Dante nodded and followed along, sighing that this nonsense was finally done. If he had to take part in this stupid ceremony again, he would likely start singing the "Star-Spangled Banner" theme while throwing punches.
Hao Donglei did what Jia Susu did yesterday, introducing the various places they passed to Dante, something that left the elders speechless. Why did this Dante fellow seem like the hall master and they were his subordinates?
Hao Donglei hadn't even treated Shui Binglan this well!
"And here we are, the Techniques Hall. Here, we will choose a suitable External Art and possibly an Internal Art for you if you are tested to be capable of practicing one. Let's go in then." Hao Donglei gestured to the large building before them.
Dante entered it along with the other 8 elders, including the elder in charge of the hall, Ling Qi.
The Techniques Hall stood as a sanctuary of knowledge within the realm of the Supreme Martial Hall. Its imposing fa?ade was adorned with intricate carvings of dragons, phoenixes, and celestial beings engaged in epic battles.
As Dante stepped through its grand entrance, he felt a palpable surge of qi, as if the very air was charged with the energy of countless martial pursuits.
Inside, the hall was a vast expanse of soaring bookshelves, each laden with scrolls, manuscripts, and technique manuals of various sizes and colors. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment, and the soft rustling of pages seemed to echo like a hymn of wisdom. The ceiling soared high above, revealing an awe-inspiring mural depicting ancient masters engaged in fierce battles and graceful forms.
Golden lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a warm and inviting glow upon the array of texts. Shafts of sunlight streamed through intricately designed windows, illuminating the space with a kaleidoscope of colors that danced upon the floor.
Dante's eyes widened as he took in the sheer magnitude of knowledge contained within the Techniques Hall. Scrolls were categorized and organized meticulously, spanning a dazzling array of martial techniques, each tailored to specific weapons, fighting styles, and internal forces.
One section of the library was dedicated to the cultivation of blood qi, and Dante's heart forcibly quickened as he approached.
Technique manuals with titles like 'Crimson Dawn Blade Technique' and 'Blood Phoenix Fist' drew his attention.
The pages were filled with detailed illustrations and step-by-step instructions, guiding practitioners on how to channel and manipulate their own blood energy to enhance their combat prowess.
The descriptions were vivid, explaining how the infusion of blood qi could imbue weapons with a fiery aura, or how it could strengthen the body to withstand even the most formidable strikes.
In another corner, Dante discovered a collection of manuals that delved into the mastery of internal force.
Titles like 'Whispers of the Azure Wind' and 'Flowing River Harmony' hinted at the abstract yet profound nature of these techniques.
These manuals described practices that cultivated not only physical strength but also harnessed the essence of elements and concepts.
One particular manual caught Dante's eye, 'Void Serenity Palm'.
The pages depicted intricate hand gestures and meditation postures, accompanied by poetic verses that spoke of manipulating the very void itself. This internal force technique allowed practitioners to harness the power of emptiness, creating shockwaves of invisible energy that disrupted opponents and rendered them powerless.
Given that he had the Quantum Entanglement superpower which was linked to space and the void, he felt that this was a good match for him and definitely put it up there on his list.
Hao Donglei and the elder Ling Qi watched Dante's exploration with knowing smiles, understanding the significance of this moment. They knew that the Techniques Hall was not merely a repository of scrolls, but a sacred realm where qualified martial artists could forge their destinies and sculpt their legacies.
"Alright, Disciple Dante, you've had enough of a good look. Before we test your aptitude for Internal Arts, which External Art do you want? Or specifically, which weapon or fighting style do you favor?" Hao Donglei interrupted Dante at the right time to get things moving.
"The Halberd." Dante stated without even thinking.
The Arms and Equipment Elder stepped forward and sized Dante up then nodded to the others. "He is tall and very well balanced. His arms are long and quite developed so he can easily wield a halberd and maximize his efficiency with it."
Hao Donglei glanced at elder Ah Jin. "Brother Jin, I leave forging his special blood Weapon to you. Use any resources necessary."
Ah Jin's face changed slightly, but he nodded. "Leave it to me."
He glanced at Dante one more time before leaving. The other elders also had serious expressions, realizing that Hao Donglei wasn't joking, he was really going all out to invest in this fellow.
But… was he worth it?
"Follow me." Hao Donglei led Dante to the section for halberd External Arts.
There, Dante saw an array of manuals with different domineering names that promised great power and efficiency if cultivated to the extreme. He felt at home here and couldn't wait to select one, but was stopped by Hao Donglei.
"Assuming you have Internal Cultivation Talent, it's best to pair your External Art with an Internal one of similar nature. For example, if you have the talent for wood element internal arts, we can find you a nature or wood-related halberd art to practice."
Dante nodded as that made sense. He wondered how they would test him when the Knowledge Elder, Xia Dongyin, walked forward with a glowing orb in her hand. Dante focused on the orb and definitely not her magnificent chest muscles that even left the mighty Beatrice in the dust.
Xia Dongyin chuckled softly, as if she could read Dante's mind. "This is an Orb of True Force. It can either detect the nature of a person's Internal Force or their biggest affinity for any type of Internal Force. If you have no affinity, then you cannot cultivate Internal Arts."
Dante nodded and asked a question. "So this orb is a limited product or can it be used multiple times?"
Xia Dongyin smiled. "It can only be formed by Internal Force Masters above level 5. It is rare and very hard to get, also being one-time use for each orb."
No wonder. Dante had felt that it was a bit ridiculous to test External Cultivation Talent before Internal Cultivation since the latter sounded slightly more powerful and rare. However, it wasn't that they didn't want to test everyone they saw, but rather the method of testing was costly.
"How do I use it?" Dante asked as he took the orb in hand.
"Drip a drop of blood onto it." Xia Dongyin instructed.
Dante remembered that these eastern fantasy worlds liked to have people cut themselves like maniacs and drop their blood over everything. How unhealthy and barbaric!
However, he obediently cut his finger using a knife provided by Hao Donglei and dripped a drop onto the orb. He then noticed that the cut on his finger rapidly closed and healed under his monstrous vitality.
When the blood touched the orb, it seeped in and seemed to swirl within for a few seconds before erupting into blazing flames. Rather than a healthy orange flame that seemed normal, the color of the flame was dark and malicious, a mixture of blood and darkness.
The expressions of the elders changed to one of pleasant surprise. The fact that Dante had Internal Arts talent was a boon, because out of all their members, only about 17 could cultivate them.
On top of that, his talent was not low since the response was quick and very strong. However, what was up with the element itself? It seemed to be a fire-type talent, but the fire was not normal and even a bit sinister.
"Hellfire." Hao Donglei spoke with a solemn face, his eyes lingering on the still burning blackish-red flame within the orb.
"A very rare sub-type of fire that is known for its ability to burn not just the body, but the soul, the spirit, and emotions as well as thoughts. It can also bewitch to an extent and act as a binding agent in agreements." Xia Dongyin spoke softly, her expression complicated.
Dante was surprised by this and a certain name couldn't help but involuntarily come into his head.
Dante's Inferno.
But it couldn't be? What did he, a modern person from 2030 have to do with that fictional character who was written by some poet?
"Are there any problems?" Wu Jian asked with a sharp glance, his hand on his sword handle, as if he wouldn't hesitate to behead Dante if the order was given.
"Not necessarily. With any power, regardless of internal or external, the problem is not the power itself but the user. There are light element internal force users who are the worst devils and there are death element internal force users who are the greatest heroes." Hao Donglei replied with a casual smile.
"You of all people should know this Brother Jian." Hao Donglei pointed out as he glanced at Wu Jian with a smile that wasn't a smile.
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