"Well you will do just fine lass." murmured Whiteflame. "My time is limited since I am only a sliver of divine sense so there is not much time to waste. I will impart to you only two techniques. They were created by me so it's natural that they would be at the pinnacle of excellence in the entire Universe. The first technique is called Devour The World, and its sole purpose is to saturate your body with the surrounding energy. The second technique is my ultimate legacy - the best body tempering method in existence, known as Blaze Tempering. My method of cultivation is quite straightforward... You absorb qi and then ignite it inside your body. This ignites a fierce fire that purifies and strengthens every cell, transforming your body into one that is stronger and superior. The process can be excruciating, but I have no doubt that a dedicated disciple like you will handle it with ease."
Rin's eyes widened in confusion as her new Master spoke of body refining and igniting qi. She had no clue what he was talking about, but her eagerness to learn drove her forward, despite the promise of an "excruciating" process. She wondered what that word meant, but her determination to improve herself overshadowed any doubts. After the turmoil of the last few days, this opportunity felt like a blessing from the heavens.
"Before, I was able to achieve the third level of condensation. But I suppose you wouldn't understand what that means. All you need to do is focus on tempering your body, and everything else will come naturally," the deceased cultivator mused.
"It's quite simple, as you can see. I will now implant the techniques into your mind. Prepare yourself." Whiteflame pointed his finger at Rin's forehead. She felt a rush of information flooding her mind. She now knew the exact breathing and concentration methods to access qi, at least in theory. And the Blazing Tempering technique was represented by a complex rune that she had imprinted in her memory.
"I apologize for my limited energy, I won't be able to sit and talk with you for long. But don't worry, we will meet again after you successfully reach your first condensation stage. Oh, and before I forget, I have infused enough qi in your body for the initial ignition. When you wake up, my divine sense will automatically trigger Blaze Tempering. Pay close attention to the process, my dear disciple. And make sure you eat more, you look a bit thin. Until we meet again."
In a sudden burst of light, Whiteflame disappeared into thin air, leaving behind a smile for Rin. She stood there in shock, trying to process everything that had just happened. Slowly, she felt herself slipping out of the now empty dream world, and she opened her eyes to reality. As she woke up, she could feel a strange force taking over her mind, leading her through the intricate process of activating the Blazing Tempering rune.
At first, utter stillness filled the small cave. Rin shifted her weight, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through her broken foot. Then, a faint sensation of warmth began to radiate from her abdomen, just below her navel. It crept steadily through her body, reaching her arms, legs, and head. But as the temperature continued to rise, Rin's skin prickled uncomfortably and beads of sweat formed on her forehead. Suddenly, she felt as though she were being consumed by flames. The searing pain was almost too much to bear as it spread throughout her body like a wildfire.
An intense heat spread through her body, searing every nerve and muscle until Rin felt like she was being scorched alive. With each passing moment, the pain intensified, reaching unbearable levels that threatened to overwhelm her. She screamed and screamed until her throat was raw and no sound could escape. But the agony continued, mercilessly torturing her until there was no air left in her lungs to fuel her screams. All she could feel was agonizing pain, every other sense shutting down in response to the overwhelming intensity of it all. Time seemed to stretch on endlessly as she endured this torment, with no relief in sight. And just when she thought she couldn't take it anymore, the heat and pain slowly began to subside, leaving behind a trembling and exhausted Rin.
Gradually, she regained her senses. To her surprise, her body was coated in a thick layer of dark filth. The lingering effects of the tempering process, she concluded. Her cells had purged all toxins and impurities, leaving her feeling renewed. As she carefully examined herself, Rin noticed that her previously injured foot was now completely healed. In fact, she felt stronger and healthier than ever before. Even her senses seemed to have heightened; she could see and hear with more clarity, and her mind felt sharper and quicker. It seemed that the tempering had not only cured her injuries but also enhanced her physical constitution and her mental capacity.
Repulsed by the putrid stench clinging to her skin, Rin swiftly left the cramped cavern and made her way back to the lake she had stumbled upon the day before. She eagerly plunged into the water, vigorously scrubbing her skin until it was squeaky clean. As she emerged from the refreshing lake, Rin suddenly became acutely aware of how hungry she was. Remembering the tree with the delectable fruits that she had fallen from, she decided to make her way back there. Despite the pain from her fall, it had also presented an incredible opportunity for her to enter the world of Cultivation. Upon reaching the tree, Rin climbed carefully, testing each branch before putting weight on it. With a successful harvest of several fruits, she descended and sat down to devour them. It took over ten fruits before Rin's hunger finally subsided.
With her stomach finally sated, Rin's mind was able to clear and focus on her current predicament. She took a deep breath and felt the determination and strength coiling within her. With newfound confidence, she knew exactly what she needed to do. She would dedicate herself to mastering the art of Blazing Tempering until she became the strongest warrior. Then, she would seek out a prestigious sect to join and earn justice for those who had hurt her. And finally, she would use her power to help others like Meng who had selflessly aided her in the past. The path ahead may be difficult, but Rin was ready to face it head on with unwavering resolve.
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She would have to look for food again soon, but after some contemplation, she decided to try practicing the art of Devouring the World. Settling by the tranquil lake, she focused on her breath. Her previous experience with qi was limited to the test from the Sky Sect and when Whiteflame had infused her body with energy. Gathering qi from the world around her proved to be much more difficult. However, Rin persisted and after several hours of trial and error, she felt it: energy slowly gathering in her body from all sources - the lake, the trees, the earth, even the sky. She could absorb it into her being, nourishing every cell in her body. This was true cultivation!
