After killing ten birds, Sean turns to Jasmine.
"What quick thinking! You increased the lengths of your claws and enlarges your limbs to deliver a much stronger attack than you can possibly release in your normal state."
Jasmine raised her head proudly, she might not had killed even one of the birds but she injured one of them.
"Right, you can eat avians, unfortunately, you can't eat them cooked." He throws two to her.
For the rest, it's going to be the breakfast of both him and Wuk.
Leaving the area quickly, they perch on the largest tree they can find and Sean prepares his breakfast.
Wuk, on the other hand, devours the birds raw, since their size can't compare to what they normally eat, it was easy for him to swallow.
"Are you still hungry?" Sean looks at Wuk and asks, the two of them aren't normal bronze rankers, their need for vitality rich food is greater than those of the same rank.
Wuk shakes his head, he didn't lost that much vitality in that battle, besides, this place is full of spiritual energy causing his cell to be much more fuller when eating and breathing.
"Good, calm your breath and try to cultivate Basic Cultivation Technique." He knows that it will take a bit of time to cook these birds.
He doesn't know any breathing skills, he's basically experimenting with this skill.
At least, he now have another technique he can train while staying at one place.
Flare was summoned out, her job is the same as always, be the lighter of the group.
Flare didn't complain, for her, everything he says is absolute, she idolizes him.
Her sister was her former idol, protecting her from danger they encounter, now, he arrived, the two of them are no longer always in the state of fear.
"Finally, preparing these birds are actually helpful for my mind." He's surprised by this discovery.
Feathers were thrown down, inedible parts were also thrown away, leaving only the tender meat.
Finishing his meal, their group once again sets out, Jasmine was sent back to Beast World to sleep.
"The trees are different in this area." Sean mutters arriving at a different location.
The trees might not be as big as those from the area they explored yesterday but its much tougher with a metallic sheen on them.
Tapping it, the sensation doesn't belong to that of a wood but more of a steel plate.
"Wuk, can you-" He didn't finish his words when he saw his partner trying to eat the branch of the tree.
"Does this tree attracts you?" He asks in a whispered voice.
Wuk nods his head, he starts punching the tree but even after using 2nd tier King Kong Punch, he wasn't able to break it.
'Hmm!?' Sean was shocked, he looks at the enraged Wuk and then the tree in front of them.
'Is the tree as tough as a silver rank mystique creature!?' This was too much of a shock to him.
"Enter Battle Ape Form and see if you can break the branch with just your strength."
Wuk was already thinking of this, his bloodline origin, the Iron Monkey.
With a roar, Wuk enters his battle state and his body enlarging.
Grabbing the branch, he pulls hard, seeing that the branch wasn't budging, Sean decided to help.
Titan Strength!
The two pulls with all their might, finally starting to move the branch.
"This will take us a long time, Wuk, use King Kong Punch!"
3rd tier King Kong Punch!
BANG! The force shakes the branch causing cracks to form.
"Good!" Unfortunately, after releasing that attack, Wuk was unable to use King Kong Punch once again.
He doesn't have enough vital force, it starts smashing his chest in frustration.
"Revert to your original form and try to recover, I'll try to break this branch off."
Deactivating Titan Strength, he starts jabbing the tree branch.
"Tch! Quite tough." Shaking his head, he activates Ironhide Skin.
Straights starts flying towards the branch in rapid succession.
Wuk watching this is envious, he then starts punching the air, trying to copy Sean.
Unconsciously, the Basic Cultivation Technique starts to activate in his body.
After punching the branch a hundred times, Sean stops, he doesn't want to continue wasting his vital force.
"Wuk, let's switch." When he turns his head, he sees Wuk shadow boxing but his eyes are vacant.
'Did he?' This state seems to be similar to when he's cultivating.
Quickly summoning the system's interface, he checks Wuk's status and just like he expected, he learns Basic Cultivation Technique.
'So learning Basic Cultivation Technique is different for each individual.' He thought.
Knowing that he can't disturb him in his state of enlightenment.
King Kong Punch!
BOOM! The branch sways, taking a bottle of basic replenishing pill, he downs them all.
Straight! 1-2! Knee! Kick! Elbow!
