Triopals
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Chapter 18
🕑 Added 2024-10-25 17:15:44 +0000 UTCNathan struggled through an entire day after Darkan brought him back to his room. A nurse had been called to monitor him, providing water as he sweated through waves of fever. During his brief moments of lucidity, he could only make out blurry images through his constantly flowing tears. His body remained wracked with pain. Even with the Titan bloodline, his resistance against whatever was rampaging through every corner of his body proved insufficient. Whenever he regained consciousness and groaned, sedatives were injected, plunging him back into sleep.
Twenty-four hours passed before he jolted awake as a needle pierced his arm.
"Ah!" The nurse startled, immediately withdrawing the syringe.
Giving Nathan an annoyed look, she maintained her professionalism as she spoke.
"You should lie back down. Elder Darkan said it would take about three days for you to fully recover."
Nathan tried to move, blinking his eyes. He only felt slightly tired, as if after a workout session rather than being sick or injured. He was hungry.
Darkan appeared beside the nurse, a gentle breeze rustling her clothes.
"You can leave now," he commanded.
Left alone with Nathan, Darkan conjured several plates piled high with meat.
"Eat up, kid!"
Without questioning anything, Nathan grabbed what looked like a leg of some unknown creature but appeared incredibly appetizing, devouring it ravenously.
"Just one day!" Darkan observed his disciple with narrowed eyes, muttering. "I was bedridden for over three days, and my old master said I handled it better than the others."
"Huh?" Nathan asked, unable to hear clearly over his own chomping and the crisp crackling of fried fat.
"Nothing, finish it all."
Darkan looked at Nathan as if observing a monster, but one he had to cherish. A mischievous smile spread across his face as he contemplated increasing the difficulty of the training regimen.
The inner sect elder placed a small square box on the table and spoke.
"Here's your PsiLink. All necessary modules have been installed. Remember, if you want to expand PsiLink's functionality, seek out an Independent Developer."
Nathan nodded absentmindedly, though he had many questions, he figured he could investigate later. He kept eating, seemingly unable to satisfy his hunger.
"Best to have it verified afterward," Darkan continued his reminders. "PsiLink has its dark side, hidden behind the convenience that everyone gets drawn into. I've warned you!"
Darkan stood up, flashed a smile, and delivered his final announcement before leaving.
"Gather at the Fountainhead to receive the top 4 rewards. I'll keep your gift from the other day; it won't help with the training period. After two days, return here for my training session in the Moirath forest. You should better be ready!"
Nathan swallowed hard, about to call out with questions, but Darkan had already vanished.
Frustrated, he resigned himself to finishing his meal and trying out the PsiLink. He had waited a long time for this.
The cool, thin piece of plastic rested in his hand. It felt even more delicate when held. No matter how he turned it, he couldn't see any circuitry inside. Zeryn had once said PsiLink was the crystallization of science when applying spatial, computer, and quantum technologies. Its structure was simply described as a pocket dimension compressed to contain all necessary components and complex processors. The technology was so advanced that when improvements were made, the structures could self-absorb materials to transform into an entirely new computer, ensuring both hardware and software ran smoothly.
Following the instructions he had watched many times, he placed the PsiLink against his left temple. His skin felt cold at the point of contact, then warm. In just a second, the plastic piece from before had vanished, completely merging with him.
A notification appeared before his eyes, quite similar to the style of the Passive system.
PsiLink powering up.
10%....30%...70%...99%
Welcome to your personal PsiLink.
Do you want to calibrate manually or automatically? The AI will adapt to your need through your thoughts.
Without much consideration, Nathan chose automatic. Manual adjustments could wait.
He immediately felt a slight electric shock zip through his head.
Set up complete.
The knowledge on how to use PsiLink has been delivered to your brain.
The screen before his eyes transformed into the computer desktop interface he used to use in his previous world. Neatly arranged on the left were applications provided by PsiLink, including messaging, calling, and web browsing. Most importantly were the self-developing features like energy bar display, danger warnings, and prediction capabilities. These modules were extremely expensive, making Sect's PsiLink more costly when selling the whole package. Darkan had been very thoughtful in providing them all for him. Better yet, it was truly a custom PsiLink when he clicked on 'More information about this PsiLink'.
Tailored and Imprinted for Nathan Reed.
