The Path through the Heavens: A LitRPG Wuxia Series (The Heavenly Throne Book 6)

by Yuri Ajin

This is bad. Gold-rank weapons can no longer withstand my strength. But if I don’t use them, I won’t be able to cut through the strongest flesh without techniques.

  Kai’s thoughts were interrupted by a clap.

  “Bravo. An excellent performance.” Tassarion smiled menacingly.

  During the entire battle, he didn’t move a finger. He just stood there, watching. His subordinates wanted to intervene but without their boss’ permission, they didn’t dare budge.

  Exactly what I needed. He’s incredibly strong. His flesh can rival any armor and he has a peculiar regeneration ability. Such an advantage in a fight is too serious to be ignored... What I’ve seen should put him in a high place on the List. But if he truly is mortal, then he can become a serious competitor to any of us in the future. Can I subdue him here and now? It’s risky, fighting without techniques is not really my style... I have Ranmaru, but my willful and stubborn slave won’t be the first to attack. What if Kai has a couple of aces in his sleeve? He’s arrogant but he isn’t a fool. Idiots don’t get to such a level...

  “I really enjoyed the show,” Tassarion continued. “Let me remind you of my offer. Join my faction. If you agree, I’ll turn a blind eye to everything that happened here today. Moreover, with our help and with your strength, you can move to the fourth floor today.”

  “Sounds tempting. But what do you want in return?”

  “For you to sign a spirit contract to work for me. In return, you’ll receive all the privileges of a member of the highest echelon of the faction. I rarely offer this to anyone.”

  The offer sounds good. Maybe a little too good. Kai threw back his head and looked at the sky. I can violate his contract at any time. What if I just use his resources and leave? Nah, it’s not worth the risk. I already refused once, and I crossed his path twice. He saw what I can do. He probably has plans for me. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Is that what he wants? It’s unlikely I’d deceive him and just run away without serious consequences. He’s not a fool. If I agree, I’ll be in more danger than I am now.

  “Unfortunately, I have to refuse once again.”

  Tassarion frowned.

  “Do you understand that I can’t let you go after you broke the rule? Zeroes are prohibited from passing the Test. And you attacked my subordinates...”

  “Funny. This rule only applies to those students who are afraid of violating it or unable to break it. And I, as you can see, am not one of those.” Kai shrugged. “As for your guys... Well, they were in my way. I asked them to leave me alone, but they didn’t want to listen.”

  “You think that’s funny? Do you think you can justify mutilating my servants?” Tassarion asked, revealing his monstrously powerful aura that seemed to overwhelm everyone except Kai.

  The area seemed to grow colder. Tassarion’s subordinates instinctively took a step back. Their bodies felt heavy.

  While Ultimate Focus was still active, he filled his Source with a huge amount of excess energy, strengthening his aura, and wrapped it extremely tightly into a cocoon. Thus, Tassarion’s power crashed against his protection, like a stormy ocean wave would crash against the immovable rocky shoreline.

  “Did I really mutilate them?” Kai asked, tilting his head. “What are you talking about? They’re relatively intact. I only broke one’s arm. I even spared the elf who called to a forced duel. The only thing you should be angry about is their weakness, as they failed to fulfill their duties.”

  Tassarion was confused and surprised. Turning his head, he glanced at one of the servants who had arrived from the third floor.

  “L-Lord Eswix.” The elf turned pale, still under the pressure of the aura. “He’s right. All of the first floor guards were just knocked out. Only two were actually hurt. Nitriax lost his fist, but our healer has already restored it.”

  “Exactly like I said.” Kai nodded. “But if we still have a conflict to resolve here, I have an offer for you.”

  Tassarion looked at Kai with interest and eased the pressure.

  “In a week, I’ll challenge Ranmaru to a duel. If I win, your faction and you will forget about my comrades and me. You won’t stop us from reaching the higher floors. If I lose, then I’ll join you.”

  Everyone present, including Tassarion, was shocked. But he quickly pulled himself together and smiled wide.

  “How about you take an oath?”

  “No problem,” Kai agreed. “But I have one more condition.”

