บท 6: VI
In under two weeks, they reached the Blue Wind Imperial City. During the journey, he had taken it upon himself to learn as many of the 'mid' profound arts as he could. After reaching the Blue Wind Imperial City, he joined the Blue Wind Profound Palace as a guest disciple and focused solely on the Profound Way. Being so close to the Sky Profound Realm… Rokas asked Jasmine to keep him from losing focus and lazying out. She accomplished just that, taunting him each time he relaxed too much. He managed to get an astounding average of eighteen hours per day as a result.
Given that, he started to crack records and become more comfortable with meditation. It was like when he hated reading when he was young… but, as his parents forced him to keep reading, he got used to it and found comfort in it. It was the same thing with meditation.
A little over two months would pass like the wind… and, after three days straight of ONLY meditation, he'd breakthrough!
"Finally… the Sky Profound Realm…" Rokas muttered, finding it difficult to be excited due to his absolutely exhausted body. Not only did his body get sore but his mind had also gone numb from constant meditation.
"You might not be as hopeless as this princess first thought…" Jasmine remarked, smiling slightly. "Rest well, you've earned it."
"... Yeah…"
He let himself go, collapsing onto the ground.
[Profound Handle awakened.]
----------------
Name: Rokas / Long Ke
Alias: Perverted fiend
Race: Demon
Identity: Supreme Genius From Another Nation
Age: 16
Timeline: 10 months
Profound Strength: Sky Profound Realm I
----------------
Comprehension: F → D
Strength: C+
Endurance: C+
Agility: D+
Profound Energy Quantity: C+ → B+
Profound Energy Control: F → D
Luck: F-
----------------
Confidants
The System (World): 3
Jasmine (Fortune X): 2 → 3
Cang Yue (Lovers VI): 2
----------------
Abilities
Secret Ability: Consume
The ability to consume and assimilate.
Special Ability: Inner World B
Given that resources do not boost profound strength, they are stored in an inner world similar to the one that comes with the Nine Profound Exquisite Body. This one, however, has no limits and grows the more you feed it. Due to reaching the IV cultivation goal of 1,000 hours, the Inner World evolved to work alongside the Sky Poison Pearl AND allow living people inside. If you so wish, someone could leech off you and progress rapidly off the profound energy.
Sigma Male Grindset B
Profound Handle B- (Orange)
A myriad of F-ranked profound skills.
Bloodline: Berserk Nine-Headed Flood Dragon A-
Due to your growth in profound strength, the 'Berserk' amplification is even greater.
----------------
'Only through diligence may the heavenly procrastinator grow'
Meditation/Comprehension Goal V: Dedicate three thousand hours towards cultivation (1617/3000).
Reward: Talent boost + divine blood
Dual-Cultivation Goal II: Kiss a girl
Reward: Clothes Beam
----------------
The next day, Rokas woke up after several hours of quality sleep. He took some time… but, eventually, he realised that he was really in the Sky Profound Realm. Using the Profound Floating Technique, he levitated himself a few inches off the ground.
'Man, this is fucking awesome!'
[System: Mayne, you STILL haven't kissed a girl? You really don't want the Clothes Beam, huh…]
'Who the hell would I be kissing without being awkward and forcing it? Pretty sure that would be sexual assault… besides, I'm not going to kiss just about anyone.'
[System: Wow, you have standards now?]
'Yessir. I'm bossed up now.'
[System: Sheesh, aight then.]
Rokas looked in the mirror, adjusting his growing jet black hair. He smiled… feeling proud of himself. He didn't know exactly when he started to have all this confidence and high self-esteem… but damn did it feel good! He, for once, truly felt accomplished.
'Even Qianye Ying'er would fall for me, heh.'
[System: I don't know about that one, chief.]
'... Let a young man dream!' Rokas sighed. 'My precious golden-haired, ruthless goddess whom I love dearly as both a reader and writer… although, truly, she is a bat-shit crazy chick with extreme tendencies. I honestly don't know whether or not I actually want to meet her. Her being real… adds another layer to the whole matter, you know?'
