Eternal Cultivation Of Alchemy

Pearl hadn’t expected such a sudden request for a duel. Heck, it wasn’t even a request at this point, just a demand. He moved toward the bank of the small stream, stepping onto the dry soil as he stared at the human beast.

“We can fight if you want to fight,” he said.

The moment he said that, the beast on the other side jumped toward him, crossing the stream in an instant.

Two things happened at the same time. The beast swung down his fist, releasing three sharp energies that came cutting toward him. At the same time, a soft vibration released from the artifact on his chest, as if it had suddenly activated.

Pearl acted on instinct. Spear Aura filled the spear instantly, and he swung it at the three slashes that came toward him.

The two attacks clashed, releasing a powerful shockwave that shook the very ground. At the very next second, the human came through the explosion, brown energy covering his body.

He arrived right on top of Pearl, his fingers turning claw-like. He swung with both his hands, throwing down three pairs of slashes that crossed each other for three total slashes.

Pearl pulled his spear back, Spear Aura filling his spear, and stabbed.

The attacks exploded, this time throwing the beast back with its shockwave.

Pearl frowned.

His Spear Aura was filled with his intention to survive and continue living. It was very much a defensive aura. As a result, it didn’t carry as much offensive power. The beast’s cultivation base wasn’t strong enough that he could last a single strike from Pearl’s Spear Aura, but as long as it didn’t hit him, he would be fine.

Pearl was okay with his Spear Aura being that, but it didn’t mean he didn’t get frustrated from time to time. ‘My Spear Domain at least needs to be better. More offensive!

He had started working on it, but he wasn’t really sure where to go with it. Alex had formed his Sword Domain by literally creating a new technique, but that was apparently not the normal path. If Bladedance was anything to go by, it was easier in the long run if one followed the same line of Intent for Aura and Domain.

‘I’m not looking for easy, Pearl thought. ‘I need not care about what’s easy. Only what’s better. And an offensive Spear Domain would definitely help me!

He quickly threw the thought aside as he watched the beast slowly get back up. He had been a bit close to the explosion and wasn’t unhurt. He wiped a trickle of blood that ran out of his mouth, his expression no longer as battle-hungry as earlier. Instead, a deep look of fear had appeared on his face.

He stared at Pearl for a good few seconds before speaking up. “Your cultivation base doesn’t match your strength,” he said. “You must come from a strong bloodline.”

Pearl didn’t show any expression. “Are we continuing the fight or not?” he asked.

The beast gave a confused look. “Will you allow me to stop?” he asked. Pearl raised his eyebrows. “You don’t need my permission to give up.” “Yeah, screw that. I’m no coward. I don’t plan on having any blemishes on my record,” the beast said. “If you want me to lose, then you’ll have to reveal what you are as well.”

His body suddenly transformed, thick fur covering his enlarging body as two black ears sprouted from a head with a proud snout. Its brown eyes stared at Pearl, its sharp fangs revealing as it let out a low growl.

Pearl wasn’t the knowledge guy. He knew very little about beasts in general, so when the giant black-furred wolf showed itself, he could

only view it as a wolf. As for what exact type of wolf it was, what abilities or vulnerabilities it had, was outside of his wheelhouse.

That sort of thing was more in line with Whisker, who handled beasts so much.

‘Well, it’s a wolf. So it will probably swing its claws at me or try to bite me, Pearl thought. There could be other techniques within its bloodline, but Pearl would learn them as they fought.

The wolf growled. “What? You don’t want to show me your real self?”

Pearl blinked. “Why? Is it considered disrespectful if I don’t?” he asked. His grandpa never taught him any fighting etiquette in a duel against beasts.

When dueling a human, one let his or her opponent bring out their weapons. Maybe revealing one’s true self was the same for beasts?

“Not that I would even if that is the case,” Pearl added quickly while the wolf looked confused. “Sorry, but I’ve got my own reason.”

The wolf didn’t appear disrespected. Instead, it only scoffed as if Pearl had made some vital mistake. He planned to take full advantage of

that.

The wolf let out a loud howl, causing the air around them to ripple for a moment. Pearl narrowed his eyes for a moment, noticing an attack within that howl.

‘A mental attack,’ he thought. He fortified his mind with his Spiritual energy. At the same time, he saw the wolf move toward him.

Pearl moved at the same time, faster than his opponent. He arrived before the wolf could react and thrust his spear at it.

The wolf had been halfway into preparing for his claw attack when Pearl was done and was immediately blown away.

Pearl didn’t stop. He moved along with the wolf, arriving next to it on the ground. His spear landed on the wolf’s neck, its tip ready to

pierce at a moment’s notice.

“Now then, will you give up?” Pearl asked in a calm voice.

From start to finish, his breathing hadn’t even fluctuated the slightest

amount.

The wolf only then realized just how badly he had judged the

situation.

“You… you are far stronger,” he said before closing his eyes. “Fine. Kill

me.”

“What?” Pearl was taken aback. “Why should I kill you? Just give up.”

The wolf opened its eyes. “You won’t kill me? I’m your enemy.” “You’re my opponent,” Pearl explained. “And this is a duel, not a death match. Just give up.”