Chương 73: Chapter 71: A Day of Growth

The rest of the day, Thalion focused on purifying his blood. His progress filled him with satisfaction. Killing the shapeshifters earlier had netted him around 80, 000 credits and brought Eagly to Level 40, with his other forms close behind at Level 39. Still, maintaining his concentration on blood cultivation proved challenging. The sanguine thorn pulsed with hunger, its presence tugging at his focus as it yearned for the blood stored in the vials nearby.

He shifted techniques, abandoning the manual process of pulling mana into the blood and holding it there until it fused. Instead, he used heart of the sanguine archon, a mythic skill that vastly accelerated the infusion process. The results were staggering. Using this ability, he could upgrade his blood permanently in less than half the time it had taken before. Mythic skills truly lived up to their reputation, their terrifying efficiency reshaping the pace of his cultivation.

His meditation was interrupted by a message from Kael, requesting another meeting to discuss Garrick's impending arrival. There were also reports of strong beasts near the base that needed to be hunted. Thalion welcomed the distraction. After briefly contemplating the tasks ahead, he returned to his cultivation. As he worked, the progress became tangible.

Every breath seemed to deepen his power; every heartbeat sent mana-infused blood coursing through his veins like a torrent, strengthening his body with each rhythmic surge. The sanguine thorn hummed in harmony with his heartbeat, amplifying the flow of power. Hours passed in peaceful intensity as he tempered himself further, until it was time for the meeting. To Thalion's surprise, he was the last to arrive. Zyra was already seated, along with Sylas and Jakob, who were slurping down bowls of steaming noodles.

Kargul and Evelyn sat nearby, drinking vodka.

"So," Thalion asked as he settled into a chair, "what beasts have appeared?" Zyra eyed him skeptically.

"You're really fine?" she asked, her tone sharp.

"Yeah, why shouldn't I be?" Thalion replied, confused.

"She doesn't think you could've handled the shapeshifters alone," Kargul declared loudly, the alcohol thickening his voice.

"Good job, by the way. Maybe you should give Evelyn some smashing tips—my teaching hasn't done much yet."

"Ah, yes," Thalion said with a relaxed smile.

"That did get a bit out of hand, but it was well deserved." His attention flicked to Sylas, who was noisily devouring noodles. The rich, savory aroma—almost like spiced beef—drifted through the air, momentarily distracting him.

"A bit out of hand?" Zyra exclaimed, her voice rising.

"Blood and body parts were everywhere!" She took a large sip of her drink, as if to steady herself. Kael, ever calm, intervened.

"We heard what happened. Good job. Thanks to you, our position is much stronger for Garrick's arrival tomorrow. We'll assign him to the second district; his men can't be trusted after the shapeshifters screwed up this badly." Kael leaned forward, his expression serious.

"Everyone knows what you did today. Now, most people are questioning how much help Garrick's men really provided, seeing as you wiped out twenty-six of his so-called 'best fighters' without a scratch."

"Sucks for Garrick," Evelyn interjected with a laugh.

"Those shapeshifters had been bragging everywhere that they were his elite—his trusted warriors, only deployed for the hardest missions." Kael smirked.

"Yep, he's going to curse their names when he hears about this."

"How many strong beasts are we hunting tonight?" Annie asked, cutting through the laughter. Kael handed each of them a map, its surface marked with several red dots.

"These maps are for the strongest fighters in the base. Each red mark represents sightings of strong beasts, reported by other fighters." Thalion examined the map. Three red dots clustered in one area, all labeled ants.

"Uh, do we have an insect problem?" Sylas asked, scratching the back of his neck. Kael nodded.

"It looks that way. I think it's one big hive. We need to clear it before it gets too strong."

"When you're done with that," Zyra said, turning to Thalion with an innocent expression, "could you bring me one of those white crystals you mentioned last time? Or, at least, some corpses of high-variant flying beasts? I gained almost four levels making elixirs from them."

"Sure," Thalion replied, intrigued.

"What do these elixirs improve?"

"Strength, toughness, and agility," Zyra said proudly.

"How long do the effects last?" Thalion asked, unimpressed.

