by Yuri Ajin
Rank: Gold
Quality: Medium
The first technique was a repeat of the charges that he had received in the fight with the dorgan. The only difference was that it didn’t require soul energy and Life Rampage. By activating the technique, Kai increased the strength of his physical attacks several times, using his body’s incredible vitality and potential. There was only one drawback — if he exceeded the number of charges (two per limb), it could do damage to his body and his regeneration could disappear for a while.
As for the second technique, it allowed him to increase not only the energy reserve after a breakthrough but his physical stats as well. It was based on another feature of his bloodline — No Limits — thanks to which it was possible to strengthen the body without restrictions.
The last thing he did in the Development Pavilion was study the Field of Superiority. He spent almost a week experimenting with it, coming up with new ways to use it more efficiently.
He discovered that the Field was similar to telekinesis and based on willpower, and decided to use it as a reinforcing and protective field with which he covered himself. It acted like an exoskeleton that increased all his physical stats by at least fifteen percent. It helped him speed up his movements and made them as accurate and effective as possible.
He also learned how to cover his swords with it, forming an additional invisible blade around them, thanks to which the power of his attacks significantly increased. With the Field, he was also able to create invisible projectiles, nets, and blades. His imagination was the only limit for what he could make with it.
At this point, his time in the Development Pavilion came to an end. Next, Kai went to the Masters Pavilion where he had two things to do — to finally begin the transformation of the Void Offspring into a Spirit of Space, which required some alchemical tools, and to create two special elixirs.
Thanks to Rune’Tan, Kai knew that, on average, apart from the Energy Cover and similar abilities, a regular Exorcist couldn’t have more than eighty units in physical parameters. But for powerful cultivators, this value varied from one hundred to one hundred and twenty. Kai should’ve had just as many if he really used all the drugs that were given to him at the Seven Blades Clan. However, Rune’Tan advised not to take them, explaining that such drugs could usually be used only once. This limit depended on the recipe template, of which there were only five in alchemy. Therefore, Kai could potentially only take five different drugs of this type, and he needed to choose the best of them.
He used one of them back in Starks’ city when he drank the Rebirth of Flesh Elixir. Rune’Tan said that this drug was great, so Kai didn’t refuse it.
Now, the old man was about to help Kai create two more enhancement elixirs since he didn’t know more templates.
Kai spent a week getting ready to prepare the best body alchemy items he knew, enhancing it with the Yang concept throughout. Thus, his power, speed, endurance, and stamina had increased by as much as one hundred units. He gained another sixty units for the mind stat, which was the hardest to improve, by using one more tool.
He also delegated some time for the transformation of the Void Offspring. As this process would take at least another couple of weeks, Kai was in no hurry.
The important thing was that in three and a half months his stats had drastically changed.
Stats
Age: 21
Race: human
Status: Mortal
Stage: Soul Stage
Level: Source Creation (transition to the Exorcist Stage temporarily stopped)
Characteristics
• [Power]: 283.73
• [Speed]: 278.66
• [Endurance]: 286.47
• [Stamina]: 301.09
• [Mind]: 145.30
• [Energy]: 365.88
Available points: 0
Abilities
[Low-rank Techniques: View]
[Earth-rank Techniques: View]
• [Eight Flashes of Yang Technique] Rank: Gold. Quality: Medium
• [Flesh and Soul: Double Breakthrough Technique] Rank: Gold. Quality: Medium
• [Impenetrable Repelling Field Technique] Rank: Gold. Quality: Peak
• [Sword with Fluttering Wings Technique] Rank: Gold. Quality: Peak
[The rest of the Gold-rank techniques: View]
• [Step Through the Snow Technique] Rank: Royal. Quality: Low
• [Bloody Snowfall Technique] Rank: Royal. Quality: Low
Forces
• Path of Sword (Hearing stage [Perfect understanding]): Reflection Force, Speed Force, Endurance Force, Strength Force, Slashing Force, Piercing Force, Intent Force
• Path of Sword (Seer Stage): Force of Form
• Path of Space (Hearing Stage [Perfect understanding]): Force of Repulsion, Force of Attraction, Force of Creation, Force of Destruction
• Path of Space (Seer Stage): Force of Form
• Concept of the Cold Void: maximum understanding
The quality and quantity of Cold Void particles you summon will depend only on your level of development.
Current level: Low-quality Royal-rank
• Yin concept: initial understanding of the third layer
• Yang concept: initial understanding of the second layer
Features and Equipment
• [True Descendant of the Nine-Headed Heavenly Hydra]
❖ [Six Body Gates]
❖ [No Limits]
❖ [Life Rampage]
• [Phantom Yin-Yang Tattoo]. Progress: 25%
❖ [Yang Concentration] Concept: Yang. Progress: 100%
❖ [Yin Concentration] Concept: Yin. Progress: 100%
❖ [Primal Flash] Concept: Yang. Progress: Locked
❖ [Touch of Nothingness] Concept: Yin. Progress: Locked (To further unlock these abilities, achieve 50% progress).
• [Oaths made to you: View]
• [Favorite of the Forces]: You are able to see what is invisible to others.