  “Speak.” Tassarion almost laughed, certain that someone like this mortal couldn’t defeat his slave-guardian.

  Kai glanced at Ranmaru, who was also surprised.

  “If I win, you’ll free him.”

  “As you wish.” Tassarion grinned.

  An echo of emotion broke through Kai’s Cold Void, and he chuckled in response.

  If I want to make my own faction, I need people like him, he thought, not taking his eyes off Ranmaru.

  Chapter 18

  PREPARING FOR A DUEL

  Elea and Sator were on their way home. The shopping trip they had today was over so they didn’t want to stay outside any longer. The atmosphere in the city was chaotic. Something strange seemed to be happening at the southern wall.

  Turning left, they found themselves a few feet away from the gate of their house and froze.

  “Kai?!” Elea exclaimed in surprise. “Didn’t you say you finished examining my wound last time you visited? What brings you here?”

  “Hello to you, too, Elea,” Kai said, walking toward her.

  Sator took a couple of steps forward, shielding Elea with his body.

  “You smell like blood.” He squinted.

  “Yeah. But never mind that. I came to meet with you,” Kai told him.

  Sator was about to say that he wasn’t interested, but Elea spoke first.

  “In that case, we’d better go inside.”

  “As you say.” Sator bowed.

  “I don’t mind.” Kai nodded.

  Once they entered the house, they settled down on armchairs in the living room.

  “Tea, anyone?” Elea asked.

  “I’d like some,” Kai replied. Sator remained silent, continuing to glare at their guest.

  Elea just nodded, touching the table between them. In an instant, three cups filled with tea and a sugar bowl appeared. Having lived in the Abode for almost two years as a healer, she had gotten used to having guests every day, so she always kept pre-brewed tea inside her Ring. Since there was no such thing as time in a compressed pocket dimension, unlike dimensions like Kai’s Night Space, everything inside remained just the same as when it was sent in. So, any food put in the Ring always remained fresh and warm.

  On the other hand, the absence of time didn’t allow the storage of living objects. More advanced versions had that option, however, such artifacts cost a fortune, and even in the Abode, there were no more than a couple of them.

  “Can I stay and listen?” she asked tactfully, looking at Kai.

  “Yes, it’s about your brother, after all.”

  She didn’t react to this. Sator frowned but said nothing.

  “Today I managed to pass through the guards and became an Independent.” Putting his cup on the table, Kai revealed the Abode mark, showing his rank. “But on the way out, I ran into Tassarion.”

  Sator grimaced. Elea was still calm.

  “I made a deal with him. In short, in a week, I’ll fight Ranmaru. If I win, then he gets his freedom back.”

  Elea could no longer contain her emotions. She twitched, turned to the window, and took a deep breath. As for Sator, he grinned.

  “And why do you need me?” he asked. “Do you want me to take your place in the duel? It won’t work. I can’t beat him.”

  “Do you seriously think that I’d stoop to that?” Kai asked, ignoring the sneer. “No. I came here to ask you to train with me.”

  “Train with you? Do you think that will somehow bring you closer to victory? You’re so naive...” Sator shook
his head. “And also, why should I? Why would I help you? You’re only a mortal. A talented one, I admit. But what can you do against someone like Ranmaru?”

  “You greatly underestimate me.”

  “Yeah. Sure,” Sator chuckled sarcastically. “I’ve seen what you’re capable of when you first came here. You couldn’t even look at me, let alone hurt me. And how do you plan on fighting Ranmaru with such strength? Why do you want to stick your head into the monster’s mouth? Can’t you assess your abilities rationally? Are you a fool or are you really that arrogant?”

  “Our skirmish happened almost four and a half months ago,” Kai pointed out. “I got stronger.”

  Sator laughed.

  “Are you serious? How much can you improve in such a short time? Even if you become an Exorcist, you still wouldn’t be able to defeat Ranmaru. The fight would last a second. And I have no desire to help you. That’s all I have to say,” Sator said in a voice that left no room for negotiating. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

  But Kai was in no hurry to get up.

