บท 87: Battle Armour: Arm

"Sister Xinglan, are you sure? This might be too much of a burden on your body." Xu Lizhi worried in the smithing room.

"Yes. Everyone else has done their job, now it's my time to do it. Val Karni and Tang Wulin have both made the ideal environment. I've studied the plans thoroughly. At the very least I can give it my all for a single piece. Lizhi, I'll need you to be ready to give me your Bloodthirsty Bean Bun."

"But."

"No buts. I'll promise you, if it's really too hard on my body, I won't do another piece until I'm a Soul Ancestor."

Karni sighed to himself. If it were Siduo, this part would've been smooth sailing or at the very least, faster. It would've taken a toll on her body, but she could've done it without the boosting ability of a Food Type Soul Master. At least he was looking forward to the differences between Ye Xinglan's and Wu Siduo's technique.

If he remembered correctly, Ye Xinglan would need two Bloodthirsty Bean Buns to complete a single piece of an alloyed armour. That wasn't good for a variety of reasons, first was Ye Xinglan's body, second, they would need to think of a different plan. If they couldn't get more armour pieces, it would ruin their chances against Wu Siduo. There was no way for all of them to get a piece, but Wulin at least needed two as the one who would hold back Siduo's rampage.

Which made Karni determined. He wasn't about to leave Siduo without a challenge. "I might be able to help with the burden of taking the Bloodthirsty Bean Bun. At least to a degree." Karni commented. Xu Lizhi had informed everyone before about this skill—it wasn't weird for Karni to know about it.

The group turned to Karni, curious.

"My bloodline has a certain characteristic of adaptability, relaxation, making foreign things familiar to me, or otherwise certain effects more friendly to me, so to say. I call it Relaxing Aura. I haven't figured out all the specifics yet, because I haven't developed the bloodline enough, but it should help mitigate the side effects of the Bloodthirsty Bean Bun. Essentially, I'd be pouring that aura into you, to help your body relax."

Ye Xinglan thought about it for a bit. "Let's test it out first, just to be safe. A single Bloodthirsty Bean Bun, and if it works then we can really start tomorrow as you said."

Ye Xinglan and Karni called for the pre-emptive group meeting after everyone got their Augmented Reality glasses as the new standard gear to wear for the Tang Sect. It was evening.

Xu Lizhi called out his third Soul Ring and a blood red bean bun appeared. Ye Xinglan ate it immediately and Karni placed his palms on her back, circulating the bloodline power in a way that Hu Jie taught him.

Tang Wulin's eyes went a bit wide when he saw Karni's blood fluctuations. "Body Sect?" Wulin was more sensitive to bloodline shenanigans than Karni. While his and Karni's bloodlines didn't have any direct correlation to one another, this was the first time that Tang Wulin faced a bloodline that his own bloodline simply… ignored. Most of the time, it would fight bloodlines trying to influence him. Not Karni's. Was it that they were too distant? Or at the same level? Karni also used the same way to circulate it.

Ye Xinglan felt the two effects. After three minutes, the effect of the bun was over. She breathed in deeply and nodded to Karni that she was okay.

Xu Lizhi looked worried. "How is it?"

"The after effect of the bun isn't as bad as usual. I feel about 25 percent better than usual."

Xu Lizhi's eyes shined at Karni. "That's great! With this, even two buns shouldn't have any long lasting damage."

Ye Xinglan nodded. "Though I'll likely still need a few days afterwards to get back to full strength, but it won't do any harm to my body."

Karni clicked on the glasses a bit and accessed some of its controls. Particularly the body analysis function. It was a useful feature that gave some information about the state of one's body, particularly energy levels of Soul Power and exhaustion. For more detailed information, one would need to go to specialised medical stations.

He was allowed to check the outer sect members' information, thanks to the clearance the sect gave him.

"Mm. With this, your body shouldn't have any injuries. Even in your state, you should get back to full strength in a few hours. The greater problem would be that taking another bun would be dangerous even if taken the next day." He swiped some stuff and sent Ye Xinglan the information.

Tang Wulin was a bit surprised. "Wait, the glasses have those options as well?" He put them on and checked information on himself. He was smiling. The information was accurate. Then he looked at Ye Xinglan, but he frowned. He needed confirmation from Ye Xinglan.

Ye Xinglan checked her glasses as well. "Oh? Sure, I accept."

"Wait a minute." Tang Wulin was confused. "Karni, how can you see her information without asking for permission from her. Did you two make a deal beforehand?"

