Attached to the book was a note:
"If you are reading this scripture, it means that you are recognized as having what it takes to become a champion of the human race. Refining a world is easy; you just have to diligently cultivate it. If you are lucky enough, before your lifespan runs out, you will reach the Deacon Rank. I believe that you must have already broken through to the Deacon Rank if you can read this.
The next Rank is the one that takes a lot of time. Purifying the world is a difficult task. It might be easier to start cultivating from scratch, but we do not have that luxury with the demons breathing down our necks. Advancing to the Apostle Rank is almost a miracle; an opportunity or enlightenment might be needed to achieve this.
Many people have tried to break through to the Deacon Rank in my time, but no one has made it. My advice for you is to strengthen your meridians, as they are the channels for getting faith energy into your inner space. Secondly, understand your blessing - its strength, weaknesses, uses, and limits. This will help you in condensing the seed of life.
The future is left to you."
Signed,
Emperor Ezra, the Year 1000.
Caleb read the note repeatedly, ensuring he fully understood its message. He couldn't help but contemplate the difficulties he would face on his cultivation path. Eventually, he decided to keep it all in his heart and expressed gratitude that Emperor Ezra had left this note for future generations. He could only imagine the challenges the Emperor must have faced when writing this note to provide guidance, encouragement, and practical advice to cultivators who are determined to progress in their cultivation path, with the hope of empowering them to overcome the challenges they will face and shape the future of humanity. Having memorized the contents of the letter, he turned his attention back to the revelation scripture, ready to commit the second mantra to memory.
The second mantra allowed cultivators to filter faith energy before it accumulated in the inner space. This new method introduced three extraordinary meridians that needed to be unlocked: one on the top of the head, one in the heart, and one in the lower back.
Afterwards, Caleb hurriedly made his way through the dimly lit basement, the musty scent of old books and parchment filled the air. The shelves towered over him, filled with various skill books for different elements, creating a sense of awe and anticipation. His footsteps echoed in the narrow space, mingling with the occasional rustling of pages as he passed rows upon rows of ancient knowledge.
As he reached the secluded corner at the very back of the basement where eight lightning skills were stored, the air seemed to crackle with energy. The faint scent of ozone filled his nostrils, a subtle reminder of the destructive power that lightning possessed. Caleb's disappointment was noticeable as he surveyed the limited selection of lightning skills on the shelf. The first four books were familiar to him Thunderstrike and Thunderbolt skills during the training camp, and the Chain Lightning and Arc skills during his time at the academy. However, The sight of the four foreign books ignited a spark of excitement within him, mingled with a lingering sense of longing for more.
Lightning Dash: a movement skill that allowed the user to move quickly in a straight line, with the skill limit enabling movement in a zigzag pattern.
Lightning Body: a body tempering skill similar to how Caleb had been tempering his flesh with the lightning of his Thunderstrike and Thunderbolt skills.
Lightning Cage: a control skill that restricted an opponent's movements.
Lightning Prison: a crowd control skill that restricted the movements of a group.
Though he remained disappointed, Caleb couldn't help but feel excited. Lightning was known for its destructive nature, giving it an edge in combat. He could already envision various ways to utilize these skills and maximize their potential.
Without further delay, he quietly memorized the content of the books. After spending a few minutes in the Crystal Ball, witnessing the materialization of new clones, he knew he couldn't indulge in cultivation. He swiftly returned the books to the shelf and made his way upstairs.
Caleb was taken aback by the fleeting nature of time as he emerged from the library. The sky was ablaze with the vibrant hues of the setting sun, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The day had slipped away faster than he anticipated, and the encroaching darkness reminded him of Knight Reya who was lurking in the shadows.
A sense of urgency gripped Caleb as he realized the need to return to his campsite before nightfall. The night was like a vast playground for someone with her particular blessing. With each passing minute, the sun descended further into the horizon, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch and elongate like sinister fingers.
Determined to reach the safety of his campsite, Caleb's heart quickened its pace as he broke into a sprint. The rhythmic sound of his footsteps echoed in his ears, blending with the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of nocturnal creatures.
As Caleb sprinted back to his campsite, he couldn't help but notice a line of injured students outside the Medicine Hall, the atmosphere was filled with a mixture of groans and muffled conversations. They had mustered enough strength to support each other and seek treatment for their wounds. Among them, Caleb recognized familiar faces from the Moonlight Country Frontier Corps, his comrades in arms.