  “Believe it or not, but I can resist Ranmaru’s strongest ability,” he said, surprising both Elea and Sator. “But what’s more important? Don’t you want him to be free? I can see how much you respect Ranmaru. Do you like seeing him in a slave collar? You may not believe in my power, but are you really ready to give up when there’s a chance to save him?”

  Kai’s words produced the desired effect, opening up a wound that couldn’t heal. The agony that Sator barely managed to hide in the depths of his mind once again rose to the surface. This inner turmoil had been torturing him for a long time. It even affected his development. The mental state of a cultivator was no less important than the physical and spiritual.

  Sator’s fists clenched. He gritted his teeth.

  “You know that I—” he growled furiously, but Elea interrupted him.

  “Sator,” finally turning away from the window, she suddenly spoke. After a moment’s silence, she continued. “Please check if what he’s saying is true. If he really is as strong as he claims to be, we should take this opportunity. I’m not sure that Tassarion will ever give my brother freedom on his own. Ranmaru will be a slave for at least another twenty-five years until his master finally becomes an Elementalist and leaves the Abode.”

  Sator took a deep breath.

  “As you say, elder sister,” he replied, calming down, and turned his gaze to Kai. “I’ll give you a chance. But if you lied to us and you’re still weak, then I’ll make you wish that you had never been born.”

  Sator stood up.

  “Let’s go. You’ll pay for the arena time. Show me what you’ve got. No holding back,” he hissed, heading for the exit.

  ***

  Flying tens of feet like a broken doll, Kai crashed into the bloodstained wall of the closed arena. Having fallen to the ground, he could no longer move. Manipulating energy was now inflicting him intense spirit pain, causing him to lose consciousness. Almost all the bones in his body were broken. With Ultimate Focus and Life Rampage over, he had no strength left to maintain the fusion with the Sword Spirit.

  He lost.

  As for Sator, he was still on his feet and he could continue the fight. He had also suffered damage, but it was incomparable to how badly Kai was injured.

  Barely conscious, Kai heard footsteps approaching and Sator crouching next to him.

  “I must say, I’m impressed with your regeneration. You lost,” he stated rather officially. “However,” he grinned and began to stand up, “with your powers, I believe you have a chance to defeat Ranmaru. Meet me here tomorrow at dawn. I’ll help you prepare for the duel.”

  He headed out, leaving Kai alone to recover. It took another four hours for his body to heal to an acceptable level before he was finally able to get to his feet again. If he had had any strength left, he could’ve recovered faster, but it was difficult for him to absorb enough energy to do that.

  Having changed his appearance, aura, and development stage, he found an inn, where he rented a room and continued his recovery.

  Seeing the power of Kai’s regeneration, Sator concluded that he’d heal before dawn. Little did he know that his training buddy would be as good as new by sunset.

  In the morning, they met in the arena.

  “Excellent.” Sator nodded. “You managed to come. Now, let’s discuss abilities. First yours, then Ranmaru’s.”

  Kai nodded.

  “So... Physically, you’re very strong. I still find it hard to believe that you managed to improve so much in just four months.”

  The Body Gates gave Kai up to an additional two hundred and fifty percent, which made it possible to increase the stats’ value somewhere up to eight hundred units. Rampage of Life, which he could use only for one hour every five days, added one hundred percent to his initial stats. In total, all this allowed his strength, speed, endurance, and stamina to rise on average up to one thousand four hundred units. An ordinary peak Exorcist couldn’t have that much, except for dorgans capable of Full Transformation.

  “However,” Sator continued. “You aren’t using your power effectively. I believe that’s because you lack experience in fights at our level, so we’ll work on this. Second, even with such stats, you’re still slower than Ranmaru and me. I don’t know what kind of crazy bloodline you have, but even it doesn’t give you enough boost in speed. Both Ranmaru and I use the fifth volume of our techniques. You’re unlikely to achieve anything like that in a week, so I advise you to think about how you can compensate for your lower speed.”

  Kai nodded. He learned the hard way that he was much slower than the guy in front of him. Sator used two elements to accelerate — Lightning and Wind, and he was incredibly fast.

