"I'll continuously release the source of the 'Star Abyss Power.' You just need to perceive it."
Skirk said this, and a purple sphere of light appeared in her palm. Much like her over-the-knee boots, it seemed to contain countless stars within it.
Back when her teacher taught her, it had been done in the same way.
If you comprehended it, then you comprehended it. If you couldn't, then—just like her Fatui disciple—you could only inherit her martial techniques and would never be able to learn the "Star Abyss Power."
"Uh… alright."
Nolan nodded in understanding.
This was actually quite similar to when he had taught Ei the "Power of Time." High-level powers generally didn't have concrete training methods.
They could only be grasped through one's own insight.
In that regard, Nolan was equally confident. Having mastered so many different powers, drawing analogies between them might even make comprehension easier.
With that thought, he maximized his perception, carefully sensing every change within the "Star Abyss Power" sphere in Skirk's hand using his mental strength.
His initial impression was that this power was extremely stable. Simply releasing it wouldn't cause any disturbance to space.
Very quickly, Nolan sensed the deeper, more fundamental spatial aspect hidden within the "Star Abyss Power."
He frequently used teleportation and spatial traversal and had accumulated considerable understanding of spatial forces. Now, comprehending another spatial-based power like the "Star Abyss Power" felt remarkably natural.
Not to mention that, under the enhancement of various buffs, his rate of comprehension skyrocketed.
However, after a little over an hour, Nolan's insight process suddenly came to a halt—because the "Star Abyss Power" sphere in front of him had disappeared.
"Hm? What's wrong? I feel like I was just starting to get the hang of it."
Nolan looked at Skirk in confusion.
At this pace, he felt that he would only need about a week to fully comprehend it.
She looked at him expressionlessly, her soft lips parting slightly as she said,
"Prolonged exposure of my source power consumes me greatly. I'm already out."
The "Star Abyss Power" was an energy distinct from elemental power, with an extremely high quality. Its recovery rate was far slower than that of elemental energy.
Even for her, sustaining high-intensity usage for over an hour meant it was nearly depleted. At the very least, it would take half a day to recover.
"So that's how it is."
Nolan raised his hand toward Skirk.
"Reach your hand over. I'll help you replenish it."
"Different energies can't be converted at will."
Skirk glanced at him doubtfully and shook her head.
That should have been common knowledge.
"Mine is different. The energy I control—so long as I permit it—can be freely absorbed and utilized."
Nolan gently took hold of Skirk's soft hand, still covered by her purple gradient gloves, and slowly transmitted his "Harmonized Energy" into her body.
"It actually works…?"
Skirk looked slightly surprised.
She could clearly feel the energy entering her body being absorbed with ease, and the consumed "Star Abyss Power" was rapidly recovering.
But considering just how powerful Nolan was, suddenly it felt perfectly reasonable that he could possess such a method.
"Once you've absorbed my energy, you'll be able to receive it even without physical contact in the future. That way, while you're using the 'Star Abyss Power,' you'll also be constantly recovering."
Nolan released her soft hand.
At this point, he technically no longer needed to personally comprehend and learn the "Star Abyss Power."
Because, based on the properties of Harmonized Energy—
Now his energy could be transmitted to Skirk regardless of distance. Conversely, Skirk could also transmit the "Star Abyss Power" to him across any distance.
In this way, as long as Nolan supplied energy to Skirk, keeping her "Star Abyss Power" perpetually full, she could continuously transmit it back to him.
In this process, Skirk essentially became a converter—Nolan's energy passing from his left hand to his right, granting him an infinite supply of "Star Abyss Power."
Moreover, receiving the "Star Abyss Power" directly into his body from Skirk and experiencing it internally was far more precise than merely perceiving the power she released externally.
That meant he could directly learn the subsequent concrete applications of the "Star Abyss Power."
As for truly comprehending it in depth, he could take his time later.
After thinking it through, Nolan explained this idea to Skirk.
Of course, constantly having Skirk supply him with "Star Abyss Power" wasn't without benefits for her either—the biggest one being that she could draw on an infinite supply of energy from Nolan.
After listening to his explanation, a flicker of surprise flashed through Skirk's dark crimson eyes.
So there was actually such a way to master the "Star Abyss Power."
After carefully thinking it over, she realized that doing this caused her no losses, no negative effects—and even granted her infinite energy.
