When he packed up, said farewells to Yang Xiáo and Xiáo Chuō, he arrived at the top floor and saw the Supreme Pontiff standing with a certain elegance to her.
"Since you have the ability to wield numerous weapons with your essence, it would indeed be a waste not to utilize all of it."
A sword materialized in front of the Supreme Pontiff as she held it against Ryū, "We'll begin by testing your compatibility with the various weapons. Change as you see fit."
[ Ryū I repurposed for storing and analyzing data connected to "soul/body". ]
[ Ryū II repurposed for storing and analyzing data connected to "skills/techniques/abilities". ]
He didn't have a choice but to absorb what he is to be taught, unless he wants to die and be replaced by another disciple.
After all, there are many monsters and famed geniuses in the continent meaning he could be replaced at any time of day.
If he wants to keep his dear life then he has to become a monster of monsters even though he's simply an ordinary soul master!
"A staff?" she saw him manifest a long staff and tested out the waters by vanishing from view to strike from his back only to be greeted with a staff straight to her face.
She slapped the staff away and continued her assault but Ryū manifested a gauntlet to parry the incoming sword strikes.
Both their strikes are either slapped or parried away making this entertaining to the Supreme Pontiff while incredibly beneficial to Ryū who is forced to keep improving.
Ridiculous! That was his thought when the Supreme Pontiff kept raising the level every time he was getting used to her parameters which forced him to keep upping his skills.
When she switched to a spear, he changed to a halberd. She switches to a scythe then he changes to axe.
He tries to compensate the difference with what weapon advantage he could get until they simply switched within the sword, staff, spear, halberd, scythe, and axe.
"Observing and analyzing the movements of your enemies as well as yourself, and then making movements that waste no time and unneeded energy. Your style reminds me of a certain someone."
Even though she was talking with him, she continued her assault.
"No response? That's fine, I'll be sure to take my time in making you talk to me," she smiled but to Ryū, it was darker than it seems but he stayed within her range.
He noticed movement under the ground so he simply made a step to the side, avoiding the black spike that emerged from the ground.
A huge number of black spikes emerged from the ground but Ryū jumped high enough that the spikes under him stopped after reaching his feet.
"But there are limits to your fighting style," she raised the level up to Spirit Elder while smiling without care that it clearly exceeds his spirit rank, "You shouldn't be able to react at this speed, correct?"
*clang*
If one could see Ryū current state, he simply stood prepared for any incoming attacks, all with closed eyes.
Bibi Dong frowned sensing a familiarity but shook it off knowing that he couldn't be the same as that woman, for one their essence are entirely different but... they function the same way?
Doubt reflected through her eyes and Ryū saw this as he held his ground.
"Continue."
A cold feeling attempted to cloud his mind but he didn't register or make it affect his physical performance as he continued to parry the incoming strikes even if unconsciously as he finally adapted enough to strike at certain opportunities.
Time passed and finally, Ryū was exhausted to the point where he was close to passing out when Bibi Dong finally called a break.
She took out an hourglass and placed it down on the ground, "The moment this hourglass is finished, go back to your quarters and reflect," then she vanished, leaving Ryū breathing as if he did a number of marathons in one go.
It took him some time to stabilize his breathing and did not dare to move when he didn't need to. There was muscle fatigue at place right now.
'Would it hurt to take it easy on a disciple at first day?' he sighed as he used his qi (credit goes to I and II) to speed up the natural healing process so his body could familiarize itself from the pain and adapt.
The effect is not instantaneous, rather sped up such that a wound that would take ten days would recover within a day. So a 1:10 ratio.
He might be ranting earlier but the experience he gained was astronomical, to the point that almost no one could fight him even if they have a few spirit abilities here and there, he can adapt to the fight easily.
More so when his unique ability makes it easier to do so.