36 Dragon Nest (1/6)
--- Chapter 36 ---
New Continent.
In a mountain range, a blue-haired youngster ran to the peak while being chased by a purple-haired girl with a crimson barbed spear in her hand. He breathed steadily and dodged red lights that chased over his heart.
BOOM!
Huo Yuhao kicked the ground and dodged a menacing red light that destroyed a boulder in front of him into pieces. He sighed and sprinted to the mountain peak, releasing some faint electricity.
"Haha, Good. Keep running!" Scathach yelled while chasing over him. Her skilled movement is equal to Extreme Lightning Mirage's speed, allowing her to follow Huo Yuhao easily.
She waved the Gae Bolg Alternative and launched a few thrusts in the air, destroying the forest around them. Her attacks are so destructive and filled with killing intent.
...
...
Huo Yuhao arrived at the mountain peak and breathed out of frustration. "That was tiring." He straightened his back and turned around, finding his Shishou with a grin on her face.
Scathach is currently standing around 142 cm with her mid-length purple hair. She wore a black-purple tracksuit with a dragon head symbol on the chest and back. Her current appearance is the result of Growth Rune.
Growth Rune is Spirit Energy-powered rune created by Scathach and Huo Yuhao that could boost one's physical growth by several years. It builds muscle and energy circulation inside one's body.
"You survived again today," Scathach commented while hugging Huo Yuhao from behind. "As expected of my disciple."
Huo Yuhao chuckled and replied, "I'm afraid no one can follow your "Extreme." way of teaching besides me, Shishou. Attacking your student with the intent to kill is not common."
"Also, your hand..."
He gradually looked down and saw Scathach's slender hands going under his tracksuit, touching his abs like it was her daily routine. She teased his muscles with her soft yet experienced touches, which led to his defeated sigh.
"Hmm, a fresh Yuhaonium of the day. It's keeping me alive more than anything." Scathach sniffed lightly and whispered into his ears playfully. Huo Yuhao couldn't help but chuckle inside when hearing this.
After freeing himself from Scathach's grasp, Huo Yuhao stared at the morning sun and stretched his tired body a little because his great stamina "thoroughly." was consumed by her inhuman training. Yet, it was effective because every attack stimulated his instinct.
"Well, everyone seemed to arrive at their peaks too," Scathach commented while looking around the mountain ranges, noticing Dragon Nest's members standing on the peak and staring at the morning sun. "It's been one year. Time sure flies fast."
After a while, Scathach remembered something and adoringly stared at her disciple as Dragon Nest reached this far because of him.
"Sun Breathing Technique, huh? That man Yoriichi, who created such a method, was a genius, but he lacked some element about surroundings and human growth. Breathing "Correctly." makes one's lungs and heart work more efficiently, allowing for better body control and enhanced physical strength."
"However, he completely forgot that humans aren't invincible. When one pushes internal organs continuously, they start to weaken because of forceful aging or losing lifespan. And led to inevitable death."
Huo Yuhao shook his head and added something to her remark, "The technique that makes Demon Slayers strong ironically makes them die faster. And I can't blame them because Demons plagued the land and caused more destruction. Some sacrifice is better than entire humanity's demise."
"I thanked him for creating Sun Breathing Technique because Dragon Nest could have a solid technique." He continued with a smile.
Scathach smiled too and commented, "Universal Breathing Technique."
Universal Breathing Technique is a technique that allows one's body to grow without aging but rejuvenates internal organs constantly. It uses the Air/Spirit Energy in the surroundings to stimulate inner energy/Qi and strengthen one's physical capacities with continual active practice.
Huo Yuhao modified Sun Breathing Technique without using any Upgrade after tapping more into his High Human adaptability. He adjusted the breathing sequences so people of all ages could practice them without harming themselves. It was Dragon Nest's first must-practice technique, and everyone has learned it well.
Of course, Huo Yuhao was always skeptical and added a hidden mechanism that prevented outsiders from learning the Universal Breathing Technique correctly. And that's Spirit Circuits.
"Shishou, let's start the next training." Huo Yuhao breathed and triggered something inside his body. A faint series of bizarre lines emerged on his skin, shining dimly with golden light.
Scathach grinned and triggered the same reaction, making some bizarre lines shine under her pale skin. Spirit Energy began to move toward them, creating rapid circulation throughout their bodies.
Spirit Circuits are a pseudo-nervous system that spreads itself through the human body. It serves three "main." purposes for someone's growth. Convert, Attune, and Refine raw Spirit Energy into Life Force/Qi more efficiently. And It increases Spirit Energy's reservoir and makes them denser than usual.
Yes, Spirit Circuits is Magic Circuits' version of Douluo Dalu. Huo Yuhao and Scathach developed this method to hasten the growth of Spirit Master, creating great synergy with the Universal Breathing Technique. Without this, the breathing technique won't be as effective when trained by an outsider. Universal Breathing Technique enhances one's body, but without Spirit Circuits? Not by much.
Huo Yuhao would argue that the Universal Breathing Technique only increases Spirit Masters' growth by 5% to 15%, depending on their mastery, and sometimes the boost is temporary. Yet, with Spirit Circuits, one's growth soared by three to ten folds permanently. This heaven-defying effect is even better with unique physiques/races like High Human, Demi-Immortal, Holy Human, True Dragon, White Tiger, Etc.
