaching maximum speed. And dealing with the Artificer, he just needed to occasionally do as before.


    It seemed because this was an area near Forest Hydra''s territory, Argentius couldn''t find another Tier 2 monster to report information about. The plan to use monsters as interference still had no way out.


    Sometimes when looking back along his escape route, Nathan clearly saw Lachlan''s figure flickering under the artificial moonlight. He walked but always kept up, standing there observing like a ghost.


    Nathan felt like he was being tested by a superior being. With that ability, Lachlan had many opportunities to grab him without needing this drawn-out chase with three subordinates.


    "Nathan," Argentius contacted.


    "Talk to me," Nathan''s voice hopeful.


    "No monsters anywhere," Argentius said.


    "Keep looking."


    "But there''s a group of people also fighting each other. Do you want to head in that direction?"


    After a moment''s thought, he replied.


    "Lead the way."


    The communication channel between Argentius and Nathan didn''t use language, but rather concepts. So, with just a thought, Argentius could send a general direction to his partner.


    "Evelyn," Nathan called out, expecting she would adapt to his sudden change in tactics. The girl couldn''t possibly have missed the growing tension in his voice.


    With a powerful leap, he changed direction, angling left toward the nearest mountain peak.


    Their pursuers remained relentless, never more than a few strides behind. Fortunately, Evelyn read his intentions and chose to follow. In retrospect, she could have easily maintained her original course and escaped this mess entirely. If she truly wanted to abandon Nathan, she''d had as many opportunities as Lachlan had to capture them. Yet she stayed.


    The main problem now was their reversed positions. She no longer led the way, creating paths and setting hidden strikes to support him. Instead, they moved in parallel, making mutual support far more challenging.


    Evelyn was forced to move diagonally, reducing her distance to Nathan to maintain the effectiveness of her abilities. The closer formation, however, left them both more vulnerable to area attacks.


    The enemy took full advantage of this tactical shift, focusing their assault on Nathan with renewed vigor.


    Wind Aspect slashes carved into his Qi Armor like a geometric nightmare. Knives formed from the shadows of leaves, trees, and stones rained down thicker than a summer storm. The Artificer''s endless barrage of rockets and bullets gave them no moment''s respite.


    Nathan could only endure, alternating between rolling across the ground and immediately springing back into motion, seizing any chance to counterattack. Even his weakest retaliations could slow their pursuers momentarily. The shadow tendrils proved manageable thanks to his Berserker state, while Evelyn''s ice walls deflected the worst of the wind attacks. Yet despite his resilient frame, injuries accumulated rapidly ¨C if not in open wounds, then in deep bruises that would have crippled a lesser fighter.


    The essence absorbed from the Forest Hydra depleted at an alarming rate, consumed by his constant need to maintain Qi Armor. He''d hoped that essence would fuel his breakthrough to Tier 2 Phase 4, given how challenging the monster had been to defeat. Now it slipped away like water through his fingers.


    Finally, Evelyn closed the distance between them, made possible only by his stubborn determination to buy time by absorbing hits that should have felled him.


    The three pursuers were showing signs of fatigue, internally cursing Nathan''s cockroach-like tenacity. They''d clearly damaged him, yet the red-clad warrior kept rising and running as if his stamina knew no bounds. When they spotted him drinking from his alcohol flask again, they began to doubt their chances of winning this war of attrition.


    "You two maintain pressure," the sword-wielder commanded. "Wait for my signal."


    His teammates needed no verbal acknowledgment. They immediately intensified their assault, burning through their energy reserves at an unprecedented rate.


    Only Evelyn''s masterful ice control kept Nathan from buckling under the sudden increase in pressure. When he caught sight of her ashen face, his stomach twisted with concern. Without hesitation, he retrieved another flask from his Spatial Pouch. His eyes darted across their surroundings until he spotted a narrow gap free of obstacles. The flask flew through the air toward it.


    "Catch!" he shouted to Evelyn.


    The shadow-wielding girl, ever vigilant, formed an arcane hand seal. A blade of pure darkness materialized by the tree trunk where the flask would pass.


    Just as the shadow blade seemed certain to shatter the container, an icebolt intercepted it. Evelyn snatched the flask from the air, taking a deep draught. The burning liquid spread through her system, its spicy warmth accompanied by a surge of mana. Though not completely restored, she no longer teetered on the edge of exhaustion.


    Her ice powers intensified accordingly. Icebolts flew with renewed precision, forcing their pursuers to adjust their approach. She even managed to flash-freeze the forest''s ambient moisture, causing their enemies to slip or lock up momentarily.


    Both sides pushed themselves to their limits, neither willing to yield.


    "Almost there," Argentius announced through their link.


    Nathan''s spirit lifted at the words, his feeling of being cornered diminishing slightly. Just a little longer, he told himself. Just a little more...


    "Watch out!" Evelyn''s scream pierced the air.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    Through the forest''s darkness, Nathan witnessed vegetation being sliced to ribbons in the distance.


    Evelyn darted in front of him, hands raised to manifest walls of ice.


    The furthest ice wall met the mysterious force and split in two, the residual energy shattering it completely.


    Seeing this, Evelyn''s face tightened with concentration as she poured more power into her defenses.


    Yet each subsequent wall met the same fate ¨C cleaved through and shattered.


    Nathan lunged forward, his hands finding Evelyn''s shoulders.


    She started at his touch, but before she could turn, she found herself airborne, thrown clear just as he had done before. His aim was precise, choosing a trajectory free of obstacles. As she sailed away, the young swordsman stomped the ground, unleashing a battle cry that spoke of imminent violence.


    The remaining ice walls collapsed under his sword strike, the attack continuing toward Nathan.


    He raised both arms, activating the mana defensive membrane from his Vambraces. The protection shattered instantly, both Vambraces cleaved through like paper.


    Palm still wreathed in Qi Armor, he thrust forward. The force drove him backward, his feet carving furrows in the earth. He directed his essence solely to his hands, abandoning other defenses in his desperate attempt to block the invisible slash. Wind blades dispersed on impact, scoring his face, chest, and neck ¨C not deep enough to draw blood immediately, but leaving marks that would soon weep red.


    His essence reserves dwindled rapidly, yet still the attack pressed against his defense.


    In the distance, the swordsman pointed forward and uttered a single word:


    "Explode!"


    Nathan barely registered the command before his world became chaos. His body flew like a ragdoll, but even mid-flight, he felt the wind-forged needles piercing him from every angle. Blood sprayed from countless wounds, staining his uniform crimson.


    The impact when he finally stopped left him dazed, uncertain how many trees he''d destroyed in his trajectory.


    He lay still, his mind a jumble of fractured thoughts. Pain screamed from every nerve, threatening to drag him into the comfort of unconsciousness.


    Muffled sounds reached his ears through the ringing. A familiar coldness touched his shoulder blade.


    Evelyn. She called his name with increasing urgency. He forced his eyes to focus, shaking his head to clear the fog. His hand pressed against the ground, seeking purchase, but found little strength. The wind needles continued their assault on his circulation. Only his external wounds showed signs of healing, thanks to Physical Cultivation.


    So this is what they mean by internal injuries, Nathan thought with grim humor as clarity slowly returned.


    Fighting monsters in Moirath Forest had been one thing, but humans were another matter entirely. The human body might be fragile, but its capacity for dealing damage far exceeded mere beasts. Their techniques carried not just obvious destruction but hidden perils. Even now, the wind aspect wreaked havoc through his system.


    "Wine," Nathan managed to groan.


    Evelyn responded immediately, tipping the flask to his lips. This wasn''t his cultivation blend with its herbs and enhancers ¨C just pure mana and essence for recovery. Evelyn, who had no use for the essence, could have discarded it. Nathan, however, needed it desperately to combat the wind aspect ravaging his body. The process brought pain equal to his Physical Cultivation sessions, but its effectiveness was undeniable. Gradually, the invisible needles began to dissipate.


    The sound of applause cut through the night. Lachlan''s voice carried his praise.


    "Now that''s true Physical Cultivation," his eyes gleamed with fascination. "Truly rare indeed. I believe the only other practitioner I''ve met came from the east. Even there, this path is as scarce as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns."


    Evelyn rose to her feet, assuming a combat stance.


    "You''re strong, I''ll grant you that," Lachlan said. "Even I would need to exercise caution. But you''re still not enough to face all of us."


    Evelyn''s gaze swept over the three who had arrived before Lachlan''s appearance. The situation had gone from bad to impossible for her and Nathan.


    She glanced down at Nathan''s struggling form, clearly puzzled by his refusal to employ Argentius.


    At that precise moment, an explosion rocked the area nearby.


    A dark figure hurtled between Lachlan and Evelyn, cratering the ground upon impact.


    From the opposite direction emerged a group of five people.


    Their leader was Ruby Voss.

 Chapter 60

    An awkward silence fell among those present.


    Ruby Voss narrowed her eyes, her pursuit halting as she took in the figures before her.


    Lachlan tilted his head, his face showing interest rather than displeasure. His gaze swept across the shadows between the trees before returning to the red-clad young man still struggling to his feet.


    Evelyn moved closer to Nathan, knowing this was his intention. Tier 2 cultivators could project their spirit to scout the surroundings, but the radius was limited to between tens and a hundred meters at most. To know about Ruby Voss''s presence, Argentius must have helped.


    The clanking and whirring of machinery made everyone turn to look at the deep pit.


    A figure in modern orange and black armor climbed up. The armor was a masterpiece of mechanical invention with a sturdy exterior. The metallic surface was smooth and pristine. Various heavy weapons were mounted on it. The joints were perfectly calibrated to allow the wearer unrestricted movement without any hindrance. On the chest was painted the image of a purple eagle. Currently, smoke was billowing from a round hole in the back as its owner stood up. The helmet retracted down to the neck, revealing a weary face with dark circles under the eyes.


    He pushed his messy blonde hair to one side, smiling.


    "Quite a gathering, isn''t it?"


    "Laurent Nyralith," Lachlan''s voice brimmed with joy. "You seem to be struggling quite a bit."


    "One against five, what else could you expect?"


    Nathan lay there listening in surprise. He had heard of this Nyralith scion - a genius among Artificers. What''s noteworthy was that he rose not through natural talent but through passion and diligence. Rumors said he heavily abused stimulants to stay awake day after day for research and crafting. The consequence was the lifeless eyes that permanently resided on his face.


    As for his injuries, Nathan had recovered significantly. The Titan Bloodline combined with his Tier 2 Physical Cultivation physique was something none present would consider. He remained lying down to wait for a chance to escape. Acting now didn''t seem appropriate.


    "Shall we all mind our own business then?" Ruby Voss spoke up.


    Her appearance now matched the others better, wearing a black form-fitting outfit that still allowed freedom of movement and combat capability. Her hair was tied up neatly. Her gem-like eyes looked toward Lachlan.


    "You''d like that, wouldn''t you?" Lachlan smirked.


    "Lachlan," Ruby''s voice hardened, "now is not the time for us to fight."


    "That''s not for you to decide," Lachlan flatly rejected her advice.


    Ruby reassessed her situation. She had the numerical advantage, five against Lachlan''s four. Thus, the situation depended on the remaining two. The presumptuous chef and the blue-haired girl were certainly hostile to Lachlan. The advantage remained hers.


    "Fighting won''t do you any good," Ruby said coldly.


    "You think you''re so clever?" Lachlan mocked. "Don''t project your shallow perspective onto me."


    At that, Ruby''s gaze lowered, clearly showing anger. The conflict between her father and Regional Commander Axel Rourke guaranteed inevitable clashes between her and Lachlan. However, The Shifting Trials had only just begun. She still wanted to hunt for treasures and rewards that the nation had placed within this pocket dimension.


    "Then we''ll withdraw," Ruby conceded, turning to leave.


    "Who said you could leave?" Just as Lachlan asked, his three subordinates spread out to surround her group.


    "Don''t you think you''re going too far?" Ruby asked in irritation. "Even if you defeat me, you''ll pay a price."


    "That''s exactly your stupidity," Lachlan spread his arms, "assuming I won''t pay the price. You think I care that much about the results of The Shifting Trials? That I''m invested in those rewards and treasures? Don''t forget, this isn''t my first time in such an event."


    Ruby was speechless. She could talk tough to others, but against someone as malicious as Lachlan, she found herself at a disadvantage.


    "Want revenge, Laurent?" Lachlan offered.


    Ruby''s heart grew cold when she saw those lifeless eyes flash with a spark.


    In response, Laurent activated his armor''s helmet, which rotated back into place with metallic sounds.


    Ruby looked toward Evelyn, the final remaining party, directly ignoring Nathan.


    Receiving a confirming nod from her opponent, Ruby let out a breath, regaining some confidence.


    With a wave of his hand, Lachlan ordered his companions to attack. Laurent Nyralith''s full-body armor lit up, jets of flame shooting from beneath his feet as he flew toward the enemy.


    The four on Ruby''s side drew their equipment, fearlessly meeting the challenge. The two leaders hadn''t yet moved, their eyes locked on each other.


    When Ruby glanced sideways at her temporary ally, she only saw the red-clad young man already standing, staring intently at her. His gaze made her heart grow even colder.


    "Run!" Nathan said, loud enough for Evelyn to hear.


    The others were Tier 2s and could hear clearly through their encompassing Spirit, but couldn''t stop mid-attack. Internally, they cursed Nathan''s ancestors.


    Evelyn offered no resistance, channeling the mana she''d been gathering into a thick ice wall that split everything into two sides. Then, she spread her hand toward the ground, creating an ice path for her and Nathan to escape.


    "Chef," Lachlan''s voice was cheerful. "Don''t let me catch you again!"


    Nathan remained vigilant despite hearing those words. He hadn''t forgotten Lachlan''s ghost-like movement ability, fearing an ambush if he lowered his guard. However, Evelyn and he had already covered considerable distance. The sounds of combat between the two sides grew fainter with no signs of pursuit.


    He let out a relieved breath.


    "Seems like we''re not being chased anymore," he said to Evelyn.


    "Appears so," Evelyn nodded.


    Despite the intense combat, her appearance remained largely undisturbed. Her clothes were still neat. Her silky hair sparkled in the darkness.


    As for Nathan, like her fighting style, he was completely disheveled.


    "Why aren''t you wearing armor?" Evelyn asked.


    "I only have one set," Nathan said bitterly. "Those self-operating defensive gear with mana stones are too damn expensive."


    Evelyn nodded in agreement. Tier 2 armor required the power of a tier 2 cultivator to activate. The difference between raw mana and mana refined through spirit was immense.


    Nathan had considered buying a backup set, but after checking, he found the armor''s durability was only comparable to Qi Armor. Combined with the extortionate price, he''d passed. He planned to use it in the final stages of The Shifting Trials, increasing his chances of success.


    That previous strike, though powerful, could have been resisted if he''d raised his Berserker state slightly higher. No need to waste armor unnecessarily.


    Argentius joined them at the crossroads leading toward the nearest mountain.


    The group decided to leave the forest, heading toward the area of jagged rocks, hoping to find a cave for shelter.


    After some searching, Nathan and Argentius found one near a sheer cliff face. Surrounding rocks and sparse vegetation provided natural camouflage. After driving away some insects from the cave, Nathan entered to clean up and make fire. He also took out pre-purchased camping equipment to set up a comfortable resting spot. A narrow bed on one side, chairs near the fire.


    "Come in!" Nathan called to Evelyn and Argentius waiting outside.


    Nathan took out some dried meat to prepare it more appetizingly. While waiting, Evelyn spoke up.


    "I thought you would help Ruby Voss?"


    "We got on bad terms," Nathan said simply to explain his situation.


    Indeed, everyone would have expected him to help defeat Lachlan. With him there, Evelyn would participate. Six against five would have significantly increased their chances of victory. Mainly, Ruby''s treatment had left an impression on him. He respected those who respected him. Ruby had never considered he would be a crucial link in an important future process that night.


    "Leaving seems to have been the wise choice," Evelyn commented. "Unlike Ruby, Lachlan appears ready to sacrifice his companions."


    "That''s understandable," Nathan agreed. "He just needs to promise benefits. Whether they continue The Shifting Trials or not doesn''t matter. But how did they gather so quickly?"


    Evelyn held out her hand, showing a badge with a blue cloud design.


    "Through things like this," she said.


    "Does everyone at Azure Lake Academy have one?"


    "No, Reza gave this to me."


    Nathan pressed his lips together hearing that. He clearly heard the disdain in her voice.


    "Must be expensive and hard to get, right?"


    "How would I know?" Evelyn said indifferently.


    Nathan smiled. If not, everyone would have them already. Even Zeryn hadn''t shared this.


    He didn''t dwell on the issue further, returning to food preparation. Fighting all evening had left him starving.


    Evelyn only ate a small portion, still full from her earlier meal with Argentius. Nathan devoured the rest ravenously, forgetting to maintain appearances. When he noticed Evelyn''s gaze, he knew it was too late to salvage his image and gave up trying.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    After eating, he asked Evelyn to keep watch while he took a nap. With Argentius nearby, he wasn''t too worried she would attack or harm him.


    With the help of [Efficient Sleep], he only needed an hour to wake up in a much better state. His mind was no longer sluggish like after enduring that strike. The blood vessels in his body no longer responded with stinging pain.


    When he opened his eyes, he caught Evelyn halting her movements.


    She was pulling up her right sleeve, her left hand holding a medicinal ointment. A bruise appeared in Nathan''s view.


    He sat up abruptly, moving closer to look. The injury was a large bruise, somewhat disturbing to see. He frowned as he realized.


    "Was this because of me?"


    Evelyn shifted uncomfortably, mumbling.


    "You''re too close."


    Nathan looked up, their eyes only a hand''s width apart. Those crystal-ice eyes seemed to look straight into his soul.


    Startled and dazed, he awkwardly backed away, knocking over items with a clatter.


    "I''m sorry," he finally managed after a pause.


    "It''s nothing," Evelyn said, her tone gentle. "You had to do it then."


    Remembering the aftermath, he blinked, his face slightly scrunching up.


    "Is your shoulder also injured?"


    Evelyn paused, about to deny it but then nodded.


    Nathan stiffened. He''d never collaborated with anyone or tested his strength, forgetting how powerful he actually was. He had tried to be as gentle as possible when grabbing his new teammate''s hand. However, looking at her delicate frame, he felt guilty for not being more precise in controlling his strength.


    Others would have cursed him out by now. Or at least given him a lecture. Evelyn was sparing with words and just stayed silent.


    Taking out a small candy box, he handed it to Evelyn.


    "Pain relief candy," he explained. "Has some healing properties too. Tomorrow I''ll find some ingredients to make soup or something to help you."


    Evelyn took the candy box, saying.


    "I''ll take the candy, but you don''t need to go to such trouble."


    "I want to. Otherwise, I''ll die from guilt."


    Evelyn didn''t protest further. She took out a bright red round candy and put it in her mouth. The sweet candy melted with a cooling sensation, making her eyes brighten. This could definitely be a tasty snack.


    "Eat as much as you like because I have plenty," Nathan said with a smile. He''d scraped away most of the Blood Moss in Moirath Forest before leaving.


    Evelyn nodded, taking a few more pieces into her mouth. Though she didn''t smile, she showed some happiness. The pain truly subsided very quickly.


    Nathan saw this and let out a breath, considering it somewhat of a recovery.


    "Well done, young man," Argentius, lying flat on the ground nearby, teased.


    "Make one more snarky comment and I''ll reduce your food portion," Nathan responded irritably.


    "Hmph, always threatening me with food."


    "As long as it works, right?"


    Nathan''s reply was met with a growl from the cat, carrying no threat whatsoever.


    Evelyn curiously looked at Argentius as if wanting to ask something. But unlike Mirela, she only dared to look, not reaching out to make any gesture.


    Nathan silently observed everything, thinking about what to do next.


    When night turned to dawn and Evelyn had rested enough to recover her mana to peak levels, the three packed everything and left the cave.


    Having deviated in one direction, the group decided to explore the southwestern region of the area. If anything changed, they would alter course later.


    Greeting them were Stone Skippers along the mountain slopes. These goat-like monsters could blend into rocks, making them hard to detect. Notably, they could also conceal their aura, making them difficult to spot even with Evelyn''s vigilant spirit. Nathan nearly got knocked down, barely managing to grab their horns and throw himself back.


    The Stone Skippers then went into hiding. They weren''t aggressive types, the butting was just for self-defense. Though these monsters weren''t dangerous, they were annoying with their ear-piercing cries. It was like a chain reaction - when one started wailing, the next would join in. Before one knew it, the entire cliff face and valley echoed with goat cries.


    Avoiding that hassle, Nathan and Evelyn ignored them. This environment wasn''t suitable for them anyway.


    Then upon reaching the plateau, Nathan''s group was forced into combat when encountering a herd of Wind Runners. Similar to the Gale Foxes in Moirath Forest, these antelope-like monsters used wind as their combat foundation. They moved quite fast, using sharp horns to attack. When trying to disorient opponents, they would create dust storms with their hooves.


    Although they were Tier 1 monsters, Evelyn and Nathan struggled for a while to defeat them. These creatures were just as noisy as the Stone Skippers, and they constantly kicked up dust to obscure both fighters'' vision. Argentius could have resolved it in an instant but followed Nathan''s order to stay back.


    The difficulty increased when the Tier 2 monster leading the Wind Runners coordinated their movements. It was Nathan''s first time facing organized tactical attacks from monsters.


    The Wind Runners used a diamond formation to attack. The lead runner would charge at the enemy. If Evelyn blocked it with ice techniques, two runners on the sides would combine forces to attack. Then, the last one would gather wind in its horns, launching a mini storm to disrupt their formation. The initial three would regroup after impact, re-establishing formation. This was just from one side - the monsters performed this from all four directions.


    With the Tier 2 Wind Runner''s help, Evelyn''s attacks were somewhat hindered.


    Argentius, watching everything in frustration, went to confront the Tier 2 monster. He used his negotiation ability to intimidate. After a while, the Wind Runners came to a peace agreement, no longer fighting to the death with the two humans.


    Evelyn and Nathan left with gloomy expressions, contemplating the difficulty of The Shifting Trials. Including last night''s Forest Hydra, both struggled to defeat Tier 2 monsters. Nathan knew Evelyn was stronger than she showed. The focus was on benefits not outweighing risks. She could go all out fighting the Wind Runner, but would need extensive rest afterward to continue.


    Nathan knew she was aiming for Tier 3 monsters. Thinking of this, he truly felt amazed at Adrian''s capability, who topped the rankings. Even if not Tier 3 monsters, his continuous defeat of Tier 2 monsters was already frightening.


    Nathan wasn''t weak either, proving his strength when encountering the third type of mountain monster, Stone Mimics. These monsters could copy human forms and completely countered Evelyn. Her ice powers caused minimal damage to them. This demonstrated how monster battles heavily depended on individual advantages.


    Like a madman, Nathan jumped into the enemy formation to attack. His fists and kicks left whistling sounds and deafening explosions in their wake. The Stone Mimics'' rock surface was like cake under his hands. Combined with his high-quality gloves, each of his strikes sent Stone Mimics falling like dominoes. These monsters'' vital part was actually more like parasites. Whenever a stone humanoid fell, they would jump to another rock, starting to establish a new entity.


    Outside, whenever Evelyn saw the small black slimy things that looked like slime, she would freeze them. Then with a squeeze of her hand, she would end the monster''s life.


    When facing the Tier 2 Stone Mimic, Nathan regained his confidence. He fought it without taking a single step back. The monster''s giant form cast a shadow over his entire body. Yet now, as they locked in a four-handed test of strength, the monster was the one trembling. Its stone joints continuously shuddered, as if unable to hold on much longer.


    Nathan roared, pushing forward with both hands, making the monster stagger and nearly fall. It flailed its arms, trying to block his advance.


    Triggered [Counter Strike]. One credit given.


    This new skill adjusted perfectly to his fighting style. His body instinctively spun in mid-air, his leg kicking straight into the Stone Mimic''s elbow joint. Nathan''s strength combined with the monster''s momentum created an impact force beyond its endurance threshold. With a crack, the Stone Mimic''s arm - as large as Nathan''s entire body - fell limply. Its featureless head spun wildly as if in disbelief.


    Nathan was still in his jumping motion, launching continuous punches at the monster''s chest. In mere seconds, he had attacked dozens of times. Unable to withstand more, the Stone Mimic''s rocky chest shattered, revealing the black parasitic substance inside.


    When the black mass tried to summon more rocks from the surroundings, Nathan grabbed it, tearing away the tendrils it was using to attach to the solid body, and threw it behind him to Evelyn. She froze it but didn''t crush it yet. After a while, without a host, the monster died. The black slime solidified like coal disintegrating when Evelyn dispelled her technique, dropping the monster core inside.


    The arms of both people trembled. Essence simultaneously entered Nathan''s body.


    "You''re not absorbing the essence?" Nathan asked curiously. He could sense the essence could actually be shared. Given her level, Evelyn could absorb even more if she wanted.


    "What for?" Evelyn asked with wide eyes.


    "For cultivation."


    Evelyn frowned.


    "I had suspicions before, but after what Lachlan said, it''s confirmed. You''re a Physical Cultivator, aren''t you?"


    Nathan shrugged, nodding.


    "I''m not familiar with this path. But from what I''ve observed, I can deduce a bit. Unless I absorb corresponding neutralizing medicines, taking in essence will just be wasteful. Sometimes it even disrupts the internal balance when clashing with mana. If eating properly like when you cook, then maybe it would have an effect."


