บท 31: Blades

Elena's words alluded to a story Ryu knew little about. This incubator of the Holy Wing Clan had long been known to his Tatsuya Clan. Years ago, during Titus' first stay at the Shrine Library and directly after his meridian awakening ceremony failed, his Grandma Kunan had put aside her pride and hatred to ask if it was possible to trade for this treasure.

One had to understand that although this Origin Grade incubator was a heavenly treasure few could match, its use was still highly limited. In fact, the only way to make full use of it was to give it a single master. But, obviously, something like this was less useful for such a large clan. A defensive or offensive Origin Grade treasure was simply far more valuable.

However, Old Mistress Holy Wing would never miss an opportunity to scorn her old rival. Even knowing that this involved the life and death of a child, even knowing that accepting this Origin Grade treasure trade would greatly benefit her Clan, she rejected the offer after humiliating Ryu's grandmother.

Now, she was forced to exchange this treasure for nothing, simply to save her own life. It could be said that justice had been meted out.

"I see…" Ryu said softly. Elena didn't need to say anything more. With Ryu's intelligence, he immediately understood what must have happened. Although he didn't have the exact details, the scenario he built in his mind wasn't far from the truth.

"Here." Elena's spatial ring warped once more, revealing what looked like a beautiful globe with a world hidden within. Even with his mortal vision Ryu could see endless flowing rivers and grassed lands. But, there were no trees or spiritual plants to speak of. Even the water was normal, without any special properties.

Elena shook her head. "It's only to be expected. The Holy Wing Clan definitely took everything valuable out before handing it over. It should be fine though, with your abilities, you'll be able to fill it with even rarer spiritual plants. Be a little selfish for me, okay? Don't always hand your achievements off to those old Council fogies. Keep some for yourself…"

A rare air of seriousness took control of Elena's tone. She didn't know why she suddenly felt so uncomfortable, as though a weight was slowly increasing on her chest, but she always believed in her instincts, it was part of why she always felt so free.

"Be a little selfish, huh…" Ryu muttered to himself as he took the globe in his hand.

The heavenly pupil inner world was quite bland. It seemed to be an odd grey box that increased in size along with your cultivation. Yet, even as a mortal, Ryu's space was about ten meters in every direction. Aside from the cloak that now sat neatly folded in a corner, there wasn't much else to see. All that remained was the Fire Dragon Emblem of the Tatsuya Clan, the Phoenix Emblems of the Ice and Fire Phoenix Clans, and the Lightning Qilin Emblem of the Kunan Clan.

These Emblems were Mystical Grade treasures that allowed access to the various Clan Holy Lands, but other than that, they had no other function.

"I believe you should be able to replace your heavenly pupil inner world with this one. At least in theory." Elena explained lightly.

As Elena expected, the process was seamless. The globe entered Ryu's forehead, slowly changing his inner world. Now, it world could accommodate living beings. Unfortunately, though, his cultivation was non-existence, making it impossible for him to withstand the burden of warping in large objects.

Nodding in satisfaction, Elena smiled. "The last treasure is probably one you'll have some push back against, but do remember that it's a Unique Grade treasure."

"Some push back?" Ryu's mind immediately went to the worst possible place. This fiancée of his didn't get him some kinky toy, did she?

Elena giggled as though reading Ryu's mind. "Don't worry, it's nothing like that. Instead, they're weapons. Twin daggers, actually."

Ryu frowned, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. What the hell would he do with weapons? Right now, Ryu had no fighting experience whatsoever other than basics his father taught him when he was a toddler. What use would he have for daggers?

"I know, I know. But I've thought about this seriously. The black cloak has a passive ability to conceal, but it's very weak. Without cultivation, the only way you can evoke its true abilities is to use your Spiritual Qi and enter the Breath of Earth realm. However, that only lasts for a few seconds. Do you think that your enemy would disappear in that time? You need to take action!" Elena said seriously.

Ryu sighed. "Your words make sense. But, in a case where I assume something has happened to Nuri and I'm forced into such a corner, even if I have an Origin Grade dagger, I'm afraid that such an enemy would only laugh at my attack."

"This is why these daggers are special. They're capable of accommodating all forms of energy, including Spiritual Qi. Their weight also changes in accordance with the energy type and amount you use."

"You mean?" Ryu raised an eyebrow.

"Mhm. You can attack an opponent's Mental Realm directly. This won't guarantee a kill considering even someone like Nuri couldn't instantly end Gale's life, but it's the most effective attack you have. It's better than nothing."

Listening to this point, Ryu couldn't disagree. This was indeed the most effective form of attack he had. If these daggers really could accept Spiritual Qi, then they could protect Ryu's mind while he attacked others. Simple put, they were better than having nothing at all, so, for the sake of his fiancée's peace of mind, he accepted the daggers.

Ryu watched as Elena handed him two beautifully finished daggers. Each had a black spine, but edges that shone a crystalline and translucent blue. These edges were serrated into three portions, making the daggers look like a slanted set of triplet canine teeth. Their handles were long and slender, curving near the end into spherical bulbs.

The entire length of each blade was only about a foot and a half, hilt included. But, they gave off a menacing light.