As for Spiritual Energy training, Huo Yuhao added Haki Training Method to Dragon Nest's training plan and made all the members competent in three fields. Even though they had only run this training for one year, it worked exceptionally well as everyone grew steadily and could defeat an enemy with a higher cultivation realm without any problem.
...
...
Huo Yuhao breathed naturally and let Spirit Energy circulate in his body. Spirit Circuit rapidly converted the raw energy into Life Force/Ki and increased his physical prowess even more than before. After finishing the 1000th breathing cycle like usual, he opened his eyes and saw Scathach with a small red tear mark on her left cheek.
"Crest, a mark that appears when learning Universal Breathing Technique. It inherently was connected to Spirit Circuit's nature, and there are five types of them." Huo Yuhao checked the back of his left hand, seeing a black star shaped like five identical swords combined. "It's like Demon Slayer Marks, but with their purposes."
"The most basic mark is a droplet-like mark that appears on one's skin, marking the beginning of training. It's an overall boost to one's attribute and would grow gradually into other marks when one specialized enough."
"Shishou's tear mark excels in all-around physical boost."
"Mom's flower mark excels in a wide variety of spiritual ways."
"Ying'er wings mark excels in flawless energy control."
"And my united sword mark excels in all three fields."
Huo Yuhao frowned a little because they hadn't discovered the "further." effects of these marks. He believed they only scratched the surface of this training method. Only times and further progression would tell more about it.
"Evo, Status."
[Opening Status...]
[Name: Huo Yuhao]
[Age: 7]
[Race: High Human]
[Sub-Races: True Dragon(+), White Tiger(+)]
[Class: Assassin, Avenger, Paladin, Archer]
[Cultivation Realm: Level 40]
[Martial Soul: Chaotic Purgatory Dragon(2+), The Eyes of the Lord(+), Chains of Heaven(3+)]
[Skills: Craftsman, Chef, Alchemist, Blacksmith, Rune Master]
[Extra Skill: Overclock]
[Techniques: Haki(+), Penetrating Fist, Extreme Lightning Mirage, Four Season Saber Technique, Universal Breathing Technique, Weapon Mastery, Martial Art Mastery]
[Equipment: Eas(57), Baruka's Dagger(A), Failure(Locked), Heavenly Soap]
[Upgrading Tickets: Iron(59), Bronze(7), Silver(7), Gold(9)]
"Steady progression. I haven't found any annoying obstacles besides the Sub-Quest parts." Huo Yuhao rubbed his chin and stared at the status panel meticulously. "I'm at Level 40. Should I absorb another 100.000 spirit rings in my inventory? They are great, but not that great."
Scathach's eyelids slightly twitched when hearing Huo Yuhao's casual remarks because 100.000 years old is like a weed on the street for her disciple. She was speechless and amused because he was truly ahead of everyone, a complete monster with monstrous potential and power.
Huo Yuhao stretched his body and continued, "Oh well, I could get four more by defeating the other beast lords anyway. They are becoming annoyingly persistent in the last few days as I possessed a third of the continent's lands after killing the Insect Monarch in the south."
[Name: Absolute Ruler]
[Objectives: Defeat all the Beast Lords in the area(3/7)]
[Reward: 7 Gold Upgrading Tickets and 1x Random Barrier(S)]
"This reminds me that I was saving UT." Huo Yuhao commented with a weak smile. He walked to Scathach and poked her nose gently.
"Wake up, Shishou."
"We are getting late for breakfast."
"Also, I know you're listening to me." He added while walking down the mountain.
Scathach opened her eyes and shook her head because even after observing Huo Yuhao for one year, she still didn't know his "special." ability. This adorable disciple of hers was too mysterious, making Scathach more intrigued about him.
"Everyone has secrets." She couldn't help but smile while lifting herself from the ground.
After walking down the training mountain, Huo Yuhao and Scathach entered an electric-powered train station, and some people greeted them politely. Huo Yuhao waved his hand back at them and told the operator to start the train to the Dragon Nest's base city, Naga's Den.
"Kyaa~! The young lord is so handsome and adorable."
"Look at those fabulous blue eyes. I want the young lord to look at me coldly~."
"I'm thirsty for some salty liquid~. Don't kink shame!"
Huo Yuhao walked onto the train and commented, "Damn, I can't even go home peacefully."
"Bold of you to assume peacefully is a correct word." Scathach laughed on the side. "Also, they aren't wrong for admiring you, my disciple~."
"Sure, sure." Huo Yuhao rolled his eyes.
...
...
Naga's Den.
A city built near Toba lake, having a population of over 30.000 people after Huo Yuhao recruited more people near the new continent. In just one year, Dragon Nest has recruited 69.000 people, and almost half of them live here. It's a beautiful lake-side city with modern-like infrastructure all over the flat land, having tall metal barriers surrounding it.
People are bustling around the city, doing their morning jobs like usual. Kids are running and playing on the playground, laughing cheerfully. Everyone seemed to be more relaxed after one year of development.
"It's not bad." Scathach glanced at these people.
Huo Yuhao chuckled and replied, "Yeah. Still, It's just the beginning."
They walked on the street and arrived at their house within five minutes. Huo Yuhao stopped at the front gate and was hugged tightly by a yellow flash. Huo Yun'er appeared here within one second when her Hao'er instinct exploded with excitement, sensing him reaching home.
"Welcome home~!" Huo Yun'er warmly said.
Huo Yuhao hugged her back and replied, "I'm home."
