Before finding this cave, Kai had several intense fights with beasts. Almost all of them, in terms of strength, were equivalent to a martial artist at the middle stage of the Cloud Sphere.
Even considering all of Kai's secrets and heritage, continuously fighting them was very troublesome. Kai realised that this cave was the perfect place to evolve. The conditions suited his level of strength. Even more so, he realised that from the monsters in this area, he could absorb an impressive amount of energy.
This bloodline development ability was indeed incredible. If one took into account the Essence Eyes that helped Kai absorb energy from outside faster... His speed of development would become terrifying! Shuo had said that it took him several years to advance to the Attraction Sphere. This was despite the fact that he was also considered a brilliant genius. He was one of the strongest Personal Disciples of his generation!
Kai had even roughly realised the potential speed of development. If he hunted every day, he could finally break through to the middle stage of the Cloud Sphere in as little as a month!
Sitting in the cave, Kai systematically pondered over all of this.....
'If I progress at this rate... I can try to go even deeper in a month. I think I basically shouldn't return to the Shadow Sect in the next few months....' - Kai sat thoughtfully by the fire, 'If I can continuously absorb beasts and martial artists... I might even be able to reach the high stage of the Cloud Sphere. It's certainly not the peak or the Sphere of Attraction... But I also feel that that mode has intensified... If I add it, I might have a chance to break through to the top hundred!' - Firmly decided Kai.
As Kai absorbed all the Kings, at the last second, he noticed strange red lines all over his body. At that moment, they were already slowly disappearing. They looked like scarlet tattoos, more like miniature rivers of blood spilling over his body.
After that, Kai had time left before leaving the Tomb of Time. And during this period of time, he not only fixed himself on the Cloud Sphere. But also, experimenting with this new ability....
After a dozen attempts, Kai was still able to draw some conclusions. He even gave a name to his new skill. Kai didn't bother much, so he chose a rather banal name - Torture King Mode.
This ability appeared after absorbing all the Kings. And this was preceded by going through the individual torture of each of them. Although the technique said Torture of Invisible Kings, and the correct name would be Invisible King Mode or Invisible King Merge Mode. But still, in Kai's understanding, it was their torture that was the most important aspect.....
Going through each torture, enduring them steadfastly, and absorbing all the Kings in turn... Didn't that make you a true Torture King? Those were the thoughts in Kai's mind at that moment. Hence, he decided to keep exactly that name - Torture King Mode!
Unfortunately, he could only maintain this ability for a dozen seconds. And afterwards, he felt an incredible recoil throughout his entire body. Even with his regeneration and energy absorption rate, it took Kai half a day to recover. At that moment, it was difficult to even move. Kai was well aware that this ability would only be useful at a critical moment.
But by absorbing the energy of various creatures, Kai felt a slight change in himself. He was sure that if things continued at this pace... Perhaps he would be able to expand the time limit of using the Torture King Mode.
When he had absorbed three martial artists at once in a short period of time, his new ability itself had manifested for a very short period of time. Kai felt that it was a bit strange, and didn't cause an instant recoil. In the Tomb of Time, even a second in Torture King Mode felt very harsh.
Analysing this fact, Kai concluded that the development of one's bloodline had a positive effect on one's proficiency in using this strange ability.
Thinking about it, Kai took out a black scroll from his ring and quietly unfolded it. He began to reread the third level of the Invisible Kings Torture Technique again.
- Although it doesn't say anywhere that you have to consume the blood of other creatures to develop... But it clearly says that from the third level onwards, you will only develop in battle...' Kai mumbled to himself thoughtfully, 'Right... I'm an idiot! - Suddenly, he swore.
It was only at this moment, when he tried to develop his lineage, that he realised the obvious fact! As always, it was something that lay on the surface, yet was very difficult to realise.
- Kessia, as well as my technique in general, is incomprehensible! Moreover, it is not clear where and when that power existed! - Kai shouted and smacked himself on the forehead, -What makes me think that there were traditions then like there are now?! It is quite possible that in their understanding of the term 'battle', contains the concept of destruction and absorption of opponents! - Kai continued to resent his stupidity.
At this moment, he even stood up and began to wind circles around the cave. Kessia herself was a very ancient martial artist. The bloodline system itself was also unique and strange. Perhaps her people lived a life of endless wars and killing. Then it was understandable what 'battle' meant to them!
Naturally, these were all just hypotheses of Kai. But if you fit the facts into the picture you wanted, it all fit together.
- I don't know if it's true... Hell, I can't even ask! - Kai swore, recalling the book in his Spirit Sea, -I'm sure that the correct method is not endless battles, but endless killing! - Confident in his judgement, Kai gave out.
Now he finally understood more clearly what he had to do. Before, he had some false assumptions. They were the reason he had gone to the Fatuma High Arena in the first place. And he even felt like he was experiencing positive results from the battles. But if you think about it logically... Every martial artist would feel progress from non-stop fighting!