"What are you talking about?" Zyra asked, blinking.

"They improve your stats permanently."

"Wait, you haven't been using elixirs?" Jakob burst into laughter.

"Monster. Absolute monster."

"Wow," Thalion said, shaking his head.

"You've been buffing yourselves without telling me."

"Well, we thought you knew," Kael said, shrugging.

"Everyone in the base knows about elixirs."

"You didn't miss much," Zyra added quickly.

"They lose efficiency over time, and you need higher-rarity ones for them to have an effect."

"If you bring me wind crystals, I can make elixirs that increase your wind affinity," Zyra offered, throwing out the bait. Thalion raised an eyebrow.

"And do you know any alchemists who can make ones that improve lightning affinity?"

"Unfortunately not," Zyra admitted.

"We'd need beasts with a strong lightning affinity, or a specialized mana-attunement circle, but I don't know anyone capable of setting one up."

"Oh, can you bring me a flying turtle?" Kargul interrupted suddenly.

"I want one as a pet." Thalion stared at him, puzzled.

"You want a sky turtle as a pet?"

"Yes! Most great chieftains have pets, like big wolves," Kargul said eagerly.

"So, can you bring me a sky turtle?"

"I'll try," Thalion said slowly, "but don't expect much." Evelyn frowned.

"How are you going to make sure the turtle doesn't just fly away?"

"Obviously, I'm going to train it very well," Kargul declared, nodding sagely.

"Only an idiot wouldn't train such a mighty being like a sky turtle." Annie grinned.

"I think what Evelyn meant was how you're going to train the turtle."

"I give commands to the turtle, and if it doesn't obey, I smash its head," Kargul explained with a self-assured grin.

"When it follows orders, I reward it with vodka and head pats. Evelyn said turtles like water, so when the turtle behaves, I'll give it a big vodka bath."

"Okay, now I definitely have to bring you a sky turtle—no matter the cost," Thalion laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. The others couldn't help but join in, their laughter echoing in the room.

"Thank you!" Kargul exclaimed, nodding eagerly.

"Please bring me the biggest one you can find!"

"I'll do my best," Thalion replied with a grin.

"Though I might need a plan—and some equipment—for that." He glanced at the group.

"Do we have beast tamers in this base?"

"We've got three," Kael replied with a chuckle, "but they're weak, and I doubt they'll be much help."

"I guess I'll need chains to bring the sky turtle back," Thalion mused, half to himself.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I've got you covered!" Kargul declared triumphantly. From seemingly nowhere, he produced several enormous chains, their links gleaming like dull silver under the dim light. Together, they must weighed over a hundred kilos.

"With that much chain, it won't be a flying turtle anymore," Jakob quipped, earning another round of laughter. Thalion stored the chains in his spatial inventory. While they were functional, he couldn't help but think they were overkill. He made a mental note to visit Lucan, the smith, in the morning for something lighter versions. After more lighthearted banter—and witnessing Evelyn completely drink Kargul under the table by healing herself mid-drinks—Thalion returned to his room.

The sky outside had begun to darken, the last streaks of sunset fading into twilight. He spent the remaining hours practicing his fire skill and honing his mana barrier. The room filled with faint, fiery light as he pushed his control to its limits, the air shimmering with heatwaves. By the time the first rays of dawn peeked through the window, he was ready. After a brief visit to the smiths, Thalion left with four sleek metal chains.

They were sturdier and far lighter than Kargul's cumbersome links, their blackened finish designed to resist the wear of prolonged use. Confident in his preparations, he launched himself into the sky with a powerful beat of his wings. As he ascended, Thalion summoned whirlwinds to temper himself. The air around him shimmered with spiraling mana, and the winds howled in response to his command. However, the basic whirlwinds he could summon weren't strong enough to challenge him anymore.

Channeling more mana into them, he pushed the spirals of air to near hurricane strength, each one slamming against his body like a physical barrier. Every pass through the enhanced whirlwinds felt like smashing into an invisible wall, the resistance forcing his muscles and mana pathways to adapt under pressure. It took nearly two hours to reach the mountain range where the wind crystals floated, but by then, he could feel the results of his training.

