Silver Fox & The Western Hero: Warrior Redeemed: A LitRPG/Wuxian Novel - Book 5

by M. H. Johnson

  Or setting up countless naive idealists for the bitterest of lessons.

  Alex couldn’t help but wonder if this school might be as much a crucible as Dragon Academy was.

  If so, he would be prepared.

  He raised his hand. “So, if one can’t make it up to even the first plateau, death is one’s only reward, right?”

  The elder nodded. “That is correct.” He turned his gaze to meet the supplicants’ wide-eyed stares. “Should you stumble even one step back, your trial will increase in difficulty. Should you stumble more than a handful of steps back, you cannot help but crash and fall to the plateau you had last ascended to. Had you made it to no plateau at all...” He gazed solemnly at the massive crevice before them. “Into this rift you will tumble and fall, crashing into roaring rapids thousands of feet below, never to be heard from again.”

  “Is there any penalty for helping a fellow supplicant? Steadying them if they stumble, for example?”

  The elder’s intent gaze locked with Alex’s own.

  Alex could feel the man’s powerful aura. Deepest Silver.

  Just a half step away from Gold.

  “There is indeed a steep cost for interfering with any other would-be disciple’s assent, for good or ill. The loss of one full Rank upon those steps.”

  Everyone froze at those words.

  “So, even if someone was in trouble and you wanted to help them...” The girl who had spoken before softly said.

  “You would have to achieve the second tier of a Low Disciple just to survive as a servant, should your hand be what pulls them to safety,” said the silver-haired cultivator, words hard and cold. “It is a bitter price to pay. So, make sure you’re willing to pay the cost before you risk your life for another. Of course, the friendship you would forge, saving the life of someone in desperate peril, could well last a lifetime and be far more precious than gold. That being said, it is up to you to judge the character and worth of any man or woman you would rescue. Because you’re certainly the one paying the price.”

  Then the cultivator’s words radiated an icy chill that sent shivers through all of them. “Of course, none of us are fools. There are always some that would happily send another tumbling down the stairs to get ahead. Perhaps lowering their starting rank, perhaps killing them altogether. And here is where I will warn even the most aristocratic among you that there will always be consequences for your actions. It is up to you to determine whether or not momentary ire felt for someone you consider your inferior is worth the price you yourself will be forced to pay.”

  He then flashed a bleak smile. “But of course, particulars are important when peril is so close at hand, and I expect you all to strive boldly up those steps. So, let me be clear. You need not worry about penalties for any jostle or blow that does not knock your fellow supplicants down one or more steps, nor any aid that merely steadies a fellow supplicant’s balance on the step he’s on. But should your fists be what sends one or more of your fellows stumbling down those steps, or your grip be what aids others in achieving the next plateau, even if it was only a single step forward, the penalty for you is the same. The loss of one full rank.”

  Alex nodded. The latter had been the heart of his question. What penalty would be invoked if arrogant nobles sought his death or downfall, as they had countless times before. And much to Alex’s surprise, it seemed that there would be a price to pay. The loss of one full starting rank, and Alex still wasn’t sure how significant that was. But, considering that stopping at the first plateau led to life-long servitude, albeit with a certain measure of respect, obviously the ranks mattered. Yet somehow, the elder had avoided answering the question in any great detail. So, it was only the ephemeral hope of better privileges, or perhaps less menial labor, that would compel them. And Alex thought he understood why the master had said so little on the rewards of increased starting rank.

  All the drive and passion to excel had to come fully from within.

  But most importantly, even with that warning given, it was quite clear as well that anyone was permitted to knock anyone else off the golden stairs ascending to the heavens, so long as they were willing to pay the price.

  “Any further questions, supplicants?”

  Breathless silence filled the air.

  With a final solemn glance, the elder touched the bridge, which suddenly lit up with a brilliant golden flame.

  “Then cross, all who would dare to enter Royal Phoenix Academy!”

  With those words, the silver haired cultivator backed away and twenty-one supplicants eagerly raced across the bridge and began their ascent up those golden steps winding around the magnificent mountain, eager to begin their ascent as cultivators and embrace whatever mysteries, adventures, and rewards they’d find within the mysterious academy just a few thousand steps away.

