Walking Disasters and Me-Duel with the Skies – Ch 23

Walking Disasters and Me-Duel with the Skies – Ch 23

A couple minutes earlier
With a small breath, barely spoken with enough force to be audible, I voice out in a whisper,
"[4 Leaf Clover]"
. With my mind still in a trance like state, I faintly feel Akiko place the talisman on my back just before I feel
something
enter into me. I can tell whatever it is is alien, foreign to my being... at least at first. Like easing into a slightly chilly pool, the longer these objects and I reside together in this space, the more we seem compatible. Almost comfortable even, like maybe they
belonged
here to begin with.
I focus all of my attention down at the growing connection forming between myself and these invaders made friends. I can feel my awareness slipping deep down into my core, to what truly defines me and then I see them. Glowing, resplendent scrolls that arrange themselves in a semi-circle, almost as if desperately calling out for me to come down and view them finally. Like they had been missing forever and now returned home!
I get swept up in the feeling, the vague sense of mania and shattered longing that you feel when you are reconnected with a loved one after too much time apart envelops my entire being. I'm sure I must be crying on the outside, because the emotions are nearly too much for me to handle. As my focus lands between the three scrolls, they seem to dance in delight and slightly unfurl themselves, showing me the first step to this whole cultivation process. The reason I am here.
The
[Eternally Moonlit Midnight Sovereign's Immortal Body]
manual is a glaringly beautiful tapestry wrapped up around an ornate, delicately carved beam of wood. Its paper is silky smooth white, with the etchings of the first technique having dark lined calligraphy. Its bouncing merrily and cutely to my left, and I get the sense that if the situation was different the adorable object would no doubt be rushing over to me to wrap me up in its pages. I giggle in my soul, which I can hear echo around this space that we occupy, before I study what this gorgeous scroll shows me.
It is a picture of a beautiful woman, resting in a pose similar to what my body is doing on the outside right now. Words and concepts begin flooding into my mind and soul, showing me in painstaking detail how this form forces Qi to become one with the dantian and body, in true body cultivator fashion! I can see how the energy is supposed to flow and find its way to my center and also how its supposed to seep into my muscles, bones, and eventually my skin and organs. Using this method is direct, brutal, and effective and I find myself getting more and more ecstatic as its comprehension finally sinks in completely.
Active Skill Learned!
[Falling Moon Qi Gathering Technique]: Forces the Qi around you to bend to your will and feed your body and core.
The moonlit manual dips down once before floating back and the scroll in the middle now flits forward with its own respectful bob. I can see now that this is the spiritual path, the
[Imperial Spirit of the Unending Void],
and while still elegant and pristine, it is honestly hard to keep my senses on it. It seems to shimmer and distort the space around it, sometimes I even doubt it is still there before it pops back up into reality. Or... Meta-reality, whatever this space is. The times that it does stay in focus, I notice that its mostly a completely black scroll case, darker than the deepness between the stars. Its paper is the same color and material, while the writing and pictures that I can now glimpse are etched in silvery, flowing script. Almost like they are being sucked into the paper beneath them.
This form's method of gathering energy is vastly different than the body's path, as it focuses on ambiently pulling in Qi from the surroundings like a black hole and then funneling it into all the empty spaces and pockets in my body and between my soul and my core. There isn't a detailed form to take when collecting in this manual, it instead highlights the connection between the soul and dantian. It details how to create a river of flowing energy that stabilizes both parts, allowing them to share the Qi freely between each as needed, while also flowing out like tributaries from a river to every part and piece of my body. The last bit of information it shares is how, when using this technique, I am the master of all within my space. I dictate where, how, and why the energy flows, and only by my decree does it gather or disperse.
Active Skill Learned!
[Unending Flow of the River Gathering Technique]: Pulls in, shapes, and molds gathered Qi into pathways across your body, soul, and dantian.
Without wasting much time, the void scroll again bobs its goodbye, and I turn my attention to the last addition to my being,
[Dominating Empress' Soul of the River]
. I feel more than see this manual at first, as even I am getting the desire to bow down to it, like I am beneath such a mighty creation. Thankfully, the sensation passes as the scroll twirls in midair and actually
does
manage to wrap my senses in its glittering, golden pages. Somehow. It twirls the both of us once, before setting me down and moving back to unfurl its opulent pages and show its technique.
Now that I can focus on it properly, this scroll is beyond the definition of regal. Every single crease of the paper is elegant, perfect. Its grandiose glyphs and carvings are immaculate, and the entire thing radiates in a golden color from the paper to the case and wood, to even the insanely detailed scripts. The only thing that breaks up the shining display is neat, elaborate spots where purple ribbons and color trim the ensemble, further adding to the royalty of the manual.
