Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!-Chapter 1702: Learning Together

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"Now follow me, kids," Maria said after giving everyone a special Quest. "Elders and the Immortal too, you've also been given the same quest. Kids! And everyone else who wants to join, come and learn from me. You're welcome as disciples."

Wu Lieng and his disciples stepped into the training ground, followed by Nyx, Arachne, and even Celes, Melianna, and Ferleen. Alma was a little indecisive but eventually stepped in, and Nia followed her son. Then Partner decided to learn, and even Emeraldine joined. Ultimately, Lucifer went as well after seeing that Jonathan was interested.

In the end, everyone came to learn—even the little mushroom god, Myconidas, who had woken from his slumber to participate.

"Some of you may have more talent than others, but don't worry," Maria said. "Now, channel your Ki into your fists."

Maria demonstrated the technique she wanted to teach, channeling her Ki into her fists before looking at her disciples.

"And try to think about your sorrows, regrets, and pain," she explained. "Channel them into your soul, into your heart. Think about your past mistakes, the frustration boiling inside you, and the depths of your soul. You must forge a curse from your negative emotions and weaponize it against your foes."

Most disciples were confused, but some understood instantly—mostly those who had suffered greatly in their childhoods. Their Ki gained a faint, almost invisible "ghostly" presence.

It was so subtle and nearly unnoticeable that most didn't feel any difference, and technically there wasn't one. But Maria nodded, smiling.

"Let's begin," she said. "Repeat this a hundred times."

Maria stood calmly, her posture proud, then punched forward. An explosion of phantasmal flames erupted, shocking everyone.

BOOOM!

"Okay, that's enough for now. Do that," she said.

"Really? That's it?"

"Well, okay."

"Sure..."

"A bit too easy..."

The disciples grew overconfident after seeing how "simple" Maria's technique appeared, though it was far from easy.

They began training, trying to copy her, but struggled to grasp it fully. Her family, however, succeeded quickly.

The first to imitate her was Nyx. Her fists blazed with phantasmal Ki—not mana—and exploded.

"Wow, that felt stronger than just using Mana!" she said happily. "A hundred times, right mama? Okaaaay!"

"Hm... not bad," Lucifer said, the second to succeed. "This could be a good foundation for a martial arts system."

Partner managed it just as easily, followed by Myconidas, who showed unexpected talent. Then Arachne and some of the Jiangshi succeeded. Emeraldine, Nia, Celes, Jonathan, and Alma struggled, as they weren't as attuned to ghostly powers.

However...

BOOOM!

Someone performed it exceptionally, enhancing the technique with his own talent.

"Ah, I did it," Arthur said, surprised, as envious glares from disciples his age fell upon him. "Well, that wasn't too hard. I'll do a hundred more."

As he punched the air, powerful explosions of Phantasmal Ki erupted, astonishing more disciples. They didn't care about the adults or younger children but saw Arthur as an equal, since he was their age.

"Come on! What are you waiting for?" Maria urged. "I'll keep repeating it, so keep watching! Channel those emotions you always hide, sadness, sorrow, frustration, fear! Put them in the center of your chest, in the Central Dantian, and connect them directly to your soul, your Sense of Self! Gather it all into your fist and boom! Phantasmal Fist! This fist can pierce a foe's soul! Stronger? Tougher? More skilled? None of that matters if you shatter their soul and they die instantly. Can you see it now? This is the power of the Ghostly Fist! Use your grievances to destroy your foe's very soul!"

"OOOHH!"

The disciples roared together.

"HAAAH!"

At first, only a handful joined, but soon more followed.

"HEEYAAA!"

The cries of the few girls among the majority of boys rang out, inspired by Maria—a strong woman who used her suffering to fight.

"TERYAAA!"

After an hour, everyone joined in. Both Jiangshi and Living disciples practiced together.

The Jiangshi were naturally more gifted, grasping the technique faster.

The Living disciples still tried their best, copying the Jiangshi, some of whom were their sworn brothers and friends.

Though it was difficult to accept that their friends were now Jiangshi, aside from minor changes in appearance, they didn't smell, groan, or act mindless. They were still themselves.

Some coped by imagining they were simply wearing costumes and moved on.

As Maria continued demonstrating, more disciples grasped the technique.

The count from 1 to 100 increased whenever they managed to imitate it, even if only shallowly, with barely 0.001% of its true power.

It was enough to count as one.

Slowly, even the least talented disciple carved their way through the arduous hundred repetitions.

Until...

"I did it!"

Arthur celebrated, the first to complete it, surpassing even Nyx, who had slowed down.

The boy saw the quest completion announcement and suddenly gained enlightenment. His eyes glowed with phantasmal flames for a few seconds, and his fist blazed with Yin Ki combined with Phantasmal Ki.

"Amazing, big sister, this is a great technique! It fits perfectly with my Physique," Arthur said, sweating and smiling. Maria had never seen him so happy before. He was usually silent and expressionless, and the sight filled her black heart with joy.

"Honestly, any technique does. You have a blessed Physique, young master," Yoomyung said. "Your talent is unparalleled, as I expected. How about learning the White Mist Fist later?"

"Sure, why not?" Arthur nodded.

"I'm glad, Arthur!" Maria smiled. "Perhaps this is truly your talent. Did you enjoy it?"

"I... did," Arthur nodded. "More than even practicing with the spear—wait, are there Martial Arts that use them?!"

"Yes," the White Mist Immortal said. "I can teach you the Yellow Cloud Thunder Spear Arts, but first you must grasp and master the White Mist Arts."

"Oh... alright," Arthur nodded. "For now I'll keep practicing. Wait, how about doing kicks with this technique—ah! It works too."

"Grrr..."

"Who does he think he is?"

"Blessed by heaven or something?"

"The son of providence..."

"The brother of the sect master is obviously the most gifted, ugh..."

"I'll show him!"

The disciples muttered, showing clear jealousy of Arthur's heavenly talent. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

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