Ye Xinglan turned to Karni. "I don't remember that. How did you look at that?"

Karni scratched his head. "I have a level of clearance to access outer court sect members' information. Your privacy is still secure. Like abilities or private chats. Only the Sect Master himself or a council of people can approve to look at your private information."

"And you know that how?" Xie Xie was unsure about this.

"Well, I designed these from scratch." Karni felt a bit embarrassed.

Now the room was silent.

"You… You designed a technology that just got standardised throughout the whole sect?" Xie Xie held his head. Compared to Karni…

He wasn't the only one to feel this way. Everyone felt sudden pressure, but instead of feeling down, their quality showed. The room felt like it warmed up. Everyone's competitive spirit was awakened.

Karni felt chills. This was the future Shrek Seven Devils. No matter how much he advanced, he had to be on his toes around these guys. They looked like they wanted to devour him. Wulin especially.

… … …

Ye Xinglan meditated in the smithy. It was the middle of the next day. She was focusing her mind for the task ahead.

After a few minutes she opened her eyes. No distractions in her mind. She brought out her Martial Soul and looked at the loosely shaped piece of alloy in front of her. It was Tang Wulin's forearm piece.

"I'm about to begin. Lizhi, Karni, be at the ready."

"Yes." Both exclaimed, though Xu Lizhi seemed more nervous than his friend.

Karni bumped Lizhi on the side and nodded. An additional comfort. Karni would do his best to help Ye Xinglan.

Ye Xinglan's first Soul Ring shined, and she seemed to become one with the sword as she used it like an extension of her own body. Karni's eyes shined. This was the understanding of the weapon! She had such great comprehension of it.

It was something he himself thought would happen with his Bo Staff, yet never once did he feel any familiarity with its shape, only with the Sound within. Sometimes the Sound felt like it was the very Martial Soul.

Ye Xinglan danced with her Stargod Sword through the metal, shaping it with great agility and purpose. She gave the piece a certain sharpness that worked together with its purpose. Karni nodded. In terms of pure carving, she was better than Siduo. Siduo used her claws more like a knife, her precision was great, yet her way of carving technique was still a work in progress. Ye Xinglan on the other hand had a greatly developed technique, though Karni could tell she would have trouble with carving out something as detailed as the Augmented Reality Glasses.

After the general design was made, the light on the Stargod Sword intensified on its own. Her understanding of it was used to a greater degree. She started slashing with its point, and Karni was surprised to discover she was carving out Soul Arrays with the sword itself. Siduo had yet to do that. Karni couldn't help but admire the skill.

"Lizhi! Bun!"

Xu Lizhi fed her directly and she swallowed it completely. At the same time, Karni quickly put his palms on Ye Xinglan's back and focused on his blood circulation. She could feel the intensity of the blood bun lessen, yet the boost still worked properly.

Her carving was both beautiful and effective—clean cuts to carve the array while making precise shapes to complement them. She really did surpass Siduo in this aspect. She was making everything just as his blueprints dictated. Even the angles she was cutting at were how his designs guided her to do. Did she memorise the movements themselves?

There was steady progression, but the three minutes were running out. She shouted out. "Lizhi! Second one!"

Xu Lizhi took a big breath. It should be fine. She had Karni's help to dampen the side effects. He fed her the second bun. Hopefully everything will be alright.

As soon as the second bun took effect, Karni noticed the intensifying chaos within Ye Xinglan's body. He focused his Purple Demon Eyes. It won't be enough to just imbue his bloodline in her anymore. He focused his Soul Power as well. Reinforced the bloodline.

He saw the chaos forming around her Dantian and placed one of his palms there, while the other one was above it, at the heart. The Soul Power around there started to slowly stabilise. At least, the chaos lessened and the circulation became more streamlined again.

Her carving continued smoothly, as if the chaos she just overcame with Karni's help never happened. By now, all of the Soul Arrays have been completed, only the few bits and pieces that were small but important were left. She clearly took more time to take care of those, as the size of her sword was quite big.

Time was slowly running out and Ye Xinglan was about to finish the last few bits of pieces that would connect the whole forearm together in both Soul Arrays and shape.

She cut the last piece and shouted. "Tang Wulin! Blood!"

He jumped and poured some of his blood on the piece of battle armour. A small dragon roar was released from it.

Ye Xinglan sat on the ground, exhausted. Xu Lizhi came to her. "How is it?"

She sat in a meditative pose to examine herself. "My Soul Power should recover in about two days, so I should be battle ready in two days and can practise without reserve, but there is still residual energy from the bun. If I take another one in two weeks time it might permanently damage me. It should be safe after about a week, but I'd rather wait two weeks just to be sure."