I "bow" playfully to the scroll before reading its method. This one seems to already operate under the impression that all the paths are working in conjunction, but with the soul being the topmost power in the arrangement. It describes how to perfect the channel of energy between it and the dantian, how to expand the voids dispersal of energy from its rivers within myself, and how to further demand the moon to give my body power. And from its high perch above it all, it organizes and delegates down to the other paths, like a monarch ruling over its domain.
Active Skill Learned!
[Domain of the Empress Qi Control Technique]: You are the master of yourself, and your energy. Dominate the flow and function of the Qi into and around your being.
All of this feels so
right
. Like, familiar and yet still new to me. I honestly have a hard time identifying the feelings I get from these three and what they've shown me. I guess, more than anything, it feels like a piece of myself has been returned somehow, like these manuals and techniques were always a part of me, and I had somehow lost them...
Before I can dwell too long on that, I remember that we are on a big ass timer right now and I need to hurry up and start using all three to get into the 1st Realms of each path! I send out a feeling of gratitude to the scrolls, who all bob one more time to get my attention. All three gather close to each other and unfurl their gathering techniques again, and when I focus on all three of them at the same time, something clicks in my being. These gathering techniques arn't meant to be used by themselves, they are all part of the same system, the same machine that is
me
.
I focus on the similarities and synergy of it all, how the body forces the Qi in, the void creates the channels for the energy to follow, and the soul coordinates all of it with immaculate precision. And in a burst of inspiration, I understand what they are showing me.
Active Skills Fused!
[Falling Moon Qi Gathering Technique] [Flow of the River Gathering Technique] [Domain of the Empress Qi Control Technique] have combined into:
[Midnight Empress of the River's Qi Domination Technique]: Qi is your subject, and you its ruler. With an elegant yet iron fist, rule over the flow and function of the blessed energy through your moonlit body, your voided rivers, and to your seat of power upon your mighty soul's throne.
I feel a rush of energy as I comprehend the combined techniques. I feel powerful, the sensation running through every part of my existence as I firmly take a hold of it and shape it how I want. I focus first on the channel between what I feel is my soul and an empty, for now, sphere that I can now feel. With painstaking precision, I craft the connection between these two, and a feeling of awe comes over me as I can feel the tunnel being filled with Qi as I gather it, resembling a river filled with moving starlight.
The river feeds into both outlets, the sphere in my center now being filled with purpose as it takes on a full shape of a white, pockmarked surface. It's beautiful, radiant moonlit form becomes more vibrant as more Qi is funneled into it, until it almost makes me feel guilty to witness such beauty. But then I remember that beauty is
mine
now. With a satisfied feeling, I shift my focus back to the true power in this connection. My throne, my soul, golden and shining like the sole sun in a sea of black, endless void. I can feel the authority coming from it, the demanded respect it expects to receive. But deep inside is still me, the same person that is lost in this new world and doing something bat shit crazy to make sure the person I love is safe. Who loves to cuss and cry and make dumb jokes while also being empathetic to the cherished few I call friends and family. Only now, my soul feels more complete and more... regal.
Just as I'm about to radiate my feelings of warmth and accomplishment, I feel an outside force try to rock my physical body. I quickly pull out of my trance and am met by the aftershock of deafening thunder and the sight of 8 lightning bolts gathering above me from pitch black clouds as well as a system prompt.
819 damage taken! [4 Leaf Clover] still Active! Luck reduces damage to 1!
I feel the rage instantly flare up, the indignation of this piece of shit Heaven trying to take a piece of
me
while I was still unaware. It's so offensive it makes my blood boil, that this freak of nature would dare to attack my royal form! I instantly stand up, gripping my spear fiercely in my hands as I shout to the gate keepers of power,
"Mother
fucker!
You dare cheap shot me?! Try me now that I'm awake you bitch!" My voice sounds distorted in the time dilation, but I couldn't care less. I twirl the spear once in one of my hands as a bolt rushes down at me, its golden hue briefly flickering into a rainbow-colored kaleidoscope. In the back of my mind, I know that should be causing me to freak out, but I'm so righteously, outrageously mad that I move past it mentally and bring my spear up to intercept the lightning.
The spear head crashes against the bolt, searing through half of it like butter before it explodes into golden, sometimes prismatic, globes of energy that now float around me.
Damage dealt 1123! Luck Activates! Damage increased to 561,500!
