Chapter 280: Chapter 269: Practicing And Training

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After checking out what my new Martial Arts could do, I quickly moved on to practicing; the sun was slowly setting as I started practicing. There were only two techniques available, but it did say I could discover new ones.

The most basic were available: the ability to materialize into weapons and the other that can heal wounds, and all of that, which makes the power of Hope very versatile! I don’t know if I can practice the healing abilities right now, perhaps if I get thrown into a swarm of monsters, but that’s for later.

For now, let’s practice the first ability.

“Let’s see…”

Sepa glanced at me in silence as I channeled my Ki and Hope Essence, generating a spark of golden flames in the palm of my hands.

It was small—an ember at this point—but it flared with great strength. I also noticed that creating this flame cost 10 Hope Essence out of a thousand.

I had a bit of reserve, and it was slowly recovering over time thanks to my connection with Master, who was giving me her own Hope too.

“Now…”

FLUOSH!

I shapeshifted the flames, quickly thinking of some shape that could hold some power—a shape within my mind.@@novelbin@@

And then a blade came to mind.

The blade of a sword? The flame is too small for that.

How about a dagger instead?

In my beginning days, I used daggers a lot.

FLASH!

The flames changed shape, becoming almost an exact fusion between the Ice and the Flame daggers I had.

They got an upgrade thanks to Hilda, becoming Angelic and Demonic Daggers, and this dagger’s design was like a perfect fusion between the two.

Slowly, my imagination materialized the flame into a pure gold-like material.

It was hard and metallic, yet very light at the same time.

“Wow.”

I looked at my own hands and tried it out, cutting through my skin.

My skin was very tough at this point; I’ve cultivated my durability a lot.

Yet the dagger was still able to slice through it, albeit with some effort.

Blood started coming out, my red blood.

“Interesting; it cuts really well; I think it ignores some physical defense already?”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Now let’s try the healing flames.”

I conjured another golden ember and turned it into a mass of phantasmal, golden essence; it covered the wound like gum, stopping the bleeding and rapidly healing the wound.

“Eh? That was fast!”

“Is it faster than your healing spells?”

“Yes, it’s probably ten times faster…”

“Even more than Healing Touch?”

“Healing Touch is slow actually, mostly because it’s a Skill and has no MP Cost.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is… What else can it do?”

“Let’s test it!”

I conjured more Embers; this time, I transformed some of them into golden shields of various shapes and sizes, materializing them quite easily with just a thought.

I don’t know if the technique was supposed to be this easy, or if I was just very talented. Nonetheless, once I put the floating shields above the sky, I created more daggers and started throwing them.

I have become quite proficient at dagger throwing after all!

I made the shields float around, rotating very quickly!

It was a nice challenge, one I welcomed because I was a bit bored.

“Woah, you’re doing that?” Sepa wondered.

“Yep, just watch~”

I concentrated my Ki into my eyes and arms, enhancing my dexterity and musculature.

This was something I couldn’t quite do before, but after getting into this world and cultivating so much, it felt completely possible.

“No!”

I threw the dagger towards the floating shield, hitting it.

The dagger got stuck in the shield!

CLANK!

It made a loud, metallic sound.

So this confirms that weapons made out of Flames of Hope can pierce against each other more easily.

Now let’s try with my other daggers, the [Demonic Dark Blazing Dragon Tooth] and the [Celestial Frost Wolf Fang].

I’ll also use my Dagger Arts, [Knife Throw]!

FLASH!

I threw both daggers at the same time, enchanted with the Skill power and effects; their trajectory became much better, hitting the shields in the center.

CLANK! CLANK!

I didn’t load any Mana into them; I couldn’t, so they didn’t unleash their frost or fire explosions, thankfully.

And the results…

“Wait, what?!” Sepa gasped.

“The daggers didn’t pierce?!” I muttered in disbelief.

I quickly took them back with my threads, only to realize the shields had gained a small crack, but successfully blocked the daggers from piercing them.