Alex's swollen face made it difficult for him to speak, his eyes conveying both frustration and determination. Osmos, with a blood-stained bandage wrapped around his head, bore the mark of a warrior who had fought valiantly. The sight of their injuries struck Caleb with a mixture of concern and empathy. He saw first hand the pain and struggles they had endured during their intense battle with their instructors.
Approaching the group, Caleb's seemingly unscathed appearance drew a combination of awe and annoyance from his comrades. They couldn't fathom how he managed to escape unharmed while they bore the visible marks of their encounters. They couldn't help but question if Caleb had somehow found an easier path or possessed some secret advantage they were unaware of. His restless behaviour only added to their suspicion, making them believe he had been exempt from the hardships they endured.
However, Caleb quickly dispelled their assumptions by sharing the content of his training and the mental challenges he faced. As he explained the rigorous mental cultivation he was undergoing, a wave of understanding and pity swept through the group. They realized that his training wasn't a walk in the park but a gruelling journey that tested not only physical strength but also mental fortitude.
The students who had initially envied Caleb's lack of visible injuries now felt a sense of relief that they had only undergone physical training. They couldn't fathom the mental strain and potential dangers associated with Caleb's unique cultivation method. They began to comprehend the immense pressure he had been subjected to, realizing that his path was far from easy.
Sympathy filled the air as the injured students shared their own stories of physical pain and exhaustion. They recognized the significance of mental stability and resilience in their cultivation journey, understanding that a strong mind was essential for survival and progress. While they still had their battles to fight, they couldn't help but feel grateful that their training had spared them from the mental challenges that Caleb had faced
The news of the Notorious Knight Reya's hunting quickly circulated through the three barracks, creating a buzz of excitement among the soldiers and Knights. The Junior Knights, in particular, couldn't help but be intrigued by Reya's formidable training method. They gathered around, discussing her previous hunts and placing bets on how long her current target would last. It had become a sort of tradition, the survival game between Reya and her prey provided a thrilling form of entertainment for the Knights.
Whispers filled the air as soldiers speculated on the tactics Reya would employ this time. Her skill and tenacity were well-known, and many wondered if her prey would be able to evade her for an extended period. Some argued in favour of the prey, believing they might possess unique abilities as number 1 in the contest, the logistics soldier from the weapon room was amongst this crowd praising Caleb's divine strength. Others placed their bets on Reya, confident in her unmatched combat prowess and relentless pursuit.
Oblivious to it all, Caleb sprinted back to his campsite. Before entering his tent, he investigated the detection system confirming if it had been tampered with. Caleb inspected the terrain, the alarms, and even the traps for any changes. Once satisfied, he entered the tent to rest.
Not far away, Reya watched Caleb's actions and smiled. She approved of his caution and turned her attention to the kitchen area. She was ready to give her second lesson.
As Caleb settled down in his tent, he felt a sense of relief. It had been a mentally stressful day, and he was eager to see the changes in the Crystal Ball. Sitting in his usual cross-legged pose, Caleb closed his eyes and entered the space of the Crystal Ball. He immediately felt his mind split into two, with one part inside the Crystal Ball space and the other extended outside his body, aware of his surroundings.
"This is just what I needed. Now I can cultivate and stay alert," Caleb thought.
A knock on the tent interrupted his thoughts. "I am here to deliver your meal," announced a soldier.
Caleb opened the tent carefully and made his way to the entrance to receive his dinner. He returned to the tent and found the elixir soup still hot, steam rising from it. Caleb quickly gulped down the soup, eager to resume his cultivation. He felt the warmth of faith energy within him, and the comforting meal added to his satisfaction. However, his contentment was shattered by a sudden pain in his stomach.
Caleb rushed to his belongings, rummaging through them until he found his antidote potion. He uncorked the bottle and consumed its contents.
Reya appeared in his tent without warning, giggling as she observed Caleb's pale face. "Let this be my second lesson to you," she said. "Inspect everything, including your food. If I were trying to kill you, I could have used lethal poison in your food. You did a good job with the campsite, but unfortunately, it is useless against someone with Darkness as their blessing."
Caleb experienced a whirlwind of emotions. He was shocked by Reya's sudden appearance in his campsite and his tent. Caleb felt annoyed at himself for falling for the poison. Most importantly, he had awoken to the reality of the situation. He could die in this training if he doesn't take things seriously.