Over the next three days before the inter-sect competition, I trained tirelessly during the day sparring with the other disciples. Beating Nicholas had now become too easy due to the overwhelming difference in stats, but I still asked him to watch some of my fights and give me tips; his knowledge on the theory of combat is truly impressive. Due to my practice and Nicholas's tips, my combat capability exceeded that of most disciples also at the peak of astral refinement. I tried sparring with a guy in early core condensation; however, he moved so fast it was a blur, I lost immediately.
At night, I stalked the streets looking for more of Kedron's goons but never found any in a subtle place to kill them. I think I figured out how to solve the problem of it taking too long to clean the blood off the streets though; I can stab them with fast-acting poison or strangle them. I'm leaning toward the latter, as there is the perfect weapon in the store—a garrote, a short thin strand of cable with handles at both ends. This should also keep them from shouting since I don't know if they could if they were stabbed with a poison-coated object like a dagger or needle. The store also sells all kinds of poisons, but I don't know anything about which ones are best.
I never heard any rumors about those two I killed being missing, which I guess isn't too surprising as disciples go hunting all the time or are out of the sect for various reasons.
On the day before the competition, everyone was called to the square for an announcement by an elder of the Blood Moon sect, Bryce Tillerson. He told everyone that wanted to participate to sign up at the table they set up. Also that no one was allowed to spar today and needed to rest so they are in the best shape possible for tomorrow. After telling everyone who was going to the inter-sect competition to be at the sect entrance by 5 o'clock tomorrow morning, he dismissed us and sent us to register.
There was a long line at the registration booth. I have no idea why they didn't set up more than one. The line was not helped to move faster by the fact that Kedron and a group walked like kings to the front and claimed that the guy at the front had saved them a spot. Of course, the guy in front had no choice but to agree, and no one could do anything about it. Tsk, some more he owes me for; my time waiting.
After it was finally my turn, I gave my name to the core disciple running the booth who checked it in his book then added it to a list of names and told me I was now registered.
I went back to my courtyard to practice until night. I'm hoping tonight a few people will be wandering around later since no one is allowed to spar today, so they should have more energy to stay out later.
After I got back home, I decided to buy the garrote from the store to practice manipulating it and cloaking it in my invisibility also. I was shocked by how cheap it was at only 3 energy for one made from grade 5 materials, but I guess it's to be expected based on how little matter it's made of. I could also select the length of the cable. I purchased the grade 5 one with a cable length of 2.5 feet and looked it over.
After practicing with it for an hour, I was confident enough that I could use it effectively; however, I realized someone could fight back by hitting behind them, but I don't think they will have enough power to break my defense in that position. Just to be sure though, I wonder if I can take more body tempering pills and make my body even stronger.
'Kitty, can I take more body tempering pills, and will they be effective, or is 10 the limit?'
[You can take as many as you want, but only the first 15 will be effective.]
'Do you mean 15 from each grade, or do the effects not stack?'
[The higher grade ones overwrite the effects of the lower grade ones.]
So, I can take 5 more grade 5 pills, and they will be effective. I'll do it, but remembering the previous experience, I'm not looking forward to it.
I filled the bath with water for after I take them and lay down on the floor. After I purchased 5, I ate one of them, remembering Kitty's remark about how she never told me to take all 10 at once.
I only hurt a little; it felt like I had just done an extra extra-long workout, and my body ached. After the feeling faded in about 15 minutes, I took another and kept repeating until I'd eaten all 5. After the last of the pills faded, I lay there for a few minutes before getting in the bath to clean up.
After washing up, I checked out the changes; my skin was tough like leather, and my muscles felt powerful, my bones felt like forged rods that would stop a grade 3 weapon in its tracks. I definitely won't have a problem with my defense now.
'Status'
Name: Max Frost
Health: 100%
Title: (No titles)
Occupation: None
Affiliations: Blood Moon Sect
Physical Description:
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 21
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 152 lbs
Eye Color: Royal Blue
Hair Color: Brown
Stats (Average Human stat is 1):
Combat power: 25
Energy: 25
Strength: 21
Agility: 22
Stamina: 22
Intelligence: 6
Wisdom: 5
Luck: 2
Charisma: 8
Skills: Devour, Astral Cultivation Mimic, Invisibility.
