Chapter 54: Kaelen

[Congratulations, Host. You successfully invested in Kaelen with a high-tier manual, aiding him in overcoming his bloodline affliction.]

[Investment Reward: Ancient Bronze Seal.]

[Ancient Bronze Seal]: When applied to any martial technique, it can deduce, refine, and elevate the technique’s grade. Capable of raising it to the level of a Peerless Art.

"What a treasure."

A high-tier martial technique upgraded to a Peerless Art.

And he could even choose the type of Peerless Art. He could deduce a blunt-force technique from scratch.

The feedback from Kaelen this time far exceeded his expectations.

"Last time, investing in Kaelen’s Serenity Pill was comparable in value to a high-tier manual."

"But this time, the reward is the Ancient Bronze Seal."

"A permanent solution is better than a temporary fix."

Theo rubbed the small bronze seal in his palm thoughtfully. He resumed his search on the fifth floor of the Grand Library.

High-tier martial arts were already scarce here. Blunt-force techniques were even rarer.

Yet, after half an hour, he actually found something.

’Twelve Strikes of the Quaking Earth.’

Theo brushed off the thick layer of dust on the manual and read its name.

A high-tier martial art. Specifically a short-handled hammer technique.

It contained twelve forms. When mastered, a single strike could shake the earth and mountains.

Hmm.

If refined to perfection and with sufficient physical density, could it rival a strike from the Crucible itself?

Theo glanced toward the Armory Peak in the distance, lost in thought.

He flipped further through the manual.

Only to discover a problem.

"This martial art is only two-thirds complete."

The techniques abruptly ended at the eighth form.

Theo fell into deep contemplation.

After a moment, he took the manual anyway and headed downstairs.

Mainly because he had no other choice. He would just take it back and figure things out later. He had the Ancient Bronze Seal.

On the first floor, the same inner sect steward was still there.

"Theo, have you made your selection?"

"Yes. Please record it for me."

Theo handed over the manual.

"Ah... huh?"

The steward took the manual and raised his brush to log it. He paused when he saw the name.

"Theo, this is a blunt-force technique."

He gave a pointed look at the Crimson Edge hanging from Theo’s waist.

It was common knowledge in the sect that Theo obtained a supreme blade from the vault.

Like many others, the steward assumed Theo was the conventional kind of tactical prodigy. Liana was a terrifying anomaly, but Theo, who passed a trial through sheer skill, fit their idea of a genius far better.

And now, a blade prodigy picked an incomplete hammer manual?

"I didn’t choose wrong."

"Cross-training builds discipline. I already have blade techniques. Studying other martial arts helps me gain insights by analogy."

Theo shook his head.

Cross-training with an incomplete manual?

"This manual is incomplete. It still counts as one of your selections. Are you sure?"

The steward reminded him again.

"Yes, I have considered it carefully."

"Very well. Please return it within a month, and remember, no unauthorized sharing."

Seeing his resolve, the steward said no more.

...

Meanwhile, at the Sect Master’s training grounds.

Liana stepped across the threshold. Her plain robes were as cold and pristine as the silver blade in her arms.

The moment she entered, several gazes locked onto her like she was a rare treasure.

"Frost-Bite found its master after centuries. A perfect match indeed," the Jade Cluster Elder marveled.

"The last time a supreme artifact chose a master was fifty years ago. Now, two blades have done so simultaneously. And such legendary weapons, no less!"

"Remarkable. Truly remarkable."

"Come now, Silas, don’t sulk. Artifacts in the vault are meant to be used. Besides, a treasured blade deserves a hero. They found worthy masters."

Elder Silas had been silent since entering.

The others assumed his conflicted expression stemmed from reluctance to part with the named blades.

"You have all sung enough praises. I am not one for flattery, so I will spare the platitudes."

Silas shot the others a glare.

The foundation of his peak had literally been stolen!

"Enough. Let us witness it for ourselves."

