A/N:

  Usually this is at the end of the chapter but this one I put it at the start because I need to say something about this chapter so I will try to be quick to not be too annoying.

  First of all, I want to say sorry because this chapter will be short(not in words count as this is as usual or even a little more) but in the sense that the latter half ‘doesn’t count’ because this is an extremely long Status Window!

  The reason why there is a Status Window isn’t even because Mikael look at it as this isn’t the case, it’s entirely me dropping it in the middle of the chapter and that’s because for ‘obvious’—not really but soon enough would be—reason I needed to have a clear gasp of Mikael strength.

  And this is actually really hard because I always had him learn a lot of things and now that I want to have a clear grasp of his strength, I need to do ‘math’ and calculation to take everything in count + modify his Status Window, take the time to think if everything works and all that…

  I won’t go into all the details but it took me like 3 hours without writing ‘anything’ and because of that I could only write half the chapter so I decided to put this in place for the curious who want to look at it.

  Again sorry for the ‘short’ chapter but be reassured I don’t intent to put half chapter long Status Window often(if it happen because of some changes in the Status Window it would be at the end of the chapter and be bonus, like if the chapter was 2K words and the Status Window is 1K words, the chapter would be 3K words!)

  So on that note, good reading!

  {Even with the upgraded Soul Cultivation Method, rewards judged to be slightly insufficient… to compensate the Trial Taker can skip Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the trial.}

  {The Trial Taker has the possibility of directly leaving with his gains or to participate in the Final but Optional Phase 4 for increased rewards.

  Note: That with increased rewards came increased danger and the risk of death isn’t negligible and is even judged to be rather high with the capabilities presently shown by the Trial Taker.}

  “Oh?” an intrigued sound escaped Mikael as the handsome cultivator let go of the stone pedestal while a glint of interest and intrigue passed in his eyes.

  He then spoke seemingly to nothing but the empty air, “I would be interested in participating in the Phase 4 but before that can I see what it is about?”

  Mikael spoke confidently, making it clear that the note left by the Trial Spirit wasn’t enough to deter him as he was fully confident in himself, but—

  There was a fine line between confidence, arrogance and recklessness!

  And accepting to participate in this Finale Phase of the Trial without having the slightest clue on its content would definitively be crossing that line, after all he doesn't know what it will be about!

  It’s entirely possible for this Phase of the Trial to need a high Cultivation Base or else it would be a sure death scenario, in this case he would only be throwing himself to his death if he let his previous success get to his head by reckless accepting to participate.

  {...}

  The silence that followed was deafening—not really as it wasn’t truly silent as even now Tharvonis was continuing to progress toward the stone pedestal; he may have lost this ‘competition’ but it wasn’t a reason to abandon!

  Of course even though the proud Varnari warrior thought like that, his pace was undoubtedly slowed compared to before, after all previously he was truly pushing himself beyond his limits but now that it was ‘finished’, even if he wanted to continue at the same speed he just wasn’t able!

  Even then, explosions continued to resound now and then as the Varnari slowly but surely progressed toward Mikael location…

  Meanwhile as this was happening, Mikael was quietly waiting for the Trial Spirit to answer his previous query.

  A couple of seconds passed without it answering and when it seemed like the Spirit wouldn’t answer, it ultimately did:

  {The exact content of Phase 4 would be revealed when the other Trial Taker reaches the Inheritance Pedestals.}

  {At that time both Trial Takers would need to make a choice on whether to participate in the Phase 4 or not, if the Trial Takers refuse to participate they will safely teleported away to a random location far from Lord Qe’thuun Inheritance Site.}

  {This is to make sure that the Trial Takers aren’t hunted, injured or killed by other Trial Takers or other cultivators that could be waiting outside.}

  {Note that normally this wouldn’t be the case as there would only be a ‘winner’ in this batch of inheritors but both Trial Takers displayed strong qualities entirely deserving of rewards and consequently this time there will be an exception with both Trial Takers receiving a reward!}

  ‘I see…’ a certain glint passed in Mikael's eyes before his gaze moved to Tharvonis who was slowly but surely approaching.

