From this chapter onwards, the term 'Bending' will be replace by 'Manipulation'.

Free Water Bending — Free Water Manipulation

∞

Cole didn't immediately return to the Wood Peak. He decided to make a stop at the Water Peak and visit where Ricky was staying, and that is the Core Area. Since Ricky was a disciple of Water Peak' very own Peak Master, his cultivation area was the best in the sect.

Cole wanted to do this for him to be able to use [Gate] at Ricky's place.

Master Dew immediately agree when Cole asked him this. Master Dew might not want to say it because he don't want to disrespect Master Timber, but he wanted Cole to change his Peak and transfer to his own. Cole might be Space-type cultivator but it can't deny the fact that he's also talented in Water arts. Just his [Free Water Manipulation] skill was an enough proof of it. Unfortunately, Cole might not said it verbally, he felt that the kid won't change his Peak.

Just like at any other Peak, the Water Peak has an special scenery on its own. If Cole didn't know any better, he will think that the place was a big lake and not a mountain. On the part of the mountain where Cole was currently at, he already saw a three rivers and seven lakes. And given that each peak was a massive place, the Water Peak may still have many numbers of lakes and rivers on its territory.

Cole didn't made any stop. They both rushed at the peak of the mountain. When they arrived there, they could both see that Ricky was immersed from his cultivation. His Martial Spirit, the Water Dragon, was currently on the top of his head and continually swallow the rich Water-Energy in the air. The energy then will get purified by the Martial Spirit which it will transfer to Cole.

Expectating this, it was no wonder that those with Martial Spirit will progress more faster than those who doesn't have. Just the ability to absorb, refine and transfer energy was already a big Boon to cultivators.

After Cole checked Ricky's progress, he knew that Ricky was preparing on his breakthrough to Core Formation-Stage.

"He's having a breakthrough." Master Dew said, joy was very apparent on his voice.

Cole just smile and nod as a response.

"It looks like your visit was a little bit untime. Knowing my disciple, he will absolutely get thrilled if he knew that you visit him personally."

"Yeah. It's a pity." Cole paused. "Since I can't disturb him, I'll be on my way then. But before I leave, can I see his personal quarters?" He asked.

Master Dew contemplated for a moment before he answered, "Sure. Eventhough visiting someone's room without the consent of its tenant was bad, I know for sure that that kid will not get mad at me. On the contrary, he'll definitely get furious if he will know I denied the access of his room to you. That will be a bad news for me." He said a little distress but still started to walk.

Cole smile shyly, "Yeah... He'll do that." and follow Master Dew.

Ricky's status on the Five Element Sect was very special and powerful as he was the personal disciple and personally nurtured by the Peak Master of the Water-Peak. Along with status was great benefits. Ricky's new and top-tier equipment and weapon was a best example of it. Of course, his room was also better. Much better than the room assigned to him at the Wood-Peak. Cole can't help but feel a little jealous but it was immediately toss aside faster than it came.

After he finished his tour at Ricky's abode, Cole immediately said good-bye to Master Dew and return to the Wood-Peak. Although he didn't manage to make a conversation with Ricky, he still achieved his goal and that is he could now open his [Gate] to Ricky's place.

Cole find a isolated place, use [Gate], and instantly arrived at [Beast-Tamer League] base.

Since he didn't have any urgent matter to attend by now, he immediately summon Coal and made him guard the [Summoning Grimoire]. He then enter the [Inner World].

Inside, he contemplated of what approach he will use in the Red Skull Bandit.

According from the information he received from Fernando's memory, the strongest among their member was their bandit leader who called himself Red Tooth. Red Tooth was currently at the Peak of Nascent Soul-Stage. He only needed to face his first minor [Heavenly Tribulation] and he will be a certified Void Transcendence' First-Level Void Sensing-Stage; the same stage the current Sect Master of Five Element Sect currently at. Just this person alone will be enough to eliminate him countless time if he won't be careful.

Next to that person was his right-hand man called Red Socket. This time, unlike with Red Tooth who Fernando didn't yet see fight thus doesn't know of what kind the leader's affinity and techniques are, Red Socket was known to have affinity with blood and mainly uses blood related techniques. He also have a strength of Eight-Level Nascent Soul-Stage.

Then Fernando at the Seventh-Level of Nascent Soul-Stage and three others with strength of Fourth, Third and Second-Level of Nascent Soul-Stage. A total of twenty-two warriors from Core Formation-Stage with different levels. Eighty-three warriors from Body Tempering-Stage and Mana Gathering-Stage who was regarded as important and talented. And many more members who was scattered and regarded as disposable people.

All in all, there was a twenty-eight person who was a possible threat to his life.

He then share this to his unproclaimed assistant, Celia.

"You don't have to be stress by that twenty-eight people. Just think of how to deal with the two most powerful person."