  --- End of Book Five ---

  The adventure will continue in Silver Fox & The Western Hero, Book 6, coming soon!

  In the meantime, if you’re interested in checking out a high action LitRPG series about a young former soldier making his way in a world filled with blades, blasters, spells, spaceships, and level-ups, then check out Endless Online: Oblivion’s Blade. Five books out so far, more to come!

  And because free is good, here is a link to my novel First Blood, a story about a girl with a talking cat and a knack for killing who ends up facing down dark gods by the end of the eight book series. It’s not Wuxia or LitRPG, but it is a fun high action fantasy series. Check it out and tell me what you think!

  If you would like to sign up for my mailing list, I’ll let you know when my next book comes out. And if you have any feedback you’d like to share with me, you can always reach me at MHbooks@mail.com

  Character Sheet

  ___________________________________________________________________

  Alex Hammer

  Class – Cultivator: Disciple of the Dual Path (Unlimited potential. This is a Divine path.)

  Rank 4 Divine Bronze Cultivation Achieved (Ready for breakthrough to Rank 6!)

  Physical Characteristics

  Strength - Bronze Rank 3 (31) (Relentless Resolve is now recognized as a core element of your path.)

  Vitality - Bronze Rank 3 (31) (Eternal Resilience is now recognized as a core element of your path.)

  Quickness - Bronze Rank 2 (25) (Chaotic Unpredictability is now recognized as a core element of your path.)

  Finesse - Bronze Rank 2 (25) (Mastery of Oneself is now recognized as a core element of your path.)

  Spiritual Characteristics

  Scholarship - 13 (Exceeds 84% of Population.)

  Perception - 17 (Exceeds 99% of population.)

  Willpower - 19 (You have the resolve to walk in the Valley of Death and slip free of the River of Souls.)

  Qi Pool – Silver Rank 4 (140) (30 Points reserved: Divine Soul Stone + 2 Divine Fate Cards anchored. Note: forged and peripheral channels now enjoy added resiliency!)

  Health Points: 451

  Perks

  Insightful – Rank 2

  Charismatic – Rank 2

  Lesser Shadow Affinity - You can now see Shadow Qi! You have +5 to spot all those using Shadow to ambush or confuse you.

  Golden Apple of Wisdom consumed: Increased chance of cultivation breakthroughs.

  Favored Skills

  Golden Realms Kung Fu – Rank 6

  White Crane Kung Fu – Rank 7 (You may now freely channel Light Qi to aid your strikes at all times and sheathe your limbs in Dark Qi while doing so, even in the pits of Hell!)

  Silver Swan Kung Fu – Rank 6 (You may now use Silver Swan in conjunction with White Crane and Dark Qi Projection, channeling the force and fury of the sea in any and all circumstances! Reduced risk of straining meridians when using forbidden techniques!)

  Poison Spitting – Rank 5 (This skill has evolved from knack to martial technique! You can now spit a stream of water (or caustic poison) with enough force and accuracy to knock jade hairpins free of scalps with
ease!)

  Stealth – Rank 4 (At least you can be sneaky at night, or if you stay out of your opponent’s line of sight!)

  Qi Disciplines

  Adderstrike – Rank 8 (0.5 Qi cost per strike. Internal Qi is undetectable and extremely hard to counter. You now hit faster and harder than ever before, and are better able to harmonize your temporary invulnerability at the moment of impact with other abilities, such as Storm Flight!)

  Bullrush – Rank 6 (Instantly move 5-60 feet in any direction. 1 Qi cost per blink. / Temporary weightlessness / Can be chained for what is effectively near instantaneous flight.)

  Black Swan (Soul Cleave) – Rank 6 (You have discovered an advanced Silver Swan assassination technique! Strike with the fury of a tsunami behind your blow! This technique can shatter lesser wards. Water-Steel Qi elements involved. Cost to use: 3 Qi and risk of mild meridian strain, unless used after Silver breakthrough made, or in a storm.)