Even though I imbued Ki into them and used a Skill to make the throw even stronger!

“Interesting…” I smiled. “With this, I could make several floating shields and flying weapons. This could make my fighting style so WILD!”

“You’re already a little monster with a million abilities, and you want even more…” Sepa sighed.

“Those are Skills, Martial Arts are forever and ever!” I said. “Can’t you see how I can’t use half of them because I have no Mana in this world? It’s quite clear that there will be worlds with even more restrictions, but Martial Arts work in any, because there’s no world that can cancel Ki; that would literally just kill you, and by that point then that world doesn’t have life, and there’s no point in going there.”

“Hmm, good point. I am not really that familiar with martial arts or Murim worldlines myself,” said Sepa. “I wonder how that old Golden Dragon man is doing; he really trusted you with a lot of stuff, huh?”

“Yeah… I am itching to try this new ability and combine it with the rest. But for now, master said I need to rest, so let’s do that…” I nodded.

I spent the rest of the day practicing all of the abilities of the Martial Arts and trying out many Skills with them. Ultimately, once the night arrived and it was time for dinner, I had advanced by leaps and bounds.

Ding!

[The [Dagger Arts (C): Lv5] Skill has Leveled Up!]

[The [Healing Touch (S): Lv5] Skill has Leveled Up!]

[After your constant usage of the technique and your increasing mastery, the [Heavenly Golden Flames of Hope Weapon Materialization (Tier 1)] Martial Arts has increased to Tier 2!]

[After using the technique many times to heal and comprehend its healing properties and abilities, the [Spiritual Healing Golden Flames of Hope (Tier 1)] Martial Arts has increased to Tier 2!]

[The Growth of your {Heart of Hope} has advanced from 1% to 38%!]

[Once your {Heart of Hope} growth reaches 100%, it will automatically Rank Up to the next Tier, and you will receive Bonus Hope Essence Storage.]

[The [Heavenly Golden Flames of Hope Arts: Tier 1] Growth has increased from 0% to 33%!]

Nice, good growth; maybe if I do my best tomorrow, I could get to Tier 2.

As I was going to walk to the palace, the empress greeted me.

“Anna! Sorry for being late; I was quite busy. Everyone had their own little problems and things I had to help them out solving, except Zero One, who, surprisingly, was able to figure out something on her own,” she said.

“Oh, really? Well, that’s nice! …Wait! She cultivated?!” I asked in surprise.

“Yes, or something similar; she said she went through enlightenment and learned something very important,” the empress explained. “After that, she was able to better control her internal energies and even create an Aura with it. Something no Machine could ever do, aside from those fueled by materials from Murim, but those were artificial auras from the materials themselves. Meanwhile, she... was making one herself.”

“That’s amazing…” I said. “I want to go see her cultivate and check how it’s even done…”

“Me too; I am quite curious,” she nodded. “She used all the materials I offered her and said she felt slightly stronger.”

“Uh-huh,” I nodded. “Oh right! I also got stronger and managed to get the martial arts comprehension enough to reach Tier 2 in both.”

“Wait, that fast? But how can you tell so easily?” she wondered.

“Thanks to the system, it keeps tracks of my progress, even of martial arts,” I explained.

“Very convenient, this system… I wish I had access to anything like that,” she sighed.

“Maybe in the future…”

After all, once the Third Awakening happens, well, everyone will get something similar.

Once inside the palace, I meet all my friends and familiars.

Fang Shuan’s soul had grown stronger, although he looked exhausted.

Wai Tian seemed much more serene and calm. I often noticed she was quite a tense girl.

Ying Shen looked tired, but it was clear he had grown stronger.

And lastly, my little familiars, Violet, Snow, and Shiro, had stronger Auras of Ki than before—at least twice as big now!

“You guys got so strong, congrats!” I hugged them.

“And this is just the first day; be prepared," said the heavenly empress. “For now, let’s all have a good dinner, then sleep, and tomorrow… It shall begin; I won’t go easy on you.”