    Nathan made an "oh" sound, seeing for the first time a superior aspect of Physical Cultivation. It was indeed so. Sects like Verdant Spire rarely sent disciples to kill monsters. They mainly did it for training and reinforcing foundations rather than absorbing essence. Monster cores were what most cultivators aimed for since they contained the most essence and were preserved almost perfectly. When refined by Alchemists, they became medicine for advancement. The main issue was that unlike Physical Cultivation, they couldn''t grow stronger immediately while fighting.


    He tossed the Stone Mimic''s monster core to Evelyn, saying.


    "Consider it fair compensation."


    Evelyn nodded, storing the item in her spatial ring.


    "Next time, just absorb the essence and store it in your body," Nathan suggested. "I''ll help you with the neutralization issue."


    "Alright," Evelyn agreed immediately without bargaining.


    Having established a balanced exchange relationship between them, Nathan and Evelyn continued forward.


    When night fell, they found a place to stop. This time it was a small mountain valley with a babbling stream. The surrounding air was slightly humid but overall cool and pleasant.


    Nathan scooped stream water into the pot, deciding to make soup as he had promised Evelyn earlier. The stream water, mixed with mana and essence energies, carried special effects, allowing him to reduce some medicinal ingredients.


    While waiting for the food to simmer, Nathan went outside, choosing the brightest moonlit spot to sit down. He closed his eyes, falling into contemplation of Lunar Shadow''s skill, Lunar Resonance. As expected, though the moonlight essence in this pocket dimension was weaker than in nature, it was still sufficient for him to absorb. This was a skill that could help him cultivate Spirit Cultivation. He had been using it every night remaining in Moirath Forest. Though progress was slow, it was advancing rather than stagnating. Combined with eating the Crimson Lotus seed, he had raised his level to Phase 4.7.


    Currently, he focused on essence. He just needed a bit more to break through.


    Evelyn watched him with curious eyes. She could sense the disturbance in the surrounding energy field. Thinking about how he had defeated Lunar Shadow, she wasn''t surprised anymore.


    After about an hour, a tremor spread around. Nathan didn''t hesitate to jump forward, plunging into the stream with a splash. He would truly only find a way to bury himself in the ground if he let Evelyn smell the foul odor emanating from his body.


    A layer of black slime spread across the stream''s surface, looking disgusting. Toxins from medicines, food, and especially the Crimson Lotus seed were being expelled through his skin. With his current condition, he could eat another seed to enhance his Spirit Cultivation.


    As for Physical Cultivation, he let out a comfortable laugh.


    His skin had become tougher and more powerful, carrying a slight elasticity.


    When he returned, Evelyn watched him intently, saying.


    "You just broke through?"


    "That''s right," Nathan answered. "But just a small level."


    Small but difficult and important. Just before changing Phases, there were always additional challenges.


    Nathan cheerfully returned to cooking, believing the coming days would bring even more opportunities.


    In his uplifted mood, he began to sing, utilizing today''s talent. Singing had been granted again by [Random Talent].


    Hearing his voice, Evelyn swayed her head slightly, surprised by the young man''s vocal ability.


    "You''re quite multi-talented," she praised.


    "This?" Nathan pointed at his throat. "It varies by day."


    Evelyn seemed to have heard enough of his peculiarities and didn''t inquire further.


    Though his mood was cheerful, his songs were all melancholic. He started with the gloomy "Grenade." He truly didn''t want this, but it was one of youth''s mistakes - heartbreak and turning to music. The result was an eccentric young man using sad lyrics to express his joy.


    After singing several "catch grenade" parts and various complaints, Evelyn couldn''t help but ask.


    "Could you choose another song?"


    Nathan scratched his head, defending himself.


    "But it sounds good, doesn''t it?"


    "But it sounds like you''re resenting someone."


    Nathan wrinkled his nose, placing his hand on his chest as if Evelyn had stabbed him.


    Receiving a sidelong glance from the girl, Nathan shrank his neck, appearing to think. Finally, he could only think of one song - the one he sang with his mother during those nights driving away from their hometown seeking new shelter. Later in college, he sang it with friends during beach trips or camping.


    The lyrics of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" rose in the night. Nathan''s voice was somewhat deep, yet gentle. The mood carried a sense of nostalgia and reminiscence. Though not cheerful, it brought a feeling of lightness to the heart.


    After singing one round, Nathan showed Evelyn how to change the lyrics as his friends had done to connect with each person''s birthplace.


    When Evelyn saw Nathan bobbing his head to the rhythm signaling her, she remained silent. Feeling awkward, he continued. Seeing the young man''s warmth, the girl instead took out a flute made of green jade, sparkling in the night. She tapped her hand on the flute, learning the rhythm before finally joining in her own way.


    One sang, one played the flute, one cat listened indifferently. Nathan changed the lyrics continuously, from his homeland to those of people who had been close to him, including Jessica. He hoped that in the future when encountering this song, he would remember Zeryn, Orin, Darkan, or Zahra, Xander. And of course, if possible, the blue-haired girl sitting beside him.


    Evelyn tilted her head back and forth playing the flute. Though very faint, Nathan could still see her lips pulling up, smiling beneath the movements.


    The performance ended when the black bracelet vibrated.


    Midnight had arrived, and the rankings were about to change again.

 Chapter 61

    No one could defeat Adrian at the top position.


    Nevertheless, there were notable developments on the leaderboard. In second place, someone had broken through ten thousand points. Nathan wasn''t sure who it was, though he suspected it might be one of the Artificers. From third place downward, scores ranged from five thousand to a few thousand points.


    Looking at his own score of less than a thousand points, Nathan felt somewhat discouraged.


    His friends were having similar experiences. Zeryn''s case was particularly intriguing, with his score languishing below a hundred points. Nathan couldn''t believe this sword prodigy would perform so poorly. The only explanation was that he must have encountered some time-consuming challenge.


    Zahra and Xander were at Nathan''s level, yet to make their breakthrough. The Verdant Spire Sect had Keira maintaining their presence in the top 10.


    Unlike Nathan, Evelyn only briefly checked her ring before deactivating it. She seemed less concerned about the current situation.


    "Do you think defeating other contestants brings in points?" Nathan asked.


    "In the nature of cultivator worlds, that''s not even a question worth asking," Evelyn confirmed.


    Nathan nodded, contemplating the future volatility of the rankings. Especially in the final days, when points from monsters, trials, and items would become scarce, people would become targets.


    He was wary of groups like Lachlan''s and wouldn''t consider pursuing this dangerous direction. Even if he were lucky enough to expand his team, humans always carried more variables, making them far less predictable than monsters.


    After sufficient rest, the three-member team departed, continuing their journey.


    During their exploration, they encountered their first method of earning points that didn''t involve life-or-death combat. This trial was specifically designed for Herbalists.


    The valley where it took place was shrouded in a green mist. Upon approaching, one could feel its sharp assault on the nostrils. Outside stood a statue of a person holding a crooked staff. Up close, its exterior reflected great age. When approached, the statue would open its mouth in greeting and present the challenge.


    First was answering questions about various medicinal herbs and their properties. The list was extensive. Nathan, believing he had this knowledge, decided to test himself. Sucking on an anti-poison candy to withstand the statue''s proximity, he held a stone tablet that displayed missing information about various plants. Sometimes only names were shown, other times just images, or brief descriptions ¨C his task was to fill in all the missing information.


    Other cultivators were present. Guardians like Evelyn stood at a distance while their Herbalists participated in the trial. Currently, four others were simultaneously solving the challenge alongside Nathan.


    The beginning was easy, but the requirements from the stone tablet gradually became more demanding. Nathan felt slightly dizzy from having to answer continuously. [Cooking] was a skill he valued, but it apparently wasn''t enough to help him overcome this hurdle. There were several reasons, but the biggest current obstacle was his insufficient [Cooking] level.


    The Tier 2 Herbalists present here had mostly already encountered Tier 3 herbs. Nathan was completely self-taught, never having attended any formal institution. Thus, when the challenge touched upon Tier 3 roots or leaves, he was completely lost. Even trying to reason from his vast foundation of Tier 2 medicinal knowledge like when dissecting Shardscale Drake wasn''t enough. His errors accumulated until he lost nearly all his points, and the tablet before him dimmed, flying back to the statue''s hand.


    He had failed.


    Two others failed with him. Their faces were gloomy, muttering to themselves, wondering where they went wrong. They couldn''t even stay to discuss like students after exams. In response to their expectant gazes, Nathan just shook his head and left. Unlike the others, he clearly understood his shortcomings and mistakes. Engaging in discussion would only further expose his inadequacies.


    When he returned to Evelyn''s side, one of the two remaining competitors finally completed the test. The other watched regretfully as their tablet was mercilessly taken away.


    The ancient statue made creaking sounds as it moved, turning to lead the successful young person deeper into the poisonous mist.


    After some inquiry, Nathan learned this trial wasn''t as simple as it appeared. What lay within the poisonous mist was the most challenging part. Yesterday, someone had already attempted it, yet it remained here today. According to analysis, once completed, this trial would disappear. Therefore, entering the mist didn''t guarantee success; it was merely advancing to the next stage.


    Nathan completely abandoned any remaining hope for the trial before him. He understood his own level well enough. Unless he had the [Herbal Specialist] skill or something similar, there was no chance. [Cooking] alone wasn''t sufficient. The skill''s limitations were most apparent in cases of non-consumable preparations, such as those for inhalation or topical application, where its effectiveness was minimal.


    Without much regret, Evelyn and he continued searching for their own opportunities. The other three stayed behind to wait for the results, hoping they might get another attempt.


    "Is it getting hotter, or is it just me?" Nathan asked as they ventured deeper into the mountain range. His [Cold Resistance Aura] made him more sensitive to surrounding temperatures.


    Evelyn nodded, her face showing slight discomfort.


    As they walked further, the terrain beneath their feet changed. Normal earth and stone gave way to a hot, black surface. Stretching before them was an apocalyptic landscape. Mountains of various sizes wore two colors: black and orange. Lava flowed down mountain slopes and across the ground. Occasional tremors could be heard, followed by eruptions of deadly hot liquid onto the surface.


    Nathan reached forward to feel the air. There seemed to be an invisible barrier. Extending his hand forward, he felt intense heat, yet on this side, just inches away, the temperature remained normal.


    "Your call," Nathan said to Evelyn.


    The girl narrowed her eyes, focusing on what lay ahead. She sat down before the invisible barrier, crossing her legs and closing her eyes completely. Nathan was somewhat surprised by how much she trusted him.


    After a period of probing, Evelyn''s breathing became slightly labored.


    "There''s a treasure in there," she said.


    "Related to your element?"


    "Yes, likely ice-based, not just water."


    "Shall we proceed then?"


    "You don''t have to come along. The environment ahead is quite harsh."


    "Consider it training."


    With that, the two stepped directly into the volcanic terrain.


    A hissing sound filled Nathan''s ears. Evelyn''s ice aura was battling against the heat. Despite this, beads of sweat appeared on her face.


    Nathan wasn''t faring any better. His shoes melted upon contact with the ground. After a few steps, he decided to go barefoot. His tough and resilient skin proved to be more effective material. The downside was the pain and burning sensation. The heat radiating from the ground wasn''t ordinary; it seemed to affect him down to his bones.


    This situation wasn''t unexpected, so he gritted his teeth and endured. This was one of the training methods specific to Physical Cultivation, placing oneself in extreme environments to temper various aspects. Through this torturous process, he would increase his fire resistance. It would also enhance his body''s operational capacity, preventing his internal organs from overloading when he pushed them beyond their normal limits.


    Argentius wasn''t well-suited for this environment, especially in cat form. Nathan still didn''t want his partner to return to its original state, particularly after learning that this transformation required a very long recovery time due to its connection with organ adjustment and mana sealing.


    For the first time, it actively stayed near Evelyn. The blue-haired girl''s eyes lit up when she saw this, extending her hand in invitation. The usually thick-skinned Argentius obediently jumped up, its four paws clinging to her arm. Evelyn''s facial muscles twitched as if she couldn''t contain her emotions.


    "Not a word," Argentius warned Nathan.


    He responded with a smirk. Evelyn increased her power to provide more protection for her furry friend.


    Nathan furrowed his brows and spoke up.


    "We should keep our distance."


    "You should practice speaking more clearly," Evelyn said.


    "This is easier to demonstrate."


    He moved away from Evelyn until he noticed the change in Argentius and Evelyn''s expressions. Both looked at him strangely, suddenly realizing they had been affected by Nathan all this time.


    Nathan then moved closer to the two. The heat once again made them uncomfortable.


    He moved away, and the cooling sensation from Evelyn strengthened.


    "Understand now?" he asked.


    Both human and beast nodded, their eyes showing a hint of resentment. One for directly resisting her power, the other because it had just endured unnecessary heat with its fur coat, which easily retained heat. Now, having already committed, the tiger monster couldn''t escape Evelyn''s grasp.


    Nathan pretended not to notice his teammates'' expressions, contemplating the effects of [Cold Resistance Aura]. He had always known this skill helped his allies, but only now did he understand its mechanism. It granted cold resistance to individuals around him, rather than necessarily making the space around him warmer when near Evelyn.


    So they maintained their distance as they advanced. One side remained cool and comfortable, while the other was drenched in sweat. Nathan had to constantly replenish water and use Qi Armor to reduce evaporation from his pores.


    As they ventured deeper, the area''s residents emerged to greet them. Monster-like creatures resembling lizards with slick black skin stared at them with blazing red eyes. Magma Hoppers, according to Evelyn''s identification. Just as Nathan heard the name, one of the creatures leaped up, landing on another lava pool, moving closer to his position.


    The Magma Hoppers flicked their tongues like flames, observing these creatures from a different ecosystem with curious eyes. But their curiosity lasted only briefly; upon recognizing the differences between them, they immediately launched their attack.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    With bodies longer than a meter and a half, they both crawled and jumped between hot spots on the ground to approach their enemies. And in this area, such hot spots were abundant.


    In just moments, more than ten Magma Hoppers had surrounded the group.


    Nathan pulled out a new pair of vambraces for protection, not daring to be careless. Evelyn raised her guard, concentrating her ice power. The hot air weakened her strengths somewhat, the strain showing on her face.


    A Magma Hopper jumped forward, its mouth spewing a bright red liquid that radiated intense heat. Nathan dodged to the side, letting the creature slide past him due to its momentum. Then he struck its belly with his strength. His power killed the monster instantly. However, its danger came immediately after.


    The creature''s body exploded, revealing a sac that expanded and contracted. Inside was black and red magma.


    [Tingling Sense] and [Adrenaline Boost] kicked in as Nathan leaped away, barely avoiding the sac''s release of gas, followed by an explosion that created a small lava rain.


    He only managed to shout when he saw Evelyn successfully eliminate one on her side.


    "Watch out!"


    A blast echoed where the girl had been, mist erupting to block Nathan''s view.


    He tackled another Magma Hopper, using his feet with skilled technique to kick the creature away, causing it to crash into a small boulder and die. The resulting lava didn''t affect him.


    Looking toward the mist, a figure flew out leaving a white trail. Evelyn landed gracefully not far away, largely unharmed. As the mist dissipated, it revealed a structure like a black stone sculpture with arches, dotted with small points.


    Breathing a sigh of relief, he turned back to the remaining Magma Hoppers. Now aware of their attack pattern, he only needed to move and dodge their fire breath, then instead of killing them on the spot, kick them into the terrain to die at a distance. A few went berserk and self-destructed when close, forcing him to use the mana barrier from his vambraces for defense. The protective screen was just enough for him to retreat and quickly replace another mana stone.


    Just when it seemed the battle would conclude, the Magma Hoppers stopped, no longer advancing recklessly. They stood on hot spots where lava flowed. They flicked their tongues and let out a howl. Then hell seemed to descend around them.


    The lava lakes and pits became violent, shooting up like water columns around Evelyn and Nathan. Without much thought, both immediately ran diagonally in one direction, while still ensuring their path led deeper inside.


    Lava particles fell like rain from the sky. Moreover, the erupting columns could appear anywhere. The combination meant Nathan had to maintain intense focus, his feet moving at high speed while leaving enough space to react to any situation.


    To deal with the rain from above, Evelyn released cold air around her. What fell became earth, rocks, and various minerals. For Nathan, these were merely irritants. Evelyn deflected them with a mana shield covering her entire body.


    Suddenly, a stream of lava shot directly at Evelyn.


    Nathan spotted a boulder near him. His hand grabbed it. The surface heat seared his skin, producing the smell of roasted meat and sizzling sounds. Gritting his teeth, he used all his strength to lift the boulder. Rock fragments fell on his feet just as he threw it at the lava stream.


    The flying rock caused the lava to splash around, but it no longer flowed directly toward Evelyn. It gradually pushed back the stream, completely blocking the damage. The boulder crashed to the ground. Climbing onto it was a Magma Hopper much larger than the others, its skin glowing with luminous veins, its flame tongue erupting into a saw-like pattern on its back.


    The Tier 2 Magma Hopper''s nostrils flared, its tongue extending toward the group that had moved far from its territory.


    It dared not advance further, for beyond lay the domain of beings far more powerful than itself.


    Nathan and Evelyn could finally catch their breath when they saw the lizard-like monsters had stopped pursuing.


    Nathan took out water to drink, sharing some with Evelyn. She seemed unable to maintain a stable state in this harsh environment, needing replenishment from external sources.


    After regaining some strength, all three advanced toward where Evelyn sensed the treasure. The surrounding heat seemed to intensify progressively. Nathan''s skin felt constantly burned. He wanted to remove his clothes for relief but thought better of it in front of a lady. His Qi Armor remained in a state of constant erosion, similar to when hit by Moon Scars from Lunar Shadow, continuously fluctuating.


    Evelyn only appeared better externally, but in terms of endurance, she also struggled. After a while, she spoke up.


    "We should turn back."


    "Want to see what it is before deciding?" Nathan wiped his eyes to clear the salt from his sweat. "Can you sense how close we are?"


    They were on a hillside, the ground sloping down to the right. Ahead lay only black earth and lava pits. In the distance stretched a mountain range.


    After a moment of sensing, Evelyn nodded.


    "We''re close."


    Without another word, both continued. Argentius lay listlessly on Evelyn''s arm. Though cool, it had to use mana to protect itself whenever Evelyn used her powers. At least that was easier to handle than the deadly heat outside her protective circle.


    As they walked into a valley, Evelyn suddenly glided forward, pulling Nathan behind a wall-like rock formation nearby.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    Goosebumps rose on Nathan''s skin, despite the melting heat. A strange chill ran from his nape to his feet.


    This feeling is so familiar, he thought in horror.


    His eyes fell on his companion, Argentius, who had once brought such a sensation when it appeared in Moirath Forest. Now, even the former Forest Lord had its fur standing on end.


    Evelyn''s face hardened, becoming tense. Those crystal-like pupils seriously gazed toward the valley.


    From a cave in the cliff face near the valley''s clearing came deep, heavy thuds that shook the ground. Sand and mineral fragments jumped as the being inside moved.


    Thud after thud. A horn black as obsidian emerged, reflecting sunlight and the red flames around it. Then, a head with an elongated snout and razor-sharp jagged teeth appeared. Flames shot from between its teeth. Next, the long neck with black stone scales emerged. Its body was larger than Argentius in original form. Its tail whipped behind it, each swing spraying lava around.


    The monster threw back its head and roared. Its eyes literally spewing fire, glared obliquely upward with malice.


    "Run," unlike previous times, it was Evelyn who spoke up.


    Naturally, there was no objection.


    Nathan turned and ran. But [Tingling Sense] continued to alert him. Recognizing the danger had drawn near, he disregarded that he might harm Evelyn and grabbed her arm once more, throwing her forward. That motion barely helped her escape the cone of magma the monster breathed out.


    The rock wall they had hidden behind melted like an ice cube. As it lost shape and became liquid, it revealed a horrifying sight - burned skin, roasted flesh, bones nearly exposed.


    Nathan bit his lower lip hard, struggling to maintain a shred of clarity. He endured the pain, and ignoring everything else, leaped forward. Blood and skin separated from his back as he cut through the air. Groaning throughout the journey, he finally reached the bewildered Evelyn.


    "Ice on my back," he requested, his voice hoarse.


    Evelyn didn''t spare any strength, creating the densest ice membrane possible and pressing it against the back of the young man whose clothes were in tatters, with only a piece remaining over his stomach.


    The cold made Nathan arch backward. He thought he would pass out right there until the roar from behind made his eyes snap open.


    "Let''s go."


    Evelyn and he immediately headed toward the green forest area.


    After running for their lives for over half an hour, they finally escaped. The ground returned to brown, with patches of green vegetation here and there. The air around was humid and cool.


    Nathan collapsed, inhaling the earthy scent like life itself. He panted from pain and exhaustion.


    "I''m sorry," Evelyn dropped down beside him, her hands trembling as she wanted to touch his back but feared making the wounds worse.


    "It''s fine," Nathan remained there, back facing the sky, waving his hand. "Seeking opportunities in danger, right?"


    "But this danger was my suggestion," Evelyn said shakily, still unsure what to do.


    "I''ll recover quickly," Nathan reassured her. "What happened was unavoidable, don''t overthink it. Didn''t you still follow me despite facing Lachlan?"


    "That''s because I owed you. You don''t owe me anything."


    "Has anyone ever told you you''re stubborn?" Nathan''s cheek pressed against the ground, making his smirk look somewhat funny.


    Evelyn didn''t respond, her face maintaining its panicked expression.


    "I didn''t expect to see that expression," Nathan teased, trying to change the subject.


    "You''d better be quiet to let your wounds heal faster," Evelyn frowned.


    "Who told you that?" Nathan glared. "Talking more helps me heal faster."


    As if truly believing him, Evelyn quickly said,


    "Then keep talking. I''ll listen."


    So Nathan continued speaking honestly, despite the constant aching of the burns on his back. He really wanted to stay quiet and treat his wounds but couldn''t bear to let Evelyn feel guilty for something that wasn''t anyone''s fault. So he kept chattering about various topics, avoiding mention of their recent encounter.


    After a long while, when he felt his shoulders could move comfortably again, he asked Evelyn to remove the ice layer covering his body.


    His back, full of firm and healthy muscles, emerged with a layer of new skin. His healing ability remained exceptional as always.


    He suddenly felt a tingling sensation on his back. When he turned his head, he discovered it wasn''t from the new skin growing but from Evelyn''s intense stare. He immediately took out another shirt to put on. His Spatial Pouch had been singed but was largely unaffected.


    "I was just admiring your recovery speed," Evelyn explained.


    "I didn''t say anything," Nathan teased again. "I just felt the wind was cold, so I put on a shirt."


    The girl nodded, as if she truly only had that thought and didn''t understand any other implications from Nathan''s words.


    He shook his head, letting out a laugh, and stood up. They then found a resting spot beside a stream to replenish the water they''d depleted in the volcanic area.


    While sitting and lowering his water bottle to the stream, Nathan heard a heavy sound echoing from not far away. He perked up his ears, focusing on listening. The sound was like continuous pounding.


    When he showed his puzzlement to Evelyn, she used her spirit to investigate. Though unable to observe directly, she reported information about an area of lush green in one direction.


    With preparations complete, the team headed in that direction to investigate.


    "The monster in the volcanic area must have been a Lava Drake," Evelyn said after much contemplation.


    She had to repeatedly verify against her knowledge to avoid wrong conclusions.


    "A genuine Tier 3, right?" Nathan asked with a grimace.


    "No doubt about it. Its power was overwhelming."


    "We found a Tier 3, but our chances of defeating it for points are practically zero."


    "We''ll have to find another way then."


    While making small talk, Nathan felt his face tingling. Not an unpleasant sensation like needle pricks, but rather quite comfortable.


    Before his eyes unfolded the most magnificent natural scene he''d ever witnessed. In the distance appeared the largest waterfall he''d ever seen. The water thundered down, spraying tiny white particles. Its force was so strong that even from afar, Nathan still felt these strange raindrops. Around were wet, rugged rock formations. A pool formed right below the waterfall, clear enough to see the bottom, yet shallow enough for someone to stand in without sinking. The surrounding trees thrived, vegetation bursting with vitality.


    Evelyn beside him also marveled at this overwhelming scene.


    However, both stopped from advancing too deep. Not for any reason except the noise level. Like the volcanic area''s border, just a hand''s width away, everything would change from environment to temperature to terrain. Once they stepped through the invisible membrane, the noise level immediately increased. The impact sounds were enough to make someone dizzy if they stayed inside too long. That''s also why such a location lacked living creatures or other contestants.


    After some calculation, both tried to enter. Nathan relied on his Physical Cultivation to adjust his ear organs slightly, helping him not receive too much sound. Evelyn had it easier, using a type of mana to envelop her head. The main issue was that both might as well forget about communicating.


    The rushing and rumbling sounds grew increasingly stronger. Water spray hitting their skin began to feel heavier, no longer giving the refreshing sensation they felt from outside.


    Nathan and Evelyn stood on an earth outcrop, very close to the pure white waterfall. The water source dropping down was endless - looking up, they couldn''t see its origin, as if it all poured down from the sky, falling from clouds. The sonic vibrations gave way to the terror of physical impacts.


    The waterfall was like a white curtain, swaying with each falling rhythm. Squinting carefully, Nathan could see the rock face behind the water curtain had small protrusions, extending from one end to the other, from bottom to top.


