980 Breakthrough 2 (1/2)
”Brother Garen, what are you going to do next?” Hillco asked in a hushed tone.
”What I intend to do?” Garen clenched his fists, ”I still need some time to get used to the jump from Level Four to Level Five. If I want to reach Level Five, the Mars Radiation Stone won't be the only thing I need…”
”Brother, our small territory has always been peaceful, relatively stable. With you as our leader, the area of the snowy peaks has always been calm. But I wouldn't say the same for the other snowy peaks,” Hillno said simply, ”every second disciple will be assigned to different houses and a snowy peak to practice alone; this is the rule, in the sect, to protect the followers and first disciples in the surrounding. But I heard something recently from one of the sisters, that one of the Brothers at a snowy peak nearby wants to contact you. Even though I'm unsure of the details and who…”
Before she could even finish her sentence, a soft voice broke through the air from a distance.
”Ha ha ha ha!”
In between the laughter, a white shadow leaped down from the sky and barged towards the three of them who were standing at the top of the snowy cliff. Followed that, a huge snow hawk circled above.
”Let me see what kind of special ability does an elite from the central have!!”
As the last of his voice fell, he rolled over and let out a piercing screech. Countless snowflakes were gathered, immediately forming a gigantic white dragon which darted towards Garen who was standing in the middle of the trio.
The dragon swept up the snowflakes from the surrounding ground and formed a huge snow column which was at least meters thick. The tip of the column was a sharp edge that was pointed directly at Garen's face.
Garen snorted, then proceeded to activate his Level Four Cold Scarlet Snow technique and clouds of white frost emitted from his body. Holding out just one arm, he pointed his index finger at the sharp edge, as if he wanted to use his own flesh and body to fight against the solid ice thorn.
However, his finger and the ice thorn closed in quickly. Just when they were about to touch, Garen's finger suddenly shot out like petals of a flower. Within a second, his palm turned into a pale icy-white shade and hit the ice thorn at the side.
Bang!
The ice shattered into pieces. The snow column was thrown to the side by a shadow by the side, whereas Garen remained still on the spot.
”Nice!!” The person made a flip in the air and landed on the ground steadily. His feet sank into the snow, leaving two deep footprints.
”Indeed the elite of the central. Just achieved Level Four, yet such strong lethality. Among all the brothers, your power should be ranked top three.”
”Who are you to show up at my snowy peak without invitation and behaving so atrociously?” Garen asked icily. After the series of hand-to-hand combat and his style of speaking earlier on, Garen seemed to have a wrong impression that he was meeting a secret powerhouse.
When all the snow debris finally dissipated, the trio was finally able to see his true face. It was a white young man with a handsome face and white short hair. He had only one arm but there was a sense of emotion in his eyes that gave others a relentless feeling.
”I'm the owner of the twelfth snowy peak, Joyson but you can call me Joey. Garen, master of this peak, I've been observing your breakthrough for the past few days. What about it? Well, are you interested to join me in competing for the top ten snow peaks?” This person's previous rage was nowhere to be seen anymore -- he was slowly warming up.
At this moment, Bainster and Hillco were still unable to regain their composure. Bainster stepped back in shock whereas Hillco just seemed pale. Even though she felt a sense of threatening death during the ambush, she did not step back, which truly showed her strong sense of will.
”How will I benefit from being in the top ten snow peaks?” Garen asked calmly.
His opponent was a similar Level Four Energy Machinist. However, during the short fight just now, he noticed that the opponent was just testing the waters, that's why the opponent did not unleash his full power. Being a second disciple meant that his qualifications were not bad, so he should be at least between the third to fifth rank among the disciples.
”Obviously, there are plenty of benefits!” Joey laughed, ”Second disciples in the top-ranked snow peaks get special treatment. Since you just recently managed to break through, you will need some sort of treasure to secure your position. Or else, you will need at least another two years to completely stabilize your position before you can try for the next level. Think about it, without the help of extra resources earlier on, you would have spent five years to break through from Level Three to Level Four. Do you know how fast the disciples from bigger sects progress after receiving resources? If you don't fight for some things, you'll just be long forgotten behind by others who have leverage above you!”
Garen frowned.
Spending five years to break through Level Four was something he did not think of.
Speaking of disciples from bigger sects, wasn't Accord one of them?
In comparison to Accord who was already focusing himself on passing Level Five already, he thought that it was just their differences in talents. But come to think of it now, things seemed different.
Joey laughed at Garen's expression. ”I've been searching in the snow peaks for the longest time and after selection, only you Garen, you're the only person I can't see through. And that is why I am here to ask for you to team up with me. You've relied completely on yourself to reach Level Four already. Other than the treasure to secure your rank, you still lack a suitable Energy Machine Imprint. If you're in the top-ranked snowy peak, you'd be able to buy more powerful Energy Machine Imprints… Not just the ordinary ones you see in the market, like… The new batch of mutated imprints that are stronger than the ordinary ones by a couple of times -- Winter Night Wolf!”
”Winter Night Wolf?”
Joey stepped closer, within five meters range from Garen and the two others.
”Seeing that you chose a wolf Energy Machine Imprint, I have the impression that you have a liking towards this sort of Energy Machine creatures. The Winter Night Wolf is a rare mutated Energy Machine Imprint. Although it isn't much of a difference from the initial Giant Wolf Cannon Fodder, once cultivated in the right way, which is three by three from the biochemical pool, it will have strong jumping abilities and facing flying units would be no big deal. Most importantly, it's group increment would rise according to quantity! Now that's the scariest part!”
Increment rises according to quantity.
Suddenly, Garen was slightly moved. If he was to add the Distorted Seeds to these wolves…
”How do I fight for the top rank?” Garen asked in a low voice.
With the sight of Garen being moved, Joey smiled lightly. ”That's simple, kill!”