Epic Of Caterpillar

Chapter 2870 - 2871: Mana Core

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Although she had trained relentlessly for nearly two months, only two days had passed in the outside world. Kireina strode swiftly from the desolate domain of Wasp into Medeaʼs Domain, where the beautiful island greeted her once more, encircled by a vast ocean.

With Medeaʼs guidance, she intended to master the methods she had acquired from Enigma:

[Abyssal Crimson Codex Grimoire: Volume 1]

[Abyssal Chaos Mana Core Forging Scroll]

[Primordial Abyss Magic Circuit Synthesizing Scroll]

As she approached, she also reviewed the methods gifted by her ”Aunt” Agatheina, treasures from the Darkwood Fae Family.

These blended the Arcane Path with Heaven Path Cultivation and were known as:

[Blood Spirit Blossoming Garden]

[Darkwood Abyss Eclipsing Dew]

Both were grimoires containing powerful spells and runes that could be imprinted onto the soul to form a unique Magical Circle.

Unlike traditional cultivation, the Arcane Path offered far greater freedom and versatility. It specialized in manipulating, transforming, absorbing, and cultivating Mana—areas where other paths fell short.

Why was that? Kireina could not say for certain. Perhaps ancient cultivators had never grasped Mana, or maybe only those with rare talent could perceive it.

Talents clearly diverged. A mighty cultivator on one path might remain utterly ignorant of the Arcane Path or possess only mediocre aptitude for controlling Mana.

Nevertheless, Kireina resolved to master all five methods and unravel their hidden depths.

As for the Quintessential Mana Entanglement Method Medea taught her, she had advanced steadily throughout her seclusion. Her consciousness now merged with the surrounding Mana more seamlessly than ever.

”Welcome back, young lady— Ah.”

Medea greeted her warmly as Kireina reached the teaching area. Franky was there, diligently studying magic alongside a few other disciples, they were dark elves under Medeaʼs protection.

All eyes turned as Kireina arrived, dressed in casual yet striking attire: a black skirt, black fishnets, black leather boots, a white top that hugged her chest, and a black leather jacket.

She had simply felt like wearing it today.

Yet their stunned reactions had little to do with her outfit.

Franky might have been quietly admiring her beauty, but that was not the cause.

”L-Lady Kireina? Your presence...” Medea whispered, swallowing nervously. ”What... What happened while you were away?”

”I ascended to the Star Shattering Realm,” Kireina replied calmly. ”Is something wrong?”

”...Star Shattering Realm? The Cultivation Realm? Of Heaven...?” Medea stammered.

”And Earth,” Kireina added with a gentle smile.

Silence fell heavily over the group. Everyone stared at Kireina as though she had delivered an absurd jest.

But the overwhelming power radiating from her was undeniable—vastly surpassing what she had possessed before.

It felt almost impossible.

”Anyway, I came here to learn,” Kireina continued lightly. ”As you can see, my Quintessential Mana Entanglement Method has reached the Tenth Stage. Iʼve woven over a thousand threads of mana and consciousness together.”

”O-Of course...” Medea managed a faint smile. ”Thatʼs extraordinary. Tenth stage already! Your talent truly knows no bounds, young lady. Please, sit. Let us study together.”

Medea carefully guided Kireina through the proper use of Mana, spell casting, rune inscription, and Magic Circle formation.

Unlike cultivationʼs deep philosophy and contemplation, the Arcane Path felt direct and intuitive, suiting Kireina perfectly.

After two days refreshing her knowledge and relearning fundamentals, Medea began teaching her the Primordial Abyss Magic Circuit Synthesizing Scroll.

From what Kireina understood, the Arcane Path divided into three major schools.

Summoning involved using Mana to reach across dimensions and draw power from greater entities through contracts.

Conjuration harnessed Mana to create elemental phenomena, sometimes touching other planes.

Spirituality called upon the strength of spirits themselves, commanding nature.

Then came the distinctions in Arcane Path cultivation itself.

Some schools focused on Magic Circle Forging.

Others refined Mana Cores.

A rare few pursued the even more unusual path of Magic Circuit Imprinting.

All three Cultivation Methods for the Arcane Path demanded a masterful understanding of Runes and Mana.

Medea intended for Kireina to master every one of them. She wanted her to form multiple Magic Circles, forge her own Mana Core, and etch a complete series of Magic Circuits.

Now that Kireina had ascended to such heights through the Cultivation of Heaven, Earth, and Heart, Medea urged her to reach even greater depths with this new path.

Kireina read and reread the Primordial Abyss Magic Circuit Synthesizing Scroll until she had memorized it completely. With Medeaʼs guidance, she pondered its profound inner workings.

Through it, she learned to channel Mana into her skin and fuse it with the Essence of the Abyss summoned via her Chaos Heritage, a power she had awakened after studying several magic tomes.

With Medeaʼs steady assistance, Kireina gradually etched permanent circuits across her skin, each composed of hundreds of intricate runes. For ordinary wizards, this was grueling and often impossible work, especially with such a complex runic system.

Yet Kireina and Medea understood it swiftly. In just three days, her entire body shimmered with dark purple, black, and crimson circuits that pulsed with living energy.

Her magical potency soared beyond imagination. Now she could infuse spells directly into her skin, channeling them to vastly enhance her physical strength and abilities.

”Excellent. Magic Circuits can only be inscribed once upon the body. These will remain with you forever unless you choose to erase them,” Medea said with quiet pride. ”They will grow alongside you. The Circuits possess Ranks from 1 to 10. To raise their Rank, you must forge additional runes and infuse more Mana, Abyssal, Chaos, and Cursed Energies. Follow the Cultivation Method described in the scroll of the same name to advance steadily.”

”I understand. Thank you,” Kireina replied, nodding with gratitude. ”What about the Mana Core? Can we begin that now?”

”I had planned to finish the Magic Circuits first, but very well,” Medea agreed, a faint smile touching her lips. ”If you truly wish it, of course.”

By studying and comprehending the Abyssal Chaos Mana Core Forging Scroll, Kireina mastered the technique for creating a Mana Core.

She gathered Chaos, Abyssal, and Cursed Energies within her chest, relying solely on her own effort without aid from the System, Skills, or artifacts. Over the course of a long, arduous week, she slowly crystallized the core.

The Mana Core did not conflict with her Crimson Golden Core, as they resided in different realms. The Mana Core formed within her physical body, while the other dwelled in her Soul.

FLUOSH!

”Amazing...!” Kireina gasped as immense power surged through her veins. The Mana Core throbbed with overwhelming strength, continuously feeding her newfound might while deepening her grasp of elemental affinities. The Mana Entanglement Method amplified the sensation even further.

As previously explained, Mana Cores also ranged from Rank 1 to 10—a straightforward system that felt refreshingly simple compared to traditional Cultivation. For once, Kireina felt a quiet relief wash over her; here was something she could progress without constant strain.

She had to admit that ordinary Cultivation sometimes weighed on her like endless homework, heavy and unrelenting.

Having secured both a Mana Core and Magic Circuits, Kireina now yearned to obtain the Magic Circle of her Family.

Medea reviewed the two Methods her Aunt had bestowed, nodding thoughtfully.

”I could assist you, yes,” she said. ”But I believe it would be wiser to seek your Auntʼs help directly. I would rather not risk her getting mad at me...”

”Ah... fair enough,” Kireina conceded with a small sigh. ”Then please call her over.”

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