He decided to use the branch as a practice target, since it's tough, he can go all out.
His body seems to transform into a fierce tornado, Bun² who came out with Flare was watching everything with fiery eyes.
This is the type of strength and ability she wants to learn.
Sean like Wuk enters a state of enlightenment, this is the first time he trains without thinking of danger inside this terrifying place.
[Created CQC skill!]
He only snaps out from his madness when the branch was finally broken off from the tree.
CQC State: Close Quarter Combat state, the user of this skill will enter a focused combat state, creating a domain that is powered by his senses, martial arts, vital force and spiritual energy.
"This skill is amazing but also quite dangerous." Prolonged use of this skill will definitely harm his mental state.
He also doesn't know if this skill can be turned off at will or only disperse if his mind or body can't take it anymore.
When he turns to Wuk, he saw that the latter and two bunnies are watching him with shining eyes.
"Here, you might need this, I need to rest." He sits down on the ground, exhausted.
A slight headache can be felt on his mind, realizing this, he decided to start storing sweets into Beast World.
"Too bad that I can't just show you two to others once we return back home." He mutters.
He can't let anyone find out that he can sign a contract with so many mystique creatures at his current rank.
For now, three is an acceptable number since he's a bronze rank Spiritual Tamer.
For martial artists, they can only develop their second seed, that can be used to contract mystique creature when they reach high tier bronze rank.
Most martial artists would fill their bodies with medicines in order to propel themselves to such level in order to sign a contract with a suitable mystique creature as quickly as possible.
Their foundations are quite weak, making their combat strength a lot weaker compared to the same rank wild mystique creatures.
This was evident when seeing the members of Steel Plate's group, they all have talent but squandered that away in order to sign a contract with their second mystique creature.
But for humans in this world, this was worth it, having two mystique creatures would make their vital force much more refined.
As time passed by, they can gain momentum and reach the silver rank, the main force of this city, excluding the illusive gold rankers.
Sean's existence would become too rare and people like him would be the prime targets of terrorist groups, his family would also be affected and more likely would be kidnapped by said group.
Taking a deep breath, he can lie to others, he can chalk up the existence of the Fighting Bunnies as nothing more than companions.
Pets that he raise for fun and not a pet beast he signed a contract with.
Gluttonous Carps, Spirit Foxes and many other mystique creatures are also in this category.
They can be raised as pets and not pet beasts, Fighting Bunnies are rare in their city, having them as pets is acceptable.
Unfortunately, he needs to create some documents for them to stay inside the city.
He can hide them inside Beast World but he doesn't want to.
"Uh!" Wuk claps his hand, snapping him out of his daze.
It seems that he had swallows the tree branch, without the tree supplying it with energy, it was only tough but not as unbreakable as before.
"The amount of vitality I used is truly too large for just training, hopefully we can encounter, mystique creatures that can replenish my energy." He sighs.
Waving his hand, he puts the two bunnies back to Beast World and both Wuk and him continues on their journey.
"Thanks, Wuk." He smiles as his partner was risking himself, acting as a scout in their journey.
Suddenly, both of them stops as they hear a heavy thud from nearby, slowly creeping into the direction, their expressions quickly changes as they escape.
In front of them was a family of rhinos, two Silver Rhino and a juvenile Bronze Rhino.
Each rank would cause them to undergo an evolution, changing their names to correlate to their ranks.
They are famous mystique creatures in their city but because it's not easy to raise them because of their temper, not many signed a contract with them.
"Wait! This place!?" Suddenly, he seems to recall a legend from the memories of the former Sean.
Golden Paradise, a place that is filled with treasures full of metal element.
The entire place is splendor with golds and metals, even elemental and awakened objects are present in this location.
"So, I have entered the training ground for this city's Federation." Another reason why this place is famous because it's used as the hunting ground for the Federation's top talent.
"I should probably leave." He mutters, this place is large but even so, unless the Gold Family can discuss things with the Federation, laying their hands on this place will cause some trouble.
ROAR! Suddenly a loud roar was heard, Sean's expression changes.
'That is-' He's familiar with this roar, he heard a similar roar during the invasion battle.
A dragon.
