Capability Development

On the way back, they didn't necessarily have to return to the [Court of the Silver Moon]. Those whose homes were on the way would get off first.

As they neared Sixiang City, Dawn got off. She was still heading to the Recursive Corridor to fly her kite.

Shortly after entering the city, Xi was the next to get off.

Only Chen Miemie and Cassan were left in the car.

"Mistress, I have a classmate who is naive and has a lot of time to spare. Recently, he seems to want a divination for something. Are you willing to help?"

"Oh? A lot of time, you say. Just how much is a lot?"

"Whether it succeeds or fails, the introduction fee for me alone is 300 years."

Three hundred years was no small amount. It was equivalent to five lifespans of an ordinary person in their prime. Moreover, this was just the introduction fee; the reward for the practitioner themselves would likely be at least triple that.

Although tonight's group hunt was a victory, it was due to accurate intelligence, thorough preparation, and proper strategy.

The accurate intelligence was previously bought with human lives.

The thorough preparation was because the abilities of the [Bartender] and the [Gardener] perfectly countered the target.

The proper strategy was due to the glaringly obvious weakness of the [Heart Orchardist].

Even so, Xi and Fei Dongsheng in the rear were almost instantly killed. In the front, during moments Chen Miemie couldn't fully comprehend, the group narrowly escaped death multiple times.

After such a grueling trip, Cassan only received a share of 200 years. Xi's "guaranteed just for showing up" 100 years came at the cost of enduring a lethal attack.

Therefore, in Cassan's eyes, Chen Miemie's naive classmate with abundant time was truly generous.

What Chen Miemie and Cassan didn't know was that although Yue Junyang came from a wealthy family, he wasn't usually this extravagant.

It was just that this time, the matter concerned his entire family, young and old. He no longer cared about the market price for hiring an expert.

"If you're interested, Mistress, you can give it a try. He didn't tell me exactly what he wants to divine, only that there is no danger to the diviner. When the time comes, you can judge it for yourself and back out if you want."

There was no high-tier mystic who wasn't short on time.

Cassan was also saving up time. When she encountered materials that could help her advance, she would have to bleed her savings dry, just like the [Gardener] did this time.

Materials suitable for an individual were truly hard to come by. Once found, whether their compatibility was high or low was also completely out of one's control.

If one encountered highly compatible materials but missed out due to a lack of funds, it could directly impact the rest of their life's fortunes.

"Little Miemie, you still remember your Mistress when there's a good deal. Do you want me to give you hands-on instruction in flexibility arts?"

Chen Miemie pictured the scene for a brief moment and almost got a nosebleed. He quickly refused.

"No need, no need. I'm already getting an introduction fee. It's just that high rewards might come with high risks, so please be extra careful, Mistress. I'll come pick you up next week during the Eternal Moon Night."

It was already very late when he got home, but Chen Miemie didn't go straight to sleep.

Together with Qinghua and Bobo, he discussed the homework Dawn had assigned him.

"If our team encountered that [Heart Orchardist], Qinghua would strike first, turning the area connecting it to the earth into porcelain, thereby cutting off its roots' ability to absorb nutrients. Then, Bobo would release a fragrance to counteract and neutralize the fruity scent.

Finally, I, Chen Miemie, would deliver the winning blow. I'd emit moonlight, shine it on... Qinghua, reflecting a 'tricolor glaze light' to hit the target and secure our victory!"

"Clap, clap, clap~"

At home, Qinghua and Loop clapped, cheering for the brilliant strategy of their great leader, Chen Miemie.

Chen Miemie was also very satisfied with his deployment, feeling that his precious combat power was being used right where it counted.

Bobo, a bit clueless, actually asked the absurd question: "Why not just let Qinghua fight it one-on-one? It feels like she could win directly."

"The problem is, your teacher probably isn't looking for this version of the answer," Qinghua said, steering the topic back on track.

"Yeah. Teacher Dawn wants me to integrate my abilities into the society's group battles. I feel like she's reminding me that I need to develop an offensive skill."

"Do you have any ideas then?"

"Yes, I've actually been thinking about this for the past few days. Right now, I have rough concepts in three different directions. Help me evaluate them."

"Three? You're amazing. Hurry up and tell us," everyone suddenly became interested.

"The first one is offensive. The inspiration comes from Teacher Dawn's wind blades.

I figured that moonlight ultimately has no physical form to begin with. If I forcibly materialize it into a solid weapon, achieving the right hardness would require twice the effort for half the result, making it not worth the cost.

Teacher Dawn must have realized this as well, which is why her wind attacks focus on agility, sharpness, and speed, avoiding head-on clashes of brute force.

My moonlight, in terms of softness, is even more absolute than wind. Therefore, I can develop my ability towards a more precise and formless direction.

Ultimately, my concept is [Light Thread Manipulation]. Using moonlight, which is omnipresent and can appear from any angle at any time, I'll create sharp threads to slice through targets."

If the earlier applause was just Qinghua and Loop encouraging Chen Miemie, then after hearing this design concept, they genuinely felt his idea had great potential and suited him perfectly.

Designing one's own abilities is a crucial part of personal strength, and Chen Miemie truly possessed the potential of a powerhouse.

Chen Miemie continued:

"I know very well that no matter how strong an ability is, it's useless if it can't hit the target. My moonlight threads won't excel in speed; instead, I'll develop an optical cloaking property, focusing heavily on concealment."

"What do you mean?" Bobo couldn't quite keep up for a moment.

Chen Miemie revealed an excited smile:

"Imagine this: an enemy charges at me, entirely unaware that there's a razor-sharp, fine thread right in his path. He crashes into it, and due to his own speed and momentum, slices himself into pieces."

Bobo's chicken tail trembled upon hearing this, as if seeing itself being chopped into pieces.

Loop analyzed calmly: "Based on this design logic, as long as your moonlight threads have enough tensile strength, Miemie, you can easily cut through anything. Invisible and formless threads are indeed impossible to defend against."

Qinghua shared the same sentiment. Rather than repeating Loop's words, she focused on potential weaknesses:

"The key is that the moonlight threads must be sturdy. They can't just snap before cutting the opponent."

Chen Miemie nodded. "I've seen my teacher's wind ropes. Soft materials, once woven into specific structures, can possess a toughness far exceeding their original strength."

Not a single creature in this room was normal.

As a result, no one bothered to mention just how... bloody the execution of this elegant-sounding ability, [Light Thread Manipulation], would actually be.