Capítulo 10: Sword intent
Sitting on the ground, Ace started the boring process of cultivation for six hours straight in one sitting before having to stop. It wasn't because he lost the motivation to cultivate, but because his mind was exhausted and if he insisted on continuing, it might end up doing him more harm than the benefits gained.
Ace's body constantly absorbed the immense flow of spirit energy, nourishing his body and muscles at a steady yet quick pace, which most cultivation geniuses would fail to even match,
"System, spend all sixty cultivation points on opening six low-grade acupoints."
"Ding! 60 cultivation points have been deducted! 6 low-grade acupoints have been awakened!"
The next moment, Ace could sense six of his acupoints awakening as they supply his body with internal energy. It was far from condensing into spiritual energy, but the amount of strength he gained from it was much above others due to his strong foundation in the Body Tempering realm which he skipped after going through life and death.
"Ding! New system mission has been issued."
Mission details: To become a sect master, one must be recognised by the officials. But to become a true cultivator, one must race against time.
Criteria: For every low-grade acupoint opened up within thirty days, one system point would be awarded. For every middle-grade acupoint opened up within thirty days, five system points would be awarded. For every high-grade acupoint opened up within thirty days, ten system points would be rewarded.
Bonus missions: Rope in 3 potential talents within the month, rewards vary.
Three people huh? Ace thought to himself as he formulated a plan to rope in the three he had in mind. For Clarissa, that moment was just an accident and if he can persuade her to work under him, he would be able to maintain a constant supply of elixirs for the disciples and profit from it.
As for Arith, the same went for him as well. To Ace, it was a must for him to rope Arith in from the first time he saw him. He had more than just potential, he had a burning passion for forging and that's where his heart lays.
As for the third person, he would have to make his move tomorrow when the Nirvana pavilion officially opens.
But now, he still had a few more hours before its night and because he had just ended his cultivation session for today, he had additional time to spend.
Taking out the black longsword which he crafted personally, he closed his eyes and once again, the frost energy within his body went on a rampage. But instead of causing him excruciating pain this time, it was totally controlled by the internal energy within his body.
"Ace, I know that you are devoted to the sword path, but have you ever truly thought about it? Are you sure that the sword is what you truly want?" Suddenly, a cold gust of air sent chills down his spine as Ultric landed on the hard cold flooring silently.
"Master, what are you doing here?" Looking at the disgruntled face on Ace's face, Ultric couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm sure that you have already awakened the sword intent, but do you know about the stages beyond that?"
"I don't, all I know is that the sword intent is only the first step to be taken."
"That's right, the sword intent is divided into four stages before it evolves to the next stage known as the sword heart realm."
"When one can infuse the sword intent awakened into their attacks, they're at the first stage of the sword intent."
"When one can release their sword intent externally through their sword, they're at the second stage of the sword intent."
"When one can release their sword intent through any object that resembles a sword such as a twig, they're at the third stage of the sword intent."
"When one can release their sword intent without anything in hand, it means that the person is at the fourth stage of the sword intent."
Ultric explained everything in one breath as Ace made sure to remember all the details mentioned by his master.
"Master, does that mean that I'm at the first stage of the sword intent realm?"
"That's right, as, for the sword heart realm, even I'm unable to step into that realm. All I know is that if one manages to step into their realm, it's rumoured that they themselves are the sword, including their gaze at its pinnacle realm."
"I see..."
In the meantime, while Ace was training with his sword under Ultric's guidance as Charlotte was cultivating in her own room, turbulent storms were brewing at the extreme south of the Zyroth continent they were on.
Ominous clouds threatened the sky, the fluffy marshmallows replaced by the abrupt darkness that consumed it. Streaks of black lightning descended upon the earth, causing mountains to collapse and trees to fall, habitats were destroyed and so were homes. Yet, the lightning strikes were merciless as they concentrated towards one barren area where a young-looking cultivator was mocking the heavenly tribulations.
"Hahahaha! Hahahaha! It's been thousands of years and this time, my return will definitely shake the whole world. The thousand sect alliance is nothing but a stepping stone for me towards the higher realms. If it weren't for the fact that my talent was too low in my previous life, the Martial King realm would only be the start for me! The heavenly tribulations in this realm are nothing but a joke to me!"
Demonic energy gathered around the area, hordes of demon beasts rushed towards the man with reverence in their eyes, all of the demon beasts around the area gathered around him willingly.
"Hahahaha! Hahahaha! Ten years and those old fogeys will regret their decision of not joining for me the greater cause of seeking strength!"
"Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"
Even so, no cultivator was alive to report this bizarre occurrence, all signs of life nearby were destroyed and the only living beings were the man and the demon beasts that were spared miraculously.
The next day, Ace woke up in the early morning and realised that there was still about two hours before the opening of the shop. Walking towards Charlotte's room which now had a door installed and barricaded by ice walls, Ace gently knocked on the door.
"Mhm?" Waking up from a daze, Charlotte tidied up her clothing before opening the door, only to see Ace standing there.
Rubbing her eyes, she asked, "Is anything the matter? If not I'm going back to sleep."
"Ah yes, I need you to remind me to stop my cultivation two hours later since there's some business I have to settle then." Ace explained to Charlotte patiently with a smile.
The feeling was miraculous, but he was gradually forgetting the feud that should exist between them after she became his junior. That's right, a junior.
"Give me a moment to wash up, I should be cultivating also before our master scolds me again." As Charlotte closed the door, Ace waited patiently outside as he wondered.
Does our master actually know how to scold people? Just what did she do?
Laughing, Ace realised that he actually had 6 system points at the moment. If his guess wasn't wrong, then the system points are awarded immediately.
Going to the shop, he realised that a new section for the Foundation realm has been opened up.
Enhanced Foundation pill: 20 system points, helps increase cultivation efficiency by 50% for 4 hours after consumption.
It might not seem like much, but if he was the one consuming it, then it would be 15 cultivation points per hour which in total, he gains an extra 20 cultivation points within four hours of cultivation, saving him 2 hours of cultivation per day.
Still, I should help Charlotte get some as well. Ace decided as he thought of a pill formula which he can request for Clarissa to help him with. Even though the Foundation pill used by most cultivators were useful, it only provided a cultivation efficiency boost from 10% to 17% depending on the final quality.
What he wanted help with was the Eternal foundation pill that permanently increases one's cultivation speed at the Foundation realm by 30% with each pill containing essence of up to 0.1%.
"Ace, I'm ready."
*Creak*
A few moments later, the door opened and Charlotte stepped out.
She was wearing a cooling blue robe with flowers sewn on it. The design was simple, but when Charlotte was the one wearing the robe, she gave off an innocent feeling that only a neighbourhood girl would have.
"How do I look?" Charlotte lowered her head and asked in embarrassment. Why am I asking this question and why am I this nervous…?
"You're pretty." Ace replied as they made their way towards the cultivation area of this floor.
"Don't worry, I'll let you know when two hours is up."
"All right, thanks."
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Nightingale367
Nightingale367 Synopsis has been updated and improved
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