[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-city-of-desire-kingdom-building":3,"chapter-city-of-desire-kingdom-building-city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-721":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","City of Desire [Kingdom Building]",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1846791,2449,"Chapter 725: Expert Training","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-721",721,"\u003Cp>Proofread by Thomas F\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened the door and was surprised to see the person on the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was Bell, as I had expected, but beside her was a man. I wanted to talk to the man yesterday, but Bell had been busy talking to him even when I returned in the evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't disturb them; they had met after a decade and a half. They had a lot to catch up on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Kalos,\" I greeted the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's not his real name. I don't know what it is. I have read her information, but I cannot match him to any of the people who were loyal to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might have a skill, an artifact, or both, or something else to change his face, but I didn't think too much about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bell is already taking a massive risk, and his would be even greater. The less I know, the greater the deniability I will have, and in this work, it is essential to possess all the necessary skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Silver,\" he replied. Looking at his expression, he didn't want to be here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle is leaving today, but before he does, I have asked him to train you,\" informed Bell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made me a little disappointed. I don't know his power, but seeing how easily he had dealt with Jon and how I am drawing a blank with him, I could tell he is very powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least Lv. 40; such a powerhouse would have been tremendously valuable for us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though if his identity was revealed, it would have brought me and the city even greater danger than the undead. I'm glad he's leaving my city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for the opportunity, Lord Kalos,\" I replied, but the man just looked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come at me with everything you have,\" he said after a moment. I nodded and walked toward the rack. \"You can use your rapier,\" he added, to my surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's a half-artifact, but looking at the man's eyes. I know, he is serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Use everything, don't hold back on anything,' said Bell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ok,' I replied, and a moment later, aura came out of my body before the fractal formed, transforming into a cyan blade covering my rapier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could see the surprise appearing in his eyes, and they turned emotional as Bell's did when she saw my method for the first time before recovering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, I could see the interest in those eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, I activated the Blitz Steps and moved toward him while swinging my rapier in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cyan aura blade moved toward him, and at the same time, I formed another blade without taking my eyes away from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade appeared in front of him instantly, but he didn't move. I got worried, but the next moment, I saw a light green gauntlet appearing over his right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it did, the hand moved like a phantom so fast that I couldn't catch its movements at all. When it had stopped, I saw the gauntlet holding my falling leaf blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel the blade trying to get away from his hands; he was holding it so tightly that it couldn't move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, he squeezed, cracking it into pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aura is a manifestation of will. So, use that will in every attack. You should tell your method what it is you want it to do,\" he said before coming at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't sense any speed skills from him, but he was faster than I and appeared in front of me in an instant, which seemed impossible, seeing the weight of the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he did, an aura blade appeared in his hand. It is none other than a falling leaf but one much stronger than mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appeared in front of me and swung the pure aura blade. There were no skills involved, but it felt stronger and faster than I could manage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that, I didn't hold back. I activated Blade of Gale and Mauling Strike as I swung my sword toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They clashed, and the aura blade covering my sword shattered while I felt that a mountain had attacked me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force was so great that I had to take the steps back rapidly. I thought he would follow me, but he didn't. Instead, he swung his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was expecting the Falling Leaf to come at me. Instead, seven beautiful, pointy hexagonal thorns of aura materialized and came at me very fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura came out of me and went into my skills, while another stream formed a fractal, turning into a cyan blade covering my rapier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it happened, the seven thorns were in front of me, and I moved my blade to defend against them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cannot miss any, or they will pierce through me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man isn't much impressed with me. There is a good chance that he might not stop the attacks. So, I have to defend against them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang, Crack, Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My rapier clashed with the first thorn, feeling the massive power that shook my hand. Most importantly, it created cracks on the Falling Leaf covering my rapier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made my expression turn bad, but my rapier didn't stop despite feeling the pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I defended against the second thorn, which created even more cracks on the falling leaf, and the third one had extended even further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Feel the method, its weakness, that the thorns are targeting.\" He advised. \"These thorns aren't that powerful, but they were able to crack your method apart.\" He added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It irritated me a little since I hadn't achieved this method for a long time, and I had thought I understood it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he is right. I need to find the weakness in the method. So, why did the rapier move? I felt the aura method. Its strengths, weaknesses, and the reaction when the thorns clashed against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last thorn crashed against the blade, shattering the falling leaf covering my blade into pieces, but it also gave me insight into weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I couldn't use it to form another blade before, I saw the man in front of me and his blade coming toward me fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I moved my blade toward him, and at the same time, I used the aura to make the fractal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hun!