Chapter Eighty-Six: Advanced Martial Master? (Part One)

Chapter 86: Advanced Martial Artist? (Part One)

Leaving the region shrouded in black mist where Antoun dwelled, the long-lost sunlight finally spilled down once more. By now, the sun was sinking toward the western horizon. Gazing at the scattered, spindly trees and the small animals darting across the wildfields in search of food, Catherine couldn’t help but feel as though she had been transported from one world to another.

She clenched her fists, running her hands over every part of her body, and nearly burst into tears. Weakly, she collapsed to the ground, her eyes staring blankly ahead, lost in thought.

Ling Mo waved a hand before her face and asked, “So, how does it feel to meet a legendary eighth-rank magical beast, something that only exists in myths?”

“Not good at all,” Catherine sighed. “I feel like I just borrowed the village’s sharpest treasured blade from the village chief and was all set to go out and hack a few slimes for fun, but the moment I stepped out of the village, I ran into a demon lord bent on destroying the world... That’s about what it feels like.”

“Don’t worry. The demon lord will only be a fleeting presence in your life. For a long while, you won’t cross paths again.”

“But the demon lord gave me a treasure and then threatened me. ‘Hero, your mission is simple: go kill my daughter, or I’ll kill you!’ Now my whole life is overshadowed by the specter of the demon lord.”

Ling Mo raised an eyebrow. “The demon lord’s shadow isn’t as terrifying as you imagine. Have you considered that maybe your village chief is also a demon lord, and that the sharpest blade in the village is called the ‘Dragon Slayer’?”

Catherine shot him a resentful look. “Even if the chief really is a peerless master, he and I aren’t related by blood or anything—there’s no way he’d risk provoking another demon lord just for me.”

“Of course not. The chief’s only known you for four days,” Ling Mo replied with a smile. “But what’s done is done. No need to overthink it. You still have a few years before you challenge Agnes. For now, let’s talk about the treasure the demon lord gave you.”

At this, Catherine immediately perked up. She lifted her chin, pride shining in her eyes. “Well, Master, hurry up and call me a genius! In just four days, I went from a complete novice to an advanced martial artist—has that ever happened before? Come on, praise me! I get even better the more I’m praised!”

Ling Mo looked at her excited face and poured cold water on her enthusiasm. “When did you become an advanced martial artist? Who told you that?”

“Lord Antoun, of course,” Catherine replied as if it were obvious. “Didn’t Lord Antoun say my abilities far surpass those of an intermediate martial artist? I can even feel my pores now, and vaguely control them. Isn’t that the sign of an advanced martial artist?”

“Not necessarily. Do you remember what marks an advanced martial artist? Try running at full speed.”

Reluctant to admit defeat, Catherine stretched her limbs and immediately dashed off at her top speed. The moment she started, she felt the difference in her body: the surge of her organs, the rhythm of her muscles—everything was so clear and powerful. She had never imagined the human body could reach this level of strength! The most direct sensation was the wind roaring past her ears; her current speed was utterly astonishing!

As she ran, she shouted excitedly, “Master, everyone, do you see this? Do you see this unbelievable speed?! Amazing! Just amazing! I don’t know the exact speed, but it feels faster than a magi-car racing down the highway!”

“It’s like she flashed past in the blink of an eye!”

“Unbelievable! Even the magical eye sprite’s tracking can barely keep up with her!”

“If I don’t use Eagle Eye, all I see is a black blur! Anyone got numbers?”

“Mapping dog here! I just measured: average forty-nine meters per second! That’s a hundred and eighty kilometers an hour!”

“Really?! Cars on the highway only go about one-twenty max!”

“That’s the average speed! By my rough estimate, her top speed is around two hundred and forty!”

“Damn, at this speed, if she crashes into someone, it’d be like getting hit by a plane!”

“Martial arts are incredible! Teacher Ling, when are you starting classes? I can’t wait!”

“If you can’t wait, why not take action?”

“Take action before it’s too late! I hear housing prices at Scarborough Market have already gone up tenfold!”

“Your info is outdated! An hour ago, they’d risen twentyfold!”

“……”

Catherine sprinted with all her might, turning her head left and right to savor the new high-speed vision. This time, though, she was careful to reserve some attention for the changes in her internal organs. She had the breathing technique as a foundation, so oxygen wasn’t an issue, but who knew what else might go wrong?

Sure enough! After running nearly ten kilometers at full tilt, she suddenly sensed her organs nearing their limits. The heat generated was accumulating inside her, and neither her skin nor her pores could dissipate it fast enough. Her body temperature soared, a faint red glow radiating from within, like a machine running dangerously hot!

Recalling in her mind how Ling Mo had unleashed his finishing move to kill the sand whale—opening all his pores to expel heat, causing a localized downpour—Catherine tried desperately to sense and control her own pores, to force all the heat out.

But to her shock, at this state, she couldn’t sense her pores at all! Let alone control them to vent the heat! Realizing something was wrong, she hurried to slow down—but it was already too late!

The trapped heat burst from every part of her body, making her feel as though she was being roasted alive! Especially around her heart, where it felt like she was surrounded by raging fire! Stars danced before her eyes, her limbs went weak, and in less than a second she lost control of her body. One misstep sent her tumbling to the ground, and with the momentum of traveling at two hundred kilometers per hour, she bounced like a ball, rolling far, far away before crashing face-first into a boulder, her rear end sticking up in the air in a rather tragic pose.

Ling Mo had appeared at her side at some unknown moment. He patted her upturned backside, mocking, “Doesn’t this scene feel a bit familiar?”

Catherine struggled to roll over onto her back, lying flat on the ground. She wanted to joke, to say, “Master, that’s harassment,” but as soon as she opened her mouth, a bitter taste rose in her throat, and she suddenly spat out a jet of fire!

That’s no metaphor—an actual gout of flame shot from Catherine’s mouth, scorching a black streak onto the rock above. Soot and ash rained down, landing on her face and in her mouth, making her cough violently. Yet amid the choking, Catherine was delighted to discover that after expelling that mouthful of fire, the burning sensation inside her diminished dramatically!