“Master, you are back,” Kent said as he approached his master. She had been away for the past seven days despite saying she would return in five.
Perhaps she had been too overwhelmed by Kent’s talent and had taken more time than expected to recover her composure.
Not that anyone could blame her… Someone who had only picked up a sword a few days ago had no business wielding sword aura and Sword Intent.
But then again, the world was vast, so who could truly say what was possible and what was not? She just had to accept reality and get used to it.
She has finally calmed down and accepted reality.
But if only that were all—until she noticed Kent’s cultivation base.
“You… You—when did you become a Root Ascendant, and at the peak, no less? I have been gone for only a week!” Saintess Selene exclaimed, her voice trembling with disbelief. What she was witnessing was simply beyond comprehension.
Before leaving, Kent had only been an intermediate Root Blossom expert. She was certain of that, as she had been scanning him ever since their battle at the auction house. She knew that was his true cultivation base.
But now, none of it made sense. Not even in the slightest.
Typically, breaking through a minor realm that fast would be manageable and considered normal, but climbing through an entire major realm and even rising to the peak of a minor realm in such a short time was simply too good to be true.
“I worked hard for it, Master,” Kent said with a smile.
Indeed, he had worked very hard for it.
“Just what kind of monster have I entangled myself with?” Saintess Selene muttered, a little too loudly for Kent not to hear.
He simply smiled and decided not to tease her further. The woman had just recovered from one shock; adding more might leave her even more agitated.
But Selene’s thoughts ran in a different direction. “Were you hiding your cultivation base somehow when we met?” she asked.
“No, Master,” Kent replied.
“Then how did you rise from intermediate Root Blossom to the Root Ascendant stage within a week?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
“First, I am a hard worker; second, I am an Alchemist; and third, I have a great body. Put all this together, and you can only imagine what can happen within a week,” Kent replied with a confident smile.
He knew she didn’t need to know about the Dual Cultivation yet. They hadn’t reached that level of trust—or more like thrust yet.
“Are you telling me you somehow managed to raise your cultivation base using Alchemy?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I may be a swordswoman, but I know a thing or two about alchemy. At your current level, you shouldn’t have the capability to achieve something this heaven-defying.”
“I suppose that may be true for most alchemists out there. But I’m different, Master,” Kent said with a grin. He pulled out a pill and handed it to her. “I don’t concoct tainted pills, Master. I only concoct Flawless, perfect pills.”
Her eyes widened as she sensed the purity level of the pill. “This…” she whispered, utterly stunned.
“No need to be shocked, Master; your disciple is multitalented. My swordsmanship is impeccable. I’m also skilled with flame manipulation, and soon, I’ll show you my expertise in other fields.” Kent winked mischievously.
“Unbelievable…” Saintess Selene muttered, shaking her head.
“Just who are you, and how has nobody discovered your existence yet? In fact, if anyone had, they would have locked you away and forced you to become their slave alchemist by now.”
Saintess Selene sighed deeply.
“How about it, Master? Will you turn me into your slave alchemist? Not that I would mind. Being a slave to such a beauty feels only natural,” Kent said with a smile.
[Nice line, Master. And don’t worry—no matter the strength of the slave seal placed on you, it would have no effect. Goddess Vexthra has ensured that.
But even without her protection, I wouldn’t let any seal affect you unless you wanted me to stay out of it.]
<Something like that exists?> Klaus was both shocked and relieved.
“Don’t talk nonsense, Kent. I am your master; I would never let anyone harm you, much less think of harming you myself,” Saintess Selene said, her tone slightly serious.
“I was just joking, Master. No need to be so serious,” Kent replied with a grin.
“I know. But that being said, I want you to grow stronger. I know for a fact that within a month, your identity as someone who can concoct perfect pills will be made known.
I want you to be able to protect yourself while I handle the more significant threats,” Saintess Selene vowed, prompting Kent to nod in agreement.
If he was going to walk a path that would one day bring him face-to-face with the God of Alchemy, then he couldn’t cower in fear now.
He had to brave the danger and rise above it… That was the only way to the top.
“That aside, take this and use the next few days to absorb and refine the energy within it,” Saintess Selene said as she took out a stone the size of an adult’s fist. The moment it was revealed, sharp energies filled the room, threatening to cut Kent’s body.
[Master, that’s an Aura Stone, and from its looks, it’s meant for swordsmen. To think she went through so much trouble to retrieve something like this… I guess she really cares about you.]
<Is it that valuable?> Kent asked.
[Very valuable and incredibly difficult to obtain. And from its appearance, it seems freshly retrieved,] the tower replied, making Kent raise an eyebrow.
“Master… What is it?” he asked, feigning ignorance.
“It’s an Aura Stone for swordsmen. Absorbing its energy will significantly boost your sword aura. But you mustn’t expose it for long—the longer it stays out, the less potent it becomes.”
“Wow… what a valuable treasure. It must have cost a fortune,” Kent said with a small smile.
“Don’t worry about that. I retrieved it myself, so no money was spent. Now, hurry up and absorb it,” Saintess Selene said, waving him away.
Kent, however, activated his appraiser’s eye and noticed that her muscles were tense, and her posture screamed exhaustion. Clearly, acquiring such a treasure wasn’t as easy as she made it seem.
<Tower, how hard is retrieving this kind of Aura Stone?> Kent asked.
[Master, retrieving an Aura Stone is extremely dangerous. They are born in chaotic energy zones, often guarded by powerful beasts or surrounded by natural hazards. This one looks like it came from a high-tier zone. The energy in it is very potent]
Kent reached and took the stone from his master. Her movements were steady, but he could see the fatigue in her eyes and the tension in her shoulders. Without hesitation, he made up his mind.
“Master, why don’t I give you a massage to reduce your fatigue?” Kent offered with a grin.
Selene froze, narrowing her eyes at him. “You… what are you talking about?”
“No need to be alarmed, Master,” Kent replied, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I can tell you’re stressed. So, allow me to help you relax. And stop—whatever you’re thinking about, just stop. I’m only offering a shoulder massage.”
Selene’s expression shifted between suspicion and embarrassment, her lips twitching as she processed his words.
Kent couldn’t help but laugh at her funny expression. “Come on, Master, don’t make that face. I promise I’ll be professional.”