Since she didn't dislike Nolan, she found that she had no real reason to refuse.
Thus, she nodded and agreed to his proposal. After all, back and forth, she was gaining benefits as well.
[Skirk Has Developed Good Feelings Toward You. Obtained 760 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.9 (60/900)]
Seeing the affection notification, Nolan felt delighted. Her affection toward him had already reached level nine—full level was no longer far away.
He began to look forward to what kind of affection skill Skirk would grant him. Of course, what he looked forward to even more was getting close and cuddly with a beautiful girl he liked!
He looked at Skirk, releasing a bit of the borrowed "Star Abyss Power" in his hand, and said:
"Then next, teach me how to actually use this power."
"Alright."
Feeling the power continuously overflowing from herself, Skirk—rarely—revealed a smile and nodded.
This state of abundant energy left her extremely satisfied.
The application techniques of the "Star Abyss Power" weren't difficult for Nolan, who could now borrow this power from Skirk without limit.
It was simply a matter of trying a few more times.
The characteristics of this power were mainly spatial in nature, excelling particularly in twisting and destroying space.
Following Skirk's guidance, in less than half an hour, Nolan saw a notification pop up on his character panel:
---
[Comprehended: Star Abyss Power Lv.1 (1/100000)]
---
Name: Nolan Walker
Level: Lv.135 (43,278,524 —— 500+/45,000,000)
Race: Human
Titles: Honorary Knight, Distinguished Citizen of Liyue, Legendary Adventurer, Honorary General of Watatsumi Island, Sumeru Sage, Prince of Fontaine, Deputy to the Raiden Shogun
Innate Talent: Entangling Affection
Skills:
- Lumine's Musou · World Lv.10 ( Void Starsea Manifestation)
- Flowing Sky Shot: Arcane Level Lv.10 (Frostglow Arrow)
- Star Abyss Power Lv.1 (1/100000)
Specialties:
- Beloved by Maidens (Exclusive)
- Unmoving Gospel of the World Tree (Exclusive)
- Threads of the Northern Wind (Exclusive)
- Spiritual Core (Exclusive)
- Imaginary Energy
- Drifter of the Imaginary Sea
- Devour All Things
Adventure EXP: 19,252,811
---
Judging from the Adventure EXP required to level up, this was a power comparable to a world-level skill. No wonder Skirk said that only by mastering such a power would one have a chance to transcend the world.
After successfully learning the various applications of the "Star Abyss Power," all that remained was to invest Adventure EXP to raise its level. It would only take 4.5 million Adventure EXP to reach max level.
To Nolan, that amount of Adventure EXP was no longer particularly significant. He could level it up at any time.
However, once he maxed it out, there would be little reason left to seek Skirk's guidance. That would make it hard to continue spending time together and finding opportunities to raise her affection.
Since there was no urgent need to use it anyway, waiting until it was truly needed before upgrading it posed no real problem.
After running into Kirara earlier and accompanying her to "Chiori's Boutique," and then spending a long time learning the "Star Abyss Power" with Skirk, it was already noon.
Nolan invited Skirk to go downstairs for lunch together and take a short break.
For Skirk, that amount of practice was nothing at all. If it were up to her, she would naturally choose to continue cultivating.
Practicing continuously for ten days or even half a month without eating or drinking was perfectly normal.
However, she wasn't actually Nolan's master—she was merely fulfilling her promise to teach him the "Star Abyss Power" after losing the fight.
So how things were arranged was entirely up to Nolan.
Seeing that Skirk agreed, Nolan brought her down to the living room on the first floor, where many girls were already gathered.
Seeing this scene, Skirk was slightly surprised and asked curiously,
"Who are they?"
"This is my home. Naturally, they're my family," Nolan replied.
"Oh—husband-and-wife relationships?" Judging from their youthful appearances, Skirk felt this explanation fit best.
For powerful beings with reproductive needs, marrying multiple wives was quite normal. After all, the higher one's life level and the stronger one's genes, the lower the probability of producing offspring.
Taking multiple wives could significantly increase the chances of having descendants.
"That's right. I'll introduce you to them properly in a bit," Nolan said.
"…Mm." Skirk could sense that Nolan's wives all seemed quite strong, so getting to know them wasn't a bad idea.