They actually encountered a dragon-type mystique creature in this place.
A large silver dragon was can be seen flying above them, its presence caused all the mystique creatures to cower.
On its claws was a giant reptile, struggling to escape.
"Gold rank." He whispers while trying to hold his breath.
The pressure that the dragon emits even made Wuk freeze but a blazing fire can be seen in his eyes.
Patting his back, Sean smiles and says. "Don't worry Wuk, we'll reach that level eventually."
He no longer wants to leave, this place is full of treasures for Wuk, leaving because of the existence of the Federation would make him regret it.
"Let's go hunt!" The two of them scouts the area, both are still immersed on the pressure of that giant dragon.
"Wait! Are those Iron-backed Boars?" He suddenly stops as a large number of boars appears in his eyes.
Sean knows this mystique creature as both Wuk and him hunted a couple of them in the outer core.
"Another gold rank!" Suddenly, just as they were about to make a move, Sean stops abruptly.
A large boar with golden tough and shining golden plates on its back was trudging around the herd.
"Retreat." He whispers to Wuk, if it was a silver rank one, they could just lure it with Jasmine but he won't take a risk if it's against a gold rank.
After they left, Wuk was moping around, the two of them hadn't hunted a single mystique creature in this place even after hunting for an hour.
"This place is filled with resources perfect for metal-type mystique creatures, such abundance makes it easier for them to rank up." Sean smiles bitterly.
Even those that can only be bronze rank all of their lives are protected by a silver rank mystique creature evolved from their race.
He turns to Wuk, since the latter is also considered as a metal-type mystique creature, maybe he can grow stronger training in this place.
'Perhaps that's why he managed to learn Basic Cultivation Technique, it's because of the environment.' He thought of this conjecture.
It's probably true but he doesn't know how much, if this was really the case, then, Flare can only learn this technique in an place filled with fire elemental energy.
Traveling through the large expanse of land, they've encountered their fair share of silver rank mystique creatures.
Their expressions are now very ugly, if this continues, then, they would have to retreat.
Sean can survive without eating for one day as long as he has pills but because he wasted a lot of vital force from destroying the branch, he was feeling famished.
"You know what, let's go hunt some of the bronze ranks under the protection of the silver rank." Gritting his teeth, he turns to Wuk and shares his thought.
Wuk was shocked but before he can disagree, Sean summons Jasmine and tells him his plan.
The two of them looks at each other and their eyes immediately blazes with anticipation, if this works, they can stay in this place until Wuk grows stronger from the influx of metal element.
After the three of them agrees to the plan, they return to the location of a large herd of Iron Horned Bovines.
It was being protected by a silver rank Iron Horned Bull, multiple of them actually but only one bull King can lead this herd with such harmony.
"Jasmine, start the plan." He gestures to her, in which she creeps towards a couple of cows grazing at the far edge of the herd.
Illusion, unaware of the danger, two of the cows were tricked by Jasmine's Illusion.
Spiritual Charm activate.
Leading them away, she activates her charm and continues to lead them towards a different direction.
Once they're far enough, both Wuk and Sean springs into action.
Battle Ape Form!
3rd tier King Kong Punch!
Grapple!
Without vital force, Sean can only rely on his skill, he encircles his hand on the neck of the cow.
Before it can let out a cry, Jasmine enters the place and fill its mouth with dirt.
Meanwhile, the bronze rank cow Wuk attacked was killed in one punch.
Its face was crushed, he then reverts back to his original form and joins Sean.
Punch! Smack! Smack! Smack!
Wuk first attacks with a punch but the cow managed to tilt its head towards the direction of the blow.
Knowing his knuckles are in pain, he changes his attack pattern and uses his staff.
Metal Element Imbue!
Suddenly, he feels an alarming amount of metal element rushing towards him.
The staff on his hand starts breaking but he doesn't stop, when the staff finally disintegrates, the cow is already dead.
Wuk looks at his hand with a blank expression, the sensation seems to awaken something within him.
"We can't stay here for long, let's escape!" Storing the cows inside, he escapes with Wuk and Jasmine.
The probability of the herd finding out two of their members are messing is quite low but not impossible.
Sean can't risk a drawn out battle in his current state.
