"Mr. Gusion, it's time for your medicinal bath."
Fusui's reminder came, prompting Gusion to put down the book on body cultivation techniques he was reading.
The medicinal bath was a benefit arranged by Erioh for him, and also a kind of support for his upcoming battle with Shen Wulong.
For the Kure clan to utilize Removal, they not only improve their bloodline through innate means but also use auxiliary methods afterward.
By using their clan's secret medicinal bath formula, they can effectively enhance their members' physiques, allowing them to withstand more of Removal's power.
After the tournament ended, his main quest updated as well. The Endspace has once again raised the difficulty—but it's the kind of challenge he wants.
[Main Quest: Final Act – Child of the World]
Quest: Within 10 natural days, kill Shen Wulong, the representative of the world's will.
Difficulty: Hard ~ Nightmare
Reward: Return Ticket, World Core
Failure Penalty: -2 to all attributes, forced return
[]
It seems that not doing this quest wouldn't cause any big issues—he could still return—but that -2 to all attributes is a harsh penalty Gusion can't accept, and besides, he's eager to face Shen Wulong.
As for the World Core reward, he checked the details. According to Endspace, if he obtains it, he'll have cleared this world, and Endspace will fully absorb the Kengan Ashura universe.
Since he'd be the one obtaining the World Core, he'd get certain privileges—spending Endcoins to return to this world, and freely using its time and setting.
Gusion doesn't care much for vacationing in this world. What he's really wondering is: if he helps Endspace clear this long-unsolved world, how much will he be rewarded upon returning?
After arriving at the bathroom, Gusion undressed, refused Fusui's offer to assist, and slowly eased himself into the wooden tub.
Even though this bath was arranged by Erioh, the improvement to his physique was immediate and impressive—far beyond his expectations.
According to the Kure clan's experience, medicinal baths are a slow and cumulative way to improve the body; their people usually start as children, and it takes months or years to see results.
Once the body matures, the effects diminish greatly—humans have their limits, after all.
In Erioh's view, Gusion probably wouldn't benefit much from the bath, but at least it would help him recover and prepare for a possible encounter with Shen Wulong.
But not only did Gusion improve—his changes came fast and were obvious.
He was surprised himself. He'd only soaked twice since coming to the Kure clan, but his physical stats increased by 1 point—a shocking result.
After thinking it over, he could only attribute it to his innate Limiter Release talent. He really is different from ordinary people.
It's always been this way since he was young. Many who train their bodies notice the greatest changes at the very beginning. But after a certain point, further gains—muscle, strength—become extremely difficult.
That's because they've reached their personal limits. Humans are capped by a kind of limiter preventing them from fully tapping their potential.
But Gusion was different. Trained by his master since childhood, he didn't have a monstrous body at first. But as he trained, his physique kept strengthening, never plateauing like others.
By age 18, he could easily lift a one-ton boulder. He only slacked off on strength training when he became focused on revenge.
Perhaps his original world had similar medicinal baths, but with rare ingredients, his master never had him soak.
Now, soaking in the Kengan world and getting a physique boost is a pleasant bonus.
"Mr. Gusion, you have a visitor."
After finishing his bath, Fusui's voice came from outside.
"Who is it?"
Gusion was curious.
"An elder calling himself 'Mukaku Gaoh.'"
Fusui's words made Gusion pause as he was putting on clothes, then break into a smile. The final piece of this world's puzzle had arrived.
…
"The Other Niko's master, founder of the Niko Style—what brings you here now?"
In the reception room, Gusuin looked at the robust centenarian before him, marveling at the man's excellent health.
Mukaku Gaoh is the last of the Dragon Trribe, having spent a century plotting revenge against Shen Wulong, who wiped out his clan. To fight the ravages of age, he used drugs to maintain his body.
In the original story, his battle with Shen Wulong was a masterstroke of scheming—but Shen Wulong was absurdly strong, and Mukaku Gaoh was utterly defeated.
"Up close, you truly are the strongest person I've ever seen," Mukaku Gaoh said with admiration. "I'm here to help you kill Shen Wulong."
"I have no intention of ganging up on Shen Wulong," Gusion cut him off. "What I want is a one-on-one battle."
He knew exactly what this old man was thinking.
To Mukaku Gaoh, any means are justified as long as he can kill Shen Wulong. But Gusion refused to play dirty; he wanted to defeat the world's peak fighter head-on.
"Foolish! You don't know what Shen Wulong really is!" Mukaku Gaoh tried to persuade him. "He's not human as you know it..."
Gusion raised a hand. "If you want me to join you in some underhanded ambush, save your breath."
Mukaku Gaoh's eyes flashed with confusion and anger. Don't you realize Shen Wulong has his sights on you? You'll be killed!
"But..." Gusion continued, "Killing Shen Wulong is my business. I can grant your wish. If you want to help, why not teach me the basics of Long Clan Style?"
Mukaku was stunned. "Long Clan Style? Why bother learning that?"
Gusion could tell Mukaku really meant it. For a moment, he pitied the Other Niko disciples. Their lifelong pursuit—the Long Clan Style—was nothing to their master.
Mukaku had no true martial spirit. Even his so-called Gaoh-Style was just a renamed plagiarized style from the Warring States era. To him, martial arts were tools; he'd use anything if it could kill Shen Wulong.
Now that all the Other Niko disciples are gone, Mukaku probably considers Gusion the exceptional one—but why would such a strong man need Long Clan Style?
"I'm interested in all martial arts. In this world, there are no worthless techniques—only worthless people," Gusion said. "Just teach me the basics. I'll figure out the rest."
Unable to persuade Gusion, Mukaku reluctantly complied, hoping that even a bit more skill might improve Gusion's chances against Shen Wulong.
Whether Mukaku would play dirty during the duel, Gusion couldn't control. He had his own plans.
…
Half a day later, in the training hall, Mukaku stared wide-eyed at Gusion. "You... already learned it?"
Gusion waved. "I've grasped the essence of Long Clan Style. You can go."
In martial arts, once you understand the principles, everything is connected. Gusion already knew many similar techniques. What interested him was the advanced skills: Possessing Spirit, Fallen Demon, and the Divine Demon used by Fei Wangfang.
With the last Other Niko dead, he thought he'd never learn these secrets—yet here was their founder at his door.
But to Gusion's surprise, Mukaku himself didn't know Possessing Spirit or Divine Demon—only Fallen Demon. The other moves were invented by later generations.
But that was enough. What he needed was the foundational theory, since he intended to create something uniquely his own.
Yes—he would unify Removal, Possessing Spirit, and Fallen Demon into his own exclusive secret technique.
…
Three days after Mukaku left, Gusion finished the final step of developing his new technique, right under Erioh's monster-like gaze.
"This really is a brand-new secret technique. With your martial prowess, Gusion, I doubt anyone can stop you now. Even Shen Wulong—you may well defeat him," Erioh sighed.
Gusion exhaled a heavy breath, about to speak, when Fusui burst in, panicked: "Shen Wulong has entered the compound!"