章 19: Life In The Sect (2)
Jasmine was with Gareth as they exited the hall. His hand was held in the crook of her elbow, as she dragged him away from there.
She knew Gareth sometimes forgot what rest was, and for that reason she took it upon herself to always remind him of that. Even if she was a bit forceful.
Their stop was the restaurant. A place that served food in the sect, but which main purpose was a joint for the disciples to unwind. After awakening, food was not as effective as even an ordinary cultivation session. Of course, the foods served in the sect were anything but ordinary.
They sat at a table at one of the VIP level restaurants.
"Brother Gareth, today's tab is on me. Enjoy whatever you want." Jasmine had a confident smile on her lips, as she pushed her chest out.
"Are you sure?"
"Brother Gareth what do you mean?" She seemed to sulk at what he implied.
"Do not mind me. I am not trying to ruin a good meal." He had a light smile, as he picked up the menu.
Jasmine's mood lifted as a smile graced her lips.
It was not that he was looking down on her. It was just that everything in the sect was based on merit points. Gareth could convert a million world stones into merit points every month, Qian also could. But everyone else could only convert a hundred thousand in a month, with processing fees included. Missions were the only other easily available source of merits, and the ones within the sect were limited.
There was another thing, almost everything if not free was heavily discounted for him.
Since this was what she wanted, there was no need to make a fuss.
They enjoyed the meal, Jasmine telling him about some of her experience before joining the sect. Gareth also told her about his. This wasn't the first time they did this, but it never gets old.
*
Gareth was only able to part with her when he escorted her to the library. His next destination was not the library, that was for later in the day.
His current destination was one of the challenge grounds. This particular one was special.
As he neared the place, he heard someone call his name. It was brother Olive. He was with his friends, and there were none of the new disciples with them.
They joined Gareth at the entrance of the challenge ground.
"Brother Gareth, it is quite the rare thing to see your face these days." His face lit up with a warm smile.
His friends also had smiles on their faces as they greeted Gareth.
Gareth was also polite to them.
"I didn't mean to avoid you, brother Olive. It is just that these days, I am occupied by the preparation for the event coming up in the next two months." There was a small smile on his lips when he mentioned that event.
"Ah, that. I understand. Everyone concerned seem to be preparing for that event too." Then he continued, "Don't stress yourself about that event."
Gareth nodded.
"Brother Olive, are you also here to use this challenge ground?"
Olive nodded.
"We are. Since you are here, you probably might have figured out the benefits that come with this challenge ground."
Gareth had indeed noticed this benefit. For this reason he was grateful for the special benefits he received from the sect. The merit points required here was very high.
"It is a good place to increase the effectiveness of combat awareness and techniques."
"You are spot on, brother Gareth. Do you mind if we join you?" Olive asked.
"Of course not. I would also require the insights of you seniors."
"You flatter us, brother Gareth."
They all moved to a section in the challenge grounds, and activated the shield. Turning this section into a private place for them.
Gareth was the first to get on the stage that had been created.
Getting on the stage, the same feeling of something inside of him being sealed off occured again.
This was the process by which the natural strength that came with his talent was being restricted. His talent was blocked from manifesting, leaving him with only the strength granted by his cultivation.
His current cultivation could be considered to be at the second of the five stages of the accumulation phase of the Awakening Realm.
He selected the strength of the opponent he wanted. It was of the same cultivation as him, but the overall combat efficiency of his opponent was at a superior rating.
This meant it was no longer a competition of raw power, but one of efficient combat moves and technique use. It meant that the opponent he chose could beat anyone of the same stage with a lower rating, and even some cultivators at a higher stage.
After being beaten black and blue many times over by the training dummy, he had gotten better at blocking its attack and hitting back. He was, however, still far from being able to beat the damn thing.
He could always lower the grade to one that was more reasonable for the current him to face. He however didn't feel like doing so.
The Valiant Heart technique he practiced was also one that required its practitioner to be as its name stated. To be be valiant at heart. Even if it wasn't so, a challenge like this was one Gareth liked so much. No matter how many times he was beaten blue and black. He would rise up again, and fight. Fight till he could no longer do so!
It was easy for him to heal himself, he just had to get off the stage, and with the unsealing of his talents, such wounds would heal almost immediately.
The Valiant Heart technique was a close quarters combat technique. The feeling of his hands and feet smashing into flesh was something Gareth was already used to, and this influenced his choice in technique.
When he got off the stage, brother Olive and his friends found it hard to conceal the gaze they were watching him with.
"Ahem." Gareth coughed.
"Brother Gareth, you are very brave," one of Olive's friend said.
The others agreed.
There were few people who would try what Gareth did. Having such low proficiency while fighting against someone with near peak proficiency.
"Brother Gareth, there are some things I noticed in the way you use the Valiant Heart technique that I might be able to advice you on." Another of Olive's friend said.
Gareth nodded.
It became a session of exchanging pointers then. Some of Olive's friend and sometimes Olive himself would get on the stage to demonstrate their moves. Gareth watched their fights, learning from them. He would also notice the mistakes he made, get on the stage and correct them.
"That is it, Brother Gareth, we will be stopping for now."
"I owe you one, brothers. Your guidance has been very insightful for me." Gareth thanked them.
"There is no need for that between us, brother Gareth."
Olive also agreed with what his friend said.
"When time permits we will meet again. We might even get the chance to invite you to one of our favorite haunts."
"I hope time will permit us to do so."
Brother Olive and his friends left the shield.
Gareth took some time to rest before he got back on the stage again. He wasn't done yet for today.
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