Liam listeo Cye. Hearing how Radiant Shield protected some level 10 pyers while allowing them to take all the st hits, he was indeed amused.

  However, he remembered the time whe Radiant Shield. He was only dealing with a few wolves wheank graciously offered his help.

  Looking at Radiant Shield, who was clearly embarrassed, Liam didn’t dare to ugh.

  The rest of the party shared his feelings, clearly amused but doing their best to suppress these emotions. The person having the most difficulty was Quickstep, turning her head away and looking at the sky.

  Only one person among the party wasn’t surprised. Bloody Edge was closest to Radiant Shield, knowing about his tendency to py the hero from time to time.

  He the tank, speaking to lift the awkward atmosphere:

  “A noble deed. These small seed of goodwill sown today may spark favor for uild iure!”

  “Yes, yes. Exactly.”

  “Good job Radiant Shield.”

  The other quickly echoed the thief’s words. Radiant Shield felt relieved, showing a faint smile.

  Liam quickly grabbed the opportunity to ge the topic:

  “Alright. It seems everyone ehemselves. But now it’s time for training.”

  Cye appeared to be apprehensive. With a g the ranking list, she addressed Bleary Mirage:

  “Expert. Why don’t we postpo for now? The others are catg up to our levels! We should use our advantage and clear the dungeon.”

  Liam was somewhat surprised as he opehe ranking list. Star Gazer, Earthquake, Wave of Bones, and many others were indeed closing the distance faster than anticipated.

  Apparently, their potential was triggered by the pressure brought by the party, allowing them to develop their own leveling strategies in a short time.

  However, Liam still shook his head:

  “Do you think we are wasting our time? Don’t expect the duo be simple. One day of preparation will save multiple days of raiding.

  Besides, isn’t it more iing to allow others to reach level 20 before putting them in the dust?”

  The others showed various emotions but their trust for Liam quickly vihem.

  Only Cye looked relut, but this was mostly because she was geired.

  “Ok. Anything else? If not, we set of.”

  Seeing no pints, Liam led the party towards the teleporter. A short while ter they appeared within a rge town at the outskirts of the Rising Basilisk Empire. They were close to the border between the tral pins and the eastern mountains.

  Liam didn’t waste much time, leading his friends towards a valley in the dire of the eastern mountains. On the way Silver Bde told him about their quest and asked about the demonic beast nourishing stones.

  At first, she also po ask about the broken cil, but on the way ba the a Final Fend reminded her of the lore book they found.

  It tained an introdu and many iing tales about Deavin O. The broken cil was mentioned as well.

  As the gover body overlooking the inal nephilims’ affairs, the broken cil was intricately tied to Deavin O.

  However, no information about demonic beast nourishing stones could be found.

  Liam wasn’t surprised as Silver Bde told him this. Demonic beast nourishing stones were prohibited objects tinged with the aura of hell.

  They could quickly increase the strength of beasts but also turhem mindless and aggressive. Thus, they were banned in most parts of the world.

  “Why would they be found among Zeygnar’s wares then?”, asked Cye fusedly.

  “That guy doesn’t seem as ho as he looks…”, ented Radiant Shield.

  Silver Bde kept quiet, imagining the mert’s grumpy face. Did he really ever look ho?

  Shaking her head the female tank looked at Liam:

  “How should we proceed with the quest now?”

  “It doesn’t matter much. Your choily determines on who’s side you stand during the subsequent quest. But before the most important steps you still ge your decision.”

  “I guess I’ll go with the broken cil then. I’m not a fan of helping the vilin.”

  Final Fend, thinking that this was the b route, tried to ge his sister’s decision, but Silver Bde remaiubborn.

  He could only give up when the party arrived at the pce Liam choose for their training.

  A small valley opened before them. It was tinged by a strange magic, which could be felt faintly in the air. The others stared ahead with wide eyes when Liam expihat the valley was the result of a single spell.

  Liam decided to scour the i for a rec of the fight above the va ke ter, to broaden his party’s horizon.

