Chapter 602

In the following days, the White Shadow Ninja came over every day, but basically just stood beside the dojo, striking the pose of Master Anenling.

Broly then smoothly became the mouthpiece of his own mouthpiece; whenever he wanted to micro-manage and guide Jianshan Huangquan and the others' swordsmanship practice, he only needed to pretend to run off and whisper to his own summoned creature first, and then the White Shadow Ninja would react by either nodding in approval or shaking its head and giving out the plan he had spoken, which he would then execute on his own behalf.

And with this kind of real-time adjustment and tailored meticulous guidance, the training effects of Jianshan Huangquan and the others were almost maxed out; Jino Setsuna, who was most compatible with the Suishin-ryu, in just a few days, trained the Suishin-ryu within the third-rate swordsmanship up to the advanced level.

The others had a martial arts foundation to draw on, and transferring that experience over, they likewise did not fare poorly; except for Tsuchimiya Kagura who only reached the intermediate standard, both Jianshan Huangquan and Jianshan Meifu also trained up to the advanced level.

However, the advanced level is the upper limit that the human body in this world can reach; to break through to the Saint level, one's physical quality must be able to keep up.

As the saying goes, practicing the fist but not the internal skill, in the end it's all for nothing; technique without numerical values cannot make a person become stronger.

Broly also put the Qi Cultivation Fist onto the training schedule: cultivate Qi in the morning, practice sword in the afternoon, and hold a summary spar at dusk.

On weekends, he even had the Black Shadow Ninja come over to add some drama, dispatching the small-fry ninja minions and the motley spirits recovered from the wild to serve as live combat targets, which also let Jianshan Huangquan and the others live a fulfilling life of training, fighting monsters, and growing stronger.

As for the outside, whether it was the Countermeasures Bureau or the Exorcist Alliance stirring up all kinds of storms because of the dual-ninja setting, it seemingly had nothing to do with them staying at home.

However, as Jianshan Huangquan and the others trained on, Broly, who often ate and slept together with the three people inside, discovered something was off.

"Strange..."

It was after another live combat training session ended that Broly frowned.

【What is it, Master?】

Beside him, the White Shadow Ninja raised a sign to ask.

"Logically speaking, the Qi cultivated from the Qi Cultivation Fist I gave should amplify physical quality in all directions."

【Haven't their physical qualities already been amplified in all directions?】

The White Shadow Ninja found its master's current reaction a bit strange.

"They have been amplified in all directions, but the emphasis of the amplification is different; compared to my situation where even physical strike resistance and defensive ability can be amplified, their amplification points seem to have all been added onto the special attack aspect against spiritual bodies."

【Is there a problem with that?】

The White Shadow Ninja was puzzled; in its view, the few people undergoing training, compared to their previous selves, already possessed strength that was incomparable to before.

Previously, when facing the small-fry ninja soldiers summoned by the Black Shadow, they still fought with some difficulty, but now, except for a few monsters recovered and dispatched by the Black Shadow Ninja to serve as experience packs, which slightly manufactured a bit of trouble and caused Tsuchimiya Kagura's thigh to suffer a slight injury, the group was almost in a state of clearing it easily.

"Of course there's a problem; this is a weak point of high offense and low defense. Take this time for example: if not for the Horse Talisman, the wound on Kagura's leg would take many days to heal. The Qi cultivated from my Qi Cultivation Fist shouldn't be like this."

In Broly's view, Qi that only amplifies attack doesn't count as getting stronger; only Qi that amplifies defense as well counts as getting stronger.

The White Shadow Ninja, which similarly had high offense and low defense but had guaranteed recovery power as a spiritual body, fell into silence.

It somewhat doubted whether its master's plan was to hammer those four people into muscle noble lady characters who could rampage through a tide of evil spirits barehanded, killing in and out seven times, and after finishing the killing remain unscathed and calmly say 【Boxer briefs, boxer briefs】.

"Hmm, you go ask about the situation later..."

Broly didn't know what his summoned creature was thinking, and just directly gave a new instruction.

【Injured, why would you get injured? Is the Qi cultivated from the Qi Cultivation Fist just for show? Wouldn't you condense Qi at the place being attacked to enhance defensive capability and resist when attacked?】

The White Shadow Ninja received the order, and soon walked out from its hidden observation spot to inquire about the cause of Tsuchimiya Kagura's injury, and then voiced its doubts.

"Eh, White Shadow Teacher, what you taught wasn't a spiritual power training method, was it? Can spiritual power even do something like enhance physical defense?"

Regarding this, Jianshan Huangquan and the others were very surprised; their understanding of Qi had always remained on the spiritual power they themselves were more familiar with.

【Qi is not simply spiritual power, and the things it can do are also not limited to amplifying special attack against spiritual bodies...】

The White Shadow Ninja swapped signs, and passed on the Qi usage techniques Broly had entrusted to it to Jianshan Huangquan and the others.

However...

