Okay, forget about the igloo. Turns out building one of those requires a higher level of architectural skill than I initially assumed. I mean, my first attempt turned out pretty well, but it was only halfway through when I realized that I forgot to add an entrance.
So naturally I tried to rectify that error, by punching a hole through the wall. Unfortunately, the structure was way to fragile and collapsed at the first blow, even without me using my inner energy to enhance the strike. I tried to reconstruct the thing a few more times, but after wasting an hour I came to the conclusion that I had zero ability to build.
The Captain woke up while I was in the middle of putting the finishing touches on the chimney for my last attempt (I know igloos don't have chimneys, but I was trying to be artistic). I'll admit, her screams were a bit off-putting, but then again she did just witness the brutal murder of some of her close associates (I'm assuming, I really don't know these people that well). I should be sympathetic.
So we spent our time in silence, me attempting to create a wonder out of ice and snow while Ms. Molotov sat around and moped about. She did help me place some snow blocks though, so that was nice of her.
I eventually ran out of motivation to make any more igloos (plus I got hungry), so we settled on one of the less shoddily constructed huts and made our way inside. A few moments later, I had gotten a fire started using kindling from our backpacks, which I had stored in my sleeve space in the ensuing confusion.
As we chewed on our rations, Cap decided to pour her heart out to me, not realizing that I had basically no interest in hearing any of it. Come on, we've all seen some terrible things, its not like it makes you special or anything. That's especially true for me, and I'm still energetic!
Maybe I should offer to erase her memories later, once I regain more of my cultivation. It worked wonders for me, and the only side-effects I noticed were irrational bouts of violence and slight psychopathic behavior. Small stuff.
"...and Bors, you know, he was one of the remaining ones from my first crew. He had a daughter, still in high-school. He was working these types of jobs to make sure she could attend college. Carolyn..."
Damn it, I don't want to hear about dead people, it makes the mood so damn depressing. We're alive! Be happy!
"Thanks for listening to me, um... I just realized I never asked you for your name."
"It's Li Anjing, thank you very much for asking."
"Right, Anjing. Sorry, I'm not usually this emotional, it's just been a real stressful month."
Whew, she's finally done talking! I swear to (non-existent) god that if I have to listen to her prattle on any more about her poor friends, I was going to rip her tongue out and add it to my collection (my current collection is at one). Didn't she notice how bored I looked? Honestly, some people are so insensitive. Well, at least she's asleep now.
Whatever, let's get back on topic! First off, battle evaluation. Grading...meh. Just by surviving I already did pretty good, but I'll admit that the idea of running straight into conflict with a beast a full level above me was reckless to say the least.
I guess I've spent too long as a peak figure that I kind of forgot what it was like to fight like a mortal. My form was all over the place, and my attacks were so predictable I'm surprised the bear didn't punt my head off. Luckily I happened to have that knife trick, else I probably would have had to escape alone.
But hey, I managed to reap some rewards as well. For one, I picked up 3 machine guns (one from Avery, one from the Captain, and one from Bors), which are good enough to supplement my crap combat parameters for now. And barring mutants like that Demonic Beast, these will be super useful if I have to fight other human mortal level cultivators (or just people).
I also managed get some of the bear's blood that was coated on my shiv, which can be a pretty good cultivation panacea if I don't consider the side-effects (which of course I don't). Of course it's generally a terrible idea to drink the blood of random Demonic Beasts since it messes up your foundation and all that crap, but I kinda need to start doping if I want to get things done.
Alright, joking aside I seriously need to begin upping my game. Even if my combat strength can't increase, I need to at least have the capabilities for self-preservation. I get the feeling that the bear was just an appetizer in regards to what kinda monsters I would be facing in the future. I don't have the leisure to spend years consolidating my realm or becoming unchallenged within my level, I need to advance with speed. Which means taking risks.
Which reminds me, I should probably drink that blood rather quickly to preserve it's freshness. Alright, bottoms up! Bleh, this stuff tastes like crap. But taste aside, the quality really is pretty good, as I feel the Spiritual Energy in my formerly depleted Manastone being filled up rapidly.
It soon reaches maximum capacity, before the remaining energy begins to start rampaging through my body. Not wanting to waste any of it, I begin rapidly cycling the Spiritual Energy through my energy vessels. I apparently underestimated the quality of the bear's blood, as it seems closer to that of a peak mortal Spirit Beast as opposed to one just beginning to develop wisdom.
As the energy becomes more and more dense, my manipulation of the Spiritual Energy becomes cruder and cruder, until I reach a point where I'm basically just trying to prevent the energy from blowing me up. Damn it, I'm already regretting my decision. F*ck you hindsight!
On the bright side this is really doing wonders for my cultivation, as the mist around my hands is becoming more and more clear. Just a few more reagents like this, and I should be able to easily clear the second layer of my technique.
The moment I complete that thought, a strand of energy suddenly strikes my brain as it's cycling through, and I spit out a mouthful of blood. My surrounding become hazier and hazier, and it's taking all my willpower to stay conscious.
Unfortunately, my lapse in concentration only causes more strands of energy to strike my brain, aggravating my injuries even further and eventually touching upon my "old wound." This time I don't spit out any blood, but the pain that racks my body is completely different. And just as I'm about to pass out, I hear a voice that sounds both familiar and foreign at the same time.
[Goodnight, Jason.]