Returning to the largest tree they found nearby, the three went up and starts preparing for lunch.
Jasmine cries and returns back to Beast World, she can't eat any other kind of meat, only avian flesh.
This can't be said to Wuk, who after sensing no danger starts eating like a savage beast.
Sean who summons Flare and was about to start preparing for his lunch turns to Wuk.
His aura and vitality is actually rising, after eating half of the large cow, he levels up.
He then remembers something and his eyes starts shining.
Golden Vajra Battle Body
Passive: Metal element absorption, increase battle instinct, enhanced senses, endurance, toughness, strength and vitality.
Metal element absorption, Wuk can absorbs metal element passively but since all mystique creatures in this location is filled with metal element in their bodies, he can grow at a rapid pace.
"Hahaha! This place is perfect but unfortunately, we can't stay here for the night." He says with regret.
Suddenly, he looks at the direction of the outer core and an idea appears on his mind.
"If the Gold Family can create a base in the location of the Devil Ape Nest, then, they can travel in this place to collect rare resources and train their mystique creatures."
The Gold Family are known for their metal-type mystique creatures, if they gain access to this place, then, they would be able to grow rapidly, of course, if only they can manage it.
"Wuk, go eat some leaves of this tree, maybe it'll help you absorb more metal element." Hearing his advise, Wuk plucks some of the leaves and starts chewing.
The taste isn't good not overly bad, the leaves are quite tough but he can still manage.
After eating more leaves, he returns munching on the meat, repeating the two process.
After that, he would train in Monkey Body Tempering Technique and Basic Cultivation Technique.
Sean watches as his partner's aura starts growing, this solidifies his earlier theory.
This place is definitely a paradise for metal-type mystique creatures.
He smiles as he cooks his meal, he can't lag behind from his partner that much.
After having lunch, the two starts resting to recover their vital force.
Wuk was very happy to stay in this place and pleaded to Sean to come back here again.
"Okay, besides, we need to record more information about this place, we might not had obtained any information about ore veins but considering the nature of this place, finding one wouldn't be that difficult."
He might be the only bronze ranker that actually dares to stay and travel at the inner core.
Finding such a place is actually difficult, the reason for this is fear and exhaustion.
Sean doesn't feel that much fear because of Jasmine, he also can absorb the surrounding spiritual energy with ease.
His body is tempered unlike any other bronze ranker and his strength is now comparable to powerful peak bronze rankers.
If he reaches high tier, there's a chance that he can be equal to silver rankers.
After devouring the large cow, he stores the horns and the two of them starts traveling once again.
After going deeper, they saw a large mountain, just as they were about to enter, they freezes.
Large numbers of silver rank mystique creatures appears at the holes in the mountain.
Sean and Wuk immediately flees upon seeing them, they aren't stupid enough to contend against them.
"It seems that all ore veins are being guarded by powerful silver rankers, we can only try to gamble with the Gold Eating Beasts." He sighs.
He knows that Gold Eating Beast can also find ore veins underground, with this place filled with metal element, they might be able to unearth an undiscovered one.
"It's getting late, we should return." Hearing this, Wuk was a bit reluctant but still follows him out.
The two of them returns with heavy injuries.
It's late at night, their expressions are very ferocious.
During their return trip, they encountered multiple mystique creatures on the hunt.
If it weren't for Jasmine, they would've unable to return.
"Rest for now, Wuk, you took a lot of damage blocking those attacks." Wuk nods his head.
His injuries are actually much worse than Sean, fortunately, he can recover with his vitality.
"Sorry, Jasmine, it seems that I can't guard you tonight." He looks at her guiltily before falling asleep.
They didn't timed their return well and when dusks hit, they encountered more mystique creatures than before.
The next morning, Sean wakes up feeling refreshed but hungry.
Jasmine levels up, she offsets her requirements for vitality with spiritual energy.
After seeing him wake up, she returns to Beast World and sleeps.
Just as he was about to look at her requirements for breaking through.
A notification pops out in front of him.
[Beast World has been upgraded!
System has upgraded all abilities and skills are now categorized.]
