Originally, Cai and Shuo wanted to finish their training together in a week. But in the end, spent two in fighting. Thus, Kai lived at the Lonely Buddha's house for almost a whole month.
During this time, they became even closer and understood each other much better. But no matter what, neither of them had changed their manner of speaking since the beginning of their acquaintance. This showed how strong their own beliefs and confidence were. Both Cai and Shuo always appeared in front of people in their true colours. It was also one of the main traits on which the friendship of these two was built upon. Kai appreciated this quality in Shuo, and it also worked in the opposite direction.
Kai had a lot of secrets that he didn't want to give away. But that didn't mean he was hiding his true motives and desires. Kai had always been fairly straightforward. Rather, being careful with his secrets was a common trait of all martial artists. Naturally, if you have a mind... Otherwise, you won't live long....
- You're progressing surprisingly fast Brother Kai. - Shuo calmly said, taking a sip of water from his flask.
- With such a sparring partner, it would be a sin not to progress. - Kai said with a smile and took out the flask to drink too, 'Nice flask, can you give it to me? Hehehe. - Laughing Kai asked and took a big gulp of water.
After spending a month with Shuo, Cai was beginning to use some of his Brother's words. The Lone Buddha came from a Temple that had its own religion. He often mentioned words like 'Glory to God,' 'sin,' and other things.
Although Kai was not at all imbued with the very ideas of the Shuo Temple, he liked these words. And the concepts hidden in them were quite profound.
- No. This is my flask. If you want to make your own, it's not hard. - Shuo refused with a stone face. And the word sinful is not in your phrase. - He added.
- That's it, stop preaching. Let's go eat. - Kai smiled and slowly stood up.
Over the past month, Kai had really realised that he needed real fights. He continued to enter Asura's Inferno in the evening, but only to finally drain his energy.
With Shuo, he wasn't on the verge of life and death and couldn't use up every last drop of energy. Therefore, he still needed to return to Asura's Hell.
One day, Shuo had some urgent business to attend to, and Cai decided to devote the entire day to cultivating in the Kings Domain. And afterwards, he confirmed in mild shock that without actual fights, everything was useless.
Just like the Invisible Kings Torture Technique scroll said. He needs real opponents! He needs to take real damage! Having absorbed all the Torture Kings into his real body, it was now the one he needed to develop!
Asura's Hell was now just an auxiliary ability. Kai could use it as his own area to train and experiment with techniques. As well as entering a situation on the verge of life and death to drain his energy to zero. A boon, as Kai became stronger, the power of the opponents in Asura's Hell also increased.
'Bottom line... I need to constantly fight at the edge of my strength, and then finish my training with Asura's Hell afterwards... For that, I need strong opponents... Fatuma's Supreme Arena should definitely work!' - Kai pondered as he waited for Shuo.
At the moment, the latter was in the kitchen preparing their dinner. This had become a routine for them over the past month. After training, they constantly ate together. Cai would have a drink and Shuo would support him with flavoured tea. Alongside this, they constantly chatted about various things... From the ways of martial arts, to their childhood.
- Thank you Brother Shuo! As always, everything is incredibly delicious! Hehe. - Laughing, praised Cai, ''By the way, I'm going home today. Starting tomorrow, we can go to the Fatuma High Arena. I need to see if it's as cool as you said it was. - He said smiling, while pouring himself some wine.
- Yes. Starting tomorrow, I look forward to seeing how you progress through the ranks. - Shuo replied with a slight smile.
As always, he was completely serene. To ordinary people, Kai's words might have caused a slight melancholy. Still, they had lived together for almost a whole month. But in this duo, it was different... Both Kai and Shuo didn't care about these sentiments at all. Kai was here because it was more convenient. Shuo had similar motives....
If there was a girl sitting next to them, watching from the sidelines. She would definitely call them callous individuals.....
They sat for about two more hours until they had eaten all the food on the table. It was just starting to get dark outside as they finished today's training quickly.
- Thanks again Brother Shuo! See you tomorrow! - Shouted Cai as he walked out of the gate of the Lone Buddha Territory.
- You're welcome. See you tomorrow. - Shuo calmly replied, standing outside the gate.
- Don't worry, I'll come back for more of your cooking. - Kai added with a smile.
- Sure. But don't come too often. - Shuo replied.
To some, such words might have seemed harsh. But Kai understood that it was a kind of humour of the Lonely Buddha. All the more reason for him not to overstay his welcome. Although Kai enjoyed his Brother's company, he liked solitude more.
- Alright, I'm off! - Kai shouted once more with a smile, and without turning around, walked towards the Shadow Palace.
The sun had already set and the city was slowly sinking into darkness. But just at this juncture, the lights of glowing stones began to appear everywhere. The night life of the Shadow Sect disciples was coming to life.
'Hehe... Training with Brother Shuo has been very helpful. I can even feel the clouds in my Energy Centre getting a little denser...' - Reasoned Cai with a carefree smile on his face.
He was already anticipating coming home, climbing into the hot spring and relaxing in private... And tomorrow going to the Fatuma High Arena....
And as soon as he thought of that... A familiar voice came from behind him!
- Oooh! Kai, it's you! - A woman's voice sounded loud and energetic.
'Fuck... Why...' - Kai thought with a grin.
He had already realised perfectly well who it was. And he definitely didn't want to meet her this evening.
- Hello, Iris... - Kai replied without initiative, turning round towards the person he was talking to.
- Where have you been?! I've been looking for you everywhere! Your Alchemical Array is amazing, everyone is thrilled! Even the Array and Alchemy Alliances have started to be a little softer towards each other! Hahaha. - Laughing, in one breath the girl gave out.
This super energetic attitude pissed Kai off a bit... Especially when she looked at him as a free source of information. Although the look of those blue eyes and the beauty's smile were pleasant... But for Kai, it wasn't enough of a motivator to waste his precious time.
- Good for you! Gotta go! Bye! - With a smile, Kai replied and wanted to instantly turn around.
- You're not running away! I know where you live! Elder Ovian told me! - Iris smiled and flashed her tongue at Kai.
- Are you bothering the poor old man too? - Half-turned, with a sour face, Kai said.
- Ke-ke-ke-ke... - Iris laughed spoiltly.
- What do you want? - Kai asked frankly.
- Nothing complicated, just answer a few of my questions. - Iris replied with a charming smile.
- Fuck you. I know your 'a few questions'. I don't have time! - Kai said irritably and walked towards the Shadow Palace.
- You can't run away! I rented a room near you! If you don't answer, I'll be watching you all the time! - Blackmailing Iris gave out.
It seemed like she was incredibly pleased with herself at this moment. She was indeed spoilt by the Array Alliance. Sometimes such honouring of a genius didn't go well with the character of its bearer....
- Damn... You're unbearable...' Kai said, scratching the back of his head irritably, 'Anyway. I'm going home. If you want, come with me, I'll answer your questions there. - Kai added.
- Wonderful! - With shining eyes, Iris shouted happily.
- But I'm going to bathe. And I don't care about you. - Looking at the girl obliquely, Kai said.
- If I can find out about the Alchemical Array, it doesn't bother me! - The pretty girl said nonchalantly.
- I wish I had pretended to be mute the first time we met,' Kai said, rolling his eyes irritably.