John knew he had to enter the dungeon, but he was careful not to rush. He realized it was crucial to get used to his new powers. His thoughts were interrupted when Max said, "The dungeon is set for another update tonight. Actually, you'll get several updates over the next few nights. Two updates tonight will add 20 points to each of your stats. Eventually, you'll hit 100 in every category." This confirmed John's expectations—the reward he'd hoped for after reaching the 10th floor. He asked Max to check on the beast cores he should have received by then. He hadn't been able to collect them earlier because he was busy discussing the laws of time with a mysterious man. The dungeon had remembered but had been too frightened to give them to John at the time. John understood and decided to pick them up later. He planned to focus on his tai-chi foundation, especially since he was about to gain many stat points. He didn't want to make a breakthrough until he had finished. John believed that waiting to break through after adjusting to his new strength would provide a more solid foundation.

John inquired with a guard about the location of the palace's training grounds. The guard led John to the area where all the royal guards and mages honed their skills. Although John had hoped for a private location, this public space would suffice. The first thing he did was stretch, feeling significantly more limber than the day before; the recent upgrade had made a substantial difference. As John became more aware of the formidable powers wielded by other cultivators, he felt increasingly vulnerable. He spent the session practicing some advanced moves with Max, focusing particularly on redirecting attacks. John was conscious that relying solely on his fly rod could lead to complacency. To become the best warrior, he knew he must learn to utilize his entire body effectively. In the training yard, he noticed sandbags tied to ropes hanging from a ladder perched between two trees—an apparatus designed for practicing evasion of multiple strikes. John thought it was a clever setup, although the sandbags moved too slowly to simulate real attacks. Nevertheless, he recognized it could be useful for mastering footwork and maintaining balance while in motion.

He decided to give it a try. He was correct; the bags moved too slowly. After pondering for a moment, he addressed the observing guards. "If we placed small poles on the ground to stand on while others swung the sandbags, it would make for a much better training course. Now, it's not a big deal if someone's center of balance isn't perfect. Standing on blocks or poles about the size of a person's foot, if they fall off, it means their balance is off. This way, you can tell if your stance is incorrect." A larger guard approached and extended his hand. "Hello, my name is Bob, I'm the captain of the guard. I really like your idea and will have it implemented by tomorrow. Would you mind returning tomorrow so we can see if the changes meet your expectations?" "Sure, not a problem. I'll come by around lunchtime. Nice to meet you too, Bob."

John was deeply engrossed in his training, barely noticing the others until Alana and Ayra walked up to him. It was only when they approached him, while he was chatting with Bob, that he became aware of their presence. "Hey, what brings you here?" Ayra asked. "Your fighting style is unique; what's it called? I've never seen anything like it," she continued. "It's Tai Chi," John responded. Alana chimed in, "Would you consider teaching us?" John pondered for a moment and replied, "I'm still mastering it myself. Give me some time to get the basics down, and then I can teach you. This style has over 300 different moves. I may not learn them all, but the beauty of it is that you can adapt it to suit your own style. How about we grab some dinner as it's getting dark, and we can talk more about this over a meal?" The girls agreed, and together they headed to the dining hall.

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After dining, John was en route to his quarters when he detected Seraphina's presence. The subtle sound of her steps, imperceptible prior to his recent upgrade, now caught his attention. Without a backward glance, he swung his bedroom door open, faced her, and with an easygoing air, suggested, "This might take some time. Come in, have a seat." Seraphina entered and settled into a chair. "I've been informed you're behind the dungeon's teleportation capabilities, is that correct?" John acknowledged with a nod. He then shared, "You're probably curious about my abilities and my communication with the dungeon. It's quite simple: I understand its language. As for my capabilities, they remain undiscovered. We're both navigating this one step at a time. It's not as if we know each other well or are friends. It's akin to that. I hold you in high regard and wouldn't presume to overstep, just as I do with the dungeon." Seraphina grasped the essence of John's words.

She understood his sentiment; she longed to be closer to John but was cautious of overwhelming him. "What do you think of this palace?" she asked. John replied, "It's lovely, but just too large for my taste. I would prefer a smaller place with a few close friends. Everyone has their own path in life. I'm not keen on all this attention—it's not always beneficial. I've even thought about moving to another town for more privacy." Seraphina empathized with John's feelings. When she first gained popularity, she knew how strangers would try to persuade her to join them. Reflecting on it, she realized she was doing the same to John. She understood people's hearts, which is why she offered the palace to John. Otherwise, she could only imagine how fortunate he was to have her protection. "How about this," she proposed, "I want to get to know you better. I have a smaller place on the 10th floor. Why don't you come and stay with me? Besides, if you haven't noticed my affection for you, I'll just say it—I'd like us to be closer." John replied, "It might not be as you think." He disclosed his persuasive charm to her. She was aware of it, but with her resilience, such minor influence wouldn't sway her. Moreover, his candor only deepened her feelings for him.

John conveyed to her his willingness to consider moving. He was also open to the idea of deepening their friendship, but he had to take into account Alana and Ayra. Seraphina bluntly stated she had no concern for them, asserting that in their world, a strong man often had multiple wives, which was a sign of his power. This was a new perspective for John; he had never entertained the idea, let alone dated anyone. Nonetheless, he expressed his comfort with growing closer, prioritizing his need to become stronger first. He couldn't feel confident if his woman was significantly stronger than him. He asked for some time to catch up. Her look was one of puzzlement. John, with a reassuring smile, told her not to worry, as it would happen sooner than she might expect. After she left john went to sleep ready for his next upgrade.