His body thrummed with newfound strength, the mana flow within him sharper and more refined. Thalion hovered among the massive wind crystals suspended in the sky, their surfaces shimmering like frozen gusts. The air around them was alive with energy, crackling faintly and stirring his feathers. He scanned the area, searching for the elusive sky turtles. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. After some time, he spotted his first swarm.

A dozen turtles circled lazily around one of the larger crystals, their shells gleaming like polished stone. Thalion grinned but held back. Hunting would be cumbersome with a sky turtle chained to him, so he decided to secure a crystal first. He dove toward a crystal over a hundred meters below the turtles. The faint hum of the wind crystal grew louder as he approached, but his attention was on the four massive worms coiled around its base.

He knew their tactics well—these creatures couldn't touch him in the air, making them easy prey for his lightning. The first bolt struck with precision, a flash of light splitting the sky as it tore into one of the worms. The creature writhed briefly before going still. The others responded sluggishly, their serpentine bodies wriggling as if to intimidate him. It didn't work. A few well-placed lightning strikes later, the battle was over.

The last worm attempted to flee, its elongated form slithering frantically toward the edge of the floating crystal. It didn't get far before a final bolt ended its struggle. Thalion stored their remains in his spatial ring, leaving the crystal untouched for now. He glanced upward, already planning his next move. After clearing the worms, Thalion encountered two eagles patrolling the area. The fight was laughably short—birds weren't built for endurance.

A single lightning bolt sent one tumbling to the ground, while the other barely had time to react before it joined its companion in death. He stored their corpses in his ring, noting with some satisfaction that they were both over Level 40. As he continued hunting, a new challenge presented itself: a swarm of aggressive seagulls. He spotted them descending on a hawk, their frenzied attacks overwhelming the larger bird until it fell from the sky.

Thalion didn't hesitate, unleashing a Skybolt Barrage to scatter the swarm. The air exploded with streaks of electric energy, and several gulls dropped instantly. The battle took longer than expected. Catching the falling corpses was a tedious process, and the gulls' erratic flight patterns forced him to expend more mana than usual. Still, by the end of the skirmish, the entire swarm was stored safely in his spatial ring.

When he returned to the first crystal, he noticed a new occupant: an owl, larger than any he'd seen before, circling possessively around the crystal. Thalion narrowed his eyes. This wasn't negotiable. The owl noticed him too and dove to intercept, its talons gleaming like blades. But it underestimated him. Thalion's lightning bolt struck before the owl could close the distance, a sharp crack echoing as the electricity coursed through its body.

He followed up with a fierce dive, his claws tearing into the stunned bird and ending its struggle instantly. With the owl dispatched, Thalion stored its remains in his spatial ring. Hovering above the crystal, he suppressed his aura completely, scanning for any other potential threats. Beasts rarely concealed their presence, but Thalion's control over his own energy gave him a distinct advantage. Satisfied that the area was secure, he landed on the crystal, his sharp eyes already seeking his next prey.

<-- Kael sat perched on a weathered chair atop the battlements, the board of chess between him and Kai illuminated by the golden light of a setting sun. The faint hum of activity from the bustling base below blended with the rhythmic rustle of jungle leaves in the distance. They were killing time, waiting for Garrick to arrive. It couldn't be long now. Beside the board, they had a clay pot filled with Lars' signature rice dish—entirely crafted from ingredients scavenged during the tutorial phase.

It was simple yet flavorful, with the rich aroma of smoked spices wafting up from the bowl. Kael took a bite, savoring it as he thought. Lars was a treasure, but his inn was overwhelmed, with crowds lining up daily. As much as Kael hated it, he had taken to pulling rank as the base leader to skip the line, a practice he knew left a bitter taste in people's mouths. Kael's thoughts wandered back to Garrick. How would the man react when confronted? After all, Garrick had given up a lot to come here.