  Step, step.

  Mikael moved slightly, resting his back against one of the Inheritance Pedestals as he took a relaxed, almost indifferent posture.

  ‘Now, I wait,’ he thought, letting time flow as he calmly observed the proud Varnari warrior drawing near…

  Boom!

  Step.

  Step.

  Under his ‘rival’ gaze, Tharvonis seemed to have regained a second life as he forced himself to go faster and push himself farther because as a Varnari he couldn’t afford to look weak, especially—

  Especially not before another warrior that he grew to greatly respect from his display of tenacity and determination that trumped even his own which he previously believed to be absolutely top-tier so to be beaten by a human of lower cultivation…

  It was a blow to his ego that was for sure, but at the same time it ignited his warrior pride and determination to get better in a way that if something like that happened once more, he would win!

  975th

  985th

  995th

  999th

  “ARGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!” A primal-like roar escaped Tharvonis as, in a display similar to Mikael before him, he roared like a primordial beast set free, powering through the last step and finally… completing the trial!

  Nod.

  Mikael gave the proud Varnari warrior a small, respectful nod, which Tharvonis, despite his fatigue, returned to the best of his ability, though because of his exhaustion, what was meant to be a respectful gesture instead came out as a tired, almost ‘lazy’ one.

  Of course Mikael wasn’t stupid enough to not understand the reality of the situation, so he wasn’t offended by this ‘lazy’ nod; he simply kept quiet and watched Tharvonis’s actions.

  At that moment neither of the two powerful men spoke or exchanged anything more than the previous nod, but the respect each had for the other was clear, and sometimes… sometimes words were unnecessary when actions spoke far far louder!

  A/N:

  I know this is a shitty place to cut but it was the least worst of the options I had as the other options I could find were all worse than this one… so I can only say sorry for this cliffhanger…

  NOTE: I decided to change the ‘Rank’ of a Method/Technique from Level to Stage and the level of understanding of anything from Mastery to Perfection because I thought these changes to be slightly better than the original

  So in the rest of the novel these changes are valid but this is only a ‘name’ change and nothing else changes!

  [Name: Mikael Angelini | Race: Human (Akashic Records Universe Variation) | Lifespan: (NEW) 26/300 → 33/90/300(Current Lifespan/End Golden Period of Lifespan/End of Lifespan) | Military Rank: Corporal (Rank 3) | MP: 2,000/10,000

  Cultivation Realm:

  - Spiritual Foundation Realm - 1st Layer

  Special Energy:

  - Aura (Dirarnia World): SSS+ 50K/50K

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  - Mana (Dirarnia World): SSS+ 50K/50K

  - Mental Force (Myrrakar World): Perfection Realm

  - Vitalis (Zarvital World): Perfect Human Realm

  - Anima (Eidorym World): Ascendant Realm

  Cultivation Aptitude:

  - Prodigious Cultivation Aptitude Level 5 → Heavenly Cultivation Aptitude Level 1 (NEW)

  Traits:

  - Self-Sustenance

  - Partial Body Control

  Talents:

  Unique Type Talents:

  - Prodigious Evolution Talent Level 3 → Prodigious Evolution Talent Level 4 (NEW)

  - Unrestrained Mind

  - Myriad Lightning Convergence Physique (NEW) → Myriad Lightning Convergence Physique +++ (NEW)

  Rare Type Talents:

  - Prodigious Spiritual Wisdom Talent Level 3

  - Prodigious Cognitive Prowess Talent Level 3

  - Prodigious Tactical Genius Talent Level 3

  - Prodigious Close Quarters Combat Talent Level 1

  - Prodigious Adaptive Combat Talent Level 1

  - Prodigious Vital Vessel Talent Level 1 → Prodigious Vital Vessel Talent Level 3 (NEW)