    Is this meant for climbing? Nathan wondered.


    He signaled Evelyn to stay put while he jumped onto the path right under the waterfall. When he got close, his chest immediately felt somewhat constricted.


    To test, he extended his hand forward, letting the water strike directly onto his hand.


    When the impact hit his skin, considered the most resilient and sturdy among his peers, he withdrew his hand.


    The brief contact point turned red, as if he''d just taken a hammer to his entire forearm.


    Blinking in disbelief, Nathan guessed this must be one of The Shifting Trials'' challenges.


    He put his hand back into the waterfall. This time, he tried to endure it longer. Only when his arm was completely numb after nearly a minute did he withdraw. A stream of essence sneaked into his body. The amount wasn''t large, but that was because he only used one body part. If he immersed himself fully, the effects would surely be greater.


    He led Evelyn outside the noisy area to relay his experience. He theorized that mana shields could be used to withstand the water pressure. The longer and more one endured, the greater the corresponding rewards. For Evelyn, she could absorb both mana and essence simultaneously to level up. The waterfall''s reward might be similar to the stream Alaric rewarded his new inner disciples with, requiring no herbs for neutralization.


    Their higher aim was that if they could climb up, perhaps they would earn bonus points. The two named this area The Pressuring Fall and began discussing how to proceed.


    They didn''t notice a strange presence inside the waterfall. Or more accurately, even if they wanted to, they couldn''t have seen him.


    This mysterious person wore an old white robe, holding a rod that looked both fragile and weak. Remarkably, he was lounging right in the middle of the falling water as if the pressure that troubled the two young people was barely a mosquito bite to him.


    He swung his legs, eyes full of interest as he looked toward Nathan. The rod in his hand swung out like a fishing pole. He pretended to block his rod-holding hand with his other hand, patted his chest, and said excitedly.


    "Let''s see what these youngsters can do."


    No one heard him, only the endless rumbling of water crashing against rock.

 Chapter 62

    Nathan and Evelyn entered the narrow passage beneath the waterfall. Both had sealed their ears to some extent to reduce the noise. Without this precaution, they wouldn''t have lasted a moment.


    Nathan went first. The waterfall crashed down on his shoulders like a mountain. His back curved, emitting cracking sounds. Only now did he truly feel fear before the weight the waterfall brought. It wasn''t just one mountain pressing down on him, but mountain after mountain bearing down without cease, without even a moment''s respite.


    His shoulders tensed, neck muscles aching like during those late-night study sessions. The back of his head fared no better. His skull resonated with the noise as if his ears weren''t sealed at all. Within seconds, he had to employ Qi Armor to counteract the pressure.


    The armor crafted from essence didn''t help much as it dissipated rather quickly. Nevertheless, it was just enough for him to stand straight, his legs and knees no longer trembling as if about to break. He stepped back, shielding Evelyn as she advanced.


    He used his eyes to warn her not to underestimate the waterfall, to be careful.


    Understanding his intent, Evelyn didn''t hesitate to envelop herself in a mana barrier. She nodded to him once, signaling to proceed.


    Now properly prepared, he moved back into the waterfall. Having readied himself beforehand, he tensed every muscle to keep his body upright. His hands reached up to shield his head. The water pounded against his shoulders and back like high-speed trains crashing into him.


    Beside him, Evelyn initially collapsed under the waterfall''s force. She bent her face toward the ground, one knee pressing against the slippery stone floor. It took her a moment to properly adjust her power before she could stand again. Her eyes met Nathan''s with reassurance.


    They stood like this for a while until the scattered water droplets randomly suspended in air, then shot straight at both of them, piercing through their defensive barriers.


    Nathan felt essence flooding into his body, while Evelyn received both essence and mana. As expected, this was a high-quality, pre-refined source that required no neutralizing agent for cultivation.


    Yet Nathan couldn''t understand why he wasn''t receiving mana. He could use it to increase his Spirit Cultivation level. He based this conclusion on the fact that he was using his flesh and physical toughness to endure, with barely any trace of mana, so the reward should correspond. The question arose: why was there such a specific design for him? Physical Cultivation was a rarity in the modern cultivation world. He seemed to be the only one among over a thousand participants who practiced this path. The organizers couldn''t possibly have designed a challenge specifically for him.


    Not overthinking it, he just felt grateful for the abundant essence flowing into his body. Since he was simultaneously under pressure similar to fighting monsters, this essence encountered no resistance from the berserker path. The biggest obstacle remained that he needed to absorb an enormous amount.


    When both had filled their reserves, they emerged from the waterfall, finding a place to sit and meditate to raise their levels.


    After more than half an hour of cultivation, Nathan had raised his Physical Cultivation from Phase 4.0 to 4.2.


    He silently rejoiced at achieving such rapid advancement in just about an hour.


    Evelyn also showed surprise, evidence that she had received similar benefits.


    After finishing cultivation, both returned to The Pressuring Fall.


    Reality struck them immediately. This time, the waterfall offered no rewards no matter how long they stood there.


    Evelyn had to step out to recover mana after wasting it fruitlessly for a while. Watching the girl clutching mana stones in her hands, blue smoke rising around her, Nathan stretched.


    After enduring the waterfall for a time, his body had somewhat adapted to the intensity, so it wasn''t as draining as initially. Leaving his teammate to rest, he entered alone.


    This time, he locked his eyes on the small protrusions jutting from the sheer rock face. He reached up as water splashed into his eyes, grabbing the nearest outcrop about an arm''s length above his head. Straining, he pulled himself up.


    The waterfall''s force increased in an instant, nearly throwing him off. His fingers tensed, struggling to maintain position. His other hand quickly grabbed another outcrop, creating balance.


    The weight from the waterfall seemed to double. It also carried a sense of concentrated force. Besides his shoulders bearing what felt like the weight of an entire realm, certain spots suddenly felt like they were being struck by hammers. His skin and muscles caved in, both painful and numbing.


    Nathan gritted his teeth and endured. As expected, the water droplets suspended in mid-air, rushing into his body. Essence was once again being stored.


    When his body''s storage chamber was full, he left the waterfall. Nodding in confirmation to Evelyn, he immediately sat down to cultivate. He also allowed his physique to heal the wounds where he had been struck. Though he couldn''t see, he knew bruises covered his body. His hip, knee, and ankle joints felt ready to fall apart. If they had consciousness, they would curse Nathan for tormenting them so.


    He hadn''t warned Evelyn because he knew she could handle herself. Despite some initial awkwardness, Evelyn quickly adapted, strengthening her mana shield. Her posture wasn''t crude and rough like Nathan''s. Even under pressure, she maintained an elegant appearance. The water made her clothes cling to her body, revealing her slender figure and graceful curves. Nathan turned away when he noticed, avoiding distraction.


    After two attempts, they could conclude that one needed to endure at least fifteen minutes for rewards, thirty minutes to fill up. Add another half hour for cultivation, and one cycle took an hour.


    They continued taking turns, climbing higher to bear increasing pressure from the waterfall. Nathan''s level rose from Tier 2 Phase 4.2 to Phase 4.8 after enduring the trial three times total. Thus, the rewards increased over time rather than remaining fixed.


    On the fourth attempt, Nathan was forced to activate his Berserker state when climbing the rock outcrops. He was on the verge of being stunned if he hadn''t quickly raised his endurance. The weight made his skin burn red, blood circulation constantly impeded. He needed 10% Berserker state to maintain position and push away the disturbances the water brought.


    Evelyn was no slouch either, still able to continue.


    Two more hours passed, and Nathan broke through to Phase 5.1. The impurities in his body were washed away with the waterfall. The stench didn''t even have time to spread in the air.


    Evelyn released a wave of mana, evidence she had achieved her own breakthrough. This was truly an unimaginable benefit. The key point was that the process of bearing the waterfall''s load encountered no absorption obstacles, a problem that always occurred with cultivators. When cultivating to advance levels, one shouldn''t absorb mana and essence too quickly or too much, but must allow time for the body to adapt, solidifying the foundation. That''s why sects and organizations sent cultivators to hunt monsters or complete various missions requiring skill use.


    After tempering through different activities, the body''s foundation would reach the standard to advance to a new level. Only then should one continue absorbing mana and essence.


    Currently, the waterfall provided a complete cultivation environment. It allowed both advancement and tempering of essential aspects. The increasing weight and hammer-like impacts forced each individual to utilize their abilities maximally and effectively. From there, they improved and progressed. The spirit was also targeted. It was easy to give up when pressure increased, especially having to endure for long periods. Once giving up, all achievements would be for nothing.


    Nathan knew this because on his sixth attempt, he had overreached, losing his grip and falling after standing under the waterfall for five minutes. When ready to return, the first five minutes yielded no rewards. This was a hypothesis he had discussed with Evelyn beforehand, now verified.


    The higher they went, the greater the mental pressure became. Continuous impact made thoughts taut like bowstrings, requiring maintenance of inner calm or pushing emotions to intensity. One needed to delicately adjust to prevent the mind from affecting the body, leading to surrender.


    Evelyn stopped at the sixth level, unable to climb to the seventh. What defeated her was mana coordination rather than weaker spirit than her companion. Maintaining for just over two minutes, her mana concentration reached its limit and collapsed. To resist the great force from the waterfall, the mana shield consumed mana very rapidly each second. Evelyn suffered a deficit at the seventy-second second. When she tried to recover, it was too late.


    After several more attempts, she could only maintain at that level, unable to progress further.


    But Nathan could still continue.


    By combining Qi Armor and partial Berserker state, he managed to surpass level seven, receiving full rewards from the waterfall.


    As evening approached, after rounds of trials and rest, Nathan''s Physical Cultivation had reached Phase 5.9.


    He couldn''t believe he could advance so quickly in just a few days. By his calculations, to reach this level, he would need to kill dozens of monsters on par with Argentius. A difficulty that had always troubled him about how to progress.


    Yet now, he felt his power expanding. He was confident that at his current level, he could take hits when Argentius attacked without immediately jumping to full Berserker state. His skin grew increasingly tough, approaching metal hardness. Its toughness would make non-sharp attacks harder to cause injury. Other physical aspects improved similarly. He was confident his endurance could chase Argentius all day without excessive fatigue. The one-inch punch caused no pain and led to significantly increased destructive power.


    With a spirit burning with momentum, he nodded to Evelyn once, returning to the waterfall to accept level eight.


    After more than five minutes, he failed.


    After several more attempts, he could only maintain that much time. His hands were stiff and aching, shoulders and back trembling in protest, hip and leg joints feeling ready to slip from their positions.


    He wanted to try new techniques but rejected the idea after some thought. Poor mental state would only make him fail faster.


    Full Berserker state could be forgotten per Darkan''s warning.


    Shaking his head to shed water from his hair, he caught sight of something he hadn''t noticed before.


    He stepped back, eyes fixed on someone wearing white sitting in a far corner of the waterfall, appearing relaxed and at ease.


    He frowned, looking at the system notification. [Tingling Sense] and [Adrenaline Boost] hadn''t activated.


    So there''s no danger?


    He immediately rejected this thought. Somehow, deep down, he felt uneasy. This warning came from his bloodline, from the Titan bloodline. He couldn''t help but fear the possibility that someone could bypass the system''s barriers to bring him danger.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Turning back to shout a warning to Evelyn, he froze. His voice being drowned out by the waterfall was natural. But Evelyn had stiffened, as if frozen by her own ice. The mana air around her condensed in mid-air. She seemed separated from the world.


    He looked out beyond the waterfall area, hoping cries for help through the spiritual connection could reach out. All that answered him was a black and white cat sleeping, breathing steadily.


    He had been isolated.


    "Not testing your strength anymore?" the mysterious person spoke up, tone somewhat youthful, carrying a strange passionate feeling. His voice wasn''t transmitted into Nathan''s mind, but actually vocalized. The waterfall''s thunderous echo seemed to give way when he opened his mouth.


    Nathan slowly turned his head, warily looking toward the person. The man''s face was hidden by shadows from the rock face above, revealing only his white clothes from the chest down.


    "Who are you?"


    "Tsk, tsk. You shouldn''t answer a question with a question to your elders like that."


    Nathan remained silent, trying to think how to wake Evelyn while continuing to contact Argentius.


    "Don''t bother trying anything," the mysterious person laughed. "The tiger out there won''t be able to hear anything."


    Nathan was confused, not knowing what to do. The person must be incredibly powerful, powerful beyond his understanding.


    "No need to be so tense," he continued. "Answer my question. Don''t make me lose patience."


    "Not continuing anymore," Nathan answered. Even if he wanted to continue, he would say no now, hoping by luck this could end right here.


    "Oh? Why is that?"


    "Because I''ve reached my limit."


    "I don''t think so."


    The mysterious person reached forward, snapping his fingers with a click.


    Everything around became silent. Nathan stared up in shock. The waterfall no longer flowed, water droplets standing still in place. Everything became like an ancient ink painting. He was like an existence that didn''t belong here. A mobile entity amid all stillness.


    The person waved a rod pointing at him, speaking mysteriously.


    "Young man. I''ve been looking forward to you very much."


    Then he pointed toward Evelyn.


    "That girl too. But you still interest me more."


    Hearing this, Nathan involuntarily shuddered, the sense of danger rising in his heart.


    "Your body contains quite a lot," the white-clothed person raised fingers while listing, "a mark from Lunar Shadow, a contract with a creature that might be a descendant of ancient spirit beasts, a binding promise, an impressive physique. Especially that strange black hole inside your body."


    Black hole? Nathan was startled.


    His mood was chaotic. Somehow, this mysterious person had been able to analyze him down to the finest detail. Darkan had placed a protective layer against mental probing from others. The old master was confident even a Tier 6 couldn''t peek at him. Yet now everything had been exposed.


    "Are you a Tier 7?" Nathan asked trembling.


    "The Tier doesn''t matter. Today''s protagonist is you, my boy."


    Having said that, Nathan suddenly found himself kneeling before he could sense anything. He felt like his knees had shattered from his own abrupt action. The strange thing was it wasn''t the kind of pressure like from the waterfall pressing down on him. He just wanted to kneel.


    Triggered [Mind of Tranquility]. One credit given.


    His eyes regained clarity, fearfully looking toward the opponent. He could see the white-toothed grin in the dim shadows.


    "Impressive!" the stranger exclaimed. "Already able to break free so quickly."


    Nathan exhaled a stifled breath, feeling like someone had grabbed his throat.


    Triggered [Mind of Tranquility]. One credit given.


    "Good, very good!" the joyful voice echoed in the air. "Truly a good seed."


    Nathan''s tears welled up, never having experienced similar torment. His mind felt like a rubber band being wound up, then squeezed until nearly breaking. His resistance wasn''t enough to escape completely.


    "Very good foundation," the person commented. "Needs much improvement, but already enough to consider."


    Nathan ignored the bastard tormenting him with meaningless words. He had to figure out how to escape from here.


    "Don''t even think about it," the mysterious person swung the rod in his hand, making him collapse to the ground. This time it was truly from pressure from him, not a mental attack. "Not time yet. You still have something that interests me."


    Then he spread his hand, and Nathan''s spatial pouch floated away. He opened the bag, clicking his tongue.


    "You''re quite wealthy, aren''t you? I hear you''re a talented chef too. Cook for me sometime, eh?"


    Nathan wanted to curse but couldn''t move his jaw.


    "But too many miscellaneous things. Oh, aha. Here it is."


    He took out the Monster Storage Pouch containing the Nightmare Weaver. He pulled the binding string, releasing the spider monster covered in eyes and fur.


    The Nightmare Weaver let out a screech expressing its frustration at being in the boring space of the Monster Storage Pouch. But when its eyes reflected the image of the young man who had made a Binding Promise with it, it froze. Though unable to communicate, its movements instinctively reacted. Its legs backed away, abdomen raised, preparing to shoot web.


    "Why is everyone in such a hurry?" the white-clothed man complained.


    After he spoke, the monster, like Nathan, became rigid, its actions restrained.


    "Truly a Nightmare Weaver," he marveled, still not leaving his seat. "You must have eaten many of your kind to develop like this, haven''t you?"


    Though unable to move any muscle, Nathan could see the fear emanating from the monster.


    "No need to worry about me like that," the stranger said to the monster. "I am your destined opportunity."


    Nathan''s mind panicked. In the current situation, if the stranger took the Nightmare Weaver away, the Binding Promise would surely bite back. He had promised to bring it safety. Yet the current situation was completely opposite.


    Nathan groaned, his eyes wide with defiance at the white-robed figure.


    "You truly bring me many surprises. Being an individual with potential, and even bringing me such a gift. Don''t worry, I''ll resolve the Binding Promise issue for you. That''s only proper, isn''t it?"


    He pointed one finger at the Nightmare Weaver''s head. The monster''s horrifying eyes flashed. Then, it collapsed its furry legs. The hostility toward the stranger vanished without a trace. It had become completely docile.


    Nathan could only guess the monster had been shown something. Perhaps promises about the future, or a place like Nathan had once offered.


    The Nightmare Weaver then transformed into a small beam of light, flying into the stranger''s hand.


    Nathan no longer felt the Binding Promise mark in his body. Just like that, he had completed his transaction with the monster.


    "See? I didn''t lie to you, did I?"


    Of course, Nathan couldn''t even move his head when his entire body was pinned to the ground like this. In his heart, he worried about the future, uncertain where this situation would lead the Nightmare Weaver, whether it would become a terrifying existence like the person sitting over there.


    "Where are my manners?" the person spoke up. "I should let you stand, shouldn''t I? But absolutely don''t try anything rash. If I don''t control my force well, you''ll die without knowing how it happened."


    That would be a blessing, Nathan thought bitterly.


    Then he no longer felt pressure either inside or outside his body, and stood up. His cracked kneecaps could finally begin healing. That overwhelming power had stopped all the powerful aspects of his physique that he had always been proud of. So he didn''t doubt that with just a tiny motion, the stranger would send him straight to hell instantly.


    "Nathan, right?"


    "Yes."


    "You truly think you''ve reached your limit?"


    "That''s right."


    "Would you like to reconsider?"


    "If I do, will you let me go?"


    "There you go again," the person clicked his tongue. "Don''t use questions to ask me back. This is a bad habit that needs fixing in the future."


    Nathan felt chills down his spine. From those words, he could tell this wouldn''t be the only encounter between them.


    "I don''t need to reconsider," Nathan obediently answered. "I''ve reached my limit."


    "But that''s the thing. A person can''t know their own limits. Only challenges from outside can verify that."


    "Am I allowed to ask when you''re not asking?" Nathan said bluntly. The situation didn''t require him to be too respectful anymore. Being too submissive might make the person opposite look down on him more.


    "Of course! I have no objection to that."


    "Are you the owner of this waterfall? Is this the outside challenge you''re talking about?"


    "Good observation, young man. This is indeed my waterfall. The pressure comes from me. The rewards are also mine."


    Nathan deduced this simply by thinking about The Shifting Trials being broadcast live for everyone to watch in Maelivar. If the stranger could be here without being detected, then either he could shield the observation cameras, or this entire space belonged to him. Once entering the waterfall area, trial participants would completely disappear. Supporting his thinking was the bracelet. Despite passing seven levels and part of the eighth, he hadn''t received any points.


    "But you see," the person seemed displeased as he spoke, "I still haven''t achieved my goal. You should know several participants came before you. They tried too. Reaching your level isn''t rare. The problem is no one could endure through level eight to attempt level nine. And level nine onwards is my testing objective."


    "Why are you telling me this?" Nathan asked.


    "Because I believe you haven''t reached your limit."


    Nathan narrowed his eyes, seeing the situation becoming increasingly out of control.


    "The waterfall challenge isn''t just about physique, skills, techniques, but also about spirit," the stranger explained. "A person''s Spirit is something very strange, very interesting. Do you know in the normal world there''s a very cruel torture? They make a person lie back and drip water onto their forehead. Like that for hours until a person goes mad."


    Nathan''s goosebumps rose all over, still not understanding what the stranger wanted to do.


    "But madness is a wonderful state, do you agree?" his voice carried interest. "Once falling into madness, you can far surpass the limits that reason imposes on you. You''ll endure pain better, you''ll be more ruthless, you won''t fear or hesitate because of moral issues anymore. That''s why the world belongs to the mad ones."


    Then, the stranger finally stood up, stepping out of the shadow cast by the rock face.


    When finally seeing his face, Nathan was shocked. Shocked because it was completely contrary to his expectations. The stranger looked very ordinary. His face carried angular features, black eyes with thick eyebrows. His hair was long and tied back. Overall not eye-catching, not carrying the madness, recklessness, or even humor he tried to show. He was someone who, passing by, no one would notice, would forget right after.


    He smiled at Nathan.


    "Young man, you must reach your limit. You probably didn''t think the time you endured under the waterfall was longer than real time, did you? Fifteen minutes was just what you measured with the clock. When standing in there, I had extended the perception time from your spirit. At least the five minutes you thought in the eighth attempt was actually over half an hour already. How about that? Proud of your mental strength?"


    Nathan was confused, somewhat disbelieving. But the stranger had no reason to lie to him.


    "That girl is very good too," the white-robed man jerked his chin toward Evelyn. "Just a pity her physique hasn''t completely unlocked so she can''t display maximum potential. But you, I know your path. Physical Cultivation and even the Berserker path. No wonder your spirit must be strong. But this isn''t the final point you can reach. Because you haven''t activated full Berserker. I hear that state is quite a sight to see. The most beautiful madness among madnesses. Show me!"


    "Can I refuse?" Nathan asked.


    "What do you think I''ll answer?" the stranger frowned, laughing loudly. "This bad habit is really contagious. Remember not to use questions to answer questions. See? I''m copying it now. My answer is you can''t refuse."


    The stranger swung the thin rod in his hand forward. Nathan instinctively raised his hands to block. But nothing hit him.


    Opening his eyes, he saw that somehow a thread so thin it was barely visible had been created at the rod''s tip. It was swung toward the lake surface beside them.


    He trembled as he looked at the still water surface below. Staring back at him were his own eyes. The hook had pierced into his reflection on the lake.


    The white-robed man gently shook his hand.


    Nathan''s spirit collapsed.


    Triggered [Mind of Tranquility]. One credit given.


    Regaining clarity made him glare at the stranger. He wanted to step forward to stop him but the fishing rod was raised once again.


    Triggered [Mind of Tranquility]. One credit given.


    He fell to his knees. The world spun dizzily. But he couldn''t sleep. A strange compelling alertness kept appearing, making him unable to close his eyes.


    "Your spirit''s clarity is truly strong enough," the white-robed man praised admiringly.


    His hand didn''t reduce force at all, but pulled harder.


    Nathan screamed in pain. The discomfort didn''t come from physical wounds making him scratch his arms, creating bloody lines to distract from the chaos in his mind.


    Triggered [Mind of Tranquility]. One credit given.


    "You keep making me take this step," the stranger pouted.


    He used his other hand to grip the fishing rod tight, appearing to strain to fish up that shadow under the lake. The water surface churned, creating tiny ripples. The stranger briefly showed surprise. He could feel a weight strongly resisting, making the fishing line completely taut.


    "Spirit and soul are two things that correlate," the white-robed man said slowly. "Strong spirit protects the soul. Weak soul weakens spirit. Let me see when your soul is fished out, what will you become?"


    With a determined look, the fishing rod curved into an arc. Finally, the hook emerged from the water, dragging the victim''s shadow with it.


    Nathan suddenly felt the whole world fall into chaos. The emotions he tried to suppress burst out. Despair, pain, grievance, loss, longing, loneliness, all simultaneously broke free from their chains. The strongest among them was the rage nurtured by the Berserker path.


    The anger that had once diminished was reinforced when Elder Nalani manipulated him was exposed. The drive from being thrown into a new world, from self-blame for not being able to care for his mother, to life''s injustice was strengthened when he knew he was deceived, that he was still weak.


    The soul form being fished up writhed under the hook.


    "Fascinating," the white-robed man marveled.


    "NO!" Nathan screamed, trying to suppress the full Berserker state from emerging.


    [Mind of Tranquility] didn''t even activate to help him anymore. He looked at his soul carrying seven rainbow colors under the reflection of surrounding water droplets, showing a pleading expression. Even [Anger Management] couldn''t help him maintain his composure.


    Darkan''s warning must have had basis. The protection layer preventing Tier 6 probing was a determination from his master.


    He couldn''t transform.


    "Resistance will only make this process more painful for you," the stranger shook his head saying.


    Then, he squeezed his hand, an energy wave emanating, traveling along the fishing rod''s length to the line, then sneaking in to pierce Nathan''s reflection.


    Though trying to keep his mind clear, trying to fill his thoughts with happy things, Nathan couldn''t reject that other part of himself. It was where negative emotions resided, but was also the source for him to advance, the support for each step on his journey.


    He could only embrace them.

 Chapter 63

    [Mind of Tranquility] triggered. One credit given.


    [Mind of Tranquility] is in a constant state. No more credit will be given until you return to normal.


    It was a strange sensation, as if his body no longer belonged to him.


    Nathan felt trapped within a massive, alien framework. Yet somehow, he could move it according to his will. The sensation spread from his skin through his blood vessels, down to each cell like a storm whirling through his emotions, leaving his mind in an indescribable state of detachment.


    Mind, he thought fleetingly.