I nearly mock the pissy clouds again but stay cautious regardless. Even in my anger, until I know how a non-crit will deal with these bolts, I don't want to run my mouth off even more and end up in a position I can't walk away from. Not when I've come this far already.
The next arc of lightning streaks through the sky, faster and with more force than the last two. I pivot my feet so that I can use my hips to turn and swing the weapon against the heavenly attacker with all my strength. I roar out in defiance as I feel my muscles burn from the effort, before the spear head whistles through the air and once again makes contact with the now fully prismatic bolt.
Damage dealt 1565!
1896 damage taken!
Health Pool
11,018 / 12,915
Fuck!! I was able to smash half of the lightning away in a dazzle of brilliant sparks, but the surviving last half of the attack kept flying and struck me in the shoulder with a searing, burning pain. Before I can even question the huge discrepancy between my numbers from before I started all of this, I hiss in pain as I look down briefly at the battle dress which is still unmarked but smoking from the impact.
Alright,
fuck this
. I tap into my soul in a fraction of a second and search for something I know has to be here. My efforts are rewarded after nearly a full second of search, as I find the connection that Ilya had placed on my soul with the system. Thankfully Ios had shown me what to look for when she showed off her version of the matrix, as my connection is a floating metallic orb that has numbers constantly running down vertically across its curved surface.
I use all of my newfound will from my developing soul to force the system to obey me, since Ios isn't here to help. Thankfully, it seems to go along with the plan pretty easily, as I can feel that I have greater access to it now! If only everything was that easy... I quickly look at the two most important things I can think of:
[Quest completed! Become a Spiritual Cultivator!
Reach the 1st Realm of the 1st Rank of Spiritual Cultivation!
Reward: 20 Ability Points, 2 Skill Points, 100 Shop Points.
This quest will repeat with greater rewards as you progress through the realms and ranks of cultivating.]
[Quest completed! Become a Body Cultivator!
Reach the 1st Realm of the 1st Rank of Spiritual Cultivation!
Reward: 20 Ability Points, 2 Skill Points, 100 Shop Points.
This quest will repeat with greater rewards as you progress through the realms and ranks of cultivating.]
[Quest completed! Become a...
...
Available Ability Points: 420
Huh, Nice. I guess I'm well past the 1st Realm of the 1st Rank then, I wonder what all the benefits of it were. That would explain my bloated HP stat at least. I'll have to check the full logs later, I split up the points between strength and dexterity. If I double my strength it should be enough to one shot these fuckers so long as I can move fast enough to hit them.
You have used 210 Ability Points on Strength! Strength is now 560!
You have used 210 Ability Points on Dexterity! Dexterity is now 560!
Oh yeah, that's what I'm fucking talking about~! The authority and royal feelings descend on me again, feeding into my power trip as the fourth bolt descends from the skies. This time, I am more than ready and can easily track its movement through the air. While the other bolts were almost too fast for me to see, this one seems to be moving more like a thrown football or kicked soccer ball.
With a manic smile beginning to crest on my face, I feel the spear spin in my hands like a whirlwind in front of me before I thrust it against Heaven's discharge. The impact of the two points of contact create its own thunderclap, and I feel the wind rush past my face from the force of the collision.
Damage dealt 3126!
The bolt shatters completely this time, its rainbow energy falling around me like soft rain. I can feel the smile deepen and begin to hurt my cheeks, but the high of knowing that I can beat this coupled with my newfound feelings of superiority drown out any concern. In my mind there is only this fight, the carnage and adrenaline, and my victory. And all of it
feels good
.
"Come on, you sad excuse for a thunderstorm! Give me your little challenge and then get the fuck out of here!" I say mockingly as I spin my spear once more, tucking it behind my back as I crouch low while still looking up at the Heavens above. I begin to gather Qi on reflex, strengthening my body further since I will need it to work overtime now. I can feel my crimson red hair start to gently float behind me from all the energy being absorbed, like it was caught in a permanent updraft from below me. My arms flex and release with new strength and purpose, my entire being gearing up for the chaos ahead.
Heaven roars at my declaration as its black clouds roil in anger, and I can see now all remaining five bolts are going to be coming one after the other with no breaks between. Good, I'm tired of waiting around.
With a brutal swipe upward from my resting position and a wide manic smile on my face, I carve the first lightning bolt completely in two as it gets in range. A loud clap of thunder signals its defeat before I use the momentum to twist in place and bring the spear down vertically on the next bolt that rushes in. My dress twirls around me in a beautiful ballet of carnage as the second bolt is slammed to the ground and shatters in its dance of golden and skittle-colored lights. The third one is a bit trickier as I'm left in a slightly awkward angle by my antics. I'm only able to get a partial cleave on it as I swing my spear in an arc upward from its grounded position, which means I get cooked yet again.