[System: Yes, that much is true. She can actively fuck up your life.]
'… I honestly shouldn't be worrying about someone so far out of my reach. Although, I know one thing for certain, I ain't trying to end up like mr Xisu.'
"Jasmine, about that movement profound skill… when are you going to finish creating it?"
"This princess completed it weeks ago," Jasmine replied, appearing before him. "You were so focused on breaking through that I didn't wish to break your concentration. Now that you've asked for it… here it is. The Star Mortal's Broken Shadow!"
"… Star… Mortal's…" Rokas felt like crying. The name itself was making a mockery of him!
She tapped his forehead, transferring the manual.
"There. Even a mountain dweller like you should be able to pick it up rather easily."
"..." Rokas pursed his lips, nodding. 'I see how it is.'
He sat down right after, attempting to comprehend the almighty Star Mortal's Broken Shadow. It was just as Jasmine had said… it was extremely simple! Rokas managed to comprehend it in less than a day and become proficient with it in under a week. Instead of casting lasting afterimages that would move, the Star Mortal's Broken Shadow was simply an increase in speed.
However, despite being highly down-watered, it was still ranked D which was far better than any other profound art in his possession!
~
Rokas emerged from his cultivation room shortly after learning the Star Mortal's Broken Shadow. He was feeling himself, walking rather casually through the hallways. Everyone made way for him… and he couldn't help but overhear all their gossip. It seemed as if some were distrustful because of his sketchy background. However, in the end, his talent was respected.
Along the way, he witnessed a scuffle between two middle palace disciples. Well, more accurately, it was a beating. One was younger and in the Nascent Profound Realm while the other was in the first stage of the True Profound Realm. Naturally, the younger one was getting his ass kicked.
"Yo." Rokas stepped in, keeping his hands at his side. "You wanna like… leave the mans alone? He's just trying to vibe and do his thing… and here you are, messing up his whole week. Probably month, even."
"... Oh… it's you." The older disciple stopped, a drop of sweat leaving his forehead. "Forgive me, senior… I was just… exchanging pointers. But if it offends you, I'll gladly stop."
"What happened for you to take out your anger on your junior, mate? Your girl left you? No wonder why she would… you're a complete schmuck."
"..." The older disciple bit his lip as the crowd around him laughed. "I…"
"Speaking of which, would you like to 'exchange pointers' with me?"
"... N-no… thank you."
Rokas chuckled, shaking his head. "That's what I thought. Why don't you focus on yourself instead of bullying others? Let's be honest here, you're not even all that."
"..."
'So this is how it is being the boss man… still a drag.'
After that small confrontation, Rokas continued onwards to leave the Profound Palace. Along the way, he was stopped by Qin Wushang, the Vice Palace Chief who was excited to hear about his breakthrough.
~
In the Blue Wind Imperial Palace.
"The princess is currently in seclusion, as you can see…"
"I can wait," Rokas replied with a calm tone.
"How is it like, the Grand Asura Nation?" Qin Wushang wondered, stroking his chin. Despite being fifty years old, he looked rather young. Amusingly enough, his younger brother by twelve years at the New Moon Profound Palace looked far older than him. That… was the magic of the Sky Profound Realm at play.
"I… prefer the Blue Wind Empire."
"Didn't have the best family?"
"How did you guess that?"
"Just an educated guess." Qin Wushang shrugged his shoulders, smiling slightly. "Just know that if you don't feel welcome at home, you're always welcome in the Blue Wind Empire. Your talent can accomplish plenty of good here… far more than it would in your homeland. Besides, the princess favours you greatly. That should count for something."
'Home… in this world, do I even have a home?'
"Thank you for your kind words." Rokas nodded, smiling a little. "I'd like to ask for something…"
"Hmm?"
