Meanwhile, on the other side of the school, a loud sound wave echoed.
"AHHH!" Li Xi screamed, aiming her mouth at a mutant cat, her voice ringing with power. The cat which originally wanted to pounce on her was stunned for some second by the sound waves coming from the scream.
Morningstar saw his chance and with a swift movement, he arrived closed to the stunned cat and he stabbed his spear into the cat's chest. Li Xi's scream had taken the creature by surprise, leaving it vulnerable to the attack. The two of them worked together like they'd been partners for years while in truth it's barely some hours.
After picking up the rune it dropped, Morningstar threw it towards her.
Li Xi quickly caught the runes and her eyes widened in surprise at how swiftly it went. "We make a good team," she said, her voice filled with happiness.
Morningstar couldn't help but nod in agreement.
In truth, for the past hours, they continued working together and finally, Li Xi's got an ability rune which focuses on sound, although it takes much mana but thankfully she has already gotten a mana-increasing rune.
With each hunt, they slowly learn more about each beasts, zombies and so on. For instance, low level zombies could only use their senses to feel any living thing close by while mid level zombie could see and sense too. As for high level zombie, they have yet to met such. The reason they divide the zombie in such group was their strength so Morningstar decide to call those that rely on their senses low level and those that can see mid level
Morningstar who was feeling curious about his current stats quickly open it.
[Morningstar Amon]
Strength: 40
Speed: 27.2
Stamina: 31.5
Perception: 27
Endurance: 39.9.
Skills: Metal Three Claws>>> Lvl 1<<<
uses QI energy as base, the higher the user's strength, the stronger it becomes.
Ferociousness>>>LvL 1<<<
increases the user's braveness and makes him immune to fear, lust, happiness, sadness and curiosity. When used, the more angry the user gets, the stronger he becomes.
Sharp Sense:
>>>LVL 1<<< increases the user's six senses for a certain duration.
Chain Rune: >>>LVL ???<<< This rune chain has seven effects. Strength, regenerative, speed, elemental, spatial, illusions and ??? To use it, the user must always sacrifice a soul before activating it.
_Metal Three Claws is useless to me since I don't even know what's QI or how to get it. Same with Ferociousness, I don't get angry easily. Even this chain runes, like how do I sacrifice a soul and what species soul should I even sacrifice? For the first time ever, I feel like I truly lack skills and weapons. Sigh..._ Morningstar thought while massaging his temples. _I need to get a useful skill, either ability or magic. Anything so long as it's useful and._
[Tsk, are you forgetting the amazing knowledge you received from your future self? Those are the ultimate skills. With my help, you can master them and become one of the most powerful beings in existence among humans. That's if you don't slack off.] Abyssal's sudden intrusion into his thoughts startled Morningstar.
His eyes widened in surprise, without those reminders he might have forgotten about the skills that he had been given from his future self.
"Damn, how can I be this foolish as to forget those skills?"
Li Xi cocked her head to the side, her brow furrowing in confusion. "You were muttering to yourself just now. Is everything okay?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking out loud," he said while cursing himself inwardly for thinking out loud. It will feel weird if people start taking him as a weirdo.
_Hang on, I'm not sure I understand something here._ Morningstar said, his confusion evident in his voice. _I thought you were the one who found the chain runes. Is that not the case? Then I'm sure some of the future knowledge you got enabled you to know where to find it, so why don't you know how to sacrifice souls to it?_
[It's not that I'm unaware of the incantations needed to use the chain runes,] Abyssal clarified, his tone filled with laziness. [Rather, souls have been getting absorbed into the chain runes ever since you started killing mutants. You're just too weak spiritually to perceive them. It's not a question of physical strength but of mental fortitude and spiritual insight. You need to strengthen your Qi or mana reserves if you want to perceive the runes and the souls they contain. Anyway, there's a way for you to learn QI immediately.]
_Really? Then why for fuck'in sake haven't you show me?!_ Morningstar couldn't help but feel happy and angry at the same time.
[Because I was feeling lazy and I'm experiencing mood swings, I can just decide not to teach you and you can't do nothing] Abyssal scoffed which left Morningstar lips twitching.