The credits granted daily to a camp leader weren't a small thing to forfeit. And what was his motive? To join a stronger force, or to undermine and conquer from within? Kael's gaze shifted to the walls surrounding the base, now a formidable stone fortress rather than the vulnerable wooden camp it had once been. Over the past weeks, the community had flourished—healers, craftsmen, guards—all working toward a shared vision of survival and prosperity.

He wouldn't let one ambitious opportunist jeopardize their hard-won progress.

"You're distracted again," Kai's voice broke through his reverie, accompanied by the sound of Kael's king falling with a soft clink onto the board. Kael blinked, realizing too late that his queen had been taken earlier.

"Damn it," he muttered, leaning back and running a hand through his hair.

"You should concentrate a bit more on the game," Kai said, his tone carrying an edge of amusement. Kael sighed.

"You know what's coming. It's hard not to be distracted."

"What's there to worry about?" Kai countered, crossing his arms.

"Garrick's elite fighters attacked one of our own, and we handled it. That's why they're confined to the second district. They'll prove themselves or they won't. Simple as that." Kael shook his head.

"I just don't trust him. What if he plays the nice guy until I start giving him real authority?" Kai shrugged.

"Those are problems for another day. We've got ways to keep things in check." He smirked.

"Honestly, I'm more interested in seeing if Thalion actually brings back a flying turtle." Kael laughed despite himself.

"Yeah, that might actually be the highlight of my week. Though I'm still skeptical about the vodka training." Their banter was cut short by the sharp ring of a messenger's voice. Garrick and his people had arrived. Kael and Kai descended from the battlements, their boots echoing against the stone as they moved toward the outer ring wall. Beyond the gates, Garrick stood with his people—a far larger group than Kael had anticipated.

Many of them were armed, their weapons glinting in the afternoon light, though their expressions varied from guarded to openly wary.

"It's a pleasure to finally join your camp," Garrick said, his voice carrying a practiced warmth as he stepped forward. Kael didn't bother with pleasantries. His tone was cold, clipped, like the edge of a blade.

"Good to see you arrived safely. But we've had trouble—serious trouble—with your elite fighters. They threatened my people and even tried to kill one of my best." His eyes bore into Garrick's.

"I don't think you had anything to do with that, but you can understand why I can't simply trust you or your people now." Garrick's confident facade crumbled for a moment, his face draining of color.

"Wait, what? I had nothing to do with those people, I swear!" Kael remained unmoved. His voice was firm, his stance unyielding.

"Don't worry. We won't reject you, but you and your people will be confined to the second district for now. You'll carry tokens at all times, and I'll expect you to keep your people in line. Until you've proven yourselves trustworthy, you won't have access to the main district." For a moment, Garrick seemed at a loss, his mouth opening as though to argue. Then his face flushed red, his voice rising.

"You think we're not trustworthy? After all I've sacrificed?" His arms spread wide, his tone tinged with both anger and disbelief. Kael's expression hardened.

"Yes, that's exactly what I think." He took a step closer, his voice dropping but losing none of its intensity.

"You could have had a hero's welcome, but your elite fighters ruined that chance. If you or your people threaten mine again, I won't hesitate to act." Garrick inhaled deeply, visibly reigning in his temper. When he spoke again, his voice was steady, his posture deliberately deferential.

"I assure you, I had no knowledge of this attack, and I would never threaten your people. I hope to prove my loyalty quickly so we can move past this." He finished with a slight bow, his movements careful and measured. Kael didn't respond immediately. Instead, he signaled to the guards positioned along the wall. The heavy gates creaked open, and Garrick's people were led toward their designated quarters.

"That was annoying," Kai muttered as they watched Garrick's group disappear into the second district. Kael sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly.

"That guy's going to be trouble. I can feel it."

"Should we have just turned him away?" Kael considered it, then shook his head.

"No. Turning him away would've made us look weak or paranoid. This way, we keep control and give him a chance to prove himself—or hang himself." Kai clapped him on the shoulder.

"I think you handled it well. Now, how about we head out for a hunt? Maybe we'll finally find that ant hive this time." Kael chuckled, some of the tension lifting from his chest.

"Exactly what I need right now. But we've got to be back early—I don't want to miss Thalion's return. Flying turtle or not, that's going to be interesting."