Chapter 41: Technique weaving

"You handled the situation correctly." I said, my voice a mere whisper as we moved like a blur through the dense, emerald forest, the leaves rustling angrily under our feet.

Rong looked at me, her gaze sharp and her eyes gleaming . "I am not that impulsive," she retorted, her tone as firm and unyielding as the tall oak we had just passed.

"And stop trying to act like my teacher, you are younger than me. Well....now that I think about it, you were always like this." I could tell she was trying to suppress a smirk, her lips curling upwards ever so slightly at the corners.

Looks like she is in her rebellious age, she is 16 years old after all. The thought sent a pang of nostalgia through me, the memories of my own youth flooding my mind like a tidal wave.

I chuckled nervously, the sound echoing through the forest like the call of a lonely bird. "Oh yeah, did you practice with the technique I told you to complete or have you been slacking?" I asked, trying to change the subject with a question I knew would work.

Her face turned a deep shade of crimson, the color of a rose petal after a spring rain. "I am still figuring it out," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"How did you even create something like this when you have not mastered the same concepts as me?" Her eyes held a mixture of curiosity, confusion, and a hint of admiration.

I smirked, my face a mask of confidence that I did not truly feel. "That's because I am a genius, what else?" I said, my voice dripping with feigned arrogance. The truth was, to create techniques, the most important thing I needed was the understanding of the qi pathways. But I had divulged that secret to her already and even taught her some other things too.

The idea had come to me like a bolt of lightning, striking me in the quiet of the night. It was to apply my knowledge of rune weaving to create techniques and I can even modify my techniques on the fly in battle, the way I like.

I had spent countless hours, tirelessly studying the ancient texts and scrolls, deciphering the various techniques in our clan vault and their meanings.

But in the end, it was worth it.

The forest began to thin out, the thick canopy of leaves giving way to the clear blue sky above. I could see the our camp in the distance, the smoke from the camp fire, rising lazily into the air like the tendrils of a sleeping dragon. We slowed down, the adrenaline from our earlier dash gradually fading away.

"Alright, Rong," I said, coming to a stop. "We're here. Now remember, do not tell anyone about the technique. It is our secret."

Rong nodded, her face bore a knowing smile. "I understand, Master," she said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I will keep our secret safe."

I smiled, a feeling of nostalgia in my chest "Good," I said, my voice barely above a whisper...

I smiled at Rong, but my mind was already churning with thoughts. The technique I had created was groundbreaking, a blend of ancient knowledge and modern innovation. I had spent countless hours poring over ancient texts, deciphering the intricacies of qi pathways, and weaving them together like complex runes.

But it wasn't enough. I wanted more. I wanted to create techniques that were not just powerful, but also flexible and adaptable.

I could use my knowledge of rune weaving to create techniques, but instead of weaving them as a whole, I could break them down into individual components.

I could place nodes in various parts of my body, each node serving as a focal point for a specific effect. The rest of the technique would be woven using qi pathways, just like runes.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The idea was revolutionary. It would allow me to modify my techniques on the fly, adapting them to suit the situation at hand. It was like having a personal arsenal of techniques, each one custom-made for a specific purpose. I felt a surge of excitement, a rush of adrenaline. This was it.

This was the breakthrough I had been waiting for.

I had always known that everyone had their unique perspective to create techniques. Some focused on raw power, others on speed or precision. My approach was different.

I was a weaver of techniques, a creator of paths. I could take a single technique and weave it into a hundred different forms, each one more powerful than the last.

or atleast that was my goal, I am not their yet.

I knew she was also itching to learn more, to delve deeper into the world of technique weaving.

But I also knew that this could not be rushed. This was not a skill that could be learned overnight. It required patience, dedication, and most importantly, a deep understanding of the qi pathways and the runic formations.

As we moved towards our camp, I took a deep breath, the cool forest air filling my lungs. I could feel the qi circulating within me, a constant flow of energy that I could tap into at any moment.

I closed my eyes, my mind reaching out to the vast network of qi pathways. I could see them, a complex web of lines and nodes, each one representing a different technique.

I opened my eyes, a renewed sense of determination in my heart. I would create the most powerful techniques the world had ever seen. I would push the boundaries of what was possible.

I would become a master of qi pathways and runic formations, a weaver of techniques beyond compare. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

"Where were you two and why did you took so long to come back?" Ning Lian said her voice carrying a hint of anger. It broke me out of my reverie.

