Blake was assigned to an inner part of the mansion.
The inner mansion itself was divided into many sections, and Blake's task was to clean the outer area of the Main Hall.
The Main Hall was where meetings of the higher-ups of the Rodrick family were held.
Of course, Blake was not allowed anywhere near the gate of the Main Hall. He was only permitted to clean the outer surroundings.
While Blake was working, he suddenly heard footsteps.
He turned his head and saw two men walking toward the Main Hall.
"…It's them."
The two men were the same ones Blake had seen dueling in the outer garden earlier
(Chapter 4).
One was the middle aged man who resembled a famous red-haired pirate—only older. Blake vaguely remembered his name as George… or something similar.
The other was the handsome blond man.
As they passed by Blake, the blond man suddenly stopped and turned his head.
"You… have we met before?"
Blake froze, a puzzled expression appearing on his face, question marks practically forming above his head as the blond man stared at him curiously.
"I—I was the one hiding in the bushes," Blake replied carefully.
"I watched the two of you duel."
"Ah… no wonder your face looks familiar," the blond man said with a faint smile.
"I, Jake, never forget a face."
"What are you doing near the Main Hall?"
"I was assigned to clean this place, sir," Blake answered.
He deliberately put on a frightened and nervous expression, making himself look like a timid servant boy.
"That's enough, Jake," the red-haired man said calmly.
"Don't scare a poor child. Let's go—we have important matters to discuss."
The red-haired man called Jake, and the two continued toward the Main Hall.
As they walked, George spoke again.
"Why did you suddenly talk to a servant, Jake?"
"Sir George… do you believe in instincts?"
"Instincts?" George frowned slightly.
"Did you sense something special about that boy?"
"No… that's not it."
"Then why bother speaking to a servant?" George said seriously.
"Don't forget—you're about to become the Commander of the Rodrick family's entire army."
"You're already a target for many, both inside and outside the family. Be careful."
"Don't worry, sir. I'm prepared."
Jake narrowed his eyes slightly.
"But that boy… there's something different about him."
"I have an ability to sense mana and body strength of anyone with cultivation equal to or below mine."
"I've always kept this ability hidden—so well that not even my father knows about it."
"But with that boy… I couldn't sense anything at all."
"Nothing."
"It's strange. Truly strange."
Jake continued walking beside George, his mind racing through possibilities.
Meanwhile, Blake muttered inwardly while cleaning.
"…There's definitely something wrong with that guy's brain."
"Eh, whatever. I'll just finish my work."
Just like that, another four days passed.
It was now the morning of the 25th day.
"Huff…"
"After reaching the 2nd Rank, advancing to the next grade has become much harder."
Blake shook his head.
"Oh well, nothing can be done about it."
"Let's forget that. It's time to sign in."
"System, sign in."
Though dissatisfied with his slower progress, Blake stopped complaining and confirmed his sign-in.
"Sign-in confirmed. Congratulations, Host, for receiving: Dark Infernal Dragon Sutra (3rd Rank Peak-grade)."
Dark Infernal Dragon Sutra (3rd Rank Peak-grade):
A powerful sutra that allows the user to forge a body as strong as a dragon
and obtain a Dark Infernal Dragon Soul Guardian.
The moment Blake received the reward, it directly entered his mind.
All information regarding the sutra flooded into his consciousness.
"I see…"
"So the Dark Infernal Dragon Sutra is divided into three parts."
First Part:
Cultivating the body to form Dark Infernal Dragon Scales across the entire body.Only after all the scales are formed is the first part considered complete.
Second Part:
The Dragon Transformation Technique.
Once the scales are fully formed, the practitioner can transform into a half-human, half-dragon form.
After mastering this stage, the practitioner can fully transform into a Western Dragon of immense power.
Third Part:
Cultivating and forming an Infernal Dragon Soul Guardian near the practitioner's soul.
The dragon soul would protect its master's soul from all harm and grow stronger as the practitioner's soul grew stronger.
"Holy moly…"
Blake's eyes widened.
"What kind of Sutra is this?"
"Even though it's a body-refining sutra, it also helps cultivate the soul."
"Body-refining.… body-re…"
"…Wait."
"Why doesn't it like neither a Mage Sutra nor a Warrior Sutra?"
Blake immediately questioned the system.
"System, why is that? Is this Sutra different from normal ones?"
"The Host's guess is correct," the system replied.
"This Sutra is different from normal Sutras."
"Most Sutras in this world are divided into Warrior Path or Mage Path."
"However, there exist rare Sutras that cultivate both paths simultaneously."
"These Sutras are created by beings who have reached at least the 9th Rank."
"Those below that realm cannot create such Sutras, as it requires merging two fundamentally different cultivation paths."
"Oh? Is that so…"
Blake's curiosity grew.
"Wait—you said this world."
"Are there other worlds like this one?"
"Host's cultivation is too low to receive this information," the system replied cheerfully.
"Please reach the 4th Rank to unlock the answer. (^^)"
"…Did you just mock me for having low cultivation?"
"No, Host. You are imagining it."
"…Just you wait, you bastard system."
Blake's face was filled with black lines as he cursed the system in his heart.
"Well, whatever."
"I'm just happy to get such an awesome reward."
A panel appeared.
***
Host: Blake
Rank: 1st Rank (Mid-grade)
Physique: Human (2nd Rank Early-grade)
Talent: Heat Vision
Mana Core Affinity: Fire, Water
Sutras:
• Silent Sutra (5th Rank)
• Fire Sutra (1st Rank Mid-grade – 100%)
• Water Sutra (1st Rank Mid-grade – 100%)
• Berserker Sutra (3rd Rank Early-grade – 2nd Rank Early-grade)
• Dark Infernal Dragon Sutra (3rd Rank Peak-grade)
Storage:
• Golden Shield Talisman
• Autograph of Sydney Sweeney
• 1st Rank Sword (Low Quality)
• 1st Rank Shield (Good Quality)
• 1st Rank Bow (Low Quality)
***
After that, Blake resumed cultivating.
However, he continued focusing on the Berserker Sutra instead of the Dark Infernal Dragon Sutra.
He was already close to reaching mid-grade, and he didn't want to disrupt his momentum.
It's all thanks to the rewards I received over the past few days that my progress has been so fast.
Soon… I'll break through to mid-grade.
Blake focused his mind and resumed cultivation.
***
21st Day Reward:
• 2nd Rank early-grade Blood-Bone Pill ×2
(Increases warrior cultivation)
22nd Day Reward:
• Bowl of Cooked Mana Rice ×1
23rd Day Reward:
• 1st Rank Bow (Low Quality) ×1
24th Day Reward:
• 1st Rank Peak-grade Tiger Pill
(Grants the strength of a 1st Rank Peak-grade tiger)
***