    The state of his consciousness now was unclear. The closest thing he could compare it to were tsunami waves that were suppressed by some force the moment they began to surge, prevented from rampaging and destroying. His skull had become an impregnable fortress, blocking any destabilizing signals from spreading. Anger, resentment, and madness were imprisoned. But their power transformed into strange tendrils that spread outward, enough to make blood boil, to cause the active substances in his body to multiply, leading to his transformation.


    Titan''s Berserker State.


    "Magnificent!" the stranger exclaimed with excitement. "I never thought I''d witness such a marvel."


    Nathan tilted his head from his nearly three-meter height, the motion accompanied by crackling sounds from his stone-transformed skin courtesy of the Titan bloodline. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at the one who had forced him to transform.


    The white-robed figure trembled before his gaze, not unlike someone meeting their idol.


    "Oh heavens," he moaned. "I understand why you have a contract with that tiger now. Even I''m drooling over you."


    Nathan raised his seemingly alien arm before his eyes. It was encased in pitch-black stone, solid and jagged in many places. He looked no different than someone wearing armor. Flexing his fingers, he still couldn''t believe this was his body. His thoughts drifted to the questions he had posed about the [Titan''s Descendant] skill. Why did it have a hidden effect compatible with Berserker? Had the system known his future path and granted him such an overwhelming physique? If not, did [Titan''s Descendant] have other hidden effects he didn''t know about, only manifesting when he chose his path?


    Not letting his mind wander too long in unknown territories, he refocused on his current state.


    One undeniable fact was that this state felt truly invigorating. Every movement carried a sense of force and power. Even breathing brought full, expansive breaths that stretched his lungs to capacity, his heart beating powerfully with each pulse. Blood circulated without any hindrance, delivering necessary nutrients to his muscles, making them swell. His bones simultaneously received a coating that he could only perceive when clear-headed, increasing both their density and durability.


    He thought he could take on both Argentiuses at once.


    "This seems to be your first time experiencing this state?" the white-robed man asked curiously, waving the fishing rod. He also felt surprised, and somewhat fearful, before a pressure that seemed to pierce through space and time. A warning not to act rashly.


    However, this only made him more interested in the young man before him, despite his form being as tall and broad as a mountain.


    Dismissing the ever-present pressure as if it were nothing, the white-robed man tapped the rod against his hand, analyzing.


    "You strongly resist this state, so you must know about this beautiful thing," he swept his eyes up and down Nathan''s form. "Thus, you fear the consequences. But the consequences aren''t the devastation to yourself. First, this must be a life-saving move. You don''t use it because there exists an even greater threat. Second, it''s intimately connected to spirit and mind. The Berserker school is known to use emotions as fuel for power. You were only defeated when I struck at your soul, causing mental chaos. But your current state suggests this is your first time experiencing a sense of, what, tranquility? Therefore, the high possibility is that previously you never maintained clarity once unleashing your greatest battle power, correct? Not devastation then it must be about something else, something that you cannot let anyone know."


    The only response was a steady stare. Though Nathan was encased in that strange armor, deep inside he was trembling, afraid of being exposed by the stranger.


    "No answer? Or perhaps you can''t speak when transformed? That''s fine. I''ll grant you the right not to speak. Let me think a bit more. Hmm. I haven''t researched much about you. Just have some impressions. You''ve only risen in the past few months. Completely submerged before that. Ah, you''re also a traveler from another world. Let me guess."


    Then, he opened his eyes wide to look at Nathan, like a child who had just discovered something new.


    "System?"


    Nathan only hoped his hardened face wouldn''t betray any emotion, as he truly wasn''t confident he could control his facial muscles.


    "Unique System even?" the white-robed man dug deeper. "Must be, right? Certainly is. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to explain your development."


    Even Darkan still maintained some doubts about Nathan. And he had glossed over it. In essence, he told Darkan he obtained his bloodline when transferring from Earth to this world. This bloodline lay dormant for two years before suddenly awakening. His master accepted this explanation, as it wasn''t uncommon. He also attributed the outer sect tournament performance to bloodline effects.


    He believed Darkan had suspicions like the stranger, but the former was someone who had observed him for a long time and seemed protective of him, while the latter only brought unprecedented threat.


    He never expected his secret to be exposed so early. He decided to pretend to be mute from now until this ended. Or death. Only then would he avoid providing unnecessary information to his opponent.


    "I''ve been rambling too much and forgot the main point," the white-robed man laughed.


    Nathan tensed his entire body, clenching his fists. Even such a small motion produced small explosive sounds.


    "Don''t frighten me," the stranger chuckled. "Your combat power now might compare to some of the geniuses present in this pocket dimension. For me though, just a wave of the hand would suffice."


    Hearing this, Nathan didn''t argue, either verbally or internally. He truly saw no possibility of defeating this opponent. He was partly terrified thinking about charging forward mindlessly like when fighting Argentius. His end surely wouldn''t be pretty.


    Sensing the opponent had spoken so much with him and likely didn''t want to kill him, he listened patiently.


    "See I''m right?" the stranger sat back down. "No one can know their own limits, they need help. You lied to me, kid! You haven''t reached your limit yet."


    With a snap, the stranger released the waterfall''s frozen state.


    The water crashed down with thunderous force, spray flying everywhere.


    "Keep climbing, young man," the white-robed man propped his foot on a rock, saying casually. "If you make it through, I''ll reward you. Though not with points, I won''t treat you poorly."


    Nathan turned to look at the flowing waterfall. He truly had no choice in the current situation. Since he couldn''t escape, he could only accept it. He also didn''t think the stranger was idle enough to help him cultivate only to kill him afterward.


    Looking at Evelyn still frozen like a statue, Nathan took a determined breath.


    He bent his knees, the force of exploding bombs gathering in his calves. Yet he felt no pain or strain. With a clear mind, he didn''t need to attack randomly like his previous transformation, but could combine [Martial Art Mastery] with his passive skill.


    [Amplifying Strike] triggered. One credit given.


    [Flowing Strikes] triggered. One credit given.


    With a thunderous boom, he launched himself up against the rushing waterfall. The ground beneath his feet couldn''t withstand the force, revealing cracks.


    The resistance met him like mountains. Combined with his own opposing force, the reaction was immediate. His stone armor was shattered to pieces. They fell as fragments. Immediately regenerated, taking turns withstanding the devastation of the heavy flow.


    Observing the Titan''s Berserker State for the first time, Nathan couldn''t contain his amazement at himself. He always knew the transformation brought immense power, but had never truly understood how it worked.


    More notable than the recovery ability was how pain was reduced to its minimum. He still felt pressure like merciless hammers striking his shoulders and back. However, it didn''t violently attack his spirit like before.


    With just one jump, he had reached level seven of the waterfall. With just one swing of his arm, he returned to level eight.


    His astonishment rose once again. The challenge was no longer as difficult as before. He felt like he had returned to level two of the waterfall. The weight was noticeable, but not enough to require his body''s full power.


    In that joy, he persevered past the five-minute limit, or spiritually speaking, half an hour. [Mind of Tranquility] seemed to help him forget how his spirit was stretched to make time feel different according to the stranger''s words.


    Then, essence once again flooded his body as water droplets condensed.


    The difference this time was that he didn''t need to descend to cultivate. Because his body was doing it automatically. With just a thought, he could absorb essence rapidly. The absorption rate wasn''t even enough for his needs.


    He could feel himself approaching breakthrough.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    After more than half the remaining time passed, he broke through to Tier 2 Phase 6.0 of Physical Cultivation.


    He roared in satisfaction as his body tensed. His stone armor expanded one layer, then automatically separated and fell from his skin, as if shedding. The surface of the new stone layers became shinier, harder, though the change wasn''t significant, it was noticeable.


    With his breakthrough, the level eight challenge was nothing more than a stroll for Nathan. Soon he had completed it.


    Continuing to level nine.


    Below, the stranger watched everything with an expression of fascination and appreciation. He looked at the rod in his hand, still feeling the unnamed force that had broken the fishing line. His eyes revealed contemplation, but he still couldn''t figure it out.


    Level nine ended. Nathan broke through to Phase 6.3.


    He felt his need for essence growing increasingly larger. The pain when it crashed into his blood vessels and body parts was enough to make him grimace. They even surpassed the weight the waterfall brought, making it unbelievable. This meant the essence wasn''t being regulated at all but storming inside him like a flood. Even if he wanted to, he couldn''t regulate it.


    His mind was maintained clear by [Mind of Tranquility] but only enough to prevent him from doing anything rash. Trying to calm down would conflict with expanding emotions, completely useless and even hindering greater absorption.


    More accurately, the essence amount still hadn''t reached his endurance limit despite causing pain. The essence absorption rate in autopilot state still only fell around one-third thanks to his superior physique. He was like a hungry tiger, not letting any nutrients go to waste. Once the essence exceeded this threshold, it would be wasted as consumption speed decreased sharply.


    He truly couldn''t imagine what would happen once he was fully satiated. Whether he would explode and die.


    He passed level ten. Completing advancement to Phase 6.7.


    Just when he thought everything was finished, he saw the mist that always dominated above open up. A new challenge continued to beckon him.


    Looking down, the white-robed man smiled at him, gesturing for him to continue.


    And then, what greeted him was the same misery that damned fishing rod had brought.


    Level eleven was continuous shockwaves both inside and outside his body.


    The stone skin had no moment of integrity. It shattered then continued to separate. His body gradually heated up, the consequence of activated defense mechanisms. Recovery ability was enhanced to respond to the unceasing destruction. The stone protrusion at his chest, the center of power flashed red, dispersing force around so he wouldn''t fall.


    According to Argentius''s account, this had protected his life from its sharp claws. Currently, it was doing something similar. This protrusion was like his second heart, both synchronized yet independent. The armor surrounding his upper body was the only place not destroyed by the waterfall''s savage downpour.


    Inside him, his soul fell into violent vibration. It was like wanting to escape from his body. Crashing here, crashing there. Only contained by the barrier called body.


    [Mind of Tranquility] didn''t help as he always thought. Just involving the soul, it would abandon him. This skill only worked when the mind was attacked. It could be a barrier to prevent the mind from affecting the soul, but not vice versa.


    As a result, he had to endure. Everything was like when he received the Skill Orb from Darkan. Then multiplied tenfold.


    If the soul had skin it would have been peeled countless times. If it had flesh it would have been decomposed piece by piece then recovered. If it had bones they would have broken then been forced back to their original position time after time. If it had lungs they would have been squeezed breathless. If it had a heart it would have stopped beating.


    All panic, suffering that seemed nonexistent became existent surrounding him.


    The soul''s punishment made his body operate instinctively. When everything approached shattering, his second heart changed color, from bright red to white.


    His shapeless soul was covered in a white membrane looking like a cocoon. The waves of attacks gradually subsided, no longer tearing at him. He regained clarity. The stone heart turned red again, to increase recovery speed for his physique. Because just missing a few seconds, the waterfall''s devastation had overcome all barriers, tearing his massive shoulders and arms, blood flowing freely.


    The stranger below lurched forward, mouth forming an O of amazement. In his eyes reflecting the image of water droplets mixed with the young man''s blood, there was something indescribable. Not excitement, not appreciation of talent. But hope. His hand gripped the rod tightly, trembling uncontrollably.


    Level eleven was designed to deceive anyone wanting to test themselves at the waterfall. Because normal people would think level ten was maximum, was the destination. Once something higher appeared above, most would give up feeling deceived. Level ten was already unbearable torture.


    Nathan wasn''t the first to reach level eleven. After all, the waterfall was created for young people, not to reward a bunch of Tier 3 or Tier 4. It still had its limits.


    And the problem arose from this very foundation. Nathan''s power in Titan''s Berserker State had surpassed Tier 3. This still wasn''t grounds to destroy the waterfall challenge. The core lay in the Titan bloodline. Evidence had come before the fishing line broke, before Nathan even entered the waterfall. The stranger deduced the young man had something else assisting. A type of skill the system rewarded travelers.


    ROAR!


    Nathan''s roar snapped the white-robed man from his wandering thoughts. He smiled, delighted with the unexpected discovery. He raised his hand, pointing straight at the waterfall''s source.


    Because Nathan could never raise his head, he didn''t know another challenge level had formed above him. He also couldn''t see the surrounding space becoming unstable, various rocks floating up, dissolving. The lake below gradually drained.


    The level twelve challenge designed specifically for him was established.


    His cultivation had increased to Tier 2, Phase 7.1.


    With new power from his level, he didn''t falter, raising his hand to feel if he had reached the endpoint. When finding more rock protrusions, he tried pulling himself up. His fingers were in a state of destruction, recovery ability no longer meeting demands. What remained in water and mushy flesh, completely crushed, only the bones inside could keep him from falling.


    He wanted to give up, that was a request from deep in his soul. But it was blocked, not by [Mind of Tranquility] but thanks to [Self-emotional Support]. Whispered words of encouragement rose beside his ear, providing fuel for motivation. The strange thing was he could hear the smoldering words of others. Not from people he knew, not Zeryn''s voice, Jessica''s, Evelyn''s, Zahra''s, Xander''s, or his beloved mother''s. A strange voice, yet intimately painful, tens of thousands of miles away yet right before his eyes. He didn''t understand the voice''s words, as if they came from an ancient language.


    He only knew the emotions it carried, and how they resonated with him.


    "Keep going."


    Like that, he successfully pulled his body up, completely enduring level twelve''s attacks.


    What happened to his hands spread to his neck skin, shoulders, and back. The thing standing in the waterfall looked horrifying. A human form with skin peeling off, revealing red flesh and muscle beneath. Blood was somewhat staunched, yet still spurted out mixing into the rushing water flow. Sometimes, one could see bones protruding, notably they weren''t white, but carried a metallic silver sheen.


    External pain drove away the soul''s torment. The soul''s agony drove away physical numbness.


    Inside and outside reached equilibrium.


    Nathan became almost supernatural, ego-less. He stood outside observing everything. A state of ultimate mystery.


    The stranger leaped to his feet, unable to contain his emotions. He dropped the rod in his hand, hurrying forward to witness the radiant scene before him. His whole body itched with anticipation, wishing time would flow faster, to take this young man with him.


    "Not yet," he muttered. "The time isn''t ripe. The youngster needs to experience more difficulties."


    Taking a deep breath, his eyes became calm again. Future plans could wait. Now was the time to enjoy the process.


    Nathan wasn''t sure how he had reached this state. Just as hours before he had embraced negative emotions, now he did similarly. He used his mental strength and effort to pull his soul back, to ground it in a new cage outside his body, to become more complete. Like he was steel being hammered simultaneously from both sides, forcing himself into a mold. Fragile yet not easily broken.


    He instinctively felt he had opened a new door, though he still didn''t know what it was.


    Fifteen minutes in the outside world, or over an hour and a half under the waterfall, passed like eternity.


    Essence poured into his body helping him advance to Phase 7.7, which was also when the rewards ceased.


    He had become a machine that knew only one task. When realizing he was no longer receiving anything, he again reached up, groping for new anchors. But there was nothing left.


    He was suddenly pulled upward, his body becoming weightless, no longer bearing mountains on his shoulders. Before him was a drifting cloud, spreading around was the whole world, the horizon stretching endlessly amazed him with its beauty. Forests, deserts, rivers, seas, passed before his eyes in succession. Everything looked like he was on a high-speed spacecraft rushing forward. His eyes sparkled at the world''s grandeur.


    "Beautiful, isn''t it?" a voice spoke beside him.


    The white-robed man also gazed at everything like Nathan, continuing.


    "This obviously isn''t the pocket dimension''s world, but the vast world out there. One day, this will be your playground. That said, provided you live until that glorious time."


    Somehow, Nathan felt a surge of heroic emotion in his heart. He didn''t know if it was the white-robed man manipulating him, or if he truly felt such emotions. Once he had just been a small student, an intern at a business company climbing the career ladder. Once he had been the sect''s lowest disciple, desperate not knowing how to return to his Alzheimer''s-afflicted mother. Yet now someone was saying he had the chance to reach further. To do not what he could, but what he wanted.


    The stranger smirked, snapping his fingers. Both returned to the ground.


    The scene that appeared startled Nathan. The waterfall now looked like a painting dissolving with time. Particle by particle floated up, rocks gradually breaking apart, water endlessly separating.


    "I pushed this waterfall too far for you," the white-robed man shook his head. "But still worth it. You don''t realize the foundation you''ve achieved today."


    Seeing the curious look in Nathan''s still-red eyes, the stranger laughed loudly.


    "If you can survive through this small event, I''ll come find you. But now I must repair this waterfall and test other promising young people. Goodbye!"


    Survive? Nathan frowned, feeling this warning wasn''t simply about struggles between young people.


    The stranger turned his back, his figure gradually fading, white robes blending into the surrounding space. The dissolving waterfall also disappeared with it, returning the real scene to an empty patch of land. The area looked like it had once belonged to some other trial and had been neatly excavated to make room for the waterfall.


    Nathan instinctively raised his hand in reflex, catching an object thrown at him.


    "I dug this out from the previous trial," the stranger''s voice lingered. "Should be beneficial for you. After all, you''re the first to pass my trial, so take this reward. Have fun, kid!"


    Nathan stood still there, looking at where the stranger had vanished without a trace for a while, replaying their encounter in his mind. Only when he felt the freezing numbness did he startle and turn around.


    Evelyn had already prepared everything for battle. Various ice bolts and sharp ice discs swirled around her. The cold aura penetrated even the stone protective layer surrounding Nathan.


    He raised his hand intending to speak but just managed to block several shots fired at him.


    Argentius, sensing the commotion through its spirit, rushed over at extreme speed, baring its teeth in warning at the blue-haired girl.


    A bolt of electricity flashed past Evelyn''s head, and she stopped her attacks. Her eyes swept over the three-meter tall figure, encased in jagged stone, with the chest area covered in seemingly superior material. The red eyes of this giant showed no hostility.


    "Nathan?" she asked incredulously, hopefully.


    "It''s me," Nathan said, hearing his own voice in Titan''s Berserker State for the first time. It was a deep sound, carrying a gravelly quality like stones grinding together, while also resonating powerfully.


    "You...you...," Evelyn stammered. "What happened here?"


    "Long story," Nathan said. "I''ll tell you later. Right now we have something to do first."


    Evelyn suppressed her curiosity, staying silent to listen to the giant before her. She was somewhat uncomfortable with this appearance, her mind wandering.


    "We can try fighting the Lava Drake," Nathan said.


    The girl froze in shock, exclaiming.


    "We''ve both tasted its power. Are you sure?"


    "With my current body, we have a chance to defeat it. Do you want to try?"


    Evelyn nodded.


    "Then we must go all out. Can''t hold anything back to defeat it."


    "I''m gonna follow you."


    Nathan smiled. His rigid mouth still wasn''t used to such small and subtle movements so it looked somewhat funny. This body was more accustomed to roaring, gritting teeth, and perhaps biting.


    He bent down, storing away the item given by the stranger, then extended his elongated arm.


    "Get on," he said.


    Evelyn showed resistance. Even if the surface looked like stone, this was still a boy''s arm.


    "I don''t know how long I can maintain this state," Nathan said. "If you want to get there quickly, you''ll have to rely on me."


    Though saying that, Nathan still materialized a cloth, tying it around his shoulder. He truly wouldn''t feel anything with this dry skin. But reassuring the girl was still worth doing.


    Not thinking further, Evelyn jumped up, sitting on the young man''s shoulder, grabbing a lock of his hair for balance. On his other shoulder, Argentius latched on with its four chubby paws.


    "Here we go," Nathan roared excitedly.


    His legs coiled, power exploded, launching into the falling night.

 Chapter 64

    The Lava Drake lay in its cave beneath an endless flow of fire. This was the perfect environment for it to thrive. Rather than requiring food, it sustained itself by drinking the magma and lava spewing from the mountain to nurture its growth. As a Tier 3 monster, it needed to enhance the quality of its aspect¡ªin this case, lava, a branch of fire. Whoever had placed it here clearly understood this, designing this space specifically for it.


    The creature was intelligent enough to know that no meal comes without a price. If it survived, it would likely become a mount or companion for some high-level cultivator. This prospect wasn''t particularly distasteful¡ªsuch relationships were common even among monsters. Besides, if humans engaged in similar practices, there was no reason for it to overthink the matter.


    The worst-case scenario would be death here, something that at least one member of the organizing committee seemed eager to prevent, given the treasure they''d left in its care. The item was a pure white teardrop that emanated a bone-chilling cold. Even the drake trembled when approaching it, its internal lava threatening to solidify into black stone under the opposing temperature.


    Though seemingly counterintuitive, this was precisely what the Lava Drake needed. It had managed to create a crack in this strange water drop, using it to aid its cultivation. While ice and fire were naturally opposed, proper application could yield unexpected results.


    The Lava Drake, having claimed this territory, had received hints and guidance, allowing it to discover ways to enhance its combat capabilities beyond its previous limits. It was confident its survival chances through these blood-soaked days far exceeded those of other monsters.


    As it quietly absorbed the essence seeping from the floating teardrop in the mountain''s heart, a thunderous earthquake-like sound jolted the Lava Drake from its peaceful state. It hissed, flames spreading around it as it angrily stomped toward the exit.


    The artificial moonlight and night sky greeted it, along with a massive humanoid figure carrying a girl with detestable ice properties and a small cat on its shoulders. The Lava Drake recognized the girl and let out a warning roar. Beneath its throat, its skin heated up as lava charged for release.


    Nathan involuntarily shuddered deep inside. He wasn''t entirely confident about this course of action, but wanted to test his limits nonetheless. If they could defeat a Tier 3 monster, the points earned would guarantee him deeper access into the trials.


    Evelyn instinctively jumped down, positioning herself behind Nathan while maintaining a safe distance. Though her mind brimmed with questions about his transformed state, she maintained her discretion and refrained from prying.


    Following their discussion during the journey here, Argentius found a hiding spot. If things went south, it would revert to its original form and intervene when necessary. With its speed, it could surely evacuate the two humans without facing total destruction. Argentius understood it needed to keep Nathan alive to safely exit this monster-filled pocket dimension.


    The Lava Drake, seeing no movement from its opponents, stretched its nearly six-meter-high head upward, mouth gaping wide. Lava, like a small fountain, shot toward its enemies, scattering droplets that rolled across the ground.


    To test his hypothesis, Nathan chose not to dodge, instead planning to take the hit head-on.


    Understanding that her companion wouldn''t make completely reckless decisions, Evelyn glided away, seeking an advantageous position to attack.


    The lava splashed against Nathan''s raised arms shielding his head. The heat, as expected, burned through his stone armor. This armor layer, by his analysis, was tough enough to withstand moderate attacks. If it were of superior quality, Argentius wouldn''t have been able to tear through it so easily. However, thanks to his Tier 2 Physical Cultivation training, both the hardness and recovery rate had improved significantly. Evidence of this showed in how new armor grew fast enough to defend against the Lava Drake''s attacks.


    Suppressing the pain reaching his core, Nathan smiled. This battle had suddenly become much more promising.


    The Lava Drake tilted its lizard-like head, expressing clear disbelief. While its intelligence didn''t match human levels, it could still process basic information. From its core, it could sense the human''s cultivation level. Even those at higher tiers, even Tier 3, rarely managed to withstand direct confrontation so casually.


    Roaring in anger, it advanced with its nearly twenty-five-meter-long body, intensifying the lava spewing from its throat.


    This time, Nathan naturally wouldn''t be foolish enough to face the attack directly. He leaped aside, evading the red-orange river of heat. As he approached, the monster redirected its attack. He moved in a zigzag pattern to close the distance.


    When he got close enough, the monster whirled, swinging its spiked tail adorned with obsidian-like protrusions toward him.


    Nathan showed no fear, spreading his arms to catch it. Though his wingspan couldn''t fully encompass it, his strong fingers found purchase in the grooves of the tail. The spikes struck his chest but met resistance from his second heart of stone. It glowed red, amplifying his strength.


    His feet sank into the ground as streams of lava crept closer. He had to act quickly. Mustering all his might, he hurled the monster to the side.


    The Lava Drake''s heavy frame crashed into a nearby rock formation, causing underground lava flows to spray upward. The monster flailed its four legs, struggling to regain its footing.


    Evelyn, waiting for an opening from her position, launched her ice techniques. The various bolts and ice saws predictably deteriorated in the heat radiating from the monster. When they finally made contact, they had shrunk to mere splinters or shallow cuts. The damage to its scales was negligible.


    Nathan wasn''t discouraged by this. He believed in Evelyn''s capabilities. In a way, she could be considered the Lava Drake''s natural counter. She just needed time to probe its defenses and develop an effective strategy. His job now was to buy that time.


    With a leap, he landed beside the monster. His arm drew back, muscles tensing, his fist creating small explosive sounds. Then, his attack generated a powerful sonic boom, the shockwave dispersing lava in all directions.


    The Lava Drake, having just turned to take the hit with its shoulder, was once again knocked off balance. A numbing pain penetrated through its scales and fed back to its brain. It let out a roar, curving its head down to bite, its teeth glowing red-hot after being superheated.


    Nathan grabbed the monster''s fangs. His eyes blinked as he sensed danger.


    Combining the effects of [Adrenaline Boost] after [Tingling Sense] activated, he launched an uppercut that perfectly connected with the monster''s jaw, forcing its mouth shut.


    The Lava Drake swallowed hard, its face contorting in discomfort. Nathan''s kick sent it staggering backward. Red fluid¡ªwhether lava or blood was unclear¡ªspewed from its mouth and nostrils.


