Chapter 187: Refining Abyssal Energy
As Mia's body followed Felix's guidance through the new circulation method, she eventually completed the first circulation of the Abyssal Energy through her meridian network.
Felix smiled.
The Abyssal Energy had finally completed an entire circuit and…
Nothing happened.
No explosion.
No convulsion.
No new injury.
Mia simply breathed after completing the first circulation.
Seeing Felix's expression, Doctor Eleanor immediately checked Vayne's readings.
Her expression changed.
The Abyssal Energy had become slightly less destructive.
Although there were subtle movements as it attempted to resist Mia's body's adaptation, the Abyssal Energy was being forced to follow her body's adaptation to the new circulation method.
"Again," Felix said.
But this time…
His Aura barely guided Mia at all.
As if Mia had already completely memorized the circulation method, allowing her consciousness and her body's adaptability to work their wonders.
Her meridians began to naturally adapt to the new circulation pattern.
The second circulation required less guidance from Felix than the first.
Then the third required less than the second.
Then the fourth required less than the third…
Until Mia's body began reproducing the pattern instinctively.
The third level of Devouring Circulation was achieved!
The first circulation represented the first level of Devouring Circulation, where the Abyssal Energy moved through a single circulation route.
The second circulation was Felix's guidance toward the second level—circulating the Abyssal Energy throughout the major meridian network.
The fifth circulation was Felix's guidance toward the third level—establishing continuous circulation and preventing the Abyssal Energy from stagnating and corrupting Mia's body.
Thus, Mia no longer needed to constantly suppress the Abyssal Energy.
Her body had begun doing it naturally.
Devouring Circulation was instantly mastered.
Even Felix was utterly astonished.
As expected of his younger sister, her comprehension was exceptional!
Once Mia's body had naturally adapted and Doctor Eleanor confirmed it through the Luminous Vein Butterfly's readings, Mia was safe.
She was out of danger.
Doctor Eleanor was in disbelief.
The foreign Abyssal Energy had been refined and had begun affecting Mia's body.
Based on her speculation, the refined Abyssal Energy would soon begin influencing Mia's physique, possibly strengthening it.
Eventually, she might become as strong as an Awakened Beast Tamer despite remaining unawakened.
Wait! If her physique will be affected by the Abyssal Energy, will her mentality be affected as well?
A terrifying assumption caused her to feel anxious.
She hastily turned toward Felix, who had already retracted his Aura—or perhaps had already exhausted it.
After all, expanding and intensifying his Aura required more than simply utilizing the Energy in the surroundings.
He also had to burn Energy from his Energy Core.
She immediately checked Felix's condition through her beasts' abilities and confirmed that he was safe, only needing time to recover.
She quickly asked, "What now? Mia might be safe and sleeping, but the Abyssal Energy is still wild. Even if it's tamed, its characteristics will soon affect her personality."
Doctor Eleanor's fear was spot on.
Felix shook his head and said, "Naturally, what I taught her—and what I will be teaching her from now on—is a cultivation technique."
"Cultivation technique?" Doctor Eleanor asked, intrigued.
Sky Marshal Kaelor listened as well, keeping his earlier questions to himself for now.
Felix nodded.
"When we summon a beast and form a contract with it, we naturally meditate with it based on the knowledge we gain during the summoning.
"That knowledge is called the Beast Tamer's Legacy. Every Beast Tamer naturally receives a legacy that allows them to cultivate their beast-taming abilities and grow stronger alongside their contracted beasts.
"When we meditate and circulate the Energy inside our bodies to strengthen our physique, mental resistance, and soul resistance, we are following a cultivation technique from the Beast Tamer's Legacy.
"Mia's case is far different.
"She is not a Beast Tamer, so she did not receive the Beast Tamer's Legacy.
"Furthermore, with her advanced meridians after being cured of Spirit Meridian Withering Syndrome, her body can naturally adapt to foreign Energy and circulate it through her body.
"Since the Abyssal Energy is wild and wants to control her body, her body is not only resisting it but also attempting to adapt to it, which creates an internal conflict.
"She only needs a cultivation technique suited to circulating the Abyssal Energy…
"Which will make it her own.
"In other words, she will be cultivating the Abyssal Energy starting now.
"The cultivation method was provided by my sword."
Felix turned toward Sky Marshal Kaelor, seemingly answering the question he was about to raise.
Sky Marshal Kaelor was a bit surprised but nodded nonetheless.
It wasn't difficult to guess what his questions were.