Xu Lizhi sighed in relief. That was good. That was very good actually.

Tang Wulin took the battle armour and put it on himself, before it fused into him. There was a look of wonder on everyone.

"How is it?" Ye Xinglan was the first to ask.

"I don't know yet. Let's move."

They went to a forest. Tang Wulin pulled out his Battle Armour and used his Dragon Dreadclaw without the Forearm piece. He cut through the trees like butter. Then he used it with the Battle Armour. The Dreadclaw seemed to extend, shine and destroy nut just the trees, but even part of the ground in the distance. It encompassed a larger area than expected.

"How is it?" Karni now asked.

"I think it's about a 40 percent increase in the attack. From what I heard an individual piece should be 30 percent. This is amazing. Ye Xinglan, Val Karni, you guys are amazing."

"Hey you're the one who forged that amazing piece of metal so we could play around on it. It wouldn't be a 40 percent increase without it." Karni smiled.

Ye Xinglan nodded in affirmation.

"Well, that's the first piece. We should be able to make another one for you in about a month's time. What do you say Ye Xinglan?"

She nodded. "I'm up for that." She'd need to study the blueprints of the second piece for a while as well.

"Tang Wulin, you'll be our main power against Sisi. You need the biggest boost. The next person we should give a piece to is Gu Yue. Maybe her head piece?" He turned to look at her.

Gu Yue nodded, if slightly surprised that it was Karni who said it. "I'm okay with it."

Tang Wulin also added. "For now, us two are the main power needed. After that, we should focus on Ye Xinglan, since she'll be carving them out. She needs them most. The problem is that we won't have enough time to give everyone a piece."

"Don't worry." Karni smiled. "I already thought of that as soon as we changed the teams. I've already started designs for Mechas for the rest of us. We should save the last month to manufacture them, otherwise some of us might get thrown out of the school. They're much easier to manufacture and design. Those who don't want a long term mecha should also inform me, so I design a barely functional one. I don't think the teachers will have a problem once they find out we made three, maybe four pieces of battle armour."

They had at most about three months left. They should be able to at least create two more pieces. Ye Xinglan's piece will be made if they're fast with the other ones. As for the mechas, if all the manufacturers work together, it should take at most a week for a single mecha. Less, for a simple white one.

The academy didn't talk about the rank of the mecha needed to pass, just that it needed to be functional. A mecha like that needed three days at most to create.

"I don't need a personal mecha." Xie Xie was the first to speak up.

"Me neither." Xu Xiaoyan voiced her opinion.

Ye Xinglan also shook her head.

"I want a personal mecha." Xu Lizhi voiced. "I'd be happy to help you out with the designs and manufacturing process. I'd also like to be there when you design my mecha."

Karni gave him a thumbs up. "I welcome any help. I want to ask Xie Xie for manufacturing help as well. Even I'll help manufacture as a Mechanic." He needed to brush up on those skills anyway.

… … …

"Hey, Tang Wulin, you got a minute?" Karni approached him as everyone was leaving. The sun was about to start setting.

"Sure, what do you need?"

"You up for some practice? You can try out your Battle Armour more, and I can train my techniques."

"Sure, I'd be happy to."

"Great! Do have one request though, are you willing to face me with your Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer? I'll only be using my own as well."

Tang Wulin thought about it. "You know what, sure. I'll be able to get used to the strength I release with the Battle Armour piece on."

The two rented a quick sparring field. Tang Wulin brought out his gold Spirit Refined Heavy Silver Hammers. Karni brought out his Staff of Predictions in drumstick form.

The two dashed, both building up hits of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer. At the ninth hit, the two still hadn't reached each other. Karni sent his drumstick directly at Tang Wulin, which surprised him.

Tang Wulin clashed with the incoming drumstick, sending it back.

Karni received it while moving backwards, spinning and then throwing it back at Tang Wulin, the sound and force now more powerful. Tang Wulin's eyes went wide. It was like a boomerang.

"So that's how you adapted the technique." Tang Wulin ducked below the drumstick before hitting it from below high into the sky. He ran forward at Karni.

Karni clashed with him directly, but was clearly pushed far back. Tang Wulin simply had greater power in his muscles.

As he was pushed back, the drumstick that went flying into the air returned. Tang Wulin was surprised again. Was this really still the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer? Why was Karni's technique so different? The only thing that was the same was the force building. In fact, in Karni's case, it felt more like Sound building. Resonance building up through disorder. Force was just the catalyst to create that resonance within the Sound.