  - Prodigious Fluid Motion Talent Level 1 → Prodigious Fluid Motion Talent Level 2 (NEW)

  - Silent Predator Talent Level 5

  - Energy Mastery Talent Level 5 → Prodigious Energy Mastery Talent Level 2 (NEW)

  - Arcane Elementalism Talent Level 5 → Prodigious Arcane Elementalism Talent Level 1 (NEW)

  - Forging Talent Level 5

  - Runic Arts Talent Level 5

  Common Type Talents:

  - Prodigious Sword Talent Level 3

  - Energy Efficiency Talent Level 5 → Prodigious Energy Efficiency Talent Level 3 (NEW)

  - Alchemy Talent Level 5

  - Fate Affinity Level 1

  - Thunder Affinity Level 5 (NEW) → Prodigious Thunder Affinity Level 4 (NEW)

  Cultivation Technique:

  Main Cultivation Method(s):

  - Elemental Unity Path (High Stage Core Formation Art): Entry Realm – 10% toward Small Success → Perfection (NEW)

  - Sun-Moon Unity Technique (High Stage Core Formation Art): Entry Realm – 10% toward Small Success → Perfection (NEW)

  - Ninefold Physique Method (High Stage Core Formation Art): Entry Realm: Second Transformation – 30% toward Third Transformation → Ninefold Impurity-Free Physique Method(Low Stage Core Perfection Art): Perfection (NEW)

  - Obsidian Spirit Reinforcement (High Stage Core Formation Art): Entry Realm – 0% toward Small Success → Perfection (NEW)

  - Divine Sense Refining Method (High Stage Core Formation Art): Entry Realm – 20% toward Small Success → Perfection (NEW)

  Offensive Cultivation Technique:

  - Moonpiercer Sword Art (High Stage Core Formation Art): Small Success – 35% toward Great Success → Perfection

  Movement Cultivation Technique:

  - Cloudbreaking Stride (High Stage Core Formation Art): Entry Realm – 60% toward Small Success → Perfection (NEW)

  Defensive Cultivation Technique:

  Auxiliary Cultivation Technique:

  - Sword Nurturing Art (High Stage Core Formation Art): Small Success – 10% toward Great Success → Perfection(NEW)

  - Foresight of Heaven Mandate (??? Art): First Layer – 0% toward Second Layer → Second Layer (NEW)

  - Ferocity Art Mark II (Low Stage Core Formation Art – Stage 2, Mid Stage Core Perfection Art – Stage 1): Perfection → Ferocity Art Mark III (High Stage Core Formation Art – Stage 2, Mid Stage Core Perfection Art – Stage 1): Perfection (NEW)

  - Qi Control Method (High Stage Spiritual Foundation Art): Perfection

  - Purple Lightning Harmonization Art(Early Stage Core Formation Art): Perfection (NEW)

  - Myriad Lightning Fusion Art(Peak Stage Core Formation Art): Perfection (NEW)

  (NEW) Pure Foundation:

  - 1st layer Spiritual Foundation Realm – 268% (NEW)

  (This means that Qi Quality and Qi Quantity are 268% stronger than people in the same realm if they have never worked on their Pure Foundation!)

  Sword Dao Progress: → (NEW) Law/Dao Comprehension:

  - Threshold of Sword Intent → Sword Intent (NEW)

  Efficiency:

  - Cultivator Battle Experience: Initiate → Veteran (NEW)

  - Demonic Beasts battle experience: Adept

  - Global Combat Experience: Competent → Adept (NEW)

  - Efficiency in using Cultivation Techniques and Cultivation power in combat: Efficient → Refined (NEW)

  Energy Control:

  - Aura: 5 millimeters(Half a fingernail) → 1 millimeters(Thickness of a credit card) (NEW)

  - Mana: 5 millimeters(Half a fingernail) → 1 millimeters(Thickness of a credit card) (NEW)

  - Mental Force: 1 centimeters(Width of a fingertip) → 1 millimeters(Thickness of a credit card) (NEW)

