Over the last month, Sifir and Purple Night were deep in studying their own skill manuals. Once one of them had an idea, they would go over many different situations that could happen in battles or on the Everlasting Continent. Sifir having these conversations with Purple Night was enlightening with additional battle tactics and strategies.
Leveraging their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses in critical moments. It's times like this when Purple Night shines the brightest. Devising many different ways Sifir could use [Heaven Cleaver] and [Nine Extinction Steps: 1st Step: Half Step].
"Fall Night, what is that one move you used to flip me and Jagged?"
"Oh, that move? I am not really sure. It was in one of our clan's basic manuals that we all must learn. Why?"
"It doesn't matter why. What matters is the usage you can get from that move. If you pair it with [Heaven Cleaver], the outcome might surprise you. Fall Night, since we are on the topic of [Heaven Cleaver], why does the air vibrate so much before the strike is released?"
"Well, that is rather simple to answer. I haven't mastered the skill completely yet. I have only mastered the execution and not the overall skill itself yet. I was told once that [Heaven Cleaver] is once master; the result is at least five times better from what I have shown."
"What did you say, Fall Night?" Jagged had the wrong expression from learning that Sifir only learned the bare minimum of using a skill like that. If he was hit with that same move from a more skilled user of the skill, he might actually be severely injured.
On the other hand, Death Sword looked over to the pair, and his eyes sharpened for a little bit when he was looking at Sifir. This didn't escape from Purple Night notice.
"If someone else hits you with the same skill, jagged. You probably would have at least 3 broken ribs or crave in chest."
"Little nighty night. I still need to let off some stress from Silver Lake City. Come and let us spar."
"Ummm. No. I am going back to finish this healthy conversation with Purple Night. You can go back and busy yourself with cleaning your weapons."
Before Jagged could provoke Sifir into battle, Death Sword interrupted the both of them. "We have one month left on this travel to the Everlasting Continent. We should be arriving at Serpent Port in Dragon Clan territory soon. I suggest we take this time to prepare ourselves for unforeseen battles." Death Sword's words were calm, but his sharp voice made everyone go back and continue their own preparation.
As for Death Sword, he continues his efforts to communicate with Life Ender. In the middle of their journey to the Everlasting continent, the ship was attacked several times by sea creatures and pirates. Unfortunately for them, they were killed off quick by the guards and a few random cultivators that were trying to make a name for themselves.
Meanwhile, Sifir and Purple Night kept on driving deeper into the skills they already had mastered. What surprised Sifir was that he only scratched the surface of [Nine Extinction Steps: 1st Step & 2nd Step]. Even greater surprised was this skill was more of a utility skill and not a pure movement skill. Meaning that Sifir could link different movement skills or techniques together to form a more robust fighting method.
Sifir was armed with this newfound knowledge and wanted to explore the new possibilities. Sifir knew with limited experience with mixing skills together, he sought out Purple Night for some advice. While moving toward Purple Night, both Death Sword and Jagged were little taken back at Sifir action. They both knew that Sifir didn't seek out anyone in their group for help or advice on certain matters. Seeing Sifir's willingness was welcome, surprised Death Sword.
However, Jagged was not pleased by this action. Jagged had a hint that if he could devour Sifir's flesh, a profound transformation would take place in his body. Also, Jagged didn't want to see Sifir under the wing of Purple Night protection for this mission or any other missions that might come up.
"Purple Night, I am seeking your advice on a few matters that I discovered about one of my skills. Would you give me your guidance?"
Purple Night looked at Sifir with a smirk gleaming in her eyes. However, she remained calm and spoke, "How would this benefit me?"
"Well, this can help you link movement skills or techniques together. This would help you gain more mobility in tight fights and would allow you to catch the enemy in a surprise attack."
"Very tempting, Fall Night. You should know what I want, correct?"
"How I cannot know what you want." Sifir stares at Purple Night.