Rin lost track of time as she focused on filling every inch of her body with qi. She pushed herself to the limit, absorbing as much as she could until she could absorb no more. The difficult part was yet to come, as she now understood that "excruciating" simply meant an overwhelming amount of pain.
Mentally preparing herself, Rin summoned the Blazing Tempering rune in her mind. She dreaded what would come next, but she knew it was necessary if she wanted to become stronger. Understanding the intricacies of the rune was beyond her, but she knew how to use it to trigger her qi ignition. With focused determination, she followed the steps her Master had taught her and successfully activated the rune on her first try. As before, the warmth started in her abdomen and spread throughout her body before intensifying into a blazing heat.
As the second cycle commenced, Rin's desperate screams filled the air. The overwhelimg pain was reminiscent of the first time, but this time Rin seemed to bear it with more composure. She could feel her muscles and bones breaking down under the intense heat, only to be rebuilt moments later. When the process was complete, a thick layer of gunk covered her skin, though not as much as the last time. Despite the intensity of the pain, Rin found herself able to endure it better this time around, perhaps due to her mind adjusting to the torture. Like a phoenix rising from its ashes, Rin emerged from the flames, transformed and reborn once again.
The aching emptiness in her stomach returned, gnawing at Rin's insides. With a sigh of relief, she remembered the handful of sweet fruits she had gathered from her lucky tree earlier. The Blaze Tempering process seemed to require a constant supply of nutrients, something she was quickly learning as she delved deeper into its mysteries.
Rin realized that if she wanted to keep up with her cultivation, she needed to start eating more consistently. Perhaps adding some meat to her diet would help, but the thought of hunting for her food made her uneasy. Growing up in the city, she had never even seen wildlife before. The wilderness was a foreign and intimidating concept to her.
All Rin knew how to do was make fire. If she wanted to survive and thrive in this new environment, she knew she had to expand her skills and knowledge beyond what she had known before.
Rin eventually settled into a routine of cultivating, exploring, searching for food, and resting. Sometimes she was able to add variety to her diet by finding mushrooms or mussels in the nearby lake, but attempts at catching fish or squirrels were unsuccessful. She wasn't exactly thriving, but she was managing reasonably well. Her cultivation was also progressing well. After completing ten cycles, which took about a week, she felt a sudden change within her body. It seemed to expand slightly and she could sense herself growing taller. Additionally, her cells were now able to absorb qi at a faster rate, speeding up her cultivation process. But the most significant change was the gradual increase in speed and strength with each completed cycle. Rin felt as though her strength had doubled compared to when she first began cultivating.
As she sat by the tranquil lake, Rin's gaze was drawn to a few graceful deer who came to drink from its shimmering waters. Her stomach rumbled at the thought of having a big source of food for a while if only she could catch one. But the deer were far too elusive and quick for her even with her enhanced body. Frustrated, she realized she needed a way to hunt them from further away, but she lacked any weapons or skill in ranged combat. After much contemplation, she decided to train in throwing stones. Along the edge of the lake lay hundreds of small, smooth stones perfect for throwing. So Rin gathered as many as she could carry and began her training in earnest.
As she explored the surrounding area, Rin made it a point to practice her throwing skills whenever possible. Whether it was aiming at birds perched on branches or squirrels scurrying across the forest floor, anything edible became her new target. Though her initial attempts were clumsy and unsuccessful, Rin persisted and slowly but surely, her aim improved with each passing day.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of training, Rin's persistence paid off when she managed to strike a bird right in the head with a perfectly aimed stone. The bird fell lifeless to the ground, and Rin couldn't contain her excitement and pride at this small victory. Meat was back on the menu. From that day on, she continued to hone her newfound skill, knowing it would be crucial for her survival in this wild landscape.
As Rin progressed in her cultivation, she could feel the immense power building up within her. She was now close to reaching the second tier of Blaze Tempering. In order to reach the next level, she now needed to go through twice as many cycles compared to the first tier. However, her cultivation speed had also improved - she was now able to complete two cycles every day without fail.
But as much as she wanted to focus solely on her cultivation, Rin couldn't ignore the fact that her food sources were quickly dwindling. The fruits and mushrooms around the lake were almost completely depleted, and if she didn't move soon, she would have nothing left to sustain herself.
With a heavy heart, Rin decided it was time to leave the peaceful lake behind and continue her journey. But before she did, she was determined to reach the second tier of Blaze Tempering.
After 22 days since running away from Scarlet City, as Rin had counted them, she finally felt ready. She had gathered as much food as she could: two squirrels, a small bird, and a handful of mushrooms. There was no more fruit to be found. Rin settled by the lake, her usual spot, and began to focus on absorbing the qi from the world around her. As the energy filled her body, she prepared to trigger the 30th cycle. The qi sparked and ignited within her, followed by the familiar heat and pain. But Rin was like steel at this point, enduring the process without a single sound. Just like after finishing the first ten cycles, her body expanded slightly with each cell increasing its capacity for absorption.
As Rin flexed her muscles, she felt the surge of power coursing through her body. Her senses sharpened to an otherworldly level, her heightened hearing and vision far surpassing any mere mortal's. Thoughts raced through her mind at lightning speed, each one crystal clear and purposeful. No longer did Rin feel vulnerable or weak; with feline-like reflexes and lightning-fast speed, she was was no longer prey, she was now the predator. With a primal roar, she set off in search of deer, eager to test out her newfound abilities.