After receiving a large amount of information, Chen Yi finally understood.
This was the difference between techniques and arts.
Fireball represented a method of use. Even if it were forcibly divided into levels, there would only be beginner, advanced, perfected, and transcendent mastery.
Take Chen Yi, for example. His understanding of Fireball had already surpassed that of the mage who had originally created it. He could barely be said to have reached transcendent mastery, but there was no more room for improvement.
If he continued adding things to it, it would no longer be Fireball, but another spell.
Arts represented a deeper level of understanding.
Wang Zhanbo's Passive Skill, Swordsman, did not represent an enhancement to any particular skill, but to overall strength.
Swordsmanship, Movement Technique, combat experience—these were all within the scope of this skill.
"Then how should I train in this area?"
Arts were far more abstruse than things like Fireball.
The first thing Chen Yi thought of was naturally Strong Projection, but not every strong person was suited to him.
As he pondered, he brought Fire Dragon to the Arena once again.
"Select Training Mode."
In the empty field of Training Mode, Chen Yi explained the information he had just obtained to Fire Dragon.
"We both have Talent in flames, so I was planning to invest in that direction."
Unexpectedly, Fire Dragon shook its head. "Roar... roar."
Fire Dragon knew that Chen Yi's weakness in battle lay on the front line rather than in firepower, so it intended to start training its close-combat techniques.
This was the greatest difference between Pale Gold Pokémon and players.
Players had to begin deciding their development direction at level 10, while Fire Dragon could make that decision before level 20.
Fire Dragon ♀ Quality: Pale Gold lv: 17 EXP 4650/35000 Constitution: 43 (HP +100) Strength: 39 Intelligence: 46 Agility: 42 Spirit: 38 (HP +100) Flamethrower: Launches an area-of-effect flame attack ahead, dealing damage equal to Intelligence x1.2. ... Energy Flow: Mana, stamina, and health form a cycle, reducing damage taken by 15%.
With enough training time, all of Fire Dragon's All Attributes could reach the extreme value of 49 before level 20!
After that, it would have to decide on its development direction. Developing all attributes at the same time would severely drag down its rate of growth.
After the final battle in the Derivative World, Fire Dragon had been constantly thinking about how it could help its Trainer.
In terms of firepower alone, its Trainer could surpass several of it.
Only in resistance, flight, and speed could its Trainer not compare with it.
Fire Dragon had been thinking about how to bring this up with its Trainer, but Chen Yi unexpectedly mentioned it himself.
Chen Yi looked directly into Fire Dragon's eyes, and Fire Dragon looked back at him.
"This may be extremely painful."
"Huff!"
White smoke billowed from Fire Dragon's nostrils.
Chen Yi sighed helplessly. "Alright, alright. We'll do it your way."
Fire Dragon's eyes narrowed into happy crescents.
What a headache. My Pokémon already has ideas of its own. This is going to cost even more Copper Coins.
He activated Strong Projection and designated Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni as the projection target.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni had become famous not only because of his Zanpakuto. His swordsmanship, Hakuda, footwork, and other skills had all reached an extremely profound level.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's projection still appeared as that frail old man, but he had inherited his previous memories. "It is?"
Chen Yi explained, "It is Charmander. It simply grew into its current form."
"Teacher! I hope you can teach it Hakuda techniques."
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's eyes suddenly widened. Enormous Spiritual Pressure spread in all directions, and the pressure alone whipped up a fierce gale.
Fire Dragon stepped forward and stood in front of Chen Yi. It would show its teacher its resolve.
The Spiritual Pressure grew more and more immense. Even breathing became heavy, and Fire Dragon had to leave claw marks in the ground with both feet just to barely steady itself.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's voice remained as calm and unhurried as ever. "If you withdraw now, I can pretend I never heard that."
Fire Dragon answered only with an unyielding roar.
In truth, this was also Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's small selfish wish. When he had first met Charmander, he had been extremely fond of it, and his training requirements for Chen Yi were usually stricter than those for Charmander.
He had hoped Chen Yi could better protect this little fellow.
But now, this little fellow was preparing to step onto a battlefield of flesh and blood on its own initiative!
"Did Chen Yi Kid say something?!"
Chen Yi looked innocent. His favoritism was a little too blatant, wasn't it?
Fire Dragon shook its head and unleashed Flamethrower into the sky. "┗|｀O′|┛ Ao~~"
The flames flew farther and farther into the sky, as though they represented Fire Dragon's will.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sensed Fire Dragon's determination within the flames. Such splendid flames. Very well...
As the Spiritual Pressure receded, he returned to his frail old appearance.
His cane lightly tapped the ground. "Chen Yi Kid, prepare these medicinal ingredients."
He would train Fire Dragon as much as possible to prevent it from dying on the battlefield.
Close combat usually began with taking a beating. Through constant tempering of the body, its resistance would steadily grow through tearing and recovery.
Normally, tempering the body alone took years, because people had limited recovery abilities. Pokémon were the same.
But this was the Game World, where all kinds of Health Potions appeared without end.
If one Blood Potion could not restore it, then use two!
The only thing that could stop Fire Dragon's progress was... Chen Yi's wallet.
Summoning Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni required Copper Coins, medicinal ingredients for tempering the body required Copper Coins, healing medicine required Copper Coins, and certifying the Staff of Healing also required Copper Coins.
Chen Yi had originally felt satisfied with the more than 120,000 Copper Coins in his backpack, but now he only felt that they disappeared far too quickly.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni told Chen Yi about the medicinal ingredients. The System Store of the Game World sold all of them, and they came in different versions.
There were versions made of spirit particles specifically for Shinigami, normal medicinal ingredients specifically for living creatures, and versions enhanced with energy construction specifically for Pokémon.
He spent 10,000 Copper Coins to buy five portions. They should be enough for Fire Dragon to use for a while.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni accepted the medicinal ingredients and looked at Chen Yi. "Chen Yi Kid, what do you intend to learn?"
Chen Yi performed a disciple's salute. "Teacher, I wish to learn your understanding of flames."
At this moment, it felt as though he had returned to the time when Chen Yi first summoned Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni. The difference was that he was now far stronger than before and had begun searching for his own path.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni nodded. He had long seen that Chen Yi's Talent did not lie in swordsmanship or Hakuda, but in an ability similar to Kido.
"This old man's flames originate from his Zanpakuto, but you do not possess a flame-type Zanpakuto. Therefore, facing flames directly is the best method."
Chen Yi nodded. It had been the same when he learned Ignite. He had long been mentally prepared.
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