Chapter 167: Erroneous Growth, Then Use

But the spell called 【Essential Touch】 was absurdly expensive.

Luo De had inquired at the Magic Control League; even with employee discounts, the total cost for labor and materials was seventy thousand Jin Along.

Seventy thousand Jin Along?

He had been stunned at the time.

Seventy thousand could buy two or three non-magical essential metal weapons, for heaven's sake.

Fortunately, he later asked the elf Kali Site a casual question.

No wonder she was the Book of Ten Thousand Spells in the Windwall Forest.

Kali Site also knew this spell.

When he asked about the casting cost, it was half the Magic Control League's price—only fifty thousand Jin Along.

The elf had no intention of profiting from Luo De; she was likely not short on money herself, and quoted only the bare minimum labor fee.

The bulk of the cost was the spell's material components.

Now, adding points at the last minute was at least because sharpness-type skills were easier to roll out.

Quickly.

Ten new skill points were applied to 【Shaking Soul Blade】.

【Dragon Avoidance】 【Lubrication Shu 】 【Instant Lockpick】 【Secret Door Detection】 【Identification Shu 】.

Great.

Ten new skills, not one useful in combat.

That was fine, Bijing these skills could still come in handy outside battle.

But this 【Lubrication Shu 】?

"【When activated, a completely harmless lubricant emerges from the hilt】"?

Why is this so unprofessional?

But now, with these ten points of 【Growth Spirit】 already spent,

And much of it used up earlier releasing the zombie Pan Ni and the orc Amyi,

He now had only ten spare points left.

Oh, and there were still five points of 【Error Spirit】.

"Doesn't fit?"

The elf Kali Lin frowned, then chuckled and shook her head.

True enough.

There were no deities on this continent; depictions of divine messengers varied wildly, and people had no special longing for the sky, since many races could fly and flight spells were common.

Thus, the winged elves had never been linked to angels.

The notion of "doesn't fit" was merely Luo De's ingrained impression from Earth.

"Draw your sword. I've heard you're a decent swordsman. Though I didn't see it in our earlier exchange."

Upon hearing this,

Luo De smiled faintly.

He could tell this elf was deeply devoted to swordcraft.

For people like her, sword technique mattered more than rank; rank advancement served only to unlock higher-level techniques.

"You'll be disappointed. To me, all sword techniques and spirit arts are merely tools."

Saying this,

He infused one point of 【Error Spirit】 into 【Shaking Soul Blade】.

【Note! Shaking Soul Blade undergoing erroneous growth!!】

【Shaking Soul Blade's vision has greatly increased!】

【Extra effect triggered: Polyophthalmia】

【Details: Shaking Soul Blade, due to erroneous growth, has awakened thirty-six demonic eyes. The fear domain's activation condition has shifted from "anyone who sees the blade" to "when the demonic eyes gaze upon a target," and the demonic eyes have enhanced the domain's authority.】

【Remaining "Error Spirit": 4】

【Note! Shaking Soul Blade has undergone erroneous growth. Spend 5 points of Growth Spirit to remove this effect?】

"No."

This was better.

From a non-discriminatory area skill, it became targeted.

He no longer needed to keep it sheathed all the time.

"Is that so? You're awfully dull. One strike, I'll end you."

Elf Kali Lin suddenly grew listless.

She leveled her longsword—nearly as long as an adult's body—its aura slowly sliding, trailing fractured afterimages.

A flicker of spiritual energy passed through her pale blue pupils.

She spoke softly:

"Phantom Blade: Phantom Slash on Demons."

A black shadow shot from beneath her feet, then vanished instantly.

Its speed was nearly invisible to the naked eye.

Luo De sensed it and twisted violently to dodge.

But the blade had already struck him before he even began to move.

Zzz—

The metal blade clashed with 【Dragon Scale Art】, sparking violently.

The immense force crushed onto Luo De entirely, with zero waste or leakage of spiritual energy.

It was hard to imagine a seventh-rank master could deliver such a plain, unadorned strike without harming a single surrounding object.

【Dragon Scale Art】 had not been breached.

A deep white mark appeared.

Elf Kali Lin 's expression changed slightly.

Luo De paused for a moment.

Then he grinned up at her.

"Not bad. A little painful. Now, it's my turn."

He drew 【Shaking Soul Blade】.

Just now, he had finally rolled a skill to reinforce the blade's structure using 【Error Spirit】!

【Shaking Soul Blade awakens ancient Small People bloodline!】

【Extra effect triggered: Steel Bones, Multi-Armed Syndrome】

【Details: Shaking Soul Blade, due to Error Spirit, has gained the Small People's Multi-Armed Syndrome, and hardened further due to Steel Bones.】

Silver-white blade surface was covered in raised fissures, like closed eyes, even showing eyelids and lashes.

The next instant, the empty spaces turned crimson.

Dozens of tiny human arms, finger-sized, wriggled out like worms from the blade's surface.

Soon, they densely covered every part of the blade except the protruding eyes.

Countless tiny arms flailed wildly at the air; some twisted together, tightly wrapping the blade.

It looked revolting.

Elf Kali Lin frowned, her face filled with disgust.

Uh.

Luo De also stared blankly for a moment.

So what?

What good is looks? A gilded spearhead?

I, Luo De, am a pragmatist!

Brilliant spiritual light flared along the blade.

"Seven Flash!"

The Aiselong Flash, named after the kingdom, was the signature skill of the Aiselong army—every soldier, from private to Grand General, knew it.

After months of practice,

Luo De's understanding of this spirit art had deepened greatly.

Not long ago, he had even reached the Eight Flash stage.

Zzz—

The blade, wreathed in spiritual light, struck in an instant—eight cuts buried deep into the elf's body.

But Luo De knew: of those eight strikes, only four had hit solid flesh.

These phantom afterimages… annoying.

"Good strike."

Elf Kali Lin turned lightly, stepping back.

Her pristine breastplate bore two sword marks—but unbroken.

On her abdomen, a protective spiritual membrane had been torn, leaving a bloody gash.

But she didn't care.

Clearly, she was a close-quarters combatant, not summoning magical shields like a mage, but instead using a more intimate spiritual skin.

"Lord Atlu spoke truly. No wonder you were marked for elimination, Forest Warden—you truly have potential."

"You're not bad either."

"Heh, do you think I'm sixth Jie?"

The feathered one laughed. "Seventh Jie is the true starting point on this continent—far from the likes of the kittens and puppies you're used to."

She adjusted the long sword in her hand. "Your spiritual accumulation is impressive—even comparable to weaker seventh Jie. But we don't rely solely on spiritual buildup."

"Sounds impressive."

Luo De shrugged. He'd heard that spiritual energy undergoes a qualitative shift after seventh Jie, but he'd never witnessed it himself.

"Then let me show you what true seventh Jie is."

The feathered one, Karolin, held her long sword horizontally across her chest.

Puff!!

In an instant, blinding white light erupted!

(End of Chapter)