  - Vitalis: 1 centimeters(Width of a fingertip) → 1 millimeters(Thickness of a credit card) (NEW)

  - Anima: 1 centimeters(Width of a fingertip) → 1 millimeters(Thickness of a credit card) (NEW)

  - Qi: 1 millimeters(Thickness of a credit card) → → 100 micrometers(thickness of an human hair) (NEW)

  Special Abilities:

  - ‘Precognition’: Entry Realm – 5% toward Small Success → ‘Precognition’: Perfection (NEW)

  ‘Real’ Cultivation Realm:

  Base Stats without anything: (NEW)

  - Body - 1st layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  - Soul - 1st layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  - Mind - 1st layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  - Energy - 1st layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  Base Stats Including(Pure Foundation):

  - Body - 1st layer Spiritual Foundation Realm

  - Soul - 1st layer Spiritual Foundation Realm

  - Mind - 1st layer Spiritual Foundation Realm

  - Energy - 1st layer → 6th layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  Base Stats Including(Pure Foundation, Talents - Myriad Lightning Convergence Physique +++):

  - Body - 1st → 3rd layer→ Half-Step 5th layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  - Soul - 1st → 3rd layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  - Mind - 1st → 3rd layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  - Energy - 1st layer → 6th layer → 9th layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  Base Stats Including(Pure Foundation, Talents, Myriad Lightning Convergence Physique +++):

  - Body - 1st → 3rd layer → Peak 4th layer → 7th layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  - Soul - 1st → 3rd layer → Early 4th layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  - Mind - 1st → 3rd layer → Early 4th layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  - Energy - 1st layer → 6th layer → 9th layer Spiritual Foundation Realm → Half-Step Core Formation Realm (NEW)

  Note: That the boost that talents give to one ‘raw stats’ are actually their most minimal benefits as their true value lies in speeding up cultivation in multiple aspects, notably including comprehension and more!

  Note 2: The above ‘raw stats’ don’t take in count anything which is outside of one ‘foundation and talents’ and consequently doesn’t take in count many factors contributing to one real battle power.

  This is purely in terms of raw ‘stats’ before anything like Cultivation Methods, Special Energies(Aura, Vitalis and more), Cultivation Techniques, Special Abilities, and far more are taken into account!)

  REAL Cultivation Realm: (NEW)

  REAL Stats Including(Pure Foundation, Talents, Myriad Lightning Convergence Physique +++, Cultivation Methods):

  - Body - 1st → 3rd layer → Peak 4th layer → 7th layer Spiritual Foundation Realm → 1st layer Core Formation Realm (NEW)

  - Soul - 1st → 3rd layer → Early 4th layer → 6th layer Spiritual Foundation Realm (NEW)

  - Mind - 1st → 3rd layer → Early 4th layer Spiritual Foundation Realm → Half-Step Core Formation Realm (NEW)

  - Energy - 1st layer → 6th layer → 9th layer Spiritual Foundation Realm → Half-Step Core Formation Realm → 3rd layer Core Formation Realm (NEW)]

  Weapon:

  [Name: Sangrelia]

  [Type: Spiritually awake Longsword(Weapon Spirit)

  [Material Strength: Peak Spiritual Foundation Realm materials, highly specialized in durability—comparable to Core Formation Realm materials in that specific aspect. ]

  [Craftmanship: Near-Perfect Mortal Craftsmanship which was further refined by a reforging under a Master Blacksmith with Forging Intent, bringing the sword prowess far beyond its level!]

  [Sword Nurturing Art Progress: 100% compatibility with Mikael Angelini and a great increase in its base strength, after being tempered by his Qi, her Weapon Grade reach Early Core Formation Realm]

  [True Strength: When her Material Strength, Craftsmanship and Sword Nurturing Art Progress came together Sangrelia can be considered to be a Late-Stage Core Formation Realm Weapon!]

  Life Points (LP): 545 800 | Akashic Credits (AC): 0]