Chapter 124 - The Decisive Battle Begins - 1 (1/2)

After the city tour, Hei and Lian mainly stayed inside their room to cultivate. With the use of pills donated by the sects of Rainbow Island, their level of cultivation was gradually approaching the peak of the seventh stage spirit apprentice. Once they finished absorbing the energy, they would reach the peak or even be half-step to the second rank.

By half-step, it meant another type of classification within a single stage. In addition to beginner, low, medium, high, and peak, there was half-step. It meant that a martial artist had the basis for trying to make a breakthrough to the next rank. They just had to go through the advancement process.

Thinking carefully, Hei considered whether to advance directly to the second rank. Of course, it would have been helpful to become a spirit soldier before the decisive battle. But there was always the problem of unstable foundations. If he were to advance too quickly, then he would have to waste time later to stabilize his cultivation. And that wasn't something at all desirable as it was a really annoying and expensive procedure.

Eventually, he decided to stick with his original plan - to reach the peak seventh stage or half-step from the second rank and then stabilize his cultivation there. Later, he would create some pills with the remains of the whale he had slain. Unfortunately, after the events of Crossroad Lake, the Secret Dimension had been damaged by The One Who Hides Under The Curtain and the abrupt shift inside the Heart.

It wasn't damaged up to a point it wasn't possible to enter inside. But the flow of spirit power had become chaotic. Staying inside wouldn't cause any problem, even if it was for a very long time. However, trying cultivating even just a little bit would cause internal injuries. For this reason, Hei had been using the Heart just like a space ring, without trying cultivating inside.

During this time, Pirate General Ho Ri-Na had eventually succumbed to Hei's request, giving him a second-level spirit core. As a pirate who had been sailing the waters of the Forgotten Ocean for years, there was no way she wouldn't have such an object on her. Although it was a massive reward for one of her subordinates, Ho Ri-Na chose to do it because Hei and Lian had protected her sister's life.

Hei, therefore, gave the two second-level spirit cores he had to his little sisters. Since the energy inside those two spirit cores was higher than their level of cultivation, Ye and Xing spent most of the time digesting that energy. However, that wasn't wasted time at all, because the two little divine beasts passed to the second level while Hei and Lian stopped half-step from the second rank.

”You have been outstanding, Ye, Xing. I had no doubt that you would level up after eating the cores.” Hei proudly spoke regarding the level advancement of his little sisters.

”Congratulations, Ye, Xing. You did a great job.” Lian also complimented the two little divine beasts. Her eyes emitted a slight excitement due to the joy of the news.

'Eheh, now we are stronger than the big brother. So can we take it easy?' Ye suggested.

Being divine beasts by birth, they had no bottlenecks. It was the advantage of the species known as divine beasts. The important thing was to gradually accumulate the spirit power in their bodies until they reached a sufficient amount to advance in level. However, precisely because they had no bottlenecks, many of the divine beasts ended up being very lazy as far as cultivation was concerned. Ye and Xing were a prime example. If it weren't for Hei constantly spurring them, it would have taken longer for them to advance.

There was also to say that although they didn't have bottlenecks, the amount of spirit power needed to advance was higher than that required by humans. Therefore, even the divine beasts who cultivated diligently would have ended up not having such a significant advantage over humans and demons.

'Can we? Just for a day or two, please.' Xing asked with supplication as well.

The process of absorbing a spirit core was exhausting, especially if above their level of cultivation. Ye and Xing had to stay awake for days and days so as not to waste that energy. Their fatigue was, therefore, understandable.

”Alright. Then go to sleep and rest.” Hei smiled at his little sisters, giving them a well-deserved rest.

After Ye and Xing went to sleep, Hei turned to Lian, ”What do you think? In a way, I'm relieved that they managed to reach the second level.”

”Yes, at least they will be safer during the battle. And the same goes for us. I just wish we had reached the second rank to be even more relaxed.” Lian confessed as she bit her lip. Although half-step to the second rank was a respectable cultivation for someone of the younger generation like them, she wasn't delighted with the result.

”Yeah, I also wish it was so. But we mustn't be in a hurry. It is now just a matter of time. The pills for our rank advancement are ready, and the foundation stabilization process is almost over. Honestly, I would like to use them immediately, but something tells me that we will soon be summoned.”

While Hei was discussing with Lian, the two of them heard a knock on the door. It was Ho Yeon Hong. ”Hei, Lian. It's me, Ho Yeon Hong. My sister sent me here. She wants me to take you to her.”

”Okay, we're coming,” Hei answered as he took the sheets from the bed with which he wrapped Ye and Xing. Then, taking them in his arms, he left the room with Lian to follow Ho Yeon Hong toward her older sister Ho Ri-Na.

”Have you advanced a little during this time?” Ho Yeon Hong asked Hei and Lian, turning more to Hei specifically.

”Yes, it is now only a matter of time before becoming spirit soldiers,” Hei answered sincerely. There was no reason to hide their cultivation when it could easily have been seen by Ho Ri-Na and the spirit soldiers under her command.

”Wow! I had noticed that you were quite advanced as a seventh stage, but you even approach the second rank in this way. I bet the big sister will be pleased. The crew will acquire two more spirit soldiers, and our power will increase.” Ho Yeon Hong complimented the two of them as she excitedly thought about the idea that his sister would lead five spirit soldiers.