• [Small Energy Shield]: Physical characteristics increased by 10% of the total energy reserve.
• [Manifestation of Soul: Ultimate Focus]
• [Full Aura Disguise]
• [Medium Sword Spirit] Progress: 46%
• [Spatial Ring] Rank: Gold. Quality: Peak
Click to view contents.
• [True Source of Cold Void]
Maximum energy reserve increased by 10%.
Maximum number of summoned particles increased by 10%.
• [Master’s Will]
• [Field of Superiority]
Rank: /
Achievements
[Great growth! (7)]
For the simultaneous achievement of 7 levels of Body Endurance, you get 7 free points of characteristics that you can distribute as you wish.
Minimum division: 0.01 points
[Quality Leap!]
Based on your previous successes in the study of Forces, as well as the sharp increase in the amount of Soul Energy, you receive the trait [The Favorite of the Forces].
[Overcoming mortal boundaries! (1)]
For a single victory over the Master (initial-level Exorcist), while being mortal (Soul Stage, Source Creation level), you get [Memory Jade] (automatic selection).
[Almost defeating an Elementalist]
As a mortal (Soul Stage, Source Creation level), you were almost able to defeat the Initial-level Elementalist on your own, but in the end, you had help.
Reward: [Scroll of Body of Darkbody Technique] (automatic selection).
[Before deadline]
As a mortal (Soul Stage, Source Creation), you were able to develop your will to such a level that it was transformed into Master’s Will before you reached the Exorcist Stage.
Reward: [Field of Superiority] (automatic selection).
Tasks
[Search for the Ancient Truth]
Find out the reason for the disappearance of the Divine Empire of Belteise.
Reward: ???<
br />
Should you fail, you will receive a fine of 1,000 units of each of your characteristics or death.
Remaining time: 9,994 years
***
The northern, western, and eastern walls of the first floor, in addition to the passages to the Ground floor, had entrances to various pavilions. The southern wall wasn’t like that. No stairs to the second floor, no pavilion arches. Only a huge stone gate, which led to the First Guardian’s Test.
Having passed the test, a student would enter the List of Ten Thousand.
On the square in front of these gates, there were about a hundred cultivators today. One might think that they were all gathered here to try to pass the test, but they were already on the List of Ten Thousand.
They gathered here for one reason alone — it was their job to monitor access to the gate, preventing the disciples who didn’t belong to any of the factions from even attempting to pass the Test.
“It’s time...” Kai cracked his neck and, coming out of the shadows, slowly walked toward the gate.
Chapter 16
ON MY WAY TO CONQUER THE CLOUD ABODE
Almost everyone here is from the Fifth Faction. No wonder. It’s the most numerous one. There are also plenty of dorgans from the Seventh and Eighth Factions... Kai thought while walking toward the gate. Nobody had noticed him yet. Ninety percent of them all are initial-level Exorcists with six or seven foundation points. But there are also a few great talents and even four geniuses. Excellent. Training dummies and Artificial Spirits are great for getting practice, but I still need to test my strength with real Masters.
The dark-cloaked figure approaching the gate was finally noticed by the guards. The seven of them were sitting on benches, talking to each other, discussing plans for the future and their recent achievements.
“Hey, look!” one of them exclaimed and pointed to the left. “Someone is heading here. He isn’t one of us, and he doesn’t look like any of the elders. I don’t feel their aura either... What do you guys think?”
“What’s there to think about? Let’s go check it out.”
“Yeah, let’s go.” Another guard got up, and the two of them went to the stranger. The rest of the guards stayed behind, deciding to just observe the situation.
Having approached the figure, the guards were finally able to feel their aura. Kai had contracted it so he wouldn’t attract too much attention ahead of time.
“A mortal?” one of the elves commented, raising his eyebrows in surprise. “We don’t have any of those on our list... Hey! Who are you?” he called out to the stranger who continued to walk forward as if not hearing them.
“Hey, kid.” The second guard blocked his path. “Are you deaf or what? Mute? Let me help you start talking.” He smiled and then raised his fist to teach him a lesson.
The guard behind him also grinned. He was about to go back to the others to watch the beating when his friend fell unconscious. There was a loud crunching sound. The hand with which he had just tried to hit the stranger was now bent in an unnatural position.
The elf didn’t have time to take a breath when he heard footsteps. In the blink of an eye, he felt the mortal right behind him. After a split second, he fell unconscious, having received a powerful hit to the back of his head.
The other five guards couldn’t believe what they were seeing. Sure, their friends were at the very bottom of the List of Ten Thousand, but they had passed the First Guardian’s Test. They weren’t weaklings.
After taking another step, Kai teleported to the middle of their group. He would’ve knocked them out instantly if one of them hadn’t pulled himself together.
“Attack!!!” Amplifying his voice with energy and Master’s Will, he managed to scream before Kai got him.
The cry echoed over the entire square. Dozens of groups of elves and dorgans switched their attention to the outsider who had already managed to get rid of an entire group of guards in less than two seconds.
At that moment, the head of the guards — Nitriax — who had been meditating, sharply opened his eyes. Three end-level Exorcists appeared in front of him.