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fractal had formed, but it didn't transform into the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You need to be absolutely calm in battle. A slight mistake and the fractal won't form,\" said the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blade clashed against me with such force. I was barely able to stop myself from flying back like a broken doll, but I needed to take rapid steps back, with the blood leaking out of my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt like even my bones had cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was taking a step back when the thorns came at me once more, and this time, there were nine of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade is very good. It's a half-artifact, but it will put too much pressure on me if I defend them with the weapon alone. I need the aura method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, while I moved my rapier to defend against them, I formed a fractal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, I didn't let the panic grip me and remained calm as the fractal formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have been practicing since I came back and using it to spar against Bell, but there is a difference between Bell and this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bell is powerful, but I know her. I didn't feel the fear in her presence like I do in the presence of this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thorns reached me, and my rapier was inches away from clashing against them when Falling Blade appeared on the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang, Crack, Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My blade clashed against them and, like before, began to crack, but this time, the cracks were smaller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it still didn't help, as the ninth thorn shattered the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should have materialized the method faster. Your enemies aren't going to wait until you do it,\" he said, and saw his blade come at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already halfway toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is too fast, and I'm having a hard time keeping up with him, but I understand how precious the opportunity is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One rarely gets to train with a powerhouse as strong as this one. I need to seize this opportunity with everything I have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pushed more aura into my skill and began to form fractals at speed, which I had never done before. It formed, and I didn't expect it to turn into the blade, but it did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blade clashed against mine, shattering it while at the same time sending me back fast, with the blood leaking out of my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the attack was more intense than the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rapidly took the steps back while at the same time, moving my aura to form a fractal. A moment later, a cyan blade covered my rapier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It put a smile on my face, but only for a moment before I noticed the hexagonal thorns, and there are twelve of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They moved, but not toward me; they moved up. Instead, they formed a ring and came toward me before surrounding me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The enemy would not attack you from only one direction,\" he said, and the thorns came at me from all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They reached me in an instant, and I moved my blade to defend against them. Pushing the aura into Blade of the Gale and Mauling Strike, as well as fast reflexes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang, Crack, Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I defended one thorn after another and was able to defend against seven with small cracks spreading across my blade when five came at me at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt fear as I saw their sharp edge and their fast speed. I had defended against as many of them as possible, but I will not be able to defend against them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They reached me, and just when they were about to pierce through me. The sharp edge disappeared and became flat; it made me relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though only for a fraction of a second. The man may not want to kill me, but he is not showing me mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bam Bam Bam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thorns struck me hard from all directions. They are powerful enough to crack bones but not enough to shatter them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man had controlled the power well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle!\" said Bell. \"He is fine,\" replied the man, and he appeared in front of me before attacking, without giving me even a moment to recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am far from fine; those five thorns stuck me in places that give me pain whenever I move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I gritted my teeth and swung my sword toward him. I will not stop because of these minor injuries and little pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once more, he attacked me with thorns, and this time, the numbers were even more than before. I defended against nine, but the rest hit me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed, and I continued with the training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within an hour, I was thoroughly tired. I had never used so much aura as I had in this spar, but I didn't stop. Instead, I pushed myself even harder, activating Energizing Essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another hour passed, and I still kept fighting despite nearly every part of me screaming and bleeding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is a very rare opportunity, and the coming undead had made it even more valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seconds turned into minutes, and I kept pushing myself before finally, I crashed hard against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to get up but couldn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are good, worthy of being taught by House Avandel.\" He said, extending his hand toward me. I took it and got up slowly, bearing the pain that every part of my body was giving me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you had a year or two, you would have a chance against them, but with the current state, you do not,\" he added, with a shake of his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled, and so did Bell. Making the man arch his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's bad, but it's not without hope, my lord,\" I replied. There is hope, small as it may be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is curious but didn't ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for this opportunity, Lord Kalos. If there is anything I could do, please don't hesitate to ask,\" I said, and the man laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even with your legacy, you are too weak to help with anything, but you might in the future,\" he replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To that, I only smiled and walked out of the room slowly, bearing the pain. These three hours had been the best; I had made a massive improvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, I now have an idea of how to fight the powerhouses of Lv. 40 and above. That will help me a lot against the undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I got out of the training rooms, healing spells covered me, and I also drank the healing potion to expedite it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was careful not to injure me seriously, but he did injure me enough that I would need to be in bed for a day. I cannot afford to do that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain began to recede with every step, making me regain my gait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hun!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had reached the elevator and was about to step into it when I suddenly stopped as I sensed something. It's very faint, but I could feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's from the south, Inam, actually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Vanis is really doing it,\" I muttered before stepping into the elevator, wishing that he would succeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap the Patreon link below to unlock 50+ Advanced Chapters, or join Free to enjoy character art, maps, and more exclusive content!\u003C\u002Fp>",2271,"2026-06-09T06:55:05.413Z",1,"novelbin.me","43605ebf073eb7a3872acf69dc9f43e3c24d2b76cdf1e1cf55cc18eb209cfae4","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-722","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-720",917,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcity-of-desire-kingdom-building-cover.jpg"]