27 Book 3 Chapter 23

According to Olivia, when dream root was consumed, the user's surroundings were used as a base for its hallucinations. To better optimize Andy's stat gains, Peter used a complete map of the thirtieth floor - of which there were less than ten in existence - to find several locations with differing geography.

This floor was the largest by far, and with its varied geography, finding a zone devoid of monsters was a small matter. The only problem was such places were favorite training spots for herbalists and other professions that lacked combat power.

Fortunately, Peter was the guildmaster of a large guild, so he simply blocked off the spots using his many subordinates. This would usually cause resentment among low-level ascenders, but Peter cared greatly for his reputation, so he used his favorite method: gifting pouches of gold.

With everything solved, operation 'Power Leveling With Some Drugz Yo' began.

The first zone was an overwhelming success. In only four days, Andy gained a whopping 32 points in his imagination stat before it slowed to a crawl. Today was the fifth day, and with a change of scenery, his stat gain was once again progressing.

Shenlong, Peter, and Jason stood atop a low cliff, overlooking a clearing inside a tranquil forest.

"Damn, this still gives me the creeps," Peter couldn't help but shiver.

"Agreed," Jason said, physically cringing every now and then.

Below the cliff, a ridiculous performance was unfolding. Roots of otherworldly colors formed to create inhuman creatures, all of whom danced queerly in a circle. Strangely, whenever they bumped into each other, they would morph into a single form before exiting out the other side, all in a fluid manner.

On the edge of the clearing, trees came to life, their branches waving in the air as they cheered along. Most shocking was at the center - where a humanoid treant stood. Its legs were one with the ground, while its body was covered in alien flowers that wilted and grew anew within moments. The treant methodically waved its hands, its fingers taking the place of an orchestrator's wand.

Unfortunately, this bizarre ritual was tainted by the fact that every creature appeared to be a woman endowed with the greatest of boons, especially the trees. Even the flowers took the shape of fairies.

Upon the cliff, Shenlong finally reacted with a scowl. "I know several psychologists…"

"Hah," Jason shook his head, "trust me, this guy has an incurable condition."

Shenlong was conflicted. "What has the world come to? I have to rely on a person like this?"

"Divine grade," Peter reminded.

"Haaaaaah," Shenlong sighed again.

Jason couldn't believe it; he saw something in the corner of Shenlong's eye. He could only pat the man no weaker than himself on the shoulder and repeat, "Divine grade."

Shenlong suddenly summoned his spear and walked away from the cliff. "Come, let's spar."

Peter and Jason glanced at each other as the former snickered. "He means you, bro."

Jason's shoulders sagged. Grumbling, he followed after Shenlong, "Ever since attaining the fourth realm, he wants to spar all the time. Why doesn't he pick Dubaku?"

What Jason didn't know was that Shenlong and Dubaku did spar, but only once. Even though both of them reached the fourth realm, they still weren't on the same level. Shenlong was a bonafide genius when it came to battle.

Hearing the sounds of battle behind him, Peter thought it was better to watch that than whatever abomination was occurring below. After taking out a beach umbrella and chair, he sat down, summoned a cool drink, and fell into his thoughts.

While a skilled ascender, planning and organization were second-nature to him. His mind revolved around recent events, his guild members, future plans, funding, and various other things.

As the sun reached its peak, the surrounding landscape was unrecognizable from the friendly spar. Soaked in sweat, Shenlong and Jason joined Peter under cover of the umbrella. Jason couldn't help but notice Peter's dark expression. "What's up?"

"It's like this," Peter helplessly spread his hands. "We got the m-serum, but we're weaker than before."

Shenlong was silent as Jason grimaced, "It'll take a while for the m-serum to manifest its potential."

Peter shook his head. "That's not really the problem. Losing nine people sucks big, but we didn't lose their equipment. Between Shenlong's guild and mine, we have plenty of experts. As long as we gear them up, we'll be ready for another fight." He paused, considering his next words.

"I didn't think you were that type of person." Shenlong spoke up, his tone harsh.

"I wasn't finished yet," Peter scowled. "my subordinates are my flesh and blood - you think I want to trade nine people for every m-serum?"

Shenlong blinked. He coughed in embarrassment from his quick judgment and motioned for Peter to continue. From the side, Jason mentally sighed. They still don't know each other well, but at least they're trying. That's all I can ask for.

Peter crossed his legs and continued slowly, "Honestly, these Nobles are within limits we can handle - it was just that skill."

Jason grunted in agreement. "I've never encountered a skill like that before."

"It reminds me of mental suppression." Shenlong mused aloud.

"Yeah, but this felt more direct." Jason recalled the fight. "It was a strong suppression of energy."