    Nathan shook his hands, trying to distribute the heat after the monster''s teeth had burned through to his bones in mere seconds. He realized he couldn''t maintain prolonged contact with the monster''s attacks. His bones would likely hold out a while longer, but he feared they might snap completely. He still wasn''t sure if limb regeneration was part of his Titan bloodline. Becoming disabled during The Shifting Trials would mean the end of all hope.


    The Lava Drake charged forward in rage. As it ran, it continuously spewed lava in attack.


    Nathan easily evaded. The monster''s attack pattern wasn''t particularly fast, leaving him ample time to react.


    The Lava Drake reared up, slashing down with its front claws. Nathan backed away, avoiding injury. But immediately after, four claws shot from the monster''s foot like projectiles. Three pierced Nathan''s chest, while one missed through the gap under his arm.


    The sheer force made him stagger backward. The claw aimed at his stone heart stopped mid-air, deflected by some kind of counter-force and falling to the ground. The other two claws penetrated his armor, embedding deep in his flesh. Blood trickled down his black stone armor in barely visible streams. His body automatically ejected the claws, then gradually sealed the open wounds.


    He truly felt the pain from that attack, comparable to the final levels of the waterfall when his skin had been flayed and flesh torn.


    So this is the power of a Tier 3 monster, he thought in awe.


    The Lava Drake pressed its advantage, advancing with another claw swipe, its lost claws already regenerating. They seemed to be forged anew from within its body.


    Having learned from the previous attack, Nathan jumped up, spinning mid-air to deliver a kick.


    The monster''s neck bent into an arc, looking ready to snap. Its claws hadn''t launched before it let out a cry of pain.


    Nathan unleashed a frenzied barrage of attacks on the monster, combining [Amplifying Strike] and [Flowing Strikes]. Each impact rang out with deafening force. The monster''s skin mysteriously bled a fluid that looked like lava but didn''t immediately cool, instead flowing into the ground. [Internal Trauma], enhanced by Nathan''s increased strength, created instability in the monster''s spirit, making it feel both fear and confusion.


    The Lava Drake''s feet slid across the ground, its face distorted, neck showing dents in its scales. As Nathan''s fist approached again, it unexpectedly curved its lips into an almost human-like smile.


    Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.


    Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.


    Despite sensing danger, the monster had chosen its timing so well that Nathan couldn''t pull back his punch.


    The black scales on its chest, where Nathan was aiming, suddenly liquefied. Nathan''s fist plunged in as if striking water, splashing red-orange liquid upward. Most critically, his hand was stuck.


    The Lava Drake let out a pained whimper, but its eyes remained sharp as it immediately solidified the liquefied point. The obsidian-like scales reformed, trapping Nathan firmly.


    Nathan yanked his arm, the action pulling the monster toward him. But he couldn''t break free. Seeing the monster''s uncomfortable expression, he guessed it didn''t want to maintain this state for long either.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Then, the Lava Drake launched a devastating counter-attack. From the grooves across its body, it simultaneously shot lava like a porcupine''s quills. And Nathan had to take the full brunt of these fire-forged spears.


    For a moment, Nathan lost all rationality to the overwhelming pain. Every corner of his body became scorching hot. Holes appeared across his back, pouring out a strange mixture of blood and lava. He felt as though he''d swallowed a volcano that was now rampaging through his stomach.


    At this crucial moment, Evelyn stepped in, her hand sweeping forward. Her technique appeared neither flashy nor easily discernible, but the air temperature suddenly plummeted. Her target was those lava spears.


    When faced with rapid cooling, the lava streams solidified, becoming more brittle than ever.


    The pain diminished accordingly, helping Nathan regain his senses. He flexed his body, breaking off the hardened spears.


    Before the Lava Drake could respond, Nathan landed a series of close-range punches. In an instant, the monster had to endure forces from four different sources: two from One-inch punch, one from [Rebound], and one from [Counter Strike].


    Under the layered forces, Nathan finally wrenched his hand free as the monster was sent flying. He had to drop to one knee to avoid being dragged along.


    The monster''s hot blood flowed over his hand. He felt some satisfaction at having wounded it.


    The monster''s agonized shriek pierced the night. It stood up, head lowered to examine its mangled, bloody shoulder. It had fought other monsters before, but had never suffered such an agonizing wound. It had made it this far precisely because of its superior combat abilities compared to its peers. Refusing to be looked down upon, it launched another attack.


    As it charged, the Lava Drake took deep breaths. The naked eye could see red essence from the environment flowing into its nostrils, accelerating its wound recovery.


    "We need to end this quickly," Evelyn said, her voice soft but clear to Nathan''s enhanced senses. "This is its territory¡ªthe longer we fight, the more disadvantaged we become."


    Nathan nodded in agreement. His long strides met the Lava Drake''s challenge.


    The two sides clashed again.


    Evelyn supported Nathan whenever the monster spewed lava or covered itself with dangerous spikes. This intense cold-based skill was clearly straining her. Her face showed exhaustion, cold sweat running down¡ªsomething Nathan had never seen from her before.


    He accordingly increased his attack power. Currently at Tier 2 Phase 7.7 of Physical Cultivation, combined with full Berserker state, his destructive power could rival a Tier 3 Phase 5 or 6. Though he could now engage in close combat, he still couldn''t rush the process. The Lava Drake''s skin was just as defensive as his own. That presumably compensated for its limited attack skills. When the monster couldn''t destroy immediately, it would play a battle of endurance.


    Covered in scattered wounds, the Lava Drake remained undefeated. It alternated between snapping with its jaws, slashing with its claws, and swinging its tail at its enemy. Lava accompanied every attack. But it was clearly pressured, caught between the streams of ice energy and its opponent''s inexplicable recovery rate.


    Realizing it was at a disadvantage, the Lava Drake''s eyes brightened. It released a heat wave that forced Nathan back.


    It snorted once, raising the horn on its head high. It had never used this before, fearing damage to this vital part. Now, it couldn''t hesitate any longer.


    From across the battlefield, Nathan felt a turmoil in his body, as if his blood was being boiled. His skin tingled as if all moisture wanted to evaporate, despite his stone armor. His eyes burned from the changing air.


    The Lava Drake roared, drawing surrounding lava toward its horn like a small storm.


    Nathan charged forward in fear, each footstep deforming the ground beneath.


    The monster had prepared for this, and now was the crucial moment¡ªthe human didn''t have much time. By the time Nathan got close, it had already completed its transformation.


    Magma Surge state unleashed, the Lava Drake''s entire body transformed. Its scales melted like when fighting Nathan, giving way to a body embodying the most dangerous, hottest, and most terrifying red-orange liquid.


    Nathan''s swinging fist hadn''t even made contact when the nearby heat turned his stone armor red-hot. Unlike natural stone, his armor layer instantly vanished when reaching its destruction point, only to be replaced by new armor.


    When he finally struck the monster, it felt like punching water, creating splashes but doing minimal damage. Worse, his face and chest felt like they were facing an active volcano''s mouth, the burning sensation intensifying sharply.


    The lizard-like face of the monster revealed a wicked smile before it simply exhaled rather than spewing anything. As if it had used everything for this transformed state.


    That simple action was enough to devastate Nathan. He found himself thrown backward, the armor on his chest continuously dissolving and regenerating, while some droplets of saliva penetrated through to his body, once again creating holes.


    That recent attack sobered Nathan, as he noticed his rage and fury diminishing. He had maintained Titan''s Berserker State for too long. Even his battle with Argentius, chasing from one corner of the forest to another, hadn''t lasted this long. He should have rested after The Pressuring Fall. The main problem was that he didn''t know how to deactivate it. So he could only try to make the best of this situation.


    Steeling his spirit, Nathan pressed on. Maintaining distance would only make things more difficult.


    The Lava Drake snorted dismissively, head held high in arrogant anticipation.


    When within range, Nathan spread his arms wide and clapped, creating an ear-splitting thunderclap. The powerful shockwave pushed toward the monster, blowing back its dangerous lava layer. Its exterior now appeared to wear a broad orange skin, rippling under Nathan''s impact. Its eyes revealed disbelief, mixed with shock when the human''s fist connected with its mouth.


    Nathan landed after his jump as the monster staggered to one side. He didn''t pause, reaching up again. His hands tried to grasp the horn¡ªthe source of the Lava Drake''s power¡ªbut when he got close, it burned beyond burning. His bones showed under the moonlight, his small finger bones forced to retreat.


    He backed away, repeating his attack pattern. Though effective, each strike came with a trade-off. His punches carried power but were also being eroded, barely maintaining enough force.


    Only when Evelyn provided support, her cold air making the lava layer around the monster flow slower and reducing its heat, could Nathan unleash dozens of consecutive punches at a single point on the monster''s chest.


    The Lava Drake collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily as its Magma Surge state gradually faded. It whimpered in pain. The chest wound had broken its ribs, causing endless agony.


    Nathan rarely had to catch his breath. His recent actions were equivalent to delivering dozens of consecutive punches from a Tier 3 Phase 5 Physical Cultivator. Powerful and destructive. If not for the elemental clash between them, he believed the monster would already be dead. The lava membrane consumed his armor, while contact dispersed most of the physical force.


    Without Evelyn''s help, he couldn''t have achieved this result.


    To avoid prolonging the inevitable, Nathan moved forward to finish off the monster. A glance showed Evelyn was as exhausted as he was. After all, she was still Tier 2, and repeatedly using her core technique had placed immense pressure on both body and spirit.


    But the night had stretched long, and inevitable nightmare had been set in motion before. Nathan just hadn''t known it.


    Though the Lava Drake could use superior fire power, its downside was overheating. It still had to protect its core and other body parts internally. Both Magma and Lava carried toxins from underground minerals. Using them too long without purification would disrupt balance. Losing balance made overheating harder to control. That was the Lava Drake''s current state.


    However, it had been placed here for a reason. The ice-cold water drop.


    Now, it had established a connection with the water drop. Though tenuous, it was enough to draw some benefit.


    A white particle flew out from the cave, immediately cooling surrounding lava into solid surfaces, while water vapor shimmered in the air.


    For the first time, Evelyn called out in panic.


    "Stop that particle!"


    Nathan didn''t waste a blink, changing direction toward the barely visible particle.


    He was blocked by a lava stream spewing from the monster. Simultaneously, it retreated backward, its tail swinging toward its summoned item.


    Too late, Nathan silently growled.


    The Lava Drake absorbed the essence through one of its tail veins. The internal turmoil immediately found relief. Meanwhile, that single small particle was enough to return its still-hot horn to normal state.


    It raised its head and howled in euphoria. Everything had happened in seconds, and the Lava Drake had returned to Magma Surge state.


    It used its flame-filled eyes to mockingly challenge Nathan.


    His Berserker state was visibly weakening. Currently, his damage output probably only matched Tier 3 Phase 3 or Phase 4 if he pushed himself to the limit.


    Having come so far, he didn''t want to give up now.


    Argentius, get ready, he messaged his partner, preparing for the worst.


    Instead of Nathan, the Lava Drake charged forward. Its four legs hammered deadly rhythms on the ground, scattering lava everywhere. Nathan took a deep breath, creating more explosive claps. [Rebound] right on his hands made the explosions stack on each other, increasing their power. Meanwhile, his hands screamed in pain, but that was merely a mosquito bite compared to the Lava Drake''s attacks.


    The monster delightedly pressed forward without stopping, swinging its neck to make the lava ripple like a mane around it. It advanced relentlessly, only occasionally faltering under the impact of nearby claps. An upward kick awaited it. It didn''t care about being launched into the air, because simultaneously, a rain of lava had been released.


    Hissing sounds erupted continuously on Nathan''s skin. He gritted his teeth and endured, crouching down before jumping up to deliver continuous punches to the monster''s neck and mouth.


    The Lava Drake tried to embrace him mid-air, hoping to lock him in place and burn him to death slowly. It couldn''t succeed against his masterful body control.


    The two sides separated once again on the ground, facing each other. One side clearly showed exhaustion, while the other brimmed with vitality.


    Nathan''s stone heart''s red flashes were growing weaker. He clearly understood he was reaching his limit, growing more worried about how long he''d be incapacitated once he deactivated the Berserker state.


    As long as the Lava Drake had essence from the water drop, it could fight all day. Realizing this made it even more fearless. The ice girl seemed to have no strength left to fight. Victory was right before its eyes. The humans would surely retreat in fear. Better yet, it could kill both here to prevent information about its hideout from spreading.


    While unsure what to do next, he heard Evelyn call out.


    "Hold it still for me!"


    He suddenly remembered the Forest Hydra battle, with a similar situation. Evelyn''s silence must have been preparation for some major technique.


    He stood straight, cracking his neck with loud pops everyone could hear. He roared to gather courage. Then, leaving the ground scattered with dust, he charged forward.


    The Lava Drake snorted once, engaging in direct combat.


    The two collided, trading blow for blow. Each time Nathan landed a punch or kick, lava clung to his body, corroding his stone armor. Blood sprayed from both sides, though the Lava Drake''s was hard to distinguish.


    Nathan grew increasingly weaker with his diminishing strength.


    Just as he considered retreating to recover, Evelyn shouted.


    "Now!"


    Without time to think about her plan, Nathan gritted his teeth. He lunged forward, both arms tightly gripping the monster''s lower neck, dropping to his knees to pin it in place. Lava from its coating burned him madly. His second heart flickered like an emergency beacon. From over one hundred and fifty beats per minute, to two hundred, then over two hundred and fifty. His internal heart couldn''t help but accelerate in sync.


    His recovery speed and physical strength reached their maximum, compensating for the depletion since the beginning. The Titan bloodline forced him to press on without surrender.


    The Lava Drake, sensing danger, struggled more violently. It tucked its head down to bite Nathan''s shoulders and neck repeatedly. Spitting out stone fragments, it bit again. But its teeth couldn''t penetrate deeply. It tried to twist its body but failed clumsily. Its tail whipped up and down but couldn''t reach its enemy.


    The monster fell into panic, not knowing what to do.


    Nathan, with his cheeks pressed against the melting-wax-like monster, looked upward. Despite being in excruciating pain, he couldn''t suppress his terror.


    A massive, rough ice sword had formed floating in the air, far from the area of heat influence. It was even longer than the Lava Drake.


    The gleaming sword in the night plunged downward. Along its path, it encountered the volcanic area''s heat and began to peel away, shatter, creating sparkles like a sky full of stars.


    It kept eroding, kept eroding. But never slowed.


    It tore through the night, aimed straight for the Lava Drake.


    The battle''s final moment approached.


    A long distance from Maelivar, in his cultivation chamber, Darkan''s eyes snapped open.


    His lips muttered, eyebrows tightly furrowed.


    As a precaution, he had secretly embedded a signal mechanism in Nathan''s body. This would have been difficult to do covertly. But Nathan had accepted his skill orb, allowing him to intervene and plant it in a corner of his body.


    This signal would only activate when Nathan entered full Berserker state.


    Despite their brief acquaintance, Darkan knew his only disciple wouldn''t act against warnings. He had repeated them many times, not just once, so there was no way the boy would willfully go too far.


    Someone had interfered with the process. Nathan wasn''t foolish enough to disobey his master''s orders just for an event.


    Most importantly, he shouldn''t let people see his transformed appearance. Especially not when just days ago, Darkan had received Nathan''s blood test results.


    Without hesitation, in an instant, Darkan appeared outside, hovering in the air.


    He turned and flew toward Maelivar.


    His hand struck backward, creating shockwaves in the air, making trees hundreds of meters below sway under the residual force. His speed increased dramatically as he moved at maximum velocity, sparing no effort.

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 65


    Each passing moment was pure agony for Nathan.


    Streams of lava scorched his cheeks, neck, chest, and thighs. The restrained Lava Drake grew frenzied, willing to expend its remaining energy just to burn the human holding it tight.


    Nathan felt himself going limp, the torment spreading until his body went numb. Though his Berserker state dulled his pain receptors, it didn''t eliminate the sensation entirely. Once the damage crossed a certain threshold, he still had to endure.


    His facial bones were exposed as the Lava Drake thrashed, making crackling sounds as they resisted. He squeezed his eyes shut, fearing lava might seep into the corners. He held his breath as each inhale seared his lungs, burning through his internal organs. His teeth remained clenched, afraid to part his lips lest the drake''s vicious lava find its way in.


    The Lava Drake bobbed its neck up and down, rubbing frantically against his grip. Though it could no longer spew lava, each exhaled breath doubled the air''s temperature.


    And so they remained locked in combat - a three-meter-tall figure with melted skin and glowing red patches wrestling against a beast born of lava itself. One waited for their chance to strike, while the other desperately tried to escape its impending doom.


    The massive ice sword cleaved through the scorching air, creating a thunderous sound as it generated wisps of moonlit mist that wrapped around like white fabric. As it fell, it accelerated while simultaneously shrinking.


    By the time it neared the Lava Drake, the sword had diminished to roughly the thickness of the beast''s neck. However, this remaining ice differed from what had eroded during its descent. It was whiter, lacking the usual blue tint, more solid, and most importantly - colder.


    A wave of cold air washed over Nathan, bringing blessed relief like when his mother would let him use the air conditioning on sweltering summer days in their cramped apartment. He dared to open his eyes, slowly tilting his head up to look. Though he could only see the sword''s tip, its magnificence remained undimmed.


    The ice sword resisted the intense heat surrounding the Lava Drake. Flames from the beast''s spiky flare state licked at the blade, yet it neither melted nor vaporized.


    The sword of ice plunged downward, aimed straight for the creature''s head.


    The Lava Drake roared, refusing to give up. It knew that if it could just survive this attack, victory would be assured.


    The fire force and environment seemed to answer the monster''s call. Waves of red-orange energy manifested in the air, pouring towards it. The horn on the Lava Drake''s head blazed like a miniature sun. Its Magma Surge state gradually receded, feeding more fuel to its cranial region.


    Nathan felt the pressure ease as a result. However, he could do nothing more than use his full weight to pin the monster in place, preventing it from moving. His flesh and skin began recovering.


    The moment of impact unleashed chaos.


    The mixed shockwave from their collision sent ripples through the surroundings. Boulders launched skyward, defying gravity. The underground lava streams, touched by the conflicting energies of ice and fire, rapidly solidified into black stone. The very air seemed to shatter, creating a cascade of explosions that trailed steam, forming a thin layer of ethereal mist.


    The forces clashed in spectacular fashion. Above, white light blazed with deadly frost, its pure radiance cutting through the heated air. Below, crimson-orange light flared with destructive heat, the very essence of volcanic fury. The two powers met in a display that painted the cavern in contrasting hues of fire and ice.


    Nathan felt an immense pressure crushing down on his body. The ground beneath his feet didn''t just crack - it shattered completely, his legs sinking deep below the surface. Each crack spread like lightning through the stone, creating a spider''s web of destruction that spiraled outward from the point of impact.


    The Lava Drake experienced the same overwhelming force. Its four limbs, with their razor-sharp claws, didn''t just dig into the terrain. They tore through it like paper, leaving deep gouges that instantly filled with the pulverized remains of the stone floor.


    The mixed energies from the clash transformed the battlefield. Where once there was solid ground, now there were craters. Where lava had flowed freely, now there were twisted columns of rapidly cooled stone. The very air became charged with residual energy, making it hard to breathe.


    Explosions trailing steam scattered outward, not in a simple burst but in waves, each one carrying both burning heat and biting cold. They formed a thin layer of mist that swirled with unnatural patterns, caught between the opposing forces that had created it.


    Nathan trembled as he looked up again, witnessing the deadlock between the sword and the monster''s horn. They weren''t simply touching - they were locked in a contest of pure power, throwing off sparks with each vibration that illuminated the chamber like miniature lightning strikes.


    His eyes drooped, his mood sinking as he observed the stalemate. He recognized that the sword''s peak power came at the moment of initial impact. That split second when all its momentum and magical energy were perfectly aligned. The hoped-for outcome, the monster''s head being severed clean through, its body collapsing lifelessly, hadn''t materialized. That blazing horn still radiated intense heat, fiercely opposing the sword''s coldness with equal determination.


    Once it survived this moment, it could absorb the volcano''s power and return to strength. Though not at full capacity, it would still have more than enough force to kill both humans.


    Nathan knew his Berserker state was approaching its end. His regeneration no longer defied logic as before. Their side faced defeat.


    But the Lava Drake wasn''t much better off. It had expended all its power maintaining this state. Weakness was inevitable.


    Roaring in pain, Nathan leaped up, ignoring his unhealed wounds. Half his face was nothing but metallic-looking bone. His exterior, his flesh and blood, resembled children''s worst nightmares. A demon walking among mortals.


    Disregarding everything, paying no attention to the power radiating from the horn burning through his entire being, he wrapped his arms around the Lava Drake''s upper neck.


    His forearms were nothing but bone. But that was enough.


    He embraced the neck, his legs kicking hard against the air. The reactive force from the kick helped him wrench the monster''s neck to the side.


    With a sharp screech, the horn slipped away from the sword.


    The Lava Drake''s eyes widened in terror. As Nathan had predicted, it lacked the strength to resist the massive force the human recklessly brought to bear.


    The Lava Drake''s neck twisted to one side, perfectly positioned beneath the half-remaining ice sword.


    Thunk!


    The sword didn''t stop, plunging straight into the ground, exploding into a cloud of frigid white powder.


    Nathan collapsed onto the white blanket-like ground. His body was chaos between hot and cold. He thought he might explode at any moment. A scorching breath passed over his forehead. He tilted his head to see the Lava Drake''s head exhaling its final breath. Its pitch-black reptilian eyes still held shock and hatred. Perhaps because its severed neck was covered in brittle ice, the force it had despised from the depths of its soul.


    Only then did the Lava Drake''s tall and long body topple to one side, scattering the snow created by the sword.


    Though his mind was exhausted, Nathan couldn''t help but fear Evelyn''s power. This ice must have come from the synthesis of superior foundations, technique, abundant and pure mana, as well as an outstanding mana aspect. He could only conclude that the girl possessed some kind of Constitution. Without any of these variables, they couldn''t have achieved victory.


    Evelyn walked slowly toward Nathan, her already pale face now completely drained of life. In her hand, she clutched mana stones to replenish herself. Clearly she suffered from mana fatigue, when the body refuses to accept more mana after exchanging it too quickly and too much in a short time. This was a troublesome issue for low-level cultivators, only resolved at higher ranks.


    Nathan struggled to sit up, giving her a tired smile. His arms were still regenerating, looking somewhat horrific. The Berserker state lingered with its last remnants, as if determined to heal him completely before disappearing.


    Without a word, Evelyn also collapsed, letting out a soft laugh.


    They had done it, defeated a Tier 3 monster.


    Their armbands lit up, confirming both their hypotheses. Indeed, the reward would be ten thousand points. With both participating, each received half, five thousand points added to their totals.


    Nathan let the number 5763 on his arm fade away, feeling more confident.


    Argentius returned, offering to transform back to help both of them. It had wanted to transform several times while Nathan was fighting for his life. But it had followed orders to remain as a backup plan in case of emergency. Participating in defeating the Lava Drake might have left it in poor condition to escape if other contestants appeared.


    Nathan didn''t object, he was truly too exhausted to move.


    A tiger form three meters tall appeared, breathing out streams of air in the bizarrely cold area surrounded by volcanoes. Argentius had secretly performed the reversal method, avoiding prying eyes.


    Nathan climbed onto its back, extending his hand to Evelyn.


    Gone was her initial hesitation, she immediately grasped the hand with its newly grown skin, soft to the touch, allowing herself to be pulled up. Though unspeaking, in her exhaustion she couldn''t help but stroke Argentius''s fur.


    Nathan showed understanding, he couldn''t resist either.


    Argentius snorted in displeasure but didn''t prevent them as it headed toward the Lava Drake''s cave entrance.


    Like Evelyn, it used its spirit to sense a unique energy source inside.


    Leaving the icy area created by the sword, the heat crashed down on everyone again. Argentius manifested a wind barrier around them, blocking some of the outside temperature. Though still scorching, it wasn''t as unbearable as before.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    They were greeted by a dark tunnel, its surface covered in jagged rocks and barren. This area lacked the lava channels from outside. Evelyn pointed out that even the magma had solidified, becoming part of the geology.


    Going deeper, light gradually appeared. A spacious chamber came into view, large enough for several Lava Drakes to move around inside. Though vast, without the Tier 3 monster occupying it, the space felt strangely silent. Stone pillars tilted at odd angles were distributed irregularly, supporting the towering cave ceiling. The cave mouth was a small hole, allowing moonlight to illuminate a high ledge - the throne of the precious item they sought.


    "Winter''s Heart Drop," Evelyn breathed, her lifelessness replaced by rare excitement.


    Since the start of the event, this was the first time she showed her anticipation.


    Both approached the high stone ledge. The ice water drop was only as large as a finger joint, yet the cold it radiated was somehow more terrifying than the Lava Drake. When they were still over two meters away, Argentius stopped, not daring to advance. Its fur had nearly frozen solid, requiring mana to resist, while simultaneously protecting Nathan, who was gradually shrinking. The stone heart in his chest contracted, reduced to just a dot.


    "Argentius says we can''t go further," Nathan said. "What do you think?"


    Evelyn jumped down from the tiger''s back, slowly approaching the treasure. Even she didn''t dare act rashly before the Winter''s Heart Drop''s power. The light flickering between blue and white illuminated her face, making her crystal-like eyes shine even more brilliantly in reflection.