"Sorry, White Shadow Teacher, it seems we have some dull aptitude and are unable to do those things you spoke of."

Broly confirmed it: the people of this world, the Qi they cultivate, can only be manifested in the manner of spiritual power.

And while spiritual power is very useful in exorcism, in the aspect of amplifying physical quality, it is somewhat useless.

(Unless one ceases to be human, transforming into a spiritual body state)

No wonder, even though he transmitted Qi at night and taught the Qi Cultivation Fist afterwards, the strength of Jianshan Huangquan and the others still improved only limitedly.

Although as Exorcists they had indeed become stronger, from the angle of Swordsmen, they were still treading water at the advanced standard.

Just as Broly was troubled over how to continue fostering the strength of Jianshan Huangquan and the others, Muroto Sumire, who had finished a phase of demon gene experiments in the Black Bullet World, sent an inquiring message.

And this message made Broly think of the Crystal Palace, where the perfect version of the Gene Evolution Agent researched by Muroto Sumire from the Black Bullet World was still lying.

If Muroto Sumire hadn't asked, he might really have forgotten to experiment with these agents again; as for now...

"Little Flower, Xiaohei, Little White, come here~"

Returning to the home at the Seaside Villa, Broly hooked his fingers at the three little kittens who could already burrow everywhere in the living room.

"Meow meow meow?"

The three little guys thought there was something good to eat, and hurriedly bounced over, meowing softly at Broly's feet.

"Come get something good to eat."

Broly took out the gene agent, grabbed the calico kitten by the nape of its neck and lifted it up, then fed the little guy a mouthful.

According to Muroto Sumire, this thing is a perfect version of the Primordial Enterovirus Evolution Agent; it can exert an evolution effect on all mammals, both oral ingestion and injection work, at most the absorption rate is just different.

After the little guy drank down the evolution agent, Broly stared straight at it; the little guy twisted its body restlessly in his hand, yet its strength grew greater and greater.

"No adverse reactions; strength amplified approximately twofold."

"Meow~"

The little guy cried out, but it was because its paw pad got pricked.

"Regeneration capability enhanced; small wounds, two or three breaths to self-heal."

Broly put the calico kitten down, and the little guy looked at him with fur standing on end.

Broly reached out his hand, and was bitten by the other party using its small mouth and milk teeth.

Broly used a palm carrying gentle Qi to stroke the little guy's body.

Soon, the bristling little guy let out a comfortable purring sound.

Its fur smoothed down, and it even licked the boy's fingertips, looking as if it was no longer angry.

Broly held Xiaohei and Xiaobai up in front of it, and the little guy's attitude toward the two sisters remained the same.

He gave the heads of the two black-and-white kittens a thorough, messy licking.

"No desire to attack its own kind."

Broly felt that the evolution potion Muroto Sumire gave him probably had no issues.

"However, I still need to be cautious. I'll find someone to test it on first."

And just as the thought of who to experiment on surfaced in his mind, Broly had his answer.

Who around him needed power the most, had a good relationship with him, and was in the position of an acquaintance or friend?

That's right, it was the Cursed Forbidden Way girl, Jino Setsuna, who wanted to protect her younger sister's bright future from their terrible biological father.

The next day, after a day of training ended, the White Shadow ninja did not leave, but came before Jino Setsuna and held up a sign: 【You come out with me.】

"Eh?!"

Jino Setsuna was somewhat surprised; this was the first time the White Shadow ninja hadn't left directly after training ended, but instead made someone go out with it.

But because her strength had improved significantly under the other party's guidance, Jino Setsuna didn't suspect anything and obediently followed the White Shadow ninja out.

"May I ask, White Shadow Teacher, is there something you want to instruct me on?"

Once they arrived outside, Jino Setsuna asked.

【I have nothing to instruct you. It's just that that kid Broly told me about your situation, and I greatly appreciate someone who is in darkness yet hearts toward the light. So, I intend to help you.】

Seeing the message on the White Shadow ninja's sign, Jino Setsuna's eyes widened. She hadn't expected Broly to remember what she said and tell it to the White Shadow ninja, and even more hadn't expected the White Shadow Teacher before her to actually be willing to help her. This gave her the feeling of being hit by a pie falling from the sky.

"White Shadow Teacher, are you willing to shelter me and my younger sister?"

The Cursed Forbidden Way girl hurriedly asked.

【No, the help I speak of is not that. Relying on others is inferior to relying on oneself.】

The White Shadow ninja directly denied it.

"But my strength..."

【Don't worry. I have a drug that can make a person rapidly get stronger in a short time. It's just that there's a bit of risk — I don't know if you dare take this gamble.】

The White Shadow ninja had no intention of forcing her, because the task its master gave it wasn't compulsory, but to give the right to choose to the Cursed Forbidden Way girl before it, letting her choose.

【A drug that makes someone get stronger in a short time?】

Jino Setsuna thought of certain dangerous forbidden drugs, but for her younger sister, she still asked: "May I ask what the risks are?"

