Chapter 136
While it seemed a little bit unfair to fight an eight-on-one battle, Anton wasnt sure who it was unfair towards. The advantage of numbers should have been useful, but the way Timothy was flying past his head he was going to say the advantage was held by the one with greater cultivation. Though he wasnt an actual person, the aura around the projection of Everheart was similar in magnitude to an Essence Collection cultivator. Hed felt it change as they entered the room, so presumably it was matching them in some way. Whether that was to be fair or not was a different question.
Everhearts blows were as powerful as the strikes from the golems, but he was much quicker and also a smaller target. Spirit Arrows flew past him as quickly as Anton could fire them, but striking him seemed impossible even as he dodged numerous other attacks.
Everhearts projection fought without weapons, but that was simply because they werent necessary. Weapons were for providing reach and multiplying force. The latter was completely unnecessary when fighting them, and if he used a weapon he would simply kill them. Though Everheart could be an ass, he was at least basically fair in his trials. Anton was even starting to doubt the legitimacy of calling this place a tomb, though some careless fellows had died- mostly in The Gauntlet during the early days.
One bow, two swords, a pair of daggers, and an axe were the weapons of the members of the Order. Lev fought mostly unarmed, relying more on the effects he could produce with his energy rather than physical attacks. He created tendrils of energy meant to restrain as well as leaving traces of his own energy that attempted to burrow through Everhearts defenses. Though Marsen had fought with no weapons against the other member of the Frostmirror sect, he was currently using a staff with which he primarily targeted Everhearts lower body. Marsen of course also made use of his frost abilities. Firdaus primarily made use of his spear, though he also took advantage of bladed gauntlets and boots he wore, kicking and punching where advantageous. He incorporated lightning into his attacks, resulting in the area being a mix of colors.
Everheart was so relaxed he could talk while fighting them. Your swordsmanship isnt anything to speak of, Everheart said as he swiped an elbow over Catarinas head, You should probably try to focus on those formations of yours.
Of course, she was trying to do that. Everheart just kept moving her formation flags and moving to attack her directly, disrupting her efforts as she had to defend herself.
His fist slammed into Timothys shield, sending him staggering back several steps but not catapulting him through the air. Your ability to take a hit is fine I suppose, but whats the point in blocking if you cant even reflect the damage to me? Everhearts hooked his leg behind Timothys knee and whacked him on the back of the head with his fist as he lost his balance, And your stance sucks.
Everhearts eyes constantly scanned his surroundings, looking for his next target. He found it, grabbing Hoyts axe just below the blade and stopping his attack. He twisted it to block a spear of ice shot by Marsen.
Your technique sucks, he said to Hoyt. Youd do better focusing on external projection rather than your physique. He tossed Hoyts axe at Marsen, Your face isnt as unreadable as you think. Seems the Frostmirror sect still doesnt have any actual mirrors. His next target was Lev. An interesting technique youve got, but that arm at your side is slowing you down. Better to just remove it. As if to punctuate his point, Everheart jabbed Lev in the guts on the side of his useless arm. At the same time, that useless arm slammed into Everhearts face, getting the first solid blow on him in the battle. It didnt do much more than damage his defenses briefly, but Everhearts eyes flashed with anger. Then he laughed. What a dumb technique. Using your energy to control your own useless arm from the inside like a parasite on yourself. I love it! That declaration didnt stop him from kicking Lev halfway across the room, though.
Anton kept up a steady rate of firing arrows. He was beginning to see some patterns in Everhearts movements. The others were also acclimating to fighting one powerful and smaller enemy rather than dealing with golems of their own. As a group, theyd never fought a single person so they werent as familiar as they could be.
Where is Everheart looked around, then kicked his leg up behind him, sending Velvet flying into the ceiling. There you are. Too much killing intent right before your attacks. She twisted her body to hit the ceiling feet first and sprang back down towards Everheart, slicing out with her daggers. He avoided, of course, but Marsen was able to clip him with his spear, drawing their first blood for the battle. Everheart caught the spear as it was being retracted, basically ignoring the electricity pouring out of it against his energy. You should work more on how to use equipment. Itll help with making it too. Then Everheart snapped the spear in half. Also, try not to freeze up in battle. It lets your opponent do whatever they want. During that whole exchange he was dodging others attacks.
Catarina was actually seizing the opportunity to build up her formation. The energy she was providing was beginning to flow through them, and slightly slowing Everheart. Likewise, Levs energy had successfully burrowed its way into one finger and was causing internal damage. Those making more standard attacks were managing to land blows, though most of them didnt puncture Everhearts defensive energy. Anton kept his arrows densely packed with energy to have a chance to break through, though some of the time he simply intended for Everheart to avoid and take a lesser blow from someone else.
When Everheart appeared right in front of him, Anton wasnt surprised. Why the hell are you old, though? Perhaps if he werent so thrown off by the question Anton could have avoided the straight punch to his face- but only on a good day. His head snapped back and blood gushed from Antons nose.
Couldnt not be, Anton responded. He spun a nice new handaxe hed gotten from the reward points, slicing at Everhearts chin but only cutting a few beard hairs.
Everheart posed dramatically and pointed, Fleeting Youth! Using the power of the grave to dredge out your potential. Perfect for an old new cultivator. Its not here, but I can tell you where it is.
Really? Anton asked. That sounds intriguing. Is it dangerous?
Only if you use it wrong. Probably. It was like ninety percent finished when I was made here. Should have worked out the kinks.
That does sound useful, Anton admitted. Though Everheart was deemed crazy and dangerous by almost everyone, nobody ever claimed his techniques didnt work. Even an incomplete one could be valuable. Do you know where other things might be? Anything about raising the cultivation of people on a large scale?
Trying to boost your sect for merit, huh? Everheart asked. I have one in that third pile. You might not want that though.
I was thinking wider scale. Ive been trying to determine if its viable to raise the minimum cultivation level of everyone, so that cultivators cant just run rampant over peaceful towns and villages.
Oho. Interesting. I dont have a technique for that, Everheart admitted, But I do have some notes. Should still be sealed. I could tell you where it is. Or that technique for yourself. Fleeting Youth is one of my best works. Youd have to pick one though.
The notes, Anton said without hesitation. They should be more beneficial to the world.
Tch, Everheart clicked his tongue, muttering to himself, Should have spent more time hyping it up. You sure? You could rule the world with the other one.
Yes, Anton said. I dont want to rule the world if people are helpless without my intervention.
Fine. Everheart took one of the scrolls in front of him, unraveling and then wiping his hand across it. All of the colored inks in it were ripped from the pages, leaving it blank. Then he slapped the scroll, leaving behind instructions and a map. Everheart looked it over. Yeah, that should do. Here you go.
Thank you, Anton accepted the scroll.
Well, Everheart said. Time for you to get going. He scooped up all of the remaining techniques with his energy and tossed them into a bag, which he threw to Anton. Do whatever with those. Its time for the end! Everheart stood tall, proudly announcing. Everyone! Im sure youre glad to hear that the trials are over. No complaints that its only been twenty-five days! Come to the main hall. All facilities will now become defunct. Everheart waved to the group. Shoo. Go. Dont delay.
Ignoring Everhearts projection seemed like a foolish idea, so they all started running. There was nothing blocking their movement- though they did see members of the Heavenly Lion Sect milling about outside the room where the golems would have been, awkwardly heading towards the main hall when they realized nothing was active for them to exploit.