Hero? Are You Worthy?
Chapter 62 - 54 Another Shaye (A group has been created, the group number is in the bio)

Chapter 62: Chapter 54 Another Shaye (A group has been created, the group number is in the bio)

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No matter what level the Magic Cultivation Manual or Combat Energy Secret Manual is, there is a common rule when it comes to cultivation:

It’s easy at the beginning but becomes harder as one progresses.

The higher the grade, the greater the difficulty.

Star Flame Fighting Energy, the type of combat energy that Yekaterina cultivated, is considered one of the highest-ranked fighting energies on the Sky Dome Continent. There are very few that surpass Star Flame, and its difficulty is, thus, self-evident.

First, talent has already prevented most people from even considering cultivating Star Flame, as this type of fighting energy requires an extremely high aptitude.

In that respect, Qin Chu had no problem; his talent became even more exaggerated after his rebirth.

However, even with such astonishing talent and the experience from being reborn, it was almost the limit for him to break through to the first layer of Star Flame Fighting Energy in an afternoon. To break through to the second layer, he would need at least a month.

But during the crazy time with Yekaterina, Qin Chu could clearly feel the scorching combat energy from Yekaterina’s body pouring into his own, driving the comparatively feeble combat energy inside him to rapidly circulate through his body. With each circulation, the quantity of fighting energy grew rapidly.

In just three short hours, he was even on the verge of breaking through to the second layer.

Even now, his body was still filled with scorching energy.

Qin Chu didn’t want to waste any opportunity to enhance his strength; with his eyes tightly shut, his consciousness was moving the stray energy within his body towards the Fighting Element, trying to use these energies to break through the second layer’s barrier.

Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...

Heat waves expanded in circles around Qin Chu’s body.

The temperature in the room kept rising, and under the moonlight shining through the window, even the air seemed to be distorting.

At some point, Qin Chu’s skin turned as red as a heated branding iron, and clouds of heat emanated from the top of his head. A powerful breath surged beneath his skin, causing bumps to appear one after another.

Just a bit more, the very last bit...

The breath exhaled from his nose had turned into red flames.

Not enough...

Qin Chu could clearly feel that he was just one step away from breaking the current limit, but it was this one step that he could never seem to cross.

Every pore in his body was opened, beginning to draw in the stray Elemental Power from the surrounding air. His body seemed to become the core of a gigantic vortex, with hot air rapidly swirling around him, and an increasing amount of power being absorbed into his body.

In the room, there was no wind, yet the curtains and the magic hanging lamp were violently shaking due to this weird air current.

If it weren’t for his experience from the first week, Qin Chu might have honestly absorbed the stray Elemental Power from the air to break through. That might have taken a long time, at least a week.

But now, Qin Chu was very clear about what he lacked. Only a surge of unprecedentedly powerful energy would allow him to instantly cross that threshold.

The Holy Crystal Stone kindly gifted by Rose Vesper.

With a flip of his palm, Qin Chu took out three Holy Crystal Stones from his storage ring.

Amidst a cracking sound, the three Holy Crystal Stones were shattered by Qin Chu at the same time, and the abundant energy contained within them diffused instantly. For a moment, an energy storm nearly formed in the room.

Qin Chu’s position was right at the core of the storm, with even the floor beneath him starting to fracture from the vibration. With this burst of energy as support, Qin Chu’s Fighting Element expanded instantaneously.

...

Elsewhere, Shaye floated in midair, quietly watching Qin Chu cultivate, a subtle smile hanging on her face.

Qin Chu might not be fully aware of why Yekaterina lost control, but Shaye had a clear understanding.

The City Beauty Love she gave to Qin Chu was an improved version... but, it was not the genuine City Beauty Love.

Shaye had added her own understanding to this magic potion, infusing some effects of the Power of Strong Desire. The modified City Beauty Love’s effects were more intense than the original version’s.