Taking a moment to smile, he began testing. With a thought, he could change the Desktop layout to a spreadsheet layout, transform it into an ancient interface using book pages with paper tabs, and even the system taskbar could match the style. PsiLink would hide if he wanted with no visuals, requiring only a command for needed functions to be carried out invisibly with audio notifications.
"Your energy level right now is 80%," a flat robotic voice echoed in his head.
After some experimentation, he changed it to a female voice, finding it more gentle and friendly.
Next came what he had always been waiting for: browsing the internet in this cultivation world.
He requested PsiLink to connect to Verdant Spire Sect's web pages, and an explosion of windows appeared before his eyes. A rough count showed over a hundred tabs before he commanded the AI to stop.
He could control the windows with his mind, but being from another world, he kept instinctively reaching out to drag or push things around. Unable to resist the habit, he gave up trying. Anyone seeing him waving his hands in the air would probably label him a low-tech buffoon.
Surprisingly, people here also called them web pages like Nathan did. Urban legend told of a traveler who, unable to cultivate very far, had tried to build an Internet network here. But that had been nearly impossible given how vast this world was, making browsing latency across empires or continents extremely slow. Communication devices back then all used rather rare items like cards, or more complex methods. They were elaborate but transmitted information instantly, making the Internet idea become forgotten for a time. Until the creator of the first PsiLink arrived and refined everything, thanks to utilizing their spatial mana properties.
Regardless of whether the story was true or not, Nathan only needed to know he wouldn't have to learn too many new jargons or slangs. He immersed himself in searching for everything he couldn't do before. Pages about cultivation guidance, updates on outer sect activities. When trying to access inner sect pages, he had to go through verification, and found posts that stunned him with their information volume. From recruitment posts to debates and arguments that escalated to insults were all posted by disciples.
Indeed, the Internet was no less toxic than Earth's. Browsing around, he found a video compiling outer sect battles that had been edited.
When he opened one of his own videos, his face fell at the title: The Underdog going under again.
This was from the finals. The quickest defeat in history.
Around it were comments:
VirtualMonk: What a crybaby!
420BlazeWizard: Whoa, did he just swallow his own snot?
Thicc_Tank: Haha, dying of laughter. See when he tried to turn back to settle scores with Keira? So pathetic.
YeetusMaximus: It's truly alarming that someone like him is an inner sect disciple! Comment below if you agree.
Nathan's joy completely vanished in an instant. He should have listened to Zeryn about avoiding social media sites both in and out of the Sect. Since he was thinking of Zeryn, PsiLink also dedicated an area providing information about his friend.
There were quite a few positive posts about him, but among them were no shortage of malicious words.
PsiLink_and_Chill: Is it just me, or does Zeryn seem like both an idiot and a genius?
CrystalLicker: Not just you. I hate that guy so much. Always wandering around, acting like he's the best.
RuneScammer: I'm a scammer and he is even the worse scammer.
DragonSimp4Life: One day he'll meet someone who'll knock some sense into him.
Anger rose in Nathan. He didn't need PsiLink to know people badmouthed him. But Zeryn, though always appearing playful on the outside, had never been someone deserving of hate. His recent negligence was mainly due to worrying about Nathan. Usually, Zeryn was rarely seen in the outer sect because he was also busy with training, improving himself. A genius without training was no different from the talentless. From the Crystalton incident, Nathan understood how hardworking Zeryn was. Even while going out to play, he made time for his missions.
Nathan considered jumping in to defend his friend but then decided against it. If he did that, he'd waste his whole life at it. All enthusiasm to create AI utilities for himself like counters for passive skills died down in his mind. Carrying his irritation, he jumped out of bed, stretching to wake himself up.
A notification was sent directly to Nathan without asking for his permission.
Nathan Reed, you are requested at Fountainhead.
By the order of the Verdant Spire Sect Leader, Alaric Tethras.
He closed all windows, preparing to comply.
He used the command as Zeryn had instructed yesterday to call a mobile booth for himself. His journey passed very quickly when he didn't have to slow down to admire the scenery like yesterday. His destination was before a small path leading behind a forest shrouded in mist. The pointed peak of Verdant Spire could be seen peeking in the distance, confirming this was behind it.
Though expecting it to be quite deserted, the open area before the path was rather crowded.
Utilizing PsiLink, he discovered what everyone was discussing.
Xander Caldoran was challenging Zeryn Valoris.
Immediately, he pushed to the front, ignoring the complaints. When they saw him, some people pointed and gossiped but didn't seem to care much.
