"How has your training been lately?"
"So far, it's going well… but I hit a snag when advancing to the Conduction stage. Aligning all twelve veins is proving difficult."
"Oh? Then try advancing to the Resonance stage. It won't be as painful as Conduction… but it could make your head feel like it's about to explode."
Shura and Agrel laughed. They had been friends since childhood, and though they weren't together as often as before, their bond remained unbroken.
Agrel led the way deeper into the forest. The night before, he had revealed a secret to Shura that left him utterly stunned. Now, they were nearly at their destination.
"Through here."
Underneath a massive Yondu Tree, a wide lake stretched around them. The place was strange; sunlight rarely pierced the dense forest, but here it shone continuously, illuminating a colossal tree at the center of the lake. It was like a little heaven carved in the wilderness.
"Beautiful…" Shura murmured.
Agrel smiled faintly. "If you think this is the place, you're wrong. Follow me."
Without warning, Agrel leapt into the lake. Shura froze for a moment, stunned by his friend's antics, before diving in after him.
They swam down to the bottom, discovering a vast underwater cave—its mouth wide enough for a giant beast to enter. Agrel inspected the surroundings before entering, Shura following closely behind.
Darkness swallowed them. The cave seemed to consume all light. Using one of Agrel's techniques, they created a glowing aura, illuminating the passage ahead.
After a long trek, they reached a fork in the cave. One path led upward. Agrel swam toward it, Shura following.
A sliver of light pierced from above. Even without Agrel's technique, the cave was bathed in sunlight.
"We've arrived."
"Finally…" Shura gasped. The scene before him was otherworldly. Rare medicinal plants flourished here, Spiritus was abundant, and strange terrestrial creatures roamed freely. It was a wonderland.
"Hey! How did you find this place? And that…" Shura pointed upward, "how is there sunlight in here? Aren't we still inside the cave?"
"That's not the sun, fool."
Shura froze as an elderly man approached. His robes were tattered, though their rich design hinted at noble origins.
"This must be the boy you told me about?" the old man said, his tone sharp and dismissive.
"Yes, Master. He's my friend. We've known each other since the womb," Agrel replied, grinning.
"G-Good afternoon, Master," Shura stammered, nervous.
The old man jabbed at Shura with the tip of his staff. "His body is fine… but his vitality is poor. His Qi is chaotic. Even in this Spiritus-rich place, he struggles to gather it. Look! Only a tiny amount has accumulated."
"Huh! Pathetic! You don't deserve to be my disciple. Agrel, send him home!"
Agrel froze. He hadn't expected such outright rejection. He approached the master, trying to reason once more.
Shura stood motionless, processing the harsh introduction and sudden refusal. He felt useless, insignificant.
It's true… I struggle with training. To advance a single realm, I have to combine three methods, craft pills, form formations, even perform special breathing techniques. It's forbidden, yet if my body weren't strong, I'd have died from the pain, Shura thought.
"Heh! What are you waiting for? This place is dangerous. You could explode if you linger!" the master barked, still sharp.
Shura turned toward the lake's exit. Before he could say goodbye to Agrel, memories of his missing family surged.
I must find them. I have to become stronger.
Suddenly, the old man hurled his staff—it lodged firmly in front of Shura.
"Hey! You—"
Grab! The master's grip tightened around Shura's neck, lifting him high before slamming him to the ground.
*Brak!*
He lifted Shura again, throwing him violently toward the trees.
"Ahhh!"
"Master! What are you doing?!" Agrel shouted, rushing to help.
With a swift motion, the old man cast a sealing technique. "Stay still, boy!" Agrel's movements froze instantly.
"Alright, I begin." The master lunged, fist aimed at Shura.
Shura reacted instantly, dodging the brutal strike, trying to comprehend why the attack came.
Palm of Judgment! The master unleashed a golden Qi in the shape of a hand. Shura couldn't fully evade, forcing him to clash using his own technique.
Dragon's Grip! Golden Qi formed a dragon-arm, colliding with the master's palm. Outnumbered in Qi, Shura was pushed back—though unharmed by a direct hit.
"Not bad… but it's not enough," the master struck again. This time, Shura braced himself, exchanging blows.
He realized that prolonged fighting would drain his Spiritus. His only chance was a final, all-out strike.
Focusing intensely, Shura absorbed Spiritus rapidly. His Qi surged. Every movement was fluid and precise; each step cracked the ground, every swing whipped the air into waves.
The master's eyes widened. How can a boy at Conduction stage release Qi with such intensity?
"Interesting… let's see what you're hiding, boy."
Shura counterattacked swiftly. The master met him joyfully, exchanging strikes, blow for blow. But despite Shura's efforts, he could not land a damaging hit. Meanwhile, the master's speed allowed him several successful strikes.
*Bugh!*
One clean punch sent Shura flying.
"Heh… I may have expected too much from you, boy."
Spitting blood from his mouth, Shura refocused. A flash of memory struck him:
This technique is forbidden. Our ancestors sealed it for a reason. But it must have an heir… and that heir is you, my son, chosen among our family. Remember: never use it unless absolutely desperate, or you will die.
"Haha… weak indeed. Useless technique in your hands," the master mocked, readying his final strike.
But then, the air trembled violently. Shura's ancient breathing technique activated. A hidden formation, secretly set during the fight, flared beneath him. His breath raced; his heartbeat thundered.
Without hesitation, Shura ambushed the master. Spiritus around them surged into his body, converting into immense Qi.
Bugh! One strike to the master's chest.
Bam! Another hit to the shoulder.
Dugh! A sweeping kick sent him crashing.
The battle intensified—strike met strike, kick met kick. The master sensed something unusual: the faster Shura moved, the closer he approached the next stage. Somehow… Shura had reached Tempering Vein.
The master refused to relent. Concentrating fully, he met Shura blow for blow.
*Blarr!*
Ashura Bull Horns! The master threw Shura, slamming him into the trees.
"Shuraaaa!!!" Agrel screamed, panic surging.
The master approached Shura, eyes sharp. "Impressive… but you are not destined to survive in this world."
Raising his staff high, he prepared the final strike.
"Any last words, demon boy?"
"If not… die quietly!"
*Wushhhh!*
"Stop, Master!!!"
*Zrasshh!*
Blood splattered everywhere as the staff pierced the master's chest. Shura screamed, eyes wide in shock. Moments later, he collapsed, unconscious.
But...is Shura really dead?