Ethereal Ascendance: A Journey of Transformation(Vol 4)

Vol 4/ Chapter 70: Entering the Cave

"You mean Mike was only 3rd rank a year ago?"

I was truly dumbfounded. What superhuman speed! For humans, strength growth is usually very slow, whether in magic or combat vocations - you have to start training the basics from a young age. For someone like Ron or Eleanora to reach 6th rank before even turning 20 makes them prodigies among prodigies. A country might see only around ten such cases per century.

""It's normal for battle qi cultivation to progress that rapidly...But I never expected to actually witness an awakened one here - it's truly an incredible rarity.""

Yulanda pondered, not seeming too surprised, before explaining to us.

Awakening battle qi is indeed miraculous! Once awakened, one's strength invariably soars. Of course, depending on the awakened type, the growth rate varies. Mike's rapid progression is still quite rare for his age.

"He's mainly using battle qi to reinforce himself, hence the quick growth. But compared to those using it directly for combat, his battle prowess may be a bit weaker."

Cysper nodded in explanation.

Battle qi is truly an amazing thing! Not limited to the forms depicted in earthly entertainment, it seems to have far broader applications in this world, able to accomplish almost anything!

Alas, it's hampered by the scarcity of those who awaken it. An awakened battle qi master is a strategic-level asset in any country, so research into it remains incomplete.

Cysper and Yulanda enthusiastically discussed the topic at length. As complete novices, Cyra and I could barely follow, but still learned many fresh and useful things.

In summary, without awakening battle qi, even the most talented magic-users or warriors can only reach the mid-6th rank at best. Historically, the highest unawakened human rank is just grazing the 6th tier's threshold amidst much debate, let alone advancing to 7th rank or beyond.

As for Cysper, his existence exceeding the mid-6th tier is already an anomaly. But being wholly light-attuned, he cannot awaken battle qi, leaving him stuck around that level. Who knows how many more years it will take to reach the higher 6th rank tiers, truly personifying Elara's remark that "human peak strength relies wholly on battle qi."

"I can't wait any longer! It seems they've likely encountered some mishap inside, so we must proceed to the next plan!"

After another hour, Brennan grew restless and stood up.

"But if even the battle qi user Mike is stuck in there, wouldn't us going in be walking into the same trap?"

Cyra's bravery had utterly deflated. Recalling her boldness leaving Edenmere, the numerous brushes with danger had made her increasingly cautious.

"We can't just abandon them in there!"

Cysper shook his head insistently. Great, we've now lost two more elite fighters. The original rescue has become a mission to also rescue them, leaving me quite vexed.

But I understood his feelings. The two Star Glory knights were valuable True Church assets, especially Mike the battle qi user - as Pope, he couldn't abandon them.

Likewise, I wouldn't leave Adrian and Vivianne either. So despite the confirmed dangers ahead, the rescue had to proceed, but with enhanced safety measures.

It was strange, really. Ron and Mike were over 6th rank, considerably powerful. Even against formidable foes, for them to completely disappear without a trace seemed improbable.

Take Mike for instance.
With his inhuman physical abilities from battle qi, he could literally smash through and escape. For both to silently vanish was highly unlikely.