Chapter 8: Forms of the Martial Path

Uzman opened the soul book and informed his new master that he had successfully managed to form his core and was awaiting further instructions. Additionally, he informed him of the fall of the Dragon Fire Clan.

'It saddens me to know that my legacy has been buried in the ashes of time. Additionally, the loss of so many lives in revenge must have weakened my beloved clans. No matter. You just need to be strong enough to protect them and raise them to their former glory while vanquishing the demons. Do you have any questions before we start today's lessons?' Master Khalid asked.

'It is not a question about cultivation but I would like your guidance. To remain in the Academy I need to show that I can cultivate. What do you suggest I do?'

'I have been thinking about your predicament. You told me that the Academy is located off the Tigresi River and where the Duchies meet the Northern lands. Correct?'

'I have learned that the Academy stands on land that was considered part of the North,' Uzman answered.

'This is what I suggest, you will need to look for an appropriate spot for cultivation where there is a high density of Chi such as near a river. If I remember correctly, this Academy must be near the Tigresi River. There are several alcoves even though you have to fight a few low-level beasts in the vicinity. I had created a directional map which you will find with the books in this storage.

'You should tell your instructors you practice air techniques. However, this subterfuge will only be possible until you enter the elemental realm since after forming your core only innate manipulation is possible.'

'The second part of your training will involve developing mastery of the forms of power. Once mastered, they will help you with passive cultivation and body tempering while increasing your martial prowess considerably. I would suggest you only attend a few classes while we carry out most of our training in a high-density Chi environment. For your martial training, I created an animated trainer which you will find in the storage. It will require activation with a demon core.'

Uzman realized that he had not gone through the items in the storage device and needed to categorize them for ease of access. With that activity in mind, he delved into the storage and started investigating the items while making a list. What surprised him was the variety of available items. Additionally, he found a chest filled with gold and silver coins.

There were many different types of pills for the various paths, armor, weapons, clothes, animal parts, bones, and even prepared food items. Unfortunately, he could not identify the function of the items or their value. He knew that he was now one of the richest people in the Academy even though the resources technically belonged to the Fire Dragon Clan. Finally, he found the animated training golem in one of the compartments and retrieved it. It was roughly six feet in height with well-balanced features.

After inquiring from Master Khalid, he found a Rank 3 demon core and activated the golem. To his surprise it slowly stood up, its eyes animated with a bluish glow, and asked 'Young Master would you like to spar, I have beginner, adept, advanced, and mastery settings.'

Uzman sat down stunned by the scope of the craftsmanship that would be necessary to create such a marvel. He returned the training golem to storage humbled, excited, and apprehensive about the coming days.

‘Master Khalid, there are many types of pills in this storage. Are there any that I can use safely?’

‘Ha! There are some pills there that are offensive and would burn you to a crisp. Do not use any item without inquiring about its purpose. However, they are well-categorized unless you mix them up. I will generate a list of uses and ranks at which you can use them safely. For Now, I want you to go search for a good cultivation spot. Use the directional map. It will indicate the closest position based on your current bearing. Additionally, I have a defensive formation that will repel all beasts below Rank 3. You will use it once you arrive at the site. However, it will not protect you when moving. Prepare to stay there for a few days. Before you leave, select a spear and a sword from the unranked weapons in Compartment 12. These weapons can be bound to a person allowing you to retrieve them instantly from the storage device.'

Uzman spent the rest of the evening preparing for what he thought of as a camping trip. He checked whether the food items in the storage were viable only to be shocked to find that the pendant could keep a marinated steak fresh for 700 years. Identified the repelling formation, and informed his friends that he would be leaving for a short trip on the morning of the next day. For the first time after leaving his village, he slept soundly contented that he was on track to achieve his objectives.

