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Elder Cultivator - Chapter 195

Published at 9th of February 2024 05:54:55 AM


Chapter 195

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Chapter 195

The pleasant sounds of birds lied to Alvas ears. Today wasnt a pleasant day. She was out in the forest, alone. She didnt even have Fuzz with her. Well, she wasnt entirely alone. An arrow made purely out of energy flew past her head. By the time she turned and readied her bow, her target was already gone.

It wasnt fair. Just because her grandpa started cultivating a bit earlier, and because she had to be careful while she was young, he was better than her! Well, to be fair he was going to be a better archer than her even if their cultivations matched. The proof of that was the total energy in her arrows matched what she could accomplish. Hers were just a bit less streamlined and condensed.

Alva took off running. If she just stood still, her grandpa would actually hit her with the arrows. Even if he would make sure not to injure her, she didnt want to just accept a loss. She had to figure out where he was and take a shot. She fired off several arrows, but trees got in the way. Curving them around things was difficult, especially while protecting herself. She was at least able to duck behind some obstacles to protect from incoming attacks.

She had to admit that she was a bit too used to fighting with Fuzz. He was able to carry her quickly, and he even took care of a lot of dodging. There was nothing wrong with being used to having him around, since on real missions having him around was practical. Grandpa Anton always said to use every tool at your disposal. But right now, she was training for a tournament. That meant she couldnt just bring a beast with her.

There was no proof that there would be any matches in a forest, but apparently the terrain of the tournament grounds could be varied. Besides, Alva recognized she wouldnt get much from training in an open field. She wasnt going to suddenly get better at shooting targets she could see and dodging attacks that were obvious.

Eventually she collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. She just couldnt keep up with her grandpa. He was supposed to be an old man, how did he manage? Sure, his cultivation was nearly twice as many stars as her. And almost in late Spirit Building instead of early Spirit Building like her. But he was supposed to be old and weak!

-----This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.

Anton carefully controlled his breathing as he approached Alva. Given the vast gap in cultivation between them, she had done rather well. Enough to begin to tire him out, at least. The real difference was that Alva would be ready again given an hour or two, while he needed a bit more rest to regain his energy. He had actually expended a bit more than her, because even if he was keeping his attacks at a level she could react to hed said nothing about not making use of his full energy capacity.

Besides, he wasted a lot of energy on arrows that hit her, making sure they quickly dissolved before breaking through her defenses. She needed to have good defenses, but that wasnt what this training was about and he didnt have the heart to cause her even light injuries. Fortunately there were others who would help her in that area. Fuzz was actually quite good for that, because he was able to wrestle and bite and pierce through energy defenses while not hurting anyone in any significant way. When he chose to, of course. In actual battle against real opponents they were never so lucky.

Perhaps if he were at Elder Kseniyas level he could instantly stop his arrows after breaking through energy defenses, but he wasnt willing to bet his familys life on that, or that of his friends. While tempered bodies might also resist some amount of damage, injuries would only slow down training- and they still had much to do. The tournament would split people into different groups based on cultivation rank, with those above a certain age disallowed. Alva might be able to have some success in the early Spirit Building bracket, though Anton wasnt sure if she could successfully fight against mid Spirit Building cultivators. Then again, not all cultivation techniques were equal. Whether or not she faced an opponent suited to fight against archery would also sway the odds around her.

-----

Harmlessly, you say Hoyt shook his head. Its still a powerful bundle of energy. Just because it scatters doesnt mean it isnt dangerous.

Still true, Anton admitted. Just remember that true ascended cultivators will be able to make more than just two attacks.

Two? Timothy spun around, maximizing the defenses of his shield. He jumped upward to meet the incoming arrow, which had to have been looping around a very far distance to remain unnoticed until that point. In fact, it was picking up momentum as it currently shot almost straight down.

Catarina leaped up after him. When the arrow struck his shield it exploded around it, leaving only a cone shaped area behind it safe. Catarina was in that area, but more importantly she was able to slow Timothy as he was rocketed backwards towards the ground. Devon also produced a dozen chains- without spikes- catching onto them as they approached the ground. The multiple layers of chains at least caused the impact to be spread over a greater time so that Timothy only left a moderately sized impression in the ground, not more than a meter deep.

Bop, Anton tapped his axe on Velvets neck.

She turned back to him and frowned. That one doesnt count. You were dead.

Probably, he admitted. But you didnt make sure.

She snorted. It was implied. But next time Ill make sure to note I stabbed you with both daggers.

-----

Many people were focused on the upcoming tournament in Facraona, but Kohar was still focused on one thing. She hadnt even realized there had been a tremendous battle and was wondering why many of her various jobs had suddenly become easier, but she took full advantage of the few days the legal defenses of various slave trading groups failed. When she later learned about the battle in Black Soul Valley, she thought perhaps she should have done more. If even Life Transformation experts had risked their lives and lost them, why couldnt she? Though actually risking her life wasnt going to do much good. Kohar was making sure to stay with her guards, graciously provided by the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars, as well as in public places where nobody could pretend they didnt notice if she came under attack.

She also made the best use she could of various skilled couriers, quickly and stealthily carrying messages to different cities to respond to moves she had to deal with. Kohar had to admit that she was still weak as far as cultivators went, and insufficient even if she were to consider her potential in the field of being an advocate, but she continued to improve one bit at a time. Anton continued to stay in touch with her, and had even visited with her when she took a short time off and returned to Graotan. He didnt say much during that time, but somehow he always found a way to help with cultivation. Even when he was just talking about his grandchildren and how they were progressing. Maybe she just needed to relax. It was just so hard when there were so many things to do, and people needed them done now and not in a hundred years. Though admittedly, Anton continued to remind her that the ultimate goal of abolishing slavery would still be a long time off- whether through the law of the land or the law of the sword.




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