The two continued this dance, until both were at the 17th hit. Tang Wulin reached the 18th hit first and Karni's ears twitched. There was something different in Tang Wulin's 18th hit. Not only that, Tang Wulin made a subtle change in movement.

The drumstick returned to Karni and his drumsticks clashed, but as soon as they did, the incoming drumstick flew away uncontrollably.

Tang Wulin stopped. "Still haven't broken through the 18th hurdle huh?" He wouldn't attack further. If Karni got this practice now, Wulin could argue for his way later.

Karni nodded. "Hey, you up to continue? I feel like I'm onto something now that I'm directly clashing with you."

Tang Wulin nodded and got back into position. The two started the dance again. Karni felt a bit of chills. In this second round, Tang Wulin had a lot more control over where he sent Karni's drumstick. That was quick. Wulin knew how to make it inconvenient.

"If I could use my fourth Soul Ring, this would be so much easier." Karni complained aloud.

Tang Wulin heard him. "Do it, I'm okay with it as long as you use this technique to attack."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Karni smiled as he Shifted space. He appeared behind Tang Wulin, exactly where he sent the drumstick.

The drumsticks clashed and Tang Wulin only reacted because he heard it. "So that's why you asked." He smiled, getting excited. Wulin thrived under pressure.

Up until the 17th hit, Karni completely controlled Tang Wulin's movement. Tang Wulin was impressed. Both were control systems, but Karni was leagues ahead of him in that aspect. All he could do was react to Karni's attacks.

In the later hits it was also annoying, even with his strength. If the attack were to hit his body, Tang Wulin was sure that he'd be completely stunned and open to an attack for a few seconds. Even through the hammers, he could feel his hands vibrating because the Sound travelled through the weapons.

At the 18th hit, Karni watched Tang Wulin's movements. Again that subtle change in movement.

The drumstick was returning to Karni and he was thinking what to do. What is that movement? A different pose? A change in Soul Power usage? Then he realised. A tiny inversion! The same movement, but a simple inversion to keep building up the force.

He intercepted his own drumstick and inverted the already familiar movement and… the drumstick still flew away without control.

Tang Wulin stopped again, almost disappointed. "You know, that technique isn't anything like the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer. If anything, the technique is a catalyst to create a different technique that boosts that Sound of yours. Or make it more resonant. I don't really understand it, but the force clearly isn't the focus. You should honestly call it something else."

Karni's eyes went wide. "What did you say?"

"Eh? You should change its name? Name it yourself?"

"No, not that… well maybe I should but… You said resonance eh?"

"Oh… um yeah." Wulin wasn't really thinking. Just saying words he knew were connected somehow to sound.

"Hmm. Let's go again."

This time around, Tang Wulin was even getting a bit frustrated. Not only was he stopping for Karni's sake, but he was really tempted to use the other techniques he had. His other skills. At least his Bluesilver Grass so he could combat that control. Yeah. He gave Karni the freedom to explore that technique, the least Karni could do was let him use his Bluesilver Grass.

At the 16th hit, Karni's heart began beating aloud. His gut was telling him that his idea was right. Now he just had to execute it correctly.

The 17th hit, the two clashed again. Tang Wulin now returned the drumstick directly back, since doing anything else would just bring more difficulty to himself. He hit it like a ping pong ball, just a heavy, numbing ping pong ball.

At the 18th hit, Karni noticed again how Tang Wulin inverted the movement. Yes, it was indeed an inversion of movement. Inversion of force… inversion of force… So what to do in his case?

Karni saw the incoming drumstick, then stopped and the Sound switched as if a different personality suddenly showed, the low tones switched with higher ones, the loud became quiet and the high frequency became low frequency. The exact opposite state of the drumstick that he just intercepted.

Karni felt chills up his arms. This harmony. His ears. They felt like they were in heaven. What was this beautiful sound? He subconsciously turned and sent the 18th hit back to Tang Wulin. The Sound combined, like forming an orchestra all on its own. Tang Wulin took the hit through the hammers and the hammers were so shaky he had to activate the dragon claw to keep the hammer in his hands.

Karni forgot to accept the drumstick again. The technique ended. He stood there a bit dumbfounded. He succeeded! He'd probably have to figure something out every 9th hit, but he felt excited for it! He was curious what sort of resonance awaited him at the 27th hit. The resonance. It was all in the Sound!

Karni heard a small complaint at the back of his mind. The crow. "Stop gushing over Sound so much. Should focus on Space a bit more. Your Sound complements it, sure, but it's less effective than using space itself."

