Chapter 2920: Fourth Level in a Mortal World
Rean faintly smiled. He expected that Suzumaki would grow a cold foot at some point. "Fine, I will give you a little clue. You don't think you are the only one with a backing in the clan, do you?"
Immediately, Suzumaki remembered the news about Rean becoming a direct disciple of Kuslau, one of the High Elders of the clan. "Hahaha! Is that so? Then that makes us soul mates... if you understand what I mean."
Rean laughed as well, knowing what Suzumaki was thinking about. Nonetheless, he definitely wouldn't correct the guy.
*Achooo!*
Somewhere in the Clan, Kuslau had a sudden allergic reaction, something that wasn't supposed to happen to a Saint Realm cultivator like him.
Talking about Kuslau, it was time for Rean to go back to his residence to 'receive some training.'
When Kuslau looked at Rean again, his eyes twitched. "You... How could you have made such an idiot mistake?!"
Rean showed a puzzled expression. "What mistake, master? Look! I got luck with the Foundation Breakthrough Pill, and I'm now a Foundation Establishment Expert! Aren't you happy?"
*Pah!*
"Your ass!" Kuslau looked extremely angry as he slapped Rean's back head. "You were lucky you got so few side effects by using that Energy Breakthrough Pill. All you had to do was to train diligently and follow my instructions. If you did that, you would have fixed the side effects of using that pill to reach the Energy Gathering Realm. And yet, what did you do? You got a fucking Foundation Breakthrough Pill and used it as well!"
"Ehhhh?" Rean pretended to be distressed. "But it takes too long! Look, master! My foundation isn't that much affected, is it?"
"It is not a problem of be- " Kuslau was just about to rebuke Rean again when his Spiritual Sense checked Rean's foundation. Naturally, Rean only allowed Kuslau to see what Rean wanted. Nonetheless, Rean showed Kuslau a foundation that, although it had a few defects, was a far cry from what you would expect from a Foundation Establishment breakthrough by using pills. "Just what is your body made of?"
Rean once again pretended to be confused. "Errr... Blood, flesh, and bones?"
A vein popped out of Kuslau's forehead.
*Pah!*
"Take it seriously!"
Rean 'felt' wronged. "But I am serious, master. Look, I can even control my Spiritual Energy without issues." He then demonstrated how easily it was to use his Spiritual Energy and power, much to Kuslau's surprise.
However, Kuslau's expression turned dark again and warned him. "I don't know what kind of shit luck you had, but do not try such bullshit ever again! Come, let's go to the backyard. I want to see how much you can do with this cultivation of yours."
"Yes, master!" In front of the old man, Rean totally acted as a normal twelve years old child.
"By the way," Kuslau spoke while walking, "Laica mentioned you had some interest in alchemy, was it?"
"It is not really me," Rean corrected him, "It is my brother. I just wanted to get more materials for him to study. Was that okay, master?"
Kuslau didn't mind. The information in his database was more complete, but it wasn't really a secret to anyone at his level. "It is fine. However, the path to alchemy is extremely expensive. If your brother doesn't have the talent, you better convince him to give up. Even if he does, chances are he will never get enough money to practice."
Rean already made an excuse for that. "We are making quite a killing in the arena, Master. After I got to the Foundation Establishment, a bunch of people thought I was weak for getting to this level with the pill, so I beat many of them. My brother always bets on my victory, so he also is making quite a sum."
Kuslau had originally called Rean when he watched his combat in the arena. Although Rean easily fooled the kids and youngsters, Kuslau could see he was just hiding his strength. At the same time, Rean never fought the real geniuses of the Clan. The fact Rean was repeating the same process in the Foundation Establishment was no surprise to him. If anything, he approved his actions. "The world of cultivators is also a world of deception. They can only blame themselves if they can't see through your facade."
Rean didn't dislike the man. He was strict, but he took his teaching seriously. 'He's pretty much like Roan but a thousand times gentler. The ice head would never show the least bit of concern for anyone,' Rean thought to himself and mentally nodded.
Kuslau then had a little spar with Rean while Rean used the sword he gained from Kuslau when he became a disciple. Rean's own sword would be much better, but he had to keep the
pretense.
Rean and Kuslau exchanged quite a few moves. Of course, Kuslau always kept his cultivation suppressed to the Foundation Establishment Realm. What surprised him the most was how well Rean could fight. He could see many 'mistakes' that Rean 'committed' now and then due to his 'lack' of experience. Nonetheless, he made up for it with sheer, speed and control. 'A true rough diamond,' Kuslau couldn't help but think.
Suddenly, Kuslau's sword began to emit an aura, which, for the first time, surprised Rean. Rean quickly shared his vision with Roan through their connection. 'Hey, Roan, look!' Roan answered the call and checked Rean's memories in real-time. 'Hum? Sword Aura?'
'No doubt,' Rean nodded. That was definitely the Fourth Level of Sword Intent, Sword Aura. Back in Lisan, that was something Rean stumbled upon after reaching level three. Roan still felt bitter that it wasn't him who noticed it first. Yet, here it was, being used by a simply Saint Realm expert in a mortal world.
Rean was immediately 'overwhelmed' by Kuslau's attacks after the sword aura appeared. "Master, it is too much, too much!"
Kuslau finally stopped and laughed. "Hahaha! That just means you still have a lot to learn. However, even though you are an idiot, your raw talent is legit."
"What is this energy around your sword, Master?" Rean asked as if he didn't know the answer.
"It is called Sword Intent. What I just showed you is the four levels of this type of energy," Kuslau explained. "Are you interested?"
"Of course!" Rean quickly nodded. After reaching Level Four of Sword Intent, neither Rean nor Roan managed to go further. Perhaps he could find out how to go get to the fifth level or
even higher now.