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Chapter - 7: Hobby
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After parting ways with Ning'er, I immediately headed to the reception shop to sell the materials from the three hundred Fang Pandas I had taken down. The total earnings amounted to 240,750 demon spirit coins.
A decent profit, but still modest compared to the wealth of the great noble clans of Glory City. However, money wasn't my primary goal; what truly mattered to me was increasing my power.
Once the transaction was complete, I hurried home, feeling the need for a hot bath to wash away the blood of the demonic beasts. But as I stood naked in front of the mirror, I was taken aback by what I saw.
My body had changed.
It wasn't just a physical improvement, but something deeper. My muscles were more defined, as if every fiber of my body had been sculpted by one of the finest artisans from my old world.
My skin, though it retained its natural complexion, seemed to radiate with a vitality I had never seen before. Every line of my muscles was accentuated, from my pectorals to my chiselled abs, as if my body had been forged through intense training, though I knew it wasn't just that.
The growth of my physique wasn't simply a result of cultivation; it was undoubtedly linked to absorbing the demonic spirit power of the Fang Panda and the continued development of my Aspect Totem.
I could feel the power coursing through my veins, even my bones felt stronger, and my body's structure had become more robust. My shoulders were broader, my arms more powerful, as though I could tear down walls with a single punch.
My body seemed to embody the strength of nature itself, a physical manifestation of my Aspect Totem, not only reflected in my cultivation but also expressed through my physique.
Just over an hour later, I stood in the courtyard of my home, surrounded by a crimson aura that rose around me like flames. Black lightning crackled in the air, radiating from my body in waves.
"Oh!" I exclaimed, savoring the sensation of this new power flowing through every cell of my body.
I could clearly sense that my Aspect Totem, having absorbed the spirit of the Fang Panda, had finished its digestion, and by completely devouring it, was getting closer to a possible breakthrough.
The strength of my cultivation hadn't grown for nothing. But the mystical properties of my Aspect Totem had transformed not only my exterior but also my spiritual core.
I felt my senses sharpening: every sound, every movement around me was perceptible with extreme clarity. I was more aware of everything surrounding me, as if my body itself was turning into a demonic beast.
I could feel the demon spirit's energy reinforcing every muscle and bone in my body. I had the distinct feeling that few opponents, if any, would dare challenge me without suffering severe consequences.
My Aspect Totem had provided me with exceptional defense and raw strength. Now, my body had become a combination of power and endurance, and I felt that none of my peers would be my equal.
It was as if my cultivation was no longer limited by my will or effort. The power of my Aspect Totem had opened new possibilities for me, and now I could grow at a much faster pace.
After enjoying the bath and testing my new strength, I reflected on what to do next. I knew it wouldn't be enough to stop here. With my increased strength, the next battle would be another step toward the truth.
After completing my routine, I decided to enter my Soul Realm. I closed my eyes and focused deeply, feeling the spiritual energy flow through my body, guiding me toward that intangible yet familiar place.
An infinite white expanse, silent and almost surreal, where everything seemed suspended. The sensation of peace and isolation was comforting, yet there was always a latent tension, as if something hidden was watching my every move.
I looked up, and as I expected, the black crow was there, perched on one of the usual shelves that seemed to float in the void. Every time I entered my Soul Realm, he was there.
"Hey, we meet again today," I said in a tone that tried to be casual, though I knew how strange it was to talk to a creature that never responded with words.
Despite its silence, I had developed a sort of non-verbal communication with it. The crow never answered directly, but there was always a sense of mutual understanding.
And I knew that, despite its detached behavior, it was on my side—or it wouldn't have helped me choose a cultivation technique the first time I had arrived in this place.
As usual, I didn't receive an immediate response. The crow stared at me with those inscrutable eyes, almost as if it was analyzing every fiber of my being. Yet, in that silence, I didn't feel alone.
Even though the crow never spoke, its presence was reassuring. It was as if it was waiting for me to find the answers I sought on my own, like a father who has certain expectations of his son and expects nothing less.
"I was hoping for some advice on a technique, maybe something that involves interesting formations. You know, I've got some free time and would like to dive deeper into this hobby of mine," I continued, maintaining a relaxed tone but with a slight hint of hope.
I had realized that the crow somehow had access to all the knowledge of this world, so asking it was the best choice I could make, especially since this was genuinely in pursuit of something.
The crow didn't move right away. It kept staring at me, almost as if weighing my words. In that moment, time seemed to slow down, and I felt a slight tremor ripple through the air.
Then, with an almost imperceptible beat of its wings, it took flight. The movement was so fluid and silent that it seemed almost unreal. It soared above me with grace, its black wings creating sharp contrasts against the pure white of my Soul Realm.
As it circled above me, I felt a subtle shift in the air. Suddenly, in the center of my field of vision, a golden glow began to form in the void. It was faint at first, a warm and soft light that slowly took shape.
Within moments, the light condensed into a solid object: a book, floating in the air, with pages of light that opened by themselves. The pages looked weathered, as though they had seen thousands of years.
I approached the book. "Seems like you listened after all," I murmured with a half-smile, knowing that the crow, in its own way, had responded to my request.
