Next day,
Two figures clashed in the battle stage 3, the movement skill used by both the figures were too fast for normal eyes to follow.
Only at the time of the collision, their faces could be seen by onlookers. One of the figures is none than Gin and he is currently fighting his opponent, Saul.
Saul is also a newbie like him, with a battle record of 2 victories and 1 loss. He is a wind affinity user, specializing in evasive techniques.
As his affinity, Saul is like the wind – fast and slippery.
This is the natural advantage of owning a spirit seal and elemental affinity. If they practice martial skills based on their affinity, their improvement in it will be very fast.
His opponent's footwork skill has already reached a 'resonance' level, granting him an advantage against Gin in speed.
None of Gin's martial skills reached the 'resonance level', except for the low ranking skill he trained from childhood - Burning skull.
The comprehension stages of martial skills are divided into three stages: 'Resonance', 'Eminence', and 'Apogee'.
'Apogee' is the highest comprehension level of martial skill that everyone dreams to achieve. The higher the martial skill rank, the harder it is to comprehend them.
Unlike the last match, Gin staked 4 elemental stones on his victory before entering the stage. But, the offer he got today is lower than yesterday.
The management team predicted his probability of victory is 50%. So, he only got an offer of 1.5 which is also the same as his opponent.
Meaning, he will get 6 elemental stones in the deposit of 4 stones on his victory.
Unlike his previous opponent Hank, Saul's offensive techniques weren't that powerful. His opponent's strongest attack skill wasn't able to injure Gin much.
A mighty Physique, powerful attacks, unpenetrable defense — this is Saul's opinion of Gin after exchanging few moves with him.
The only advantage he had over Gin is speed but it forced both of them into a stalemate.
Saul also came to know his opponent is the type of person who improves in his battle as he could sense Gin movement skill improving every passing second.
'It's only been a few days since I began to practice in martial skills, there's no way I can reach my opponent's level of footwork in a short time.' Gin thought.
'I can only force drain his essence energy and finish him off.' Gin mused.
Unlike his previous battle, his current battle was pressure-free as his opponent wasn't able to do anything to him.
Eventually, his opponent admitted defeat when his essence energy was fully consumed.
Even though Saul hated his loss, he can do nothing about it. Possessing a strong body, and good stamina is also a kind of strength.
--
After the battle, Gin went to his room and took out the six elemental stones he won.
Gin read in various books about the elemental stones and how marvelous they are to martial cultivators.
He wanted to see whether the effect of Elemental stones are as exaggerated as they claim.
If a physique enrichment practitioners want to make good use of elemental stones, the best way is to tire themself out.
A slightly knowledgable person knows the elemental stones are better to be absorbed after one's training. Of course, Gin also knows.
Gin placed the six elemental stones before him and maintained his Physique stance while circulating his breathing technique.
After three minutes, his body reached the limit of maintaining the stances like every other day. At the same time, the circulation of the breathing technique also becomes tough.
If he tries to maintain the stances past this limit, the tearing pain will soon assault him.
When Gin thought of halting his practice to rest, a miraculous change happened. One of the elemental stones crumbled itself, forming into milky white energy.
Discerning the development, Gin swiftly circulated his breathing technique bearing the tearing pain spreading in his body.
As if drawn by something, the milky white energy swam towards Gin and soon, absorbed into his body.
The milky white energy rushed into every part of his body which was crazily swallowed by his muscles and bones; his tearing pain also subdued.
Noticing this, Gin maintained his physique stance and closed his eyes without worrying about the pain.
As soon as he closed the eyes, Gin entered a special state without himself knowing. He slowly began to understand the mysteries of his physique scripture which he couldn't comprehend before.
The profoundness of his physique scripture flooded his mind, clearing him of the difficulties that he faced.
Not knowing how much time has passed, Gin slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were crystal clear and gleaming brightly in the dimly lit room.
'I am a fool!' Gin muttered and sighed.
He didn't know what happened and how much time has passed?
But right now, he could feel his body is close to nature. Soon, the feeling faded away, disappointing Gin.
Even so, he felt something changed around him. Unlike before, he could feel the 'essence energy' around him without even circulating the breathing technique.
He also noticed the six elemental stones have already crumbled into dust, leaving nothing behind.
Gin soon checked his physique and as expected, he noticed another small white barrier in his right leg. It's his third physique seal!
He already uncovered his third hidden physique seal without him knowing.
Another great change he felt came from his soul, the formless energy in his mind become less transparent than before.
'What happened during that short time?' Gin knows, he entered a miraculous state where he comprehended his physique scripture but that was all.
'What kind of state did I enter? Why has everything changed around me?' Gin was curious.
True, that miraculous state improved his strength, soul energy and he also uncovered his next hidden seal. Which is also why Gin wants to know about it more?
Alas, he didn't know anything about it nor he can ask anyone.
Thanks to that mysterious state, the understanding of his physique scripture reached a new level.
The trick about his Physique scripture is, he has to maintain the stance and absorb the essence energy of heaven and earth while he circulates his breathing technique.
Till now, he wasn't able to do that because of his lack of understanding. Gin also understood the value of elemental stones after utilizing it.
With his improved understanding of physique scripture, his speed of discovering hidden physique seals will be faster.
What Gin want to focus right now is his soul energy. Since his soul energy has grown, he may unlock a few books in the magic space.
Closing his eyes, Gin entered the magic space using his soul energy. There's no change in the magic space, everything looked exactly like he saw before.
As he presumed, Gin noticed three more books unlocked besides the other two books he already read.
With a thought, the three books flew towards him and floated in mid-air.
~Basic soul skills
~Herbal Encyclopedia - Rank 1
~Alchemy Basics - 1
These are the titles of three books hovering before him and was written by Empyrean Chaos himself.
Gin was excited beyond words reading the three book titles. Just as he picked the 'Basic soul skills' book to read, a 'Knock' sounded.
He knows the knock is coming from the outside, Gin hastily withdrew his sense from the magical space.
"What the?!!" Gin almost screamed, witnessing a book in his hand.
Yes, it's the same book he picked to read in the magical space but right now, it was in his hands.
Gin always thought in 'magical space' he can't bring anything from inside or from outside to inside. But, it looks likes he was wrong.
"Mr. Ray, are you inside?" Delgo's asked. Gin hid the book under his pillow and unlocked the door.
"Yes? What happened?" Gin asked, noticing Delgo's anxious face.
"Mr. Ray! Oh, yes. The arena management team was calling you for almost two hours, but you didn't respond. So, they got anxious and sent me to check if there's anything wrong." Delgo said while feeling relieved.
"I will call and inform them."
"Please accept my apology, if I bothered you." Delgo apologized.
"Nothing like that, you can leave without any worries." Gin chuckled while Delgo took his leave.
He knows, the management team most likely called him to ask about his next battle schedule. As he was cultivating, he muted his communication bracelet.
Gin locked the door and called the management team to schedule a battle tomorrow. After ending the call, he went back to explore the mysteries of his magical space.