  You have learned the advanced Black Swan variant Soul Cleave. You may effortlessly pierce any ward, armor, or cultivation technique below Gold as you slice through your enemy’s spirit directly, channeling the River of Souls itself! Cost: 5 Qi + mild meridian strain. Adept status achieved! Your repeated exposure to the River of Souls has boosted your deadliest attack to transcendent status! For increasing cost, you may now modify Soul Cleave to pierce defenses of any rank. You now have added resistance against being claimed by the River of Souls with repeated uses in the same day. Reaver’s Insight gained! Soul Cleave may now be executed multiple times in the same day at reduced cost! You now have an additional +4 to all saving throws against oblivion, and suffer significantly less meridian strain while channeling the River of Souls.)

  Dark Qi Projection – Rank 4 (You can now sheathe feet, shin, fists, and forearms in Dark Qi. Dark Qi is resistant to all Elemental attacks. Dark Qi Projection can pierce all Light Qi Wards. Significant Qi drain is in effect when used in the Mortal Realm!)

  Forest Flight – Rank 5 (Move through the forest as fast and effortlessly as a flying squirrel or bird of prey. You have chosen the Diffuse Movement Perk! Your movement through the forest is as subtle as that of any jungle predator! The sounds of your passage blend in with the background noise, and your Qi signature is lost in the web of spiritual energy all around! Fatigue and Qi drain are virtually nonexistent. You are channeling the Qi of the forest.)

  Forest Sense - Rank 5 (When surrounded by woodlands, you can rest in a meditative state almost as good as sleep that leaves you aware of any predators approaching. A successful skill check will encourage predators to leave without having to break out of trance.

  You can now see the forest as a map in your mind’s eye that grows in exquisite detail the more ground you cover! This skill will allow you to sense natural treasures, landmarks of significance, and see blinking red lights for hostiles and green for friendlies up to the limits of your range in miles. Significant skill check penalty to spot those well-versed in manipulating Shadow Qi.)

  Qi Deflection – Rank 0 (You do not yet fully comprehend this art.)

  Qi Absorption – Rank 4 (Breakthrough made! An additional 15 points of damage is absorbed from all Fire Qi attacks.)

  Qi Flood – Rank 2 (Flood a grappled target (or artifact) with Dark Qi!)

  Soul Sight – Rank 5 (Sense the flow of Qi through any spirit beast (effortless) or cultivator (difficult)! This allows you to predict enemy cultivator or spirit beast movements and attacks. Success also allows Find Weakness to pierce Qi Wards as well as physical defenses. You may now automatically measure the karmic merit of any soul’s past (skill rank) lives with a basic skill check!)

  Spirit Crane Strike – Rank 6 (You can sense the specific potency of all eternal Soul Stones claimed! You may now pluck the eternal spirit cores of lesser deities or Jade opponents! You may now pluck even Divine Cards of Fate from the bosoms of your enemies’ souls! Your feat of triumph within the River of Souls has made the river leery of trying to claim your own! Reduced risk of being pulled into its depths with repeated uses of this technique.)

  Storm Flight – Rank 5 (Wind Running has been fully incorporated into Storm Flight. You may now effortlessly race through the heavens during storms, over ley lines, or over wild forests 2+ miles from any major city. Outside of these parameters, flight is still possible at significantly increased Qi costs.)

  Summon Portal - Rank 2 (9) (A successful skill check will allow you to summon dimensional rifts linked to your Chamber of Doors. Cost and likelihood of success depends upon distances bridged and wards in place. Increasing mastery of this skill will allow you to summon doors faster and more efficiently than you otherwise could.

  Underlying Mastery perks linked to your World Seed detected! These perks grant you a combined +7 modifier to all skill checks and a 70% reduction in casting time.)

  Water Walking (Soul Stride) – Rank 6 (Water Walking has evolved into Soul Stride! Whether a trickling stream or the River of Souls, you can now stride them all with equal ease!)

  Qi Perception-linked Disciplines

  Qi Perception – Rank 7 (Sense all physical and Qi manifestations around you within 70 feet with minimal concentration. Effortlessly sense spirit beasts and mystical herbs! +7 to Perception checks.)

  Artificer – Rank 4 (Understand, manipulate, or destroy magical treasures, defensive wards, or cultivation artifacts!)

