There may be a limited number of abilities that Adam was looking for, but this was a Cultivation World. Not every person could use an ability the same way as another. This was an important detail to consider when designing base abilities for a Sect.
Aside from obvious stuff like compatibility and talent, some people had defects like Adam used to, such as missing an arm or whatever. Also, some creatures that evolved into other forms and joined the Sect may be more used to using their claws to attack, or if it was a plant? Well maybe they specialized in tentacles, vines, or roots.
So, first to be tackled? Piercing.
Surge energy, create a spiral of compression in a single direction, over consolidate everything with a single weakness (Tip of the cone), and BOOM! A piercing attack.
If shaped right, even the released 'projectile' should be thin, high speed, and rotating. Any additional affects would vary based on the energy types and Martial Spirit of the owner.
The trick that Adam was going to use, however, was to create lots and lots of modified, simplified, and efficient versions of this attack type.
Oh, the base version was of course super flexible. It required thousands of tiny variables to fire, which Adam was able to dynamically set near instantly during the initial attack. But for normal people? Not likely.
So, the cultivation jade slip designed, aside from the explanation parts and practicing methods, included some 'vastly simpler to learn' but 'far more restrictive to modify during battle' options. Best to have lots of options rather than miss the one that someone else might need.
A whole list of versions were crafted, spit into sections.
First, which locations to attack from! The assault could be launched from the hand (Palm, fist, each finger, above, below, in front, etc) or from any number of similar locations that focused around the foot, mouth, eyes, elbows, bum... and so forth. Lots of options, each with thousands of further choices depending on where you initially start.
Second, alterations to the attack method. Super fast versions, ones that focused more on disturbing the opponent's battle rhythm than anything or could surprisingly spiral, curve, or change directions... Ideal for speed fighters. Raw power varieties, where a significant charge up time and reduced flexibility was needed but provided an astounding attack. Beam variations, which were weaker but continuous attacks that could be used as crowd control, even if it sacrificed the degree of piercing possible.
Once you made the first two choices? Move on to the third, mental requirements needed to use the ability. This had sections that were basically fire and forget (Launch and dodge, or set a 'landmine' version as a trap), and other areas that had such harsh needs that they nearly turned Adam into a handicapped person due to how much mental attention was required (Target seeking attacks that could attack targets seeking attackers, Attacks that split into weaker but more numerous attacks during transit, etc).
And while Adam provided ALL the options in a fairly searchable set of lists, he also included a small questionnaire to help new Sect members find their ideal version.
Not perfect by any means, but it should save time and could save lives.
If you have no offense, but can take a hit? Go for the 'cannon' or 'turret' version of the ability. Heavy danger if your opponent is stronger, but in return for slow speed and massive buildup? You might be able to take someone down above your level, or contribute to a fight that would normally leave you waiting on the sidelines.
Weak defense? Kill them with a thousand small 'cuts' with shotgun spread piercing attacks, or create tiny, nonlethal needle sized attacks to distract a foe at a critical moment. Stab eyes, destroy equipment, act as support to a larger group at a critical moment.
And if none of that appeals to you, try one of the augmentation versions. One coated your sword, fist, etc with a series of impact piercing attacks. Once you connect with your foe during your normal attack method, a surprise assault from your blade or fist could open up weaknesses or a flaw in their defense!
Adam himself had tried to learn from his past failure. He was focusing on two versions of his own 'Piercing' skill, so that he wouldn't be crippled by choice at a vital moment.
First, a stationary, single shot turret with a triggered 'fire and forget' feature.
During a conflict, Rockette or Adam could choose a point in space, set up this Piercing attack, and ignore it. When needed, either could designate a target, and all 'turrets' in the area would convert their internal spiritual energy into a single attack! Sure, in the process it would involve consuming themselves, but hopefully in the process it would be surprising a foe at a critical moment.
Secondly, a hand augmentation ablative 'infect' attack.
A small packet of energies would compress at each finger tip, Adam's Battle Qi would strengthen those fingers and create sharp claw tips as a delivery method... And after touching a foe, inject that energy in a thin spike as deep as possible.
Use his Blue energy, and it was inserting raw fire deep inside the target.
But if he used his Curse marks?
