Congratulations! You have reached Rank 7 along the Boundless Path! You have 12 potency points to spend! How will you shape the contours of your soul to best endure oblivion’s caress?
Even as the words from his too cheerful interface washed over him, Alex was desperately choking back a scream, the absolute blackness of the void replaced by a sight both wondrous and horrific, Alex catching sight of a massive silver cable whirling about a brilliant white ring that was itself spinning about a core of absolute darkness.
His ears, roaring with silence just moments ago, now vibrated with the thrum of that terrible cable, whirling about with so much angular momentum that space itself seemed to bend, the accretion disk warping and doubling in upon itself as light was twisted, and Alex’s wide-eyed awe to see firsthand the impossibility of a true event horizon became horror when he finally made out the sound beneath the thrum of his cable, sending ever more of the accretion disk hurtling into the singularity.
Feeding it.
Feeding him.
The sound. That awful sound.
The wailing shrieks of countless souls… their potency consumed as Alex cried out with sudden awful agony, his muscles seeming to swell to the point of bursting, his soul on the verge of erupting, Alex filled with the sudden dreadful certainty that if he didn’t reinforce himself right NOW! He was just as doomed as the poor spirits swirling into the singularity that was somehow his Dantian, his soul, and a distant point in the night sky, impossibly far away.
Desperately, he pulled up his character sheet as the wonder he had felt hours, minutes, or days ago as his body grew by leaps and bounds, earning multiple ranks in his physique just by honing himself in the crucible of peril had seemed like such a joyous blessing, like he was finally regaining what he had lost, finally coming in to his own… only now did he truly understand it’s significance.
His body was infusing itself with potency, much like when he had honed himself against the whetstone of Shalu’s hate and Shui Jun’s core… infusing him with so much potency that he would have exploded, had reality’s pressure been any less than it was.
And now he was a fresh, new incarnation, his body not yet forged deeply enough to endure the ultimate pressures he had once embraced so readily.
Yet endure he must, and claim at least a portion of the potency shrieking within his soul.
Desperately, he pulled up his character sheet, recalling that he had 12 points to spend. Double what Bronze ranks normally would be, and if his hunch was right… yes… Bronze Ranks could be increased at the rate of one Rank per two points.
Even crushed by unimaginable pressure, haunted by the horrors of memories he was desperate to forget, he still couldn’t help but be awed by his growth. Strength and Vitality had jumped form Bronze Rank 3 to 4 while daring that perilous rift. Finesse had also shot up a rank as he sought to master his body and mind with absolute grace, cleaving through countless spirit beasts. And Quickness, wonder of wonders, had shot up not 1 but 2 Ranks, without any level increase at all. Because if he hadn’t been faster, far faster than he was… he and all his friends would already be dead.
He clenched his jaw, gazing down at his Qi Pool, so close to the magic number he needed. If old formulas held true, investing in triple body cultivation ranks would yield an immediate boon of power. Yet the temptation of achieving a 20 in his Qi Pool and the added benefits that had still enticed him.
Still, it was important that he make absolutely sure that he wasted nothing, his inner gamer demanding that he maximize his own potential for far more than games.
Doing just that had saved his life countless times before.
Tentatively, he placed points in Strength, Vitality, and Quickness, Ranking them all up and feeling an immediate sense of relief as some of the awful pressure filling him began to drain away. Even better, he sensed Finesse increase a rank as well, as if seeking to balance and harmonize his whole.
He chuckled. Even if he could hear nothing over the howling cacophony of his own shrieking soul, still he reveled in the sweet surge of safely directed potency, and the rueful knowledge that circumstance and common sense were forcing him along familiar paths once more.
Perhaps he wouldn’t have that one measly point left over to earn a Qi Pool of twenty, despite the massive boon that such would immediately earn him.
And maybe that was okay, the thought, taking a closer look at that 19, how it seemed so close to blossoming to twenty by his own efforts alone, after all the spiritual arts and combat techniques he had practiced and done his utmost to master in a shockingly short period of time.
“Why is it that it’s always conflict where I seem to shine and grow, and never by embracing the vaunted tomes and lessons I keep being promised, keep promising myself I’ll get around to studying, one day?” he smirked, on some level already knowing the answer. Whether it was due to the machinations of the gods, or just as likely, his own inability to leave things well enough alone, he thrived in the crucible of peril, and could never allow the shortsighted malice of man to taint the pristine lessons and insights he would love to glean from sacred texts, tomes, and masters… should he ever walk under the arches of a school not lost to internal struggles, strife, and turmoil.
Assuming such a pristine institution was anything but an ideal, a perfect form to strive for. Achievable in his own realm, perhaps, a realm now no more real to him than a much beloved dream… but something to aspire towards, nonetheless.
For now, it was gazing at his Rank 5 Bronze Strength and Vitality with bated breath, and dare to hope that… YES!!! The laws of blood held still.
A draconic physique was still his own, he thought, elevating both stats to Silver and Quickness to Bronze Rank 5, which brought Finesse to Bronze Rank 4.