"Even though my profound strength is great and all, I have little experience in combat. Could you… exchange pointers with me sometime?"
"Ah… certainly. I'd love to." Qin Wushang nodded. "Well, I'm a little busy today so this is all the time that I could spare. See you around, Long Ke."
"Mn…"
Rokas nodded, leaning against the wall. 'I don't want to barge in and disturb her… I know I'd be pissed as fuck if some mf disturbed my meditation. Then again, I don't want to be camping outside her door for a long time.'
Rokas sighed, deciding to play around with his Energy Weapon profound skill. He formed a blunt club and focused on turning it into a straight spear. To be honest, he found the process of playing with profound energy a little amusing. Or maybe his standards for 'fun' had fallen off since he became a meditation addict…
"Who are you…?"
After a few hours, someone approached him. Rokas looked up, noticing a man in lavish black-red robes. If anything, his drip was immaculate. Added to that, he had a refined charismatic aura that even Rokas could see at a glance. Behind the young man was an elder whose strength was in the middle stages of the Sky Profound Realm.
"My name is Long Ke," Rokas replied, dispersing his Energy Weapon. "You?"
"Hm… so you are the foreigner." Contempt flashed across Feng Juecheng's eyes. "Far away from home, aren't you?"
'Answer my question, will you? Actual baboon.'
"Nothing the Profound Floating Technique can't handle." Rokas frowned slightly, recognising that he was being threatened. "If you don't have anything substantial to say, please do leave my sight."
"Oh… is that so? If anything, I believe these are Cang Yue's quarters. Are you certain that you're meant to be standing around here?"
"Who the hell are you to tell me where I can and can't stand?" Rokas replied rather sharply, starting to feel the urge to beat up his smug expression. "Are you an undercover royal guard? If you're not, please do fuck off."
Rokas' 'please' did not have a polite tone to it anymore.
"... Hmph, it seems that you have no regard for the Blue Wind Imperial Family. On their behalf, Fen Moyu, please do humble this arrogant and willful foreigner!"
'I hate young masters…'
Rokas clenched his fist, grinning slightly. 'You know what… I don't mind this.'
His eyes turned scarlet red as increased his power by a decent amount and completely blitzed the elder using the Star Mortal's Broken Shadow, appearing behind him.
'Premium Bitchslap!'
BANG.
With one casual swipe of his hand, he sent the elder deep into the wall. Or rather… his head. Meanwhile, the rest of his body fell onto the ground. Rokas observed with a thoroughly shocked expression. The amount of power he had exhibited… shocked even him, the user.
'What the… fuck? He was four levels higher than me and I barely used Berserk… aren't Sky Profound Realm experts meant to be tough to kill? I only wanted to knock him out… damn it.'
Rokas pursed his lips, glancing at Fen Juecheng. "I… didn't mean to kill your elder."
"... You… the Burning Heaven Clan won't forget this!"
"Where… do you think you're going?"
Immediately after, Fen Juecheng ran away while Cang Yue's door burst open. However, Fen Juecheng didn't run far as Rokas snatched him by the shoulder and forced him into his inner world. Cang Yue left with a worried expression, observing her surroundings. She saw Fen Moyu's rolling head, the hole in the wall, the elder's fallen corpse and Rokas' bloodied hand with a frightened expression.
Meanwhile, several people who had heard the explosion gathered around. There would be eyewitnesses for this event… or rather, the result of it.
"What… happened?" Cang Yue inquired, her heart skipping several beats at once.
"He tried to attack me… and I killed him," Rokas admitted rather simply, although there was a guilty tone to his voice. "I… didn't mean to."
'Maybe I really should go back to the mountains.'
"Stop being so damn soft! Guilt-tripping yourself over some trash elder… hmph, this princess expects better from you." Jasmine suddenly spoke out. "Are you going to cry over every opponent you slay? Even if it is some Burning Heaven Clan, they would be a good test for your strength at best! Even their ancestors… would not be beyond your power."