The arena area in the middle was wide enough for two people to fight. What puzzled Nathan was why they were fighting. The Sect wouldn't intervene in these cases, viewing them as exchanges with more benefits than harm, as long as they didn't result in death.
About to shout out, he saw Zeryn shake his head at him, smiling as if signaling not to worry.
Xander on the opposite side was holding the spear awarded from the tournament. He spun it around to warm up. The whooshing of metal in the wind made Nathan feel pressured. Clearly the spear had become heavier. Rather than being unfamiliar, it had become a weapon perfectly suited for Xander.
"Ready, Xander?" Zeryn spoke up, his manner casual and carefree, not treating this as anything major.
"Ready, Senior Brother Zeryn!" Xander replied, in contrast completely serious.
"Alright! As agreed beforehand, we'll only use Intent to fight each other. If I use mana, consider it my loss, nothing's changed right?"
"Nothing's changed."
Xander's eyes blazed hot. Nathan was a formidable opponent, but to him, the Sword Intent wielder before him was the one he had always wanted to test himself against.
Zeryn waved his hand in the air, a sword falling from his spatial ring into his hand. Pointing the still-sheathed sword at his opponent, Zeryn smiled and spoke.
"Come!"
People around immediately pressed closer, trying to record the fight to post on forums.
Xander launched without another word, swinging his spear in a downward arc. Zeryn raised his sword tip to parry. The impact sent Xander reeling backward, nearly losing his grip on the spear. He spun the weapon in a circle, planting it into the ground to regain his balance.
"Dynamic expansion and contraction?" Xander's tone held more wonder than question.
In the fight with Nathan, Xander's Intent remained basic. He could make his invisible spear longer or shorter, but the weakness lay in having to decide beforehand, making it difficult to change mid-strike. Zeryn was different; with that single sword point, Xander understood. Zeryn had extended his sword from short to long in a blink, making the invisible blade carry momentum and force, completely repelling the invisible spear. Its applications would be far more dangerous.
"Coming again?" Zeryn extended his hand in invitation.
"Continue," Xander growled.
He employed his most confident ultimate move. While charging forward, he thrust three invisible spears at his opponent.
Zeryn shook his head with a laugh. He pointed his sword directly at the spear tips.
Xander received an enormous counterforce, forcing him to halt, his spear-holding hand retracting to guard his chest to avoid injury from the spear's butt. He truly felt panicked when his technique was dispelled so quickly.
Zeryn only needed to block the middle invisible spear connected to the physical weapon. Due to his limited skill, Xander couldn't control the other two spear ends to attack his opponent.
Xander was forced to retreat. He recalled his skill of transforming his body into a spear that he had comprehended while fighting Nathan. Thinking led to immediate action. He positioned his spear horizontally in front of him, parallel to the ground, its tip aimed straight at Zeryn. With a swift motion, he pinched his index and middle fingers together, pointing at the spear's end. He imagined the weapon before him as an extension of his body. To everyone's surprise, he succeeded. The spear with its black metal shaft didn't fall, maintained by a strange connection between Xander and his weapon.
This made even Zeryn widen his eyes, blinking several times at his junior's comprehension ability. As for Nathan, he had to applaud such creative application.
Taking a deep breath, Xander charged forward. Though the crowd saw nothing flashy, no blue mana smoke swirling, no aspects joining the battle, they all knew this was a pinnacle exchange between the sect's only two Intent wielders.
Xander's attack came like three spears pursuing each other – one invisible, one physical, one formed from his body. All three supported each other, creating an immense force. Zeryn crouched down, his eyes turning serious. He swung his sword in a vertical line, its sheath still not drawn.
An invisible force sent the physical spear skyward. Then, the residual force carved a line across Xander's chest. Leaves behind them and those floating in the air were all sliced along the invisible sword's path. Branches fell with rustling sounds. Only when several tree trunks showed deep cut marks did Zeryn's invisible sword finish its work.
Xander's spear hit the ground with metallic clangs, falling to one side. He struggled to his knees, trying to stand. His face showed no shame or frustration. It was pure admiration and the will to become stronger. No one else understood that Zeryn's invisible sword had been powerful enough to cut his invisible spear in two. A testament to the difference in their levels. He still had much to learn.
"Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother," Xander bowed in gratitude.
"You should still train the basics before touching the boundary of body-spear unity. Skipping stages will only harm you."
