Chapter 78 78 – Two New Companions



Hearing that they couldn't travel inside the sect, Ken thought it'd be better to leave.

"There's no point in delaying it then. Are you two close to breaking through?"

Ken asked the girls if they had a reason to delay their travel to the battlefield.

"Yes, but not close enough. We can first venture inside the Outer Ring and break through to the next stage before the next time."

"Sure."

Once the three agreed to go inside, they acted on it. They concluded it'd be safer to enter during the night when enemies are less likely to find them. 

"We should know a little bit more about each other's abilities. Ken, we already know that your main attacks are your dash and unsheathing techniques, right?"

"Yes, but they're slightly more powerful than what I revealed in the arena. Besides them, I also have a good concealing technique as well as a detecting technique that can tell me if there are humans within 750 meters from us."

His Blood Sense ability upgraded from 500 meters to 750 when he broke through to the Intermediate Core Formation Stage. He didn't share the weakness of the skill with them for two reasons – he didn't want them to know his weaknesses, and he doubted there would be any cultivators that didn't ever kill anyone.

"Good, those are two great supporting abilities. They can let you act as a scout for us, although it overlaps with my abilities. With the wind as my ally and my sharp perception, I'm a great scout myself."

Diana was mainly happy to see he was sharing some of his abilities with them, although she believed it wasn't everything. She continued to explain her abilities better.

"I'm specializing in detecting, searching, scouting, and everything else in that field. I can sense movements from 1 kilometer away unless they're underground where the wind doesn't reach. The closer they are, the harder it will be for the enemies to hide their movements from me."

Diana explained proudly her abilities. Unlike Ken, she was straightforward and even told him the way her techniques worked and their weaknesses, a gesture Ken appreciated.

"What about attacking?"

"As you know, I use the bow, so there's not much to say about it. My attacks are swift and powerful, and their strongest effect is achieved with the element of surprise. I can even curve the route of my arrows with the wind, although it can't create miracles like a U-turn. My arrows are silent for the most part, they only make noise after crossing 100 meters."

Unlike Ken's success in muting his sword, it was much harder to make arrows silent, mainly because of the distance difference. She had to use Qi to coat the arrows and make them cut through the air silently before the arrow touches it and produces a whistling sound.

While Ken could easily renew the Qi in every sword stroke as it was held in his hand, she could only coat it once before the arrow left the string.

"That's great for ambushing. If the enemy is less than 200 meters away, he won't have enough time to react to the arrow before it pales him."

Ken praised her abilities and the young lady smiled in delight. She was worried he wouldn't know to appreciate her techniques because of the overlapping advantages.

"Now me, now me. First, I can make talismans with runes. They have great usage for defense and attack and can be life savers. I mainly specialize in defense talismans because of my sword art; I charge in and fight in close combat."

"She's just reckless and needs those talismans to save her."

Despite Diana's remark, Ken was still intrigued to see her battle style. If he understood her correctly, she was risking herself for killing the enemy and relied on the talismans she produced to save her if the risk didn't pay off.

"I'm not reckless, those are calculated risks."

Jane pouted, pretending to be offended by Diana's words. She didn't carry the same childish cuteness as her friend, and her strong jaw made her pout seem out of place on her face.

"Anyway, I fight in close combat and my sword strokes are powerful. I use a greatsword, so don't try to block my hits, hehe."

She let out a confident chuckle as she declared her physical power with pride. 

'Her size doesn't fit her fighting style. I guess most natural advantages are gone in cultivation.'

Ken murmured inwardly when he looked at the short cultivator in front of him. She had a sturdy body, but with her short stature at 164 cm (A/N: 5'4 ft), she would be at a disadvantage against a 180 cm tall (A/N: 6 ft) bulky man in Ken's former world.

"Now that we know of each other's strengths, should we venture inside the central zone?"

"Sure. We can also practice our synchronization against beasts inside."

The trio left the house and found 2 disciples wearing the yellow Divine Sword Sect's robes waiting for them outside. One of the two disciples carried a saber on his back while the other was unarmed.

"Senior brothers, may I know why you're waiting outside?"

Jane asked the two as soon she saw them. The two ignored her and turned to Ken when they caught sight of him.

"Young Master, we were sent by the patriarch to follow you inside when you go to the central area."

The two bowed while cupping their fists. They were approached by the patriarch himself for this mission, so they didn't dare neglect their manners. Even if this young master was as futureless as the rumors made him be, he still garnered respect by being the patriarch's favorite.

The two girls looked at Ken uncomfortably; they didn't expect his clan to send bodyguards to keep him safe. Not only that, the two disciples exuded a powerful aura on purpose, showcasing their might as Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

"You two can follow us but let us fight on our own. You may intervene only if something endangers our lives."

"Yes, Young Master."