Chapter 14

History

It took me a full week to evolve the anvil to the next Tier. Actually, since it was consumable by Uncle Khan, maybe I should say Grade.

He's been teaching me the basics of 'normal' cultivation. The generally used terms, how common (rare) and difficult each Tier of cultivation is, it's actually called Qi, stuff like that. He's mid Tier 3 now, by the way. Low refers to those at Level 3 or under, mid of course the middle and high the last third.

Once he polished off the anvil I had worked on till it evolved, he did too. Not only rising from Level 3 to 4, but also changing from a Steel Tiger to a Silver Tiger. He's a LOT more shiny, but stronger and faster too. Probably also tougher but I have no way to tell.

In exchange, I taught him some common knowledge from earth. Periodic table, basic astrophysics, a small lecture on simple electronics. Batteries, motors, phones, computers, cars, robots and rockets, he still thinks I made some of those up! 'There's no way stuff like that could work without using Qi.'

And he of course protects me from dangers. No sense tossing out your meal-ticket. He said that the 'Light Steel' was the most delicious thing he's had in years, and can't wait for the next one.

Of course I tried to have some myself.

Of course I broke a few teeth.

They grew back in a few hours, with my [Lesser Regeneration].

It's been a while since I thought about these.

I've been using [Permeable Barrier] and [Dragon's Eye] on a daily basis my whole life. But I never had a chance to use the others so even their existance sort of just slipped my mind. The others were . . one of them I said had a synergy with Regeneration. Oh yeah, it's [Blood-Rune Magic]. And last was Sword something . . (mental facepalm) [Sword Artist Lv.5]. I can go back to forgetting the last one until I pass my Tribulation and become Tier 4. That's when I'll become a beastman and can transform to and from a human(oid).

The reason I tried to eat the Light Steel was to see if I could refine it with metal affinity the way Uncle Khan does. It seems like I couldn't because I don't have enough affinity for metal, or maybe there's some technique to it. Khan's lessons were invaluable in this regard. There are 5 main affinities: metal, water, wood, fire and earth. And apparently this specific order matters, as any 2 adjacent ones work well together while opposite ones work against the other. This reminds me of M*gic, T.G., the trading card game.

There are other affinities, split into 2 groups, common and rare. The common ones are just that, common. Some of them, like light, dark and lightning, are as powerful as the main ones. But they don't interact with other affinities the same way as the 5 main. Other common affinities are combination or offshoot types, like fire + earth = lava, and ice is a part of water while crystal is part of earth. And some just stand alone like wind.¹copy/pasted this into the next update for Terms

Rare affinities, however are always powerful. Sometimes moreso than the main ones. They are always rare though, both in who can use them, and resources to support them. Examples include space, time and poison.²this too

However, I don't know if I have any of the various affinities.

Inari, I'm distractable today. It's time to check out the basement, see if the apparition (ghost, spirit, whateva) has calmed down some.

Khan) 'So where are we going?'

Fox) 'Uncle Khan! Well, there was one place in the sect ruins I couldn't explore yet. It's still trapped and guarded.'

K) 'How could it still be guarded? It's been centuries. Besides there was no sign of movement.'

F) 'Some type of ghost. Maybe a vengeful spirit. Down here.' While talking I had led him to the foundation with a (not so) hidden stair.

F) I stop climbing down on the seventh stair from the last. 'The next one is trapped. This rune is the trigger.' I point with my paw just a bit off from the center. Then to the left wall. 'And over here is the actual trap.'

K) 'I don't see anything, are you sure?'

F) 'Yup, used my second Unique Ability to scout it out.'

I put out a Barrier, level with the seventh step. Then trotted forth into the unknown, seemingly walking on air.

F) 'Hello! Do you want to talk?'

. .

F) 'This must have been a nice place to live, before it was raided and abandoned.'

FLASH! Barrier! Kapwing!

F) 'C'mon, don't be like that.'

. .

Ghost) "WHAT DO YOU KNOW?"

F) 'I know the answer to the ultimate question of life the universe and everything!'

K) 'Oh, I'd be interested in that.' Uncle Khan started out following behind.

G) "Very well, please share with me the secrets of the universe."

F) '42! But the answer doesn't do you any good if you don't also know the question. Now can we get to discussing your situation?'

. . . after a long discussion about mass-published books, professional comedians and base-13 math we got back to what's actually important.

G) "Our Blade Lotus sect was once prosperous and well respected. Until a millennium ago. Various rivals began to attack our assets in disguise. This hidden branch was one of those, but with a difference. Instead of a raid by evildoers disguised as bandits . . We were massacred by a sect in their normal robes."

F) 'Could they have been someone else in disguise? I find it hard to believe anyone would plan so well but still leave anything to chance.'

G) "No, I recognized their leader. Elder Hu Mi of the Autumn Crescent sect."

F) I look away, with a scowl on my muzzle. 'Do they wear dark orange robes with a crescent moon insignia on the left?'

G) The angry ghost scowls at me "That's right! What do you know of them?!"

F) 'Their young master was the one to try to capture me as a (spit) pet. He's the reason I got separated from my family. He probably kept my tail as a trophy.'

K) 'Your tail?' Khan glances at me. 'Looks fine to me.'

F) 'I regrew it with my third Unique Ability.'

K) 'THR-' (BASH! ) . . 'THREE?'

I let my first Barrier we had been standing on drop to the floor, after the Silver Tiger accidentally bashed his head against the ceiling.