The next morning, Uzman woke at the first bell and left the Academy following the Crimson Tears path. The Minto Hill demarcated the start of the Rank 1 beasts area in the Shivera Woodlands. This region covered the eastern part of Tanga from the Vinaya Forests in the South to the Northern Great Plains. The Tigresi River was around 7 miles from the Minto hill and demarcated the region for Rank 2 and 3 beasts and indicated the start of the Cursed Forest. High-level beasts on the Academy side of the river had been hunted by student cultivators ruthlessly. Uzman pulled out his map and followed the directional symbol until he arrived at the bank of the river. He continued following the river deeper into the woodlands until he found a nice alcove past a waterfall. He had arrived at the camping site.

Uzman retrieved the repelling formation that was made of four heavily inscribed plates and activated them forming a region of 10 meters by 10 meters that would form his training ground by the river. He then activated the memory tablet for the beginning forms and settled down for the lesson.

Uzman found himself in a clearing watching a master of indeterminate age. ‘The Martial Forms of the clans serve 3 purposes; they teach how to fight, how to cultivate, and how to use Chi internally. The beginning forms are the basic movements that underlie the various fighting styles. We begin with the bear forms, followed by the Sting Ray forms. We then transition into Raven forms and finish with Dragon forms. I will demonstrate and then you copy.” He lectured.

He stepped into the bear stance with his legs pointing forward and feet slightly wider than the shoulders with his knees bent and back straight. It was a defensive stance based on power rather than speed. From this position, he moved forward punching with a closed fist, then turned smoothly executing a palm strike. The movements were based on minimum mobility using an economy of movement to block and punch or Kick.

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Uzman rose to mirror the Master and followed his movements keenly. He was surprised that he could follow the movements easily. The Master then demonstrated each of the other beginner forms with Uzman mirroring them. They then practiced in tandem each movement five times before the Master vanished.

‘Master, I have learned the beginner Forms- ‘Have you now? You are like a babe who took the first tottering step. I want you to perform those simple forms 100 times each without stopping for rest. Meanwhile activate the Golem as it will help with the forms.’ Master Khalid cut him off without letting him finish.

Uzman did as instructed deciding to perform the forms in sets of 10. As he continues, he realized that there were interesting nuances in the way the different forms moved. The Bear forms were for earth practitioners and were slow. The Sting Ray forms were more flexible but still not committal relying on a stance where the legs were placed at shoulder width distance. The Raven stance started with the right leg leading at an oblique angle where all movements were faster sacrificing defense for the attack. The Dragon forms mixed power with speed.

After performing five sets in 3 hours, The golem joined him seamlessly acting as a counter to his movements. When he punched the golem was in a position to block, when he advanced the golem retreated when the movement was a block the golem punched him. It became a bizarre dance as they choreographed the movements. On the 8th set, Uzman was tiring and missed a block receiving a straight punch to the head, he staggered, and the golem stepped forward and chopped his neck with the ridge of his hand making him fall down in pain.

Uzman realized that he did not have enough strength to stand, he had been practicing the forms for 5 hours without respite. He decided to talk with his Master about the golem.

'Master, the golem tried to kill me.’ He complained. He felt waves of laughter through the book. He pictured the Master laughing at him and rolling in mirth.

‘I created the training golem using inscriptions based on the Forms of power, it is the perfect training partner as it does not tire and executes all forms perfectly. If you miss a move it will punish your lapse. it will help you to learn through pain. Once you execute the beginner forms 100 times without stopping with the golem, we will start on the Innate Chi movements. You have to make the forms without thinking using instinct and using your mind to channel Chi. this will bring you to the adept rank in the Forms.'

Uzman settled into a rhythm of training where he would cultivate refining Chi and trying to fill his core and alternating with performing the forms with the golem. For 2 days and 2 nights, Uzman could not complete the forms without getting hurt by the golem. At one point when performing the 7th set of Dragon forms, he had overextended his punch. The golem had countered like an automaton blocking and pulling Uzman off balance and then kicked him savagely in the chest throwing him 3 meters away and breaking 3 ribs. He was forced to take some healing pills and meditate for 5 hours before he could resume the forms.

