Chapter 30: Fighting
Lian resolved to make use of the time before the worm returned, choosing to remain in place. "If I am to become a Bronze 2, I must advance my meditation technique and absorb Mana Cores." A resolute smile crossed his face, his eyes glinting with purpose. "It is time to transform this wretched desert into a training ground."
"Geometric Meditation," he declared, settling into a focused state.
During his previous cultivation session, Lian had gathered and refined twenty mana orbs, significantly bolstering his strength. Furthermore, the absorption of a Mana Core had enhanced his overall abilities. Having drawn six lines previously, he was eager to discover how many more he could manage before reaching his limit once again.
The seventh line materialized with startling ease, causing Lian to jolt with joy as the energy flowed into his body. The eighth and ninth lines followed with similar ease, each one drawn with a fluidity that surprised him.
"If we do some calculations, I would say that every twenty mana orbs I absorb equate to three lines... so this should have been my limit. However, having absorbed a Mana Core, it appears my capacity has increased. Let us see by how much—" His voice was a mix of curiosity and determination, a spark in the oppressive heat.
The tenth line appeared in his mind, its form vivid and clear. As more lines emerged, they began to coalesce into the faint outline of a circle. "This is difficult, but I believe I can draw one more—" he said, absorbing the mana from the tenth line, his body trembling with the influx of energy.
His body felt like a bomb of raw power, teetering on the edge of a breakthrough. Yet, something was missing—despite his body’s readiness, an unseen barrier held him back, a frustrating limit that gnawed at his resolve. "Tch, I will not give up! Perhaps I must absorb a certain number of lines before I can advance. Let us find my limit!" he muttered, drawing his final line.
"Excellent. That makes eleven," he said as his body emitted a faint blue glow. It seemed that absorbing the Mana Core had granted him the ability to draw two additional lines, pushing his boundaries further than he had anticipated.
His moment of triumph was abruptly interrupted by a tremor beneath the sand. "Oh, right on cue. Could that be the worm from before?" he said, leaping to his feet. A worm’s head emerged a few meters away, small and yellowish. "An Iron 2," he thought, his heart quickening with anticipation.