Running through the trees, my mind couldn't stop thinking about this opportunity.
Turns out, honkai and immortal cultivation can be used together!
Things happened too fast. I didn't expect I could do something like this.
The moment I heard Fu Hua's abstract mantra, my Sword Nurturing Pagoda responded. It carried me through the entire process of the [Blade Mantra] along with my comprehension. It is surprisingly similar to the principles of my sword techniques. I applied whatever I learned from them to [Blade Mantra]... which caused me to speedrun it.
I reached the final level of mental state, the so-called [Eminence].
It's just...
I can't put a finger on it.
Something made me feel uneasy when I reached the final state. [Eminence] also means [Grand Void]. That vast expense of darkness made me instinctively feel something is wrong. It is like a disaster brewing from afar. Do note that Foundation Establishment cultivators does NOT have the power to predict upcoming disasters like this.
It's really strange...
I sighed to let these thoughts out.
Changes appeared inside my metaphysical body. Whenever I called out my [Sword Nurturing Pagoda], I can feel a certain connection to somewhere far away. It is like a door, just that it leads straight to the imaginary space. I can open and close this door by heading to the [Eminence] mental state.
What's even stranger is that I can control these honkai energy at will. It's akin to commanding lower-leveled soldiers.
I don't even know if this is normal or not.
I heard [Blade Mantra] is explained more in a visual novel… but I haven't read it. I can't recall things I haven't seen in the first place.
Either way, it unlocked my ability to control honkai energy. I checked myself using my spiritual consciousness. I found nothing similar to Fu Hua's subconscious urge to destroy anything honkai related.
Was it because of my Sword Nurturing Pagoda?
…
"Fu…"
Experiencing this "lucky opportunity" made me agitated. The notion of "luck" appearing tangibly is the reason why people fall into the gacha hell.
I shook these thoughts as I returned to the village.
*****
Kiana experienced the life of a traveler once more.
As soon as I returned, I told her about the successful encounter with Fu Hua.
We had to travel three hours on foot to arrive in a populated city. Our cultivator physiques allowed us to run for two hundred kilometers with several breaks in-between.
We ended up getting settled in a hotel before having a breather.
"I got too sweaty."
"That's inevitable. You need to be at Foundation Establishment to perfectly regulate your temperature."
Despite the auxiliary spell casted to counteract the heat, Kiana's clothes got sticky with sweat. That was with me spamming the cleansing technique every ten minutes or so.
"Do you…"
"No. I want to take a bath!"
"Don't forget your things."
With a swipe of my right hand, two luggages appeared. Kiana knelt down on the ground and began to sort out her things. Her double braids swayed left and right.
During our three hour long journey, Kiana talked a lot. Our journey isn't that boring because of those talks.
What I noticed, however, is her tendency to make more jokes. It pretty much felt like her intrusive thoughts. She's getting more and more unhinged, too.
"Wait. I haven't seen you use the bathroom."
Kiana suddenly pointed out.
"Foundation Establishment cultivators no longer need to eat and excrete."
"Huh?!"
I saw what she wanted to say.
"You turn into a real-life idol who doesn't go to the bathroom."
"That works?!"
Her eyes lit up as she rushed in front of me.
"Cultivation has a lot of perks. That's why you have to work harder."
"Um!"
Seeing her determined look, I had nothing but praise towards immortal cultivation.
All hail the Great Dao!
I shook her head as I shifted my gaze outside. It contrasted the view of Siberia. This city is very urban. The technological advancement here is comparable to Earth's 2024.
Thinking about Kiana's growing motivation…
This is good.
I don't know how Herrschers fare against cultivators. Still, cultivation's benefits are tremendous. My Sword Nurturing Pagoda alone allowed me to master the [Blade Mantra] to the highest level in minutes. Whether it can be replicated has to be seen.
Maybe I have a uniqueness of sorts.
I watched her enter the bathroom. My eyes fell to my surroundings.
I have a door leading to the 'imaginary space'. It meant more spiritual qi for cultivation.
This is the problem I came across.
Kiana acted as a second grade spirit vein. It's fine when we are still in the Qi Refining Realm. It will be different once we become Foundation Establishment cultivators. Our cultivation speed will drop.
I laid out the [Two Phase Art] first. The range is extended throughout this hotel room.
I started reciting the mantra spoken by Fu Hua.
"..mou...talali...mou...ruokuluo…"
My sight entered a mental landscape. From the still lake, frozen lake, clear mirror, and to the vast emptiness. That feeling of unease surged again, only to disappear within the next second.
Click.
Something occurred to me. Honkai energy appeared out of nowhere as it began to converge into a jian shape held by my right hand. I didn't worry about its destructiveness. I can perfectly control it.
A small amount of honkai energy started to seep into the room's surroundings. The dantian inside me trembled. My spiritual qi circulation stagnated slightly.
Dispersing the sword-shaped honkai energy, I controlled this honkai energy to stay within the room.
I mimicked Welt next. I cut off my control over it.
…
It worked.
Seeing a thick blue mist appear in my sight, I heaved a sigh of relief. I constantly did this process for fifteen minutes straight. It is superimposed with the spiritual qi produced by Kiana.
From the middle stage, it went up to late stage second grade. The concentration is still increasing.
The only problem is it requires my concentration. I can only lay out the environment in advance before entering a meditative state.
For now, I want to see how far it goes.
Can I steadily create a third grade, fourth grade, or even a fifth grade spirit vein?
Just then, a "feeling" appeared in my mind. I had to stop this experiment. The 'door' to the imaginary space is closed. I got out of the [Eminence] mental state.
The golden orb…
I entered the space containing it. Much to my surprise, the 'creation' function is active. I can do gacha again.
Though…
It's only been seven days since my last draw. It is currently August 16. The next draw is supposed to come at nineteen.
Oh.
My higher realm!
So that's how it is.
I didn't think much about it and pulled a single draw.
The dot of golden light turned into a brand new shape.
I can see its general shape even before the golden light disappears. The one I drew… it is an outfit of sorts.
When its true appearance was revealed, my jaw dropped.
Judging from its sheer aura alone, it is above the early second grade. Aside from the three human-sized peak first grade ores, I received a twelve inch metal ruler and spiked black leather gloves. I judged the grades of these weapons with my 'Encompassing Eyes', revealing them to be early and middle stage second grade, respectively.
This outfit is similar to the leather gloves. Further appraisal is needed for its specific effects.
It's just that…
This looks like a dinosaur onesie… or was it? I have a feeling it looks like a dragon considering its scales. It is the type you wear at pajama parties.
…
Nope.
Nope.
I would rather be injured than wear this during battles. This spells a ten-generation aura debt.
But…
It's second grade. Middle stage at that. Its value is priceless.
Two choices are presented in front of me.
It's either practicality or coolness. My upbringing and the potential aura debt...
Wait a minute.
Only the Tuna is with me. There are no possible aura debts.
I am really smart...