He flashed a satisfied smile. Spending a quick moment savoring just how far he had come while honing his arts, recalling in full skills he had feared forever denied to him until he backdoor-tunneled his way to full access and cognizance once more, Piercing Strike and Spell Cleave now as accessible as it had ever been. His recollection of how it felt it slice spells and pierce wards was now just as clear as it had been a thousand years ago. Even more remarkable were the battlefield revelations that had led to the use of arts unlike anything he had ever dared before. Somehow he knew this to be true, as at least a few ancient strictures had been lifted.
Black Lightning that could sear through absolutely everything, even if he paid a price in pain and peril as well. And a blade of swirling sands, steel grains and Dark Qi utterly unlike Silver Swan or the variant he must never use again, yet able to rupture any ward even without Piercing Strike, with steel grit capable of obliterating flesh, tearing through steel, and bursting bone.
As to whether or not he could use either newly discovered art on the surface world, free of the sweet dark potency of the nether realm, was another matter entirely. But at least he was blossoming in arts that skirted a wujen’s province, and he sure as hell had incredible tools with which to take on the Rifts, should he ever dare them again.
He had no doubt that he would, and soon.
Even if he had paid a price for his daring as well, Prismatic Ward and Prismatic Strike temporarily unavailable to him until he managed to harmonize those arts with his now major Wind Affinity. Still, he was extremely hopeful that his powers would soon blossom stronger than ever, after a bit of practice.
Yet his satisfied smile turned to a brow furrowed in concerned surprise when he realized that he couldn’t close his character sheet… and that the pressure was growing.
Pressure that threatened to overwhelm him… if he couldn’t figure out something NOW!
A sudden flash of dread turned to a frisson of understanding and a bemused chuckle when he suddenly sensed what he was overlooking.
Draconic Strength and Vitality. Which meant that the final 5th Bronze rank had cost 1 point, not two.
Which meant that he still had two points left!
Quickly, he placed 1 point raising Finesse to Bronze Rank 5 and his Qi Pool to twenty.
His anxious hope as he risked destruction turned to glorious vindication when his Qi Pool Shot from 19 to 20 to Silver Rank 5 in a breathtaking flash that both filled him with delight and relief as the horrible pressure that had felt so close to consuming him abruptly drained away.
_____________________________________________________
Alex Hammer
Class – Cultivator: Disciple of the Boundless Path
Rank 7 Cultivation Achieved!
Physical Characteristics
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Strength – Silver Rank 1 (65)
Vitality – Silver Rank 1 (65)
Quickness – Bronze Rank 5 (40)
Finesse – Bronze Rank 5 (40)
Spiritual Characteristics
Scholarship - 14 (Exceeds 84% of Population.)
Perception - 19 (Exceeds 99% of population.)
Willpower – 25 (Rank 2 Bronze achieved the hard way! - You have the resolve to walk in the Valley of Death and slip free of the River of Souls.)
Qi Pool – Silver Rank 5 (165!)
Health Points: 785
Perks
Insightful – Rank 2
Charismatic – Rank 3
Lesser Shadow Affinity
Increased chance of cultivation breakthroughs.
Draconic Ancestry.
Greater Wind Qi Affinity (You have increased affinity with any Qi Discipline incorporating the element of Wind! You will master these skills far faster than otherwise and be able to use them at reduced cost!)
Beast Core Mastery (You now enjoy a 10-fold efficiency bonus when channeling the potency of Dark Qi beast cores through your arts!)
Favored Skills
Golden Realms Kung Fu – Rank 10
Wind Crane Kung Fu – Rank 8
Poison Spitting – Rank 6
Stealth – Rank 4
Lock Picking – Rank 4
Qi Disciplines
Enhanced Water Shield – Rank 10 – Enhanced Salt Water Variant Learned.
You have achieved Rank 10 with Enhanced Water Shield after channeling an entire lake’s worth of waters through your art!
You now enjoy the Endless Waters perk! You may now form Water shields of nearly any diameter, and you will find it far easier to liberate those waters for autonomous use! Additionally, you now enjoy a full 10-fold efficiency in channeling Beast Cores through your arts!
Enhanced Water Strike – Rank 8 – Enhanced Water Strike may now be used in conjunction with Wind Strike and may pierce Silver tier or lower wards with a skill check. (**most definitely not Black Swan!)
Thorn Shield – Rank 5
Oak Strike – Rank 5
Fire Shield – Rank 4
Flame Fist – Rank 5
Earthern Shield – Rank 4
Stone Fist – Rank 5
Forest Flight has evolved into: Spring Leap – Rank 6 – This skill is effectively Forest Flight but includes grassy fields and lichen. You also enjoy instantaneous movement over forests and fields involving dashes of 50 feet or less. Spring leap will internally be perceived as a variant of Bullrush, with added limitations and almost 0 Qi drain!
Wind Walking – Rank 7 – Stand upon a gust of air with a skill check, or race alongside the winds! You now enjoy full range of motion and may swim, dance, fly, or battle fluidly in the breeze. - may now use to effortlessly boost running speed for almost no fatigue or spiritual energy cost.
You have learned the Effortless Stride perk! You may now effortlessly channel Beast Cores, Soul Stones, or personal potency to affect effortless flight without depleting Qi Reserves!