    At one meter away, Evelyn analyzed the item thoughtfully.


    "You absolutely must not use spirit to probe behind me for the next minute," Nathan spoke up.


    Turning around, Evelyn looked at him in confusion.


    Nathan dramatically pointed at his body.


    He was naked.


    Choking slightly, Evelyn turned back around.


    Fortunately, when transformed in the full Berserker state, his stone form had covered everything without leaving any parts exposed. Otherwise, he didn''t know what consequences might have occurred.


    Very quickly, he took out another red uniform to put on. After adjusting his clothes to be neat and tidy, he examined his body. Only after basic healing was complete did the Titan''s Berserker State fully disappear. Thus, he concluded, the defensive mechanism his bloodline provided was quite wonderful and thorough.


    The current problem was exhaustion. He felt as if his life force had been completely drained, accompanied by feverish illness that made him want to lie down in one place, close his eyes, forget everything. Weariness crept into every nook and cranny of his muscles and blood vessels. Everything became sluggish with greatly reduced reactions.


    He leaned forward against Argentius''s nape, watching Evelyn though he only wanted to lower his eyes and rest straight through.


    "This isn''t good," Evelyn finally spoke, her voice worried. "The drop has cracked. It can''t be stored to take away anymore."


    "Can''t put it in a spatial ring?"


    "Not even specially made containers would work," Evelyn replied grimly. "So spatial rings are even more impossible. The space inside spatial rings could actually accelerate the item''s collapse. Its power is flowing out uncontrolled, making storage containers useless, therefore spatial rings are useless too."


    "You need to absorb it right now?" Nathan asked.


    Evelyn calculated the time was sufficient, turned to look at Nathan, and nodded.


    He could see the hesitation in the girl''s eyes so spoke first.


    "This is a rare opportunity, isn''t it?"


    "That''s right," Evelyn answered.


    "Then do it. Argentius and I will protect you."


    "But your condition..."


    "Rest a bit and I''ll be fine," Nathan cut her off. "Nothing to worry about."


    "But then I''ll owe you again."


    "That''s even better," Nathan grinned. "That''s exactly what I hope for. And speaking of which, I might need you to protect me soon. So do what needs to be done."


    Hearing this, Evelyn nodded decisively, not dwelling on the topic further. She hoped to absorb the Winter''s Heart Drop, thereby unlocking more of her potential. That way, she could assist Nathan even more.


    Thoughts settled, to prevent the drop from dispersing further, she sat down, pointing forward to begin absorption. A mana connection strand was established between her and the Winter''s Heart Drop.


    Nathan left Argentius to keep watch over everything. The Tier 2 monster could use spirit to see more than he could.


    The Lava Drake''s corpse had cooled. What remained was a mess before Nathan''s eyes. Using Magma Surge had brought irreversible consequences to the monster. Because it hadn''t cooled properly, all its parts had become rigid and brittle. Just a bit of force would make them crumble to ash. The head seemed the only part not too damaged.


    The monster''s dissolving, unfocused eyes stared blankly toward Nathan. In their soulless depths echoed the resonance of an aspiration to rise up, to break through, a desire to become a true dragon.


    After poking around without finding any good options, he stored the head in his spatial pouch, saving the horn for extraction another day. It would surely be a valuable material. Though withstanding high temperatures, it remained undamaged. He estimated its hardness could compare to some Tier 4 materials.


    Afterward, he found the monster''s core, collected it and returned to the cave.


    Nothing remained of the mighty monster except a headless statue lying on the ground, waiting to be torn apart by other species.


    Evelyn was still trying to establish connection with the Winter''s Heart Drop so Nathan sat down, entering cultivation state to digest the essence gained from the Lava Drake.


    Nearly an hour later, he finally finished absorption because his mind and body weren''t suitable for cultivation. He managed to push his cultivation to Tier 2 Phase 7.9, but couldn''t breakthrough despite having enough essence to reach Phase 8.0


    The full Berserker state was collecting its toll. Blood vessels ached manifold whenever essence moved. Muscles and cells refused to absorb. They all seemed to enter hibernation, less active than normal.


    His spirit bore the heaviest burden, each thought or calculation having to wade through a muddy swamp to surface. His breathing was labored. His eyes could barely open.


    But he couldn''t sleep. Closing his eyes like this, he didn''t know how long before he''d wake again. Last time fighting Argentius he''d lost consciousness for a whole day. Pushing himself to the brink at The Pressuring Fall and fighting the Lava Drake would only multiply that.


    Leaving again, he only returned at midnight with monster meat from hunting and gathered herbs. A distance from the cave, he started cooking. Though delicious, the food was difficult to swallow. Meat and soup felt like sandpaper in his throat.


    He looked at his updated points on his armband to distract himself while eating. With his current points, he had slipped into the top 100 contestants. The event had been going for three days now, so contestants'' points were gradually improving, showing signs of a fixed pattern. The average points all contestants achieved hovered around 1000. Thus Nathan and Evelyn could be considered outliers in The Shifting Trials.


    Adrian still maintained his absolute position, with his points even surpassing thirteen thousand. Though second and third place weren''t far from each other, they remained significantly behind at eight thousand points. Keira had somehow managed to stay in the top ten with over seven thousand five hundred points.


    The five thousand point level like Nathan''s was quite common from ranks ten downward. He guessed challenges like the Herbalist trial he''d encountered earlier didn''t necessarily require individual participation but could be completed in teams, explaining why points were divided rather than spiking up like Adrian''s.


    Remembering this, he wasn''t certain whether the young Herbalist who had entered the inner area had completed his challenge yet. After all, Zeryn was still stuck below a thousand points. These types of challenges seemed to demand enormous time investment. Yet Nathan couldn''t believe his genius friend would perform so poorly. Before coming here, Zeryn had endured three months in the Verdant Spire Challenge, which surely wasn''t inferior to the obstacles in The Shifting Trials - perhaps even surpassing them.


    Zahra and Xander''s results were quite modest, maintaining ranks between 300 and 500.


    Most noteworthy was Lachlan. This bastard who wouldn''t leave Nathan alone seemed to have stepped on thorns, his ranking still hovering around 700. Ruby Voss found herself in a similar predicament.


    It appeared the battle between the two factions had yielded poor results for both sides. Or perhaps Lachlan and Ruby were simply too lazy to seek challenges, waiting for the final days to steal points from other contestants.


    Scrolling to the bottom of the rankings, Nathan fell into contemplation. Though his memory hadn''t been enhanced through Spirit Cultivation, he vaguely remembered some names. Currently, they remained at the bottom without any changes. He didn''t believe everyone was stuck in some challenge like Zeryn. Therefore, they must have been eliminated.


    Moving forward, this list would surely grow longer. However, contestants had to analyze and conclude this themselves as the armbands didn''t specify.


    After finishing his meal, Nathan returned to the cave. Argentius refused to go out to eat. It understood their current situation and wouldn''t be needlessly greedy. Nathan smiled and shrugged, sitting down again, trying to focus so nutrients could spread throughout his body, accelerating recovery.


    Unlike his expectations, there was no effect.


    He didn''t think this was a spiritual issue that a good sleep would solve. Thus, could the core problem be that he maintained clarity while in a frenzied state? Was this situation a double-edged sword?


    When he learned he would obtain [Mind of Tranquility], his goal was to maintain control of his actions while in Titan''s Berserker State. Only then could skills like [Martial Art Mastery], [Amplifying Strike], or [Flowing Strikes] fully demonstrate their capabilities.


    But this action had broken some balance he didn''t fully grasp. It could be an automatic mechanism the Titan bloodline implemented to protect him. Punches or kicks might automatically reduce in power when blood energy wasn''t sufficient. But being mindless, he wouldn''t notice.


    Conversely, thanks to [Mind of Tranquility], he always attacked at full force, leaving no room for retreat. And because body feedback had decreased, he became even less aware of how much he was straining everything.


    Though just speculation, he was quite confident in his reasoning. Great power demanded equivalent sacrifice. He had possessed strength to fight one-on-one with a Tier 3 monster, one stronger than its peers at that. This was even more remarkable considering he''d only truly begun cultivating four months ago. Anyone hearing about this progress would boggle at his dizzyingly rapid development.


    Both confident yet somewhat afraid, he shook his head to stop overthinking. If possible, he needed to practice more with Titan''s Berserker State to find problems and solutions. However, he doubted the feasibility of this approach. After today, it would be very difficult to enter the full Berserker state naturally.


    Argentius noticed his poor condition and came closer, releasing a mana membrane to block the cold air. It also benefited from his [Cold Resistance Aura]. Just earlier all three had suffered under lava''s heat, yet now within an extinct volcano, they huddled against the cold.


    "Thanks, buddy," Nathan said.


    Argentius responded with a twitch of its whiskers.


    Both looked toward the blue-haired girl concentrating nearby, unsure when she would finish.


    Just then, Argentius suddenly stood up, sending a warning signal.


    "Not good! We must cut Evelyn''s connection with that water drop."


    Though not understanding why, Nathan wearily stood up, his face becoming serious. He advanced without hesitation, Argentius moving parallel beside him. The monster released its mana aspect to resist the waves of cold emanating from the Winter''s Heart Drop.


    Evelyn was no longer sitting still but shaking uncontrollably.


    "What''s happening?" Nathan asked worriedly.


    "I don''t know. The water drop suddenly reacted violently. Perhaps right after the connection was established."


    Nathan could see tiny dots, visible only with focused observation, escaping from a small crack in the Winter''s Heart Drop''s surface. They flowed rapidly toward Evelyn. Her body curled up, unable to withstand that force. Though there was resonance in mana aspect, too much, too large made smooth acceptance very difficult.


    Argentius and Nathan were forced back when they got close to Evelyn. Both were covered in a thin layer of frost. Fortunately Argentius had prepared the protective membrane, or they would have suffered the full bone-piercing cold.


    Nathan''s exhausted state made his vision blur when hit by the cold. He staggered, leaning against Argentius to keep his balance.


    Ahead, Evelyn gradually lost control of her body. She went limp, slowly floating up from the ground, responding to the Winter''s Heart Drop''s call.


    Only when they were level did Evelyn stop. Her slender figure floated in mid-air, arm still extended forward.


    The white water drop began spinning frantically.


    Nathan sensed trouble and wanted to rush forward recklessly but was stopped by Argentius.


    "Too late," it shook its massive furry head. "We can''t interfere with a heaven and earth treasure''s process now."


    "Then what will happen to Evelyn?" Nathan frowned.


    "This could be her grave, or a tremendous opportunity if she survives."


    Nathan concentrated for a second, then took out a small knife from his spatial pouch. It had the ability to use mana so was covered in a blue edge. He threw it toward Evelyn.


    The edge gradually dissipated, losing stability, but remained sufficient for the knife to strike Evelyn''s armband.


    He wanted to force Evelyn outside, letting the elders protect her from danger. The warning about death wasn''t a joke.


    With a clang, the knife bounced back straight at Nathan. He dodged aside. Looking again, he saw a layer of ice had covered the armband, completely protecting it from any further attacks.


    "It wants her and warns us not to intervene," Argentius said.


    Hearing this, Nathan nodded helplessly. Madness existed not only in humans, but in all things.


    At this moment, the Winter''s Heart Drop dissolved, tiny white particles barely visible forming a stream, flowing straight into Evelyn''s chest.


    She cried out in pain, fainted, and fell.


    Nathan rushed forward when he saw the cold air around had decreased in intensity, catching her waist just in time. He gently lowered her, laying her on the stone ledge where the Winter''s Heart Drop had resided.


    An L-shaped metal piece lay in a corner. He picked it up, remembering the similar shape of what the stranger at The Pressuring Fall had given him.


    But now wasn''t the time to consider its function. He had to keep watch over Evelyn.


    She had her eyes tightly shut, face wrinkled in agony, body occasionally convulsing.


    Nathan looked toward Argentius to see if it had any insights, but only received a most unwelcome answer.


    "We have long days ahead."

 Chapter 66

    Not even a day had passed, yet Nathan felt it had already stretched longer than Argentius had warned him.


    He bitterly realized he couldn''t leave Evelyn''s side. His tiger companion seemed to have predicted this all along.


    Evelyn suffered in the cold, which seemed counter-intuitive to Nathan''s reasoning. He hadn''t expected a girl who wielded ice to struggle absorbing power of a similar nature. Yet, as Argentius pointed out, everyone was still human at their core.


    Understanding dawned on Nathan. Body temperature needed to remain stable for organs to function properly. The cold emanating from Evelyn didn''t mean her insides were equally frigid. Perhaps there wasn''t a moment when she wasn''t fighting against her own physiology.


    A mana aspect wouldn''t cause such exaggerated effects since it strictly followed human will. When mana wasn''t being actively used, neither ice nor fire aspects would manifest. Therefore, Evelyn''s condition stemmed from the Winter''s Heart Drop resonating with her physical constitution. Those small white particles were concentrated essences of heaven and earth, formed over time, far superior to regular essence and independent of external factors for power.


    The Shifting Trials organizers had truly invested tremendously in this event.


    The reason Nathan was forced to stay close was because of his [Cold Resistance Aura]. The skill Evelyn once despised now yielded unexpected results. The girl had to endure the cold while using what little warmth she could find for comfort during absorption.


    Thus, Nathan couldn''t go anywhere and had to remain near her, ensuring his skill remained uninterrupted.


    When he tried moving away, Evelyn''s breathing would become labored, her body curling up, tears flowing only to freeze immediately afterward. Nathan had no choice but to remain by her side, vigilantly watching over and protecting her.


    This simultaneously took a terrible toll on him. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn''t have mattered, he could have viewed the situation as training for his Physical Cultivation. The problem was that both his body and mind were already severely weakened. The rule of resting before returning to intensive training had never been wrong.


    His cells showed no improvement. The longer he stayed within Evelyn''s sphere of influence, the weaker he became.


    They needed each other, aura overlapping aura, suffering alongside suffering.


    After just a few hours, Nathan reached his breaking point.


    He stood up, intending to go outside for a sip of liquor before returning, but Evelyn''s whimpering made him stop. He didn''t know if even a moment''s negligence would cause her absorption process to fail. Would her life be endangered? Even if not, could it lead to foundation collapse, blocking her future path? Like everyone else Nathan had met, Evelyn, though not showing it openly, had her own will and goals.


    Sighing heavily, he returned and sat beside her. The bone-chilling cold crept into him like maggots in his bones. He gritted his teeth and endured.


    He wanted to abandon her here with all this suffering, but he couldn''t if it meant harming another person''s life. Especially someone who had shared hardships with him. Though they''d only been together a few days, Evelyn clearly harbored no ill intentions toward him like Lachlan or Ruby. She was simply someone who wanted to repay a debt.


    "Humans are truly difficult to understand," Argentius twitched his whiskers from a corner. "You worry about her future, but what about yours? Remember, The Shifting Trials aren''t over yet."


    Nathan shrugged. He hadn''t been particularly invested in this participation from the beginning. He had mainly come for honor and self-respect regarding Darkan, his master. He had achieved that and gained fame as a talented young chef. Even if he left now, nobody would dare criticize him.


    "You yourself said," Nathan wearily replied, "if Evelyn succeeds, she''ll gain a profound opportunity. So this is just another gamble for the future. If she makes it through, I''ll have a powerful ally who''ll watch my back. If I leave her lying here, I''ll have no one to accompany me or protect you. Whether I can protect you becomes questionable. If I''m defeated while you''re hiding in the Monster Storage Pouch and my Spatial Pouch is stolen, your fate won''t be easy either."


    "I can protect myself," Argentius bared his teeth.


    Yet Nathan could hear hesitation in the monster''s voice. Argentius recognized the logic in his words. The one facing the greatest danger was the monster itself. Though not saying it directly, the creature appreciated that Nathan considered its welfare in his calculations. Argentius grew more confident in his choice after using Yin-Yang Eyes in Moirath Forest.


    To help Nathan, Argentius went outside to hunt, taking the spatial pouch with him.


    Left alone, Nathan adjusted Evelyn''s position to reduce her suffering. He also covered himself with a blanket to reduce the cold slightly, then used that still-warm blanket to cover Evelyn. He kept alternating like this until the tiger monster returned.


    As requested, Argentius brought back only fruits, with meat being out of the question since Nathan couldn''t cook anything decent in their current circumstances. Frozen fruit still contained nutrients and remained edible and delicious. He ate the fruits whole or crushed them, setting them aside to instantly transform into ice cream.


    The energy and essence in the fruits weren''t particularly high, just enough to warm him slightly.


    He propped Evelyn up to lean against his back. Her slender, small frame felt like a frozen stone against his skin. He circulated essence throughout his body, making himself burn with heat, then transmitted that warmth to the girl.


    Evelyn''s face didn''t flush with healthy color, but still showed some comfort and ease. She instinctively arched herself, pressing her body closer to Nathan, hoping the warmth wouldn''t end.


    Nevertheless, he couldn''t maintain this for long and eventually laid her back down, sitting some distance away. His entire body had turned pale, his strength refusing to return. He never imagined that someone cultivating Physical Cultivation like himself would one day experience such bodily deterioration.


    He waved his hand, beckoning Argentius closer. The monster, fearing the cold, had always kept a safe distance to avoid its effects. Seeing Nathan''s exhaustion, it didn''t object and obediently approached.


    Argentius''s thick fur gently embraced Nathan''s entire body. Though the creature''s body temperature wasn''t particularly warm, it was still much better than Evelyn''s coldness, making Nathan stir. With a small smile, he drifted into sleep.


    Only about half an hour later, Argentius nudged him awake. It motioned toward the girl, and Nathan immediately understood.


    Once again, Evelyn had curled up tightly, her hands encased in a thin layer of ice that looked like it would shatter if squeezed.


    Nathan hurriedly moved toward her, putting a frozen grape in his mouth, chewing vigorously.


    [Efficient Sleep] had helped him recover slightly, so his mind wasn''t as tired anymore. His body, however, showed no progress.


    As essence flowed into his body, he once again let Evelyn lean against his back. His small warmth seemed to be absorbed by the girl. She became peaceful again, her breathing steady, her head leaning on his shoulder.


    The rest of the day passed in this manner. Nathan wasn''t sure how many times he''d drifted in and out of consciousness while letting Evelyn lean against him. Each time he closed his eyes in discomfort was another time he was awakened in worry.


    One reason he couldn''t abandon her was that the rescue bracelet had frozen over. He feared that if Evelyn perished, she would truly depart from the mortal realm. The Winter''s Heart Drop''s extreme protective mechanism frustrated him, but there was nothing he could do.


    The fruit sliding down his throat gradually lost its taste, as if his senses were beginning to protest his condition. His body needed to shut down completely, rebuilding itself gradually. Yet he stubbornly refused to lie down for extended sleep, like those nights staying up for deadlines, placing potential burdens on himself.


    When night fell, the bracelet vibrated to indicate ranking changes, but Nathan had no strength left to care. His last thread of consciousness was devoted solely to protecting Evelyn, not allowing any negligence that might cost her life.


    Argentius smelled intruders and silently departed. It returned near dawn, covered in wounds. Nathan tiredly pulled himself up to apply medicine to his companion.


    "Why did you take such a risk?" Nathan scolded.


    "If I told you, you would have stopped me anyway," Argentius frowned. "Better to say nothing and just do it."


    "Do we need to move from here?"


    "This is the best hiding spot. It''s quite far and a harsh environment. The signal from the damned bracelet would be harder for others to detect. They came because of the disturbance created with the Lava Drake the other day. Now they''ll likely think they arrived too late, that the treasure was taken by someone else. The chance of them returning is low."


    Nathan nodded, helping Argentius lie down. A deep cut on its front leg made movement difficult. It had used wind currents to bring itself back.


    "I just hope they know better, because next time I won''t be as merciful¡ªI didn''t kill a single one this time. How frustrating!"


    With that, Argentius dozed off, snoring loudly.


    Nathan leaned against his companion''s belly. Clotted blood mixed with fur made his skin itch. If things went dire, he would have to store Argentius away and carry Evelyn while running. He would try as long as he could still try.


    The second day passed.


    Too exhausted and dejected, Nathan finally checked the ranking board.


    Zeryn seemed to have completed whatever challenge he was participating in, shooting straight up to become one of the top 10. Zahra and Xander both had breakthroughs, exceeding three thousand points, moving closer to the top 200.


    Lachlan and Ruby had improved, crossing the two thousand point threshold, slowly ascending.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Nathan and Evelyn showed no improvement, so they had fallen back slightly.


    The names Nathan had noted at the bottom of the list showed no changes. The amount of these individuals was much higher than two nights ago. It seemed the elimination rate was increasing.


    Putting the bracelet away, Nathan furrowed his brow, calculating the time. The Shifting Trials had been going on for five days now. And the sacred number seven was approaching. Though somewhat speculative, he was fairly confident something would happen on or at the end of the seventh day.


    The Shifting Trials were indeed a competitive venue for the younger generation, but simultaneously an entertainment event. Both aspects had their reasons for existing, neither was wrong. The audience in Maelivar was certainly waiting to see more challenging, exciting phases, rather than contestants running around participating in trials everywhere. This was one of the major business opportunities in the city, attracting not just locals but outsiders as well. Making people feel bored was something the organizers wouldn''t want. That was without even considering the time wasted for high-level cultivators and hidden organizations attending.


    Reasoning thus, Nathan felt uneasy and turned to ask Argentius for certainty.


    "At the current rate, how much longer will Evelyn need to complete absorption?"


    "At least two more days."


    That meant by the time the girl awoke, they would both be thrust into an uncertain scenario. Whether Evelyn would even be strong enough to move remained unclear.


    "Is there any way to accelerate the process?" Nathan wondered.


    His only answer was a head shake from Argentius''s massive head.


    Scratching his head, he looked toward Evelyn lying under a thick pile of blankets, her eyebrows furrowing with each spasm.


    His gaze wandered absently to the spatial ring on her finger protruding from the blanket. If he could access it, he might find something to help her. However, he would also face unspeakable wrath when she discovered her personal items had been rummaged through.


    His own belongings consisted of only food and miscellaneous items.


    My own items? A spark ignited in his mind.


    He rummaged through his Spatial Pouch, dumping what he sought onto the ground.


    A blue stone larger than his palm rolled across the black volcanic rock surface.


    Evelyn had once gone to the lake area searching for this item. This was also a heavenly treasure of the same elemental nature as her. Though differences existed between water and ice, the benefits must have been considerable to make her seek it out personally.


    According to Argentius, the stone enhanced cultivation speed. Nathan wasn''t sure if it could help Evelyn, but he wanted to take the chance.


    Though not overly concerned with the outcome, he still wanted to see The Shifting Trials through to the end, to witness how the geniuses would compete for their positions.


    "Ah, you''ll owe me again, you know that?" Nathan chuckled, placing the stone in Evelyn''s hand.


    The stone brightened, the mysterious liquid inside beginning to shift. A white membrane seemed to envelop Evelyn.


    "How is it?" Nathan asked Argentius.


    After probing for a while, the tiger monster nodded and said, "It''s working! The absorption rate has improved."


    Nathan clapped his hands joyfully, at least he could shorten the time enduring this bone-chilling cold. The sooner they left, the more time he would have to recover.


    The liquid in the blue stone churned turbulently, simultaneously diminishing at a fairly rapid rate. Normally, this item didn''t deplete with use, because when cultivators practiced, the stone itself absorbed energy from the surrounding world, compensating for its own consumption. That''s what made it a heavenly treasure. Though not particularly valuable to high-tier cultivators, it held immense value for lower-tier cultivators. This made it worthy of placement in The Shifting Trials for contestants like Nathan to hunt.


    Yet now, this water-aspect blue stone seemed to be slowly dying. This occurred for two main reasons. First, the Winter''s Heart Drop possessed a higher tier, accounting for why it was guarded by a Tier 3 monster. Second, Evelyn wasn''t cultivating. What she was experiencing was a partial physical improvement, a foundation that would strengthen her ice power. This process demanded far more consumption than normal. All the essence within the stone was being utilized, causing it to gradually disappear.


    Nathan watched glumly as the item slowly lost its bright blue water hue. Initially, he had wanted to bargain with Argentius to possess this very item. Who knew, perhaps when he reached Tier 2, his mana aspect might need it.


    After a moment of reluctance, he firmly turned away, no longer paying attention to Evelyn.


    Upon waking from a short sleep, he returned to check on the girl.


    The stone had nearly turned completely white. He could feel that the energy surrounding Evelyn had undergone major changes, vastly different from before.


    "The absorption rate has improved significantly," Argentius explained. "The girl''s physical constitution is truly superior, it just needed a catalyst."


    Nathan understood the catalyst was his accidental intervention. The unexpected consequences were remarkably beneficial.


    He continued his routine until nearly noon when Argentius warned him.


    "There are people outside. Four of them. Three are the ones I attacked last time."


    Nathan''s companion had conducted patrol hours earlier and returned to recover from its wounds. Thus, the people outside had only just arrived. Or perhaps they had been waiting, following Argentius to exact revenge.


    Looking at Evelyn lying there, Nathan gritted his teeth, wrapped her in a blanket, covering her face, then carried her outside. Behind him walked Argentius, irritated and angry that humans dared approach its den.


    Nathan wasn''t overly optimistic. From Argentius''s words, they had found reinforcements. The fourth person was the main concern. The contestants were all elite disciples from various sects or organizations. Therefore, this fourth person must be significantly superior for others to rely on them.