Zeryn put away his sword, crossing his arms behind his back as he instructed. His current demeanor commanded respect from all disciples. Some even had higher cultivation than him but had to nod in admiration. Facing Zeryn, even a Tier 2 Phase 9 might not guarantee victory.
Several people approached to chat with Xander and Zeryn. But Zeryn only excused himself and went to stand beside Nathan.
Nathan appreciated this action from his best friend. Such a simple gesture would make many in the inner sect understand not to mess with him.
"Looked cool even though I didn't understand much, Zer."
"You saying you didn't understand?" Zeryn pouted mockingly. "You, who defeated Spear Intent, didn't understand?"
"Just got lucky," Nathan shrugged, genuinely feeling that way.
"Luck is also part of strength."
Not saying more about this matter, Nathan asked.
"Why are you here? Did Xander challenge you?"
"I'm not that free. I came here to find you because I heard you all were summoned to the Fountainhead, then that devil Xander demanded a duel. I only agreed when everyone had arrived to watch."
Nathan gave his friend a side glance.
"So you wouldn't fight without enough spotlight?"
"You could say that," Zeryn chuckled in response.
"So why did you want to see me?"
"Ah. I'm going to take the Verdant Spire challenge."
"Hold on, let me look it up on PsiLink."
"You got yours too, huh? Let me add you to my friends list."
A friend request appeared before Nathan's eyes, and he quickly accepted while searching for information about the Verdant Spire challenge.
After a moment, he turned to his friend with wide eyes.
"You've earned enough contribution points to enter Verdant Spire already? After just a year and a half?"
Zeryn tilted his head skyward.
"What? Impressed by my talent?"
Nathan couldn't help but applaud his friend. The sect's regulations about entering Verdant Spire were very strict. Yet Zeryn had surpassed them all. Just having enough contribution points two or three years faster than others was already quite impressive.
Remembering the malicious comments aimed at Zeryn, Nathan realized that ignoring them and trying your best was indeed the right way.
"So this is what you meant about inner sect rankings."
"That's right," Zeryn nodded. "Any ranking is meaningless except the ranking within Verdant Spire."
Hearing this, Nathan unconsciously looked toward that ancient brown wooden spire piercing the sky.
"One day you'll enter there too, my friend." Zeryn placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder as he spoke.
"How long will it take?"
"Not sure, depends on how far I can endure. You know, the challenges change for each individual. The higher you go, the more benefits. So I'm hoping it takes as long as possible."
"You'll do great," Nathan encouraged. "Who could stand against The Great Zeryn?"
"You got that right."
An announcement echoed from deep within the small forest.
"Top four from the southern outer sect, enter."
The mist shrouding the path seemed to be sucked away by a machine, all disappearing to reveal an upward-sloping path.
"Goodbye, Nathan." Zeryn waved.
"See you again."
They walked in opposite directions, both anticipating their next meeting. Zeryn after Verdant Spire, and Nathan after the Fountainhead before the Moirath Forest.
Nathan met Zahra and Keira after the crowd dispersed. Keira maintained her irritated look at him. Only Zahra greeted him cheerfully.
"Your mood seems better now, doesn't it?" Zahra patted Nathan's shoulder and asked.
"Yes. You look good too."
Zahra ignored his perfunctory response, her nose twitching as she sniffed.
"Your smell changed," she concluded.
Nathan startled, checking himself, worried it might be body odor.
"Smells tastier," Zahra teased.
Hearing this, he backed away even further.
"Haha, you should be honored by that comment. Usually, good smell comes with danger. You have both a familiar and dangerous scent. How strange."
Nathan guessed it was due to the Berserker's effect. Being busy with many things, he still hadn't had time to check what he had gone through.
Xander trudged behind them, his wound had closed thanks to medicine, but he still looked tired.
All four walked until they heard the sound of a gurgling stream. Mist began appearing before their eyes again. Around them were only dark shadows of trees and leaves. Sunlight barely filtered through enough for people to see ahead.
A figure stepped out from the mist. He wore a black hooded robe. Without speaking, he waved their hand to make the scene ahead clear. To the group's right was a gently flowing stream between rocky shores. It was an intensely bright blue. Nathan immediately felt his air passages opening to absorb the tremendous amount of mana evaporating from the stream.
"Sit down and cultivate quickly," Zahra nudged his shoulder as he stood there dumbfounded.
Nathan followed her guidance and sat beside her. Xander and Keira had already entered cultivation states.