Dark Qi Absorption – Rank 5 – Effortlessly absorb Dark Qi from your environment, your friends, or hostile forces! All will be consumed and used by your Divine Tier Prismatic Bones!
Enhanced Wind Piercer Strike has evolved into…
Piercing Strike (Spell Cleave) is now Rank 10! – Pierce Qi wards and wujen barriers with ease! Enhanced Wind Piercing components recognized! You can also pierce physical barriers with enhanced efficacy, thanks to Wind origins enhancing White Qi base!
Using Spell Cleave with Storm Strike will give an additional bonus of +3 + Storm Strike Rank to rupture wards and deflect all incoming spells!
Enhanced Wind Qi Deflection – Rank 6 – Deflect most Qi Disciplines and physical attacks! Note! Ineffective against Lightning & Spirit Qi!
Enhanced Wind Blade – Rank 9 (May now be used in conjunction with Enhanced Water Strike with a skill check! You may now instantly summon forth Wind Blade with a skill check. - Adept perk chosen: Spiritual Harmony: You may use this elemental attack freely, with minimal spiritual energy expenditure! NOTE! When using Wind alone, you may extend its length to 15 feet!
Doom Blade – Rank 5 (Additional Wind Blade Variant discovered: Doom Blade! You may now infuse the power of Wind (up to 12 feet beyond the length of your metal weapon) with Dark and Metal Qi! - Adept Tier perk chosen: Shattering Blow. - Doom Blade will now shred flesh, shatter bone, and rupture most physical wards with greater ease than ever! - Note: enhanced effect when used in conjunction with Piercing Strike!
* Note. The range is this technique suffers significant limitations when used outside of Dark-Qi saturated environments.
Enhanced Storm Strike – Rank 8 (Infuse your weapon with the power of the storm at its most fearsome, to cut through any foe (or deliver a healthy dose of lightning) from three feet beyond the edge of your blade! - Adept feat chosen. Internal Harmony. The strain of this technique has been limited to Bronze, stabilized by Advanced Comprehension.)
Doom Strike – Rank 4 – You may channel the black lightning of ultimate destruction through your foes! Note. There is a backlash! Said currents will also channel through you! You will suffer backlash (Save versus Vitality to determine severity) per use, before residual currents are successfully grounded within your bones.
NOTE! YOU ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO USE PRISMATIC TECHNIQUES Until harmony with enhanced Wind Affinity has been achieved!
Prismatic Shield – Rank 6 – You can now counter half-step elements & dark curses! - Note! Unorthodox meridian configuration is prerequisite! - You have chosen the Adept Perk: Spiritual Harmony. Spiritual Energy expenditure to maintain this technique has been significantly reduced! Prismatic Shield now draws energy directly from Desert Fox. Prismatic Shield Rank may not exceed Desert Fox Cultivation rank!
Prismatic Strike – Rank 6 - This is a Pristine Technique! All elements are boosted by previous elements in a Divine Tier cascade only Long Wang and his chosen disciples understand. Note! No mortal may wield this technique before Gold Tier without saving versus Meridian Rupture!
Your Divine Tier Meridians are immune to rupture!
Qi Perception-linked Disciplines
Artificer – Rank 7
Find Weakness – Rank 7
Qi Perception – Rank 8
Soul Sight – Rank 7
Spiritual Teacher (Student) – Rank 8
Forest Sense – Rank 8
Congratulations! Your communion with nature has grown fresh roots. Your understanding now transcends individual plants and now incorporates entire ecosystems! Forest Sense is now Rank 8.
Alchemy – Rank 4
Desert Sense – Rank 2
Additional Abilities & Techniques
Full Regenerative Capacity
Gift of Tongues
Biochemical Mastery – Rank 8
Desert Fox Cultivation Technique – Rank 6
Prismatic Fox Restoration Technique – Rank (8) You now have a base passive regeneration rate of: 128 health point per minute. Your focus on mastering the interplay between heat and entropy has unlocked the Ageless Perk. - You enjoy your Prismatic Fox Restoration Technique Rank as a bonus in saving versus all poisons, toxins, mental ailments, curses, taints, and all other areas where another UNDEFINED art had once reigned supreme! Continue to master your body and yourself to expand this art and it’s capabilities!
Sacred Perk – Can now neutralize all infernal taints.
Prismatc Fox Restoration Technique is now incorporates Basic Blood Mastery! (You may use Blood in place of Water for all Water Qi Applications. Note! Additional cost of Health points in addition to Qi Points will be expended upon such use and application, subject to normal regenerative properties of Prismatic Fox.
Synergism with Dark Qi Absorption is now in effect! Ancient memories past and present have blended to grant you mastery over the arts of rejuvenation!
You may now wick away the waste Qi of any compatible mortal or cultivator, permanently rejuvenating their physical body by skill check + 10 years! Note, reduced efficacy with repeated use (save for Ruidians which are particularly amenable to this art) – rate of aging after cellular restoration is dependent upon targets cultivation foundation!
Power Healing now in effect! You may now use Dark Qi beast cores to power heal!