"Just the two of them? Why?" Cole asked confused as he didn't immediately catch Celia's meaning.

Celia rolled her eyes, annoyed, "Duh!" She said sarcastically. "Fernando was enough to sweep all of the people under him!"

"Oh!" Cole exclaimed loudly as if he was greatly enlightened. "You're right!"

"Heck yes, I am!" She exclaimed back but with smug tone this time. "Which is why we have to help him recover his damage soul or he won't be able to exert his whole strength. In his current state, I'm sure that he could only exert a strength equivalent of First-Level Nascent-Soul-Stage."

"That severe?" Cole asked, surprised. He didn't know that soul damage could actually produce this kind of huge downgrade. It's no wonder most of the people was afraid of receiving soul damage.

Celia nodded, "That severe." she confirmed. "Base on his current state and your and Bell's level, you have to use [Multi-Bell] for five years before he could recover to acceptable state. Of course, this is on the premise that you both didn't improve your strength. You both are just a Core Formation-Stage cultivator and Tier-3 Elemental-Spirit while Fernando was at Nascent Soul-Stage or Tier-4 in beast's category."

"Which means we have to raise our strength to shorten that five years?"

"Yes, which is not a bad thing. The higher your level is, the higher our chance of sucess and survivability." She paused. "About that killing urge, just suppress it for the meantime."

"All right." Cole agreed but he smile bitterly inside. It's not that he don't want to suppress the urge, he just can't. But she can't just said that to her.

"Why can't you just said it to the Peak Masters and I'm sure that they will do all the hard work of eliminating that bandit group?" Celia asked, confused.

"It is for revenge and I want to do it myself." Cole said with firm resolution.

"And we, all your beast, will support you all the way."

"Thank you..." Cole said with great appreciation.

Suddenly, he received a message from Coal through their [Soul Link] that there are number of people outside of their base.

"I have to go back to the base." He said to Celia while the latter just nodded her head.

Cole summon [Gate] and return to his place. He patted Coal's head and said, "You can go back now."

Coal nodded his head and enter the [Gate]. He then descend on the first floor where he see a man with a sword sitting on available chair in front a desk with three tree sampling and a golden egg.

"Welcome. I'm Cole." He said to the man.

The man nodded in acknowledgement with a nuetral expression and stand-up from his seat, "I'm called Steel. I'm a personal disciple of Master Tina and a league leader of Steel Swordswarrior League." He introduced himself. The man then shifted his sight to the things he brought, "I'm here as I am instructed personally by my Master to send this items to you. A sampling each of Bronze-, Silver- and Goldleaf Tree and an egg of unknown beast that my Master happen to stumbled upon."

"Oh?" Cole look very excited as he saw all the general information of the items appear on his eyesight with his [Heavenly Eyes].

Bronzeleaf Tree (Sapling) [Mortal-Rank] Description : A special plant who can absorb Metal-Energy and convert Metal-Bronze leaf which is also an ore. When mature, it could bear a fruit of Mortal-Rank Bronze-Metal Essence.

Silverleaf Tree (Sapling) [Mortal-Rank] Description : A special plant who can absorb Metal-Energy and convert Metal-Silver leaf which is also an ore. When mature, it could bear a fruit of Mortal-Rank Silver-Metal Essence.

Goldleaf Tree (Sapling) [Mortal-Rank] Description : A special plant who can absorb Metal-Energy and convert Metal-Gold leaf which is also an ore. When mature, it could bear a fruit of Mortal-Rank Bronze-Metal Essence.

Complete Egg [Gold Duck Beast Egg] Status : Alive (99.6%)

Cole felt really appreciated by Madam Tina by sending him his request and more.

While Cole was busy on gawking the items, Steel use his time to check this mysterious youth who received a gift from his very strict Master. But no matter how he saw, there is nothing special him. Maybe a little beautiful to some other girls in some aspect despite being a boy, as he definitely didn't look like man enough, but nothing more. And knowing his Master, or any higher-ups of the sects in general, beauty was the last thing they will consider as potential and talent was more important.

Even if someone look like a literal dog, he knew that that man will be accepted with open arms. But this kid didn't look like a talented individual, added to the fact he heard that Cole was a beast tamer, renown as the untalented path, he got more confused why his Master send items to this kid.

"Send my utmost appreciation to Madam Tina for this items. Tell her I appreciate it a lot." Cole said after he recovered by his amazed state.

Steel just nodded his head and walk out of the building. Whatever the reason why this kid catch Madam Tina's attention but Cole's current status was still far from him. And Cole may be a league leader like hisself but the former league was still far from his prosperous Steel Swordswarrior League. Very far. Wait until they have the same status before they could talk or defeat him first. If not because of Madam Tina's task, he may not know this small character until later. Or never.

∞

Please check the number of the next chapter. It might be Chapter 53 instead of Chapter 52.