220. Working a Job
Several days later, inside Beno Alder's living quarters.
Beno sat naked on a meditation mat, forming hand seals with his right hand. A point of spiritual light gathered at his fingertips, eventually transforming into a white bone flying sword—thin as a whisper.
The sword gleamed blue-white, and when it vibrated, it resonated with a thunderous sound.
"Go!"
Beno flicked his finger, and the white bone flying sword instantly transformed into a magnificent stream of light several yards long, shooting forward with a howl like thunder rolling across the sky.
"What a magnificent sword technique!"
Seeing this, Beno's face lit up with joy. He then changed his sword seals, causing the white bone flying sword to split into two in mid-air.
In the next second, Beno vanished from his original position—as if teleporting—and appeared exactly where one of the sword lights was. As he changed the sword seals in his hands, his figure became a blur, darting freely between the two sword lights like a lightning bolt.
After practicing for some time, Beno finally stopped, his face bright with excitement.
"Excellent! What a magnificent Empyrean Verdict Blade!"
The sword technique was actually quite simple. Once mastered, practitioners could split off sword lights and instantly teleport to wherever those lights appeared.
The greater one's essence power, the farther one could teleport.
If the headmaster of Horizon Dawn personally used this technique, he could sit comfortably at headquarters, teleport thousands of miles with a single sword strike, and take an enemy's head while casually chatting.
And this was just the basic variation of the sword technique.
It was said that at higher levels, one could truly manifest the might of empyrean thunder, but unfortunately, that part of the technique was beyond Beno's reach.
Not because he couldn't extract it through Kama Sutra, but because his training partner didn't know it herself.
This was to be expected. After all, if it were the complete "Empyrean Verdict Blade Technique," it certainly couldn't be purchased for a mere 1,000 contribution points—10,000 points would be more realistic.
"Hmph, utterly foolish!" A cold laugh came from behind.
Beno turned around to see the woman from the Horizon Dawn glaring at him with a mixture of disgust, disdain, and contempt.
After spending a few days together, Beno had come to understand her quite well.
The woman's name was Khmara Bohdana, a disciple of the Horizon Dawn. She studied under Klinia the Divine, primarily practiced the Empyrean Verdict Blade, and had once filled eleven essence chambers—all of which were sealed upon her capture.
Beno looked at Khmara and asked curiously, "Did I perform the sword technique incorrectly?"
Khmara turned her head away and said, "You think I would tell you? Red Party pig, even if you've stolen my sword technique, you're just imitating without understanding!"
"Why be like this?" Beno shook his head, walked up to Khmara, and said with a devious grin. "Are you sure you won't tell me? Or are you going to force me to use 'that' again?"
"That?" A blush immediately spread across Khmara's delicate face, her beautiful eyes momentarily growing hazy before she quickly regained clarity, staring at Beno with hatred.
"It's just that demonic technique. Do you really think I would surrender?"
"Despite what you say... you've already surrendered a few times," Beno said with a sly smile, pointing at her naked body and the scratch marks on his chiseled chest that she had left in her ecstasy. "You haven't forgotten, have you?"
"You're talking nonsense!"
Looking at the marks on his body, Khmara suddenly became self-conscious. She quickly moved her hands to cover her private parts and pressed her lips together in humiliation. "That time you merely took advantage of a moment of weakness!"
After saying this, she clutched the pendant around her neck.
It was an exquisitely crafted crystal sword pendant—a ceremonial symbol worn exclusively by disciples of the Horizon Dawn, serving as their official badge.
"I am a disciple of the Horizon Dawn, sworn enemies of the evil Red Party, and this will never change!"
"No matter how powerful your devious techniques are, the human heart cannot be swayed by such evil and heretical influences."
"My loyalty to the Horizon Dawn will never waver. I swear upon my blade!"
As she finished speaking, Khmara clenched her teeth and fixed Beno with determined eyes, like a pure lotus flower remaining untainted despite being trapped in mud.
… …
Three days later...
Inside Beno's quarters, Beno sat cross-legged on the bed in a meditation position. Khmara sat mermaid-style in front of the bed, her eyes level with his crotch, admiring his impressive manhood.
