With the goal set, the next step was to move forward, one solid step at a time.
Updating status was, naturally, the most intuitive way to measure progress.
Under normal circumstances, a person's growth should be faithfully reflected in the tasks they undertake and the training they endure, subtly refining muscle memory, neural reflexes, and physical constitution.
Adventurers certainly experience this kind of growth.
However, compared to such imperceptible changes, updating their ability scores through the judgment of a "Falna" provides a much more dramatic and tangible boost.
The two naturally found themselves lying on the bed once more.
With the first experience behind them, Focalors' movements were noticeably swifter.
She presented the updated ability scores before them both.
--+--
Furina de Fontaine
--+--
Level 1
--+--
Strength: H (143)
Endurance: I (94)
Dexterity: H (161)
Agility: H (130)
Magic: H (162)
--+--
[Magic]
[Blessing of Pure Water]
- Enchant‑Type Magic, ultra-short chant magic.
- Manifests phantoms using the water element, allowing for various shape-shifting depending on the battlefield.
- Chants: [Shower me with praise!], [The show begins.].
--+--
Li Sushang
--+--
Level 1
--+--
Strength: S (900)
Endurance: S (900)
Dexterity: S (900)
Agility: S (900)
Magic: S (900)
--+--
[Skill]
[Edge of Taixuan]
- Significantly elevates mental resistance.
- Significantly elevates sensory perception.
- Significantly elevates martial arts prowess.
- Significantly elevates physical fitness.
- Can draw magic directly from the atmosphere without using personal reserves.
- Possesses the ability to strike directly at [All Things].
--+--
Focalors handed the parchment containing their information to them, her voice carrying a hint of awe.
"This is the direct change from this session. Based on what I know, if others were to find out about Furina's ability growth, they would be absolutely stunned."
Stunned? It would be more accurate to call it hair-raising.
An increase of nearly 700 points in total ability scores is enough to satisfy an average adventurer for one or two years—yet this gain occurred on the very first day.
"That may be so, but..."
Furina had been quite pleasantly surprised at first. She hadn't perceived the changes in her body as particularly obvious, but she had felt the subtle shifts.
Having gathered quite a bit of intelligence, she naturally knew how staggering this growth was.
However, compared to Sushang...
Looking at that maxed-out stat line of 900, the expression on Furina's face turned complicated.
Even though she didn't know the saying "Why must heaven create Zhou Yu if it also creates Zhuge Liang," her internal state matched Zhou Yu's perfectly.
"My situation is probably a bit different."
Even Sushang could read the look on her face.
It was a classic case of knowing one's own business best.
Just as she was about to explain, she saw Focalors nod and say, "Exactly. Sushang's situation is more like she has 'no more potential to be unearthed.'"
"No potential to be unearthed?" Furina pondered the mechanics of the Falna. "But that doesn't mean Shangshang truly has no potential, right? It's just that the Falna can only do so much for her?"
Both were clever; they didn't need a long explanation to understand the situation.
The reality was exactly as they surmised.
"That's how it is," Sushang sighed helplessly. "It seems the Falna isn't a great way for me to get stronger. Even after updating my status, I didn't feel much of a difference."
It would be normal for Furina not to feel it, but for Sushang, it was quite strange.
Sushang's martial arts mastery was plain to see. For a grandmaster with such intimate control and understanding of her own body, failing to sense subtle physical changes would be laughable.
"As I thought..."
Furina frowned slightly.
Previously, she had hoped this "Falna" would at least be of some help to Sushang.
Although it was Focalors who bestowed it, she and Focalors were one and the same, so this was also a way for Furina to soothe her own guilt, not knowing how else to repay Sushang's kindness.
But now, it seemed this "blessing" was indeed just a gesture of comfort.
"It's fine," Sushang smiled. "Even if there wasn't an obvious change, I'm only at Lv. 1, right? Maybe things will change as I reach higher levels. Besides, don't we get 'Skills' at Lv. 2? It's only just the beginning."
Her smile was genuinely carefree, and she was truly looking forward to it. This settled Furina's heart a little.
Indeed, while Lv. 1 didn't offer much of a boost to Sushang, it was common knowledge that Lv. 1 was just the starting line. The chasm between Lv. 1 and Lv. 2 existed precisely because the "Skill" entry only appeared starting at Lv. 2.
Conversely, having skills or magic appear at Lv. 1 was a rarity among rarities.
Seeing Furina's expression soften, Sushang took the opportunity to shift the topic. "Compared to that, Fufu, want to give it a try?"
She gestured toward the Xuanyuan Sword resting against the headboard.
Furina followed her gaze and reached for the sword without hesitation.
Heavy.
Even after updating her status, the sword's weight still vastly surpassed that of an ordinary longsword.
However... Furina walked to the side and swung it a couple of times. It was indeed a bit more manageable than it had been at the start.
That must be the result of the status update.
"I became a bit stronger after becoming an adventurer, and now that my stats are updated, it's still somewhat..." Furina looked at the golden sword in her hand, her face tinged with disbelief. "As a weapon, is this weight really okay?"
"Well, practically no one who uses this weapon is an 'ordinary person' to begin with."
Sushang had never felt there was a problem with the sword's weight. Let alone her, none of the others who wielded the Xuanyuan Sword ever found it an issue.
However, if one were to look closely at those who used the blade: they were either MANTIS Soldiers, martial arts legends like the Seven Disciples of Taixuan who possessed physical strength exceeding most Valkyries, or beings like the Xianzhou-native Sushang who could break through atmospheres with their bare bodies.
To them, the weight of the Xuanyuan Sword was hardly worth mentioning.
The notion that the Xuanyuan Sword was "light and handy" was only true from their perspective.
Even the Guan Dao used by historical generals weighed nearly a hundred pounds; these users, who had pushed their bodies past human limits, were in a different league entirely.
"I suppose it's still a bit too early for me to use it." Furina sighed.
"It might be early for combat, but practicing the sword intent and sword form is indispensable." Sushang smiled.
With a flicker of light, a longsword—blue and white throughout, with only the guard and pommel cast in gold—appeared in her hand.
Furina naturally remembered what Sushang had said: when the wielder's intent resonated with the Xuanyuan Sword, the blade would change.
Was this the Xuanyuan Sword after resonating with Sushang's intent?
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL