[Perfect Talent - Your talent is perfect, no matter how difficult a realm is, you will reach it and go beyond. There is nothing impossible, just that which you have yet to accomplish.]
As that appeared in Cypher's mind, he also felt his body undergo a subtle but very real change, as if the shackles that had once existed on him completely disappeared.
Wanting to test this change, Cypher got into stance and began passively training. With his month-long foundation, Cypher only spent a few minutes before his torso also underwent an evolution, reaching the Wood Layer.
After that came his left arm, then both legs, and finally head. Within a few hours of passively training, he had reached the First Flesh Refinement, as easy as drinking water.
He almost couldn't accept such a fact since it came so easy, but feeling the tremendous strength that ran throughout his entire body, he knew this was definitely real.
Of course he knew that part of the reason it came so easily was because of his foundation, but regardless, his talent had already reached a completely new level.
Cypher quickly estimated things in his mind and realized that to reach the Second Refinement, it would only take him a month, and that was with no resources.
That meant each limb would only take five days of training to reach the Copper Layer, which was absolutely incredible.
You have to realize that each refinement usually took twice as long as the last, so if it takes six years to reach the first refinement, then it would take twelve to reach the second, and so on.
Of course that was given the most ideal situation and rarely reflected reality, so it was even harder than that.
For a normal talented person to refine a single limb to the Copper Layer would take about two years, meanwhile it would take Cypher five days.
Meaning he was 150x times faster! What he could do in a day would be equivalent to half a year for most people, not to mention he'd be even faster with resources.
Cypher was completely ecstatic as reality set in. He initially thought that [Perfect Appearance] was the extent of his abilities, but who knew it was just the start?
And based on this, it was likely that everytime he reached a new realm, he may also unlock a new form of perfection, making him even stronger!
However he also knew such a thing was incredibly dangerous. Geniuses were loved, but demons were hated.
And Cypher's perfect talent was downright demonic, so if people were to know, it may cause him more trouble than good, which means he'll have to keep his true strength a secret.
Fortunately for Flesh Refiners, it's impossible to tell one's realm unless they actually fight, otherwise they're indistinguishable from mortals.
That would make things much easier for Cypher, but still, he needed to keep an eye out, and he also couldn't train here anymore, for fear of being caught.
He also knew that he probably couldn't stay in the gang much longer, so he came up with a plan.
First he would continue training with Saphi to earn his silver coins, but rather than spending them this time, he'll save them up.
He'll earn as much money as he can this way before leaving, otherwise if he stays here, it'll just be a matter of time before the truth of his talent is revealed.
Once he enters the world, he'll be like a fish in water, and no one will know him. Making up his mind, Cypher left the gang, heading towards the inn he stayed at.
Heading up to his room, Cypher sat on his bed as he began thinking over his future. The biggest problem he'll have is that once he reaches the Second Flesh Refinement, he'll be stuck in place.
The Iron-Shelled Tortoise Technique that Ox taught him only went to the Copper Layer, and only official disciples could learn the Iron Layer.
That meant soon enough, he'd be forced to find a new technique, but where to find one was a complete mystery.
He still knew far too little about this world, having only really been a part of it for a month. It was only now that he was planning to leave the gang, that he realized just how ignorant he really was.
What he needed to do in his spare time now was to really learn about this world, otherwise he'd be directionless.
Having decided what to do, Cypher jumped up from his bed and headed back into the streets, searching for the nearest bookstore.
After looking around for a bit, Cypher found what he was looking for. Opening the door to the building, he walked inside.
The first thing he noticed was an old man snoring away at a desk by the front of the door, completely unaware of Cypher's presence.
It seemed these bookstores weren't very popular, so despite it being midday, the place was mostly empty.
In this era where most people worked dusk till dawn, who has the time to come and do something as boring as reading? Besides, whenever they did have free time, they'd rather spend it in the bars and brothels.
Cypher couldn't help but wonder how such a place was still running, but it was a good thing it was, or else he'd have no place to go. Walking in, Cypher noticed a sign by the bookshelves.
'Reading is free, but if you want to take a book home with you, don't forget to pay at the front desk!!!'
The old man must be really naive if he thinks a sign like this would stop a thief, but luckily most people didn't care for books, so it seemed no one would steal them even if they could.
Walking in, Cypher picked up a book at random and flipped it over before awkwardly realizing he couldn't really read.
He recognized some more familiar words, but putting it all together was just a jumble of strokes, making no sense to him.
He couldn't help but scratch the back of his neck awkwardly as he only just now realized he really was ignorant.
Fortunately he still had some money left over, so despite how expensive classes were, he could still get in.
Of course this also threw a massive wrench in his plans, and now he would first need to learn how to read and write before he could even consider leaving this place behind.
It was a good thing Cypher didn't really have any plans anyways, so it was fine to invest some time learning so that his future would be smoother.
…
The next day, Cypher met up with Saphi as usual. The two began fighting, but Cypher almost immediately realized that Saphi had become much slower in his eyes, and each move seemed to be filled with holes.
With the massive strength difference between, fighting with Saphi was akin to fighting a toddler, not even being a challenge anymore, but Cypher still performed as he normally did.
Saphi didn't realize the difference at all, still fighting with all her strength as she tried to take Cypher down, but each attempt ended in failure as per usual.
Once again, Cypher knocked her down with a punch, causing her to be slightly frustrated. However when she remembered she was already on the brink of breaking through, her mood became much better.
"Don't get too arrogant Cypher, I'm only one step away from refining my right arm, by then I'll crush you" Saphi said, as she flexed her muscles.
"We'll see about that." Cypher said with a laugh.
"I guess we will!" Saphi said, as she got up from the floor and patted the dust off her pants.
"By the way, do you know any good teachers? I'm trying to learn how to read and write." Cypher said honestly, feeling this was a good opportunity.
"Teacher? You don't know how to read and write?" Saphi said, only now remembering that most people are actually illiterate.
Given her surroundings, knowing how to read and write was a given, so this was actually the first time she was faced with such a question.
"No, but I'd like to learn." Cypher said honestly.
Saphi didn't mock him, rather she couldn't help but appreciate him more. Most martial artists didn't really care for learning, preferring to use their fists to solve problems, so it was nice to see one who valued education.
"Well, I do know one, but to be honest he mostly deals with children around five to ten, so it might be a bit awkward for you." Saphi said, laughing as she imagined the thought of Cypher sitting in a class, surrounded by children half his size.
"It's fine." Cypher said, after all, beggars can't be choosers, and to be honest, those five year olds probably have a better knowledge base than he does.
"Great, I'll send him a message then. Here's his location, just show up tomorrow at 8am, and remember, don't be late!" Saphi warned, slightly shivering as she remembered the old man's punishments for being tardy.
"You really are a lifesaver. By the way, how much are his classes?" Cypher asked, hoping he had enough.
"Don't worry about money." Saphi said.
"No, I can take your meals, but this is a bit much. Just tell me, I'm not poor anymore." Cypher said, having already taken more than enough advantage of Saphi.
"Fine, it'll cost a silver a week." Saphi answered.
"On second thought, maybe you can do me just one more favor." Cypher said as he heard the price, making Saphi erupt into laughter.
Of course Cypher was just joking, and while a silver a week was a lot, he was already earning 7x times that, so he didn't really mind.