章 30: Water-drop Slash
Yaan left the front lines, making his way back to the Treasure Pagoda.
"Back already? Your cultivation speed sure is something…" Elder Juseph mumbled.
Merely a couple of weeks had passed since Yaan first visited the treasure hall, yet he had already returned. Elder Juseph knew that Yaan was interested in the Water-drop Slash Spell. Since he had come back to practice this spell, he must have refined 100 drops of Innate Qi!
Actually, Yaan had reached the minimum requirement to practice this spell some time ago, but he hadn't returned to the Treasure Pagoda for two reasons.
Firstly, his progress with the spell would be much more rapid now that he possessed 200 drops of liquid Innate Qi in his dantian. Secondly, he didn't want to draw too much attention to his cultivation speed. It was inevitable that he would stand out, but he didn't want to reveal too much 'talent', since this could result in the other great elders, or even the sect lord, getting involved in his business.
This decision was Yaan's own judgement. Rui silently approved, she was glad to see that he was becoming more wise under her teachings. Slowly but surely, Yaan was losing his childish naivety.
After returning to the 4th floor, Yaan was led into a training hall connected to the main spell hall. Elder Juseph carefully handed him an old leather scroll – this was the Water-drop Slash Spell Scroll!
"Please take care not to damage the scroll. We do have spare copies, but they are quite difficult to produce." Elder Juseph left after saying this.
After Elder Juseph, left the room, shutting the door behind him, Yaan looked around at the training room.
There were three torso shaped dummies at the back end of the stone room; one made from oak, the next from steel and the final from black steel. The distance between one end of the hall and the other was around 50 feet, giving Yaan a good range to practise the spell from. There was also an embroidered prayer mat on the opposite side of the hall from the training dummies, this was for the sect members to cultivate between their attempts at casting whichever spell they chose to practice. Clearly, these training rooms were designed with extended training sessions in mind.
Before anything else, Yaan sat down and carefully read through the spell scroll. The scroll was very descriptive in terms of its worded explanations, but there were also intricate diagrams. These diagrams showed the specific method of circulating Innate Qi through the body, then out from the body and around the caster's weapon of choice, in order to successfully cast the spell.
After spending a couple of hours scrutinising the spell scroll, Yaan couldn't hold himself back any longer and started his practice.
A few minutes later…
"Ugh…" Yaan's face turned pale and he stumbled to the side, only managing to stabilise himself after stretching out with one hand and propping himself up against the wall.
After completely exhausting his Innate Qi, Yaan felt exceedingly dizzy. When attempting to cast the Water-drop Slash Spell, he failed at the first step. He was unable to properly circulate the Innate Qi through his body, no matter expelling the Qi from his body, covering his sword and releasing the spell.
He swallowed a pale blue pill before closing his eyes and focussing on his internal state. The Innate Qi in his dantian began to quickly replenish itself under the pill's medicinal effect.
This pill was the Rank 1 Qi Recovery Pill. Yaan had a few of these pills which he purchased in the core sect marketplace using his monthly quota of Rank 1 Qi Gathering Acceleration Pills.
He also bought some Rank 1 and Rank 2 Vital Recovery Pills using his merit points. The Vital Recovery Pill was an injury-restoring medicine, something that Yaan realised was essential after nearly dying in the wilderness.
These Rank 1 Qi Recovery Pills weren't nearly as effective and fast acting as the Rank 2 version, but the cost was 100 times less. It didn't matter right now, since Yaan was only at the Initial Innate Qi Realm and these pills were still useful to him, but once he reached the early stage and possessed a full pond of liquid Innate Qi, these Rank 1 pills would no longer be effective as a means of Innate Qi recovery. For now though, the Rank 1 pills were the most affordable option.
Yaan recovered his Innate Qi to its maximum capacity, then once again attempted to cast the spell.
Learning a spell was a slow process, so he didn't feel impatient even after failing time and time again.
There was no such thing as a genius who would master their first spell with a single glance. In fact, it would be more ordinary to spend the better part of a month just to elevate your proficiency in a low-level spell to a basic level.