'... Until they call in their old Heavenly Sword Villa buddy.'
"You… that was one of the Burning Heaven Clan's elders." Cang Yue stated, her eyes widening in fear. "They… won't forget this. They'll want you dead and not even the Blue Wind Imperial Family would be able to-""
"... Don't worry about me." Rokas shook his head as he tried to reassure Cang Yue. "That said, it's not safe for me to be in the open. It only makes me an easier target and endangers everyone else… so I'll have to find another place to train for a bit."
"You… want to go against the Burning Heaven Clan?"
"I have no other choice…" Rokas managed a smile as he took in the remains of Fen Moyu. "You know, I'm stronger than you think. By the time word reaches the Heaven Burning Clan… I'll already be gone."
Rokas sighed as he turned away, realising that his plans of helping Cang Yue grow had been thrown out the window. Unless… she went with him. It was a lot to ask, especially since he hadn't known her for very long… so Rokas didn't bring it up.
"Cang Yue… I'm sorry that my stay was so brief. I'd love to stay around and get to know you properly, really… but I don't want you to get tangled into my mess."
Rokas vanished using the Star Mortal's Broken Shadow.
"..."
…
Meanwhile, in Rokas' Inner World.
"Why is there a mountain of the same food…" Fen Juecheng frowned, completely confused by his surroundings. "What is this void? Where am I…?"
"I can't believe him… he let trash like you in the same realm as this princess." Jasmine looked down at Fen Juecheng in contempt. "Don't worry, you won't be around here for long."
"... Who… oh…" Suddenly, Fen Juecheng was completely stolen away by the beauty of Jasmine. His soul had practically left his body as he collapsed. "So… beautiful…"
"..."
Jasmine's contempt only grew for Fen Juecheng. However, she was glad that she wouldn't have to deal with the young master's fawning, at the very least.
~
Rokas went in the direction of the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range at maximum speed, swiftly leaving behind the Blue Wind Imperial City. He loved to fly as it was thrilling and gave a strong sense of freedom that nothing else could. After a while, he took out Fen Juecheng, shook him awake and wondered what to do with him.
"My father… will make you pay for this!" Feb Juecheng exclaimed confidently. "That's right… you better let me go or you won't live another year."
"Hahaha… discriminating against foreigners is rather stupid for a Blue Wind Empire native." Rokas chuckled, shaking his head. "If I am part of the younger generation, do you know what the older one is capable of? Your shitty Heaven Burning Clan wouldn't even last five minutes."
"... But they're not here, are they?"
"And your seniors… where the fuck are they now?" Rokas wondered, tilting his head. "As far as I am concerned, you are my bitch. If I don't like something… I can take your life in a flick. You saw what happened to your elder, didn't you?"
[System: Someone is pissed off...]
"... So why haven't you?"
"Your fire arts… I need them." Rokas replied, shrugging his shoulders. "If you share all that you know, I'd be inclined to let you go."
"The Burning Heaven Secret Arts?" Fen Juecheng scoffed. "I'd rather die than share such a sacred part of my sect with a stranger. You can ask me a thousand times, beat me or even kill me… but I never will share the Heaven Burning Secret Arts with a foreigner like you."
"Listen here, motherfucker." Rokas took a deep breath, feeling all of his pent up anger explode. "You're in no position to reject my demands… especially since you're the braindead dumbass who got me into this mess. Because of you, I'll have to bitchslap your daddy, granddaddy and all their fucking dusty old friends. I was planning to spend more time with Cang Yue… but you fucked that up too. Now you're telling me you won't share your dog shit fire arts with me?"
Rokas stood up, his eyes turning scarlet red. "Oh, I'd love to slap your ugly ass head off just like I did to that elder. But… I'll have to settle for this."
Rokas restrained his power to the Earth Profound Realm and bitchslapped Fen Juecheng.
"That… was nothing." Fen Juecheng proudly stated, although his cheek was bleeding red.
