Chapter 90 Chapter 90 - Sealing Heavens (1/2)
CHAPTER 90
SEALING HEAVENS
Though Lino had already gathered enough resources to last him for a while, he still decided to stay as originally planned for three months. He had to, after all, craft Ava's weapon as well as supply his own shop with more 'exotic' stuff for others to waste their rare stuff on.
After Skydevil Linger left that night, he hadn't come back; perhaps he was disappointed with Lino, or simply had better things to do, but the young boy put it at the back of his mind and devoted himself entirely to crafting and cultivating. Specifically, Linger's words that he was far too weak for the upcoming war startled him.
In the end, despite his battle prowess, he wasn't the lone person who can skip levels to fight. Rather, it was quite ordinary thing; so long as someone has better Martial Art, better weapon, armor or some other item, it would be strange if they didn't skip levels to win a fight.
Thanks to Ava's extensive library, he had better understanding of levels themselves by now; like every other stat, they are arbitrary sum of 'average' progress, but unlike other stats, one's greatest asset takes a large portion of that sum. For instance, Lino's physical prowess itself is the only reason he isn't Level 20 and is nearing triple digits instead.
This, in turn, made him realize that leveling for others is actually easier than for body cultivators; if it wasn't for Writs' boosts, Lino could have never reached the level he did so quickly. Usually, body cultivators take decades to cross a single realm, even when just starting, to say nothing of when they reach higher realms.
Because of such level discrepancy, cultivators instead use the system of realms to represent major crossings where one's power takes a large leap. However, it is still not a good indicator of cultivator's overall strength. In the end, only a fight can showcase that properly.
Out of the items that he crafted for the shop, he also took some into his own personal storage. Naturally, he only took the accidental 'best', as to not empower people he might come in conflict with later on. Currently, he was oddly staring at one such product - a pair of gloves who, through pure, sheer luck, became the second part of his own [Soul Set].
[Bisected Defender's Armguards - Unique]
Level: 90
Defense: 780
Strength: +20
Arm speed: -5%
Regeneration: +100%
Unique: Linked to [Soul Armor]; stats increased by 20%.
Unique: Growth-type piece; so long as the centerpiece of the set grows, so will this item.
Special Effect: Infusing Qi into the item increases Arm and Hand Speed by 500% for 3 seconds; can be repeatedly used; for each consecutive use, -25% Strength for 20 minutes (stacks).
Special Effect: Immune to any fire below Level 80. Can instead be used to reinforce the item.
Note: Part of the [Soul Set], it is among the best of its level, with great future potential growth.
Lino sighed at his own awesomeness and lamented over how many people struggled their entire lives to create something they can proudly display to the world only for him to strut along and create one on accident.
”I must have been too engrossed into it and added two or three extra arrays,” Lino stroked his chin as he mumbled, swiftly putting the armor away. ”Tsk, tsk, who needs to save the world when I can just buy it when I sell my awesome creations?”
His lovely self-indulged dream was interrupted by a faint sound of approaching footsteps. Lino looked sideways and saw Ava slowly walking in; she still wore simple clothes, which were still unable to hide her stunning looks. Lino truly felt it a shame she was married. Not because of his moral line, but because she was actually faithful to her husband.
”Yo, what's a fair maiden doing in this stink hole?” Lino asked, smiling. He seemed completely ignorant of the fact that his torso was bare, and instead even flexed his muscles slightly to show off.
”Aren't you going to cover yourself up?” Ava asked, her eyes dancing here and there, unsure as to where to look at.
”Things that ought to be covered are covered,” Lino said. ”Things that ought to be displayed are displayed. Anyway, want some mead? Or ale? Or wine? I've gotten some really expensive stuff as bribes.”
”...”
”Oh, don't worry,” Lino said. ”I took the bribes, but I didn't fulfill the promises that came along with them. I'm an upright man, after all!”
”... sigh,” she was truly unable to properly understand this youth; he's been staying here for two months, yet, day after day, he managed to find a way or two to leave her tongue-tied. ”How's my staff coming along?” she asked.
”It should be done in about two weeks at most,” Lino said. ”Can I make a joke here?”
”No, I don't want your staff.”
”... dammit. It's not fun when you guys don't get flustered,” Lino sighed. ”Besides, that wasn't the joke.”