After all, as the current leader of the Obsidian Wing, he naturally wished for Felix to develop a way to prevent Beast Tamers from being corrupted by Abyssal Energy in the future.
However, it appeared he had set his hopes too high.
He didn't doubt Felix's words—they made logical sense.
The Beast Tamer's Legacy…
The cultivation technique…
Mia's adaptable meridian network…
They were all reasonable.
In the end, it truly depended on a Beast Tamer's temperament when attempting to refine Abyssal Energy without becoming corrupted.
Just as Sky Marshal Kaelor's earlier questions were answered, another one arose.
Felix answered it before Kaelor even had to raise it.
"Of course, unlike us, where we can cultivate with our beasts and learn their abilities, whether passive or active, Mia will be able to fight using the martial technique I will teach her.
"It's similar to my sword technique, but it's more or less martial arts."
"What's the difference?" Doctor Eleanor asked. "Also, since your sword knows so many techniques, would it be possible for you to provide them to other Beast Tamers?"
Felix shook his head.
"Most Beast Tamers are already used to fighting with their beasts.
"Master Shen practiced the sword even before he became a Beast Tamer, right?
"Krisha started when she was still at the Awakener Rank and learned a lot about sword fighting before truly devoting herself to Beast Taming cultivation.
"You might think that it's a good idea, but it would harm them in the process.
"As for your first question, martial arts—especially unconventional martial arts like what I'm about to teach Mia—doesn't restrict her to a particular weapon.
"Mia will primarily fight with her hands, feet, body, and condensed Abyssal Qi."
"Will that be dangerous, then?"
Felix shook his head.
"Abyssal Qi, like I said, is wild Qi. It's Energy that is far stronger than any other elemental Energy."
"So, she will be fighting wildly?"
Felix nodded.
"I guess so. But she will retain who she is."
Doctor Eleanor nodded.
She finally restrained her endless questions, allowing Felix to save his breath.
Sky Marshal Kaelor said, "Alright. If you need something, Felix, don't hesitate to reach out."
Felix nodded.
"Thank you, Sky Marshal!"
"Mhm."
Sky Marshal Kaelor left the treatment chamber.
Felix turned toward Doctor Eleanor and said, "I might not be able to accompany you during the exploration. Don't worry. Moon will continue in my stead."
"That's already a huge help, given that you have to look after Mia."
Felix nodded and stared at Mia.
Doctor Eleanor had her beasts conduct a final examination of Mia's condition and concluded with a relieved tone,
"She's out of danger now. She just needs to get some rest.
"You, too."
Felix nodded.
"I will be leaving now. The exploration must continue."
Felix grabbed a chair and sat beside Mia as Doctor Eleanor left the treatment chamber.
Almost immediately, the Hill couple rushed into the treatment chamber.
After being assured by Doctor Eleanor that Mia was already out of danger, they silently ran toward Felix, who had already fallen asleep beside Mia's bed while sitting in the chair.
He had exhausted himself.
Although he had not expended the last drop of Energy from his Energy Core, he was emotionally and mentally worn out.
It was inevitable.
Despite how Guide had repeatedly assured Felix, he had been so anxious that the thought of failing to save Mia could not be shaken from his mind.
And thus, he fell into a slumber…
…
Three days later, Mia finally opened her eyes.
Felix had already checked her meridian circulation, and the Abyssal Energy had been fully refined. Her body had also completely adapted to the Abyssal Energy.
In other words, Mia's primary Energy was now Abyssal Energy.
Any other type of Energy she attempted to use would harm her.
For instance, if she ever tried to use Ashen's Energy, Ashen's Energy and Mia's Energy would come into conflict with each other.
Although it saddened Ashen that Mia would no longer be able to use her Energy, she could still play with Mia anytime.
At the same time, once both of them grew up, Ashen and Mia would inevitably become more distant from each other while still remaining good friends.
When Mia finally woke up, Ashen's spirit and Ember were floating around her, observing her from above.
They were precisely what Mia saw the moment she opened her eyes.
She rejoiced.
Her hands immediately reached out to them and pulled them into her embrace, hugging them tightly.
"Ashen! Ember! You're back!"
Ember cawed excitedly while Ashen's spirit simply smiled, relieved to see Mia awake.
Felix felt helpless at his sister's excitement to see his contracted beast and weapon rather than him.
Nevertheless, he was elated to see her returning to her old self.
Before he could say anything, Sarah hugged Mia and silently sobbed, while Noah leaned forward and invited Felix to join them as well.
Felix smiled.
The Hill Family hugged each other, finally able to breathe freely after surviving another tribulation that had unfortunately befallen Mia.