“I understand, thank you.” I nodded with a smile.

As we enjoyed a delicious feast of Chinese Food, Wai Tian at my side constantly kept talking about her abilities and the skills I had given her.

“They’re really amazing, but they consume a lot of Ki. I have a hard time keeping my Ki reserves when I use them, unfortunately,” she sighed. “Is there a way to mitigate this, Anna?”

“Perhaps if you can level them up, their cost could go down,” I said. “Or further strengthen your foundation and get even more Ki. I could give you some accessories that increase it.”

“Really? Are there such miraculous items?!” Wai Tian gasped.

“I can make some basic equipment using materials I have available. The corpses of the Martial Beasts I have stored, I could refine, craft, and combine into rings and accessories for everyone. Like this, you get more Ki to use,” I nodded.

“T-That sounds amazing, young master Anna!” said Ying Shen.

“Yeah, I agree! I didn’t know something like that was even possible,” said Wai Tian.

“I mean, how do you think crafters and alchemists get all the amazing equipment? I guess I can do it easily with my skills though…” I laughed slightly.

“I-I would gladly receive a gift from you, master Anna, anything!” Ying Shen blushed a bit.

“Okay, sure~ I’ll give you something too,” I nodded, petting his fluffy head.

“Thank you, Anna; you’re so attentive…” sighed Wai Tian. “I don’t think I have anything to give you in return… But I will keep working hard and do my best for you and for me too, yes. For the future.”

“As long as you think that way, it’s enough of a reward, Wai Tian.” I nodded, petting her fluffy head.

The truth was both had already paid me; my enjoyment was fulfilled the moment they allowed me to pet their cute, fluffy heads. I just couldn’t stop; their fur was so soft!

After eating our fill and noticing eating master’s food no longer boosted my cultivation, I moved to take a bath and then to bed.

It was a rather long day; I learned a lot about master…

There is still the whole world’s crisis, and then getting back home.

I am beginning to miss my brother a lot and my friends.

Baihe, Kevin, Annabelle, even Sara and Scarlet.

Also Henrietta!

Hilda too… perhaps even the chairman and everyone else.

I know time is going super-fast here, so once I return, not even a few hours must have passed, but still…

I hope they’re doing alright.

Once I’m finally back, we’re definitely going to Fenrir’s Dungeon and then on a road trip around the countryside.

Or well, the monster-riddled wasteland it had become, to find Hilda’s hometown and finally bring rest to her family there by slaying the monsters over that place.

And… Yawn, there are so many other plans.

But I can’t just accelerate everything, as much as I wish.

Things go slowly, step by step.

To truly achieve the things I want to do, I must always have a lot of patience, and move forward without striving from my path.

Though Zero One wasn’t there for dinner, I wonder if she’s ok?

Maybe I should have gone to check her out…

Ahh, but I’m so sleepy and…

Zzzz…

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Zero One sat over the palace castle rooftop, admiring the stars and the full moon of the heavenly empress’ inner realm night sky.

Her neon blue eyes were rather thoughtful tonight; after having gone through that enlightenment, the girl had changed more than she would have wanted.

Although she was figuring out new powers, the feeling of dread she felt and her lack of proper identity were eating her inside.

“Mother…”

As she was thinking about what her true purpose was, someone walked to her side.

“So here you were, Zero One. How are you feeling?”

It was nobody else than the Heavenly Empress.

“Master…”

“I know you’re quite conflicted; everyone is when they first go through an enlightenment,” she said. “The Heavenly Dao is ruthless; its revelations can sometimes strike down a person’s spirit and drive instantly. Only those that truly perverse can overcome the dread of this knowledge and push forward.”

“I… yeah, I guess so…” Zero One sighed. “It’s just that… Nevermind.”

“Go on, girl. I am here to talk with you,” the Heavenly Empress said. “Tell me, you can trust me.”

“But…”

She hesitated for a moment, but the Heavenly Empress sincere smile won her over.

“Okay…”

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