Because of the difficulty in mastering spells, cultivators wouldn't learn many spells. Of course, the other reason for most cultivators learning very few spells was because spells were rare, expensive and difficult to replicate. Yaan being permitted to spend as long as he needed with this spell scroll was already a privilege, which had been granted based on his battle achievements and future potential.
As Rui watched on silently, her eyes secretly lit up.
'I noticed this before, but his perception is extremely keen. His so-called talent is on the lesser end of moderate, but perception is far more valuable, especially to a demon. When it comes to dao comprehension…he has serious potential.'
Of course, Rui had noticed this before. If she didn't have confidence in Yaan, then why would she stick by him, rather than selling him out to a great elder in the Heavenly Path Sect and using them?
The first reason, was because Yaan was young, so she could shape him the way she needed him to be. The second reason, was because Yaan had potential.
Within a single day, Yaan successfully directed his Innate Qi through his body and around his weapon, as instructed by the spell scroll. This in itself required much practice, requiring his Innate Qi to remain in its liquid form without dispersing as it flowed through his Qi Channels and meridians.
A cool sensation filled his flesh each time he practiced this spell, as if water was running through his body.
Unknowingly, another day passed by. Yaan became totally engrossed in his practice, taking breaks only to replenish his Innate Qi.
Four days into his session in the training room…
Swoosh…BANG!
"I…I did it!" Yaan stared forwards in disbelief with wide, bloodshot eyes wide. Finally, after spending four days of relentless training, he managed to eject an aquatic layer from the blade of his sword, sending this wave of water across the hall, striking the target dead-centre!
The slash took on the form of an impossibly clear line of water. This line of water crossed the distance of 50 feet in no time at all, before slicing into the steel target dummy like a sharp blade.
The feeling that Yaan experienced after he succeeded in casting this spell was like nothing else. He could hardly believe that he, an ordinary boy from an ordinary village, was actually capable of manifesting such a miraculous power! For the first time in his life, Yaan felt as if he had finally experienced the true majesty of cultivation.
"Haha…"
Thump!
The exhaustion finally caught up with him. After four days without rest, Yaan collapsed to the floor. A content smile surfaced on his sleeping face…he had not shown an expression for a long, long time.
**********
Since he had successfully cast the spell once, there was no need for Yaan to spend too much time reviewing the spell scroll. The basics of the spell were firmly imprinted in his mind, whilst Rui memorised the remaining details and assisted him as he practiced at his home.
Yaan felt confident that he would be able to use this spell in actual combat after training for a single month.
For the first time in his life, he was actually feeling eager to fight. It wasn't that he enjoyed combat, nor did he get any pleasure from committing acts of violence…he simply wanted to test himself.
And so, Yaan returned to the Hun Village Station Point once again. He noted that compared to one month earlier, the village walls had been reinforced even further.
The first beast that he encountered was a Rank 1 black boar. Unfortunately, its body was easily decapitated after he hit its throat with the Water-Drop Slash Spell a single time, so Yaan wasn't able to properly assess his strength. Rank 1 beasts were too weak, they could not be used to test his true abilities, so he decided to search for a Rank 2 beast.
Three hours later, he heard an urgent shout from nearby.
"Help, it's a Rank 2 beast! Come quickly!" The voice sounded panicked, clearly, someone had encountered something beyond their capacity to handle.
Yaan sprinted towards the source of the voice at his fastest speed. After weaving in and out, passing by a few large trees, he found a group of three Qi Gathering Realm inner sect disciples, staring fearfully up at a towering Rank 2 silver fanged cricket.
The silver fanged cricket was a tall bipedal insect with a dull brown shell and two large silver fangs. Insect type beasts were less common than other kinds in the Northern wilderness, but it was not Yaan's first encounter with such a weird looking opponent.
The cricket was about to swipe down at the three cowering disciples, but it suddenly stopped, then jolted its head to the side at a strange angle. It's beady black insect eyes locked onto Yaan, causing it to reassess the situation. When it saw Yaan charging forth whilst freely releasing his killing intent, it decided to ignore the three inner sect disciples, diverting its attention to the stronger opponent.
