Whispers of the Blue Haze
Qi circulation efficiency increased due to Founder of a School effect.
I spent the day focused entirely on qi circulation and martial arts training. I pushed past the Conception and Governor Vessels for another full circuit. A bit more insight, and I should be able to manage the Greater Heavenly Circuit. The Lesser Heavenly Circuit still felt distant, though.
Other climbers apparently had a separate Mana stat. My status window showed no stats at all, so I had no way to gauge exactly how much stronger I'd gotten. It felt like starting at a massive disadvantage compared to everyone else.
But the constellations viewed stats pretty pessimistically.
The tower was packed with insane traps. It wasn't mine-sweeping—this shit could shove you to death's door in a heartbeat. And yet, the constellations who tried to help got blocked hard. Annoying as hell.
What was that back then?
A sudden thought hit me. That fixed-nick constellation, Outer God Hunter. The magic he used had pierced the tower's interference and reached me. Once I started sensing qi, it became crystal clear. The spell executed exactly as intended. He even manipulated my notification window. Definitely no ordinary powerhouse.
What the hell was that magic? I was curious about the principle behind it, but he hadn't shown up once since. Seemed friendly, but unknown motives made me wary of reaching out. For now, I decided to put talks with Outer God Hunter on hold. When the time comes, it'll find me like fate.
Another day passed. Or was it? Hard to tell. I slept, but no clock or sunlight meant no clue when to crash or wake. I forced a sleep schedule based on the dwindling timer.
Two days without food now. Pushing my limits. Had to do something before starving worse.
"Might as well be a deserted island."
This cave was just corpses and busted gear. No water, food, light—nothing for survival. I was dealing with insomnia too. Proper sleep in this hell? Fat chance. The blood stench assaulting my nose was just icing.
Decorate your waiting room with points! Beds, furniture, weapon racks. All sorts of items await.
*Note: Cannot use in 0th Floor Temporary Waiting Room.
Reasons to escape the 0th Floor? Plenty, but top one: Ditch this temp waiting room for something livable. Quality of life jumps. If I clear it alive, that is. Rush in and die screaming? Pointless.
I sat in the corner and opened the Constellation Gallery. An eye-catching title jumped out.
Most posts were rambling nonsense. Just chit-chat in a playspace for 100 folks—only the talkers stood out. Plenty of constellations clueless about the martial world. Fixed-nicks often vanished when newbies flooded in.
To learn otherworldly powers, I'd need to bait more threads. By now, I was comfy navigating the Constellation Gallery. My posting sped up, and blending in naturally helped. Lately, talk about me spiked—prime info source. I'd sifted most from Madness Gallery dead logs, so every constellation quip was gold.
Martial arts were way trickier than expected. Side effects from botching them were no joke. Might need to ponder if mixing with magic causes issues.
Updates on Cheonma popped up too. Grateful for the goodwill, but hoped she wasn't overdoing it. I replied to her post.
I stood where I'd first practiced spear, thrusting with one hand. The blade's heavy weight traveled up my arm through my body.
"Not bad."
Spear tip barely wobbled now. Thanks to Reverse Muscle Rejuvenation Scripture. My flabby 21st-century body was slowly morphing into a warrior's. Long way to go, but hope flickered.
Inner power flowed from my dantian through meridians. Still couldn't infuse qi into weapons. OP trait or not, just two days in. Third-rate warriors just form dantian; even peak novices barely manage sword qi. Road ahead.
So... I eyed the blue mist clinging to my spear.
What the hell is this?
No answers solo, so gallery post.
Constellations clueless too. Flashed back to that first constellation's magic—giant tree, ten somethings. Magical execution impossible, but perceiving it affected my martial arts?
Climbing soon anyway. Effects? Watch and see.
"Hope family's hanging in there."
Worried about home now. No contact yet—post-0th Floor. From 1st Floor, whole-gallery posts; contact gov via 70F climbers. Mostly ignored, obvs. Gov ever hustle? Tower changed zilch.
Still, gotta push. 12 days 'til death. Blitz needs goblin familiarity. Waking to ceiling corpses? Routine now. Almost nod hello. One-sided, sure.
Body peak—tower's "optimal condition" meant blisters from Six Harmonies Spear or torn palms healed fast. No pain tolerance trait, though. Traits needed achievement conditions, game-style.
Wondered about external training—asked constellations. Surprising reply.
SHAOLIN's external arts? Meh in tower, esp Madness. Reminder: tower wrecked martial world.
Survive? Power up, no holds barred.
Eyed my spear. Same old. Could this fell a boss?
Stick to proven tools, esp weapons. Quality gear makes a difference—high-floorers proved it.
But points-hungry. Kills give points. No climb, no progress.
Stood before the gate. Ominous red. Beyond: pure malice.
But.
Flight ain't the answer.
To survive, I advance.
Stepped forward.
0th Floor Strategy Day 1. Let's roll.