“Elder brother,” one of them politely addressed him.
“One of these Zeroes is out of control, I see,” Nitriax said. “Deal with him!”
“Yes, elder brother,” the trio replied.
A crowd of cultivators was already rushing toward Kai. Had this happened four months ago, he would’ve had to make a run for it, faced with so many Exorcists.
But things were different now. It only took three and a half months for everything to change.
For Kai to change.
The Cloud Abode was a truly amazing place. Even the first floor opened up opportunities that cultivators couldn’t even dream of in the outside world. And Kai managed to reveal the full potential of this place.
Drawing more air into his lungs, he exhaled slowly. A massive Field of Superiority enveloped the square. Stretching out his hand, he clenched his fist and almost half of the guards around him fell unconscious. Their will was too weak. Some of them simply froze, having lost the ability to move.
There were still several dozen of those who could somewhat resist the Field. They slowed down. They felt the pressure but they didn’t stop moving.
Kai was ready for this. Pointing his finger up, he made a circular motion. Those who had lost consciousness soared into the air and then began to fly in different directions, crashing into their friends who remained on their feet.
In this mass confusion, there were still several cultivators who managed to get to the intruder.
Tilting his head just a few inches and without making any unnecessary movements, Kai dodged a spear. His hand rested on the weapon’s shaft, gripping it like a clamp. His opponent tried to pull out the spear and cut off the stranger’s fingers, but he couldn’t. All his strength wasn’t enough to move Kai’s wrist even a quarter of an inch.
A moment later, he was lifted off the ground, holding on to the spear. He wanted to unclench his fingers and let go, but something seemed to have glued his palms to the wooden shaft. He was thrown at another guard with great force and both of them skidded across the ground.
Meanwhile, several other Exorcists tried to land a strike. Nine cultivators attacked almost simultaneously from different directions. It was impossible to dodge, but Kai didn’t even try. He continued to stand still, as if he was waiting for something.
Swords and spears pierced the dark cloak, making the guards fear that they might kill the stranger.
But there was no one under the tattered cloth. Supported by the power of the Field, it kept standing until the last moment, although Kai had already managed to quietly teleport away.
He hurried to the gate, but he found new opponents in the way. Nitriax’s two assistants.
Using a movement technique based on Lightning, as well as their huge reserve of ki, they tried to cut off Kai’s legs. Having developed colossal speed, the elves attacked in bright parallel strikes from both sides.
Suddenly, they stopped, expecting to see Kai incapacitated, but he was nowhere to be found.
“Are you looking for me?” he asked from behind them.
The two sharply turned around, instinctively swinging their swords. The left one was supposed to cut off Kai’s head, the right one, to pierce his chest. But both swords halted when Kai caught them with his bare hands, without suffering so much so as a scratch. His skin seemed to be indestructible. The secret was the Field, most of which he had directed into a thin film around his arms.
What surprised the elves even more was that their swords were beginning to crack.
How is this possible?! How strong is he?!
They couldn’t imagine that even at their base level, Kai’s physical stats were no lower than the stats of an average mid-level Exorcist with a foundation of six points. But that wasn’t the worst part.
Every cultivator, in one way or another, used a body strengthening technique, regardless of their fighting style.
Starting from the Soul Stage, their stats stopped growing, and one of the common ways to increase them further was the Energy Cover. And although this was an extremely useful ability, it wasn’t enough, as there were rare techniques used to suppress other’s Covers. Or they could temporarily become thinner if they suffered a lot of damage. And the weaker the Cover was, the lower the stats became. That was why it was important for every cultivator to know at least one technique that could strengthen their body.
The dorgans had their Partial Transformation. The elves used the Life Core Lightning Flash Technique, the second volume of which allowed them to increase their parameters by almost forty-five percent.
Kai didn’t need to learn any of such techniques, since he possessed the Six Body Gates. With the unique ability of his bloodline, he could increase the already rather high stats by as much as two hundred and fifty percent.
Continuing to squeeze the swords, Kai jumped to the side when Nitriax’s third assistant joined the fight. He moved silently, hiding his aura with an artifact, but Kai still managed to notice his attack before it landed.
The two elves, meanwhile, reactivated their movement techniques and began to circle Kai.
“You’re strong. I can’t believe that you’re a mortal,” the third dorgan said, lifting a huge hammer. “Who are you? Why did you come here?”
Tilting his head slightly, Kai glanced at him.
“That doesn’t matter,” he replied. “I’m going to conquer the Cloud Abode, and you’re standing in my way.”
The dorgan was surprised for a moment, but then he grinned.
“Funny.”
Leaping forward, he raised the hammer over his head, preparing to attack. At the same moment, both elves rushed at Kai from behind.
I can see you even with my eyes closed. Your intentions, desires, goals, aspirations — all this is the manifestation of your will. And since it isn’t stronger than mine, you can’t hide anything from me. The elf on the right is aiming at my feet. He wants to immobilize me. And the one on the left is planning to hit my spine. As for the dorgan, he thinks I’ll try to jump back, and then he’ll throw his hammer at me. Perfect...