"Welcome to Warp Village. It seems this is your first time here. How about you come with me to my abode? You could have the finest experience during your short stay." the village head requested warmly, his eyes gleaming as he awaited their response.
"It's an honor, senior." The village head seemed genuinely polite, so Ballock agreed without hesitation.
The village head shook his head lightly before speaking with a courteous smile. "You may call me Alley, masters."
"Alright then, Elder Alley." Ballock replied with respect.
The village head didn't comment and instead signaled for someone to collect their horses, and the two followed him toward his home. They assumed he was the Head of the village, since his cultivation realm was clearly the highest among his company.
Shortly after, they reached the elder's residence. His residence was a beacon within the village, standing tall and dignified. They were quickly given rooms to settle in, which were one of the best within the vast courtyard.
Ballock and Blood did not bother to accept separate rooms. Instead, they chose the same room for convenience, and within moments, Ballock's loud snores filled the room.
Blood shook his head with a faint smirk. This guy definitely didn't sleep through the night. He only caught a wink, and that was likely how he noticed the hurricane first.
Resting his back against the wall, Blood summoned the Blood Book, and a red interface materialized before his eyes.
He had already thought deeply about the war he intended to join. He knew that appearing as he was now, without refined techniques—would be akin to offering his head to the enemy. The techniques he had used against beasts might not prove useful in the coming battle.
He recalled that the Blood Book had mentioned the shop being updated. Navigating swiftly, Blood entered the shop section to view what was available. With his current abilities, he was certain he was not yet ready.
He decided to check his Status first…
Status
[Host: Blood Marble]
[Race: Human]
[Bloodline: Superposition (mutated)]
[Cultivation Realm: Bronze Realm Stage-1]
[Blood Formation Manual—Blood Balancing Art]
[Techniques: Blood Manifestation]
[Skills: Jade Eyes, Influence, Dark Bond, Runner]
[Title: Path Breaker ???]
[Talent Grade: ???]
[Revamp Energy Level: 200 of 200%]
[Accumulated Exp: 86,700]
[Level 2 Achieved]
Blood studied the interface. Everything remained the same, save for the Accumulated Exp, which had risen dramatically.
Although Blood knew he had fought hard, even nearly dying more than once—he had not realized the increase was that large. The last time he checked, it had been only 20,700 Exp.
This is a huge increase… but it's still lacking, he thought grimly. Considering the sheer number of beasts they had fought along the way, it felt insufficient. Ballock had deliberately let him deliver the final blow to each beast.
Many beasts had obstructed their path till they reached Warp Village; while they slew many, they still fled from those of higher stages.
Blood fixed his eyes on the dormant title Path Breaker. He remembered he had gotten it when the Blood Book notified him of unlocking an ancient path. Though its meaning remained shrouded, he knew time would eventually reveal its purpose.
Shop…
An array of items with unique properties greeted him, shimmering in ethereal blue light. Blood's eyes narrowed as he quickly delved into the list.
[Energy Release: When the Host breaks through a major realm, it enables the Host to release a stream of energy which disperses into the surroundings, allowing others nearby to cultivate faster for a short time. (Recommended)]
[Eclipse Eater: An ability that spreads the user's presence and displays the speculated strength of the area, used in world selection. (Highly Recommended)]
[Blood Evasive Art: A set of movement techniques that allows the user to move with extreme speed and vigor, evading obstacles and impediments with swift, precise steps.]
[Soulless Sweep: A silent attack technique of devastating might, able to pierce the soul's structure and exploit the vulnerabilities of an opponent when their essence is exposed.]
Blood scrutinized the glowing text, his gaze sharp and contemplative.
Two of the skills were marked as recommended, one even highly recommended. However, as he studied their descriptions, he realized they were not what he sought as at now.
Based on their nature, he was uncertain they applied to his current predicament. He had entered the shop only seeking items related to war, and techniques that would keep him alive and protect his companion.
Without preparation, he would be offering his head to the enemy, and Ballock's fate would be bound to his own. He couldn't afford to be hasty.
Without further hesitation, he tapped on the movement art and the silent attack technique. He didn't yet know their redeeming prices, but he was confident he had enough Exp to claim them. After all, he had 86,700 Exp.
[Blood Evasive Art—Blood Evasive Step
Redeem Point: 20,000 Exp]
[Soulless Sweep
Redeem Point: 35,000 Exp]
Blood was left speechless by the exorbitant demand that he was almost forced to curse! How could two items already consume more than half of his accumulated exp? Was the Blood Book not greedy—far too greedy?
Perhaps it knows I have enough Exp, he thought bitterly.
Nevertheless, his mind eased when he calculated the cost. It was equivalent to the exp gained from slaying about fifty Stage-9 beasts of the Iron Realm. He realized then that the points he got from slain beasts had sharply decreased.
Now that he had stepped into the Bronze Realm, Blood realized that slaying beasts of any stage within the Iron Realm yielded only diminutive results. Even when he had been in the Iron Realm himself, the points gained from killing beasts of lower stages had dwindled once he advanced to the mid stages.
Still, the cost of redeeming items did not disturb him much. He knew that those were rare treasures and are difficult to obtain normally. Many sects didn't create powerful techniques themselves; most were discovered within secret realms, portal exploration, or even the enigmatic Empty Worlds.
If acquiring a technique were that easy, anyone would be satisfied—even if the price were a hundred times greater. For the creation of a technique was arduous, and obtaining one was even more demanding, since the most powerful arts were monopolized by the great sects and peak powers.
They left only indecent, redundant techniques for outsiders, ensuring that no rival could rise to challenge their authority. This was the foundation of their dominance; the reason they remained at the summit of the world.
Blood also couldn't deny his weakness. He knew he lacked a decent attack, a reliable movement art, and even a defensive technique. His gaze lingered on the required exp for each item, and after a moment's thought, he made his choice.
Swoosh…
A faint red mist, subtle enough to go unnoticed, emerged from nowhere and pierced his glabella. It left no pain, only a strange sensation.
In an instant, 55,000 Exp was deducted.
[Items Redeemed Successfully]
[Accumulated Exp: 31,700]
Blood's eyes gleamed with an unknown light as every organ in his body stirred, resonating with the newly imbued techniques.