The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

As soon as they arrived in the valley, they were greeted by a lush yet formidable landscape. Powerful energies filled the air around them.

"What is this place?" Fruity asked.

"This used to belong to the Blue Feather Hawk Demons, but I wiped them out and repurposed them for your training. It contains powerful treasures, thanks to those demons' obsession with collecting anything rare and powerful," Yuying replied.

"I'm guessing you learned that from my previous self too." Hearing how she casually referred to mass genocide as if it were nothing, Fruity just smiled. He knew he would soon be committing similar atrocities—he had already started—but the teachings of the monks seemed to keep a part of his sanity in check.

Yuying smiled and waved her hand, bringing them to a stop in front of a pond-like structure filled with a powerful kind of water.

"This is Bone and Meridian Cleansing Essence. By tempering your body inside it, your bones will be cleansed, making them much stronger, and your meridians will also be cleansed, making it easier to channel your energies," Yuying explained, and Fruity nodded.

They moved again and stopped in front of a cave-like abode. "This is the Hunting Cave. The deeper you go, the more pressure and pain you will feel in your mind. If you manage to endure, your mind will become stronger than ever."

"How deep does it go?" Fruity asked.

"It's about 12 kilometers deep, but you don't have to go all the way. I only managed to reach 4 kilometers, so you can take it slowly at first," Yuying said, and Fruity nodded.

They moved again, stopping at the base of a small mountain with stairs winding up its side to the peak.

"I call it Gravity Mountain. As the name suggests, as you climb those stairs, your body will be under constant pressure, which, theoretically, should improve your body's tempering.

"Of course, the current you wouldn't be able to climb even two steps because you're still just a Qi cultivator, but after going through all the body tempering processes I've prepared, you'll become much stronger before taking on this challenge."

Fruity nodded, and they moved to examine all the other resources Yuying had gathered over the years. In the end, Fruity was left with only one question on his mind: Just how many races of demon monsters has she decimated for these resources? But he sighed and moved on to the last location, about 20 miles away from where they currently stood.

"Master, I know you don't remember yet, but you're someone who loves to fight—a lot. So even though you're just a Mage now, I've prepared hundreds of techniques and skills for you. This will help you learn combat techniques.

I have served you for three generations now, so I'm confident that once you remember your past, you won't be angry at me for not doing more. But even if you are, I'll willingly accept my punishment without complaint," Yuying said, trying to hide the amusement on her face.

"Don't worry, Yuying, you've already outdone yourself. I'm sure only an idiot would be displeased with you," Fruity said, looking at the space containing various types of weapons, techniques, and training equipment.

"Thank you, Master," Yuying smiled.

"Since you've awakened this time as a Mage, you'll be training to become a Combat Mage. This means that aside from using just the staff to activate skills and techniques, you'll also be engaging in close combat with it.

Of course, if you're anything like your past reincarnations, you'll probably choose more than one weapon. But for now, you can pick the techniques you want and the weapons you'll be using."

Fruity didn't want to protest how Yuying kept comparing him to his past selves, but hearing it was starting to eat away at his self-confidence. From her tone, it was clear that Yuying missed his past self. He knew it wasn't his fault though—he had been living with monks who preferred peace above all else.

They weren't exactly the type to go to great lengths to secure all kinds of resources for him. The little they had, they gave to him, but it clearly wasn't enough.

He could only sigh and then move ahead to review the techniques she had prepared for him. From shelf to shelf, different kinds of techniques could be seen.

Of course, he might not rival his past selves, but he had a sharp mind. So, he did what he had done back in the Soul Temple—he scanned the techniques, not by reading, but by simply watching for a few seconds, allowing them to imprint themselves in his mind.

After an hour, he was done learning all the techniques and went ahead to pick one meant for spears and staff. Since he would be using the staff for skill activation, fighting with it seemed like a good idea.

He could already visualize how to train it—his brain was like a computer in that regard. All he had to do now was practice, and he would be able to flawlessly wield the staff in combat. The techniques all contained battle styles one could rely on to master their preferred weapon.

"I'll go with the Ten Thousand Demon Beating Staff technique for now, while I think about the next weapon to choose," Fruity said as he walked away from the techniques section.

"Master, aren't you going to take the technique?" Yuying asked, puzzled.

"No, I've already learned it," Fruity replied with a smile, watching her expression. He knew that he had finally shown something that neither of his past incarnations possessed. That realization was comforting, as he had expected.

"Does that mean you..." Yuying began to ask.

"Yes, I've learned all the techniques. Now, all that's left is to pick up the weapon and practice," Fruity answered, still smiling.

"Interesting. Once you become a Great Sage, we can head to the Chaotic Region and learn all the techniques there. I'm sure, with just an hour, you'll be able to learn everything," Yuying said before waving her hand, and as Fruity expected, they were transported to a new place.

"This will be your resting place for the time you spend here." Fruity and Yuying appeared at a location with a building built into a mountain. All around, the place looked like paradise.

There were various kinds of fruits and other food items that Fruity immediately fell in love with. He had become the type of person who wouldn't complain the moment he saw food. The last thing he wanted was to grumble about something he loved with his entire soul.

"You can rest for the next few days before your training begins. I'll be away for a few days, but when I return, we'll start your training," Yuying said, and Fruity nodded.

Finally, this was the "rich kid" treatment he had envisioned back when he and his uncle Monk were in Hammond City. He had seen the luxurious lives most of the youngsters there, who were also there to awaken their classes, were living.

He had asked his uncle about their situation, but all his uncle said was, that as long as Fruity had food and a place to live, he wasn't poor. Fruity, of course, didn't believe him—not even slightly. So, seeing this step up from his life back at the monastery, he was more than happy to spend the next few days relaxing.

Of course, he still had his priorities straight. For seven days, he relaxed and calmed his thoughts. On the eighth day, when Yuying returned from wherever she had gone, they began his training, which would last for the next five years.

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