[Low-rank Body Tempering Liquid] - [X3]
[Jade Cultivation Mat] - [X4]
The first was self-explanatory. However, the second was a mat capable of increasing the cultivation speed of the one sitting above it. From the item's description, it would increase Nylon's cultivation speed by two and a half times what it was. For him, who was lacking in cultivation, this was exactly what he needed.
Nylon multiplied the Low-grade Body Tempering Liquid and Jade Cultivation Mats. He stored the excess mats in his Inventory but kept out the Body Tempering Liquid potions.
*Gulp!*
Without a moment of hesitation, Nylon slurped up the contents of the potions. They were of far higher quality than the stuff he was used to and would surely send his Body Cultivation skyrocketing.
Some time later, Nylon's thoughts turned out to be right.
Gradually, the hidden layer of his skin went from its light brown shade to a darker brown. It was fortified time and time again, its defensive properties soaring through the roof.
Following this change in Nylon's skin was a connected change in the muscles scattered throughout his body. This change caused his muscles to contract and relax while being tempered by the magical elements of the Body Tempering Liquid.
At the end of a lengthy metamorphic process, Nylon's skin and muscles had been completely transformed. They were now an almost golden shade of brown and were able to match the defensive and offensive attributes of an average Energy Cultivator in the Peak Adamance Plane.
Early-stage Bronze Body!
"Body and Energy cultivation are very similar in the early stages," Nylon mused. "The goal is to temper or refine your physical body, with the only real difference between the two being whether you refine the body with Spiritual Energy or more direct tempering. There's also a difference in talent and difficulty between them, as the Body Path is notoriously known for its difficulty but also for its ease of practice."
The Energy Path was also difficult, but as long as you had the resources and talent, progressing through the Awakening Realm wasn't hard.
"I rushed the beginning of my Energy Cultivation journey, for I started cultivating without a proper Cultivation Technique. This will likely lead to me restarting my cultivation in the future for a better foundation."
If only the Cultivation Techniques he had in New Dawn could be used in the real world…
It didn't take long for Nylon to quit lamenting. He then took out one of the Jade Cultivation Mats, placed it down on the ground, and commenced a cultivation session using the Spirit Stones he amassed over the last week.
His Goal: The 5th Plane, Juggernaut!
— 2 days later —
Nylon was a bit surprised that no one stopped by to question him for his absence from the Mines. But from Warden Anna, he learned of the weariness that the Wardens had for him. Knowing this, they probably didn't bother him out of the fear of potential retaliation by his so-called 'Master.'
Nylon didn't care to clear up this misunderstanding. People would believe what they wanted, no matter what he did or said.
"The Juggernaut Plane," muttered Nylon, his eyes closed and his Spirit focused. "The breakthrough is…"
"...here!"
OOOM!
The energies in the atmosphere entered a frenzied state. They charged toward Nylon with unlimited ferocity, refining his body whether he wanted them to or not.
After a few minutes, though, the energies halted and returned to their original flow in the air. As for why they did this…
5th Plane of Awakening, Juggernaut – Achieved!
Nylon's physical body was now as hard and tough as iron. Most mortal weapons could no longer pierce through his skin, with even magic weapons destined to struggle when faced with his Energy and Body Paths together.
"So this is the Juggernaut Plane," Nylon said to himself, quickly realizing that something was protruding from his back. "These are…"
The Wings of Inferno.
The |Infernal Sword| Spirit had a total of three Evolutionary Stages. The first was the basic greatsword. The third was the full-body armor set. And then the second, activated at the 5th Plane, were the… Wings of Inferno.
With these wings, although he couldn't yet fly, Nylon could hover off the ground and even glide!
The wings themselves only had a wingspan of a few feet and were nothing compared to the heavenly wings of his New Dawn self, but they'd have to do for now.
"Hovering and gliding is mostly useless, but these Wings of Inferno also have attack and, more importantly, agility capabilities," Nylon said keenly, flapping his flaming wings as if they were an additional limb he'd always had. He also made use of their offensive aspects, shooting out fire spikes with subtle movements.
The fire spikes could badly injure or even kill a Juggernaut Plane cultivator under the right circumstances. As for Adamance and below Plane cultivators, they could be slaughtered en masse.
With his cultivation settled for now, Nylon stored his Jade Cultivation Mat and left his personal cabin. It didn't take long for Warden Anna to spot him, upon which she immediately noticed a difference in his bearings.
"You sneaky little dog, you know cultivating beyond the Enhancement Plane is prohibited among Slaves, don't you~?" she teased him while roaming his muscular body with her delicate hands. "What a naughty, naughty slave you are~"
"...I have no clue what you're talking about."
The key to survival—the most vital thing of all—was the unwavering ability to deny. If you were accused of doing something you weren't supposed to, deny with your whole heart and continue to do so until the other party concedes.
This was exactly what Nylon did for the next incense stick's worth of time.