On the third day, Uzman managed to finish the forms 100 times each without faltering or being beaten by the golem. By this time, his movements had become automatic and instinctual and he had developed muscle memory. He transitioned easily from one form to another moving from earth, water, air, and fire.

‘I have finally managed the task you had set me. It took me three days, and 12 broken ribs, a dislocated jaw, and a broken leg.’

‘Boy, I had promised you pain. Now first take a meridian cleansing pill and meditate for 2 hours. This will help you to identify some of the paths that will be useful for the next stage.’

After checking the back of the book, Uzman took another rainbow pill and did as instructed. As the pill took effect, Uzman felt a burning pain emanating from his Dantian. The pain then moved burning and highlighting pathways from the Dantian throughout his body. As the pain subsided, he could feel his meridians, only five were completely open while others were in different degrees of blockages.

‘Master, why can’t I use the meridian opening pills to hasten my growth?’

‘It can be done but will cripple your martial path. Many rich parents used to stuff their children with elixirs, and pills forcing them to grow. However, most of them never advanced beyond the elemental level. The body needs to be broken down naturally and rebuilt to use power. This world exists in balance. As you already know, there are three main categories on the Martial path. The Body stage, The Mind Stage, and the Soul stage. To ascend to immortality you must achieve perfect tempering of the body to support the mind techniques of a master. The mind must then be developed enough to support the soul. Having a weak body that is not appropriately tempered makes it difficult to grow in the Mind stage. You should only use the pills to facilitate the natural processes of the body. In this case, the pills will facilitate your physical exertions of the last three days.’ Khalid explained.

‘After forming the Core, you enter the meridian opening stage or Rank 1. This creates conduits through which you can innately use Chi to strengthen yourself and move quickly based on affinity.

'Wind practitioners move faster, earth practitioners become stronger, water practitioners increase regeneration, and fire practitioners increase speed and power. I designed the breathing techniques of the Forms to channel Chi through the opened meridians. Imbue the Adept Forms Memory Tablet and then carefully observe the breathing patterns. They will teach you how to channel Chi. I want you to continue cultivating your Core and growing your power to train innate Chi manipulation. By the end of the week when you leave here, you will be a strong Rank 1 on the cusp of breaking into the tempering stage. I want you to break into the elemental realm by the end of the year. It should typically take 2 to 3 years. But you will do it because of the resources at your disposal.

This time, Uzman carefully observed the breathing patterns of the old man in the clearing. The man was holographic enabling Uzman to see the movement of Chi and how it was augmented by breathing. He had an epiphany and realized that the breathing patterns were parts of his cultivation technique. He could see the spiral air movement, the compact earth movement, the flexibility of water, and the rage of fire. He joined the old man in performing the forms while holding the breathing patterns.

Just like the first exercise, Uzman was required to practice the adept forms 100 times for each form while assisted by the training golem. This exercise was harder than at the beginner level. He could not even complete one set of 10 before he either ran out of breath, lost concentration, or missed a movement. In all cases, each failure was punished severely.

The best he had achieved at the end of three days was reaching the sixth set. When performing the fire forms, he moved his Chi to the legs and arms to improve speed and power, he missed a breath and was a little slower when blocking a kick. The golem promptly swept his legs, making Uzman tumble to the ground, this was followed by a falling kick that broke 4 ribs. Apart from the excruciating pain, Uzman did not mind the broken ribs. He realized that every time he healed, his body was getting stronger and thicker. He was already tempering his body despite being at the Meridian opening stage.

After a lot of unsuccessful attempts, Uzman slowly improved by allowing his body to perform the forms on instinct. He concentrated on moving his Chi to the attacking part or defending part. By the seventh day, he was able to execute the Adept forms sufficiently. Master Khalid set him to sparring with the Golem, to ensure that he understood the principles effectively.

‘This week has been a success. You may not be beyond redemption. The next time we will start training at a Rank 2 zone. Additionally, we will start incorporating weapons as we start the application part of the martial path.’ Master Khalid gave a begrudging congratulation to Uzman at the close of the training session.