Sacred Arts

6. Shopping Resources

Amon and Jess went to visit the marketplace together, looking for ways to enhance their cultivation. As they entered, Amon marveled at the vast array of armor and weapons on display. This store's inventory offered an astonishing variety. "Look over there," Jess said, tapping Amon's shoulder, directing his attention towards the cultivation resources. Both warriors approached the glass case showcasing valuable resources, as they contemplated their cultivation goals beyond their current level.

"I'm going to invest not only in items to raise my cultivation level, but also in resources that would aid in my body strengthening techniques," Amon thought. On the other hand, Jess, who had not yet cultivated any special techniques, wondered what items would be beneficial for her cultivation level. "Maybe I can begin with a movement technique," Jess muttered to herself. After careful consideration, Jess used all her reward points, spending half on resources to raise her cultivation level and the other half on a movement technique along with resources that would help her enhance the technique. Amon saved a decent number of his reward points, only spending two hundred of them.

He spent one hundred on resources that'll help him raise his cultivation level, and one hundred on resources that'll enhance his body strengthening techniques. Once they left the market, Amon began to think about his new resources and predicted that he would be able to break through to the next cultivation rank. "Hey Amon, let's part ways here so that way we can both hurry and start our cultivation," Jess suggested, as they headed into the academy's entrance. "Are you sure?, I don't mind walking you home," Amon said sounding concerned for her safety. "Yes im sure," Jess said grinning as she turned and headed home.

Amon nodded and began to head to his own home. Amon returned home and immediately settled into his room so he could start his cultivation. He sat cross-legged on the floor and closed his eyes, beginning his cultivation. "First I'm going to raise my cultivation level," Amon whispered to himself, opening his divine dimension. He arranged all the resources intended to enhance his cultivation in front of him.

Taking the first pill, Amon felt the energy within it permeate every part of his body, strengthening his organs, cells, and blood vessels. For an entire month, he dedicated himself to raising his cultivation level, witnessing his aura and energy points grow more formidable. After breaking through to rank two of the human realm, Amon dedicated two weeks to stabilizing his newfound power. With the tournament fast approaching, a mere three months away, Amon wasted no time and diligently honed his "Rock Formation" technique and "Whispering Wind" technique. Devoting a month to each, he achieved significant progress, elevating both techniques to their final stage, three.

His physical strength and speed experienced a remarkable improvement. Upon reaching the highest stage of comprehension with his "Whispering Wind" technique, Amon realized its limitless potential, growing alongside his strength. "I think I'll just focus on stronger body strengthening techniques for the time being," Amon thought to himself. Utilizing the remaining time, Amon decided to head to the library for the next step in his body-strengthening journey. In the library's section dedicated to body strengthening techniques, he discovered the "Cement Formation" and "Iron Formation" techniques.

Amon spent half of his remaining reward points on both techniques. "Now I need resources that can speed up the cultivation progress of my new techniques," Amon said, grinning. After obtaining the resources he needed, Amon returned home to start his cultivation. Standing in his room, Amon sat down cross-legged on the floor. Opening his divine dimension, he retrieved body strengthening pills and consumed the first one.

Starting off with the "Cement Formation" technique, Amon sensed the energy flowing throughout his body and through each of his seven spirit points. Thanks to the pills' assistance, in just two weeks Amon was able to quickly master the "Cement Formation" technique. "These pills definitely proved to be very effective at accelerating my body strengthening progress," Amon said proudly. "I have about a month and a half left until the tournament begins," Amon whispered. ""I should try to master the "Iron Formation" technique by then,"" he said.

Upon reviewing its requirements, he realized the huge difference between the "Cement Formation" and "Rock Formation" techniques compared to the "Iron Formation" technique. The "Iron Formation" technique would cause an intense pain that would be unbearable for most. To increase his survival and successful mastery, Amon crushed his remaining body strengthening aid pills and added them to a hot water-filled bathtub. Immersing himself, he cultivated the technique while his skin absorbed the energy from the pills. The excruciating sensation of countless sharp knives stabbing his body persisted throughout his time in the tub.

After a week, the torment finally subsided, and Amon achieved mastery of the "Iron Formation" technique. With about five weeks left until the tournament, Amon emerged from the tub and dried off. "My body strengthening has probably reached its peak for the time being," Amon said as he inspected his body. The "Iron Formation" technique proved to be very difficult, with many losing their lives attempting to master it. Despite the risks, Amon's mastery of the technique empowered him to compete on equal footing with fighters of higher cultivation ranks.

"I'll spend another week cultivating, so I can reach the peak of the second rank," Amon thought, happy with all his progress. A week passed and Amon, having mastered body-strengthening techniques and movement techniques, felt maybe he should start training with a weapon to boost his combat power. Over the next two weeks, he continued to raise his cultivation level after he used the last of his cultivation aiding resources. Finally reaching rank three which is the peak of the mind stage within the human realm Amon figured he should take a break from cultivating. "Too much of anything is a bad thing," Amon thought as he stood up tall. He opened his eyes smiling, thinking about everything he's now capable of.

"One month left until the tournament begins, I can go and do some tasks to pass time," Amon muttered as he left his home. "I could use the points to buy a weapon," he thought as he made his way to the task board. Approaching the task board, Amon noticed Jess engaged in conversation with Matthew, who, at first glance, appeared much different compared to their last encounter. "Hey, Amon," Jess yelled, as she was the first to notice him walking. Jess took Matthew's arm and pulled him in the direction of Amon.

"Hey, how have you both been," Amon said, greeting both of his friends with a smile, because it had been quite some time since he had seen either of them. Matthew stood silently beside Jess, observing Amon intently, as if attempting to gauge his level of strength. "What's your problem," Amon asked Matthew, confused at his strange behavior. "Nothing, it's just I'm surprised at how low your cultivation is," Matthew replied with a smug grin. "I flew threw the early ranks of the human realm and I guess I expected my childhood rival to be capable of keeping up with me in terms of power," he boasted.

"Our rankings in the upcoming tournament will determine who's the stronger warrior," Amon responded back with a sly grin. "Um, how about we all just have a few friendly sparring matches," Jess suggested, awkwardly sensing the tension between the two young boys. "Each of us can fight two matches against one another, totaling six matches in all," she continued. "The match ends when one opponent is knocked onto their backs or admits defeat," Jess said smiling. "I like the sound of that," Matthew said eagerly exuding an air of confidence as if victory was already assured.

"I'm down too," Amon accepted enthusiastically, expressing his readiness to face Matthew first. "Matthew will have the advantage over me and Amon since his cultivation level is at the fourth rank within the human realm," Jess thought to herself. Amon's cultivation rank was at the third rank within the human realm and Jess's cultivation was at the second rank within the human realm. "I'll fight against Matthew first since it was my idea," Jess said eagerly to test herself against a stronger opponent. Amon nodded his head approvingly as he stood in the middle of Matthew and Jess as their referee. "If you are both ready, you may begin," Amon announced, declaring their match.