"Then, what do I want, Fall Night?" Purple Night's eyes narrow like slits.
All Sifir could do was chuckle with incredulity. Knowing that Purple Night wanted more than just his bloodline. She wanted him, not because of some personal love affair or admiration for his strength for his age. It was more of prize possession. Sifir could tell that Purple Night saw him as her personal treasure trove rather than a mere cultivator. She has full intentions of squeezing every one of his secrets and resources and unearthing what made his bloodline special out of him.
Unfortunately, before Sifir could speak, Death Sword walked over among them."Very good. You are finally taking your cultivation seriously. Personal strength trumps any clever scheme or plot."
"Death Sword, you know how to ruin a girl's fun."
"Fall Night, what do you want to learn?"
"I came to Purple Night seeking guidance on utility skills. Her profound knowledge on breaking down skills and devising new methods of deploying battle tactics is unique."
"Little Brat, you are slick with your tongue today. Knowing how to praise in front of the leader but, in private, shrewd like an old monk."
"Being careful is a virtue. Never letting down your guard, Fall Night. Because it's not only things that bump in the night that can kill you. Sometime, it can happen in board daylight as well. For those cultivators, it is a real shame to lose their lives. How can one be stupid enough to place their trust in foreign or domestic aid for self-preservation?"
Sifir could hear the disdain in Death Sword voice. That placing hope or wishing for help to come. That were merely fool errands. Only personal strength can keep threats at arm lengths. Even so, that doesn't mean a strong cultivator cannot fall into someone's scheme. So being cautious in the Death Sword mind was true virtue.
"Purple Night, you should show some magnanimity and help Fall Night with this task. Obviously, if you want benefits, you can have benefits as long as they don't effect our mission."
"Did you hear that fall night? I can have what I want! So will you agree or not?"
"Well, if that is the case. Nevermind. And I will find someone in Twin Moon City to help me break down the skill. No biggie."
"You!!!" Purple Night pointed to Sifir in mocking matter. "WITH WHAT MONEY!!!" The angry in Purple Night voice was palpable. In addition to the coldness that Purple Night radiated from her body, could freeze you to the bone. Being rejected was one thing, but being rejected in a casual tone was humiliating to Purple Night.
"You have said it several times before Purple Night. There are plenty of ways to make money; just cultivators lack the courage to take the necessary action to make it happen." Sifir spoke calmly, but inside his irritation and frustration were rising. Tired of trying to decipher the deeper meaning in Purple Night slick wordplay and schemes.
"Since, this matter is done. Purple Night, I don't want to hear you complain about the lack of help in finding more movement skills. Let me remind you as well, Purple Night. I know what you are trying to do. It is clear as day or seeing the moon on a clear night. I could careless if you are successful or not. However, your lack of good faith is now putting our mission in jeopardy. And this is what I cannot stand the most." A cold light flicker in the depths of Death Sword's eyes meant that he only cared about finishing this mission quickly.
"But, Death Sword..."
"It is true that I don't place high importance on help from other cultivators, friend or foe. However, I do know the balance of honing one power and working as a team. Do not confuse my lack of willingness to engage in this pointless banter with the overall picture of this mission. Know this Purple Night; you have one chance before I cut this little play short."
Purple Night knew the rule in their team. Only the strong can lead. Since Purple Night is weaker than Death Sword. His words were law in their team. She looks at Sifir and vows that she will have everything of his.
"YES, Death Sword. I understand."
"Don't look at me like I have wronged you, Purple Night. We are both in the same situation with different caveats. We are both trying to escape the shackle of the Elder. Make no mistake; we both know we have to tread carefully. The Elder influence is unbound, and we can't place our trust in anyone or any one power beside ourselves."
"Sigh. You are indeed correct, Death Sword. I was too rash in my action a moment ago. Breaking these shackles has consumed my mind over these last few years. I am tired."
