Boom! And into the Mid-Commander-level Devil Tiger, frozen by several "Ice Roses," slams a fist strike that turns its hitherto toughest body part – its head – to mush.
Brushing residual pain from my hand, I grinned wide as a whole Commander soul entered my pendant. Looks like I found a new soul-farming spot for the future. Finally, my pendant can advance and boost my Cultivation speed. True, to solidify it, I need a few more souls of similar power, but that's no issue.
"You've advanced quite far in the Thunder Tyrant Body of Calamity technique. I'm very impressed by your improvement speed. Though, I can't give all credit to you – this little friend did most of the work," Stroking his beard, Master Mo Shu glanced admiringly at the nearby Pikachu.
"Come on, Master, I found and raised him myself – at least half the credit's mine," Smiling, I telekinetically grabbed the monster's corpse I'd slain and followed him.
Times aren't calm now; such a corpse with quality meat could feed dozens, bones for primitive artifacts. Zero waste, you know. How people survive these days.
"But I often notice you using spells to create convenient combat situations, like just now. I don't deny it's easier to hit a immobile, brittle foe, but you lose reflex training against stronger opponents. As I understand, you'll be here another half-day?" Turning, calculating something, Mo Shu asked.
"Yes, that was the plan," I nodded; it was true. I wanted to return a day before events, double-check everything, meet Tang Yue.
"Then you'll have time for the trial I devised. Listen closely," Clearing his throat, he outlined my next training:
"Go to the cave of that Devil Tiger pair you killed, slay the mate using only your body strength. When you're about to die, you may use your unique speed magic. But don't count on passing my trial then. I've nobly and selflessly taken you as pupil – time to justify my hopes," After that tirade, Mo Shu glowed with his own awesomeness. He'd changed since our last meeting; finally comfy with me, showing his true colors.
"…" Remind him or not? With all the resources I gave, only he could call it selfless. Spotting something in my eyes, the old man awkwardly coughed but recovered:
"Forget resources. That's material. I'm talking spirituality, battle resolve, self-overcoming! Be grateful I help you detach from the material and embrace true spiritual meaning," Twirling a long mustache on his finger, he replied, pleased with his silver tongue spouting ancient cultivator-elder nonsense. Wait, he is one, so no issue.
"Fine, I'll go. But if the fight drags, I'll end it quick and head home. Urgent business," After my firm reply, the master nodded contentedly.
The path to the cave was short but tedious – walking, not flying. This area's bird-packed now; didn't fancy bumping a random Warlord. I wouldn't die, but fleeing sucks.
Entering the cave, I saw why Master Mo Shu sent me here. Narrow, fit for living, not fighting. With my mobility and small size vs. the monster, advantage mine.
Mo Shu wants me to grasp environment's importance in battle, not waste mana creating it when nature provides. Smart old man move.
Past life, no such body for frontal monster fights, so not a great hand-to-hand warrior. Old reflexes slip sometimes. Luckily, Mo Shu corrects, shows proper way; high spiritual limits and talent let me absorb fast. Old man says I'm already top ten in pure technique among his dojo pupils.
But lesser-technique pupils could still thrash me in a straight brawl. They've trained using environment lifelong; I created my own. Obvious gap. But as genius diligent pupil, one hint sufficed to get it and fix errors... Can't praise yourself, no one will.
The Devil Tigress was in the cave – great news, no waiting or exit fight.
She spotted me only visually; since Gu Daiyu fight, I keep a Spatial Barrier around me to warn of poison – or girl transformation, whichever worse. Wait, know now: girl-state reversible; dead poisoned corpse outside "Save Point" range just monster chow.
Using surprise, I charged her neck for heavy wound or kill, but she proved barely weaker than her mate, trying jumps blocked by the cave. Exactly! Why didn't I think sooner? I did, but didn't apply.
Straining arms, I pounded walls, causing collapse – won't kill her, but gives chances. It did. Cave cracked, stone chips rained, tigress panicked.
Fear sparked panic error: she tried slipping past through narrow exit pass. Seizing it, I elbow-smashed her neck hard; she screeched in pain.
Not dead. Damn. Irks being physically weaker without magic. Fine, ace this test.
Next five minutes: chase in crumbling cave. Post-injury, tigress cautious, playing for exhaustion. I kept breaking cave between dodges. Rocks count as "natural environment."
Then, sly angle strike: huge ceiling chunk fell on tigress. I didn't miss – punched where she'd dodge. Bingo!
Second elbow-neck hit killed her. Taking corpse, noting no intact soul unlike hubby, I telekinetically escaped. Not genius engineer; prior failed tries blocked path now.