"Hop, this is a Sound technique."

"Not that, you're still using Shift through your Sound attribute."

Karni got confused. "I feel like I'm using Space."

"You are. Through Sound. It is more effective if you lock he Space directly."

Karni didn't really get the difference. He also wasn't in the mood. He was excited damn it! "One thing at a time, Hop." He turned back to reality.

"Wulin, I think I know what I'll call this technique. Disordered Drumstick Resonance."

Tang Wulin smiled. "It's a good name, but I have a complaint."

Karni was weirded out. First Hop now Wulin. Both are complaining about something.

"Can I please use my Bluesilver Grass afterwards, as well as my bloodline to make my strength better?"

Karni relaxed. "As long as you keep using the technique for actual attack. I'll also use my first Soul Ring to have better perception."

Tang Wulin was cheerful. Now this would be an actual spar. "So then. Another bout?"

"Sure."

… … …

Tang Wulin was on the ground, smiling. In the end, Karni was in control from start to finish. Karni always knew what was about to happen. After seeing the future through the second Soul Ring, he understood why Karni was so good at controlling people in battle.

This guy really pushed him. Especially, right now, Karni revealed a lot of Wulin's weaknesses. The last few bouts they went all out. All the abilities. And while Wulin now had a piece of Battle Armour, he could do less now than in the battle for representatives. Karni had an actual attack now. Wulin still relied too much on his strength.

Meanwhile, Karni was equally happy. He did control, but his control after the Bluesilver Grass was reactionary. He adapted himself so he could continue controlling, but he didn't actually manipulate Tang Wulin much until the last few bouts, when he added Vision Bestowal. He still had ways to go. Controlling a battle through the weapon was much harder.

"Hey, Karni."

"Yeah?"

"Feel like creating this a regular practice time? You're really helping me with some of my weaknesses."

"Absolutely. You're helping me grow in my technique and I'm also seeing more and more ways to use it because your power is so overwhelming." Karni always had to wait to get a high hit in Disordered Drumstick Resonance.

Two equals made this an agreement. Karni was eager to continue approving. If he couldn't, he would eventually fall behind this guy. For now, he could still control him and win with that. But even now he had to be careful. A single hit would finish him.

… … …

"So, how's the old team looking?"

"I think you guys will lose. The Genius Youth Ranking will lose its meaning after this battle."

Siduo chuckled. "Don't be so sure. I beat them into shape and also made all of my limb pieces and my head. I want to see Tang Wulin going against me."

Karni smiled mysteriously. "I'll be nice and tell you. At the start, you'll have to face me." They had a plan.

Siduo was surprised. "You have been oddly quiet about your advancement in that Disordered Drumstick Resonance you created three months ago. Just how far did you progress?"

Karni just smiled, but didn't answer. "You'll see tomorrow. Let's see how I, who doesn't have armour yet, perform against you, who's only missing two pieces."

"You're on." Siduo bumped Karni's fist.

The two left to their teams. The progress had been steady. Tang Wulin had two pieces of battle armour. A whole right arm. Gu Yue also had one. Ye Xinglan didn't, because they had to make mechas to pass. Xu Lizhi was even going to use his. At the end of the day, Siduo was right. They didn't have enough time to make those types of Battle Armour for everyone. Perhaps it would've worked if Siduo was still on the team, but thinking about what-ifs right now was useless.

As for Karni? He was at the border of the 27th hit and has been at the edge of understanding it. He was looking forward to tomorrow. It felt like Siduo going all out was exactly the kind of push he needed right now to break through the 27th hit of Disordered Drumstick Resonance.

"We haven't gone all out against each other in a while, Sisi. Don't hold back tomorrow."

"Who do you take me for? Just don't come crying to me when I slap you out of the field… actually, I wouldn't mind if you do that, I'd hug you real tight."

"Flirting with an enemy before battle? A classic tactic. I won't fall for it."

Siduo smiled. "Nah. Just flirting with a cutie."

Karni had to clear his throat. "Well, this… cutie, will beat you tomorrow.

"Mhm." Siduo waved him goodbye. "Looking forward to it."

"Damn it. That was a weak comeback. Even Xie Xie would do better." Karni sighed. She caught him off guard. He had to hide his blush. Damn it, but he fell for such a weak flirt as well? He blamed puberty. He was at that age. And he hated puberty in his previous life.

He slapped his cheeks. No flirting with the enemy before battle. He looked at her leaving figure. After battle however?