Nexus Of The Mind: Rise Of The Martial Cultivator

After Vexis said that, it was time for them to choose their weapons. Beast hunting, as the name suggests, involves hunting of beasts. It could either be for their core or for honing one's battle skills.

Inside the training room was the weaponry where they are supposed to pick their weapons. Weapons in this world do not actually have ranks but grows as the user grows.

They also adjust according to the strength of the user. For example, Neon is a Mortal Initiate, if he wields a sword and then hands it over to Vexis, the power of the sword will adjust to fit Vexis's rank.

This does not mean weapons could be used for ever as they are limited to particular ranks.

Neon scanned through the weapons over and over again before he finally got one that suits him currently. It was the Frostclaw Gauntlets.

The Frostclaw Gauntlets is pair of silver gauntlets with claws extending from the fingertips, each claw made of enchanted ice that never melts. The gauntlets have frost patterns etched into the metal, which glow faintly in cold environments.

These gauntlets grant the user control over ice and cold. With each strike, the air around the gauntlets freezes, allowing the wearer to create ice constructs or freeze opponents in place.

Neon also choose the Tempest Dagger, a curved dagger with a blade that seems to crackle with static energy. The handle is adorned with small, shimmering jewels that pulse with an electric blue light.

This dagger can summon storms with each strike. When plunged into an enemy, it channels a surge of lightning through their body, paralyzing them with electric shockwaves.

Vexis told them they will have to choose only two weapons, without any shield since they can create basic shields with their Realm.

Neon chose the Frostclaw Gauntlets since he was very good at close combat. He then choose the Tempest Dagger because of the electric attribute it has.

He seems to like lightening. This is because of the power from the storm and the electricity that coursed through him once.

Shalyn proceeded to pick the Soulpiercer,

a long, slender sword with a translucent, ethereal blade that seems to shimmer with a faint, inner glow. The hilt is wrapped in dark leather, with intricate silver engravings running along its length.

It is a weapon forged from the essence of a broken soul, it can slice through both physical and spiritual barriers. The blade absorbs the energy of those it strikes, feeding off their emotions and leaving them disoriented.

She then proceeded to choose the Bloodthorn Whip, a whip made of coiled thorns that glisten with a red sheen. Each thorn is sharp enough to cut through flesh, and the handle is a gnarled piece of obsidian wood.

This weapon is infused with the curse of bloodlust. Each lash of the whip causes the wielder's blood to boil with rage, enhancing their strength at the cost of their own sanity. The whip itself leaves behind a trail of searing pain.

Vexis then took the Obsidian Glaive, a tall polearm with a jagged obsidian blade that radiates a dark, smoky aura. The shaft is wrapped in black leather, and the base is tipped with a spiked steel point.

This weapon channels destructive volcanic power. The obsidian blade can break through armor and stone with ease, and it can unleash fiery bursts of molten energy upon impact.

"I will bring out the other weapon from my Realm when the time comes." Vexis lied. Actually, he had also brought this from his Realm but avoiding any suspicions, he chose to lie.

Neon narrowed his eyes. He's got a feeling about Vexis that was off.

After picking up their weapons, they headed straight for the entrance. After reaching the entrance, the same gate from before appeared again and they passed through it.

---

"This Whispering Hollow sure is scary. I can even hear the sound of my heartbeat." Neon said as he started scanning his surroundings. Shalyn agreed.

"We are going to use a teleportation portal. The last time I went through the woods, I saw a place filled with tier one beasts. Stay close to me." Vexis instructed as he started spiraling his right hand.

Suddenly, a portal opened and they all entered. For you to use a portal as a mechanism for transport, you will have to either buy the portable ones that has limited number of users or you grow strong enough.

Vexis as a seventh rank demon can easily do that and that's why he was able to follow Shalyn.

---

Somewhere in the forest, the same portal opened and the three walked out of it. They were currently standing on what seemed to be like a highland with a cliff. Below it were beasts roaming here and there. There are currently nine beasts in total and they are all tier one beasts.