The crow, having completed its circular flight, landed once more on an ethereal shelf, watching me with the same impassive expression. It was as if it was saying, "Now it's up to you."
My fingers grazed the book, and a surge of energy coursed through my body, a Dao intent that seemed to awaken within me. In that moment, a vision formed in my mind: a young man, seemingly my age, appeared before me.
He wasn't particularly handsome; his face could be considered common, but his presence was anything but ordinary. His figure was slim, muscular enough to suggest both agility and strength.
But what truly captured my attention were his eyes: deep, intense. As I watched him, I saw him wield a sword with an almost unnatural fluidity. His body moved with grace and precision as he masterfully applied the Daos of Fire, Water, and Wind in a deadly yet harmonious dance.
Unfortunately, the image faded after only a few moments, but it was enough. I felt that brief fragment of vision had given me the right insights into the Dao of the sword and the elements, almost as if the crow's true intention was to show me exactly this...
The spiritual formations described in the book were unlike anything I had seen in the academy's library. These seemed connected to one's own understanding of the Dao.
"Formation of the Thousand Minor Swords," I murmured in an obviously excited tone. After all, this was exactly what I had been looking for.
"Formation of the Thousand Minor Swords," I repeated to myself, the excitement growing. After all, I had read the formation manual hundreds of times to ensure I could execute it flawlessly.
The formation in question requires a large number of flying sword-type magical treasures and has exceptionally high demands on the quantity of such treasures. What I needed were classified magic treasures and, in general, a large number of flying swords to harness the true power of this technique.
"The Formation of the Thousand Minor Swords at its highest level requires 729 flying swords," I reminded myself. "Even if using only the weakest types of classified magical treasures, you still need 729 of them..."
The training requirements for the Formation of the Thousand Minor Swords in terms of magical treasures are extremely high. The more flying swords you have, the better. The greater their number, the more powerful the technique becomes.
Over seven hundred classified magical treasures and all kinds of swords? It certainly wasn't easy to achieve, but luckily I had already made some plans, or this would have been incredibly complicated.
"As my strength increases, the number of flying swords I can control will naturally grow," I reflected. "Starting with mortal-grade magic treasures, progressing to earth-grade, then heaven-grade, and finally to immortal magic treasures..."
As I read, a growing sense of familiarity stirred within me. The descriptions in the book resonated in my mind, almost as if I had heard them before, yet they seemed to touch upon deeper aspects of cultivation itself within this universe.
I realized that if I could master these formations, I would gain access to a level of power far beyond what I had ever imagined. Not even a legendary rank would be on par with me.
However, I knew it wouldn't be easy. There was something insidious about this technique. It required complete understanding of the spiritual energy flow, perfect control over one's Qi.
I knew that even a minor mistake could damage my body or, worse, cripple me if I attempted to activate it without a solid foundation.
After a few minutes, I closed the book and made it vanish into thin air, placing it in my spatial ring to study later, knowing I could summon it whenever I needed.
I looked up at the crow, still watching me in silence. It said nothing, but its presence was enough. It was as though it was telling me that I had everything I needed to move forward.
"Thank you," I whispered with gratitude, knowing that even without words, the crow had just provided me with one of the keys to my future success.
Then, with one last glance at my Soul Realm, I closed my eyes and slowly returned to the real world, bringing with me the new knowledge and the awareness that the journey toward power had only just begun.
The crow didn't scoff as I expected but instead stared at me with its dark eyes, filled with wisdom I couldn't fully comprehend. It seemed to be studying my words, perhaps evaluating the sincerity of my gratitude.
Then, with a fluid and almost imperceptible movement, it stretched its neck and tapped me on the head with its beak. It wasn't hard, nor aggressive, but firm enough to make me flinch slightly.
"Ah..." I murmured, surprised, as I reflexively touched my head. I couldn't help but smile. The gesture was... almost affectionate, albeit in a strangely stern way.
Like a teacher correcting a student, or perhaps like an old companion on a journey who, though not showing overt emotion, wanted to remind me that I still had much to learn.
The crow stared at me for another moment, and then, without any warning, spread its black wings, as dark as the night. The beat of its wings stirred a gentle wind in my Soul Realm, an invisible wave that rippled through the infinite white.
I expected it to fly away as usual, but this time it vanished in a fraction of a second, dissolving into the ether as if it had never been there. The blank emptiness of my Soul Realm resumed its dominance, but a lingering sense of presence remained, as if the crow was still there, watching me from somewhere between the folds of space.
I stood there for a moment longer, once again pondering the meaning of its gesture. But I had the feeling it was a simple reminder, urging me never to lose sight of humility and the awareness of my limits.
"Maybe, after all, you're not just a guide," I whispered, not expecting a response. "Maybe you're also a guardian... or someone close to my family?" In the silence of the Soul Realm, my voice echoed and slowly faded into the void as I prepared to return to the outside world.
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Marvel: I'm Spider-Man in this Damn Reincarnation: 1 advanced chapters
Hybrid Man (Ichigo Si/WC Fic) 1 advanced chapters
Son of Li Qiye?: 2 advanced chapters
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Chapter- 16: Shocker - Chapter- 17 (Incoming)
Chapter- 19: Spirits x Dragons
Chapter - 8: New Hunt - Chapter - 9: Past unknown
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