Why is Thunder Manifestation here?
Nolan was taken aback. He distinctly remembered that Thunder Manifestation resided on an island perpetually engulfed by lightning.
How did it end up in the waters outside Inazuma? This doesn't make sense.
"What's wrong?"
Standing beside him, Lumine noticed his furrowed brow and asked curiously.
"Well," Nolan began, "I just spotted a lightning elemental creature with power comparable to an adeptus. Our ship is massive and might catch its attention. Should we wait for it to leave before entering the storm zone?"
He explained the situation to everyone.
"Thunder Manifestation? You actually encountered it?"
Kazuha's expression shifted. Before becoming a wandering samurai, he was the young master of the Kaedehara Clan, and he had read about such legendary creatures in the family's library.
"They say Thunder Manifestations are born of thunder in places where intense grudges linger. Their actions are driven by raw, primal fury.
"If it notices us, there's a good chance we'll become its target."
Kazuha paused to think before adding:
"As an Electro elemental being, the density of Electro energy in the storm zone must have drawn it here to absorb power. Once it's 'full,' it might leave."
"Oh, in that case, let's drop anchor and wait for it to go," Beidou suggested.
Electro elemental beings generally had extremely high resistance to Electro, let alone one of this caliber.
In fact, attacking it with Electro might just feed it.
If Electro power was ineffective, Beidou's combat capabilities would be significantly reduced.
While she wasn't entirely helpless, engaging Thunder Manifestation head-on would likely be a one-sided beating.
Better to wait it out, she reasoned.
"Yeah, patience is the safer option," Nolan agreed.
Although he said this aloud, a mischievous thought crossed his mind: What if I send the Lumine's Sword God to provoke it a little?
After all, creatures of such immense strength were rare to encounter. Defeating it would undoubtedly bring tens of thousands of Adventure EXP—a chance he couldn't afford to pass up.
But first, he decided to strengthen himself. Thunder Manifestation was a genuine level 91 entity; even with careful planning, he needed to prepare thoroughly.
The Alcor dropped anchor for the time being.
The sailors, after rowing for so long, took the opportunity to rest. Although they alternated shifts, a break was still welcome.
Kazuha climbed up to the lookout to watch for any sea monster attacks. Beidou, meanwhile, enthusiastically taught Lumine and Paimon how to operate the helm and steer the ship.
Nolan leaned against the wooden wall at the stern and opened his character panel, ready to engage in his long-overdue "Level-Up Training Technique."
He had about 220,000 Adventure EXP, enough for two level-ups.
[Adventure EXP - 169,000]
[Lv84 (0/84,000) → Lv86 (0/86,000)]
A surge of immense energy filled his body, reminiscent of soaking in a bath with Lumine and Fischl.
The intangible energy strengthened every cell and heightened his mental faculties. Before long, his transformation was complete.
Now, Nolan's mental power could extend slightly beyond three kilometers, and his spiritual threads could be summoned within a 60-kilometer radius, with strength equivalent to 30 tons.
His elemental energy reserves had significantly increased, improving his combat endurance.
Additionally, his core stats—health, strength, agility, defense, and resistances—had all grown substantially. As his level increased, the growth per level became even more pronounced.
With his base stats improved, the power Nolan could unleash through the Lumine's Sword God was also significantly enhanced. Now, he felt much more confident about defeating Thunder Manifestation.
Glancing at his character panel, Nolan noticed he still had over 58,000 Adventure EXP left. He decided to upgrade the swordsmanship he had learned from Kazuha while he was at it.
[Adventure EXP - 4,499]
[My Style Swordsmanship Lv.1 (1/100) → My Style Swordsmanship Lv.10 (My Style)]
As the skill leveled up, countless pieces of knowledge related to My Style Swordsmanship flooded his mind, which he quickly assimilated with ease.
Curious, Nolan clicked on the "My Style" extraordinary trait to check its effects:
[My Style: Swordsmanship Refined To Its Pinnacle, Establishing A Unique Personal Style. Once The User Comprehends Their Own Swordsmanship Philosophy, "My Style Swordsmanship" Will Evolve Into A Secret-Art-level Skill And Generate New Extraordinary Traits Based On That Philosophy.]
So, understanding my swordsmanship philosophy will directly evolve this into a secret-art-level technique? He thought. This extraordinary trait is promising.
It seemed that the skill hadn't yet evolved because he hadn't discovered his swordsmanship philosophy. Upon reflection, that made sense.
After all, his swordsmanship had been upgraded purely through Adventure EXP. Even if he maxed out a skill, it only granted him additional techniques and knowledge, not a true philosophy.
A swordsmanship philosophy was something he would have to train on his own. It wasn't as simple as declaring his philosophy to be "protection" or "overcoming all." It had to be genuine.
Previously, he hadn't considered such matters, so he naturally hadn't developed a philosophy.
Now wasn't the time to figure it out, either. Putting this aside for now, Nolan turned his attention to Chihayaburu.
He still had enough Adventure EXP to max it out as well.
[Adventure EXP - 44,999]
[Chihayaburu: Secret-Art-Level Lv.1 (1/1000) → Chihayaburu: Secret-Art-Level Lv.10 (Flowing Maple Autumn Fields)]
As before, an influx of swordsmanship techniques and advanced methods of utilizing wind elements filled his mind. The specific effects of the extraordinary trait also became clear:
[Flowing Maple Autumn Fields: For 30 Minutes After Activating Chihayaburu, The User Gains The "Flowing Maple Autumn Fields" State, Which Increases Speed, Agility, And Reaction Time By 20% While Reducing Stamina Consumption By 20%.]
Oh? This trait is excellent, Nolan thought.
A state-like skill, it provided a direct 20% speed boost, useful even for escaping, along with reduced stamina usage.
In battle, activating it every 30 minutes would maintain the enhanced state continuously. This could provide a significant advantage when fighting Thunder Manifestation later.
Exhaling deeply, Nolan stood and glanced at his updated character panel, now reflecting considerable changes:
Name: Nolan Walker
Level: Lv86 (0/86,000)
Race: Human
Titles: Honorary Knight, Distinguished Citizen of Liyue, Outstanding Adventurer
Innate Talent: Entangling Affection
Skills:
- Lumine's Sword God: Arcane Level (Sharp Intent),
- Concealment Form · Secret Art Level Lv.10 (Domain),
- Anemo Manipulation Lv.10 (Max Level),
- Chihayaburu: Secret Art Level Lv.10 (Flowing Maple Autumn Fields),
- Martial Arts Lv.10 (Subtle Mastery),
- My Style Swordsmanship Lv.10 (My Style)
Specialties:
- [Descender]
- [Maiden Savior]
- [Monster Slayer]
- [Abundant Life]
- [The Gospel of the Sky]
- [North Wind]
- [Harmony]
- [Spiritual Threads]
- [Millennium Body]
- [Blue Vortex]
- [Battery Body]
- [Elemental Immunity]
Adventure EXP: 8,574
Seeing he had just over 8,000 Adventure EXP left, Nolan sighed. That went fast. Let's see if I can recoup some of it by defeating Thunder Manifestation.
---
Inazuma Offshore, Thunderstorm Zone
After his series of power-ups, Nolan immediately directed the Lumine's Sword God toward Thunder Manifestation amidst the high-altitude clouds.
At the same time, Thunder Manifestation seemed to notice the golden speck below.
For this being, there was no curiosity or confusion about the unexpected sight. Instead, there was only equal disdain and hatred toward all lifeforms.
Without hesitation, upon detecting the flashy presence of the Lumine's Sword God, Thunder Manifestation swooped down before Nolan could make a move!
(End of Chapter)
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