-----
Name: Beast World
Element: Metal, Yin (Lunar), Fire
Tier: Small world (Incomplete)
Ability: Ever Growing (Passive): Constantly absorb elemental and spiritual energy.
Elemental Synchronization (Passive): Use the mystery creature inside the world to absorb the present elemental energy innate to it.
Za Wurldo (Active): The creatures inside the world can share their vital force to the host- Warning, this will weaken the creatures and causes large burden to the world.
World Treasure (Passive): Has a chance to create a treasure inside the world- requires an item to sacrifice.
Limit: Can store inanimate objects inside, other than creatures bonded to the creator's soul, other living beings are forbidden to enter.
-----
[Basic: The most basic form of the ability. Majority of basic forms are only useful in iron and bronze rank.
Intermediate: Ability can now be fused with aura, increasing the user's vital force and quality. Prerequisite to enter the gold rank.
Advanced: ???
Unique: An ability that's a first of its kind, its power and strength is tied to the existence of the host's technique or skill.]
Sean seeing this was ecstatic, he can finally return home but first, he checks the situation of Beast World.
Right now, other than Jasmine who was sleeping peacefully, the other are now floating mindlessly but they're awake.
Earth and water! He needs both of these element to create a miniature world.
Unfortunately, he doesn't know where to get a plant-type mystique creature but for now, he needs to find mystique creatures suitable for him in these two categories.
"Time to return home." He mutters, he decided to summon Wuk and tells him of his plan to return home causing the latter to be saddened.
"Don't worry, we'll return to that place once the Gold Family agrees to create a territory near that location." He pats his back.
The two of them can finally leave this terrifying place.
"Let's hunt!" Just as they step into the outer core, both falls to the ground, clutching their necks.
'I can't breath!' Sean writhes to the ground in pain, his entire being seems to be suffering.
"Oh god! It's Sean!" Suddenly, he hears voices but he can't see who it was.
He was still gagging, trying to take in some air but seems to fail to do so.
"Don't touch him! He's suffering from spiritual decline!" A stern voice was hard.
After half an hour, Sean finally recovers, he looks at the people surrounding him.
"It's been some time." He smiles but his body is sweating relentlessly.
It was his group, it seems that they had been waiting for him every day.
"Yes, since you had returned, it seems that you discovered something, let's go home and discuss it."
Just as he was about to agree, his stomach rumbles.
Everyone turns to each other, then Chika breaks the short silence.
"I'll hunt for you!" Everyone starts saying the same thing.
Steel Plate raises his hand, silencing everyone.
"I'll hunt, you guys protect the young Miss and Sean." He then gestures for his pet beast to follow him.
Not many silver rank mystique creatures stays on the outer core, most of them migrates to the inner core in order to continue growing stronger.
Sean doesn't know this but he seems to learn this information after staying inside the inner core for a couple of days.
The progress rate for his upgrade has increased rapidly after he learns Basic Cultivation Technique.
This meant that to continue upgrading his miniature world, he needs to continue absorbing spiritual energy in the air.
"How was the inner core!?"
"Your clothes looks new!"
"What's spiritual decline?"
"Did you encounter powerful mystique creatures?"
Once Steel Plate left, everyone instantly starts interrogating him, he's the only person they knew that survived that long in such a perilous location.
"Okay, please give him some time to breathe, you flocking on him is suffocating him." Nima orders.
Everyone instantly calms down causing Sean to be a bit surprised.
It seems that during the time he was absent, Nima has gain some respect to these rowdy bunch.
"Well, during my travel in the inner core, I saw a gold rank dragon-type mystique creature in the fabled Golden Paradise."
His words silenced everyone, even Nima was speechless with his words.
Then, just like the others, she also flocks on him with many questions.
By the time Steel Plate returned, Sean looks like a white corpse, utterly exhausted with their questions.
Steel Plate was stunned, he then looks at Nima who blushed in embarrassment.
*Ahem* "Let's cook for Sean, he's definitely hungry, once we return back home, we should hold a feast for him." She diverts everyone's attention.
Steel Plate doesn't know what happened but he decided to prepare food for Sean nonetheless.
"By the way, uncle Steel Plate, since you're the one that said it earlier, what is spiritual decline?"
