“Not bad. This is how combat should be; even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit!” A magnetic voice rang out as the beautiful Big Nana descended from the sky.
Zhang Ye scratched his head.
After a month, his eyebrows and flowing black hair had finally grown back.
He grinned and said, “That wasn't even my full strength yet.”
Leona chuckled upon hearing this. “I know. By ‘full strength,’ you mean the limit of what your opponent can withstand, not your own actual limit. After all, one must always keep a trump card in reserve.”
Zhang Ye nodded.
In just one month, his cultivation had reached the late stage of Tier Seven, and his physical constitution had reached the mid stage of Tier Eight. It was a massive improvement!
Furthermore, [Copy and Analyze] could now analyze spells up to four tiers above his own!
Over the past month, he had stolen—er, analyzed—many spells from Leona and various magical beasts. He had analyzed over a hundred Tier Seven spells and was nearly finished with many Tier Eight spells, with only a few days of analysis time remaining. He also had a huge backlog of unfinished Tier Nine, Tier Ten, and even Saint-tier spells...
In short, he had a lot!
As for Combat Techniques, Zhang Ye had mastered everything he could to the fullest extent. His combat skills had also seen significant growth through Leona’s rigorous training and his actual battles with magical beasts.
His spell control, mana control, and mental strength control had all improved by leaps and bounds over the month!
Through [Magic Innovation], he had also concocted various mysterious and powerful spells.
His combat power had exploded!
One of the most obvious signs was that during his sparring sessions with Leona, Zhang Ye was now actually able to trade blows with her. He was no longer like he was a month ago, unable to even touch the corner of her clothes.
It was no exaggeration to say that the current Zhang Ye was confident he could defeat a hundred versions of his past self!
He was powerful enough to blow things up, wasn't he?
What Zhang Ye was most proud of, however, was the change in himself.
To train his combat skills and physical coordination, Leona had also made him do flexibility training, stretching his ligaments until he howled in pain.
Now, he could proudly and boastfully say—he could do the splits!
Wasn't that impressive?
He was feeling pretty good about himself!
He puffed out his chest and rested his hands on his hips for a moment.
“It’s about time to set off,” Leona suddenly said.
Zhang Ye was stunned for a moment, then asked excitedly, “Are we going to the magic academy?!”
Ever since arriving in this world, he had been stuck in the Myriad Beasts Forest, with Leona being the only person he had interacted with. He was dying to experience the wonders of this other world.
Leona smiled and nodded.
“But before that, we need to make a trip to the Lionheart Empire.”
“What kind of place is the Lionheart Empire?” Zhang Ye asked curiously.
“The royal city of the Lionheart Empire is the seat of the Salomon Flame Lion family—my home,” Leona explained with a smile. “I need to get you a proper outfit. You don't really plan on attending the admissions test wearing that skirt, do you?”
Zhang Ye looked down at his proud little grass skirt and gave a sheepish grin.
Cross-dressing... was fine if it was just for Big Nana, but in public, he really didn't have the face for it.
He then looked excited again. “Are we going to meet the parents?”
“Parents?” Leona was taken aback, but she quickly grasped the meaning of the words. She rolled her eyes and said, “Of course not. I haven't been home in a year, so I’m just making a quick visit.”
“Can I go?” Zhang Ye asked.
“No,” Leona shook her head.
“Eh, why?” Zhang Ye inquired.
“If the old man found out a little Tier Seven kid wanted to be my man, he’d tear you apart on the spot. Believe me?” Leona teased.
Zhang Ye argued, “Then you can tell him about my talent! I’m sure a talent like mine would have no problem being his son-in-law, right?”
“There’s no problem with that, but are you sure?” Leona’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. “Your talent is unique, and you can even copy other people's magic and magical beasts' abilities. You’re likely the only one in the entire world.”
“If word of someone like you got out, every major power would scramble to snatch you up. And what do you think happens to the powers that can't have you?”
Zhang Ye swallowed hard. “If they can't have me, they’ll destroy me...”
Leona smiled. “It seems you understand. Moreover, my family would likely be dragged into it as well. The more people who know, the greater the risk. So, to be safe, you must not reveal your talent or abilities. You can't even tell my father; it’s best to keep it to yourself.”
“After all, the old man loves his drink, and he’ll say anything once he’s drunk.”
“So, once you’ve grown strong enough, I’ll take you to meet him.”
Zhang Ye nodded solemnly. “Alright!”
Leona continued, “On this trip to the Lionheart Royal City, I can also show you the grandeur of the empire.”
Zhang Ye was beyond excited. “When do we leave?!”
“What’s the rush? We’ll leave after lunch.”
“Okay!”
For lunch, they had [Boiled Torrent Magic Fish] and [Roasted Two-headed Giant Chicken].
As for the Earth-splitting Tiger... the tiger whip soup was too pungent, so Leona ultimately decided against making it. Zhang Ye could only dismantle the tiger and use its parts as materials.
Each of them held a massive chicken leg and gnawed on it, occasionally slurping down the delicious fish soup before letting out a satisfied sigh.
“By the way, take this.” Leona suddenly tossed a ring over.
Zhang Ye was stunned for a moment, then slid the ring onto his ring finger with a bashful expression. “I do...”
Leona: “...”