  For now, though, the valley’s creation wasn’t important. Liam was here for its inhabitants. A bunch of tall, slow moving stone golems were strolling around.

  Liam split his party into multiple groups. Precisely those needing to learn fsh step, defending, and dodging,

  After a brief discussion Silver Bde led the groups for dodging and defending. The martial artist was most suitable to share her experiences.

  Meanwhile Liam took the mages, Braag, and Watchful Eye to the side.

  “Ok guys. We have talked about fsh step before. It is an important ability you learn if your INT attribute ats for at least 33% of all your points. And it’s somewhat easier if you have a high AGI.”

  Notig everyone listening with rapt attention, Liam was satisfied and tinued.

  “To perform a fsh step, you o learn to feel the mana in your body. Or in your case Qi, Watchful Eye.

  I will demonstrate it slowly once.”

  Liam took a battle-ready posture, expining slowly while ag acc to his own words.

  “Close your eyes and trate on the mana in your body. Feel its smooth flow.

  , take trol with your will. Push it stronger and stronger until the geream bees a raging river. Your entire body will feel energized.

  You will reach a tipping point. Don’t worry, it is easy to notice.

  And then, will yourself to appear elsewhere.”

  As soon as these words fell, Liam vahe others could only at him with admiration as he appeared behind them.

  With this their gruesome training began.

  Under Liam’s tutege the five pyers soon learned how to perceive the mana in their bodies.

  However, the unfamiliar sensation posed some challenges. It proved difficult for the five to affect the strange energy in their bodies.

  Meanwhile, the others traiogether with Silver Bde. They learned how to perform precise movements, how to dodge with the greatest effed how to divert force during blog.

  All their training might only reduce the stahey had to pay by a few points, but those might be ing in clutch during difficult battles.

  Silver Bde was quite satisfied as all of the party members showed some talent.

  Those needing the least training were clearly Quickstep and Silent Acacia, followed by Final Fend.

  Thus, Bloody Edge and Radiant Shield received special attention. They soo numb uhe heavy fists of those ros, enduring attacks without being allowed to retaliate.

  For the two college students the day seemed to pass excruciatingly slowly.

  When they finally logged off, their dorm mates were surprised to see them wordlessly fall into bed.

  However, the nightmare tihe day. Liam wasn’t do as none of his friends had mao perform a fsh step yet.

  Finally, after another hour of training he received a pleasant surprise. Watchful Eye was the first to succeeded, suddenly disappearing from the spot.

  His performance seemed to motivate the others. Soon, Balm Fortune, and Cye followed in quick succession.

  To Liam’s surprise it was Braag who had the most difficulties. Eventually the dwarf sighed with an exasperated expression.

  “I’m sorry. I just ’t influence mana. Maybe I’m not made for it…”

  Liam g the older man, sinking into thoughts. A moment ter an ominous grin formed on his face.

  “I think you are just g the right motivation. Take out your on and fire over there.”

  Braag followed the instrus, turning towards the side. But seeing where Liam pointed, his face suddenly paled.

  “Mirage, is this like… my punishment?”

  “No no. Go ahead and fire.”

  Looking into Liam’s eyes Braag khat the expert was serious. He gulped heavily as a bomb left his uncher, nding among five t ros.

  The earth trembled as the heavy creatures came to pummel the audacious dwarf.

  “If you move eve, I will personally take care of you!”

  Liam’s ominous warning caused Braag’s body to stiffen. The dwarf watched in horror as the golems came closer, raising their hands above his head.

  A chill ran down his neck. He hastily closed his eyes.

  Mana, mana, mana… go! e on!

  Braag’s thoughts turned desperate as he urged the mana in his body. A wind assaulted his face. Dust trickled down on him as a fist was right above his head.

  Boom!

  Multiple fists crashed into the ground. Braag appeared some distance away, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

  Liam smiled in satisfa:

  “As I thought! It was just a matter of motivation!”