10 Heavens Waltz (1/2)
Two hours have passed since Shi Li fainted.
Gradually, Shi Li stood up, still feeling groggy after what he did. Stretching for a bit, he asked inwardly.
'White Screen, why did I pass out?'
Taking only a second, the white screen did what it was made for.
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Answering User, the reason why you passed out was that the price in exchange for fixing the major flaws of your cultivation technique...was half of your mental energy.
- Nonpareil Eye Interface
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Mental energy was what allowed people to have the capability of thinking and staying awake. To think that half of his mental energy was removed in an instant scared Shi Li quite a bit.
But then he remembered the technique he asked to be fixed. He looked around and found it on the floor about two meters away from him. He grabbed it and felt that there was a change in the book.
The book's cover was still made of finely made leather, yet its texture was smoother than before as the letters were written more exquisitely with molten metal. Around the edges of the book, drawings of the four primordial beasts [1] could be seen.
Once Shi Li opened the book, he was stupefied. The amount of pages were fewer than the previous version. But as he continued to read through the pages, he saw that the contents were not just as good as the previous version, but even better than it.
He also remembered that he identified the book, but he couldn't see it well as he was going to faint at that time. Now that his mental energy was quite stable, he checked the book again.
'Identify.'
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[Refined Skin Tempering Foundation Manual]
[Item Type]: Cultivation Technique
[Grade]: C+
[Author]: Han Linyong & Nonpareil Eye Interface
[Amount of Pages]: 97
The cultivation technique has been refined throughout many years, making it the perfect technique for those who want a sturdy foundation at the Skin Tempering realm. With the help of the Nonpareil Eye Interface, some major flaws have been removed, allowing the cultivator to cultivate with half the work with the twice the result.
The cultivation technique, once cultivated to the peak of Skin Tempering, allows the cultivator to unleash 2.1 times the speed, strength, and defense of a normal peak Skin Tempering cultivator.
Flaws: 172
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Reading for a bit, he was quite satisfied with the result. With the conversion from letter to words, the grade of the cultivation book rose by two subranks, from Peak Human to Middle Earth!
Reading further, the multiplier at the end was changed from 2 to 2.1. Even though it may be a small increase, that small increase could be the one that decide victory or loss.
Afterwards, he closed the white screen and read through the book, checking if there were any changes.
From the start, every concept was easier to understand, theories as well. The movements drawn on the book were also easier to comprehend, thanks to the interface removing a lot of major flaws.
First off, the first layer of movements in the book was changed. The [Dance of Earth and Skies] was no longer called that anymore, it was now called [Heaven's Waltz].
[Heaven's Waltz] was a compressed and refined version of the previous layer. It was comprised of 16 movements, half the amount of movements it took to master the first layer.
Once someone masters the [Heaven's Waltz], one would be able to call the heavens and earth with just a single movement.
Of course, if there's benefits, there's bound to be downsides. The 16 movements were combinations of 2 movements out of the previous 32 movements [Dance of Earth and Skies] had, making it harder to replicate.
'The cultivation technique is better than before...but with this difficulty, I would probably be gaining the same amount of experience. No increase in speed at all.'
Shi Li sighed dejectedly. But then he remembered, the eye can do anything as long as an equivalent price is paid. Gulping a bit of saliva, he asked.
'What price do I have to pay to gain an extremely high comprehension speed?'
Not failing expectations, the white screen popped up again.
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Price needed to be paid: 80 years of user's lifespan, an arm, an ear, and five toes.
Item in exchange: Basic Zenith Comprehension Speed.
- Nonpareil Eye Interface
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Shi Li was quite shocked from the price. 80 years was about the remaining time he had to live, if he used it up, he wouldn't even be able to use it! Not just that, he also had to lose an arm, an ear, and five toes.
'Why not kill me instead?! I'd rather cultivate as a soul at this point!'
He also looked at the item he would get in exchange.
”Basic Zenith Comprehension Speed.”
So that means there are higher levels of comprehension speed?!
Coughing a bit, he asked again.
'What price do I have to pay to gain the highest speed of comprehension possible?'
The information on the screen changed, revealing the answer to his current question.
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Price to be paid: 1 nonillion years of lifespan, 8 cultivation realms, both arms and legs, an eye, an ear, and a lung.
Item in exchange: Ethereal Zenith Divine Comprehension Speed.
- Nonpareil Eye Interface
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Shi Li choked on his saliva as he read through the answer.
'1 nonillion years? That's one followed by 30 zeroes for crying out loud!'
Shi Li couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
'I guess it's better to die at this point.'
He sighed afterwards.
'Since I can't fulfill the price for the exchange, how about I go for a simpler thing instead? Like memorizing all of the contents of the cultivation technique.'
What price would he have to pay this time? Taking a deep breath, he asked.