Chapter 96: The Mystery of Incomplete Traits
Garion leaned back against the wall, thinking for a while before speaking.
"I don’t really know why it happened. At first, I thought maybe it was just slow to awaken."
He then looked at his own hands, clenching them for a moment.
"But it’s already been six months... and still there was no sign of awakening."
Dahlia tilted her head, looking curious.
"Six months and not even a sign?"
Garion shook his head.
"Not even a flicker."
She frowned, arms crossed.
"Then do you have any idea what’s causing it? Or at least what’s happening to us?"
Garion hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"I’ve been thinking about that. And after thinking it for a long time, I have one probable guess."
Dahlia leaned forward slightly.
"What is it?"
Garion raised his hand and gestured toward her chest.
"Maybe our traits aren’t complete yet."
Dahlia blinked.
"Not complete?"
He nodded again.
"Yeah. Think about it. Normal cultivators form one mana core, which means their entire trait is based around a single core."
Dahlia placed her hand over her heart, listening carefully.
"Right..."
Garion pointed at himself.
"But we’re different. Our cultivation method doesn’t give us only one core, but trillions of mini mana core cells. So in theory..."
Dahlia’s brows furrowed.
"Each cell would have its own tiny trait?"
Garion smirked.
"Exactly. And maybe all of those smaller traits haven’t fused yet. Until every last cell finishes transforming, our overall trait can’t form properly."
Dahlia crossed her arms again, looking thoughtful.
"So what you’re saying is... until we reach the True Completion Stage... our true trait won’t be able to awaken?"
Garion nodded firmly.
"That’s what I believe."
Dahlia frowned deeper.
"That’s... both interesting and annoying."
Garion chuckled.
"Mostly annoying, yeah. I was actually looking forward to seeing what my trait looked like. I even tried forcing it once."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You forced it?"
Garion shrugged.
"Tried to. Didn’t work. Nearly passed out instead."
Dahlia snorted.
"Serves you right, Master."
He grinned.
"Worth a try though."
Dahlia sighed and looked down at her hands.
"So basically, we can’t rely on traits until the very end. We’ll have to depend purely on our body and mana core cells until then."
Garion nodded.
"Exactly. That’s why our path is harder, but also stronger in the long run. While others have one mana source, we’ll have trilions."
Dahlia smirked.
"So basically, we’re walking the most painful path for the biggest reward."
Garion laughed. "You could say that."
She looked up again, her expression serious but calm.
"Alright then. I’ll keep cultivating until all my cells are transformed. Even if it takes years."
Garion smiled proudly.
"That’s the spirit. Once we both reach true completion, I’m sure our traits will appear, and when they do, they’ll be something this world has never seen."
Dahlia smirked faintly.
"Good. Because when it happens, I plan to show everyone what real power looks like."
Garion raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Heh, already getting cocky, huh?"
She grinned. "Of course, I learned from the best."
Garion laughed, shaking his head.
"Yeah, that sounds about right."
They both stood quietly for a moment, the sound of distant training echoing faintly from the halls.
---
Dahlia’s eyes soon locked on Arden, who was checking the posture of a few outer disciples doing push-ups.
She walked closer, cracking her neck slightly as she stopped in front of him.
"So, my junior brother. I heard you managed to create a new path, huh?"
Arden looked nervous for a second but nodded.
"Y-yes, Senior Sister."
Dahlia chuckled and waved her hand.
"Just call me Sister Dahlia. We’re both Master’s direct disciples after all."
Arden nodded again.
"Understood, Sister Dahlia."
She smiled in satisfaction.
"Good. You’re improving fast. I can see why Master praised you."
Arden scratched his cheek, a bit embarrassed.
"I just followed Master’s teachings. The rest was luck."
Dahlia raised an eyebrow, half-smiling.
"Luck, huh? Maybe. Or maybe you’re just too modest."
Then she turned toward a group of nearby disciples who were finishing their sets.
"Hey, you four," she called out.
They straightened up immediately.
"Yes, Senior Sister Dahlia!"
"I need a hand for a minute," she said, walking toward the squat rack.
"It’s been a while since I lifted something heavy. Let’s do some squats."
The four looked at each other nervously, then hurried to follow. One of them asked carefully.
"How heavy, Senior Sister?"
"Put two hundred kilos on the bar," Dahlia said casually, tying her hair.
Their eyes went wide.
"Two hundred...?"
"Did I stutter?" she asked, glancing back at them.
"N-no, Senior Sister!" They rushed to load the plates on the bar.
The bar bent slightly under the weight as they finished.
Dahlia stepped forward, ducked under it, and took a deep breath.
She lifted it off the rack like it was nothing, squatting down until her thighs were parallel to the floor, then rising again in a slow, steady motion.
She then set it down and sighed.
"Still not heavy enough."
The four disciples froze.
"Not... heavy?"
"Add another hundred kilos," Dahlia said.
Their jaws dropped.
"A-another hundred? Senior Sister, that’s..."
She shot them a look, and they quickly moved again.
"Y-yes, Senior Sister!"
Soon, the bar was loaded with three hundred kilos.
Dahlia positioned herself again, gripped the bar, and squatted.
Once, twice, then ten reps. When she stood back up and racked it, her face barely showed strain.
"Still not enough. Make it five hundred."
The disciples stared in disbelief.
"That’s... impossible..."
Arden, who had been watching from the side, chuckled.
"You’d better just listen to her. She means it."
Reluctantly, the four added more plates, the bar now growing under the massive load.
Dahlia positioned herself once more, her muscles tightening as she lifted it from the rack.
For a moment, everyone held their breath, watching Dahlia squat.
She lowered herself all the way down and then, with a loud shout, she pushed herself back up in one smooth motion.
The floor shook slightly when she re-racked the bar.
The four disciples were frozen, eyes wide.
"Five hundred kilos..."
"She... she really did it..."
"And she’s not even tired..."
Dahlia stretched her arms and rolled her shoulders, breathing slowly.
"Good. This is what I wanted."
Arden smiled, still amazed.
"Sister Dahlia, your strength is insane."
She grinned.
"Of course. You think I spent months locked in my room for fun?"
The others laughed nervously, half terrified and half impressed.