But when compared, the benefits of killing and absorbing blood just didn't compare! Kai was literally absorbing the cultivation of his victims! Although it was only a tiny fraction, but still, it was pure energy gained in seconds! Absorbing a similar amount of outside or even stone energy, would take much longer.
- I was even wondering... At what speed would I be able to progress? - Kai asked himself, smiling evilly, 'Okay... I need to meditate and recover. I'll go hunting in the morning and gradually adapt to the environment. - Kai answered calmly and went to the campfire near the exit.
Finally, Kai was back to intensive training again! He realised that he also needed to continue cultivating with the traditional methods. They were just that, very good for recovery. Therefore, it was logical to hunt during the day and cultivate at night. Asura's hell and energy depletion had never been cancelled. All of these were still surprisingly effective methods as well!
It was just that Kai wasn't in a hurry to jump to conclusions, he needed to experiment with his training regime for a few days. Only when he would roughly realise his limitations and limits on hunting, only then would he make a final decision.
Thus, time quickly flew forward... Day by day and almost a whole month passed.
In that time, Kai had made significant progress. Recently, his training regime had undergone another change. He now hunted from morning until night. Previously, he had gone to the cave at sunset, but now he spent several more hours in the forest in pitch darkness.
Also, during this period, he killed several other people who fell for his ploys. Only one group escaped the sad fate. They even offered to help Kai and wanted to guide him to the exit of the Shadowlands. But Kai politely refused and only took a medicinal pill from them.
Still, not all people are greedy and evil by nature. Though it was not for Kai to speculate about that... Some, might call him an evil person himself. And that was partly true. Kai's methods were not valiant or honest. Kai himself realised this, but it didn't bother him at all.
Today was a very lucky day. Kai sat in the cave and greedily absorbed the energy. A smile hung on his face as he felt the long awaited event approaching!
And at that moment... There was an instant, impressive burst of energy!
It didn't last long and began to quickly return to its epicentre. That's where Kai was sitting with his eyes closed.
- Middle stage! - He shouted out and instantly jumped to his feet.
At this moment, Kai was incredibly happy! The progress was tremendous! It had already been about half a year since his breakthrough into the Cloud Sphere. But all this time, he hadn't paid much attention to cultivation. Cai had to deal with many different matters first. First, negotiating with the Head of the Border Beast City, then getting to the Shadow Sect, joining it... And as the finishing touches, there was the Alchemy Array, the Library, and Shuo.
All of these things had to be done to ensure a solid foundation under their feet. Kai didn't regret spending his time on all of these things for a second. Still, Kai's main interest lay in his journey as a martial artist. He was well aware that this alone could provide him with a chance. A chance for answers! And also a chance to help his Master Mo!
In this world, power decides everything, and Kai had never forgotten that. It was a truth he had been initiated into since he was a child.
Finally, Kai had returned to his true desires. His new method of development was bearing great fruit. Even if one considered that it took him half a year to enter the middle stage of the Cloud Sphere, it was already amazing! Although in fact, the main contribution had been made during the time of the past month!
- Hahaha! - Kai laughed loudly again, ''We should try to advance further! If the beasts are even stronger, I'll gain even more energy! - Radiating a lust for killing, Kai gave out.
Smiling, he went to the fire, over which hung a small cauldron. A rich soup made of vegetables and the tasty meat of a strange animal was simmering there. Over the past month, Kai had already got a good taste of the locals. And the meat of this beast was simply delicious!
- It's like a feast! It's like you knew that today was the day to come and drink from my lake! Hehehe. - Laughing, Kai looked at the golden and flavourful broth.
This beast was like a large lizard with sharp scales. Although its appearance was not very attractive, but its flavour... The aroma literally filled the whole of Kai's cave. And this was despite the fact that the fire was at the exit, under the waterfall.
Even on the first day, Kai had realised that he had been a little bit wrong to place the fire at the back of his dwelling. After literally a dozen minutes, Kai's eyes began to water. After all, there was no air outlet in the cave.....
Calmly sitting down and pouring himself a large portion, Kai began his meal. Naturally, it didn't go without the involvement of alcohol. He didn't even take out a glass, he just drank directly from a small clay barrel. In Kai's opinion, it was much more convenient.
- I wonder how long it would take me to enter the high stage of the Cloud Sphere? - Kai said thoughtfully.
He assumed that only at this stage would it make sense to compete for the Top 100 Rank. Otherwise, it was simply meaningless.....
- When Elder Ovian told me about Reincarnation Island, he said that it was about a year away from opening. Since then, it's been about two months... Given the preparations for departure, the tournament and other nuances... I can afford to stay here for another half a year at the most... - Kai said thoughtfully, calculating the time.
Even if you consider that it's ten months until the Reincarnation Island opens. That didn't mean you could just come in, challenge one of the Top 100 and take his place. What kind of idiot would even agree to such a fight even if he was confident of winning? Putting your right to visit Reincarnation Island on the line would be idiotic. That was why the tournament was held, to see the actual Top 100 Ranks.