Damage dealt 3423!
Damage dealt 3289!
Damage dealt 1695!
2367 damage taken!
Health Pool
8,651 / 12,915
Son of a
bitch
that hurts! I almost kneel down in pain, my hands spasming against the black wood of the spear shaft in uncontrolled movements. But I push through it all and keep focused on the last two obstacles to overcome before this is all over. Which is good, as they haven't stopped their momentum to let me get a breather anyway.
From my now neutral position, the spear resting almost perfectly horizontal to my waist after the impact of the last bolt had rocked me a bit and thrown the spear point down, I stab out to the left at the closest bolt. The diamond spear head makes contact with the prismatic light and issues out another roar of thunder as it shatters into the void completely.
Damage dealt 3458! Luck Activates! Damage increased to 1,729,000!
Oh my
god, yes!
I nearly moan and can honestly feel myself get wetter underneath my dress at the numbers my power can put out now. The allure of feeling strong and in control for once seeping into my very core, while I nearly start laughing in delight as I switch the momentum of the spear by shifting my grip slightly further down toward to the diamond point.
With that, I'm able to adjust and thrust the sickle head to perfectly cut the last bolt down its middle for the entire length of it, and another rush of pure euphoria hits me as I read the numbers in my mind.
Damage dealt 3674! Luck Activates! Damage increased to 1,837,000!
My knees nearly give out, and I am quite certain that there is a river flowing down my legs now. I breathe out a couple times, and I get the sense that the time dilation is likely wearing off as the dust clouds around me, which I've only just noticed, begin to wave and form in what feels like normal time. I look back up to the Heavens and stand with defiance, having bested its cheap shot and its obvious cheating in general when it comes to me.
The manuals inside me sing out, and I intrinsically know what they're asking for. The Heavenly Qi. With this, I can heal and break through
again,
and already my mind is starting to comprehend various things that Ios and Akiko told me about the 2nd Realm of all the paths. The lust of victory, the mania of success, and the royal regard of certainty all flood my mind as my smile becomes even more twisted.
I hear a familiar voice ring out around me, but my hazy mind can't really focus on what was said. I know they're someone I love, but if they love me why are they distracting me from this? Can't they see I'm trying to grow stronger for them? Not to mention because it feels nice~! Hehe~
I flare out some of my stored Qi to clear the smoke and then activate
[Midnight Empress of the River's Qi Domination Technique]
to scoop up all the latent energy around me. When the golden and prismatic Qi enters into my soul, core, and the spaces between, I can feel myself healing back into tip top shape. Just to verify, I check my Health pool.
Health Pool
10,853 / 12,915
Health Pool
11,974 / 12,915
Health Pool
12,915 / 12,915
The lust for battle sinks in again, as I start using the energy to push my soul, spirit, and body past the comprehension that limits me now. I know what to do to advance thanks to Ios and Akiko, I know how to do it thanks to the manuals helping me. All that's left is to push the scale a
little
bit more...
I focus once more, my gaze never leaving the rumbling clouds above and my smile never ceasing its wide grin. I can see new prismatic bolts starting to form, likely getting keyed up for round 2 with yours truly before an impossibly loud voice filled with concern and desperation reaches my ears. Akiko. I shake off my clouded mind, the realization of what I was doing and about to do, and how I don't understand
why
I was acting like that instantly fills me with fear. I turn toward where the voice that just shattered my ear drums came from, and I can see Ios and Akiko off to the side of the room with worry etched all over both of their beautiful faces and stitched into every movement they make as they regard me.
Active Status Effect gained [Fear (High, Growing)] [Confusion (High, Growing)] [Shame (High, Growing)] [Exhaustion (Absolute, Growing)]. Use Resolute Mind to suppress effects? ERROR: Not enough stamina to reduce all effects. Please choose effect to suppress.
Before I can even comprehend that laundry list of statuses, I feel my knees give out from under me as I fall to the padded wooden floor. I lean against my spear for support and to help ground me as I try and keep it held up, releasing heavy, shaking breaths. I can faintly hear the absence of thunder and hope that means that the trial is over now as I realize I can't really defend myself in this state.
Before I can try to stand back up or move, a feeling of vertigo comes over me as my vision needles down into a tunnel. With my awareness slipping away like sand through my fingers, I feel myself let go of my spear and fall forward onto the floor as sleep overtakes me.

.
!
Duel with the Skies – Ch 23