Beast Taming: the More the Better

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Cultivation Complete! Little Paper Man’s Intimacy Meets the Standard!

”Remember, today’s goal is sixty repetitions—and it must be completed before midnight! You’re only halfway there; it’s not time to rest yet!”

Su Ping’s voice echoed throughout the underground training room of this side chamber.

This basement had never been much for decoration. Though once neat and clean, it had taken on the style of a post-war reconstruction site after the cultivation of Accelerated Spellcasting for the little Paperman began.

But Su Ping clearly didn’t care.

Compared to the cost of Pet Beast cultivation, the expense of remodeling was hardly worth mentioning.

And right now, undoubtedly, was the most crucial moment!

Amidst a series of cries from the little Paperman, a brilliant golden light flashed from his hands in an instant!

”Don’t worry!”

”For the glory of a Swordsman!”

”I must...”

”I will definitely do it!”

It was an incredibly dazzling blade light.

It was hard to imagine that such a massive blade light could burst forth from what was called a ’sword,’ made purely of stiff paper and just over ten centimeters long.

It was so powerful that it left a deep gash on the thick, reinforced concrete wall before them.

Even though Su Ping had seen it almost every day for the past few days, he couldn’t help but feel amazed every time this blade light appeared.

This power is truly terrifying!

Is this what the Perfection Level Jinge Technique looks like?

Moreover, it wasn’t just sharp; this sword-drawing strike, the little Paperman’s own creation, was also surprisingly fast.

Paired with the Sword Qi and blade light that surged from the Perfection Level Jinge Technique, it could inflict great damage from a distance.

After all, for the Paperman, a Pet Beast dubbed the ’shame of the Necromancy System,’ its only somewhat noteworthy advantage was perhaps that its speed was slightly faster than ordinary Pet Beasts of the same rank.

”Huff... huff...”

The little Paperman gasped heavily, his ’poker face’ finally returning to an anime-style expression.

At this moment, due to the rapid and large consumption of Energy, his face showed distinct signs of strain, with thick beads of sweat appearing on one side.

Given that Papermen are Undead Pet Beasts belonging to the Necromancy System, they shouldn’t exhibit physiological reactions like sweating from physical exertion—where the hell is this sweat coming from? Su Ping inwardly scoffed.

But he didn’t say much.

As long as it wasn’t that bizarre ’Ace of Diamonds’ poker face, it was fine.

However, Su Ping also noticed that the little Paperman had reached his limit.

Normally, a common Ninth Rank Paperman, using its Racial Skill ’Paper Body Folding,’ could use it up to twenty times at most.

But the little Paperman before him had used the Jinge Technique thirty times—and at Perfection Level, no less—which was quite impressive.

Indeed, over the past few days of training, by continually consuming ordinary Necromantic resources, the little Paperman had progressed and broken through his previous Level.

He had reached the common Ninth Rank.

Originally, back when he began the cultivation plan for Accelerated Spellcasting, Su Ping had considered having the little Paperman switch to practicing the ’Paper Body Folding’ ability.

Paper Body Folding was considered the Paperman’s primary offensive ability, but its weakness as an offensive skill was almost unparalleled in the entire Pet Beast World.

Perhaps only the utterly non-combat, caterpillar-like Insect-type Beasts could compare.

The effect of Paper Body Folding was quite interesting: it allowed the Paperman to freely change its body shape and control its form.

For example, if possible, the Paperman could instantly expand upon reaching an enemy’s side, enveloping the enemy in a paper cage.

Of course, it went without saying how little restraining power a paper cage actually possessed.

It could also wrap around the weak points of animal-type Pet Beasts, suffocating or strangling them.

Still, the power remained limited.

All in all, the Paperman’s Paper Body Folding was extremely flexible and seemed to offer great versatility, but its actual power was incredibly weak due to the Paperman’s low Racial Potential.

But no matter what, it’s still somewhat better than practicing the Jinge Technique to the max level, right? Su Ping thought.

However, the little Paperman had a persistent devotion to Swordsmanship.

The little fellow would rather modify the slash of his sword-drawing style—part of the Jinge Technique—into a thrust than practice any other Skills.

So Su Ping didn’t insist further.

Looking at the little Paperman panting from exhaustion, Su Ping directly took out the Necromantic resource Soul-Settling Paper and the energy-recovering Magic Potion he had prepared earlier, and handed them to him.

The little Paperman took them. ”Teacher...” he cried, ”I will never forget your kindness for all eternity!”

In no time at all, he skillfully swallowed the Soul-Settling Paper and the Magic Potion. His originally weak expression instantly became as fierce and determined as a warrior with a drawn sword, fully revitalized.

”A Swordsman... never gives up!” he declared.

WHOOSH!

The blade light from the Jinge Technique he had just retracted flashed out again. Without any prompting from Su Ping, the practice of the Jinge Technique resumed once more!

”A true Swordsman... must be relentless!”

WHOOSH!

”To become an Expert, one must learn to endure solitude and loneliness!”

WHOOSH!

”Because an Expert is forged from solitude and loneliness!”

WHOOSH!

The Jinge Technique’s sharp edges cut swiftly through the air, striking fiercely upon the sturdy metallic wall.

It was as if the little guy was encouraging himself. Each time he executed a sword strike, his body wavered because the Magic Potion couldn’t fully restore his energy.

But still, the little Paperman remained steadfast, delivering every slash.

Such willpower and conviction... perhaps it isn’t so bad if this little Paperman, so determined to become an expert Swordsman, is a bit overly dramatic, Su Ping suddenly thought.

It was under this sort of intense pressure, pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion, that the little Paperman actually completed sixty repetitions of the Jinge Technique just after eleven o’clock, before midnight.

Su Ping looked directly at the little Paperman, who had collapsed limply onto the ground, utterly spent, his eyes depicted as swirling spirals of exhaustion.

And at that very moment, an eerie fluctuation emanated from the little Paperman.

The next moment, the little Paperman seemed somewhat bewildered.

However, Su Ping understood what was happening.

Just as expected, within the Eye of Truth, feedback from the little Paperman slowly revealed the words ”Accelerated Spellcasting”!

[Accelerated Spellcasting (Beginner): Allows casting speed to increase, but accordingly, consumes a bit more Energy.]

The little Paperman’s eyes snapped open, and he looked around himself in astonishment. ”What is this?!” he exclaimed.

”This is the new ability I’ve been teaching you. Feel it out, understand it, and get used to applying it properly!”

”Huh?” the little Paperman uttered, puzzled, blinking his slow-motion eyes, seeming to have instantly regained his spirit.

However, at that very moment, the change Su Ping had long awaited finally occurred!

Upon the Myriad Spirit Beast Atlas, an unfamiliar Catalog slowly lit up!

Naturally, Su Ping understood: the intimacy level with the little Paperman had finally reached the required standard.