Krune left Cassy for Lakin to take care and called his team members over.
"Cassy's issue is over. As you already know, the Mercenary Selection is just two weeks and some days away. We should return; otherwise, Guild Head Bary might go crazy. We told him we would stay out for some time, though, but just in case."
Yusa and the others nodded. Ao then thought about something.
"Shinja, have you already had a free pass to the Divine Path Sect entrance exam? You could stay here if you want, no?"
Shinja heard that and nodded.
"I also thought about it. But in the end, there isn't much of a difference whether I stay or not. I've already had my soul cultivation technique, and I can use it anywhere. I can also cultivate in any place I wish, so I will go to take a look."
They nodded and went back to prepare for their leaving the next day. Krune went to the Order Hall to tell Hasik he would stay some time out.
"I understand. So the place you are going to is full of top experts watching over, right?"
Krune nodded. The Heads of the other Mercenary Guilds of the different continents would be there too. Not to mention that they are going to the Martial gathering right after they finish selecting the people who are getting the Five Slots given to the Mercenary Guild. So it's bound to have even more experts there.
"Then, take this technique with you and make sure to master it before Selection starts."
Krune then saw a book appearing on the teleport formation in the Order Hal. After reading its name, he got surprised!
"Race Cover Technique"
"Is this technique something that helps conceal my true form?"
Hasik nodded.
"Although you are a wisp, you are still a Legacy Disciple of my old Mohie Sect. The sect will always protect its members, it doesn't matter which race they are from. It was thanks to rules like that our sect could become a superpower in the past. The people who joined our sect had a sense of belonging, which is a very powerful weapon for any sect."
Krune didn't mind the-wisp comment and thanked Hasik anyway.
"This technique can stop anyone below the Void Breaking Realm from seeing which race you are from. There shouldn't have anyone at this level for a planet like this one you described to me. In the future, when you venture outside this planet, you won't need to be afraid of showing your true form anymore. Only those with poor foundations and bleak futures would dare to use wisps for cultivation. Any other high-level cultivator wouldn't risk damaging their foundations for a short term increase in power."
"Of course, it is still better if you keep it hidden as a trump card. After all, you said your combat power is a lot higher in that form."
Krune nodded. It was true. His control over the elements is much higher when he doesn't need to circulate spiritual energy through his human body first. He might lose some defense, but he gains a lot of firepowers.
Krune was just about to leave when suddenly, Hasik made an unexpected question:
"By the way, what kind of weapon are you using at the moment?"
Krune looked back at Hasik.
"Weapon!? I've never used a weapon, to be honest, I'm a lot better at long-range attacks and movement skills, so I never thought about acquiring one."
Hasik was taken aback with that answer.
"Even if you are good at staying far away, there are weapons good for that style of battles. Have you never considered Flying Swords, Chakrams, or anything like that?"
It's not like that Krune hasn't thought about them before. It's just he felt they aren't exactly to his liking, and so he told Hasik.
"I see. But what is it that you don't like about the weapons?"
Krune pondered a bit. if there were a reason, then it could only be…
"Well, to be honest, I have never liked killing, unless it's absolutely necessary. I won't take any lives, I can count the number of living beings that died because of me, on my hands. You'd better know I have battled a lot already. Be it alone or with my team members. So I guess it's because those are killing weapons that I feel uncomfortable about using them."
Hasik found this wisp to be more and more strange. Of course, it's not like all the other cultivators are bloodthirst and love killing each other. But, usually, they wouldn't care about killing their enemies so that they could get rid of the problem as soon as possible. Everyone knows that it is much easier to kill than it is to disable someone.
"I'm not in the position to judge whether you are right or wrong. Maybe you can do what you do exactly because of that. But I still think you should choose something for emergencies."
It was then that Hasik thought about something.
"You said you don't like weapons since they are made to kill. Then, what about defensive spiritual artifacts?"
Krune was puzzled. So far, he only saw people using spiritual artifact weapons for killing, and he has never seen anyone using something for defense.
"What kind of defensive spiritual artifact?"
"That is up to you. It must be something you like. They say the best weapon is the one that suits you the best. Defensive artifacts are just the same. What kind of artifact would be the one you like the most? Think about it!"
Krune left the Order hall with that thought on his mind. Just what kind of artifact would be the best for himself!?
'It has to be something I can use both in human and wisp form. In that case, something like a big flying shield, perhaps ?'
Krune shook his head.
'Too big, hard to manipulate and can only defend one side. Maybe some kind of armor that can adapt to my wisp form?'
Krune shook his head again.
'Out of the question! I don't even know if an armor can transform to start with. Even if it's possible, it's not something I can acquire at my level. Otherwise, I would have seen someone using it already.'
It was then that Krune thought about something.
'My soul power and Divine Sense are stronger than anyone at my level. At least between the people I have seen so far, it definitely is so. In that case, why am I focusing on a single piece of equipment to start with?'
An idea started to form in Krune's mind.
'Maybe…'
Krune's eyes lit up immediately.
'I need to go to the Blacksmith Guild first to check if it is possible.'
It was then that Krune noticed he had already arrived in his room.
"Oh right, the Race Cover Technique! I need to practice it straight away. I hope it isn't too hard to understand."
Krune then forgot about the artifact issue for the moment. He decided he would check about it when he was back in the city and went to the Blacksmiths Guild.
He then opened the book and started reading its contents. Surprisingly, there wasn't much there. It only took a few minutes to memorize it thoroughly.
"So, it's basically a type of Divine Sense shield that stops other Divine Senses from checking into my body to find out which race I am. It's quite simple too. I should be able to learn it by tomorrow before we leave."
