Soaring leaf is a body lightening technique, and was the one true secret inside the cultivation manual that I had found.

Mastering the lower stage lets one jump of thin branches as if they were logs.

Mastering the middle stage lets one traverse petals fluttering in the wind as if stepping stones.

At the completed stage I could use the clouds as my paved road in the sky.

The difficulty was much higher than the previous two. Instead of simply giving the third eye some qi or chanting and simply pointing like with telekinesis I had to properly use my meridians.

However I was far away from that level of skill and my meager qi reserves could only propel me as much as the martial skills did.

However there was a crucial difference between the two; Martial arts used your inner energy to strengthen your legs to propel you forwards, while Soaring Leaf was making my body lighter and almost immaterial with qi.

My body was not as connected to the real as before and was turning dim under the gaze of my third eye. I looked like a ghost now.

At first I was a bit scared. Then I was awed by the feeling.

I was soaring through the paths of my village wind passing right trough me. I marveled once more at the wonders that magic held.

Exhausting myself and almost clearing my inner sea of energy I had to stop to catch my breath and regain some of my qi.

While meditating I felt spiritual senses lock onto me like distant glowing eyes in the dark coming with a sense of oppression and a unspoken, underlying threat in it.

If it was a sound I probably would have heard a growl.

I returned the gesture and gazed back with my spiritual sense, lashing out with it and breaking theirs like a hand wave broke a cobweb.

The exhaustion left me in a bad mood and I coolly inspected the offending creatures with my sense to find the dogs tucking their tails their qi in disarray.

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Making my way towards the kennel where anxious barking and whining could be heard. I could faintly smell between the peat fires the musky odor of wet dog fur coming closer.

Taking the last steps towards the beasts, that once scared me so much when I was little boy, the smell and nervousness of them could now almost be tasted.

“Hum. Impressive!” A towering hulk of man said. “So it is true. We have our first Cultivator on our hand!”

In front of me stood Saron Hansa, also known as first Uncle. He was the designated successor of the Hansa clan and leader of the Militia.

His clean shaved head gleamed in the morning sun and his braided flaxen beard that reached to his immense chest was.

He looked at me deep in thought and a twinkle in his eyes.

Even without magic was he more intimidating than the dogs as his wide grin looked feral.

“Follow me! My father waits for you.” he said

We entered the main hall from one of the side entrances and went towards the stone throne that rested upon the dais at the back of the hall.

The Clan head Sorokin sat there while my Grandfather stood at his side. “ So Jehmed is this Ghali?”

“Yes. Yes, he is.” Grandfather had a soft look in his eyes and his tone was gentler than usual. He then already knew, that we would never see each other again as soon as the year ended.

Before I could offer my greetings Sorokin said to me:

“Let us keep this short. My son already told me what your new position in the clan entails.”

I must have looked very surprised since he elaborated.

“Your new status means that in the eyes of the Realm you act as the symbol of our clan. Your Deeds are the Clans deeds. Good or bad. In a way you are my representative to the realm.”

I felt a heavy weight on me when he said that.

“Ghali, this is a great opportunity. Hehehe. We can show our goodwill to the Realm with something better than taxes.”

My grandfather seemed exited and the combination with his gleaming eyes and goat like beard made him seem a bit mad at times.

“Hmm.” Sorokin seemed to remember something. “ Are you still going to do the hunter-aspirant test?”

I told them that I still intended to do so. I was told to be on my way then.

Saron and I went outside again.

“It is strange how quickly everything seems to change nowadays...”

I could only nod. I was still numb. I expected to give a report and new orders not the Clan head telling me that I act as the face of the clan.

”...You should take Charcoal with you. If you know him ?"

I nodded a bit surprised at his sudden subject change. He was talking about the ancient hunting dog that resides in our clan.

"He never accepted another hunting partner since the old man died...” He said looking towards the forest; sadness was flashing over his face, so quick that it seemed I imagined it.

”Talk to my brother, Ohnir about taking charcoal with you! Good hunting to you!” He laughed and slapped my back. Hard. Another bruise on my body.

He went back to the village center where he instructed youngsters in the Martial Arts leaving me alone with my toughts.

I went to the kennels and knocked on the door of the hut that connected to them. I stepped in when i heard a ruff voice barking come in.