Peter's eyes flashed. "What if mana, your battle energy, Roy's holy energy, and all other types of energy have different grades?"

"That… makes a lot of sense, actually."

Peter looked at Jason and continued. "That's why you could move, you were still affected, but your energy's grade was able to fight back."

"That isn't right." Shenlong spoke up and revealed, "I only have mana, but I was able to move as well, I just needed time to adjust. It reminded me of my first time wearing weighted clothes."

"Weighted clothes?" Jason and Peter cocked their heads.

Shenlong waved his hand. "A training method from a bygone era."

"Hmm." Peter recalled the battle with Hector. "Actually, now that you mention it, I think I might've been able to move as well if I had enough time. Let me ask around for a minute."

After a short while, Peter put away his communication necklace and exclaimed. "It's as I thought."

"What'd you find out?" Jason and Shenlong perked up.

Peter leaned forward, his expression animated. "Let's keep going with the energy grade theory, but what if we add energy control?"

"The realms!"

"Right!" Peter's eyes were bright. "People were able to resist at different levels relative to their progress in the four realms."

Finally! A solution had been found for the problem plaguing everyone's minds. As long as they gathered enough people in the third realm, hunting Nobles would be much easier.

Jason was struck with a thought. "Wait, how many people do you guys have in the third realm?"

Shenlong and Peter looked at each other. "Seven."

"Nineteen."

Jason's expression fell. "And how many participated in the battle with Hector?"

Shenlong and Peter didn't respond, their excitement vanishing. True, they correctly identified the problem, but how easy was it to reach the third realm? Becoming a top-tier ascender could be achieved with good equipment and high skill levels, the four realms be damned.

A moment later, Peter spoke up, "Hold on. We just need to control energy - a much simpler matter than complete control over your body, opponent, and surroundings." He glanced at Jason. "Got any ideas?"

As Jason fell into thought, Shenlong's eyes flashed. "Mental suppression."

Peter smacked his forehead. "Of course!" He stood up, ran a few yards away, then sat on the ground and hollered. "Shenlong!"

Remaining seated, Shenlong narrowed his eyes and activated the skill - his will filling the world.

Peter's body shuddered, the connection between his body and mind under duress. The ability to control his limbs, energy, and thoughts were hindered.

That was why the skill was so deadly if used in the middle of combat. If you had mental suppression as well, you could fight back, but if not, well, best of luck.

After a few minutes, Shenlong withdrew the skill. Peter was about to ask why but stopped himself after seeing Shenlong's pale white face. Running over in concern, he asked. "You okay?"

"Just tired." Shenlong waved his hand dismissively before collapsing into his chair. He downed the water bottle Jason handed over before asking. "Any results?"

Peter smiled widely. "Mental suppression doesn't really have a target. Still, it has some impact on energy control, so we can use it to train our resistance."

Jason pumped his fist. "That's great news!"

"Kinda," Peter glanced at Shenlong's condition, "unfortunately, as far as I know, you're the only one to have that skill."

"No, he does too." Shenlong pointed at Jason with his chin.

"Really?" Peter was skeptical, as this was the first time he was hearing it.

"Actually, I don't." Jason shook his head. "I can simulate the mental suppression skill by combining my killing intent skill with battle energy."

Peter clicked his tongue. "Damn. We can't use your killing intent skill because it causes damage to the soul. Not very effective for training…"

Jason mused to himself. There sure are a lot of suppression type skills popping up. I wonder why they're all so different? No matter how much he thought about it, no answer came, so he shelved the thought for later.

"I can handle it." Shenlong stood up, his eyes blazing with passion. "Consider it training for me too."

"We'll be relying on you." Jason patted Shenlong's shoulder.

Just as Peter was about to begin organizing a training plan, his communication amulet vibrated. A minute later, he hung up, his expression dark.

Jason and Shenlong both sensed how negative Peter's thoughts were. Jason couldn't help but ask. "Who was it?"

"A report." Peter clenched his teeth. "Someone leaked info about the m-serum."

Jason frowned, "That sucks, but we expected this, didn't we?'

While info about the m-serum was kept a secret, the people who fought Hector weren't. It was only natural that other parties would approach them, offering irresistible benefits.

"Eboni's dead," Peter spat, "along with forty other top-tier ascenders."

Jason widened his eyes in disbelief, "No way, did she try and fight a noble?"

"I have to make a public announcement. Hopefully, I can deter others from pushing their luck." Peter quickly teleported away, not caring to store his chair and beach umbrella.

Forty-one top-tier ascenders died, just like that. Humanity's fighting force just took a significant blow.