Rewards

As Frank resumed his routine in the sect, he found solace in the familiar rhythm of his daily tasks. Yet, beneath the surface of his contentment lay a simmering ambition, a desire to push beyond the boundaries of his current capabilities and reach new heights of power and mastery.

With his duties in the Qi absorption technique development hall, Frank delved into his research with renewed vigor, determined to unlock the secrets of cultivating beyond the third rank. Each day, he poured over scrolls and manuscripts, experimenting with different techniques and methodologies in search of a breakthrough.

In his quest for advancement, Frank also frequented the body technique development hall, drawn by the allure of combining the freezing aura with his existing body cultivation techniques. With each session, he honed his skills and refined his understanding of the intricate interplay between elemental Qi and physical prowess.

As Frank and the other disciples gathered in the meeting hall, a sense of anticipation hung in the air, mingled with a hint of apprehension. Lex's words did little to assuage their curiosity, but they settled in nonetheless, prepared for whatever news awaited them.

The meeting hall itself was a testament to the sect's commitment to progress, a spacious and well-appointed venue designed to facilitate communication and collaboration among its members. As Frank took his seat among the assembled disciples, he couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of their surroundings, a symbol of the sect's continued growth and prosperity.

As Lex began to address the gathered disciples, Frank leaned forward, eager to hear the purpose of their summons. He knew that whatever news awaited them, it would undoubtedly shape the course of their journey in the days and weeks to come. With bated breath, he awaited the revelations that were about to unfold.

"Recently, a series of significant events has unfolded within our small sect, all stemming from a fundamental desire: to transcend mere cannon fodder status. And transcend we have. We've honed techniques that would have otherwise eluded us, thanks in no small part to the vision of one individual: Frank, also known as 'The Mad Dog.' From the very onset, Frank pledged to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Within our tight-knit community, we've forged bonds akin to those of brothers and sisters. The safety and well-being of each member hold paramount importance. Yet, as our ranks swell, we've become a target for scrutiny from higher powers. Thus, it's prudent for us to maintain a veil of secrecy for the time being. After all, as the old adage goes, 'Tall trees catch much wind.'

But enough dwelling on the negatives; let's turn our attention to a more uplifting topic: the rewards. With sincerity radiating from his every word, Lex delivered this speech, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities that fate has bestowed upon him."

Continuing on to the rewards, Lex detailed a range of benefits, beginning with the discovery of the altar and extending to the contributions made by each individual during the advancement test. The first reward was granted to the entire sect: the right to partake in the exploration of the newly unveiled hidden realm. Notably, this exploration opportunity was independent of participation in the upcoming contest, as it was the altar itself that led them to the discovery of this clandestine domain.

Following this, each member of the hunting party received a distinctive boon: spears imbued with the power to manipulate the wind to a modest extent. These spears not only symbolized their prowess but also served as invaluable tools for future endeavors.

Securing the seventh position in the improvement test was indeed a commendable achievement, underscoring their strength and dedication. However, it also revealed the formidable prowess of certain minor sects comprised of nobles, who emerged victorious. Despite this outcome, a sense of contentment permeated their ranks. They took solace in the knowledge that they had poured their hearts and souls into the endeavor, and their efforts were duly recognized and rewarded.

Additionally, as a gesture of appreciation from the minor synchronous elemental sect, rewards were distributed to those who had made significant contributions. Each disciple received an elemental pearl, a precious resource designed to facilitate their journey towards becoming rank 3 cultivators. These tokens of gratitude served as catalysts for their continued growth and development.

Before the ceremony drew to a close, further rewards were bestowed upon deserving individuals. With hearts brimming with gratitude and spirits lifted by the recognition of their efforts.

Frank meticulously examined the crafting recipe, only to find that nothing seemed feasible for creation. Undeterred, he redirected his focus to his primary pursuit: the fusion of the Frost Giant's Hand properties with the body cultivation technique. While progress had been made, it fell short of his expectations. Frank yearned for the cooling ability to manifest as an active skill, unlike the passive attributes of light Qi in the eyes and metal Qi within the bones. He was working alone on this project so his speed of development was slower than he wanted.

