Chapter 33 – Kekeke!
"Kekeke!" An irritating and sharp laughter rang out, echoing throughout a small golden room. This room was a very simple place, with only one robust metallic door as an exit. There were no windows and hovering just centimeters from the far wall of the room were several hologram-like images that showed the ongoing images of various scenes.
Upon these monitors, one could see scenes of orange and red trees, cliffs and other such foliage. In these surroundings were random Magical Beast's, roaming about and hunting, living their daily lives while on the center and largest hologram, a familiar sight was displayed upon it. In this screen, the scene of around a hundred people trudging their way through the various landscapes could be seen.
The most striking aspect of this room was the figure watching these monitors. In the middle of the room, it sat upon some sort of sleek device that floated but just a few centimeters from the floor. It was a smooth, white device that came to a point at the bottom and got gradually wider until it reached the devices top part, where a soft cushion laid upon it. And sitting on this comfortable cushion is the being responsible for the loud, cackling laughter that had just reverberated throughout this golden room.
This being was bizarrely transparent and gave a dim azure glow, its posture was extremely relaxed as it sat upon the hovering device, one knee up with its lanky right hand draped over it. Its body was covered in short red fur and it has a long tail that swings back and forth like the wagging tail of an excited dog.
"Its nearly time!" The transparent monkey-like creature cackles, a mischievous glint in its red eyes. "Lets see how I bully... I mean test them this time! Kekeke!"
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As predicted by the two Sky Magician's, travelling up the rest of Thunder Mountain proceeded without a hitch and just in time for the sun's descent the over a hundred Magician's arrived at their long awaited destination with ample time.
As everyone settled down, Hidden Blade spoke up for the last time, telling everyone to spend the next four days diligently in their cultivation. As nobody wanted to waste this chance to experience improvement, people were quick to assume a cross legged seating position and soon, the scene of many people cultivating with serious expressions could be seen.
"This amount of external aura is negligible to Magician's of our rank..." Hidden Blade said as he returned to Mist Step's side. "...Should we just keep a watch over the surroundings, make sure nothing unexpected happens?"
"Hmm." Mist Step nodded his agreement.
Soon, unnoticed by the surrounding Magician's, those two Magician's had spread their senses throughout a large area of the Thunder Mountain's peak. Though they did not dare to spread their Conscious Eye's senses too far, lest they aggravate the dormant Thunder Scaled Half-Dragon Queen whose location was presently unknown.
Meanwhile...
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"Ah, those bastards!" The monkey-like beast growled, waving one of its fists threateningly. "I forgot about this part... Boohoo... I'm going to have to wait even longer?... Can't they do this part after I've whipped their bum's, the aura's not going anywhere! Boohoo!..."
★★★
As a certain impatient monkey continues ro cry its guts out, the little kitten, like everyone else was diligently cultivating alongside Jonathan, Uncle Kil and the rest of the Wilderwolf soldier's.
'Amazing, while cultivating in this external aura, the improvement I would see in around 10 minutes can be achieved in just 6 minutes...' The little kitten exclaimed in thought. 'I think... By the end of these four days, I might be able to reach the peak of Late Stage... Possibly.'
★★★
Soon, four days passed by like the breeze. Time seemed to pass by in seconds for the cultivating Magician's due to the effects of their meditation. Throughout the whole four days, every single person didn't dare to waste their chance to improve their cultivation, which was of the greatest importance to any Magician and Magical Beast.
The only time they didn't spend cultivating was spent on the daily necessities such as sleep, food and water.
"Alright everyone, I'm gonna have to bring this cultivation session to a close here!" Hidden Blade's voice awoke everyone from their cultivation and soon, people were stretching their limbs and speaking to each other of their improvements over the last four days with excited voices.
"Ah, that's too bad... I feel that I'm so close to making a breakthrough!..." Jonathan complained in-between stretches.
"Meow!" By his side, the little kitten was doing her own stretches as she rose to her four little feet. 'I feel you!'
"Hahaha, you little brat!" Uncle Kil laughed a laugh that didn't reach his eyes as he grumbled at his nephew. "You complain any more about not making a breakthrough to the Spirit Stage at the age of 16, and everyone around us including myself are gonna be puking blood in anger!"
"Haha, I guess it's too easy to get greedy sometimes!" Jonathan laughed his Uncle off before turning to face the little kitten by his side and giving her a few pets. "How did your cultivation go, did you reach the peak?"
"Meow!" The little kitten nodded with excitement, her long tail wagging back and forth as she leaned into his touch. 'Now, all I've got to do is make a breakthrough!'
"Good, good!" Jonathan couldn't help but sigh in admiration. 'This little lass, her cultivation speed isn't ordinary... Her elemental alignment isn't anything too special and she's still green around the edges... But with quick advancement in cultivation and great battle instincts... She's definitely been the most surprising sight throughout this year of adventure, that's for sure!'
"Great, now we'll be puking two mouthfuls!" Uncle Kil's teeth gritted with mock anger. "Ah, sticking around with you two brats has warped my view on the younger generation. Everyone else is going to look like wastes compared to your two's level of improvement!"
"Hehe." As usual, Jonathan just laughed him off.
The little kitten snorted an audible "hmph!" as she faced the sky at a 45 degrees angle. 'Of course, this here ain't no normal cat, old fool!'
Seeing the little kitten's arrogant pose, Uncle Kil's mouth couldn't help but twitch as he looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Why do I feel that I've just been insulted..."
"Alright, enough of that." Jonathan laughed before his face turned serious as he turned to face the little kitten once more. "Little lass, don't become complacent just because you've reached the peak of Late Stage. To make a breakthrough between two ranks is a big leap from breaking through stages. You'll see when you start to make your breakthrough attempt. Sadly, no amount of me pouring out information about this will aid you in breaking through ranks. Your just gonna have to rely on your own willpower and temper your mental state."
While not fully understanding Jonathan's words, after a few second's of idleness, the little kitten faced Jonathan with determined eyes. "Meow!"
"Good!" Jonathan said with a smirk, content with her response.
"Is everyone ready?" Hidden Blade's stoic voice sounded loud at this moment. A series of agreements could be heard in reply before Hidden Blade nodded approvingly. "Then, without further ado, let us enter the Thunder Mountain's 'Blessing of the God's'!"
★★★
"Kekeke, bloody finally!" The red furred monkeys voice laughed in playful glee. "Let this Blessed Guardian beat you all up! Leaving me waiting two years ain't enough, you got me waiting another four days? Humph! Just wait to see what I'll do to you lot! Kekeke!..."