What a nice increase in everything, especially combat power; it used to be way below my stats, but now it's even higher than them. Looks like my combat practice has paid off.
After getting dressed again and practicing cloaking my new weapon in invisibility, it was getting dark so it was my time to head out.
I made myself invisible and left my house walking down the street. I saw it was indeed a little busier. There was an old guy lighting the street lamps for the night, though being there was a full moon tonight they weren't really necessary.
I looked up at the twinkling stars and the full moon glowing brightly thinking it's perfect tonight. Bloodshed under the full moon at the Blood Moon sect, well, hopefully not a drop of blood will actually fall; it's way too hard to clean.
After an hour or so of wandering the back alleys, I saw one of the guys that cut the line with Kedron earlier today exit a tavern, his face flushed and swaying slightly as he walked, then turn down the alley next to it. If no one else comes, this might be the perfect opportunity.
He's only late-stage astral refinement, so still an easy target, as well as if I can collect most of his astral energy before it dissipates, I might be able to even mimic core condensation.
I followed him and saw him part the front of his red robe and start relieving himself. I could hear his pee splattering against the wall as a small puddle formed in the stone walkway. Nasty, people have to walk through here; I guess I shouldn't expect anything better from you. The smell of alcohol rolled off him making me not want to breathe.
I walked up behind him and held my weapon with my arms crossed as I waited for him to finish. When he was finishing, I checked both ways and strained my ears to listen for anyone else out and about, hearing nothing, I waited for him to put his dick back in his robe, not like I want that fluttering around while I'm strangling him from behind.
As soon as his robe closed again, I flipped the thin cable over his head and pulled my hands back toward my shoulders, tightening the cable around his neck as much as I could, so he couldn't make noise. I stepped backward, pulling him deeper into the alley and away from his puddle.
His reaction was extremely slow, taking almost 2 full seconds to try and unsuccessfully grab the wire. I pulled him up off his feet then pushed him face down onto the ground sitting atop him. He made little quiet whining noises as he tapped on the ground as if trying to tap out. Why is he trying to tap out? Doesn't he realize he's going to die? Maybe he had too much alcohol.
After about 10 more seconds, he seemed to understand and tried reaching around his back trying to punch me, but it was useless. He's at the wrong angle to exert enough strength to cause damage, not to mention my high defense, like a baby trying to fight an adult. His face turned from red to purple as circulation to his head was blocked.
About 30 seconds later, he stopped moving. I don't know if he's dead or passed out, but it doesn't really matter. Actually, it might be better if he's only passed out as his astral power wouldn't dissipate. I loosened the garrote and checked; still alive but barely.
Activating my devour skill, the first thing I did was break down his dantian where his astral power is stored. I was happy as there was way more energy than those 2 foundation establishment people, especially being he wasn't dead yet. After devouring the rest of him, I checked what stage I could mimic now, and it was indeed early core condensation.
I don't think I'm going to mimic it though as I don't want to be promoted to core disciple and have any responsibilities, also I had just been promoted to peak astral refinement a few days ago. Being a 21-year-old core condensation practitioner would make me even more of a genius than Kedron, and if he finds out, I don't need him to have people watching me or trying to kill me.
After wandering around a few more hours, I only found one more good target, one of Kedron's guys who was bringing people to him on the day we got our crystals. But sadly, he was only early stage astral refinement, so he didn't help as much but still better than hunting beasts.
At about 4:30, I returned home so I could walk normally to the entrance where we are meeting up to get a ride to the inter-sect competition. I still don't know where this thing is, but it can't be all that far away if we only have to leave by 5 in a wagon.
After returning home, I canceled my invisibility and left for the entrance. The sun was peaking over the horizon. Stars could still be seen overhead, and looking toward that flaming ball with a backdrop of the reddish-yellow sky in the distance, rays of light could be seen streaking across the sky as they seemed to erase the darkness and stars overhead as the day of the long-anticipated inter-sect competition arrived.