The Power of Strong Desire, combined with the influence of alcohol, induced Yekaterina to have weird hallucinations, causing her to see Qin Chu as Jie Luo.

At the same time, it greatly amplified the emotions deep within Yekaterina’s heart. Under these multiple effects, the situation tonight came about.

And Qin Chu’s rapid growth in strength was also an effect of the Power of Strong Desire. No Super Order Power is simple; each harbors various powerful and weird capabilities.

The stronger Qin Chu became, the more Shaye recovered.

Until she could exist independently of Qin Chu, Shaye couldn’t determine what their relationship would become, but at least until then, the stronger he was, the better.

Another Shaye would not allow her existence... Only one of the two could exist in this world.

However, it seems her level in magic potions needs improvement.

Although Yekaterina completely fell for it just as she had anticipated, there were several times when Yekaterina almost regained consciousness. It was only Shaye’s timely intervention that kept Yekaterina’s thoughts in chaos.

Exactly where the problem lay needs to be studied thoroughly; such mistakes must not happen again next time.

...

The next day.

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The rising sun cast its light into the room.

Nicholas’s body was like a statue, motionless.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and the flames within his pupils shot out a dozen centimeters before gradually subsiding.

He stood up, his hair standing on end and animated, with small sparks swirling around it.

He had finally broken through to the second layer.

Nicholas checked his own panel.

Level: 39

Class: Hero

Strength: 209

Physical Strength: 142

Agility: 163

Spirit: 432

Defense: 154

Charm: 6

Strength increased by thirty, physical strength by twenty, agility by ten, defense by ten.

In this world, successful cultivation of Fighting Energy directly increased attributes, although not as quick and convenient as those of a Devourer, it was still a decent enhancement.

He sensed someone outside the door.

After closing his eyes and adjusting for some time, he controlled his Star Flame Fighting Energy down to the level of the first layer, then he headed for the door.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw Angelica standing quietly outside, holding a set of clothes in her arms and the likes of a towel and toothbrush beside her.

It seemed Angelica had been waiting there for quite a while.

What made Nicholas puzzled, though, was the expression on Angelica’s face—it looked like she was about to burst into tears.

But, even so, Angelica still gently wiped down Nicholas’s body and changed him into a neat and proper set of clothes.

"What’s wrong... Who’s been bullying you..." Nicholas asked, his words muffled as he brushed his teeth.

"No one has bullied Angelica," Angelica replied softly, handing over a cup for rinsing his mouth.

Despite her words, the slight tremble of Angelica’s lips made it evident that the little girl was struggling to hold back.

Angelica knew her master’s personality well; sometimes he was a bit scheming, knowing troubles were brewing yet watching idly as she was bullied mercilessly, only stepping in when she was on the verge of suicide.

Her master was deeply suspicious.

She didn’t know what her master had experienced, but he trusted no one.

Whether it was Wozworth, Augustus, or Saint Monica, whether it was the dashing Catherine or the tender and gentle Rose Vesper...

The only person the master now trusted was herself.

Thinking of this, Angelica felt a bit of secret joy, because she was a very special existence to her master.

Angelica also felt a bit depressed, puffing her cheeks with frustration. She felt weak.

Even though she was a bit resentful inside, the resentment seemed to vanish more than half after thinking the master only trusted her.

Angelica, Angelica, can’t you be a bit more spirited?

She thought she should let her master understand who was truly closest to him.

Thus, Angelica tried to put on a stern face, managing to portray a look that said she was in a bit of a mood: "Master, last night... you and... Miss Yekaterina... you did... did... did..."

Nicholas froze on the spot, accidentally swallowing the toothpaste in his mouth: "How did you know that?"

"Nicholas and the others have been discussing this matter..."

Damn.

A bunch of blabbermouths.

They took my money, and still blabber about it.

Angelica’s cheeks suddenly turned very red, and she gently twisted the hem of her shirt in her little hands: "Master... has never done... those things... to Angelica..."