"Just what kind of talent makes supreme artifacts vie for their allegiance."

The Sect Master’s gentle voice broke in.

"Very well."

Liana nodded.

A flash of silver light flooded the hall.

A wind from nowhere sent leaves swirling down around the training grounds.

The onlookers instinctively narrowed their eyes.

Leaves, stirred by the blade’s movements, began drifting. Sometimes they scattered, sometimes they converged.

When dispersed, they were deceptively beautiful, hiding lethal intent.

When gathered, their chill grew oppressive, radiating absolute dominance.

Crack.

Suddenly, every leaf shattered into ice.

"She has already grasped a sliver of combat intent."

"Indeed. Even the creator of that style would pale in comparison."

"I barely recognize the technique anymore. The art isn’t strong. She is."

The elders exchanged glances. They were dazed as if waking from a dream.

Now they understood why Frost-Bite so eagerly submitted itself.

Intent.

This wasn’t something one could learn from a manual.

Even among high-realm experts, few ever glimpsed its mysteries.

Yet here she was, at the Body Cleansing realm, with insights surpassing most in higher realms.

Was this what true genius looked like?

The elders were at a loss for words.

Liana sheathed her blade and stood silently.

"Liana, Theo’s combat skills. You guided him, didn’t you?"

The Jade Cluster Elder asked slowly, still collecting himself.

"Yes."

She nodded.

"I see."

"Even with some foundation, passing a supreme artifact’s trial at his stage would have been near impossible otherwise."

"But this also means Theo has decent potential in the martial path."

The elders nodded sagely.

Only Silas wore a complicated expression, sighing deeply.

"In the way of combat, even if I pride myself on broad historical study, I doubt I could find anyone in records who matched your talent."

Even the Sect Master couldn’t help but marvel.

"There is."

Liana answered without hesitation.

"Oh?"

"Higher peaks exist beyond every mountain."

Her voice was soft.

The blade was her most comfortable weapon, but not her strongest suit.

Besides, the true monster of combat...

Her mind flashed again to that undisputed name from her past life.

"Liana, how many meridians have you opened now? Any changes in the energy within your bloodline?"

The Jade Cluster Elder suddenly asked.

"Twelve."

"The energy remains unchanged."

Twelve meridians?!

The elder’s teacup slipped silently, soaking his robes.

The training grounds fell deathly silent.

Then Liana added:

"Almost thirteen."

The elders, already petrified, nearly crumbled on the spot.

It wasn’t just her absurd progress.

Every cultivator knew the Body Cleansing realm’s absolute limit was twelve primary meridians.

And she just mentioned a thirteenth?

Did that mean her ceiling in this realm was even more monstrous?

"Liana, how many meridians do you think you can ultimately unlock?"

"Twenty-four."

Her tone was flat.

Even braced for the impossible, the sound of collective gasps filled the hall.

Every so-called prodigy they knew was utterly eclipsed.

...

At the same time.

Not far from the Autumn Water Pavilion, before a cascading waterfall.

"Hu."

Theo ceased his cultivation.

Through his senses, the meridians strengthened by the Abyssal Physique resembled coiled dragons. Each was embedded with nodes of vital energy, pulsating with immense power.

"This session allowed me to unblock two meridians in one go."

Theo exhaled a turbid breath.

He could feel that the exhaustion from forcibly wielding the Crucible had completely healed.

In fact, it seemed like breaking through his limits brought unexpected gains.

Coupled with the origin artifact’s miraculous body-refining effects, he advanced two steps in a single leap.

Fifteen meridians.

"Don’t grow complacent."

"My progress hasn’t even reached the halfway point yet."

After a brief moment of satisfaction, Theo steadied his resolve. He guarded against arrogance.

He retrieved the incomplete manual from his robes.

’Twelve Strikes of the Quaking Earth.’

He pulled out the small Ancient Bronze Seal. It was time to upgrade.