Epic Of Caterpillar

Chapter 2864 - 2865: Training And Cultivating

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Kireinaʼs grueling training began with a burst of raw energy as she clashed with Wasp. She held back, using only a fraction of her power, testing his strength.

It was a grave mistake.

BAAM! BAAM! BAAM! BAAM!

Waspʼs insectoid claws hammered her body, shattering her barriers and aura in an instant. They disrupted her martial techniques and twisted her Heart Essence before she could land a single blow.

A final, crushing punch to her stomach hurled her into a nearby mountain.

BOOOM!

”Ugh...”

Wasp streaked toward her on buzzing wings, his gaze burning with fury.

”Who do you think youʼre toying with? The power I sealed has fused with your Martial Arts and Heart Essence. Did you believe I wouldnʼt notice? Show me your true strength. I can no longer suppress it, so make it worth the effort.”

”...Fine.”

Kireina rose, power flooding through her. Her long purple ponytail unfurled, expanding wildly as her aura flared into a vast cosmic nebula.

Immense quantities of energy distorted the air around her, warping reality itself.

Waspʼs eyes widened, a thrilled smile breaking across his face.

”Thatʼs it...! A Star-Shattering Heart Tribe...!” he whispered in awe. ”I suspected you had the potential, but this? It should be impossible. To reach this stage demands thousands of years of relentless struggle, yet youʼre a young woman born into privilege, spoiled her entire life!”

”Itʼs complicated,” Kireina replied with a gentle smile. ”At some point, memories of my past lives returned. In every one, I fought until my final breath. I endured lifetimes of misfortune until this existence finally granted me happiness with Dad and everyone else...”

”You remembered your past lives?!” Wasp gasped. ”Only a Bodhisattva who has ascended through Repentant Enlightenment can achieve that! Does your father know?”

”I believe he does. Thatʼs why he accepted my choice. He respects me more now that we stand nearly as equals,” Kireina said, her smile softening.

”Equals?” Wasp scoffed. ”Your father draws from mysterious origins beyond the Heart Path, Heaven, or Earth. You are nowhere near his level.”

”Is that true?” Kireina murmured thoughtfully. ”Then I must grow even stronger. Help me, Wasp. Can you handle me now?”

”Heh, donʼt insult me,” he laughed. ”Though I linger at the Domain Integration Realm in the Heart Path, I once reached the Star Shattering Realm through both Heaven and Earth Paths!”

”Heaven and Earth...” Kireina breathed. ”The paths I still lack. Is that why youʼre so impossibly strong, Wasp? You cultivate all three?”

”Iʼve lived a life steeped in suffering and endless battle,” he said grimly. ”I fought for survival since I was three. The Spirit Domains of my birth were invaded by greedy cultivators from the Eastern Heavenly Realms. They slaughtered my village and refined my mother, father, and siblings into pills before my eyes. By sheer luck I escaped, hunted ever since, sinking deeper into madness. That is who I am, young lady. Every Heart Path cultivator is forged in pain and torment. Show me how your suffering surpasses mine. Because right now, I find it hard to believe.”

”I see...” Kireinaʼs smile turned bitter as sorrow filled her for his loss. ”Iʼm truly sorry. When the time comes, weʼll return to Asia and crush those who harmed your family.”

”I already did,” Wasp replied coldly, startling her. ”No need for pity. This power existed for that sole purpose. Now, let us begin.”

His Manifestation surged forth, merging with the fused might of Heaven and Earth Paths. White and golden light wove through it, transforming his insectoid shape into a towering golden insect deity with flowing red hair, piercing crimson eyes, countless arms, and dozens of radiant weapons.

”Um, Wasp, is this part of the training?” Kireina asked, oppressed by the overwhelming pressure.

”Yes. Prepare yourself. This is your first lesson,” he declared, charging forward.

Kireina unleashed her full power in response, summoning her own Manifestations to meet him. At first she struggled to discern the nature of his golden form and arsenal.

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

Wasp showed no mercy, unleashing swift, devastating strikes that rent the heavens and fractured the earth below. His entire Domain shuddered violently under the onslaught.

Kireina was far from weak. She dodged with swift grace, countered with powerful kicks, and summoned both Demon and Holy Swords to clash against him, meeting his fury with her unique Martial Arts.

Her garden of roses bloomed into existence, the crimson moon eclipsing alongside the black star of misfortune. In contrast, Waspʼs domain unfolded as desolate mountains beneath a blood-red sunset, the air thick with the scent of iron and death.

Each domain embodied their deepest paths to power. For Wasp, that sunset etched the memory of the day he lost everything, forever carved into his strength.

Mountains trembled and rose one after another, surging toward Kireina like colossal fists.

Petals of crimson surged in response, slashing and shattering the peaks.

Waspʼs arsenal unfolded—swords, axes, lances, halberds, and countless others—striking with a storm of techniques.

Kireina answered with her own martial arts, splitting the nine heavens of his domain and pressing him back with overwhelming force.

Wasp channeled Heaven and Earth. His Heaven Path Cultivation ignited, bathing his body in cosmic light as feathered wings manifested, layering upon one another to gather immense power.

At twelve wings, he unleashed an attack beyond his realm, utterly shattering Kireinaʼs techniques and aura, hurling her downward in a devastating plunge.

His Earth Path Cultivation shifted the tide differently, focusing on speed. Emerald winds and storms coiled around him, granting blinding velocity as he struck with both swiftness and raw might.

Kireina held nothing back, pouring her history, soul, and very life into every swing.

Wasp matched her completely. The two clashed like gods on the verge of shattering the entire dimension.

Their battle raged for three days and three nights, neither willing to yield.

In the end, however, Kireina could no longer keep pace and fell in defeat.

”Ahaha... I gave everything I had...” Kireina smiled faintly, a quiet glow in her eyes. She had not fought with such intensity in ages.

Even in loss, she felt her Heart Path Cultivation stir and advance.

”Not bad,” Wasp said, his voice carrying grudging respect. ”Now, let us begin the real training. Sit.”

”Yes.” Kireina no longer needed healing; her own Aura restored her as she settled down to learn from him.

”Let us start. The Thousand Soul Flame Furnace Refinement Art is a technique you can only practice after mastering Martial Arts to the Fifth Stage. At that level, something within you awakens, correct?” he asked.

”Eh? Ah, yes!” Kireina had sensed it before but brushed it aside. Deep within her Body and Soul—in what was known as the Spirit Body, the vessel of all spiritual forces—five roots intertwined, each glowing with a distinct light.

”That is the Five Elemental Spiritual Roots,” he confirmed. ”They embody the Five Elements: Fire, Wood, Metal, Water, and Earth.”

”I understand...” Kireina nodded, anticipation rising.

”These roots allow you to truly cultivate the Heaven or Earth Paths. The Thousand Soul Flame Furnace Refinement Art is a Heaven Path Soul Cultivation Method that also strengthens the Body,” he explained. ”That is why it is unmatched. Now sit properly and listen carefully.”

Thus, the true lessons began.

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