The sun had barely risen over the outskirts of Rising Sun City when Alaric stepped into the training grounds of their temporary stronghold. The crisp morning air carried the scent of dew and faint traces of mana from the previous month's battles. His new king-tier sword rested lightly in his hand, its edge reflecting the early sunlight with a sharp gleam that hinted at its terrifying potential.
The stronghold's courtyard was vast, carefully maintained with multiple training zones, target dummies infused with energy to withstand powerful strikes, and intricate talismans embedded into the ground to monitor and adjust mana flow. The 28-man squad were already warming up, testing their newly acquired gear and practicing coordinated formations. Yue Rong and Liang Chen were overseeing their respective teams, ensuring that every member's strength was harmonized with their new armaments.
Alaric closed his eyes and focused inward. He could feel the flow of energy through him like never before. His dual-path cultivation had reached new heights after absorbing the king-tier beast cores and the essence stones from the Jin Auction House. The earth and flame elements pulsed in tandem with his Qi, forming a network of raw power that seemed almost alive within his body. He exhaled slowly, channeling a surge of energy into the sword. Instantly, the metal seemed to vibrate in resonance with his own power, responding with a humming tone that cut through the morning air.
He began with basic drills—sweeping strikes, piercing stabs, and defensive maneuvers—all while syncing them with bursts of mana. Every swing left trails of fiery and earthy energy dancing around him, illuminating the courtyard. As he trained, he tested combinations of his elemental powers with his skills. Lightning Steps allowed him to dart across the field, striking targets before they could react; Sky Rendering Sword split a massive training dummy in half with a single vertical strike; Phantom Strike let him vanish momentarily, appearing behind targets to land devastating blows.
By midday, Alaric had moved to more advanced exercises. He summoned elemental barriers, creating defensive walls of earth and fire around himself, then practiced striking through them seamlessly. Each maneuver pushed him closer to mastering the integration of his dual-path powers. Occasionally, the ground beneath him trembled as a surge of raw energy escaped in a controlled burst. Even the most experienced members of the squad watched in awe, realizing just how far Alaric had come.
Lunch was brief, consisting of nutrient-dense rations and mana-replenishing teas. Alaric ate slowly, his mind already strategizing the next set of training. Alex, meanwhile, had retreated to a private section of the forest nearby to continue his own training, honing spatial, ice, and healing magic. The courtyard remained alive with energy as squad members sparred under Yue Rong and Liang Chen's guidance, testing tactics, defensive maneuvers, and combat coordination.
In the afternoon, Alaric pushed himself further. He began experimenting with synchronized elemental combinations—launching a volley of fire-infused strikes that erupted into spikes of earth from the ground. He practiced controlling the timing of each element's release, refining precision so that even at maximum output, his energy did not dissipate wastefully. Occasionally, he felt intense feedback from the sword as it absorbed and released his power, sometimes threatening to overwhelm him. Each time, he forced himself to maintain calm, reinforcing his control over the mana and Qi paths.
Hours passed, and by evening, he had begun testing his destructive capabilities on a larger scale. He summoned massive pillars of flame that collided with spikes of earth, creating shockwaves that rocked the courtyard. Target dummies that once withstood ordinary blows were shattered into fragments, the air around them shimmering with residual energy. Sweat poured down his face, but he pushed further, knowing that mastery came not only from strength but from understanding how to channel it without faltering under pressure.
After sunset, the courtyard was quiet except for the rhythmic breathing of exhausted warriors. Alaric sheathed his sword and walked among the squad, observing their progress. Many had fully absorbed their cores and were showing significant improvement, their strikes precise, their formations tighter, and their confidence unmistakable. He offered advice, correcting stances, enhancing mana circulation, and refining the use of elemental-infused techniques.
Before retiring for the night, Alaric meditated under the stars. The energy within him thrummed like a living pulse, the dual paths of Qi and Mana perfectly aligned, and the elemental powers of fire and earth ready for any combat scenario. He visualized the challenges that awaited—the missions that would test the full extent of his newfound strength and the coordination with Alex and their squad.
As the night deepened, Alaric opened his eyes. His body was fatigued, but the surge of power within him felt harmonious, as if the sword, his cultivation, and his will had fused into a single entity. Tomorrow would bring more intensive drills, more integration of elemental powers, and more advanced sparring with his squad. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction, knowing that the month-long training would mark the difference between a powerful cultivator and a true battlefield dominator.
The future loomed ahead, filled with unknown dangers, elite opponents, and treacherous plots—but Alaric felt ready. His dual-path cultivation, enhanced elemental powers, and mastery over his king-tier weapon were only the beginning. And as the first light of dawn touched the stronghold, he smiled faintly. The real trials were yet to come, and he would meet them head-on.