"Right, I forgot to actually explain this to all of you because you guys are just bronze rankers but spiritual decline is the state of where your body suffers from the sudden change of density in the atmosphere around you."
Sean glares at him, why didn't he inform him of this, the sensation earlier is quite vivid, he doesn't want to experience it once again.
"Tell, me is there any way to remove it, I don't want to feel that way again." He asks.
"No, only those of the silver rank can mend the decline with their aura, for bronze rank, it's not easy." Hearing this, Sean frowns.
"How do one even create aura, I fought a bronze ranker once that actually stimulates an aura before."
"Actually, aura is created through mastery of element, martial arts or principles, it was one of the most mysterious thing in this world."
[Ding! Learns topic about aura, host can now manifest one through these skills and technique.
Titan Strength (Unique)- Learns perfect control of strength and fuse it with a skill that generates extreme force)
Vajra Body (Unique)- Fuse with an element close to the user's own elemental affinity yang or metal.
King Kong Punch (Basic)- unlock intermediate (Reach third tier and fuse it with Monkey Body Tempering Technique.)
Impenetrable Fortress (Basic)- unlock intermediate (Master Ironhide Skin more skilfully.)
CQC State (Basic)- unlock intermediate (Use this skill more often.)
Charm (Basic)- unlock intermediate (Use this skill more often.)
Two contracted beings are also able to manifest auras: Battle Monkey (Wuk) and Demonic Two-tailed Fox (Jasmine).]
'I wonder how strong instructor Iron has become after his breakthrough.' He thought.
Not all silver rankers can manifest auras but a couple of them do.
Steel Plate like most silver rankers hadn't managed to manifest an aura, one needs luck and talent.
In fact, most mystique creatures of the silver rank doesn't awaken their aura because of lack of intelligence and bloodline.
Those that have higher quality bloodlines doesn't really stay at silver rank that long.
Munching on the meat, their group talks about things they did during these past few days.
With his presence, they no longer worry and are now filled with excitement.
"What!? You managed to step foot on the fabled Golden Paradise!?" When Sean shares his discovery to Steel Plate, the latter stands up with incredulous face.
"Yes but that place is teeming with powerful silver ranks and a couple gold ranks, it isn't a place that is suitable for building bases." He wipes the oil in his face and shakes his head.
He knows what Steel Plate wanted, if he's on his shoes, he would also be desperate.
Steel Plate becomes silent, he sighs and says. "There's another way to manifest an aura and that is fill one both with vital force and elemental energy, if my partner, the Iron Plated Beast can absorb enough vitality and metal element, it might have a chance generating an aura."
[Learns more information about aura, unlocking Advanced Feature.
Advanced: Fusing spiritual energy, vital force and aura to create an image that empowers will, materializing something that exist only in mind and heart.]
Sean was taken aback, it seems that his system isn't as omnipotent as he thought, it needs something to generate its ability.
"I'll share this news to sir Harold, let him decide but I might not be able to come with you guys." He shares.
Everyone was stunned by this, Sean made this decision after learning the method on how to manifest his aura.
He also have to train all his partners, with Jasmine now learning how to fight, Wuk wanting to fight against silver rankers, Bun² hoping to grow stronger and Flare eager to train, everyone of them needs a stable environment to grow.
"I know but I need to rest after my travel in that place, besides, I have prior obligations with the school, the principal and vice principal invested so much in my early journey." He doesn't mind telling them this.
Chika raises her hand. "Is it about the school competition? I'm also one of the candidates!"
Sean was shocked, he thought that he's the only martial artist at school.
"I was once a member of the school but stop going after becoming a martial artist, school wasn't really useful for people like me that have some background." Chika shares, everyone agrees to this.
"I heard from father that the Federation might focus their attention at school and academies, the amount of students might increase, even those that are nurtured by giant families and powers might also enter." Nima drops a bomb on everyone.
This wasn't a good news for Sean, that meant that his victory is no longer certain, that was supposed his way to repay the principal and the vice principal.
"Is sir Harold pushing you to enroll at our school?" He asks, this news was too shocking for him.
"Yes, the rewards, methods, techniques, mystique creatures, the Federation isn't holding back anymore."