Well, it should be more effective than punching a reinforced crocodile skull with his bare fist and HOPING that the damage would spread to the distant brain before someone else got hurt.
He had considered focusing all that power into his palm instead, a single shot pile driving spike... but eventual consideration threw it out the window when it came to improving his battle ability.
Because he could ALWAYS make a large single attack... but the point of these two skills was to improve his UNCONSCIOUS fighting ability.
He was merging the two skills into his 'Immense Fist' style, which already included many claw and harsh fist attacks as part of its slow but forceful assault method.
Each rip of his fingers now left blue energy trails while the black cursed energy consolidated at the tips... a deadly surprise for anything that blocked him. Each punch of his hand launched a light blue flame, a turret in all but name that would launch a fierce piercing attack when directed at a single target.
Adam COULD create a tainted poison bolt for those turrets as well, but...
But he wouldn't. Far too dangerous.
Unlike his claws, it was VERY possible for his turrets to accidentally hit something or someone incidentally as the battle could shift heavily and positions would change unexpectedly.
Any damage by his OWN Qi would be a harsh, but a theoretically fixable wound.
But if powered by his curses? It would corrode MOST accidental targets far too quickly for him to feel comfortable about it. Or even notice in time.
It was a concern, as the 'Flame Spear Turrets' (Maybe find a cooler name? Ask Tianshi.) were meant to be launched automatically as additional surprise support for Adam (Also, to act as a light source for fighting in bad conditions).
In the end, to feel more at ease with his own developing attack style, he modified the turret attack so that either himself or Rockette had to designate which ones would launch first BEFORE designating a target to launch at.
Sure, it was slightly more complicated than 'Everything fire there!', but he had the mental ability to easily handle it... and it should reduce the chance that Adam was ALSO surprised by his own ability.
Adam again did a battle routine inside his own personal Cultivation Cave in Rockette, focusing on each solid, imposing step of his 'Immense Fist' style. As he grew more comfortable with the movements, it was shifting the entire attack method to follow a rhythm. A pattern of aggression and stability.
Step. Claw. Step. Slide. Step. Punch. Step. Guard.
A beat, where the ground itself seemed to resonate with each attack... to build a momentum of sorts, where the longer one would fight Adam the more and more the attacker would be drawn in to follow the subtle rhythm.
They would Dodge. Attack. Dive. Move.
All to his own pace. The inevitable, grinding pace of mountains and glaciers.
As he continued... he moved on to the Qi Techniques that he was TRULY compatible with.
The Bludgeoning series.
Unlike Piercing, these formed stable spirals of energy as a base. More like shields than daggers or hammers, they deliberately formed wide surfaces and inflicted enhanced momentum during conflict when possible.
The 'Locations to attack from' part of this new jade slip was similar to the Piercing Techniques. Maybe a bit more focus on the forehead, as a headbutt was a famous attack move that LOVED to be a blunt impact assault, but mostly the same.
Modifications though? Spirals that acted like ablative attacks, withstanding a single blow VERY well. Spirals that twisted into themselves, creating a grinding like surface. Ones that pulled outside attacks inward as a fuel source, others that were dedicated to shifting people, objects, or energy slightly off course.
Adam had again focused on two versions of Bludgeoning attack, and again, they were near autonomous to better merge with his attack patterns.
First, Momentum Redirection. A thin energy spiral would form on his skin or above his armor, and on impact the energy would accelerate FAR faster than needed to absorb the damage, flow over his body in multiple paths to reduce the strain, then either be moved into the other hand or weapon to retaliate... or be shifted into his firm footing to impact the ground.
It wasn't damage nullification, and Adam's version actually forced the diluted impacts inwards to the other conceptual Adams within, creating a large number of minor wounds on multiple Adams rather than hurting his outside shell or damaging the ground he needed to fight on.
With THIS trick, if he could use it without thought, he could safely fight on that bog moss out there. The attacks would injure him, sure... but he wouldn't be hurled downward into that black water with whatever ate that monster earlier.
Secondly? Ablative Bashing. Conflicting spirals on his knuckles, forehead, elbows, knees, and feet would just BARELY be stable.
If they come in firm contact, either when attacking or blocking? Then power would blast in all directions, his momentum redirection helping to ensure a wave of pressure would mostly attack outwards while his foes would find themselves facing a wall of force.
