Free Web NovelIn recent times, Anoteros had acquired new techniques that had not yet been cultivated to levels where they could show their true worth–Two of those had been acquired during his visit to Labyrinth Palace. Sect Leader Hulber had graciously shown, explained, and given two manuals describing techniques that would be of great use to Edrick once he had cultivated them to an acceptable level…
They were amongst the few techniques having to do with architecture that did not directly require one to be an architect. It required one to own architecture and terrain instead. They were typically complementary techniques that wouldn’t be handed out to anyone, but it seemed like Hulber had decided to place a fair amount of trust in the young noble scion.
…Probably due to the marriage uniting Haoyu and him.
In any case…
Territory Expansion: This technique allows the user to designate areas, buildings, et cetera, and claim them as part of their territory
At a glance, this technique didn’t actually do much, as there was no benefit to having territory through this technique, but as stated just before, it was a complementary technique. It worked alongside other techniques of the same type, including the other architecture technique Anoteros had acquired.
Impenetrable Keep: Structures and terrain owned by the user can gain reinforcement and have their functions enhanced depending on the strength of the user and of the other residents
Those two techniques together would allow him to establish residences all over the place and have them be incredibly resilient. Furthermore, Territory Expansion allowed for an easy way to link owned territory through Lodestones. Hence, it was important that he got access to a bunch of them.
In any case, neither of those two techniques needed to be upgraded. They had clear functions, and Edrick was only seeking these functions from them. They might gain a nifty, additional ability, but it did not seem necessary at the moment.
He had unfortunately not found anything that suited him at the Sect Of The Old Decay. Jingyi’s boon had given him some affinity for death-related techniques, but it wasn’t quite enough to cultivate the good stuff just yet. He would need to ‘stimulate’ his affinity a bit, or so Kaeleanth had told him.
Virility Plundering Technique: A technique that melds dual cultivation and all-cultivation into one. Allows the user to drain a sexual partner’s virility to provide an overall boost to themselves by nourishing their own virility
He had gotten something from Patriarch Guild, however, and it wasn’t a weak technique at all. Of course, it wasn’t the end-all, be-all. There were no specific moves, elements, or anything of the sort attached to it. However, when it came to all-cultivation techniques–Which had the tendency to be somewhat subpar–It stood above.
Upgrading it would definitely be a great investment, but there were two more techniques to go through before Edrick would make his decision…
Paraceratherium Magus Feral Mastery: An energy cultivation technique capable of greatly improving the quality and purity of inner energies, all the while granting them a wild edge, allowing them to act on their own in defence of their owner
Energy cultivation techniques were quite rare, but especially so those which weren’t about making a radical and drastic change to one’s inner energies. They would typically be about making inner energy adapt to a specific element or transforming most of it into a single type of energy.
Techniques of this type that merely bring a pure enhancement and grant a new quality to energy are significantly rarer, so upgrading this one would be a good idea for Anoteros. Especially since inner energies are a crux in nearly all cultivation techniques. Upgrading the gift the late Magus-King had granted him would be an investment for all current and future techniques he acquired.
Following this one was…
Beast Lord's Authority: An ancient and powerful beast taming technique requiring the exceptional condition of possessing a beast lord bloodline to even begin to be cultivated. It allows the user to teach all of the basic beast taming techniques to their companions, amongst many other things
It was another interesting technique–One that required far more time to truly yield results. It could do a lot, but at the moment, the scion was unable to fully harvest its powers. So upgrading it would be a bit silly. It would be best to have a stronger grasp of the technique before further improving it…
‘Well, it’s important to go over everything once in a while... But in terms of which technique should be upgraded, there isn’t any debate’
Five-Legged Devil Goat Physique and Virility Plundering Technique are definitely strong contenders, but compared to Paraceratherium Magus Feral Mastery, they fell short. Improving his inner energy was far more attractive, and it would aid him in all other cultivation endeavours anyway. As such…
‘System, upgrade it’
Roger that
Nothing grandiose happened at all. The system did his thing in silence, and Anoteros only knew it came to an end when a system panel appeared in front of him.
Magus-King Daladerium's Feral Mastery
It had a similar description compared to before, but with one notable change.
…All wild spells cast using the inner energies of the user will be empowered…
Of course, the normal effects were also improved upon.
‘Well, that’s one thing done, I suppose’
It was now time for Anoteros to do the same thing, but with his innate abilities. Unlike his cultivation techniques, they were all completely about matters of the bedroom... But they weren’t to be underestimated. They were pillars of Edrick’s foundation.
Although some more than others, his innate abilities had allowed him to use lust as an effective weapon, and also to build up a strong residence that could not be shaken from the inside. Unlike most residences, his couldn’t be infiltrated. Not via the most common means, at least.
All maids and servants had to be vetted and had to bear a crest, so even if enemies of his were to one day try to send assassins or spies. Trying to get in this way would only result in Anoteros gaining new useful followers.
…He had already seen some of his innate abilities receive upgrades, but it was the first time that he would get to choose which received an augmentation.
‘Alright, let’s check things out. I can already think of a few that could be interesting to upgrade…’
Do we go one by one, like with the techniques?
‘Yes’
Alright, then let’s go for another round! I’ll tell you right now, though. Innate abilities are normally not improved in a direct manner like techniques. You can expect them to gain new functions rather than be strictly improved in their basic faculties
‘Interesting…’
