Sighing, I stopped reading. My Grabbing Shallow technique could lift 10 kg for now, consuming about 10 percent of my Qi. I can't rely on just one combat technique; should I ask the Empress for access to the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion?
I sighed. I'd try my luck later. Standing up, I finished my work; the Divine Apple remained on my desk—for next time.
While cleaning, I sensed something other than Qi. Qi is pure energy, but this was…different.
I tried absorbing it, but my Qi rejected it. I split my Qi in half, feeling my strength drain, then tried again.
I spat a lot of blood, my face paling. I sat in the hallway corner, assuming the lotus position.
After over an hour, the two energies finally calmed. My body felt the same, but with newfound energy.
I channeled this energy into my cleaning broom. A thin blue aura emanated, and I smiled. I laughed crazily in the hallway, causing some maids to think I was a lunatic.
I'd acquired mana! But how? It's a blessing and a curse: my cultivation progress will be halved, but I can now imbue weapons with mana—something Qi can't do directly.
That's why cultivators value strong weapons. I could combine my Grabbing Shallow technique with mana, making it stronger.
I imagined myself, an immortal, wielding a floating sword, slaying demons with a single sweep. The smugness was palpable.
I took deep breaths. I'm still in Qi Gathering; calm down. I tried imbuing the broom with mana again, making it move; a few tries exhausted my Qi and mana.
My mana and Qi are still low. Yawning, I realized I need to cultivate faster. Mana training will be difficult.
My mana is about one-star, but my Qi is enough to defeat a two-star opponent, though I'd be severely injured. My Qi isn't halved; it's denser now because the other half is mana.
This is dangerous; my stomach might explode. I need to eat the Divine Fruit to strengthen my body.
Walking back to my room, I saw Clara—blonde hair, golden eyes, tall, mature, and in knight's clothing. One of the fallen heroines, destined to die in the demon invasion.
I greeted her, "Elder, may I have a moment of your time?"
She stared; a one-star knight, unusual as most are cultivators.
She nodded. Her voice was charming and sweet, not cold, but curious.
I smiled, "Will you be my mentor? You're the strongest knight here."
She nodded, smiled strangely, and licked her lips. Why not beat this kid up a bit? she thought.
A chill ran down my spine. She said, "Sure, if you can hit me once."
I forced a smile. "Isn't that excessive? I'm only one-star."
My Qi and mana were exhausted from my broom experiment. I suppress my Qi with mana, but only for a few hours.
Before I could mention my exhaustion, she punched me in the gut.
"What the—?!" I flew several meters, hitting the wall.
She smiled, a hint of pleasure in her eyes. Beating him is satisfying. "Don't worry, I'll hold back."
"What was that?!" I spat blood, kneeling, my face paler than ever.
Slightly disappointed, she asked, "Are you in bad shape?" Her voice was sweet, but tinged with disappointment.
This sadist… I nodded. "Yes, perhaps we can continue tomorrow?" My voice was weak.
Disappointed, she sighed and nodded. "Fine. If you don't come to the training grounds tomorrow, forget about me being your mentor."
I nodded, smiling, and wiped the blood. Damn, I lost a lot of blood. Two days to recover, at least.
She left, giving me a low-grade healing pill—a small green ball. It'll help, but not much. Good thing I have the Divine Fruit.
Getting back to my room was difficult; my injured body slowed me. My goosebumps arose as I sat—Clara's look of pleasure while beating me continues to make me shudder.