Death Sword could only shake his head with tiredness. Knowing both of their plight were thick with scheme and chess pieces. Having the power to change things was another thing in itself. Death Sword quickly change the topic before Sifir could learn more about their own difficulties.
"Good!" Death Sword claps his hands together. "Now let's get down to business." Death Sword waved over Jagged."Jagged, Come over here. We will now talk about how we're going to transverse through the Everlasting Continent."
"The Everlasting Continent is divided into three major powers." Death Sword looked at especially Sifir when he spoke. This information was for his knowledge. "The three powers that controlled the Everlasting Continent, they are the dragon nation, which some cultivators called Kuzuryū. The human nation, which is an alliance of small nations banding together, is referred to as the Counsel of Humans. The last power is unknown to many. However, what can be said, it is a lawless place, and only the most ruthless of cultivators and magical beasts reside in those borders."
Death Sword pauses for a second and looks at Purple Night. Knowing the look Death Sword gave her meant there was something she should let Sifir know about his own country as well. "Fall Night, while you might call it the Liger Nation. Outside your border, your nation is called Alf Layla Wa Layla. (Look into author notes for the meaning.)
Purple Night had a serious look in her eyes when talking about Sifir's country of origins. Meaning that everyone has more insight into the happenings and current cilmate between Kuzuryū and Alf Layla Wa Layla expected for Sifir.
"Fall Night, I need you to listen carefully to what I am about to say. You can't use any of your skills or techniques that belong to your clan when we're in any of the states of Kuzuryū."Sifir nods in agreement, waiting for either Purple Night or Death Sword to continue speaking.
"Purple Night, I will take it from here. Kuzuryū has a total of sixteen states. The two states we'll be traveling through are Thundorion, where the Lightning Dragon tribe rules, and Emberlyn, where the Fire Dragon tribe rules. They are one of the strongest states in terms of combat and firepower."
"Death Sword, you are making too much fuss for some oversize lizards. We can kill them mercilessly and eat their flesh."
"Jagged, you can court death on your own terms. If you want to die, do it after the mission." A cold, frosty aura sweeps past Jagged. Jagged was forced to take a step back."Now, Twin Moon City is on the neutral border between Human Cousnel, Thundorion, and Emberlyn. What makes Twin Moon City unique is that it is one of the top medium sizes on Everlasting Continent. From our Intel, the city lord is in Ruler Realm. Any cultivator that is Ruler has grasped at least 2 laws and comprehension 1 elemental affinity."
"That means the city guards are going to be at least peak of Fish and Dragon Change Realm. That is five minor realms and two major realms. And if we talk about the Ruler realm, the gap is immense from where we are at. We must tread carefully. Do. You. Hear. Me. Jagged!"
"I am not an idiot, Death Sword. I would not court death with anything I could not kill."
"Lies." Sifir mumbled under his breath. While most people would let Jagged slap his own face. Sifir had a feeling of disgust from Jagged from the moment they met. While Sifir spoke low. Everyone in this room were cultivators with great hearing. Death Sword and Purple Night let out small chuckles when hearing this rebuttal from Sifir. It was times like his that both Death Sword and Purple Night sensed Sifir's youth and immaturity.
"What did you say, little nighty night? I didn't hear you." A sharp gleam appeared in Jagged's eyes. Still annoyed from the beating he took from Silver Lake City.
"Silent!" Death Sword let his immense aura crush Sifir and Jagged. Both of them stopped talking and waited for Death Sword to speak again."Sigh. This mission is incredibly tough. One of the reasons why I am so adamant about focusing on the mission. Where we are in cultivation, they can kill us with a flip of their hand. However, this is an opportunity to grow before the end of the mission."
"Purple Night, I will need you to do reconnaissance with Fall Night. Jagged, you can cause as much trouble outside of the city; just don't get caught. None of us will come and save you. I will locate our target. Now let us finish our preparation for Serpent Port in Thundorion."