【You might grow some new limbs, becoming a posture unlike what a normal human could have.】

By rights, this kind of dangerous thing shouldn't be used, but...

【Father has already given up on me. My younger sister is probably already accepting Father's guidance. Every day we delay, the more darkness my younger sister must endure...】

Thinking thus, Jino Setsuna gritted her teeth and said: "White Shadow Teacher, I want to get stronger. I want to rescue my younger sister from the Cursed Forbidden Way organization as soon as possible. No matter what the risk, I'm willing to take it. Only, before that, I still can't die."

【Rest assured. This drug will only make a person become non-human; it will not cause death.】

The little flower cat was still energetically bouncing around the room today, without the slightest abnormal reaction.

"Then please, Teacher, bestow that precious medicine upon your student."

Jino Setsuna bowed and requested.

The White Shadow ninja didn't hesitate, taking out the gene evolution agent its master gave and handing it over.

"Eh?"

Jino Setsuna looked at the high-tech syringe before her, and couldn't help letting out a sound of surprise and doubt.

【Can be taken orally or injected; injection works better than oral.】

But the White Shadow ninja had no intention of explaining. After holding up a sign explaining the gene evolution agent's usage method, it directly disappeared and left.

Jino Setsuna stood there for a while, then pressed the syringe against her arm. The agent was injected in. The imagined pain didn't appear; only a slight numbness began to appear all over her body, and a heat current surged inside her body.

Her body gradually gained that feeling of being full of strength all over, like just after training in a gym.

"Hah—"

She swung her fist forward, and the air made a sound from being struck. Jino Setsuna's eyes widened; the power surging in her body was clearly not false.

【Got the strength. Then, what about the price?】

She ran back to her room, stripped naked, and examined herself in the mirror from all angles. She was stunned to find no place on her body that had undergone a mutation. Only then did Jino Setsuna realize she hadn't encountered the risk of using the precious medicine — it seemed she had gotten stronger without paying any price at all.

"Setsuna-nee, what did White Shadow Teacher call you out for just now?"

After she put her clothes back on and went out, Jino Setsuna was questioned about the situation by Isayama Huangquan and the others.

"White Shadow Teacher heard about my situation and was willing to help me, so gave me a bit of special guidance."

"What special guidance?"

Jino Setsuna didn't conceal it, and told them about the injection.

"No way. You dared inject a drug of unknown origin directly into your body?"

Isayama Meifu was somewhat surprised.

"I want to rescue my younger sister as soon as possible. And another point is, I believe White Shadow Teacher wouldn't harm me."

Speaking to here, Jino Setsuna paused, then turned to say.

"Of course, if something happens to me, you can also take it as a warning and not use the drugs White Shadow Teacher gives."

She didn't say words doubting the White Shadow ninja, but the meaning was exactly that.

If she really turned into a monster or died, it could also serve as a heads-up.

Isayama Meifu heard it, so her feelings were a bit complex.

"Fortunately, I feel very good right now. Although I don't know how much stronger I've gotten, I definitely have gotten stronger.

I think I probably have to say farewell."

"You're going to save your younger sister?"

"Mm."

The few of them fell silent.

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Because I will no longer fulfill my duty of guarding you all."

"Haha, Setsuna-nee, Kagura and I are really strong now."

Jianshan Huangquan spoke, then opened her arms wide and embraced the Cursed Forbidden Way girl.

"Setsuna-nee, stay safe."

"I hope Setsuna-nee can successfully rescue Jingliu-Younger Sister."

Tsuchimiya Kagura also offered her blessing.

"You better not die, I still haven't beaten you yet."

Isayama Meifu said a line in a tsundere manner.

"Broly, don't you want to say something to me?"

"Setsuna-nee, if you succeed, will you come back?"

Broly thought for a moment, then asked.

"Mm, if I succeed, I'll come back."

Jino Setsuna froze for a moment, then said with a smile.

She squatted down, hugged the boy holding the notebook in her arms, and whispered softly by his ear: "Broly, thank you for telling White Shadow Teacher about my situation. If I succeed, I'll definitely bring my younger sister back to repay you."

"I only did something insignificant, Setsuna-nee, no need to be polite."

Broly used the other party as a test subject for the gene potion; although the Gene Evolution Agent was said to be very safe, after all it was an Isekai product.

On this point, Broly felt the Cursed Forbidden Way girl before him actually didn't owe him anything; they should count as a mutually beneficial situation.

"Uh, Setsuna-nee, how about you eat, take a bath, and then go out? I think, compared to a sister reeking of sweat from a day's training, your younger sister would probably prefer a fragrant sister to take her away, right?"

The Cursed Forbidden Way girl preparing to go out and do something big at night was brought back by a single sentence from Jianshan Huangquan.

"You're right."

She sniffed the smell on herself, then nodded in agreement with those words.