"So, you're a masochist?" Rokas raised an eyebrow, slapping him again. "I'm going to get that art out of you today."
Slap, slap, slap… Rokas began slapping Fen Juecheng like Goku did to Frieza on Namek. Side to side, he continued hitting him. Eventually, Fen Juecheng's pride shattered and he gave in.
"Stop… I've had enough."
He slapped him again.
"Stop… I'll share the art with you! I swear… I will!"
Rokas stopped, sighing. "If you listened to me the first time, your head wouldn't be looking like a damn tomato. Fine… give it here. If I find out it's some bullshit you took out of your ass, I'm breaking both of your arms."
"... Alright."
Fen Juecheng did, in fact, go on to transfer the entire manual for the Burning Heaven Secret Arts. Rokas was rather surprised by the fact and wanted to see if it was genuine.
"Multiple Sky Profound Realm practitioners are rapidly approaching. They range from the low stages up to the seventh…" Jasmine warned him. "Nothing you can't handle."
"Nighttime for you."
Rokas looked down at Fen Juecheng and knocked him out with a gut punch.
"Don't you dare think about bringing that clown inside again." Jasmine stated.
"I need to know if the art is genuine… besides, he'll be unconscious."
"..."
Rokas shrugged and took him back into his Inner World. Afterwards, he took flight and dodged the elders. However, they continued to relentlessly pursue him… leading to Rokas reluctantly stopping.
When he stopped, all seven of his pursuers surrounded him.
"Foreigner… release our young master at once!"
"Where do you see him?" Rokas titled his head as he questioned. "I might have dropped him along the way, you never know."
"The talisman on his body… is signalling towards you."
'The bruddha has a tracker on him? The more you know.'
"... Fine." Rokas took out Fen Juecheng and kicked him onto the ground. "Take him."
As Rokas turned to leave, one elder drew his flaming sword against him.
"You're not going anywhere, foreigner. You think that you can slay an elder, kidnap and harm our young master… and walk away scot-free??"
"Oh, brother…" Rokas sighed, gritting his teeth slightly. "Fine… this is how you want to do it."
'...Transform!'
A nine-headed flood dragon emerged from where Rokas stood, its scales instantly turning scarlet red as it went berserk.
"ROAR!!!"
All nine heads went straight to action, breaking the formation of elders. Within the first few seconds, the weakest elders had already been swallowed. As for the rest, the nine-headed flood dragon endured some flame attacks (which did practically nothing) and countered with its own berserk flames.
"Ahhhh!"
Once they were all roasted, the dragon fed on each of the experts like they were dinner from a premium restaurant.
[System: All of their profound strengths have powered up your Inner World greatly! To add to that, you are making good progress for the second stage of the Sky Profound Realm.]
"So this is who I have to be…"
A naked Rokas remarked, observing the blood-splattered field.
He took a closer look at Fen Juecheng's belongings, removing the talisman and burning it to ash. Then he dressed himself in a new set of clothes and took him back into his Inner World.
~
Not even two weeks after, Rokas took over the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range and feasted on all of its Sky Profound Realm beasts. During this time, he primarily focused on comprehending the Heaven Burning Secret Arts. After testing it out, he then realised that it was comparable to what he had witnessed at the Scarlet Dragon Mountain Range.
"So you gave me the genuine copy." Rokas remarked, nodding approvingly. "It's not too bad, either."
"So… you'll let me go, right?"
"Sure." Rokas nodded. "You're free to go."
Fen Juecheng managed a smile. "You are a man of your word, Long Ke. Perhaps… I had been far too harsh towards you."
"... Shut up and go." Rokas frowned.
"... Alright."
As Fen Juecheng sprinted away, Rokas' eyes flashed with fire.
'Field… Burning Slash!'
BOOM.
Rokas observed Fen Juecheng's roasted remains splatter a good distance away with a cold indifference.
"It was far too late for that."
He turned away… looking towards the Phoenix Clan's village.
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