Training

***

Inside the treasure room.

'Sorry Fang Yue, but I don't plan to involve anyone else with my crazy plan', thought as he watched the teleportation circle deactivated.

'If I'm right, that chimera knows about my crimson bloodline and could give me more information. What worries me more is that the chimera is probably the god-tier beast in this trial.. That would explain why it's so strong', he contemplated.

"Last time, I didn't have a chance to use the crimson bloodline and newly-acquired Twin Dao swords. Although, I would be far too stupid to ever think I'll beat it with just this", muttered Tang Lin.

'My only chance is to hone my skills and make use of the treasures I luckily obtained', he decided in his mind.

"I have no regrets. I had a feeling that I'd regret it if I left this place with Fang Yue back then. It's fine. Everything's going to be alright. Even if it takes days, months or years; I will make it out of here", said Tang Lin, who was now filled with conviction.

'First, I need to properly sort out the treasures that can help me in battle', he pondered.

Closing his eyes, Tang Lin once again felt his consciousness pulled into the five interspatial storage rings.

***

After organising all the treasures, Tang Lin came to a shocking discovery.

"99% of that was gold!?! Are you kidding me?" he raged as he stamped his foot on the ground repeatedly.

'This gold is useless to me, unless I make it out of here alive', thought Tang Lin, while frowning.

"My only salvation are these three items, excluding the poison bead inside me now", Tang Lin said as he placed them on the floor in front of him before taking a seat.

'A jade pill bottle, yellow talisman and a book', he listed in his mind.

"This yellow talisman has the character for life engraved on it. So, I assume it's a life-saving talisman of some kind. As for this jade pill bottle…" said Tang Lin as he twisted the wooden cork off.

A mystical, yet empowering waft of aroma filled his senses after being exposed.

'What a strong scent. Oh no, it's going to lose its medical efficacy if I open it for too long', he realised as he quickly closed the cap; trapping everything back inside.

'Damn, I can't tell what these pills are for. My best guess is that they're pills for recovering or boosting one's combat prowess for a certain duration. Unless, these pills are to be used during cultivation to cleanse the body and meridians. Now, I can only pray that it has a battle-oriented function', Tang Lin analysed.

"Lastly, there's this box, which seems to be some sort of manual. It seems to be the most unique and interesting out of the three, but it's probably going to be the least useful in my current predicament. I guess it wouldn't hurt to check it out", he muttered as he picked it up.

***

An incense stick of time later.

'Sigh, there really doesn't seem to be any battle techniques in here. All I found were strange and mysterious blueprints inside, but I don't have the resources to attempt to create them right now', thought Tang Lin.

"I guess only these two can possibly help me", he said as he stuffed the pull bottle and talisman inside his clothes before storing the manual back inside his storage ring.

'With the treasures now sorted out, I need to practise and figure out how to use the Dual Dao swords, crimson bloodline and possibly the poison bead I absorbed' Tang planned out.

"I don't know how much time has passed above ground, but I should have about half a week left before the giant portal opens up to the next trial. I'll also lose the guardian spirit's protection if I waste too much time here, which would be risky", he said.

"Let's start with my most important trump card. The crimson bloodline", he decided.

"From what I know so far, the crimson essence has a devouring property that can also heal me from the blood essence it absorbs from the target. On the other hand, the crimson qi has a dense and penetrative property that can be used to strengthen objects, including myself", Tang Lin analysed.

'Is there a way I can combine these two powers together or make them stronger and more efficient?' he wondered.

Using his high intelligence, Tang Lin thought for a while on the ground to figure out what to do.

*Click*

Suddenly, all the gears in his brain clicked together as an idea popped inside his mind.

'If I can adjust the weight of my Gravity sword and make it as light as a feather then I should be able to rapidly send out double or triple the number of attacks I usually send out. Of course, doing this would severely reduce the power behind each strike. However, if I adjust the weight of the Gravity sword to the maximum every time just before it reaches the target, the damage would be unimaginable. I think I'll call it Maelstrom', he thought creatively.

"But the downside is that it requires immense concentration, mental power and stamina", Tang Lin grumbled to himself.

"Stamina is going to be a problem for me, so I'll only be able to use this move two times at best. That tough hide is also going to be a problem. How the hell am I meant to injure that goddamn chimera?" he complained, obviously frustrated.

Thinking back to their previous fight, Tang Lin was reminded of the chimera's sudden crisis that allowed him and Fang Yue to escape.

Wait, isn't it possible? Didn't Fang Yue manage to hurt him? But how did she do it? I don't remember seeing a wound or mark left behind", he wondered as he desperately tried to remember.

"That's it!" Tang Lin shouted as he jumped up.

'I remember now. Fang Yue wasn't able to cut through its hide, but I saw it clearly. She fell over, causing the sharp edge of the sword to twist to the flat side. So, the flat surface of the sword ended up smashing into its-...' he realised before stopping halfway.

A shiver went up his spine as he now understood why the chimera went on a rampage.

"Luckily, this has given me a hint to one of its weaknesses. The chimera was naturally born with fearsome defensive capabilities. Thus, nothing is usually able to injure it, but it's exactly because of this that I have a better chance of winning. Its impenetrable hide has left its internal organs completely fragile and sensitive from being untrained. Truly ironic, one of its strongest powers has created one of its most vulnerable weaknesses", said Tang Lin.

"The concept of vibration is truly profound. Even the strongest defences can't evade its destructive and penetrative capacity", he concluded.

'Although, the question still remains. How do I incorporate it into a skill with the crimson bloodline', he questioned.