    In his current state, Nathan couldn''t even defeat an ordinary disciple, let alone these talented individuals.


    He didn''t dare fight inside the volcano because he had studied the surrounding structure. Due to the Winter''s Heart Drop''s influence, the supporting pillars weren''t very stable. Destroying a few places would cause the entire cave to be buried under rocks and soil. This would only interrupt Evelyn''s process, bury Nathan alive, and leave Argentius with no space to maneuver.


    He took out the bottle of Thunder Embrace liquor with just a little remaining that he hadn''t dared use for the past few days, then stepped into the light at the cave entrance.


    Before him stood four people, two men and two women. Three wore the same gray-black uniform, coming from the same sect. The remaining person wore tight purple clothes with gold metal rings on his arm that rotated automatically. His face was hidden under a hooded cloak, revealing only a confident, ambiguous smile.


    He was the first to speak.


    "Nathan Reed?"


    Forcing a friendly smile, Nathan raised his hand.


    "That''s me!"


    "Are you the master of that tiger?" one girl asked.


    As a precaution, Nathan had placed Argentius in the Monster Storage Pouch, hoping his weak diplomatic skills could navigate this awkward situation.


    "I''m not sure what you''re talking about," Nathan pretended.


    "Don''t take us for fools," the girl shot a sharp glance at him. "We''ve been monitoring the monster from a distance. It''s been going in and out of the cave as if guarding something. That must be you, right? And the girl lying behind you?"


    Nathan shifted, pushing Evelyn up slightly for comfort. Argentius''s patrol actions had backfired. Instead of protection, they had brought unexpected trouble.


    "Hmph," the other girl in the group spoke. "Don''t think your bit of fame means you can look down on others. We''re rational enough to know how to hunt monsters. Hand it over, or must we force you?"


    For a moment, Nathan considered smashing the bracelet to escape, avoiding all the imminent pain. That way, he could take Argentius with him inside the Spatial Pouch.


    The cold emanating from behind made him push that thought aside. The escape plan could still work if everything fell apart. He still couldn''t leave Evelyn behind.


    "Now, now," Nathan spoke reassuringly. "There''s no need for violence. A monster like that tiger is worth only about a thousand points. Not enough for four people to share. I''ll cook a meal as a peace offering for my friend, how about that?"


    The three looked at him like he was an idiot. Only the person in purple remained silent, as if leaving all decisions to the others in the group.


    "That sounds appealing," the first girl said. "If we were outside. Do you think your cooking, without any notable ingredients, could be more valuable than The Shifting Trials rewards?"


    "Not equal, but enough to compensate for a thousand points," Nathan didn''t give up.


    "You really don''t know," the second girl exclaimed along with a smirk from the boy beside her. "Where have you been these past few days?"


    "What do you mean?" Nathan asked cautiously.


    "Our targets include your points," the young man who had been silent finally spoke.


    Nathan swallowed hard. The worst-case scenario had finally occurred.


    He slowly raised his bracelet; the flashing lights had gone out since Argentius had been taken away. Now, on the floating screen, four arrows appeared. This certainly wasn''t a feature from the first nights. Otherwise, he would have known.


    Evelyn''s bracelet was covered, preventing him from knowing about this new function.


    He tried pointing his hand toward one person. The screen surface immediately changed, showing the opponent''s score.


    1773 points.


    "Understand now?" one of the girls asked, though Nathan didn''t care which one.


    His mind was thinking very slowly, analyzing everything in fragments. He understood this was a mechanism to change the event''s approach. After monsters and challenges came hunting other contestants. This was inevitable.


    He needed to focus on finding a way to leave.


    Unable to hide anymore, he released Argentius from the dark space.


    The monster appeared and roared, sending out a sound that shook people''s hearts. It circled around Nathan, its massive form displaying majestic power, fangs bared threateningly.


    With a quick motion, Nathan leaped onto Argentius''s back, swinging Evelyn in front to lean against his chest. He tightened the cloth so she wouldn''t fall.


    "No taste for battle, run!" Nathan ordered through the mental communication channel with Argentius.


    "Don''t even think about it!" one of the girls on the enemy side shouted.


    A fire circle with a ten-meter radius appeared, surrounding the area where everyone stood.


    The remaining companions spread their hands, channeling mana energy into the fire wall, making its power stronger.


    "Charge through!" Nathan said fearlessly.


    With Evelyn on its back, Argentius ran swiftly in one direction, heading straight for the thick fire wall.


    As the wall was about to touch the tiger''s head, the flames were pushed aside, their power weakening. Even while unconscious, the cold Evelyn emanated remained effective.


    Simultaneously, Nathan threw poison candies to Argentius, while also putting one in his mouth.


    Argentius had reported information about the team''s strengths, so they had preventive measures. One of them used poison concealed within fire, very difficult to guard against. Argentius had overcome them by always protecting its nose with the wind aspect. The deep wound on its body was from using the metal aspect to cut away strongly contaminated parts. The poison inside its body could be fought off with its natural constitution, without Nathan''s help.


    The three cursed, joining the purple-clad person in pursuit.


    Argentius chose to run toward the forest. There, it could maneuver more easily.


    From behind came various fireballs. They were all blocked by Argentius''s tail spinning like a propeller, causing no significant injuries. The girl who first spoke to Nathan used the Lightning Aspect to close in.


    A blue light flashed, and Nathan saw a knife slashing toward him. He lacked the strength to do anything, only managing to shift his shoulder slightly so the knife would strike where it couldn''t cause severe injury. Groaning, he swung his arm to push the girl away.


    She widened her eyes at the brief exchange. The young man''s skin was incredibly tough. Her knife was a Tier 2 weapon, capable of severing a limb completely, not just causing a surface wound like it did. Nevertheless, she achieved her purpose and continued the pursuit.


    Triggered [Poison Processing]. One credit given.


    Poison again, Nathan silently lamented.


    He didn''t bother raising his hand to stem the bleeding. All his concentration was on sensing the changes around him.


    Argentius divided its strength to counter the opponents'' ranged attacks and couldn''t divert attention to help Nathan. He also told his monster companion not to worry. Though weakened, he could still take a hit or two.


    This time, blue light flashed from three different directions. Nathan hugged Evelyn and ducked, narrowly avoiding one attack. The other two slashed across his back.


    Worse still, the two cuts left marks like two electrodes, connecting with each other, shocking Nathan nearly into unconsciousness. Fortunately, thanks to his training in Moirath Forest and [Living Resistor], he could withstand the enemy''s attack. The problem was that he couldn''t take too many hits because the opponent''s techniques bypassed all his resistances.


    Argentius finally reached the forest edge. Their path to survival had opened.


    The girl using the Lightning Aspect, seeing she couldn''t bring Nathan down and had let the monster reach favorable terrain, retreated and shouted.


    "When do you plan to act?"


    The hooded young man laughed contemptuously but still extended his hand forward.


    Argentius was moving with wind currents, gliding about a meter above the ground when suddenly it was forced down. It spun around, still managing to use its shoulder bone to knock Nathan into the air. When its belly was exposed, it used its claws to embrace its companion, minimizing impact.


    "What happened?" Nathan asked dizzily, looking around in confusion.


    "Gravity suddenly changed," Argentius answered.


    Rare Aspect, Nathan''s heart sank.


    With just one fall, he and Argentius were surrounded.


    The four people were evenly distributed on all sides, staring intently at their prey.


    As he tried to stand, Nathan felt movement against his chest.


    He looked down and met a pair of crystal-clear eyes staring at him. Those eyes carried joy, tinged with shyness and concern. Sunlight filtering through the leaves cast rays on her mirror-like face, creating dreamlike spots of light.


    "Nathan, don''t worry. I''m here," Evelyn said softly.

 Chapter 67

    Evelyn never completely lost consciousness during her blackout. Through her spirit, she caught glimpses of her surroundings, each moment of awareness coinciding with shifts in sensation.


    It had been a long time since she''d endured such a profound, crushing cold. A cold that penetrated to the bone, leaving her numb and in agony.


    Because of this, each time the intensity of cold fluctuated, it roused her subconscious, a defense mechanism allowing her to survey her surroundings.


    She watched as an exhausted young man left her. In that moment, she realized the Winter''s Heart Drop''s effects worsened instantly. Her body convulsed under its torment. Only when the young man returned did everything become more bearable.


    She wanted to whisper her thanks, for she could see how utterly drained he was, looking as though he might collapse at any moment. But soon she slipped back into the formless darkness, continuing her invisible battle with the artifact that wrestled with her essence.


    Hours later, she once again glimpsed the outside world. She saw the young man preparing to leave. Deep down, she understood but couldn''t help feeling abandoned. Then, ultimately, he turned back and remained by her side. She couldn''t hear what he said to the tiger monster keeping its distance. She only knew to be grateful that she hadn''t been left behind.


    The young man was remarkably attentive, arranging blankets and bedding to increase warmth for her. She felt the warmth radiating from outside her body all the way to her core.


    Afterward, she found herself repeatedly awakening, leaning against a broad, strong back. The warmth became intense each time she was positioned this way. The unbearable pain became significantly more manageable. Her only regret was that she couldn''t lift her head from where it naturally rested on his shoulder, no matter how embarrassed she felt.


    In the time that followed, from the depths of darkness, she longed for the next moment she could lean against him, bringing comfort and warmth.


    After an unknown passage of time, she nearly jolted awake when the young man placed the water-aspect supporting stone in her hand. The effect was immediate, the elemental similarities allowed her to absorb it without resistance or difficulty. The absorption speed of the Winter''s Heart Drop increased significantly.


    She caught the young man''s relieved smile. Though he showed regret over the depleting stone, his cluelessness about it made her want to laugh. In the midst of profound suffering, this small joy made her fight harder, accelerating the process.


    When only a small amount of the Winter''s Heart Drop''s essence remained, her spirit automatically gathered information from outside. Her protective companion was in danger. He had wrapped her against his chest, gritting his teeth as the numbing cold invaded his lungs and heart. In that moment, she desperately wished he would abandon her and flee. But she understood the young man''s temperament despite their brief acquaintance. There was a stubborn persistence that radiated from him. If someone pointed it out, he would surely deny it, yet who else at his age would dare host dinner parties that attracted Maelivar''s most influential figures? Recklessness was just one facet¡ªhe had enough courage and madness to face a Lava Drake. Not to mention the mysterious incident at The Pressuring Fall, which she still didn''t fully comprehend.


    All she could do was concentrate on accelerating her consumption of the Winter''s Heart Drop, hoping to awaken in time.


    Finally, she regained consciousness after the collision Argentius and Nathan endured. She hadn''t completed the fusion process, but it was nearly finished, enough for her to suppress the Winter''s Heart Drop''s resistance, forcing it into a corner of her body.


    "Right about time," Nathan said with a chuckle, his eyes showing relief as he looked at her.


    Evelyn started, quickly pushing herself away to avoid their closeness.


    She untangled herself from the blankets covering her and handed them to Nathan.


    "Thank you," she said solemnly. "I''ll handle things from here."


    "Normally I''d say it''s not safe and we should run," Nathan joked. "But my condition isn''t great, so do whatever you want. If things get desperate, we''ll leave this place."


    Evelyn nodded as Nathan shook the bracelet for her to see. The protective ice layer had melted, so she could break it anytime.


    Nathan leaned against a tree trunk, relaxing for the first time in days. He took out his Thunder Embrace liquor and drained it, preparing mentally for the worst-case scenario.


    The four people surrounding them narrowed their eyes at the newly risen girl. They''d seen her wrapped in Nathan''s arms from the beginning, assuming she wouldn''t pose much of a threat. Now, however, they sensed an ominous pressure descending upon the surrounding space. Even the young man in purple clothing became cautious.


    Argentius roared, his fur billowing as he released his power around him.


    Evelyn glanced at the tiger monster, noticing the wounds it had suffered. Her gaze turned ice-cold, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet in an instant, sparing only the area around her allies.


    Realizing there was no retreat, the two fire-users roared, radiating a red-orange halo to resist. Simultaneously, they formed fireballs in their hands and launched them at Evelyn.


    She extended her hand forward, stretching out her fingers.


    Before the disbelieving eyes of all observers, the fireballs froze, their flames extinguished as they transformed into perfect white spheres.


    With his [Martial Art Mastery], Nathan vaguely analyzed Evelyn''s technique. She had gathered the moisture in the air and instantly frozen it, neutralizing the opponents'' attacks.


    Seeing this, the enemies became more aggressive, their hands flinging forward continuously. Fireball after fireball blazed toward the blue-haired girl.


    The frozen spheres multiplied in turn, hovering beside Evelyn.


    The girl wielding lightning aspect smiled, sending forth a network of crackling serpents from her five fingers. They darted forward, using the frozen spheres as conductors, intending to electrocute her opponent.


    Evelyn''s face remained expressionless, her hair rising for a beat as an ice wall formed, deflecting each striking lightning bolt without allowing any to penetrate.


    The white frozen spheres began to move, sharpened into points by Evelyn''s will. Then, a storm of ice arrows shot forth.


    The targeted contestants were skilled in evasion, allowing the attacks to slide past them. But the nature of Evelyn''s power had fundamentally changed. Unlike before, when her ice bolts could only travel in straight lines, this time they paused mid-air, turned around, and gave chase.


    The lightning girl fared better, utilizing her speed to maneuver. The two fire users struggled more severely, their mana shields constantly trembling. Sometimes the arrows pierced through, striking their armor. Though they hadn''t yet reached skin, the impact was agonizing, especially as the ice spread from the contact points, inflicting cold damage and making their movements sluggish.


    At this moment, the purple-clad young man made his move. Areas of increased gravitational force appeared. They made no distinction between friend and foe, creating pressure on both people and the ice bolts. The sound of shattering ice echoed as the bolts crashed to the ground, and teammates buckled under the sudden pressure they couldn''t resist.


    Evelyn withdrew her hand, warily eyeing the young man in tight purple clothing.


    "Damn it," the remaining young man in the group cursed. "Couldn''t you have given some warning first?"


    The purple-clad youth smirked beneath his hood, speaking with indifference.


    "Didn''t I just resolve your difficulties? And mind your language. Don''t attract more enemies."


    Hearing this, the other man could only silently grind his teeth.


    The lightning-using girl spoke up.


    "What are you planning? Shouldn''t we combine forces to defeat them? Standing aside like this violates our agreement."


    "Our agreement didn''t include this girl," the purple-clad youth pointed toward Evelyn.


    "One more person means more points. What''s there to worry about?"


    "This is exactly why," the purple-clad youth snorted contemptuously, "you rely on others to progress. You obsessively focus on prey without noticing your surroundings. In doing so, you transform yourselves into appetizing meals."


    "What do you mean?" the silenced young man retorted irritably.


    "You were so fixated on your grudge against that tiger that you failed to properly scout the volcanic area, didn''t you?"


    The three briefly looked baffled, their eyes narrowing.


    While the enemies showed signs of division, Evelyn retreated, positioning herself closer to Nathan.


    With his understanding, Nathan knew the girl was planning something. Her silent actions were always the most dangerous thing about his teammate. He could only trust her, having no idea what she intended.


    The purple-clad young man smiled discreetly, as if detecting something, but instead of warning his allies, he said:


    "These two have over five thousand points. And there haven''t been any challenge areas nearby. How do you suppose they managed that?"


    "Tier 3 monster," all three muttered simultaneously.


    They were struggling, not stupid¡ªtheir rational assessment was simply compromised. Moreover, they only knew of Nathan Reed, a chef. No matter how powerful a Tier 1 cultivator might be, no one would believe they could fight a Tier 3 monster. His points, according to their instinctive reasoning, must relate more to his profession.


    This was likely the purple-clad youth''s thinking as well, though he remained uncertain.


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    Following this line of reasoning, if Nathan were excluded, then someone else must be the central issue.


    The blue-haired girl.


    "I even saw the charred remnants of a Drake," the purple-clad youth remarked, as if confirming everything.


    The team from the same organization tensed, slowly regarding Evelyn with growing fear.


    The recent exchange had somewhat demonstrated the power disparity between both sides. The three initially still believed in their abilities. Now, not so much.


    "Split up and run," the fire-using young man shouted, sensing trouble.


    They had been talking too long.


    "You bastard," the lightning girl cursed the purple-clad youth, abandoning all respect. This temporary ally had aided the enemy by stalling for time. He could have warned them earlier or suggested a course of action with the information he held. Instead, he toyed with everyone as if it had nothing to do with him.


    "Too late," the young man laughed loudly beneath his hood.


    A white mist suddenly appeared, completely enveloping the area where everyone stood. Each droplet carried a bone-chilling cold that threatened to freeze the world solid.


    The three-person team clustered together, using fire to combat the strange power surrounding them.


    "A domain?" the purple-clad youth exclaimed with interest, seemingly unaffected by the mist. "No, something lesser. Haha. That Tier 2 can touch this profound veil is truly rare."


    Though unaffected by the mist''s effects, Nathan couldn''t suppress a feeling of awe. This had to be an upgraded version of the technique Evelyn used to freeze the Forest Hydra''s head and the Lava Drake''s lava flow. As for domains, he was clueless and hadn''t considered them. He only knew that if Evelyn could have used this against the Lava Drake, they wouldn''t have suffered as they did before.


    The other three only felt their bodily functions slowing. Blood and mana circulation faced resistance, with every slight movement bringing unbearable pain. The protective fire surrounding them flickered unstably as their mana supply became interrupted.


    The lightning girl''s abilities became useless. She discharged in all directions but was hindered by poor visibility. Random strikes hit nothing. And even if they did, she believed Evelyn would easily deflect them.


    The three exchanged glances, nodding once before pulling talismans from their spatial rings. Each channeled mana to ignite the mystical inscriptions on the paper.


    At this moment, the mist condensed more rapidly, extinguishing the flames emitted by the two young fire users and freezing their talismans solid.


    The young man roared, forcing flames to radiate outward once more. However, the talismans they held remained unactivated, encased in ice like popsicles.


    Terror filled their eyes. This was beyond overwhelming. This ice and snow transcended anything they''d encountered. They were facing a monstrous prodigy among Caelindor Kingdom''s elite.


    Nathan was no different from the three. He was genuinely speechless before the capability Evelyn had just attained. This wasn''t merely an aspect improvement, but something more precious. Bloodline. He had always been suspicious when Evelyn claimed she didn''t possess the Sovereign Frost Constitution. Now he believed her. After being asked to help by Orin, he had researched this physical constitution. Though information was scarce, it was enough for a preliminary assessment. In essence, at Tier 2, even the Sovereign Frost Constitution wasn''t extraordinarily superior to other cultivators of the same tier. The significant breakthrough came from Tier 4 and above.


    Yet now, Evelyn''s power was making all three unbearably suffer.


    The lightning girl, seeing no escape, could only bite her lip until it bled. She smeared the blood onto her teammates'' clothes in an obscure pattern. Then, without a word, her eyes flashed with electric streaks. Leaving behind an explosive sound, she dashed backward, hoping to escape the mist. If successful, she could use a secret technique to pull her teammates away. The substantial price to be paid afterward was one she was willing to bear.


    The girl didn''t believe this mist could hinder her.


    She was mistaken.


    The core of Evelyn''s ice power had until now been merely the visible tip of the iceberg.


    When entering the mist at high speed, the girl rejoiced at encountering no major obstacle. She couldn''t fully transform into lightning, so her speed remained tangible. Nevertheless, with this acceleration, she believed she could leave the deadly area before the mist could freeze her.


    That was merely the thought in her mind. Externally, she had completely slowed down after just seconds of exposure to the drifting mist particles.


    Something strange occurred. The girl''s limbs still emitted electric sparks, evidence she was still moving at high speed while utilizing her mana aspect. Yet an outside observer would only see her as if in slow motion, the movement of her raised leg gradual, leaving no afterimage as intended.


    As if both space and time around her had been separated. Frozen in place.


    Unable to escape the mist zone, the lightning mana aspect user was penetrated by the cold. In an instant, she was encased in ice, transformed into a statue mid-movement. Electric sparks still flickered beneath the statue''s surface. Her eyes gradually filled with horror as she realized what was happening to her.


    Her companions fared no better. Though Evelyn''s special effect couldn''t activate as the mist particles were blocked outside, they still couldn''t withstand the quality of her power. Their Aspect Affinity wasn''t high enough to produce a superior fire, nor did they possess any special bloodline to resist.


    The two even used a different aspect of poison to push their limits.


    Black filaments appeared on their faces, helping energy circulation. Poison speed combated the ice power that had infiltrated their bodies slightly. Not enough to be affected, just enough to hinder actions from becoming fluid.


    This wasn''t an ideal solution, as the poison''s side effects were difficult to address. Even using antidotes required time to fully heal. They were simply gambling on their teammate.


    After maintaining for three minutes, the two looked at each other, their eyes dissolving in despair. Lightning was a speed-oriented aspect. They understood their teammate. Especially the blood mark on their backs¡ªthe longer it remained, the harder this secret technique would be to use. The outcome they dreaded had arrived.


    They didn''t even bother seeking help from that purple-cloaked bastard. This revealed another aspect of The Shifting Trials contestants. Though alliances formed, their foundations were more fragile than soap bubbles. A minor incident was enough to completely reverse the situation. They had arrived as the superior party, but now found themselves inferior with no recourse. The stronger ones saw them merely as tools. And what could they do? Being a tool was one way to rise. Everything was simply a matter of betting wrong.


    The two abandoned their resistance, allowing themselves to become ice statues.


    Evelyn single-handedly defeated three cultivators of her generation, her manner casual, as if nothing was challenging.


    Nathan couldn''t comprehend what was happening with his limited visibility. He only heard applause echoing from among the trees.


    "Powerful, too powerful," said the purple-clad youth.


    Surrounding him was an area of increased gravitational force. This downward pull caused mist particles entering to plummet to the ground, unable to approach him in the slightest.


    He waved his hand, casting away the metal rings he wore. These inherently carried their own gravitational zones, making mist yield wherever they passed.


    These metal rings struck the bracelets of the three frozen statues before pausing and flying back.


    "Over two thousand points, not bad," the purple-clad youth chuckled.


    Though Nathan couldn''t fight, his hearing was sufficient to catch this. That bastard had just stolen Evelyn''s hard-earned work.


    He simultaneously realized Evelyn remained stationary to protect him. Argentius did the same. Both somehow sensed that Nathan, in his weakened state, would be the target. He didn''t feel like a burden because of this. After all, just over half an hour ago, he had been Evelyn''s protector. What goes around comes around.


    "I''m done playing with you all. Until we meet again."


    With those words, the purple-clad youth released his metal rings. They hovered as he jumped onto them, and those he stepped on flew upward, continuing to serve their master by forming steps.


    Higher and higher he rose, escaping the mist''s range. With a loud laugh, he leaned against the metal rings and drifted slowly down to another area.


    Evelyn exhaled as the enemy departed. She closed her eyes, her body trembling once, and the mist gradually disappeared.


    "Is he really gone?" Nathan asked.


    "Really gone," Evelyn nodded in confirmation.


    Nathan also sighed in relief. He finally had his moment of rest. He relaxed his vigilance, laying his entire body flat on the ground.


    "You lied to me," Evelyn accused.


    "Lied about what?" Nathan didn''t understand, struggling to lift his head to ask.


    "You said you could recover quickly, right? I believed you because I saw your physique was truly extraordinary."


    "Oh, that," Nathan chuckled. "I didn''t really know! So it can''t be considered a lie."


    Evelyn said nothing, clearly still contemplating this.


    "I''m sorry," Nathan gazed at the bright sky, its warm rays caressing his cheek after the period of coldness. "I put both of us in a dangerous situation. One misstep, and your life would have been difficult to preserve. I had no idea the Winter''s Heart Drop would be so capricious."


    "I didn''t know either," Evelyn murmured. "If anything, it''s my fault for wanting to absorb it without understanding."


    "What''s this?" Nathan teased. "You want to compete for apologies with me? That''s not acceptable."


    Evelyn, in a rare moment, broke into a smile, ceasing to argue with her teammate.


    She helped Nathan set up a campfire, but demonstrated her clumsiness in such matters. She refused Nathan''s assistance, attempting to do everything herself. Though the result wasn''t perfect, it was serviceable.


    Argentius returned with prey in its mouth, throwing it to Nathan for preparation. Simultaneously, it cautiously reported that monsters were becoming much scarcer in the surroundings. Mostly just Tier 1 remained, with Tier 2 almost impossible to find.


    So the event is moving toward its next phase, Nathan thought as he began cooking. This task couldn''t be left to Evelyn.


    The long-absent aroma from Nathan''s culinary skills wafted through the forest clearing.


    Just as Evelyn had previously been drawn by the alluring scent, this time additional people were guided by it.


    Nathan wondered whether he should use his cooking to lure others into a trap.


    Zahra parted the foliage blocking her view, her nose sniffing loudly, mouth watering as she approached.


    Outside the pocket dimension, discussions arose endlessly about the performances of The Shifting Trials contestants.


    Screens distributed evenly were broadcasting footage of notable contestants or interesting challenges.


    In one area, screens displayed challenges specifically for Artificers. With complex puzzles or intricate assembly requirements, participating contestants all had to rack their brains to overcome them.


    The remaining area was a mix of various contestants. Some screens repeatedly showed the achievements of noteworthy contestants based on PsiLink requests.