[Since it's so quiet, maybe there aren't any beasts around,] Abyssal commented. [So let's take a moment to talk about QI and Mana.]
_Sure,_ Morningstar replied while sitting down on the ground. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply as if he were getting ready to meditate.
Li Xi sat down as well, wondering what her "friend" was planning meanwhile she kept a look out of their surroundings, alert for any signs of danger. Even though Morningstar didn't consider her a friend but she did.
[Now let's get to know the difference between QI and Mana, Mana and Qi are two different types of energy that can be cultivated by any person.
Mana is a type of energy that exists in nature and can be absorbed and used by humans. It's often described as a form of natural energy that exists all around us but to me it's the Essence of the world, being able to control it means you're a step closer to godhood.
Qi, on the other hand, is the energy that exists within a person's body. It's sometimes described as "life force" or "vital energy" Cultivating it gives you a sharp edge over mana users since it can improve your physical defense.
Both types of energy can be harnessed and used for different purposes, like martial arts, magic, and healing. To use Qi, a person must first learn to sense and manipulate the Qi within their own body. This can be done through meditation, exercises, and martial arts training. Once the person has become familiar with their own Qi, they can start to use it in various ways, like enhancing their physical abilities or healing themselves, just like in novels, I believe when you reach the highest level you will be able to tank a planet explosion with your mere flesh.
As for using mana, that can be a bit more complex. First, the person must be able to sense and manipulate the mana in the environment around them. This can be done through meditation and other techniques, although their spells are powerful but their bodies are always weak. Tsk, I call them sissy.]
_What makes you say that?_ Morningstar asked, genuinely curious.
[Because they prefer to keep their distance and use long-range attacks rather than engaging in a direct confrontation. That's not how a real warrior fights. It shows they're clearly Sissies.] Abyssal's tone was derisive, clearly unimpressed by the magic users.
Morningstar raised an eyebrow. _And what makes you the expert on what a 'real warrior' is?_ he asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.
Abyssal scoffed in response. [I know it when I see it. And these magicians just don't measure up. Their skill isn't in their strength or ability to fight, it's in the incantations they memorize and the spells they cast. It's not real power, it's just manipulation of the elements. All those skills might have been created by someone and it's not their innate ability.]
Morningstar considered Abyssal's words for a moment. _So you're saying that it's not true power if it's not something you're born with, but rather something you learn and develop?_ he asked, trying to understand Abyssal's perspective.
[Exactly!] Abyssal replied, his tone emphatic. [A warrior's power comes from their own strength, their skill with a weapon, and their spirit. It's something that's innate, not learned from a book or taught by a teacher. It's something that comes from within.]
_But isn't QI something that's learned, rather than something you're born with?_ Morningstar asked, questioning Abyssal's words.
[No, no, no, no dummy!] Abyssal protested. [Qi is something you're born with, but it has to be developed and trained. It's not something that can be gained through studying or reading books, it has to be experienced and practiced.]
Morningstar nodded thoughtfully. _So you're saying that Qi is innate, but requires a certain level of experience and practice to truly be used effectively?_
[Bingo! Now, we'll need to help you find a way to experience Qi firsthand. The first step will be absorbing those memories of fighting techniques as they may help you when battling. Once you've done that, we can focus on finding some beasts for you to battle. While you fight, pay close attention to the changes in your body and try to grasp any flow of energy. If you do that, there's a chance you might start to experience the Qi that's within you.]
_Alright._ Taking a deep breath, Morningstar closed his eyes and allowed himself to sink into a meditative state. He knew he had no time to waste, the sooner he could learn and grow stronger, the sooner he could find his mother. He allowed the memories to wash over him, focusing on absorbing as much knowledge as he could.
Morningstar couldn't help but gape in shock at the sight of himself but the older version gives off monstrous killing intent in his memory, it feel real but fake at the same time.
As the man swung the sword, it felt like the action was otherworldly, almost celestial in nature. It was as if the man was something beyond mortal, something that couldn't be described or understood in human terms. The sword was a mere extension of his will, and its power was impossible to comprehend.
Before it stood hundreds and tens of thousands of beasts of different shapes and strength but none survive that strike, even space was torn apart and the surrounding mountains destroyed.
Technique Name: Sunder The Heavens!