Chapter 184 - Heavenly Reign
'That was a bit too wild…'
Back into the comfort of his bed, Leo stared at the ceiling as he tried to relieve his dizziness. This was something necessary, but he couldn't deny that he went overboard a little bit, almost developing the arrogant characteristic of overconfident protagonists.
Even when given a whole day with his special capabilities as a reader, Leo still wasn't able to copy the entire library. Iyeolhan said they were free to search, but not everything was within their reach. A pair of guards with unassuming faces stopped anyone from walking past a certain line, while some books were hung up high. However, even if these were excluded the rest was still too much to finish.
'That should offset the difference a little bit.'
In any case, even if Leo went into overdrive relying on Internal Energy, touching every single book would have only brought more suspicion than good. At the very least, he had copied the most useful half of the books that would be of help to him.
Such a great bonus definitely meant a lot even when it came to future 'True Reading' experiences, but it was especially crucial in the world of 'Murim Supremacy'. The protagonist's cheat wasn't something but someone, and that someone was like an incredible vault of knowledge. With this new addition, it could be said that Leo had somewhat closed part of the gap between them.
"Hah…"
The mental exhaustion gave Leo the desire to sleep, but all of the knowledge and experience that had been crammed into his mind made it hard to not overthink to the moon. Fortunately, he wasn't out of options. Going on a few rounds of Meditation was all it took to clear up his crowded mind, finally allowing him to take a look at the fresh books beside him!
'Heavenly Reign Steps.'
Leo could still remember how Iyeolhan glanced at him when he pointed at one of the books that Yeon had chosen. He could clearly tell that another misconception was developing in his head.
'It is only normal to expect anything from someone like Cheon Jeong…'
Though the instructor still asked the librarian to make three copies for them including the clueless Cheon Yong, he suspected the Blade Spirit to have given Leo some hints just like she did with Yeon, but it wasn't like he cared about that anyway.
The Heavenly Reign Steps was a commonly used technique within the core of the Society, a footwork that almost everybody knew if not mastered. However, that didn't say anything about its worth. It was only considered a foundational technique, but just like the Scarlet Sky Breathing Technique, it had the capability to rival advanced techniques! In a sense, it was one of the Heavenly Strength Society's common treasures!
Leo had no need to pick a book that was already in his head, but he still had to show that he wasn't completely 'playing'. Iyeolhan's misunderstanding just happened to support his case even more.
"Let's try it out."
Even within all the footworks that Leo read, the Heavenly Reign Steps also happened to be the best one to start with. It was a technique that worked as the foundation to incorporate other footwork variations by building upon it, if anything it suited Leo the most!
Although the cave wasn't large enough to train extensively, Leo wanted to at least initiate his footwork training. When it came to footwork, he could be said to be familiar with it as they were a necessary element in both Swordsmanship and Spearmanship, but this was his first time training something like the Heavenly Reign Steps.
Other than the fact that it was a movement technique fully focused on the body regardless of the weapon, it was also a 'Martial Art' of this world. Just playing around on one's feet was useless in battle, only when it was paired with the technique's relevant Internal Energy Channeling method would it show its true ability!
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Leo no longer had to save up on Internal Energy after his last seclusion, but he still started with simple movements at the beginning. Thankfully, all the footwork training he did under Rain's guidance coupled with the result of yesterday's reading session made the initial progress extremely smooth.
'Now.'
After doing a dozen laps in the empty space within the cave, Leo's scarlet Internal Energy slowly flowed out of his Dantian, spreading within his Energy Channel in a certain order. Internal Energy Channeling basically operated on the same principle as Energy Circulation, turning natural energy into attributed Internal Energy. It could be said to work in reverse, however, refining Internal Energy to a form that could power up the Heavenly Reign Steps!
As a beginner, Leo couldn't help having trouble syncing his Internal Energy Channeling with the correct set of footsteps, but the problem didn't last for long. Just like the footwork on its own, Leo's skill with channeling only needed getting used to…
Compared to practical skills, every book that Leo went through a few hours ago had its own Internal Energy Channeling method! Even considering how minuscule the experience he received was, the stacking effect of all these books made it like he had an extraordinary talent!
Leo already appreciated his ability, but it was only after he read so much in a small window of time that he realized its explosive potential! This already rivaled a minor trigger of 'Skill Reading', binge reading was the best!
[ Reading Attribute, 'Skill Reading', has been activated! ]
Without any obstacles in executing the Heavenly Strength Steps correctly, the sound in Leo's mind was met with no delay, immersing him further in the expansive movement technique. However, that wasn't the end of it either!
'This is…'
Leo immediately noticed the unmissable familiarity that came with the acceleration of his channeling and the blurry sense of timing, it seemed like…
[ Reading Attribute, 'Ability Reading', has been activated! ]
One attribute wasn't the limit of the Heavenly Reign Steps!