Step. Shift (theoretical) Attack. Step. PUNCH!
His right fist CRACKED as a light blue fog of energy CRUSHED the crystal floor of his cultivation cave. The soft tremor of movement in the room was hopefully caught by Rockette, but was entirely satisfying to the boy as he continued his routine.
This would be useful for normal fights against things that needed cohesion. Zombies, Skeletons, several plant Spirit Beasts, and small crowds of weak but numerous attackers... It was like a more compressed, less maintenance heavy version of his strong punch used earlier.
A moment of thought established the conflicting spirals of energy on his fist again... and then he could ignore it. The energy would naturally build up over time as it came in contact with his Momentum Redirection technique, even while his own movements and even soft breaths would generate potential energy and build up power in these patterns for the next attack.
He could manually power these fragile spirals of course, but why not build up strong attacks for free? If he had to punch twice, then he was probably doing something wrong anyway... or what he was punching would be better off with him injecting corrosive claws into the target instead.
As for the 'Final Attack' techniques or the 'Capture Techniques' so recently crafted? He didn't bother adding either category to his attack routine.
The 'Immense Fist' style did not rely on controlling the opponent, only controlling one's self. And if he needed to use one of the many Capture Techniques, it was both easier and more reasonable for Rockette to do that instead.
So with four abilities to train, Adam was moving in his cave... slowly. Each step harsh, but with care to be as precise as possible. Speed would come later, when the new punches, claws, and defensive steps were automatic and instinctive.
But for now? Slow. Stable. Progress.
~~~Broken Adventure~~~
Sister Quan blinked. "Why are we stationary? Is Adam diving in the water for something?"
The guards were all hunched over some jade slips for some reason, but had paused when she walked in. The leader stood up and came close. "Good afternoon, Sister Quan. Adam had a short conflict with some sort of Spirit Beast earlier, and decided to design some new Battle Techniques to both improve himself and to increase the ability of the Burning Sword Sect as a result."
...What? No. "I am going to have a snack first, something warm to drink, THEN we will discuss... whatever the hell you just said."
Seriously, too much too soon.
Later, when she felt more awake, she tried again. "So."
Sheesh. "Giant... snake crocodile horned thing. Tried to eat Brother Adam."
Seemed normal for the child. "Then he punched it until it fell over." Because of course. "And poisoned it." Not surprising, he had been working on making his black tattoo more controlled and safe, since it covered his skin and could easily affect others.
She frowned. "Then both of them nearly died to something massive underwater."
A series of nods.
And... those jade slips. "So the boy, finding his ability to punch monsters into submission insufficient... made a thousand or so new battle techniques from scratch. Again. But THIS time, aimed at crafting cheap, efficient attacks that make our secret Sect techniques look both annoying to use and pathetically weak."
Well, THAT was going to happen eventually anyway. He had been half way there already before they even left. "Well... whatever makes him happy I guess. Has anyone seen little Tianshi?"
Several guards pointed up.
Blinking, Sister Quan raised her vision...
Uh. Huh.
She took a stabilizing breath. "LITTLE TIANSHI!"
A distant voice. "Yes?"
Calm. "Why did you put vines all over the ceiling?"
Her tiny head showed up in the vegetation. "Mr. Whiskers told me to use my Martial Spirit when launching a bludgeoning attack, and it created a sort of nest up here."
The girl grinned. "It's my tree house. No one can come up." She paused. "Except you. And Master. And maybe a few of the nicer guards." She pointed at the heavens. "But it is MY tree house, so you gotta follow my rules. And bring cookies."
Aww. So cute! "How did you even get up there?"
A spike of nature stabbed into the ground, thin vines spawning from the edge nearest the table to snap out and steal an apple like fruit... and then everything was yanked back upwards with a SNAP.
The little girl grinned. "Piercing attacks can act different with Green energy and my Betel Nut Seed works through the generated plants."
Sister Quan was more thinking about the inevitable whiplash. That would be a terrifying travel method. "Can't you make a staircase or ladder or something?"
Tiny confusion. "Well... yeah. But it isn't as cool as the whip vine express!"
Sigh. Yeah, she was Adam's Disciple.
