As I had only joined Kamar Taj for a few days, I didn’t have any particular important things to pack. So, I only packed a few sorcerer robes. The only important object was my sling ring which I wore on my hand.
The next day, Ancient One opened the portal to Ta Lo. Ancient One had already told me that to reach Ta Lo, one needed to use a special portal as Ta Lo was in a different dimension.
After entering the portal, my eyes widened in surprise upon seeing the beautiful scenery before my eyes.
Lush mountains adorned with greenery were spread before my eyes. As a city boy, I had never seen such a sight.
Although Kamar Taj was also settled in the mountains, they were the Himalayan mountains and Kamar Taj was at a relatively higher altitude. As such, there was not that much greenery on them.
I was just enjoying the sight before my eyes when I saw a few birds shrouded in fire flying in the sky.
“Are those phoenixes?” I asked Master Ying Nan excitedly.
“Yes, they are Feng Huang who you can say are phoenixes in a way.” Master Ying Nan replied to me while smiling.
As we continued walking, my eyes widened with wonder as I spotted white coloured nine tailed foxes playfully frolicking with their adorable pups.
Some faceless animals with colourful wings started walking alongside us as we continued further.
Suddenly, a green scaled horse shaped creature stopped our way. I believe it was called a Kirin.
The Kirin at first, was stopping our way haughtily but it was immediately frightened as I looked at it and walked away from us.
Now, after seeing this beautiful world before me, I understood why Ta Lo was such a closed off community. Other than being a home for the people of Ta Lo, it was also a sanctuary for various mythical beasts.
Soon, we reached the village. Looks like almost all the villagers had arrived to greet us. There were also some villagers riding a top large lion like creatures who had huge tusks.
“Who is this young man, Ying Nan?” An old man asked my master. He seemed to be a person of quite some authority in Ta Lo.
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“This is Peter Parker, a new sorcerer at Kamar Taj.” Master Ying Nan introduced me. I bowed slightly to greet all the villagers.
However, the villages did not seem to be happy to see me for some reason.
“Ancient One has asked me to teach Peter in our ways. He has already acknowledged me as his master.” Master Ying Nan told the villagers my purpose in Ta Lo.
“Very well. Since it is Ancient One’s request. We shall allow Peter to learn our way of mystic martial arts.” The old man acquiesced after some hesitation.
Master Ying Nan then took me inside the village. She pointed out a cozy cottage to me.
“Put your things here. It is your place in Ta Lo from now on. Meet me in the training area in five minutes.” She instructed me and left.
Soon, I arrived at the training area after putting my things in the cottage. Only Master Ying Nan was here waiting for me.
“Before we start Peter, you must wear this.” She showed me a belt which was very familiar to me by now, a strength restraining belt.
“Must I wear this belt?” I did not like to wear this belt as it left me feeling rather stifled.
“Your basic strength is too much for me to endure. Without this belt I would not be able to train you.” She replied saying that it was must for me to wear this belt.
“Ancient One knew that this would happen. So, she gave me this enhanced restraining belt especially for you.” Apparently, Ancient One had already given the necessary accessories to her for my training.
With a sigh, I decided to wear the restraining belt. Soon, we were on opposite sides ready to spar.
“Come at me, Peter.” Master Ying Nan gestured at me to start the spar as she took her stance.
Although I didn't know a single thing about combat before I had gained these powers, after several spars with Ancient One where my body moved because of my instincts, I now knew a little about fighting. So, I moved towards her and threw a punch. However, she easily diverted my punch with a single hand and pushed me backwards with her other palm.
“I know that you do not have any prior martial arts training. So, focus on your instincts to fight me.” She advised me to fight using my instincts like I did in my draconic form in previous spars.
I focused on my instincts, trying to bring back the feeling when I fought in my draconic form. The way my body moved instinctively even when I didn't know a single thing about combat. Then, I launched a determined attack.
This time, I was not defeated in my first move. I fought rather aggressively, giving her no time to attack my openings even if they appeared.
However, Master Ying Nan was not a martial arts master for nothing. Although the fight continued for a few minutes, soon she found an opening and attacked using her palm.
It seems that this time she used her mystic martial arts as I flew backwards some distance instead of just being pushed backwards.
As I faced defeat this time, I was suddenly overwhelmed with a large amount of anger out of nowhere. Before I knew it, my instincts went out of my control and I had already transformed into my draconic form.
“Control yourself, Peter.” Master Ying Nan instructed me. Surprisingly, she was not affected by my unexpected transformation.
I took deep breaths, trying to regain my composure. Soon, I regained control and reverted to my human form. Surprisingly, the restraining belt was still intact, although deactivated. Looks like Ancient One had sent quite sturdy artefacts for my training.
“I believe, I understand what is your problem, Peter.” Master Ying Nan declared.