  Find Weakness – Rank 5 (This skill may be used against artifacts, constructs, demons, spirit beasts, and cultivators. A basic skill check with Qi Perception lets you sense the weakest points in any target’s physical form and technique. Advanced skill rank and successful use of Soul Sight is needed to spot the weaknesses in a cultivator’s Qi Wards. Adept Status Achieved! You now enjoy an additional 100% penetration bonus against all physical defenses and body cultivation techniques when striking humanoid targets whose weaknesses you have found!)

  Soul Sight – Rank 5 (Sense the flow of Qi through any spirit beast (effortless) or cultivator (difficult)! If this skill is not successfully used, Find Weakness can only sense surface weaknesses. Specialization chosen! You may now measure the karmic merit of any soul’s past (skill rank) lives, with a basic skill check!)

  Spiritual Teacher – Rank 6 (You may now directly impart the knowledge of any and all Cultivation disciplines upon suitable students with a skill check! This skill allows suitable students to enjoy multiple breakthroughs up to Spiritual Teacher rank. Diligent focus is required over a period of days, weeks, or months, depending upon student-teacher compatibility and mystic connections being harnessed.)

  Qi Purification Techniques

  Dual Path Purification Technique (100% Efficiency.)

  Cleansing Breath Purification Technique (100% Efficiency.)

  Qi Restoration Techniques

  Golden Realms Meridian Restoration Technique (100% Efficiency.)

  Qi Cycling Techniques

  Dual Path Dark Qi Cycling Technique (75% Efficiency.)

  Dual Path Light Qi Cycling Technique (75% Efficiency.)

  Divine Quantum State Cycling Technique (50% Efficiency.)

  White Crane Cycling Technique. (100% Efficiency.)

  Body Cultivation Techniques

  The Eternal Fox Unified Cultivation Technique – Rank 11

  This divine technique works with all elemental affinities at all levels of cultivation.

  0.55 pounds of lost flesh will fully regenerate per hour. This is now automatic, whether meditating, sleeping, or in combat! Cuts will be healed in seconds. (Power Healing can boost this one-hundred-fold with the use of a beast core, spirit pearl, or unspent experience.)

  Note. Tapping into experienced earned immediately after killing an opponent will allow for healing that transcends all normal limits with a successful skill check, depending upon the severity of the injuries suffered!

  Breakthroughs currently in effect include Saintly Aura, Longevity, Regeneration, Power Healing, Dark Qi Recycling, Pristine Light Cultivation, Pristine Dark Cultivation, and Pristine Form.
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  You are effectively immune to all toxins and caustic agents that do less than 110 damage per second. You have achieved Cellular mastery. All cells naturally revert to their ideal age. Eternal youth has been achieved!

  Metabolic Mastery Subskill is now at Adept Rank. (You can survive for extended periods of time without food, water, or oxygen. Dark Qi Metabolism will now automatically activate when needed, even when unconscious. Physiological strain from switching states and neural discomfort has been minimized!)

  You have transcended Master Rank! Eternal Fox Unified Cultivation Technique now has Unlimited Potential! (Note. No mortal disciple will be able to ascend beyond Master Rank without personalized instruction from yourself, or access to your divine tome.)

  A Path Cloaked in Mist

  You have permanently gained 8 points of Impact Resistance, 4 points of Cutting Resistance, and 2 points of Piercing Resistance! Your peripheral meridian channels are now Extremely Resilient, and enjoy a total +5 modifier to all durability checks, +6 against all meridian-searing attacks based on Flame.

  Biochemical Mastery – Rank 6

  You are now able to near effortlessly synthesize hydrochloric acid, alcohol, and most other compounds naturally found in limited quantities within the body, as well as synthesize or cure any poison or alchemical formulae mastered, save for those reliant upon silverbell or shadow blossoms.

  Unused Eternal Soul Stones

  1 Divine (Rank 1 Deity. 20 Qi Points reserved.)

  1 Gold (Rank 5)

  1 Silver (Rank 6)

  Divine Boon: You have managed to best one Elder God and survive the ordeal! You have earned a boon (and saved a city)! A portion of his potency is now your own! Each Rank of Silver you might one day earn will cost no more experience or potency than it cost you to form your original Bronze cords!