Siii…
Yaan drew his sword carefully whilst keeping the beast within his sight. This was clearly a Rank 2 beast, but he couldn't be certain about its exact strength. For lower realm cultivators, it was very difficult to precisely assess the strength of another being at the same realm as themselves until doing battle.
Of course, Yaan had Rui, who was able to tell at a glance. Her Spirit Sense alone could easily discern the cultivation levels of all living beings within her range, but even without this ability, she had so much experience that she could estimate a beast's strength just by seeing it.
"Early Rank 2, be careful." She assessed that he should be able to keep his life intact, so long as he was careful.
Yaan nodded slowly. His gaze towards the beast sharpened as adrenaline pumped through his veins.
An Early Rank 2 beast was equivalent to a cultivator at the Innate Qi Realm with a pond of liquid Innate Qi. Yaan had 200 drops of Innate Qi, he was far from this level, but he had the additional advantage of his 2-Star demonic body.
Like his Qi refining cultivation, his body was also at the initial stage. Improving a 2-Star body was exponentially more difficult compared to the 1-Star body, requiring hundreds of times the resources before reaching completion. It made Yaan wonder, how on earth he would train the 3-Star body?
Even so, the combination of his body and Innate Qi made him a formidable force. Even this beast would not have an easy time against him!
"Kraaah!"
The cricket roared out with a shrill scream, then began sprinting towards him on its hind legs. Despite its huge size, the beast's acceleration was phenomenal, allowing it to reach Yaan in an instant. Its arms were laced with razor sharp metal spikes, threatening to decapitate him as they swung down towards him.
Yaan nimbly slipped to the side, then ducked down to avoid the next strike. Following this, he jumped backwards to create some distance as he cast the Water-drop Slash Spell. His Innate Qi quickly passed through his Qi Channels, whilst a small amount was wasted along the way.
He sent 100 drops of Innate Qi to his sword, but only 90 drops reached the blade and covered it with a sharp blue coating. The act of launching the strike quickly burned away half of this Innate Qi, leaving the remaining 45 drops to form the attack itself.
His efficiency was above the minimum. So long as 40 drops were used in the propulsion and another 40 in the attack itself, the spell could be cast. Most Innate Qi Realm cultivators could only cast the spell with an 80% efficiency; this was why they needed 100 drops of Innate Qi to cast the spell properly.
The three inner sect disciples watched in awe as a blade of water shot through the air, reaching the cricket without giving it time to react. The cricket instinctively raised its arms, but these were chopped through by the glimmering blue line. The blade of water continued, slashing through its throat, but the power had been reduced, only managing to cut through half of its flesh and carapace.
The cricket's neck hung at a weird angle, but it was somehow still alive. Many insects were strange like this. When doing battle against such creatures, it could be fatal to assume that they would react in the same way as mammals.
Yaan wasn't surprise in the least. He immediately leapt forwards, moving in so close to the cricket that he could reach it with his bare hands.
The beast swung at him wildly, hoping to hit him with a crazed swing. In truth, if this attack connected, Yaan would be in big trouble; even though his body was strong, compared to this cricket, his body was a level weaker.
Yaan still had sufficient Innate Qi to cast the spell one more time, but it would completely drain him of all energy, leaving him collapsed on the floor. He wouldn't choose to do this on the unpredictable battlefield unless he was left with no other choice.
Rui taught him that he should fight smart.
When the cricket's hasty attack reached him, Yaan didn't back away, but instead stepped in and narrowed his eyes. With a gaze like that of a hunter's, he stabbed his sword towards the open wound on the cricket's neck.
A few drops of Innate Qi covered the blade, reinforcing its durability and increasing the sharpness. The Qi seemed to fuse with Yaan's killing intent, releasing a faint red glow.
His eyes widened and his killing intent suddenly exploded, causing the cricket to hesitate for an instant.
Chi!
The sword passed through the gap in the cricket's neck, then stabbed up into its brain, before re-emerging through its hard skull. With a blade pierced through its throat and head, the beast finally stopped.
Yaan jumped backwards as soon as he sensed the life aura vanish from the beast's body. It fell down face forward and hit the ground with a thump.
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