    Adrian''s performance, broadcast since day one until now, had begun to cool down. Zeryn was the next star attracting everyone''s attention. The genius displayed in his Intent training area left people speechless. Others would have abandoned the challenge due to the exceedingly long time requirement. Zeryn alone never showed any hesitation, confining himself for over four days to completely overcome it, creating a breakthrough for himself.


    Another screen showed Keira. She wasn''t operating alone but acting in a group. The point distribution could be decided by consensus among members, yet she always took the larger share. Viewers would struggle to distinguish whether she established relationships with those around her simply through charisma or through her Illusion Aspect.


    A special small screen was reserved for Lachlan. Those following this channel gleefully ridiculed the notorious young master.


    Other smaller areas were dedicated to contestants from Maelivar''s four great houses and Duke Kael''s forces.


    Currently, the largest screen in the square was replaying a scene that stirred everyone''s hearts.


    Nathan and Evelyn''s battle with the Lava Drake.


    Nathan''s transformation became the hottest topic on PsiLink. Questions about the origin of this power emerged like a tempest. Discussions about whether it related to food were also quite lively. Nathan''s past gradually surfaced, eventually leading to Darkan at Verdant Spire Sect.


    But the Berserker path wasn''t mentioned. Hypotheses were raised but sank quickly. Simply because no one knew Darkan practiced Physical Cultivation. Available information only reported him as a Tier 4 in Spirit Cultivation elder like other elders.


    Thus, everything gradually revolved around the most endorsed hypothesis: Nathan''s bloodline. Some said he was a descendant of some Dragonoid clan. Others said he had mutated by eating monster meat. There was even information suggesting he belonged to one of the world''s hidden races, now emerging to establish his name.


    Evelyn was also mentioned but not given much importance. They knew she used ice, and information about ice was plentiful¡ªeasy to research on one''s own.


    But a human who could transform while still so young was a rarity. Other contestants might have bloodlines with various powerful effects. But none could fully transform like Nathan. Moreover, it brought power far surpassing others. Discussions even placed Nathan and Adrian on the same scale, questioning who would win.


    The betting odds for Nathan gradually decreased, placing him on par with Adrian, Zeryn, and Zhanyu.


    A chef was capturing everyone''s attention.


    Including the eyes of the highest echelons. Youth or commoners discussing was one matter, but the attention of high-tier cultivators was another. They understood more about this world, grasping secrets not everyone knew.


    Elder Nalani of Verdant Spire Sect was under pressure due to her disciple''s performance. She couldn''t believe Nathan possessed such combat prowess. Simultaneously, she felt irritated, as if deceived by Darkan. Nathan''s potential was immense given his recent display. She felt foolish for unnecessarily making enemies. Most importantly, she couldn''t answer the interest from other forces. Among them were individuals from tiers higher than Sect Leader Alaric. She was no different from a mortal standing before a deity, incredibly diminutive. A feeling she hadn''t experienced in a long time.


    Receiving no answers, these perpetually hidden figures requested a meeting with Duke Kael. They made a demand that couldn''t be refused. Not for benefits, but simply because they were stronger, and no one dared oppose.


    They wanted to know what Nathan''s bloodline was.

 Chapter 68

    Zahra devoured Nathan''s cooking with natural delight. She slurped the soup noisily, savoring every drop. The essence of the meal manifested through the expressions dancing across her face.


    Nathan didn''t hesitate to serve her another portion, the short-haired girl''s enthusiasm infectious.


    There was only one issue with this meal¡ªZahra seemed to harbor some aversion toward Evelyn. He couldn''t understand why. He could only guess it stemmed from Zahra''s predatory instincts. Evelyn radiated some kind of threat that made her uncomfortable.


    Evelyn, for her part, acted as if she hadn''t noticed, silently eating her meal.


    Argentius had just returned after leaving when he''d caught Zahra''s scent. He hadn''t had time to let Evelyn remind Zahra that she was Nathan''s friend and there was no need for wariness.


    Upon seeing the majestic and magnificent tiger monster, Zahra dropped her bowl and spoon. She sprang to her feet and, without a word, lunged toward Argentius.


    Nathan startled, his mouth opening to shout a warning, but he only saw Zahra throw her entire body onto the massive form of the tiger monster. She rubbed her cheek back and forth with delight, her nose inhaling deeply the scent from Argentius. Even Nathan had to agree that his partner maintained excellent body odor. It simply used wind to blow away any unwanted smells.


    Argentius, unusually tolerant, nudged his massive head against Zahra to push her away without showing displeasure. Then, he lowered his four limbs, raised his haunches, with eyes bright with excitement. Zahra simultaneously changed her posture, raising her hands to mimic claws.


    The two leaped at each other, one dodging while the other tried to grab. Zahra''s gleeful laughter echoed through the trees. She used wind aspect mana, similar to Argentius, to glide back and forth, increasing the difficulty.


    Evelyn gave Nathan a questioning look. He merely shrugged, equally perplexed.


    "I like the girl," Argentius sent a message through Nathan''s mind.


    "Why?" he asked.


    "She is the descendant of an ancient spirit beast. Possibly related to my lineage. I suspect as much."


    Nathan nodded thoughtfully. Since their meeting, Zahra had never hesitated to show she carried a bloodline. Her carefree attitude sometimes made him envious. He wasn''t sure if she was born that way or raised to be so. Mostly, he found that issues with her were never too heavy or complex. Things just flowed naturally. What came, came¡ªwhat didn''t, didn''t.


    "You have a quality partner," Zahra said, hand on her hip, voice revealing clear envy.


    "Oh? Do you want to steal him?" Nathan asked with a laugh.


    "If I could, I would," Zahra pouted. "It''s not easy to get a big guy like this to follow someone."


    "You''re right about that. I paid with quite a bit of blood."


    Zahra chuckled, waving her hand dismissively.


    "That''s getting off easy. Isn''t that right, big guy?"


    Argentius nodded in agreement, whiskers twitching haughtily, as if to tell Nathan he had been very generous when forming their contract.


    Zahra didn''t eat anymore, her gaze fixed on Argentius as he devoured the food Nathan had left for him.


    "Don''t tell me you tracked us down by smelling the food?" Nathan asked while resting. His condition showed signs of improvement, but progress was slow.


    "Not at all," Zahra shook her head. "You think my nose is that omnipotent? I stumbled here because of a vague calling several days ago."


    "A calling?"


    "Yeah, I don''t know how to describe it. Just a persistent roar. Both primal and familiar. It lasted for a few hours until nightfall, then disappeared. I just walked aimlessly since I didn''t know where to go in this pocket dimension anyway. By the time I got near here, I think whatever it was had vanished. Before that, while the sound was still there, it seemed to change direction. Afterward, I smelled the food and followed it. I''ve heard of your cooking skills but never had the chance to try them. Now I''m craving it too much. I could eat forever!"


    Nathan didn''t comment on her desire for his cooking, instead pondering the mysterious calling.


    Previously, Zahra had confessed there was some strange connection between them, directly related to their bloodlines. And the direction Zahra had been heading was toward the volcanic area, where he had fought the Lava Drake in full Berserker state. The detail about the changing direction also matched when he moved from the waterfall to the Lava Drake''s territory.


    He looked at Zahra with a strange expression. If he truly was the one who had called her, what secret did their bloodlines share?


    He didn''t voice his thoughts since it was still speculation. Besides, there was a stranger to Zahra present. This matter should be discussed when they were alone.


    After finishing their meal, the three packed up and continued their journey. Evelyn didn''t object to Nathan inviting Zahra to join them. Zahra had no reason to refuse; she still wanted to mooch off his cooking.


    Nathan remained on Argentius''s back as they traveled.


    "What did you do to end up unable to walk?" Zahra inquired curiously. If Nathan hadn''t been sitting, she would have wanted to get closer to Argentius.


    "Fought a Tier 3 monster," Nathan answered, puffing out his chest.


    Zahra stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening as she looked from Nathan to Evelyn, who hadn''t contradicted his statement.


    "Impressive," she marveled. "Truly impressive."


    "What about you? What do you plan to do with your ranking?"


    Zahra waved her hand dismissively, continuing forward.


    "I don''t care. If my master hadn''t begged me, I wouldn''t have bothered participating."


    Nathan snorted with laughter. Such an answer perfectly matched his impression of the girl.


    "But if you want to continue with us, you should consider earning points," Nathan reminded her.


    "What do you mean?"


    "Have you encountered others ''hunting'' you yet?"


    "No. I usually avoid unnecessary confrontations, mainly engaging with monsters in speed challenges. I was ranked third, so my points are just over a thousand."


    Nathan calculated quickly, somewhat surprised by the combat prowess of his wind aspect mana-using friend. The remaining two thousand points from hunting monsters was no small feat.


    "A new mechanism has been introduced to The Shifting Trials," he said, demonstrating how to display an opponent''s points on his bracelet. "Currently, the prey has changed to participating contestants. Including us. And I''m guessing in two days, the event will introduce a change to escalate things."


    "And it''s related to individual points?" Zahra deduced.


    "Exactly, otherwise the competition would remain too peaceful."


    "Then let''s go," Zahra exclaimed, as if she needed no further consideration. "I know a place where we can earn points."


    The three headed north, toward where Nathan had seen bizarre structures when he first appeared in this pocket dimension. In the sky, strange formations stretched upward, blocking the view¡ªsome like interlocked needles, others like different geometric shapes connected at various points.


    Along the way, monsters were, as Argentius had reported, much scarcer than before. Only weak Tier 1 creatures remained scattered about.


    The forest ended, opening into a vast plain extending ahead. This was where they spotted other contestants moving constantly. Some groups were engaged in combat, or observing from afar, plotting to benefit from others'' conflicts. Some being pursued, knowing this place was both dangerous and safe, flocked from various terrains. Here, individuals and groups alike maintained heightened vigilance.


    Overall, caution and greed created a strange stalemate.


    Nathan''s group''s appearance attracted probing glances. When others saw their total points, many stirred with interest. However, assessing the addition of a Phase 9 Tier 2 monster, they all backed off.


    Nathan''s hair stood on end at the place Zahra had brought them. Though this was a battlefield and a safe zone, the risk remained substantial. He lacked fighting capacity. Evelyn, Zahra, and Argentius could contend with a team of five to six people, but more would be problematic. Tier 2 monsters were scarce, points were necessary¡ªsufficient reasons for others to form alliances.


    "Do you think this is the right choice?" Nathan questioned.


    "Nothing to worry about!" Zahra laughed loudly. "Whoever comes, we''ll take them down."


    "That''s right!" Argentius snorted. "You worry too much, you know?"


    Nathan tapped the monster''s head once, silently cursing this bastard who must have forgotten how they had all been torn apart by the Lava Drake.


    "We''re gonna be doomed!" Nathan exclaimed.


    Triggered [Bad Omen]. Prediction is false. One credit given.


    Nathan ignored this skill. To him, if they weren''t doomed, there were still many ways things could go badly.


    He looked toward Evelyn, seeking agreement.


    "Whoever comes, we''ll take them down!" she replied coldly.


    Her statement made Zahra turn to look at her, lifting her chin in approval.


    Lost among battle-crazed companions, Nathan lay wearily on Argentius''s back.


    Traveling through the area thick with gunpowder scent, the group reached the other side, where the strange architectural structures began.


    The people they left behind watched Nathan''s group with contemptuous smiles. Everyone thought about earning points from this area, which was why so many from different sects and professions gathered here. They had failed, so they needed to collect points from other sources.


    Nathan felt relief wash over his body as they moved away from those greedy stares. Not being in fighting condition, he truly hoped everything would pass peacefully. Nearly six thousand points gave him enough confidence to continue. Maintaining those points was the priority now.


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    Ahead, a path with various branches opened before the group. Each branch led to the entrance of structures with bizarre, sky-piercing roofs visible from afar.


    Nathan guessed this must be the area for Artificers. Several entrances showed signs indicating the challenges within¡ªone with a hammer shape, another with a five-meter-high circuit statue at the entrance, yet another with floating geometric shapes trying to combine.


    Outside and along the paths, various contestants wandered, not just Artificers. These challenges didn''t prohibit disciples or students from other organizations. Many tests requiring sufficient knowledge and intelligence could be attempted without obstacles. These young teenagers displayed diverse expressions, some hesitant, others contemplative as if calculating something, some with eyes closed in meditation but unable to hide their trembling.


    Zahra led the group to a structure where several people stood. The entrance was a circular stone construction with glowing patterns carved along it. At the center was a blue luminous membrane, indicating a gateway to another space.


    "You''re not serious, are you?" Nathan asked.


    Zahra grinned carelessly, replying, "This is fun. I haven''t participated in any yet. I heard each person only has one chance to choose a challenge like this, so I''ve been looking for companions. Now I have them."


    "So you want to explore rather than earn points?"


    "We can do both," she defended. "If we don''t earn points, then it''s just fate."


    Nathan slapped his forehead in apparent despair.


    Suddenly, a slap on his thigh rang out with a sharp sound.


    Argentius, once again unaware of the situation, turned and bared his teeth threateningly at the newcomer.


    "Easy there, buddy!" Zeryn raised both hands, eyes wide.


    Nathan, slightly dizzy from his monster friend''s sudden turn, jumped down trying to stabilize himself.


    "You look like shit, Nate!" Zeryn exclaimed. Seeing Argentius calm down, he moved forward to support his friend.


    "Yeah, I know," Nathan said.


    "Zeryn! You''re here, too?" Zahra approached cheerfully. "Now we have another person to contribute brainpower."


    Nathan''s lips twitched hearing the girl speak like that. Clearly, she was only interested in having fun, not assessing the difficulty of the challenges.


    "Who is she?" Zeryn asked about the blue-haired girl standing quietly to one side.


    "Evelyn," Nathan answered. "My teammate these past few days."


    Nathan looked at Zeryn with some confusion. Normally in this situation, his friend would have approached to introduce himself, showing off his handsome appearance.


    Zeryn grabbed Nathan''s collar, pulling him aside.


    "How do you keep attracting girls wherever you go?"


    "Just one, not many."


    "First Zahra, now Evelyn."


    "I attract guys too," Nathan raised his chin. "Want to join?"


    "Who?"


    "Lachlan!"


    "Piss off!"


    The two laughed heartily. Nathan then asked, "You seem uncomfortable around Evelyn, don''t you?"


    "Only an idiot like you would approach her without knowing anything."


    "You should explain properly, or else watch out."


    "That girl is quite famous at Azure Lake Academy. Many rumors about her. Cold, cruel, heartless¡ªeverything. But that''s not important. What matters is some idiot named Reza always warns others to stay away from her."


    "And you fear him?" Nathan feigned surprise, knowing his friend had deeper reasons.


    "Hell no," Zeryn said contemptuously. "Those trivial things I mentioned are just enough to scare others away."


    "So you''re like Zahra, sensing something from her?" Nathan asked curiously.


    Zeryn turned to glance at Evelyn once, then nodded.


    "Yes. Like facing a superior being. Strange feeling. Not just from sensing her spirit, but something hidden behind it. Generally, it makes you behave unnaturally, somewhat submissive before her. You can be natural probably because you possess a bloodline of similar rank."


    "Bloodlines can do that?"


    "Of course," Zeryn folded his arms. "How else do you think nobles remain nobles, and geniuses with extraordinary talents come from ancient families or hidden clans?"


    "This Reza must think he can interact with Evelyn, hence his arrogance, right?"


    "Must be," Zeryn agreed.


    Zahra appeared, grabbing both their shirts and pulling them back, pointing to the entrance.


    "Well? Are we participating?"


    "I had the same idea," Zeryn added.


    "What?" Nathan stared at his friend. "You want to explore too? I thought you had over ten thousand points."


    "Which is why I have nothing to worry about. Just here for fun."


    Nathan exchanged glances with Evelyn. She responded with a nod of approval.


    With no other option, he and the others approached the thin blue mana circle.


    They entered a stone chamber, neither too large nor too small, spacious enough to move comfortably inside. Torches fueled by a white stone were set in sconces along both walls. Opposite them stood two wooden doors. Behind them, the exit had sealed, leaving no way back.


    Just a square room, nothing more.


    They all moved toward the most promising feature.


    The grain patterns on the wooden doors'' surfaces shifted, churning momentarily before forming two faces. One had even elaborately created a barely visible mustache.


    Nathan couldn''t help feeling a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu from playing games with friends on Earth.


    "Ooohhhh, a puzzle," Zahra said excitedly.


    Don''t tell me it''s that kind of puzzle, Nathan silently groaned.


    As he predicted, the left door spoke with a rumbling voice that shook the entire room.


    "One of us tells the truth."


    The right door continued with a cheerful, lighter tone, its mustache wiggling with each word.


    "The other always lies."


    "One door leads to your quest," the thunderous voice said.


    "The other to your demise," the cheerful voice chimed in.


    "Ooohhh, rhythm," Zahra grinned.


    "You may ask one question," the left door continued.


    "To claim..."


    "Which of you is the liar?" Zahra quickly interjected.


    Her three companions stared at her in astonishment. They had all been thinking this wasn''t the way to approach the riddle.


    Nathan, from the moment he heard the first words from one of the doors, had been trying to recall the solution. He remembered some clever approach from a cartoon but couldn''t quite place it. That had been a variation of this puzzle, with two guards posing the challenge.


    The two doors frowned, about to open their mouths when Zahra spoke again.


    "Wait a minute! So one of you just lied?"


    "It''s not how this works," the left door said angrily.


    "So how does it work?" Zahra pressed.


    "We were just setting up, we hadn''t finished," the right door said calmly.


    "So one of you just lied?" Zahra scratched her head.


    "No, we''re still setting up," the calm voice showed hints of losing control.


    "This doesn''t make any sense," Zahra exclaimed. "How am I supposed to know if your answer about the setup is true or not, if it''s finished or not, if one of you always lies?"


    "The riddle only begins when you start asking," the left door roared.


    "But I already asked!"


    "You..." the right door completely lost its composure.


    Nathan and the others watched wide-eyed as Zahra handled the situation before them. They never dreamed someone could drive two artificial doors to insanity. They unanimously stepped back, leaving Zahra to resolve the situation.


    The doors'' silence made Zahra itchy to speak.


    "Are you sure you know how this riddle works?"


    The eyes on the two doors moved toward each other. Being parallel, they couldn''t see their counterpart.


    "Listen, girl," the right door took charge of the conversation. "We''re just magical doors. So either stay quiet and let us recite the entire riddle as programmed, or stay here until time runs out and leave."


    Zahra wrinkled her nose, clearly disliking what she heard. The doors, seeing this, began reciting their poem.


    Before they finished, Zahra raised her hand and shouted, "Let me help you."


    "This damn brat," the left door roared, making the room shake and dust fall.


    "Calm down, my friend," the right door consoled, then focused on Zahra. "What do you propose? Speak quickly."


    "How about this¡ªI''ll help you write a sign to put right here. That way, people who come after me won''t face the same situation."


    "In exchange for?"


    "You let us pass. How about it?"


    "Dream on, you little bitch," the left door revealed its temperament.


    In response, Zahra delivered a distance-strike. Though unable to break the door, it was enough to make it wince in discomfort.


    Nathan''s group nearly pulled up chairs to watch Zahra''s performance. They could actually pass this challenge without using their brains. They just needed to exploit the situation''s loophole.


    "Why should we do that?" the right door calmly asked.


    "If not, once eliminated, I''ll tell everyone outside about this glitch."


    Hearing this, not only were the doors surprised, but her friends behind her also applauded her cleverness.


    "Let''s see," Zahra said mischievously. "Once this issue escalates and contestants demand fairness, what will the organizers do? They might go crazy and want to destroy you. Or they might remotely deactivate you. Surely they''ve installed such a mechanism since they can''t enter here. My, my, that''s not a good prospect at all. You''re tools that aren''t fulfilling your duty properly, that would make your master very angry."


    "Mother of gods, she''s truly a genius," Zeryn exclaimed.


    Nathan responded with a vigorous nod, Evelyn with a slight one.


    The two doors remained silent.


    "You two were created with some intelligence, right?" Zahra continued. "Then surely you know how to fix this loophole. But you can''t. Because this is your master''s design. You have to take turns speaking, and in rhythm too. The fault is his, not yours. But will he bear this humiliation? I think not. To cover up or out of shame turned to anger, you''ll be put into the planer, ground into tiny shreds, dumped in the trash or recycled into some chair. You can only complete your mission here to ensure you don''t meet the fate I''ve described."


    The three humans listening felt chills run through them. All imagined themselves as the unfortunate doors, thinking if they had bodies, they''d be drenched in cold sweat.


    Indeed, both doors'' lips were trembling. Their limited consciousness didn''t know what to do.


    "So let me help you," Zahra said. "In exchange, let us through. Better than causing trouble later, right?"


    The two sets of eyes tried to look at each other despite being parallel.


    Finally, they spoke simultaneously.


    "Agreed."


    Zahra turned back, calling, "Nathan, can I borrow some things?"


    The group took out a chair surface from Nathan''s Spatial Pouch. Then using chair legs propped against each other, they created a notice board placed between the two doors.


    Zahra used her hand to write on the surface, making sure the doors couldn''t see.


    "How can we trust you?" the left door asked quietly, no longer producing a thunderous sound.


    "Do you have any other choice?" Zahra shrugged.


    There was no further response.


    The right door opened, revealing pitch blackness beyond the doorframe.


    Without a word, Zahra darted inside.


    The remaining three stood there, still hesitant to move.


    After a moment, Zahra''s voice echoed back.


    "Come on in, guys, this is the right door."


    Each person stepped forward, writing on the board to complete the message. Zahra had left room for retreat, not writing the entire statement in case the doors betrayed them. After all, they themselves said one of them always lied.


    When Nathan''s turn came, he completed the message: Let us finish setting up before you speak.


    He wasn''t sure if this was an effective reminder, but it would reduce problems somewhat.


    He rejoined his teammates on the other side. His mind still couldn''t believe they had passed the puzzle without having to answer it.


    The Artificers who came to participate in this puzzle likely always studied and worked by rules, so they wouldn''t quickly exploit loopholes like Zahra. If their group had tried to reason through the answer, who knows how long it would take. Certainly not faster than Artificers who immersed themselves in such things. Or perhaps they had seen the issue but didn''t dare embarrass the puzzle designer, so they quietly complied. Zahra and the others had no such concerns since none of them were Artificers who needed to be cautious about this matter.


    "Well? Am I impressive or what?" Zahra proudly asked, hands on hips.


    "Number one, always," Zeryn raised a thumb.


    Evelyn shyly nodded. She was somewhat reminded of Mirela. That small girl was very similar to Zahra.


    Before the three stretched an abyss. Floating in mid-air were square platforms consistent with Maelivar''s nature. To their right was a control panel with buttons.


    As was customary, Zahra was the first to step forward and press a button at random.


    Some platforms moved forward.


    Pressing a second button, some platforms retreated while others remained stationary.


    Their task was clear¡ªcreate a bridge to cross to the other side, where a brightly lit staircase led upward into darkness.


    "Hmm, what if we just jump across?" Zahra considered directly.


    "I don''t think both rooms would allow us to take advantage like that," Nathan said.


    Zeryn projected a sword toward the deep chasm. The sword lost connection as soon as it passed the edge where they stood, falling straight down.


    "Anti-mana zone with increased gravity," Zeryn concluded.


    "You guys figure it out," Zahra waved dismissively, jumping to the edge of the abyss to peer down curiously.


    The three began pressing buttons randomly to discern any pattern in the platforms'' movement.


    Nathan gradually recognized the solution through [Improved Pattern Recognition].


    Though it took nearly an hour, they eventually solved it. He pressed a series of button combinations to create a bridge connecting the two sides.


    "Impressive!" Zahra marveled.


    "That''s me," Nathan raised his nose proudly.


    All four stepped onto the bridge. It was somewhat difficult to walk with the stronger gravity, but they managed to reach the other side.


    Climbing the staircase led to another room. This new chamber remained unimaginative, square and angular. In the center floated a pedestal with four cubes. Two glowed, while the other two were dark.


    The room contained not only their group of four but another team of four. These people saw Nathan but couldn''t communicate with him, as if completely separated by an invisible barrier. They focused on the two glowing cubes after briefly sizing up Nathan''s team, dismissing them as amateurs.


    "More math," Zahra grumbled, preferring fun puzzles like the first one.


    Zeryn and Evelyn looked to Nathan, letting him take the lead.


    When he touched the two glowing cubes, different information appeared in his mind. One concerned arithmetic, something related to multiplying by three then adding one. The other involved spatial geometry, with an octahedron appearing with a small bright point.


    He released his hold, understanding nothing. He looked toward the other team, who hadn''t yet acted.


    They''re hesitating, Nathan thought.


    While Nathan was pondering which problem to choose, the young man who appeared to be the leader stepped forward, grasping the cube related to arithmetic. He closed his eyes and began contemplating.


    Any problem at this point would likely require extensive exploration. Especially without PsiLink, everything had to be processed mentally.


    Zeryn and Evelyn both tried touching the cubes but immediately withdrew, not bothering to try again.


    "What do you think?" Zeryn asked, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "I''ll probably just look around here. The architecture and space aspect in this place are truly strange."


    Nathan nodded. He touched the remaining cube again, since the other was no longer accessible.


    After an hour, Nathan''s eyes flew open in disbelief.


    He thought he could solve this challenging problem thanks to [Improved Pattern Recognition].