The next morning, Yusa, Ao, and Shinja were already waiting for Krune at the Secret Realm entrance. But they noticed he was quite late already.
"Did something happen?"
They looked at each other. It was evident that none of them heard about anything.
"Let's go to his room to take a look."
Just as they were about to leave, Krune appeared in the distance, not long after he arrived.
"Sorry for making you wait. I was just talking with Lakin about something else."
Krune had left behind a copy of the Race Cover Technique for Lakin and Cassy, and probably even Dier. After all, Dier is also at the peak of the 9th stage of the Qi Condensation. He just needs to decide on his foundation, and he can start his breakthrough.
Krune then looked at everyone.
"Should we go?"
Since there was no problem, they nodded and departed. After traversing the gate, Krune used his privilege as Legacy Disciple to close it temporarily.
"Well, it will be at least three months for us to be back. Are you sure you don't want to stay, Shinja? I believe Cassy will be very happy if you keep her company."
Shinja shook her head.
"I do like Cassy very much, but I feel I will just get in Lakin's way if I stay behind."
Yusa and Ao heard that and laughed.
"Indeed, that would be a big problem."
Krune just sighed.
"So, do you also think Lakin is interested in Cassy?"
Ao, Yusa, and Shinja looked at Krune as if they had seen a ghost. With Krune's EQ, there should be no way he noticed it.
"Who are you? Where is Krune? What did you do to him?"
Krune looked at their reactions and had the urge to kick them away. Are they still his friends?
"Hmph! How could I not notice that? He looks at her the same way I looked at Feifei back then. I can at least see this much."
It was impressive how Krune could say those words without the least bit of embarrassment. The best part is that he could at least understand what it is to be interested in someone else.
Ao put one of his hands on Krune's shoulder.
"Brother, I'm happy to see you growing up."
Shinja and Yusa nodded their heads vigorously.
Krune felt that something was wrong.
'Why is that even when they are praising me. I feel like I'm being mocked instead?'
Krune just sighed and put those thoughts back on his mind. After that, all four of them swiftly left. Of course, they made sure not to leave any traces behind where the Rainbow Sect Secret Realm Entrance is located. Anyone who passes through there won't notice anything different.
Five days later, they arrived at Harta City. Instead of going back to the Kaley City Mercenary Guild Branch, they went to the Harta City's Branch. Instead, they contacted Lu Ganan in Kaley City to ask where they should teleport from here. After getting the teleport coordinates from Supervisor Lu, they went to the closest Long Distance Teleport Formation, paid the fee, and, in a flash of silver light, they disappeared.
Somewhere inside the Mercenary Guild Headquarters of the Yule Continent, a teleport formation started to shine. Instants later, four figures appeared on it. Obviously, they were Krune and his friend. As soon as they arrived, someone was there to receive them.
"Hello, my friends! My name is Linder, an employee of the Mercenary Guild. I'm here to guide you into your rooms."
Shinja was the most familiar with the Mercenary Guild Headquarters, so she came forward to compliment Linder.
"Very well, do you know if everyone is here already?"
Linder understood she was talking about those who would participate in the Mercenary Selection.
"Yes. There is a total of twenty-seven Foundation Establishment cultivators under the age of forty years old, and there are also three Star Mercenaries in the Headquarters, at the moment. That is already counting with you. Everyone will be departing in one week for the Mercenary Selection."
Shinja and the others understood. After that, Linder showed the way to the rooms prepared for them beforehand.
Linder took a few cards from his pocket and passed one to each member. He then explained:
"Those are the access cards you can use here in the Headquarters if you want to enter some room. Just use this card. If the room opens, it means you are allowed to enter. If not, then you aren't. It makes everything easier around here. Our Headquarters have everything you need: Formations, Blacksmiths, Runestones Formation, Alchemists, Puppets, and so forth. Make sure to check the terminal in your room. There you can find all the information you need while staying here."
Expect for Shinja, who had been here before. Krune and the others were quite amazed at the efficiency the headquarters were managed.
After Linder left, their group decided that since they still have to wait for a week, they might go and do whatever they like, in the meantime. Yusa was the first one to leave.
"The information says that the Headquarters have employed Six Stars cultivators for all the other occupations, so I'm going to the Runestone Formations room. See you later."
After that, she immediately left. She had also caught up with Ao when he stopped to open his Spiritual Energy Meridians. Now she is at the 8th Stage of the Foundation Establishment. Thanks to the Spiritual Energy Meridians, she can control three elements at the same time. In the end, she decided to basically use Water, Ice, and Lightning. She chose ice because it was a branch of the water element, and lightning because Shinja also used that. It complemented water type attacks very well too.
Ao decided to do something else.
"Their training facilities are great for sword users like me. So I'm going to take a look too."
With a swift breeze, Ao disappeared from where he was. He'd already reached the 8th Stage of the Foundation Establishment. He was able to open more Spiritual Energy Meridians with the rewards of completing the Soul Endurance Test's last level. So his control over the wind element improved even more, not to mention that now he can also use three different elements just like Yusa. In the end, he decided to specialize in Wind, Fire, and Metal. Wind and Fire complemented each other, while Metal, a branch of the earth element, can help him with his sword path.
Shinja didn't need to look at the information to know where to go.
"The Headquarters had paid for an Eight-Star Formations Master to set up an Eight-Star Spirit Gathering Formation in the past, so I'm going there now. You should try it later if you have time."
In the end, Krune was the only one left. After finding out that the guild had a Six-Star Blacksmith, his next stop was pretty obvious.
"Time to check if my idea is feasible or not!"
Using his lightning movement, Krune also disappeared in a flash of light.
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