The hidden realms teemed with peril, demanding a mastery level of rank 3 before daring entry. Frank faced a dilemma: either forsake the potential of the Frost Giant's Hand, requiring him to master a water-based technique for its full utilization, or embrace the next innovation in the sect's body cultivation technique, even if it diverged from his preferences.

Though Frank had consented to integrate elemental enhancements into his eyes and bones, he harbored reservations about introducing yet another passive elemental ability to his body cultivation technique. The prospect of further alteration presented a challenge, prompting him to weigh tradition against the allure of innovation.

He knew he could seek cooperation from the body cultivation technique hall, but doing so would require explaining how he stumbled upon this arm. Being truthful was imperative; deceit would only risk eroding the trust others placed in him. Thus, he deliberated his options carefully until a plausible solution emerged.

Approaching the cultivation hall, he stood before the majestic octopus elemental beast. Despite its unchanged size, its aura surpassed that of any disciple he had encountered.

"You've become considerably stronger," Frank remarked, gently petting the floating octopus.

The octopus, enveloped in liquefied elemental Qi that permeated the cultivation hall, maintained a constant presence, only retreating to the well when cultivation beckoned. Despite its imposing aura, the creature remained amiable, extending its ethereal form to any disciples who ventured into the hall. Over time, the octopus had undergone a remarkable transformation, maturing both in stature and intelligence, its cognition now rivaling that of an adult human. However, despite its heightened awareness, the octopus remained incapable of vocal communication, relying instead on gestures and its enigmatic presence to interact with those around it.

With a determined gesture, Frank produced the Frost giant arm and tossed it to the waiting octopus. As soon as the arm was within reach, the octopus darted forward, clutching onto it with an almost possessive fervor. Frank observed the octopus's reaction, realizing that this arm held a significance far beyond his initial understanding. Despite attempts by other disciples to entice the octopus with various offerings, it remained fixated on the arm.

After some effort, Frank managed to communicate his intentions to the octopus, promising it the arm in exchange for its assistance. The octopus seemed to comprehend, its excitement palpable as it eagerly agreed to Frank's terms.

Observing the octopus's helpful nature towards other disciples struggling with their cultivation techniques, Frank couldn't help but wonder if it could assist him in a similar manner. Leaving the cultivation hall with the octopus buzzing around in excitement, Frank pondered the possibilities that lay ahead.

Returning to his duties at the Qi Technique Development Hall, Frank resumed his work on refining the technique to accommodate rank 3 cultivators. Balancing his responsibilities with his interactions with the octopus and occasional forays into scavenging for items in the random craft system, he navigated his days with purpose and determination.

Amidst his endeavors, the octopus offered Frank a simple yet effective technique to harness the abilities of the Frost Giant's Arm. By storing substantial quantities of ice Qi within the bone marrow of his arm, Frank could unleash the freezing power at will. However, the implementation of this technique necessitated a significant step: transplanting some of the Frost Giant arm's tissue into his own bone marrow, thereby enabling his body to store Qi in this manner.

While the technique provided a promising avenue for leveraging the arm's capabilities, Frank recognized the gravity of the procedure. He deliberated over the potential risks and benefits, weighing the opportunity for enhanced abilities against the inherent challenges and uncertainties, he decided to go through with the operation.

The octopus was the one who came up with this method, under the guidance of the octopus, Frank embraced the innovative method devised to harness the freezing ability of the Frost Giant's Arm. Drawing inspiration from the octopus's own mastery of the technique, Frank eagerly adopted the approach, recognizing its potential to enhance his capabilities.

The octopus, having already mastered the technique to utilize the freezing ability with its tentacles, facilitated the surgical procedure to transplant tissue from the Frost Giant's Arm into Frank's own limb. Despite inherent drawbacks such as temporary hand hardening during activation, Frank remained undeterred, trusting in the wisdom of his aquatic ally.

Following the successful procedure, Frank experienced a profound sensation as ice Qi began to accumulate and permeate his arm during cultivation sessions. A tangible transformation took place within him as his arm marrow gradually adapted to store ice Qi, heralding the impending realization of his newfound abilities. With determination and anticipation coursing through him, Frank eagerly awaited the completion of this metamorphosis, poised to unlock the full potential of his enhanced cultivation prowess in the days to come.