Yet, she didn't quite know what to do with it. She held it gingerly with her small hand as if it were some fragile glass ornament. She didn't dare pull on it and seemed uncertain where to put it.
After a long while, Beno expelled a heavy breath, and exited from his meditative training.
Khmara Bohdana arched her swan-like neck, looked up at Beno's face, and released a soft sigh.
"You've actually mastered the Empyrean Verdict Blade quite proficiently. There aren't any major issues, and if there are problems, they're with external factors," Khmara said weakly, her face flushed crimson.
"What external factors?" Beno asked as he pulled her up.
After being repeatedly subjected to the Dragon-Tiger Kama Sutra Yin-Yang Great Pleasure Scripture, Khmara had finally surrendered herself to Beno.
To Beno's question, she merely gave a cold snort before obediently saying, "Disciples of our Horizon Dawn, once they reach the mid-stage of First Realm, use our secret method to forge a sword core. We take materials of golden essence, supplemented with various external medicines, for this purpose."
Beno put his legs down and guided her to come closer. Khmara awkwardly moved her feet in small steps, positioning herself over his lap. This time she knew where the hot rod was supposed to go, and aimed awkwardly before straddling down.
After letting out a soft moan, she continued, "All sword techniques in Horizon Dawn require the aid of a sword core to exert their full power. The higher the quality of the sword core, the greater the power of the sword technique."
Thanks to Khmara's explanation, Beno finally understood.
Currently, with his practice of the Empyrean Verdict Blade, he could only split into two sword lights, and the effect was limited to teleportation—while his speed had increased, his attack power remained insufficient.
However, once empowered by a sword core, the number of sword lights Beno could generate would at least double.
At the same time, he could merge his body with the sword core, unleashing astonishing strikes while maneuvering within the sword lights. This would give him a tremendous advantage in combat.
In direct confrontation, Beno would only need to control the sword core, then split sword lights in all directions. When opponents were surrounded by these sword lights, they would essentially be trapped in his web of attacks.
Thereafter, no matter what techniques opponents employed, he could easily evade and counterattack from unexpected angles, keeping them constantly on the defensive. After a few exchanges, the opponent would inevitably expose a fatal weakness—and with one decisive strike at full power, their fate would be sealed.
"That's why we disciples of Horizon Dawn are unrivaled in combat throughout Europe!" Khmara finished her explanation with a proud exclamation.
However, in the next second, as Beno forcefully pulled her up, the pride on her face instantly dissipated, replaced by a crimson flush as she involuntarily let out a soft moan.
Khmara closed her beautiful eyes, silently waiting to be moved up and down the shaft, but instead found that Beno had pushed her aside and stood up. She fidgeted uncomfortably, then opened her eyes. "You devil, you..."
Beno stood up and put on his clothes. "So the difference lies in the sword core, and I've got the forging method. Well, I don't need to fuck you anymore—go and rest."
Khmara stared at him in disbelief.
At their abrupt separation, bewilderment was the only emotion visible on Khmara's face.
Is he joking? It's over just like that?
What about our coupled training?
The next second, she suddenly came to her senses and instinctively clutched the ceremonial sword pendant around her neck. "No, I'm better off this way. I am a disciple of Horizon Dawn after all."
I need to make some money now. Walking out of his quarters, Beno began to contemplate his future.
After purchasing food and furniture, I'm down to just 45 contribution points. With 30 points needed for this month's rent, I'll be forced to move back to the Hall of Harmony next month if I don't earn more.
Within the Red Party, numerous avenues existed for earning contribution points.
These included salaries from various positions within the Party, selling personal possessions, and rewards for completing bounties and Party missions.
But as a 'three-without' disciple—no backing, no assets, and no real power—my options are severely limited. I have no connections to secure Party positions, possess few valuable items, and lack the strength to complete high-value bounties. My only recourse is to accept basic Party missions, working merely to maintain a subsistence lifestyle.
The more Beno contemplated his situation, the more frustrated he became.
I've become a Realm Breaker, and I still have to work a job?