Leona had learned to ignore Zhang Ye’s antics, though she still occasionally felt the urge to give him a flick to the forehead.
“This is a high-grade space ring. All the magic cores from the magical beasts I’ve hunted lately are inside. It should be enough for you to eat,” Leona said.
Leona hadn't been idle either. After training Zhang Ye, she would dive into the depths of the forest. Zhang Ye had guessed she was hunting magical beasts.
However, he hadn't expected her to be collecting magic cores for him.
Zhang Ye’s cultivation involved not just meditation but also consuming magic cores. Ordinary people wouldn't do this, as they mostly used magic cores for crafting equipment or medicine; directly absorbing them wasn't very efficient, and it was faster to absorb magic crystals instead.
But Zhang Ye’s [Devour] didn't have that problem—his absorption rate was maxed out!
Zhang Ye was moved. “Big Nana, you’re so good to me!”
Leona laughed heartily. “You’re my savior and my first student. If I’m not good to you, who would I be good to?”
“Alright, stop being so sentimental and bind it with a drop of blood.”
“Got it!” Zhang Ye gave a brilliant smile and put his finger in his mouth, but he hesitated to bite down.
“What’s wrong?” Leona asked.
Zhang Ye swallowed hard. “It hurts! I’m kind of afraid of pain. Is there a way to get blood without it hurting?”
Leona: “...”
Leona was speechless.
This kid could laugh while ten of his ribs were broken, yet now he was acting like it was the end of the world over biting his finger.
Without a word, Leona grabbed his finger, put it in her own mouth, and pressed it against her canine tooth. It bled.
Leona said, “How does that hurt? It doesn't hurt at all.”
Zhang Ye replied, “That’s my finger, of course it doesn't hurt you...”
He quickly dripped the blood onto the ring and then sucked on his finger to stop the bleeding.
Seeing him with his finger in his mouth, Leona couldn't help but ruffle his hair again. “You’re like a little kid...”
She then added, “A bald head really does feel better to touch.”
Zhang Ye: “...”
“Should I just shave it all off again?” Zhang Ye asked.
Leona shook her head. “No need. You look good like this.”
Once the space ring was bound, Zhang Ye checked its contents. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Leona.
The magic cores in the space ring were piled as high as a small mountain!
By a rough estimate, there were thousands of them, and every single one was at least Tier Five!
Tier Five magic cores didn't help Zhang Ye’s cultivation much now, but they could be eaten like candy!
Not only that, there were also many glowing plants that looked incredibly impressive—they were likely the legendary spiritual materials!
Zhang Ye was so moved his eyes turned red. “Big Nana, can I give you a kiss?”
Leona punched him lightly. “Stop trying to take advantage of me.”
After eating and drinking their fill, they set off!
With a wave of Leona’s hand, a small boat appeared floating in the air.
Zhang Ye’s eyes lit up as he asked, “What’s this?”
“A passenger magic device—a Manapowered Skiff. Injecting a certain amount of mana allows it to maintain long-distance flight,” Leona explained, then led Zhang Ye onto the skiff.
The mana core in the skiff’s engine room had been removed by Leona earlier to serve as a mana supply, but as long as mana was injected, it could still fly. It was much more efficient than using one's own mana to fly directly.
“This is way too cool...” Zhang Ye said as he stroked the skiff’s jade-like hull.
The skiff was ten meters long and streamlined. It was crafted entirely from an unknown jade-like material, pure white with gold trim. It was covered in magic lines and runes that emitted a ghostly blue glow as mana was injected. It was stunning—way cooler than a Lamborghini on Earth!
“If you like it, I’ll give it to you. It’s not worth much anyway,” Leona said with a smile.
Zhang Ye was stunned. “‘Not worth much’... exactly how much is it worth?”
“Only several million gold.”
“‘Not worth much.’”
Though he didn't know the purchasing power of the currency in this world, a figure in the millions certainly wasn't small.
“Rich lady, want to be my sugar mommy?” Zhang Ye couldn't help but ask.
Leona flicked his forehead. “Sit tight. We’re going to be traveling at full speed. If you fall out, I won't bother saving you.”
“Got it!” Zhang Ye immediately ducked into the skiff’s cabin with Leona.
Under Leona’s control, the skiff rapidly ascended. Then, the propulsion magic circles at the rear flashed, and the skiff began to accelerate, soon surpassing the speed of a passenger plane on Earth.
Zhang Ye pressed his face against the window, looking out with excitement. “Wow... blegh!”
Leona looked back at him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I’m just a bit... blegh... motion sick...” Zhang Ye waved her off, still excitedly staring out the window while dry-heaving.
“This is so beauti... blegh... ful!”
“The mountains below are so big... blegh!”
“They must be... blegh... over ten thousand meters high... blegh!”
Leona couldn't take it anymore. “Stop talking and lie down.”
As she spoke, she tapped her finger, and the seat Zhang Ye was in immediately transformed into a bed. Simultaneously, a magic circle appeared. Zhang Ye felt his mind relax, and the feeling of nausea faded significantly. Gradually, he drifted off into dreamland.
“Gujiu...” Gujiu also hopped over to Zhang Ye’s face, snuggling against his chin as it fell asleep.
Watching this scene, the corners of Leona’s mouth inadvertently curled upward.
It felt very heartwarming.
...
...
Rate on N.U.
