Four Techniques
96. Four Techniques
As I examined the Leviasaur core, my eyebrows shot up, despite my usual composure.
The young Leviasaur, Maple Rex had a core, but it was merely a crude, fleshy orb.
This core, however, resembled Karim Shaheen's—a smooth, refined crystal orb that marked it as belonging to the Crystal Realm.
"She called this a small gift?" I thought incredulously.
Thanks to my practice of Vampire Devouring External Crystal Technique, I had a rudimentary understanding of the Crystal Realm, despite the External Crystal Technique being a crude imitation of true Crystallization methods.
Creating the external crystal required three distinct stages: first came the initial formation from jade dew essence, then the completion of the core, and finally jade dew envelopment—which smoothed away imperfections to create a flawless, perfectly spherical form.
I examined the Leviasaur crystal core before me. It was smaller than the one I'd previously absorbed, its aura perhaps sixty percent as potent.
Clearly, this was a nascent crystal, still in its early stages of development.
So this is what the Vampire Devouring External Crystal imitates—a perfectly formed crystal core, I realized. Three thousand years of the Leviasaur's cultivation had only filled half of it. If it were completely full, it would rival a human warrior at the peak of Crystallization, approaching Harmonization—s State where one could harness the core to harmonize external resources.
Unfortunately, the Melting Sun Furnace wasn't capable of restraining such potent demonic power.
With a clearer understanding of my current limitations, I decided to save the Leviasaur core for later.
I pulled out the manuals one by one, casually flipping through their pages. A series of new entries appeared on my panel:
[Turtle Silent Shell Technique (untrained)]
[Chrysalis Mirage Technique (untrained)]
[Aura Revealing Sight Technique (untrained)]
[Essence Signature Pursuit Technique (untrained)]
Four manuals in total, none bearing any realm affixes. But I knew better than to underestimate them.
Sometimes, techniques that didn't directly related to one's realm could prove far more valuable than the most potent combat techniques.
But with so many new techniques to master, I glanced at my dwindling lifespan – just over a thousand years remaining – and winced.
I opened the manuals once more, carefully studying their contents. I experimented, channeling my essence as instructed.
I quickly grasped the basics. The Essence Signature Pursuit and Aura Revealing Sight and Techniques were simple affairs.
The former had a single purpose: to capture a wisp of a vampire's essence sample and store it within the silver bell.
Any bell holder within a certain range could sense the vampire's presence, much like I myself could sense Karim Shaheen atop Crown Mountain after absorbing the Leviasaur core. Of course, this also meant Karim Shaheen could sense me.
The Aura Revealing Sight enhanced one's vision by channeling essence into the eyes, allowing the user to perceive normally invisible phenomena, such as vampiric aura.
While Essence Signature Pursuit was used to track specific vampires, the Aura Revealing Sight was better suited for broad surveillance, scanning mountains and seas for signs of vampiric activity.
Both techniques required only a couple of years of lifespan to master. With my extensive knowledge and grandmastery of a variety of techniques, such minor tricks were child's play for me.
The remaining two manuals, though, were an entirely different matter.
Both the Turtle Silent Shell Technique and the Chrysalis Mirage Technique required extensive mastery to be effective.
While one could achieve basic proficiency after a few years of practice, the results would be mediocre at best.
A Grandmaster, however, could even conceal one's presence from those of higher Realms, deceiving their very eyes.
When it came to life-saving skills, I never cut corners. Without hesitation, I opened my panel and channeled lifespan into these techniques.
I'd gained a considerable understanding of essence manipulation by now. For brute force, there was the Bloody Quintet. For finesse, the Shadow Touch.
I was no longer the novice I once was. A mere twenty-seven years of absorbed lifespan later, and I'd mastered both techniques.
I sat on the bed, still as a statue, my aura completely suppressed.
[Turtle Silent Shell Technique (Grandmaster)]
[Chrysalis Mirage Technique (Grandmaster)]
[Remaining Absorbed Lifespan: 1098 years]
I ran a hand across my face, and my features shifted, transforming me into a withered old man. Then, a composed middle-aged man. A young child...
It wasn't just a superficial change. Even my breathing, my mannerisms, my very aura shifted to match each form.
Flawless.
"Intriguing," I murmured, abandoning my experimentation with forms.
I turned my attention to the Aura Revealing Sight. A golden light filled my eyes, transforming my vision into a hazy expanse of white essence. Streaks of gold flickered here and there, likely belonging to passing colonels.
"Interesting." The streaks of gold were approaching my quarters.
I deactivated the Auta Revealing Sight. A moment later, several colonels, their imposing figures draped in black cloaks, entered the courtyard, bearing a large silver platter.
"Colonel Kane," they said in unison. They nodded respectfully, maintaining a formal distance.
"Colonel Kane," one began, "we have brought the training technique you selected, along with a century's worth of body tempering elixirs. We've expedited the delivery, as we understand you're eager to depart."
It took me a moment to comprehend their meaning. "A hundred years' worth..." They weren't referring to the age of the elixir, but to the duration of the treatment. A hundred small vials, each the size of my little finger, filled the silver platter.
"Thank you, I really appreciate it." I said.
"You're most welcome, Colonel Kane," they replied, hastily setting down the platter and bowing. I was the rising star of H.A.R.M. after all.
"You must be busy, Colonel Kane. We won't intrude any further." Their eyes darted briefly to the manuals scattered on the bed before they quickly averted their gaze and departed.
A feeling of admiration rose in their hearts.
They'd felt a little disgruntled because their subordinates were restless, eager to follow Colonel Kane to Vancouver to enjoy comfort and ease.
But here he was, fresh from the battles of Crown Mountain, having earned a well-deserved two-month vacation, yet instead of indulging in wine and women, he was diligently honing his skills.
It was... humbling. They were utterly speechless.
… …
Once I was alone, I rose and closed the door, then collected the two new manuals.
Both were Wave Realm techniques: the top-grade Enlightened Indestructible Body of Awakening and Bloodsteed Gallop. Either one would be a treasure worthy of founding an Vampward Academy in the martial world.
"So this is what Butcher Garcia has been yearning for," I mused.
I opened the Enlightened Indestructible Body manual, suddenly realized I hadn't seen Butcher Garcia since I came back from Crown Mountain.
Apparently, even the grand spectacle of H.A.R.M.'s return couldn't compete with a bit of quality time with his sweetheart.
I was grateful for the man's generosity in exchanging the Body of the Golden Sun for a Lightstrike sword technique that he couldn't even practice.
His brave intervention against the Wiry Samurai had allowed me to slay the ape vampire despite its formidable swordsmanship—and I'd even claimed the creature's treasured blade as a result.
"Let's just focus on the exchange." He'd said. "Why worry about whether I can master it or not?"
I smiled, remembering Butcher Garcia's boisterous laughter.
I couldn't give him this technique directly. It would cause trouble. Besides, it was flawed.
I'd deduce a new body tempering technique from it, something without those drawbacks, and then teach it to Butcher Garcia.
I'd have to be careful, though. Vampiric techniques wouldn't do. I'd have to search for a flawless body tempering method out in the wider world.