Chapter 7: The Rainbow Cultivation Method
Uzman delved back into the storage device and started exploring. He was in a big room with at least 100 compartments. Each compartment stored items of a similar type. He quickly accessed the memory tablets and selected the rainbow tablet which he extracted. Afraid that it would disappear, he decided to use it before continuing his exploration. He placed a drop of blood and then held it as instructed on his head. Immediately, there was an explosion of pain as his brain tried to assimilate the information provided. The pain increased exponentially until he thankfully blacked out.
For the second time that day, Uzman was interrupted by the insistent knocking on the door. He noticed fleetingly that the tablet had crumbled into dust. When he opened the door, he was faced by an irate Kenzo who was accompanied by Lady Tamara.
“It is not every boy who is lucky to have two beautiful girls knocking on his door. Not that I am complaining,” he joked.
The girls did not smile and continued looking at him coldly. Azure and emerald eyes were fixated on him in anger.
“What have I done now?’ Uzman asked.
“We want to know why you are pushing away your friends. You have been ignoring us.” Lady Tameria accused.
“All hail the goddess of elements, in her blessings we are safe. I am good, better than good. Don’t worry about me. I am, however, humbled by your concern."
The girls looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“Are you really Okay? We are really worried for you. You know, because of stuff. Since the fight, you have been different,” Lady Tameria inquired.
“Don’t worry, announce it on the rooftops that Uzman bin Vitari is back!”
Kenzo stared at him sharply.
"Why are you using a clan name structure? The only thing missing is a clan designation-” she asked. “-Anyway, you missed supper, so we brought some for you.”
Kenzo handed Uzman a wrapped package and said. "Tomorrow there are no classes, make sure you come and talk to us.”
“Thank you, I appreciate you a lot, and I value your friendship. I promise I will not pull away again.”
When the girls left, Uzman closed the door and sat on the bed reflecting on the roller coaster day. Uzman realized that he was feeling very hungry and devoured the food quickly. He placed his Zafu on the ground and started internalizing the lessons from the memory tablet. The memory tablet had shown him how to breathe, the paths that the air was to take and how it was to latch to his core. He willed himself to follow the breathing approaches learned from the tablet and found it felt natural. They were almost similar to the breathing exercises he had learned a long time ago.
The cultivation technique involved breathing deeply in spurts of five breaths evenly spaced, each, forcing the air to flow toward the core. After the five breaths, Uzman would reverse the cycle breathing deeply and with short exhales. He continued in this fashion until without warning the breath impacted his core forcing it to spin faster.
The second part involved splitting his attention to exert his will on the core while holding the breathing pattern. Uzman continued relentlessly as the golden light continued spinning faster and faster. His lungs were on fire and every part of his body was in pain from being deprived of air as the breathing pattern was focusing most of the air on assaulting the Core. Just when he was on the verge of fainting, the core seemed to snap and started condensing rapidly as the golden light thickened taking liquid form within a defined Dantian. He had at last succeeded in forming a core and was finally on the cultivation path. Uzman fell asleep promptly as exhaustion finally consumed him.
When Uzman finally awoke, he was assaulted by a strange smell. Taking stock of the situation, he realized he was covered in a slimy black substance. He jumped with joy remembering the events of the previous day. He washed carefully, thankful that he had slept on the floor due to exhaustion. He felt lighter on his feet and stronger. It was the best he had felt in his life. He now realized why he did not have a chance when sparring with his friends.
Uzman realized that he was ravenous and hurried to the kitchen. Luckily, there was a lot of food remaining even though he had been late for breakfast. Everything tasted better, his hearing had improved, and all colors seemed sharper. It was as if he had lived with a disability all his life, a blind man in a sea of color. He ate slowly enjoying the different flavors and realized that the food contained spices that added energy to his core. He wondered how he had never realized this. After finishing his meal, he went looking for his northerner friends intending to learn more about the Clans in preparation for engaging with his master.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Luckily he found Jurdur and Fatima in the training pavilion training. Uzman realized that he had missed a lot when he saw how fast they were moving. Their fight was like a well-choreographed dance. When they saw him approach, they stopped sparring and came to sit with him on the ringside.
“Hallo guys, how’s the training going,” Uzman asked with a laugh.
“As well as could be expected. I hate fighting water artists, their entire strategy involves redirection,” grumbled Jurdur. Fatima just laughed.
“By the way, when we first met, you introduced yourself as from the Bear Clan. How many clans are there in Tanga?" Uzman asked innocently.
“There are only three clans in the North. I am from the Bear Clan, Fatima is from the Sting Ray Clan and a water practitioner, while Kenzo is a Raven,” Jurdur answered.