Nathan closed his eyes, beginning his breathing method. Besides mana, essence also vaporized into his nostrils. A refreshing sensation gradually spread throughout his body, and the feeling of growing stronger that he hadn't felt for a long time was returning. The feeling of breakthrough.
He concentrated harder but realized it was still too slow. Remembering that Master Darkan's Berserker path included not just techniques but also cultivation methods, Nathan activated the characters deeply imprinted in his blood vessels, changing his breathing rhythm and way of absorbing mana and essence. His pores opened, becoming tiny vacuum machines.
Immediately, mana and essence flew toward him as if caught in a vortex. In an instant, he was surrounded by a blue storm. The three people sitting nearby were interrupted by his action, startling their eyes open. Seeing this scene, they all froze, speechless. The mana around them became too thin to continue cultivation.
The black-robed figure intended to step forward to stop Nathan. He also shuddered, not understanding where this kind of monster came from. One must know that this stream from Fountainhead contained an enormous amount of mana and essence. Because they were the purest form under the sect leader's support, they rarely opened it for others to cultivate. Yet now there was a greedy person consuming everyone else's share.
When his hand nearly touched Nathan, he stopped. His PsiLink had just received Alaric's order to stop, along with Elder Darkan's curses.
The guard could only reluctantly expand the area, letting the other three disciples move higher upstream. Though no one could see his face, he were grimacing with regret. Because that bastard disciple absorbed so much yet only broke through to Tier 1 Phase 2.7.
Nathan fell into a state of self-forgetting, unaware of everything around him. Realizing he had broken through made him concentrate even more on regulating mana. After several minutes, he had reached the peak of Phase 2. The breakthrough door to Phase three was shattered like paper without any resistance. He had accumulated long enough to avoid experiencing the forceful breakthrough. A small energy convergence point gradually formed at his right shoulder. Not taking time to rejoice, he continued absorbing his reward.
The vortex surrounding Nathan remained intense without stopping. Only when the guard waved their hand to lock the stream area did the mist return to shroud the scene.
All four stopped when they realized they couldn't receive any more energy.
"Get out, all four of you!" The guard spoke for the first time, extremely displeased.
Not understanding why, everyone hurriedly left as ordered.
Once outside, Nathan felt refreshed throughout his body.
He had reached Tier 1 Phase 3.8. An advance of 1.2 Phases. Realizing he had broken through so much in just a moment, Nathan turned back to look at the Fountainhead area longingly.
"Tone it down, Nathan," Zahra reprimanded.
"What's wrong?" Nathan asked, genuinely confused.
"This thick-skinned guy," Keira spoke up irritably.
"You really don't know what happened in there?" Zahra asked.
Nathan shook his head honestly.
Snorting to express her dissatisfaction, Keira left. Xander shrugged and followed after her.
Zahra shook her head and explained to him what had happened, how he had practically absorbed all the mana and essence meant for the others.
"What? That dramatic?"
"Yes. You absorbed probably ten times more than us. How could your body handle that much force rushing in all at once?"
Nathan now understood. He had poor mana absorption, after all. If his body could make up for 90% deficiency in such a short time, he would need to absorb ten times what others did.
"The Sect Leader probably won't let you in there again, so don't dream about it. Sit a while longer and you might have dried up the source."
Nathan had to nod in agreement with Zahra's assessment. If it were him, he wouldn't let someone who absorbed mana like a bottomless pit near his treasure either.
"So," Zahra ventured to ask, "absorbing that much, what phase did you reach?"
"Phase 3.8," Nathan answered excitedly.
Zahra's mouth fell open, at a loss for words.
"Are you joking?" she finally blurted out.
"No, really! I have a condition."
"Mother of heaven. If I could absorb at that rate, I'd be at Tier 2 already."
"Where are you now?"
"9.9. Xander too, probably."
It was Nathan's turn to freeze.
"You're both at the great breakthrough threshold?"
"With mana and essence of that quality and purity..."
Zahra waved goodbye as she left.
"You've got to catch up, Nathan."
He stood there, dumbfounded. He had thought it would take them a few more months to be ready for advancement. Yet today both had reached Tier 1 Phase 9.9. So this was the treatment reserved for the sect's geniuses. But looking at his own 3.8, Nathan wasn't sure if it had been wasted on him.
Shaking his head once, he tried not to think too much anymore. He believed Darkan would improve him in the next training period.
Even if it was hell, he would enter it.