"Uhhhh......We just met some people from heaven dao sect and they invited us over." I replied quickly. I don't want to make my situation worse.

Ning Lian’s eyes narrowed, her anger momentarily replaced by curiosity. "The Heaven Dao Sect? And they invited you over?" Her voice softened slightly, though the hint of suspicion remained. "Explain."

I nodded, taking a step forward. "Yes, we encountered Luo Bing and her companions. They were investigating the explosion from our battle with the devil mantis. We managed to convince them that she is Elder Qian's personal disciple."

Ning Lian crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "And they believed you?"

"Yes," Ning Rong chimed in. "I showed them the crystal plaque Elder Qian gave me. It confirmed my identity as his personal disciple. They were sufficiently impressed and extended an invitation to visit their camp."

Ning Lian's suspicion eased, and she nodded slowly. "I see. This could be an opportunity for us to gather more information about their activities in this sub-realm dungeon. But we must tread carefully."

"Agreed," I said. "We'll use the jade slip Luo Bing gave us to find their camp. It might give us a chance to learn more about their intentions and perhaps gain some valuable insights."

Ning Lian’s stern expression softened a bit. "Very well. Be cautious."

But just at this moment, Ning Jian came in, a sense of urgency in his stride. "No need for that. Father just informed me about a few things. I think there is an opportunity coming for all of you."

We turned to him, curiosity piqued. Ning Jian's presence often meant important news, and his serious expression indicated this was no different.

"What opportunity?" Ning Lian asked, her voice a mix of anticipation and caution.

Ning Jian took a deep breath before speaking. "Elder Qian has allotted five slots to our Ning Clan to enter the Jade Immortal's Abode. This is a significant chance for us."

A ripple of surprise and excitement ran through our group.

The Jade Immortal's Abode was legendary, a place filled with ancient treasures, powerful techniques, and rare cultivation resources. It was said that entering the Abode could provide opportunities for tremendous growth, but nobody has ever been able to find it.

So, the the once elusive place have been found , huh.

"Five slots?" I repeated, my mind racing with the possibilities. "That’s an incredible opportunity. What’s the catch?"

Ning Jian nodded. "There’s always a catch, but in this case, it's more about competition. The Heaven Dao Sect has extended this offer to mainly due to Rong and those three, but they still expect us to prove our worth."

Ning Rong's eyes sparkled with excitement. "This is our chance to show them what we're capable of. If we can make the most of this opportunity, it could elevate our clan’s status significantly."

Ning Lian's expression was thoughtful as she processed the news. "Who will be the ones to enter? We need our best for this."

Ning Jian's gaze swept over us, lingering on each face. "That’s not for us to decide. Father told me it's Li Liang, Lu Jing, Wang Mie , Ning Rong and Ning Feng should be among the five, given your potential."

I felt a bit resistent to the idea, I don't want to risk my life when I am progressing smoothly. This was the chance many cultivators would have been waiting for, an opportunity to test their skills against the best and acquire resources that could propel their cultivation to new heights.

But not me.

"We'll need to prepare thoroughly," I said, my voice firm. "This won’t be easy. The Heaven Dao Sect and other factions will likely send their strongest disciples. We must be ready for anything."

Ning Lian turned to Ning Jian. "Do we have any information about what we might face inside the Abode? Any intel could give us an edge."

Ning Jian shook his head. "Unfortunately, the details are sparse. The Jade Immortal's Abode is shrouded in mystery. Each entrance seems to offer different challenges and opportunities. We must be adaptable and resourceful."

The room fell silent as we absorbed this information, the weight of the opportunity settling upon us. We all knew this could be a turning point for our clan, a chance to elevate our status, but what if no one survived then whay's the point if having a status.

"I’ll inform Father of our decision to go," Ning Lian said finally. "We need to start preparing immediately. Training, strategy sessions, gathering resources – everything must be optimized for success."

"Agreed," mother said, my mind already racing with plans.

As both of them went to contact clan leader and tell him about the situation here, I turned to Rong.

"We should also continue our studies of the techniques I’ve been working on. They could give us an edge inside the Abode."

Ning Rong smiled, a determined glint in her eyes. "And I’ll make sure to master the technique you’ve been teaching me. Together, we can create something truly formidable."

Well, this is probably the most interesting part for me. I couldn't help but smile.