Although there are different kinds of beasts, they have categories. There are Manifested Beasts.

Beasts that originate directly from the subconscious mind. They are manifestations of emotions, memories, or desires and can be controlled by those with mastery over the Realm.

Primordial Beasts are ancient beings that exist independently in the universe and are believed to predate the cultivation paths. These beasts are incredibly powerful and often possess deep wisdom.

Elemental Beasts are beasts born from the elemental forces within the universe (fire, water, air, earth, lightning, etc.), often used by cultivators to temper their martial techniques.

Nightmare Beasts are manifestations of fears and traumas. They are dangerous because they exploit mental weaknesses.

Hybrid Beasts are fusions of physical animals and subconscious manifestations, combining their natural instincts with mental powers.

The nine beast tiers could also be further classified into four major tiers. The Mortal tier for tier one to three. These are low-level beasts that are commonly encountered. Useful for training purposes.

Ascendant tier for tier four to six. These are beasts that require advanced mastery to control or defeat. They often possess special elemental or mental abilities.

Legendary tier for tier seven and eight. These are beasts with unique powers tied to the deepest layers of the universe. They are rare and often require a special bond to summon or tame.

Mythical tier for tier nine and above. They are unique, one-of-a-kind creatures that embody universal laws or concepts. These beasts are almost godlike.

"These beasts are the Dusk Warden Apes." Vexis spoke first. He then continued, " I will access you to see if you are ready to join the Azure Tide Sect. Normally you should be a Pulse Initiate before you join but it's all about fighting skills."

Neon and Shalyn noded before jumping off the cliff.

The Dusk Warden Ape is a towering ape with glowing eyes and runes etched into its fur.

It creates a protective barrier against mental attacks. It also has a skill called Earth Shatter which combines mental energy with raw strength to cause devastating quakes.

They are protective and intelligent, often sought by factions as an ally.

Immediately when they landed, they caught the attention of the beasts. Neon and Shalyn then stood back- to-back. Neon wearing his Frostclaw Gauntlets and Shalyn holding her Soulpiercer.

Suddenly, two of the beasts lunged, each one focused on Neon and Shalyn respectively.

Neon flared, moving his body through the trees with ease before slamming his fist into the chest of the beast. The beast suddenly withdrew itself avoiding the strike.

Shalyn hunched back, allowing the swipe of the beast to pass through nothingness. After that, she pivoted herself before slashing the Soulpiercer diagonally. It slashed through the chest of the beast, causing blood to spill out.

The beast roared and started beating it's chest. After beating it's chest, it quickly stomped into the ground causing tremors through the land. Shalyn lost her composure and before she could regain it, the fist of the beast connected with her cheek sending her flying.

On the other side, Neon then moved side to side, confusing the beast with each movement before he threw a blow. The blow connected cleanly to the chest of the beast.

It then proceeded to do the same thing as the other one did but this time, Neon was prepared. After falling to the ground from loosing composure, he quickly rolled evading another stomp from the beast.

Shalyn used her Soulpiercer as a support to stand before wiping blood from his lips. "Tsk. Arrogant." She said as she burst forth. The beast then lunged upwards but before it could land, the Soulpiercer pierced through it's chest, coming out of it's back as it knelt and fell to the ground.

"Ladies first." She said as she wiped her forehead. "Don't be too hasty, it's only one down." Neon said as he striked the beast again.

After striking it for sometime without any outcome, he opened his palm and clawed it before swiping it at the beast. As he swiped his hand, there were frost on top of each of the claws.

When the claw made contact with the Dusk Warden Ape, it tore it's flesh. "Finally", he mouthed as he continued with another series of swipes. Someone might think it was easy but he was actually using a martial skill, Jaguar paw, one his father's specifics together with the strength of the weapon before achieving such a feat.

The beast finally fell to the ground. This enraged the seven other beasts.