Almost 2 months have passed by, form the time Daren has started living in the cave. Each one of them have improved significantly.
'Morgan has broken through and became an S rank expert. His saber proficiency has also increased due to constant spars with Arius. Also his mentality has gone through a change. He has become docile.
I don't know what kind of training Arius has put him through, but it seems like it must have been hellish. He keeps hiding away from Arius. He almost seems scared of that guy. Well can't say he shouldn't be. I pity Morgan. ' Daren analysed while shaking his head.
' Arius has made progress as well and he can make a breakthrough soon enough. But he still needs some time. I don't have a dantian and thus I can directly step in that realm by forming a dantian, but others have to refine and reform their dantian in order to do so. '
Breaking through to the spiritual realm is easy. One just need enough elemental energy to advance. Once enough energy is gathered, it will be refined together within the dantian and only the pure spiritual energy will remain in the dantian. All other impurities will be expelled form the dantian. This pure spiritual energy will then refine the dantian slowly and reform it to become bigger and sturdier.
Only elemental energy, related to the element you have most affinity with, is refined. The affinity with an element is determined at the time of formation of one's dantain. The color of the dantain tells the element. Also it can be checked with a type of crystal stone, called breath stone.
It's not that one cannot cultivate more than one element. But cultivation of elements, other than the one we have affinity with, is usually slower. Also full potential of those other elements cannot be derived and thus its power is weak.
The cultivation is an act against the will of the heaven. And thus cultivation of elements, we have no affinity with, can result in severe backlash. Thus no one cultivate more than one element.
Also the rarer the element the slower it is to advance. Resources that contain rare elements are scarce. And since one can only cultivate with things that they have affinity with, cultivation speed is affected.
The elemental energy, is the energy of the heaven, it is converted into your own and thus is called spiritual energy. And thus stepping in the spiritual realm is also known as the first step on the path of true cultivation.
Daren has also improved a lot. His bones have almost mended. He can now stand and walk with a support. He should completely be healed in a month or less. It was painful process but he endured it.
Also he has been experimenting with his shadow leech skill. He found out that, greater the mental strength the easier and faster it is to move shadow form a location to another. Also shadow can attach to any object that has shadow.
He can also shift the shadow form the item it is attached to, to other items. Though this can only be done in the range of his mental energy. So is the case with switching with the shadow. He can only switch with them when the marked person or thing is within the range of his mental energy.
Also the smaller the object, easier it is for him to switch between them. Mental energy is used in each switch.
Maintaining and moving shadow daily from one entity to another, also help him increasing his mental strength. With this and the pressure from Arius, his mental energy is already at S rank and can break through to SS rank in two or three months at most.
Since he couldn't use his legs properly, Daren had practiced archery during this time. His skill in archery has improved a lot. His aim has improved and his shooting range has increased to an area of 300 meter. Also his diligent work with bow and arrows had turned it into a skill recognised by the system.
'Morgan and Arius can't make any immediate progress in their cultivation. Guess it's time to earn some money.'
A smile appeared on Daren's face as he thought about it. He called both Arius and Morgan.
"Give me the details that you have collected on the bandits." asked Daren.
"The area that bandits cover is the whole patch of wasteland starting from the mountain range to the sea. This area is inhabited by weaker bandits in small group. Even the biggest groups here, don't exceed the count of 100 . And the highest power in this area is peak A rank. Total estimated amount of them inhabiting this area is about 5000."
"Then the area of the woods that lie between the wasteland and the cities of the kingdom, is inhabited by the stronger bandits. This area runs parallel to the wasteland and almost stretches from one end of the continent to another. Their area include some major trade routes and thus these bandits are richer. These bandits also have dealings with various kingdom, and do their dirty works on occasions. There are 5 main bandit groups and have many small bandit groups affiliated with them. Among these 2 group held the most power. The most powerful entity in this area, seemed to be SS class. Also the bandits inhabiting these area may go as high as 50,000."
Morgan explained the information they had collected. He had a stern expression as he laid the detail about the second area.
Daren nodded and silently analysed the details and began formulating his plan.
" Good. Then we shall first conquer the wasteland and turn those bandits in our force. If we can manage to add even 1000 of them to our ranks, it would be worth our efforts."
Daren replied after careful analysis.
"Arius, you take Morgan with you and take over the smallest groups first. Take it slow and make sure you hide your tracks. Too much commotion will attract the big guys and we ain't ready for them."
"Also, you have a good judgement. Bring along those who you think have potential and are worthy of being our soldiers. Kill all those who are not worth our time. Also if you can capture them without killing and bring them back here sneakily, it will be helpful for my future plans. The higher the rank, the faster we'll grow. "
Daren gave them their tasks. He had an faint killing intent radiating from his body and an evil smile on his face.
" And if you can't bring them, kill them and make sure to take the loots. We lack the resources and manpower the most. Make your preparations, you will start with this mission tomorrow. You may leave."
Daren gave them all the instructions and asked them to make preparations. It was time to begin his plans.