Doubtful Realm

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--- Chapter 49 ---

Tenma entered a lucid dream for a few hours. In the dream, he meditated and simulated the Spear Breathing, trying to gain a breakthrough.

Unfortunately, it wasn't so easy.

After the 8th move, Spear Breathing's progress stuck for years now. Even with Limitless Path, creating an ultimate spear technique was harder than evolving his Sharingan.

Evolving Sharingan was easy for Tenma. All he needed to do was raise his soul's power and mental strength a little more. Yes, you heard that right, no emotional trauma shit.

However, Spear Breathing is different. Tenma ultimately sought a unique path for himself. A spear that won't disappoint him when fighting those monsters in the Great Omniversal Order.

"Actually, you can start looking at the spear from another angle," said Iris, who manifested in the lucid dream. "A spear didn't necessarily need to be fast, sharp, and domineering all the time."

"You also put too much emphasis on heaviness rather than flexibility."

Tenma narrowed his eyes slightly and retorted, "But I already combined those concepts into Spear Breathing."

Iris smiled, "Are you?"

"Why don't you demonstrate Spear Breathing's 1st form to 8th form right now?"

Tenma didn't bother to say anything and immediately proved it with his actions. He grabbed white night and adjusted his breathing.

"Spear Breathing..."

"1st form: Musou Ichiretsu."

"2nd form: Sanrensei."

"3rd form: Houkiboshi."

"4th form: Shinkirou."

"5th form: Gin no Kiba."

"6th form: Amatsukaze."

"7th form: Tsukihime."

"8th form: Gin Ou-Kami."

Tenma froze on the spot after executing eight forms of Spear Breathing, feeling his perception about his own martial arts turn upside down at this very moment.

He couldn't help but curse, "Fuck!"

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!"

"What happened to my Spear Breathing?"

"Hehe, have you finally discovered the problem?" Iris chuckled in amusement.

Yes, Tenma found a problem. Although Tenma has thoroughly developed "Spear Breathing" and strengthened it over the years, he made a rookie and critical mistake.

When Tenma had executed eight forms of Spear Breathing earlier, he quickly noticed that each form didn't flow well with the others. In fact, none of the moves synchronized with each other!

Tenma didn't notice all this time because he forced each form to connect forcibly with his precise breathing technique and physique. If it were any other person, they would get disabled because their blood veins and lungs couldn't withstand such pressure.

When did this start?

A big problem starts from a small one.

Tenme forced his eyes shut, recalling all his training from when he could crawl until now. Then, Tenma realized the crucial mistake he made.

It started from the 1st simulation.

As Tenma used Limitless Path repetitively, his growth is more explosive than explosive themselves.

With each experience, Tenma's martial arts mastery improved, and Spear Breathing was refined through countless simulations, allowing him to grasp what his future self would learn.

However, this is where the problem lies.

Martial Arts is a way to seek something, whether honor, love, or wealth.

It's a tedious journey that one must walk step by step.

That's why training/cultivation of martial arts is like construction. One must build one floor at a time, from a sturdy foundation to a firm skyscraper.

Right now, Spear Breathing is not even a skyscraper. It's more like a building made of sticks glued together.

Simulation skips this step, and it's a double-edged sword.

While Tenma's practice becomes infinitely faster, his "Martial Way" also becomes chokingly narrow. After all, he's running against time.

Iris sighed, "Tenma, you're awesome, you know?"

"In my world, many races rumbled throughout the galaxy to seek breakthrough for their divine way."

Tenma grumbled, "How is that even connected to my problem?"

Iris shook her head gently and explained patiently, "No, it is connected."

"Divine Way is just a broad term for all developments, including Martial Arts."

"Although you're a reincarnated person, you are not necessarily able to reach this step without some talents. An opportunity many geniuses didn't have the luxury to experience."

"What are you talking about? Stop playing with me." Tenma was speechless.

Iris pouted, "Can't you let me become the mysterious master for a second? How uncultured!"

Tenma rolled his eyes at this woman. What mysterious master?

Iris crossed her arms and pouted, "Fine, I will tell you."

"Do you still remember the mastery classification of my world?"

Tenma tilted his head and replied, "Your universe's technique mastery has four classifications: basic, micro, perfection, and artistic."

"That's right, that's right!" Iris repeated twice, nodding like a chicken.

"However, there is actually one more classification in technique mastery. This mastery is a special case and can't be touched by training, only encountered by luck."

"Oh, what is it?"

"Doubtful Realm."

"Doubtful Realm?"

"Yup, this is a legendary realm. Even those heaven-defying geniuses in my universe didn't have such an opportunity. What's terrifying about this realm is that upon clearing the Doubtful Realm, one's cultivation, soul, and strength will increase explosively." Iris sighed in nostalgia.

"One of my best friends was lucky to enter the Doubtful Realm and clear it."

"After that, she could slay a thousand domain master experts like cutting grass."

"Is this mastery realm so strong?" Tenma was doubtful.

(A/N: Ba Dum, tsss~!)

Iris smiled, "I didn't personally experience Doubtful Realm, but my friend did describe it as "Everything felt wrong, but also right." and "You become doubtful of everything." So, she tried everything until one click."

"It took him 100 years to realize the key of Doubtful Realm."

"And the key is... Ten Thousand Glassy Heart, the very manifestation of artistic power into the real world."

"I can't explain Ten Thousand Glassy Heart in detail too much, but in short... It means you control the essence of the universe, turning it to your side to weaponize."

"This..." Tenma felt this ability was 'really' overpowered. After all, turning the environment against your enemy is an overkill move.

"Where should I start?"

"Fufu, you're interested after all." Iris covered her mouth and giggled in joy.

"Do you want to teach or not?" Tenma's eyebrows jumped in annoyance,

"Hehe, of course, I will teach you." Iris placed her hand on her hip. She told him her advice and her best friend's method to clear the Doubtful Realm.

...

...

The next morning.

Sunlight hit Higashi Town, and Tenma's biological clock hit immediately.

Tenma awoke from the lucid dream and stared at the ceiling before sighing.

"Well, that was something."

Tenma glanced to the left and saw Limitless Path already notified him of Spear Breathing's change.

[Spear Breathing V.2 (Progress/5%)]

Seeing that he only reached 5% progress after spending so much time in lucid dreams made Tenma's mouth twitch slightly. He shook his head bitterly because changing his whole kit wasn't easy.

Tenma stretched his back gently and bounced off the bed, doing the first warm-up of the day.

[Ding!]

[You have learned a new skill, Animal Mimicry Lv.1]

[You have learned a new skill, Essence of Slowness Lv.1]

"Oh, I forgot about these..." Tenma smiled a little as Iris taught him these skills.

Iris said he needed to observe his surroundings to clear Doubtful Realm, and the animal was a good choice to observe.

"Hmm, a strong person is coming." Tenma stared into the distance, sensing a high-quality aura approaching Higashi Town.

Since this was morning, demons wouldn't appear, which means this guy is a human.

Tenma recalled many of his simulations, "That guy, huh?"