Within an expansive courtyard, covered in an intricate network of Qi-Gathering arrays and illuminated by the glow of thousands of Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, a figure descended from the sky. Nova stepped forth, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Looks like I'll be staying here for a while," She muttered. Like the others, Nova was preparing to enter seclusion to try and make a breakthrough. Right now, she was in the 3rd Stage of the Soul Transformation Realm, so she didn't have much hope of breaking through to the 4th within a short time frame.
So, she was instead going to focus on refining her techniques and physical strength.
That is until an unexpected visitor appeared before her.
"I heard from the Sect Master you accomplished some great things during your time outside the Sect."
"Master…" Nova cupped her fists and greeted her guest with a bow.
Waving her hands dismissively, Elder Irene smiled and said, "Not only did you wipe out the Crimson Slayer Sect's army, but you uncovered a few of the mysteries surrounding the Forbidden Forest! Truly worthy of being my disciple."
Nova felt a bit awkward facing Elder Irene's praise and couldn't help but say, "...There were others with me, so they aren't exactly my own achievements."
"Nonsense!" Elder Irene cut her off, "You might've had aid, but because you were there, things turned out the way they did. Don't diminish your achievements when you don't deserve it."
Nova nodded in understanding, and the two stood there in silence for a moment before Elder Irene opened her mouth.
"So, how was it?"
"Hmmm?" Nova tilted her head, directing her attention to Elder Irene.
"I mean, how was fighting alongside Mira? I tried asking the Sect Master, but she refused to give too many details."
Nova thought for a moment, organizing her thoughts and recalling everything that had happened over the last few days. She could talk about so many things, but ultimately, it all boiled down to two words.
"She's strong."
There wasn't anything else she felt would describe Mira better. She was top-tier in every aspect, whether it be her mental fortitude, pain resistance, physical and elemental prowess, ruthlessness, or willpower.
Elder Irene frowned, clearly not satisfied with that answer, but seeing that Nova didn't intend to explain further, she could only sigh.
'Still, it's not like I didn't get any information.' She thought.
For Nova to say that Mira was strong meant she saw the girl as a competitor, maybe even a rival of sorts. She wouldn't say something like that otherwise.
'This is good too. With someone as talented as Mira right on her heels, she'll be more motivated to work harder. Naturally, as her master, I can't let her fall behind!'
Clapping her hands, Elder Irene redirected Nova's attention back to her, "Alright! Enough about Mira. I didn't come here to discuss her with you."
Elder Irene flashed and grabbed Nova's shoulder without saying another word before disappearing like the wind.
A second later, the two reappeared in a tiny cave deep underground, maybe only the size of a bedroom. However, there was something unique about this cave.
There was a hole at the top leading up to the surface, which seemed to magnify the heat from the sun onto her, making this place hotter than a furnace.
With perspiration already forming around her eyebrows and breathing getting heavier, Nova looked at Elder Irene in confusion, "Master, what is this place, and what are we doing here?"
"This is a place that the masters of the Battle Maiden Sect in the past created to hone their Fire Affinity and cultivation. It's also where I come to train!" Elder Irene replied with a large smile. "And it's where you'll also spend the foreseeable future training."
Nova's eyes widened, but she still didn't understand why her Master brought her here.
Seeing that, Elder Irene explained, "The Sect Master wanted to reward you all for your efforts, but I figured there weren't many things that you particularly need. However, that's when it occurred to me that perhaps the best reward for you is a place where you can train!"
Nova's normally stern eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked around the sweltering cave. The oppressive heat and the seemingly simple setup didn't deter her enthusiasm for what her Master had in store for her. Elder Irene continued, "The unique structure of this cave amplifies the power of the sun, creating an intense environment that will push your limits, both physically and mentally. Meanwhile, right underneath you is a maze of lava tubes, which will not only further increase the heat inside the cave but allow you to further connect to your Fire Affinity."
Nova nodded, beginning to understand her Master's intentions. The harder the training, the greater the rewards. She couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement as she mentally prepared herself for the grueling regimen that awaited her.
"In addition," Elder Irene added, "this cave contains a special array that enhances the density of Qi in the surrounding area. Try to stay in here as long as possible. The longer you stay, the more benefits you'll reap. You'll understand what I mean in about a weak or so."
With a determined look in her eyes, Nova bowed deeply to her Master. "Thank you, Master Irene. I will do my best not to waste this opportunity."
Elder Irene nodded with satisfaction. "I have no doubt that you will, my dear disciple. Now, let's begin your seclusion."
***
As Elder Irene said, Nova wasn't the only one who received this treatment. Seraphina, Everly, Eden, and Rayna were also given unique training locations suited to their individual abilities and affinities.
Due to her Water and Metal affinities, Seraphina was brought to an oasis of sorts. However, instead of vibrant trees and bright blue water, she got metal trees and a lake filled with Liquid Metal.
Her goal was to reach the bottom of the lake without removing any of the Liquid Metal. This task was already difficult enough as the lake was incredibly deep, and swimming through Liquid Metal was not an easy feat, but what made it even more challenging was that the Liquid Metal was changed to harden whenever it was stagnant.
Meaning unless she could perfectly use her metal and water affinities in tandem to control the Liquid Metal, she would suffocate and die.
This was an extremely dangerous training method, but the effects of completing it were equally as rewarding.
Eden's training location wasn't quite as intense as theirs, but that didn't mean it was any less effective.
She was thrown into a large forest with a seemingly endless number of enraged beasts. Their cultivation ranged from Rank 6 to Low-Stage Rank 9, her only goal being not to die. However, to make the "training" just a bit harder, she wasn't allowed to take any equipment or pills along with her.
She was only allowed to bring her mace; however, she was not permitted to take her bow and arrows, which were a significant part of her combat power.
Everly's situation differed from theirs as she wasn't given an exact location to train. Instead, she would go through a set of trials that would push her mind, body, and soul to the limit.
Her Fire and Lightning elements were already outstanding, and she could pump out extraordinary amounts of power with them, but other than that, she was fairly average in most other aspects.
Her greatest strength and subsequent weakness were her ability to cause large-scale destruction; she was like a walking nuclear bomb, ready to explode at a moment's notice.
In a team, she could dish out tons of damage without worry as she had people to protect her. However, being alone was a different story. While she was still deadly, it wouldn't be hard to counter her if she faced someone of considerable skill and experience.
While these trials wouldn't necessarily make her a better 1v1 fighter, they would make her an overall better combatant with a wider range of skills.
As for Rayna, her situation was quite different.
She received a similar reward just like everyone else, but the woman actually refused it! She didn't even state why, only saying, "I need something stronger."
Then, after refusing her reward, she left the Sect's premises!
All the Elders, even Aelina, were puzzled by her actions but didn't pay it much thought as Rayna was always a bit of an oddball. It was true that the Battle Maiden Sect didn't have many training locations, items, or treasures pertaining to those with a Poison affinity. If they possessed training locations on par with the others, they would be called the Toxic Blade Sect instead!
Having something like that lingering inside their Sect was too dangerous. Not to mention just how few people there are with such an affinity.
Thus, nobody knew that the woman was heading in the direction of the Forbidden Forest! The place that they just came back from!
