Eldritch Assassin: Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Devouring System-Chapter 133: The Auction
[Silent Fangs proficiency increasing]
[Repetitions: 47/100 for Mastery Proficiency, early-stage of Initial Understanding]
Good. The system tracked his progress automatically. He needed one hundred successful repetitions to reach the first level of mastery proficiency.
He moved on to Shadow Sever Arts next.
This technique was more complex than Silent Fangs. It required stepping into shadows and using them as doorways. Appearing behind targets and striking from blind spots.
The clearing had plenty of shadows cast by the trees, large rocks, and uneven ground.
Kael activated his Eclipse Step and shadows wrapped around him. He moved toward a tree’s shadow and stepped into it. He then felt something change.
Space folded somehow and his perspective changed. He emerged from a different shadow ten feet away. Behind the tree instead of in front of it.
His strike came automatically as Abyssal Fang lashed out and struck the trunk from the blind spot. The damage from that fifty percent bonus from the technique was noticeably greater than his normal strikes.
Kael grinned. "This is incredible."
And the best part was, he was only at the early-stage Initial Understanding of mastery proficiency.
He practiced the movement pattern continously from shadow to shadow, each time appearing in different locations. His Enhanced Predator’s Instinct helped him choose positions and angles that would give maximum advantage in real combat.
[Shadow Sever Arts proficiency increasing]
[Successful shadow steps: 23/150 for Mastery Proficiency, early-stage of Initial Understanding]
This technique required more repetitions. And to be honest, that made perfect sense as it was an Elite Tier technique that was more complex and demanding.
The Cloudveil Reversal Technique came next.
This one was purely defensive. Kael needed something to defend against. He picked up several rocks and threw them at himself one at a time.
As each rock approached, he channeled primal energy, creating a thin barrier in front of his body. The energy formed according to the technique’s patterns. Like weaving a net out of pure power.
The first rock hit the barrier and fell straight down with no reversal. It was simply blocked.
Kael frowned. " What did I get wrong?"
He’d done something wrong. The energy pattern wasn’t quite right.
He adjusted his stance then threw another rock. This time the barrier formed correctly. When the rock struck, it bounced backward. But not with full force, maybe thirty percent. But it reversed direction instead of breaking through.
"Better."
He practiced for thirty minutes. Throwing rocks, creating barriers, and gradually improving his energy control. The reversal percentage increased slowly to thirty percent, forty percent, and then fifty percent.
[Cloudveil Reversal Technique proficiency increasing]
[Successful reversals: 34/200 for Mastery Proficiency, early-stage of Initial Understanding]
The most difficult technique was Heavenpiercer Sword Art.
An Ancient Tier technique with seven levels of mastery. It is designed specifically for penetrating defenses.
The problem was Kael didn’t have a sword right now. Abyssal Fang was a dagger. The forms didn’t translate perfectly. He could practice the footwork, energy circulation, and the striking angles. But without the proper weapon, his proficiency would advance slowly.
Still, he tried. He moved through the basic forms of the technique, imagining a longer blade in his hand whilst djusting his grip and stance to compensate.
The technique felt powerful even in this incomplete form. Each strike was meant to pierce straight through whatever stood in its way. This one had no deflection or redirection. Just pure penetrating force concentrated at a single point.
[Heavenpiercer Sword Art proficiency increasing]
[Note: Weapon type mismatch detected. Proficiency gain reduced by 60%]
[Successful forms: 12/300 for Mastery Level 1]
Kael grimaced. "As expected. I need a proper sword." Thinking for a moment, he continued. "The auction tonight should provide a few that I can bid for. It had to."
He continued his training until midday. Sweat soaked his robes despite the cool morning air. His muscles burned pleasantly and his meridians hummed with circulating energy.
But his technique proficiency had increased noticeably across all four styles. He could execute the basic forms consistently now. Though not perfectly or instinctively, it was reliable.
That would improve with time and practice.
Kael cleaned himself with water from a nearby stream then changed into fresh robes from his inventory. A dark gray robe this time, well-made but understated. The kind worn by successful rogue cultivators. People with money but no sect backing.
He looked at his reflection in the stream’s surface. Silver eyes stared back. His face was leaner and harder than it had been months ago. The softness of youth had burned away by constant combat.
He looked older than sixteen now, maybe nineteen or twenty-one. Experience did that. It aged you in ways that had nothing to do with years.
Kael returned to the capital in early afternoon. The streets were crowded now with peak activity. He moved through the press of bodies with ease. His Enhanced Predator’s Instinct mapped safe paths automatically.
Back at the Golden Crane Inn, he ate a proper meal. Roasted duck, steamed vegetables, and fresh bread. He needed the calories after this morning’s training.
The serving girl who brought his food smiled shyly. "Big plans tonight, young master?"
Kael looked up. "Why do you ask?"
She gestured at his fresh robes. "You’re dressed nicely and looking so handsome. And you have that look, like you’re going somewhere important."
’Smart girl. Observant.’ he praised.
"Just some shopping," Kael said neutrally.
She nodded and left him to his meal. But he caught her glancing back a few times, curiously. Knowing her thoughts at that moment, Kael chuckled as he ate.
He didn’t want to get too involved with any girl due to his circumstances. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t relieve stress once in a while. He caught her curious gaze again and winked, to which she blushed furiously and ran behind the counter.
Most people didn’t pay much attention to rogue cultivators as they were too common in a city this size.
But maybe he stood out more than he thought.
Kael finished eating and returned to his room. He had a few hours before the auction started. Time to review his resources.
He pulled up his status screen mentally.
[Cultivation: Level 2 Primal Adept Realm]
[Blood Points: 1594 BP]
[Primal Stones: 8,247,000 low-grade, 34,200 mid-grade, 2,300 high-grade]
The conversion rate for Primal Stones were; 1,000 Low-Grade Primal Stones = 1 Mid-Grade Primal Stone
1,000 Mid-Grade Primal Stones = 1 High-Grade Primal Stone
That meant 1,000,000 Low-Grade Primal Stones = 1 High-Grade Primal Stone.
His wealth was substantial, comparable to most second-tier factions. The stones came from various sources like the Bandits he’d killed, Nobles who’d tried to assassinate him, and Rewards from clearing the pagoda. He’d been accumulating resources for months without spending much.
Tonight he’d change that.
He definitely had to get a sword and something good but not too distinctive, Elite grade if possible. Maybe some defensive artifacts, Pills for emergency healing. Perhaps materials for crafting or upgrading equipment.
The auction invitation sat on his table. He picked it up and read it again.
Hour of the Monkey. That was late afternoon. Around five or six in the evening by modern reckoning.
He had time.
Kael spent the next hour organizing his inventory, consolidating items. Separating what he might need quickly from long-term storage, making sure his most valuable possessions were secured properly.
When the sun began its descent toward the horizon, he stood, tucked the invitation inside his robes and made sure Abyssal Fang was properly hidden in his inventory rather than physically carried.
Then he left the inn one more time. Heading toward the eastern district. Toward the Azure Sky Pavilion.