  As for the second reason of his defeat, it was the ridiculous difference in the amount of ki. Kai now had three hundred and sixty-five units. And Sator — a peak-level Exorcist with an eight point nine foundation — about one thousand nine hundred.

  Kai knew how to quickly restore ki during a fight, but even with perfect energy control, he couldn’t invest more than half of his maximum reserve into any technique. If he tried to pour in more, then it’d either take a couple of extra seconds (if he used prana as well), which was critical during a fight, or it’d seriously weaken him for the same time (if he took ki from the Source), which was even worse.

  On the other hand, Sator didn’t have perfect energy control, which meant that he couldn’t use more than a third of his ki reserve at a time. Except this third was almost twice the maximum amount of Kai’s whole reserve. Sator simply invested much more ki in each of his attacks, which made them more powerful.

  “As for your techniques, they’re good. But Ranmaru’s are stronger, as he’s a whole stage above you. Fortunately, he’s only at the initial level, so the difference in the amount of ki between you won’t be as big as between you and me. I advise you to rely more on your stats than techniques in the upcoming battle,” he said. “All right. Let’s move on to Ranmaru’s abilities.”

  Sator sighed, closed his eyes for a couple of seconds, and then continued.

  “So. His main strength is the ability to drain ki from his opponents. As I understand it, this ability depends on willpower. And Ranmaru’s is monstrous. I think you have heard that, apart from tests for hardening will and overcoming difficulties in life, it can also be strengthened by breakthroughs. However, this only applies to the transition to a new level. Within the framework of the stages, everything depends on the cultivator themselves,” he explained “During his life, Ranmaru overcame a huge number of difficulties, hardships, and trials, having managed to find the Master’s Will at the Source Creation level. Now, his willpower is close to that of an initial-level Elementalist. That is why almost no one can resist his ability to take their ki. But there are at least four disciples in the Abode who can. These are Lightus Sixt, Mia Eswix, Tassarion, and Kenji, first, third, fifth, and ninth on the list respectively. As for the other
members of the Ten, perhaps they can resist Ranmaru’s skill as well. However, they never officially fought against him.”

  “Don’t worry, I have a way to counter his ability,” Kai assured him. “I think you’ve already noticed that I, too, have the Master’s Will.”

  “I noticed.” Sator nodded. “But it’s weaker than his.”

  “That’s true, but I don’t intend to use it against him. I have something else.”

  “Pray that it works.” Sator was skeptical. “You don’t have many options... Like you, Ranmaru entered the Abode while he was still a mortal. This was two years ago. He spent a year as an ordinary member of the Fifth Faction. And then he finally started climbing higher on the List of Ten Thousand. Prior to that, he occupied the two thousand nine hundred and eighth place. Once he became an Exorcist, he reached tenth place in six months. And the reason for this is simple — as a mortal, his will wasn’t strong enough, so most of the students on the third floor could resist his ability. But when he became a True Master, there were practically no people left in the Abode who could fight his unique power. But here’s the thing... Without this skill, his strength is significantly lower. His fighting skills aren’t as good as yours are. And that’s why you have a chance to win if you really can resist this ability.”

  Kai nodded. He had already heard similar information from Yoh, which was why he decided to challenge Ranmaru to a duel.

  “Now let’s move on to Ranmaru’s other abilities. He uses three elements — Sword, Wind, and Sand. He especially likes to combine the last two. He also...”

  Then he began to talk about all his techniques that he knew of and the peculiarities of his style.

  He also shared what he knew about Ranmaru’s level of knowledge of Forces. By his twenty-fifth birthday, he reached the perfect understanding of the Force of Form of all three elements he used. That is, he mastered all the power available at the Seer Stage. At his age, this was fantastic.

  Sator’s achievements paled in comparison to that. He preferred the Wind element the most, and he reached the initial understanding of the Force of Form on this Path only at twenty-eight as he became the mid-level Exorcist. At thirty-five, he mastered it, and at forty, he reached the Walker Stage. Now he was forty-three, and he was close to creating his first Sphere. He was a talented cultivator for this world, and yet he was no match in potential for geniuses like Ranmaru, Kai, or others.