Mahi was finally done two hours later, the 8th yarn in her body fully polished, before being infused with wind essence, allowing her to take another step forward towards the first level of the Gossamer Steps technique.
Her long eyelashes trembled faintly as she slowly opened her eyes.
Ezra Zephyr stood on a rock to her front and was currently looking at her.
"How is it? You should believe that I'm not a liar now, right?" Ezra smiled.
Mahi blushed slightly, a somewhat complicated expression in her eyes as she looked towards Ezra Zephyr. A long while later, she finally responded, "How did you do it?"
Ezra offhandedly said, "My senses are just above average."
The curvy girl did not probe any further but the slim and violent lady showed a dissatisfied face. After a slight hesitation, she finally said in a soft voice, "Thanks."
She knew that she was the big winner this time. Ezra had greatly increased her efficiency, something that Roshi would never be able to achieve.
The prince waved his hand. "You provided the money and I provided the effort. Each of us is just fulfilling the other's needs.
It's getting late. You may find me here during the next ten days. I'll do my best to let you reach the first level of the Gossamer Steps technique before these ten days are over."
After he finished speaking, he waved as he turned and left in a carefree manner, leaving only the fragments of black lightning bolts.
The duo ladies watched him leave as they gave each other a look. It was a long time later before Ravina finally mumbled to herself in a soft voice,
"This guy… is way too mysterious"
In the following few days, having tasted the sweet fruits of success, Mahi came by the creek practically every day to receive Ezra's aid in mastering the Gossamer Steps technique.
With Ezra Zephyr's help, she progressed by leaps and bounds. In a short four days, the number of yarns she had knitted rose from 8 to 25.
One must know that the later yarns would become harder and harder to sense. In a normal situation, Mahi would at best knit 5 yarns in four days.
The rapid progress under Ezra Zephyr's guidance slightly alarmed even Ravina herself. Hence, even someone as prideful as her was now a little more respectful when she saw Ezra Zephyr during these few days.
However, the prince did not pay much heed to her change in attitude. After all, the spirit jades he wanted were already his.
The only thing that bothered him was that this tiny amount of Spirit jade was still nowhere near enough to rent out the high-tier Gamma layer skill, Eight Lost Dragons.
<Next Day>
Ezra Zephyr was seated on a rock, his eyes shut in prowess, while Mahi Ingale was also present nearby.
The prince suddenly opened his eyes as he slowly expelled a breath of spiritual energy from his mouth. At this moment, a peculiar undulation spread from his body.
One could only watch as half his body gradually turned incorporeal, giving off a faint feeling of transparency.
"You… you've mastered the first level?!" A shocked voice sounded from the side. Mahi Ingale had opened her eyes and was now staring at Ezra Zephyr in bewilderment.
Making half of one's body gossamer was only achievable when one reached the first level of the Gossamer Steps technique.
Ezra's expression did not change as he swept her a look and said, "You've already completed 25 yarns, is it that strange for me to reach the first level?"
Mahi froze momentarily, feeling a little foolish due to how shocked she was. When she thought about it, however, she felt that it was a very normal reaction. It was after all far too rare for someone to reach the first level in such a short span of time.
"Now that I've mastered the first level, any attack that lands on my body will have its power neutralized by nearly 30%." A satisfied look filled his eyes as he looked at his etherealized hand.
Do not look down on this 30%, because it would often be enough to bring about a reversal in battle.
Of course, the neutralization effect was not absolute, and there existed certain special methods that could counter it. If not, the Gossamer Steps technique would not be limited to a mere mid-tier little Gamma layer technique, but instead be qualified to enter the ranks of even the Delta or even higher, Omega.
All in all, the Gossamer Steps technique would greatly boost one's survivability on all fronts.
"You're actually pretty low-key, hehe." Mahi suddenly laughed as she looked at Ezra Zephyr. "Although you appear to be a 2nd-level Core Formation, after spending these past few days with you, I've come to realise that you should have a place amongst the recently established outer mountains' top ten."
Nearly half a month had passed since the many disciples arrived at the Spirit Devouring Mountain. The acclimatization period was basically over for everyone, causing them to naturally shift their attention to competing and comparing.
As such, after some estimation and general consensus, the outer mountain disciples came up with the so-called ten great outer mountain disciples. It had spread like wildfire during the past two days, making it one of the hottest topics in the outer mountains.
The one who stood at the top was to no one's surprise, Drake Tubble.
While Ravina Ingale was second. Amongst the ten great unofficial outer mountain disciples, seven were geniuses from the Shiyan and Rhiyan continents, while only three were from the other continents, and it just so happened that Ash Bekham was number ten.
As for Ezra Zephyr, no one had even mentioned him. He was after all an early 2nd Level Core Formation, and there appeared to be just too huge of a gap between him and the third layer Core Formation disciples.
However, Mahi was clearly not of the same opinion, hence her previous words.
From what she could see, Ezra was too good at concealing his strength. If he wanted to, he would surely have a place amongst the ten great unofficial outer mountain disciples.
The prince merely chuckled when he heard this. "Is there any meaning to these rankings? It's not the peak selection ceremony will be decided based on it."