'Your selfless state makes your battle stances much easier and more fluid in terms of the seamless change between them. But, it's good that you are also gaining practice without them.
'Your integration of energy manipulation techniques into your techniques is impressive as well. Adding [Rapid Change] to the Monkey Stance was clever, but the addition of [Striking Chain] to make its movements more erratic, yet still within your control, was a master stroke.
'However, maybe the most impressive part of your battle was integrating Presence into your strike.'
Dyon listened to his master's analysis of his battle as he walked up the steps.
The stairs themselves seemed to be a test of the soul considering there was a clear pressure within the depths of his Mind's Eye. But, to Dyon, it felt like the stairs was sending him a light and comfortable breeze.
What a joke. Trying to pressure his soul? This Mystical World was a test for Peak Celestials. Even without the Master Symbol Dyon could climb to the 18th tier, let alone from the 1st to 2nd.
'Since [Iron Will] in particular focused on the users presence, it will be easier to integrate with it compared to other techniques. However, you've taken a solid first step. Layering your attacks with Presence will bring your battle prowess to a whole other level.'
Dyon was surprised to hear this. Honestly, he thought Presence was more about showing off than anything else. Considering so many had protective measure against it, he didn't expect it to be too useful.
'Can you tell me more about Presence, master?'
Esmeralda giggled. 'To have such a high level of Presence yet not know much about it. You're too talented, my little disciple.
'Presence is a Martial Art just like Perception. Unlike other techniques, this means it relies solely on the body. However, it's because of this that it can be applied to almost any technique.'
'If I integrate my Presence into my strikes, what effect would have against opponents with protective treasures?'
'They will still be protected, however, don't be so quick to believe that this practice will be useless because of that. There are some level of Presences that no regular treasure could defend against.
'For example, your Presence is only at the Peak King Level right now, but that's already the limit for many geniuses. Only those with the best backgrounds from the highest-level clans and sects would have treasure that could protect against Emperor Level Presence. And God level Presence? There is no treasure in existence that could block it except for the legendary 33 weapons.'
Dyon's eyes shone.
'Now for the bad.' Esmeralda smiled evilly. 'Your use of wills left much to be desired in your battle. You're still not able to use them seamlessly in battle. In fact, I didn't notice you use your wills even once during that battle. That said, I expected as much considering your clones cannot use wills to battle, so the experience you gained from them is useless in this regard.
'Although common level techniques cannot integrate wills, it is still possible to use wills to supplement them. This will also help improve your control that has slowed recently.'
Dyon nodded seriously. He had reached a bottle neck in his control abilities. At the moment, he could control 5th level wills just as precisely as a peak celestial could. However, he still found it difficult to rein in 6th level wills. It seemed to get harder the higher he climbed.
'In addition, in two weeks, you've only learned two energy manipulation techniques to the completion stage. Because you've focused so much on will comprehension, you've neglected the techniques. Truth be told, according to the standards of others, this is quite fast. But, according to your standards, it's too slow.'
Dyon didn't disagree with his master. It was just that his energy cultivating and sensing talent was too poor. The fact he even learned two to the completion stage in only two weeks was already a miracle to him.
Unfortunately, his master wanted him to learn 100 lower common grade ones, or 400 common grade ones in total. If it wasn't for his meridians improving to the 6th grade, Dyon doubted he would even be this quick. However, it seemed almost impossible to step into the One with Self stage with energy manipulation techniques.
Esmeralda thought for a bit. 'We're going to change our approach. For now, only summon 999 clones to battle. This will slow your technique comprehension slightly, but the trade off will be worth it. This is the plan…'
Dyon's master laid out a knew plan for him. He would only summon 999 clones to fight because he would need as much soul strength as possible to solidify his soul's foundation.
When his soul was solidified to perfection, Dyon's master estimated that her disciple's split mind technique would be able to improve from ten thousand to a hundred thousand. This may seem like a large change, but in reality, it was only right.
Dyon could split his mind ten thousand ways the moment his soul barely stepped into the celestial stage. Now that it had improved to the peak celestial stage, how could it not improve?
After Dyon achieved this, he would be able to use his clones to practice energy manipulation techniques while also advancing. Luckily, clones could utilize conventional energy although they couldn't use wills.
The moment Dyon stepped into the second tier, he fell into another training rhythm.
Still, his advancing pace drastically slowed. Not only were the beasts more powerful, he had access to only a tenth of clones. In fact, because of the danger, Clara began to stay by Dyon's side more often as he practiced his Soul Rend technique. Whenever a beast approached too closely, she would exhibit fierce archery abilities, stunning the beast so that Dyon's clones could swarm it. Even Little Wind who had now grown to have a meter-long wingspan began flutter around, strengthening Clara's wind abilities.
Just like this, another three months passed.
**
By now, months had passed since the Demon Generals made their name known across the cosmos and it was about time for Madeleine's core disciple ceremony.
Actually, the ceremony would have taken place immediately after the campaign ended if it wasn't for the fact the Flaming Lily Sect spent much of the time between then and now negotiating with the Golden Crow Sect.
After those negotiations were finished, the Flaming Lily Sect underwent a period of negotiations with the Flame Rebirth and Fiery Lotus Sects who both wanted their high-ranking inner disciples back. Of course, the price they had to pay far outweighed that of the Golden Crow Sect.
Following a grand ceremony that many of the Demon Generals attended, Madeleine became the very first core disciple to be accepted by the Flaming Lily Sect before stepping into the Celestial realm.
Soon afterward, she was called into a meeting where many high-ranking elders were present.
"Esteemed Elders, Vice Master, Master." Madeleine bowed respectfully. Unlike her husband, Madeleine's aura was far sweeter and more reserved. Although it was ill-advised to anger her, when facing those she respected and trusted, she gave off a lovable air. Coupled with her beautiful violet hair and eyes, and it was hard for anyone to say a bad word about this young lady.
The elders couldn't help but sigh. They felt very lucky to have this genius among their fold. Even though the Demon Generals played a large role, it could be said that Madeleine's impact was the greatest. Whether it be fighting two first ranked inner disciples alone, or capturing the third ranked inner disciple of Golden Crow Sect, Angela, so easily. Any one of these feats was very impressive.
A middle-aged woman who sat at the center of them all smiled amiably. Those who knew this hard-nosed Master of theirs were very much shocked by her demeanor toward this core disciple. It might have been millennia since they last saw her lips curl in anything but disdain. Yet, she smiled so lovably for Madeleine.
It seemed that the Goddess' Disposition constitution was too much even for an old monster like her to ignore.
"Do you know why we've called you here?" The Master suddenly asked.
"I believe that it's related to the Golden Crow Sect?" Madeleine responded after a moment.
The Master nodded. "What do you think about their actions?"
"… Troubling? Confusing?" Madeleine paused. "It seemed they wanted to conquer our gate, but at the same time didn't?
"They could have conquered all four of our gates 2 years ago during their sneak attack if only they had used all of their top ten inner disciples instead of just sending Egan Goldeen. But, instead, they sent the Flame Rebirth and Fiery Lotus Sects.
"Plus, even though there are many restrictions on the abilities of key wielders in order to give the opposing party a chance, there is still more than enough power their key wielder could have used to end the battle far more quickly. Yet, they did none of these things. It seems like this was a distraction… or a test?"
Madeleine was correct. The movements of the Golden Crow Sect were far too… odd.