In the eyes of weaker people—like her disappointing Fatui disciple—she might appear to be a taciturn master.
But with people of considerable strength, she actually had quite a few common topics to discuss.
As for Nolan bringing back yet another girl, everyone was already used to it. If nothing unexpected happened, this girl would soon become their sister as well.
It was just that she herself didn't seem to have noticed it yet. As for Nolan's intentions, that guy probably had little experience when it came to romance.
The girls of the Wonderland Space curiously asked Skirk about herself—
her name, identity, where she came from, what she usually liked, and so on.
Faced with everyone's enthusiasm, Skirk appeared somewhat at a loss. Having lived off energy absorption for so long, she had never looked forward to lunchtime as much as she did now.
After lunch, Skirk impatiently urged Nolan to continue training. Nolan, who had originally planned to rest a bit, had no choice but to go along with her.
By around two or three in the afternoon, seeing no further opportunity to gain affection, Nolan thought for a moment and then demonstrated a fairly decent level of "Star Abyss Power" application.
In truth, he had simply invested a bit of Adventure EXP on his character panel and raised it by two levels.
"You've grasped it well—already at a respectable level. In that case, my promise can be considered fulfilled."
Skirk secretly marveled at the fact that he had reached this level in less than a day.
Perhaps it was because Nolan stood at a higher vantage point, making learning easier—but the boosts provided by this space were also not to be underestimated.
"Of course."
Nolan nodded lightly and smiled as he said,
"Although teaching the 'Star Abyss Power' was compensation, being able to learn it so quickly is also thanks to your dedicated guidance. As thanks, if you'd like, you can cultivate here in the future.
"After all, the cultivation boosts here are quite good."
For someone passionate about cultivation, after understanding such powerful enhancement effects, the chance of being interested was very high.
"Hmm?"
A look of surprise appeared on Skirk's fair face. She hadn't expected Nolan to be so generous. She was indeed quite interested in this place and wanted to see how much it could increase her cultivation speed.
After thinking for a moment, she shook her head at Nolan and said,
"Thank you, but this is your home. Staying here would be too disruptive, and I imagine your wives wouldn't like outsiders around."
Although she often secluded herself for cultivation and didn't socialize much, she still understood such matters.
[Skirk Has Developed Good Feelings Toward You. Obtained 700 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.9 (760/900)]
"That's simple—wouldn't it be fine as long as you also become my wife?"
Seeing Skirk's affection for him increase again, Nolan felt that it was time to state his ultimate goal.
"…Huh."
Faced with Nolan's rather strange remark, Skirk looked at him and fell silent for a moment before saying,
"So that's an option too. Won't your wives mind?"
"Of course not. If they did, I wouldn't have been able to marry so many wives," Nolan said with a wry smile.
"Alright, but I don't have any intention of getting married or having children for the time being."
Skirk shook her head.
She actually had a good impression of Nolan, and given his strength, he was indeed an excellent candidate for marriage.
It was just that she was devoted to cultivation and had little interest in such matters.
Nolan wasn't surprised by Skirk's refusal. After all, it was a bit abrupt, and she clearly wasn't mentally prepared for it yet.
After thinking for a moment, Nolan said,
"Alright then. But are you sure you don't want to think about it again? Besides the environmental buffs, I can also assist your cultivation at all times and make you even stronger."
As he spoke, Nolan changed the energy he was transmitting—from merely restoring Skirk's "Star Abyss Power" to the same kind of all-around enhancement he provided to the other girls.
Skirk felt her body, soul, and even the energy within her steadily improving, which made her pause in surprise.
Nolan smiled, took Skirk's hand on his own initiative, and continued increasing the energy output, boosting her strength to the greatest extent possible short of outright physical intimacy.
"How is it? This cultivation speed isn't bad, right?"
"Doing this… won't it affect you?" Skirk hesitated, trying to pull her hand back, but failed and had no choice but to give up.
In her understanding, forcefully helping others raise their strength like this was usually an extremely exhausting and unrewarding act.
It offered limited help to others while placing a heavy burden on oneself.
T/N: Regarding the earlier chapter "Golden Potential": it mentioned that Kirara didn't have "Interstellar Travel," but it had actually been given before, in Chapter ~601. The author forgot and has now corrected it.
(End of Chapter)
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