"Since there are four primary elements, don’t you have a fire clan?” Uzman inquired.
“We used to have the Dragon Fire Clan, the strongest and mightiest due to their blue-tinged fire. They are no more,” bitterness seeping into her voice.
“What happened," Uzman continued his interrogation.
“They—
“This is neither the place nor the time to discuss Clan business. If you want to learn about our people, I suggest you talk to Kenzo.” Jurdur cut off Fatima before she could continue to offer information.
“Thank you very much. Know that I do not ask from idle curiosity. You have called me cousin many times. I have cause to believe I may be a member of the Dragon Fire Clan and would wish to find them,” Uzman responded.
Jurdur and Fatima stared at Uzman speechless. “I could almost believe it. Look at his hair. It shines like fire when struck by the sun at a certain angle,” Fatima interjected.
“Either way, it is Kenzo’s place to discuss such issues, she is the daughter of the patriarch after all, and our leader in this cursed land,” Finalized Jurdur.
"Would you guys mind if we go talk with her?" Uzman asked.
“No problem, lets us go. She is most likely in her room meditating,” Fatima answered.
They found her seated on a mat outside her room. She was sipping tea on a small porcelain cup.
“I was just about to come find you. I am happy you have sought me out,” Kenzo stated flashing a small smile before they could even engage her.
“Actually, Uzman here needs to enquire about information that is only passed down to the Clan. I told him that he needed to talk to you,” Jurdur said.
“Let us then enter the house and be more comfortable,” Kenzo decided.
Inside the house, they all sat in the spacious sitting room while Kenzo served them tea.
“So what do you want to know?” Kenzo asked curiously.
“I have come to believe that I may belong to the Dragon Fire Clan. My full name is Uzman bin Vitari Bin Sulmani al Faysal. I have accessed recent information that necessitates inquiring about the Clans. Since I don’t have any other leads, I thought to ask you,” Uzman explained.
Kenzo looked surprised for a moment and then her smile lit up the room. "I knew it she shouted exuberantly. Anyone who sees you cannot doubt you are a northerner. So where do I start?" she mused.
"Just start at the beginning to help me understand."
“What I am about to share with you has been passed down by word of mouth in the Clans and has been central to the conflict with the Imperials and the great duchies. The free Clans were central to the founding and unification of the world of Tanga, as well as, its defense against the demon horde. The Clans were led by the last Guardian who was able to wield all elements. It is not known how since after the fall of the Guardian, the Imperials conducted a wide-scale purge that led to the loss of a lot of information about history and cultivation.
"At that time, there were four clans representing the four primary elements. They were very strong and opposed the noble families while safeguarding the entire North from demons and beasts alike. The current position of the Academy was part of the North and was considered the greatest Archduchy.
"The guardian had created many strong energy weapons for use by the Clans. However, the nobility class plotted to reduce the power of the Clans as they were championing the causes of commoners. The Clans refused to segregate people based on class or ability to cultivate. They took the tenets of cultivation seriously which led to conflict with the Nobility who wanted to exploit those who were perceived to be weaker.
"There were four warriors who were strongest in the world of Tanga representing each of the regions. Two brothers from the Imperial Zaibatsu House, the leader of Silicia House, and the Guardian who was also the Patriarch of the free Clans. However, the Guardian was stronger by far compared to the others due to his ability to wield all elements. The rest of the Nobility raised their armies in secret and prepared to strike the Clans. At the same time, they performed a demonic ritual summoning a Demon prince who could match the Guardian in power. The guardian fought with the Prince of Demons and managed to win sustaining heavy injuries.
"When the Guardian was fighting, the Dragon Fire Clan which was closest to Silicia, was attacked by the combined might of the Nobles and eradicated; man, woman, and child. Since then, the Clans have waged perpetual war against the nobility especially, Silicia and Zeta. Currently, the Clans enjoy a positive relationship with the Duchy of Amoria which has been upholding values that are consistent with what we in the north believe.”
After those revelations, silence reigned as Uzman tried to internalize the scope of the losses.
"So are there no fire practitioners in the Clans?” He finally asked.
"There are just normal fire practitioners who do not have access to the more powerful blue dragon flame. Now, will you tell me what information prompted this inquiry? I do not doubt that you are a clansman. Your entire outlook is consistent with the mural in the Hall of Commemorations.”
They all looked at Uzman expectantly.
“I am grateful for the information you provided. I am not at liberty for now to disclose the source of my information but I will share it with you as soon as I can. However, by the end of the coming week, I will provide each of you with a few resources for your paths. Allow me to leave as I have a lot to think about.” Uzman excused himself and went to his house to discuss the information with his Master.