Boom!
As the black-coated Ishikawa, representing his negative consciousness, merged into him, Ishikawa's mental energy surged instantaneously!
Ding!
[Player has acquired a special ability: Muga no Kyouchi (Fivefold Counter)]
Ding!
[Player's special abilities have advanced to the Asura Shinto level, as follows:
- Swordsmanship Intent → Sword God
- Chess Logic → Omniscience and Omnipotence
- Martial Arts Momentum → Extreme Path]
Ding!
[Player has comprehended Asura Shinto: Impervious]
A series of notifications rang out in quick succession.
At the same time, after processing this information, Ishikawa understood why the black-coated version of himself had been able to use powerful Asura Shinto techniques, including Muga no Kyouchi. Both his rational and negative consciousness were merely surface-level. While they could control the body, they couldn't fully access the deeper powers hidden within.
Within Ishikawa's body, beyond the ultimate consciousness that humans inherently possess—the Alaya Consciousness that Byoudouin had unlocked—there were also four Asura Shinto traits he had gained through mastering secondary professions.
During his intense battle with Oni, where their spirits and wills clashed, the negative consciousness had managed to tap into the deeper layers of his mind, accessing fragments of these powerful abilities.
However, these powers didn't truly belong to the negative consciousness. It had merely stolen a portion of the deeper consciousness's strength. For the rational part of Ishikawa, with its firm beliefs and more refined consciousness, this borrowed power was like a house of cards—easily shattered.
Boom!!!
As Ishikawa accepted the purified power of his negative consciousness, everything before him fragmented and plunged into darkness.
Swish!
Ishikawa opened his eyes.
He was still sitting cross-legged on the ground, back in the mental cave. However, the path to the left, representing Alaya Consciousness, had been sealed off. In front of him, the crimson gate symbolizing Asura Shinto now glowed with a golden light.
On the gate, five distinct symbols had appeared: a sword, an eye, a fist, a seated figure in meditation, and an abyss.
"This gate..."
Ishikawa stood up, staring intently at the gate. He had a strong feeling that something within it was calling out to him.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his gaze unwavering as he approached the golden gate. He grasped the iron ring on the door and pulled. As the golden light flowed, the gate slowly opened.
"Is this my Asura Shinto?"
Taking a deep breath, Ishikawa stepped through the gate and was enveloped by the golden light.
---
Outside, in the temple courtyard.
Aoi and Tane from Rokkaku were playing a match on the old tennis court in the distance.
"Strange," muttered Kurobane, a tall figure standing by the court. "What exactly is that Iceberg kid, Ishikawa, doing? Even if he's meditating to focus his mental energy, sitting for five hours straight seems excessive."
"Yeah," Saeki nodded beside him. "Even that blonde senior only meditated for two hours at most before leaving."
"Still," he added, "with the old man watching over him, nothing bad should happen."
Kurobane nodded in agreement. To them, the old man was a figure of immense wisdom and insight. Despite his age, his ability to perceive and predict things was uncanny.
However, contrary to their thoughts, the old man sitting beside Ishikawa was now filled with doubt and concern.
"This mental fluctuation... What on earth is happening in his consciousness?"
At that moment, Ishikawa's mental energy was fluctuating wildly, unstable and unpredictable. Yet, he hadn't snapped out of his meditative state.
Instinctively, the old man felt a sense of unease.
"Ancient texts mention," the old man thought to himself, "that when a warrior's mental energy reaches a certain level, they enter a unique state. Their mental state becomes highly unstable."
From what he knew, every warrior who had reached this critical point had undergone drastic changes in personality.
Thus, the old man was deeply worried. He feared that Ishikawa's rational mind might be overwhelmed by his negative consciousness, leading him down the same tragic path as those before him.
Yet, even he was powerless to intervene. All he could do was silently hope that Ishikawa would emerge unscathed. Even if he didn't achieve Asura Shinto, he prayed that the boy would at least retain his rationality.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, the old man's cloudy eyes flickered with a sharp light.
Swish!
At that moment, Ishikawa opened his eyes.
The two locked gazes. In the old man's eyes, Ishikawa saw a depth as profound as a black hole. In Ishikawa's eyes, the old man sensed an overwhelming surge of mental energy, which was quickly reined in.
"Young man... have you entered Asura Shinto?"
"Yes," Ishikawa nodded, then bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your guidance."
Whether in tennis or mental training, Ishikawa had received immense help from the old man. Without his guidance, it might have taken Ishikawa years to find the right path to Asura Shinto.
"This old man had little to do with it," the elder chuckled, shaking his head. "You figured it out on your own. Your talent is extraordinary. I hope you don't waste it and stay true to your初心 (initial heart)."
"I understand," Ishikawa replied solemnly.
In the realm of consciousness, he had already reexamined his path. Now, stepping back onto the tennis court, he felt more determined than ever.
"Good," the old man nodded in satisfaction.
He truly admired Ishikawa. Beyond his prodigious talent, the boy's ability to remain grounded and true to himself despite gaining immense power was even more remarkable.
After some more conversation, the old man shared further insights into Asura Shinto. Essentially, by unlocking the deeper layers of consciousness, a player could maximize the potential of their physical abilities. It was akin to finding the "super sweet spot" of the body.
The old man also taught Ishikawa some simple techniques to quickly recover mental energy and invited him to stay for dinner.
That night, as Ishikawa settled into the temple's guest room, he finally had time to review the day's gains.
With a thought, a 3D projection of his stats appeared before him.
---
[Name: Ishikawa Makoto]
[Age: 12]
[Identity: Iceberg Middle School 1st Year, Tennis Club Regular, Training Advisor, Vice-Captain, Street Tennis Legend, Iceberg's Demon King, U-17 Court 3 Supervisor, U-17 Legend]
[Main Profession: Tennis Lv68 (4250/68000)]
[Secondary Professions: Swordsmanship Lv9, Chess Lv9, Ancient Martial Arts Lv9, Yoga Lv7]
[Attributes: Speed 5.5, Power 5.5, Stamina 5.5, Technique 7, Mental Energy 9, Total: 32.5]
[Basic Techniques: All Lv8]
[Advanced Techniques: Lv9 Max (Black Hole), Lv8 (Light Strike, Star Scar, Twist Serve, Gale, Awakening, Zero-Shiki Drop, Bear Return, Mind Shift, Dawn, Super Volley), Lv7 (Dance of Destruction, Chaos Ball Barrage, Four Gods Martial Arts)]
[Special Abilities: Sensory Deprivation, Pinnacle of Perseverance: Radiance of Fortitude, Muga no Kyouchi (Beginner)]
[Asura Shinto: Sword God, Omniscience and Omnipotence, Extreme Path, Impervious]
[Secondary Profession Points: 2]
[Skill Points: 15]
[Item: Inui Juice Recipe]
[Evaluation: A professional-level player with unlimited potential, having carved out his own path.]
(End of Chapter)