Martial Online.

The sun started to slowly set above the Honorable Temple. It changed the shade of the sky to a dark orange, and in an hour's time, it would turn completely dark once again.

In the balcony that gazed over the town, Zhen intertwined his fingers and said.

"As I said before, I could teach you soul healing with the potions. However, the grandmaster must've a way to do it more efficiently."

Ambrose turned to the Wisdom King with expectant look. This was the main reason for his visit, after all.

He didn't mind if he only had to learn the potion recipes for soul healing. However, he had a hunch that it might be an inefficient and expensive way.

"There are people with soul healing as their soul ability." The Wisdom King said. "However, that cannot be learned in ordinary ways, and neither can you."

"Oh…" Ambrose sighed. "Very well. Is the potion the only way?"

"I am afraid so." The Wisdom King nodded. "I appreciate the confidence you have in me, but there is not an easier and more efficient way.

"It's still better than nothing. You've recently gotten soul injured again?"

"I do." Ambrose nodded.

"Hmm…" The Wisdom King rubbed his chin. "Since you're still first gate, did you meet a person who had already manifested the third gate door?

"Only them can break into your world of souls and injure you that way."

Ambrose looked blankly at him, and realized that he misunderstood.

"No, no, I am already in the second gate."

Zhen blinked blankly and thought he misheard it.

"What…" The Wisdom King narrowed his eyes and activated his soul to it's strongest state.

He barely managed to calculate Ambrose's current Inner Power level.

At that moment, he exclaimed and breathed heavily. "You didn't lie… you've already entered the second gate!"

"How in the world…" Zhen looked at Ambrose in a shock.

He already thought that their new Honorable brother was a genius of another level, as he managed to hide the soul scent in just one night, but he never expected him to be able to enter the second gate in a few months!

"So, did you meet the third gate user?" The Wisdom King asked in surprise. "How are you alive, then?"

"No one entered my world of souls." Ambrose sighed and explained. "My soul ability is Self-Possession. The soul fuses with my body…"

"And someone injured you using Inner Power." The Wisdom King nodded. "How foolish of you. That could've ended much worse."

"I wasn't aware of such a thing being possible, but I guess I was naive." Ambrose sighed. "I am being much more careful with it now."

"Mm…" The Wisdom King nodded. "Zhen can give you the potion recipes and teach you."

"Thank you." Ambrose bowed to him and nodded towards Zhen. "By the way, I found something odd."

"What is it?" The Wisdom King took a sip of the tea and listened closely while watching the sun set on the horizon.

"There is a new epidemic rampaging in Amaterasu—it's called Berserker Epidemic!"

"Never heard of that before." The Wisdom King said in surprise as there weren't many things he wasn't aware of anymore.

"Yeah, it's a new epidemic." Ambrose said and then sighed. "However, I think it is man-made. It's currently only happening among animals, but I think someone is giving them soul injuries.

"They become mad in rage because of the agonizing pain, and since there aren't doctors who can soul heal, they are usually killed because of it."

"What a demonic thing to do." Zhen rubbed his chin and said, "The animals have less resistance to soul injuries. If I have to guess, someone is using them as test subjects.

"That someone is probably trying to learn how to create soul injuries that are stronger and more efficient."

"Hmm…" The Wisdom King looked bothered. "That is indeed a bothersome thing. I know a lot of evil beings and have seen horrible things, but I have rarely seen someone abuse animals."

"I already had to put a horse out of his misery because I didn't know soul healing." Ambrose sighed in frustration. "Once I return to Amaterasu, I'll dwell deeper into this Berserker Epidemic.

"Hopefully, I can find the culprit."

"You also have to be careful." The Wisdom King pointed out. "Whoever the person is, must be dangerous."

"I know." Ambrose nodded and looked at Zhen. "Shall we start learning later tonight?"

"Sure." Zhen nodded. "We can visit the blacksmith shop before that. Hopefully he can start creating your weapon as soon as possible."

"Sounds good."

"The second thing was learning more skills, is that correct?" The Wisdom King questioned.

"That's right." Ambrose nodded and chuckled. "Actually, I have my own dojo now. I have students as well."

"Haha, look at you." The Wisdom King chuckled and rubbed his chin. "It feels like it had been few years since we last time saw. You've grown so much.

"Being a master is heavy responsibility. Are you ready?"

"I am." Ambrose said with a resolute expression.

"Good…" He grinned. "Learning skills, you said? For your skill, I assume? It was called Immortal Style, wasn't it?"

"Correct." Ambrose nodded. "I had some influence from your style; Mortal Style. I thought Immortal Style was a fitting name."

"It's a powerful name, but also quite arrogant." The elderly Wisdom King chuckled. "You've to prove that you are worthy of that name."

"I'll do my best." Ambrose nodded.

"Well, about learning new skills, there are a few ways." The Wisdom King looked at him with an amused smile. "You want an easy or painful route?"

"You know me." Ambrose smiled with a slight trepidation. "Painful, of course."

"It'll be hard, very much so." He said. "You'll be locked in a room, which we call as 'The Room of Damnation' and you'll be there till you are within inch from death."

"Uhm, can I ask why?" Ambrose chuckled in slight anxiety. "How does that help me to create skills?"

"To learn new skills via skill scrolls, you've to be under a lot of pressure and stress." The Wisdom King said with a serious look. "Pain also helps, so you'll soul will also get injured in there."

"The hell?" Ambrose's eyes widened in shock. "That does not sound very safe!"

"Of course not; there is a possibility of your soul dying!" The Wisdom King shouted. "However, if you survived through that, you would have created many new, powerful skills!

"You might've learned most of my Mortal Style, but even I didn't give my most powerful skills to you. They are hand made for me."

"I need to create skills that my students can use." Ambrose said.

"Of course." The Wisdom King nodded. "First, you'll start by creating ordinary skills for your style. Then, we boost the pain and force you to create new skills for yourself.

"You also have to grow much stronger!"

"I understand…" Ambrose nodded and formed fists with his hands.

"You'll have time to think by yourself in there. Start to think about what you want your style to be." The Wisdom King crossed his arms. 

"This'll be the final step in your style creation.

"You cannot change anymore after this!"

"I understand." Ambrose nodded, and stood up with a bow. "When shall we start?"

"Learn soul healing first." The Wisdom King said. "Once you are done, we'll put you inside the Room of Damnation. You might be inside a day, week or even month.

"It will depend on your determination. Are you ready?"

"I am…" Ambrose nodded. 'I'll leave the room as the strongest version of myself. Giving up is not an option for me.'

"Zhen, bring Ambrose to the blacksmith shop. It should be open for another hour, so hurry up."

"Yes, grandmaster." Zhen nodded towards Ambrose, they then stood up and left the balcony after they bid their farewells.

The Wisdom King stood up, leaned against the railing, and looked across the town with a deep look.

'That kid had also gotten his hands on the Eye of Shimon. I thought it was a myth, but it's real. The soul of that thing was also slumbering.

'He had grown a lot. He isn't as reckless anymore, and he is already a master.

'At this pace, it won't take long.

'Matchitehew, your death is nearing.'