The next day, I woke early, my mind focused and ready for training. The upcoming expedition into the ruins weighed heavily on my thoughts. Ruins, especially those from the Age of Darkness, may harbor treasures, but they also came with formidable dangers. Caution was essential, and preparation would determine survival.
After boosting my soul force with the Soul Assembling Pill the night before, I knew I needed to maintain this momentum.
In the morning, I prepared a special bath following the newly discovered method by the Alchemist Association. Mixing several materials with the Purple Hazegrass, the concoction soon came together. I poured it into the water and stepped in, feeling the subtle but noticeable changes take root. After the bath, my soul force stood at 165 points.
"Just a bath... and such a result," I thought, marveling at the profound effects of Purple Hazegrass. This once-dismissed herb, burned and forgotten by most, had now become a game-changer.
Typically, it would take practitioners several grueling days just to increase their soul force by a few points. Yet here I stood, experiencing a miraculous shortcut—a single bath in Purple Hazegrass yielding the same progress in mere hours. The implications were staggering. With the right talent and dedication, someone could climb to the peak of gold rank in just a dozen years, bypassing the painstakingly slow path that most cultivators endured. All that was needed was the right conditions, cultivation techniques, and, of course, an iron will.
The Sacred Family, too, had similar mixtures for tempering the body, a process crucial for fighters. Bath mixtures were essential for them, paired with cultivation arts passed down through the family, carefully guarded as one of the family’s secrets.
Strengthening my soul force was critical, but I couldn’t neglect my physical body either.
I dressed quickly. In the dawning light of the morrow, I arose whilst the world still lay beneath the shroud of slumber, and my steps were drawn straight toward the Sacred Family library.
Exiting my home, I made my way through the clan compound.
There was silence around me, broken only by the whisper of my footsteps against the cold cobblestone floor. The morning air was crisp, imbued with the faint scent of nearby trees.
After a few minutes, I arrived at a tall building.
Upon reaching the grand door of the library, I presented my token before the guardian stationed there. With a nod of recognition, the guard permitted entry, and the door creaked open, revealing the dim interior.
Inside, the library was dark, save for the feeble light that seeped through the narrow, high-set windows.
The room was vast and echoing and lined with rows of towering bookshelves, each crammed with an assortment of books and scrolls.
No other souls graced its expanse at this early hour; few ventured into this place frequently, and dust clung to many untouched books.
The Sacred Family's library was known for its vast collection, from alchemical recipes and arts to the recorded history of our ancestors.
Stopping before an ancient section dedicated to rare inscriptions and formations, I pulled a thick tome from the shelf. The leather binding cracked as I opened it, and yellowed pages greeted me with intricate diagrams and foreign glyphs—from the Sacred Empire's time.
Some books were older than others, with some even untranslated, but my focus was clear—I needed cultivation techniques and alchemical methods that could enhance my physical strength.
Glory City classified its techniques and martial skills into three major grades, ascending from Yellow to Profound and finally to Earth. Each grade was further divided into four lesser ranks: Low, Mid, High, and Top. The library’s collection leaned heavily toward Yellow-grade techniques, the most basic and widespread.
I picked up a book on a Yellow-grade kung fu martial art. Inside, illustrations depicted stances and movements—the fundamental motions required for the technique.
I read it carefully, absorbing the information, and then stood to mimic the postures briefly. The movements were solid but unsophisticated. This was the type of foundation taught to beginners.
After practicing a few sequences, I returned the book to its place.
Moving through the shelves, I scanned for something with more potential. The morning sun filtered through the narrow windows, casting long beams of light across the rows of books. Somewhere in these tomes lay the key to elevating my cultivation.
I continued my search, and my eyes were scanning the shelves carefully. The Yellow-grade techniques lined the majority of the library, with some detailing basic martial stances and breathing methods. I picked up a few books, quickly flipping through their pages.
“Too basic,” I muttered as I replaced yet another text on cultivation stances. The techniques would be helpful for a beginner, but at my current level, they would only offer minor improvements, far from what I needed to prepare for the upcoming expedition.
I needed to push beyond the limitations of the common cultivator into the realm of profound body enhancement, where soul force and physical strength could merge to create true power.
Then, in the back of the room, a section caught my attention. It was darker and dustier, with fewer visitors judging by the thick layer of undisturbed dust on the shelves. Here, the books appeared older, the leather bindings cracked with age, and some scrolls were sealed with wax, indicating they hadn't been opened in a long time.
I activated my Byakugan scanning through the titles, and my eyes fell on a tome that seemed much older than the others. The cover was worn, almost faded, with symbols etched into the leather binding. "The Tempering of Flesh and Spirit: Earth Body Refinement Art," I read aloud, intrigued.
This was more along the lines of what I needed. An Earth-grade Low-rank cultivation technique? Even a low-rank one could provide a significant edge.
I pulled it from the shelf. Sitting down at one of the tables, I opened the tome carefully, but I realized that parts of the text on the pages were missing, and the book was written in an ancient language. It was an incomplete book. But I could get an idea of what it's contents originally were.
The technique in it was brutal—honing the body through intense physical strain, paired with medicinal baths to aid in recovery and absorption of energy. It involved the channeling of soul force into the muscles and bones, forcibly fortifying them over time.
"A true cultivator tempers both soul and flesh," the book stated. "Through trials of pain, one achieves mastery over their mortal coil. Weakness is purged, leaving only strength in its wake."
I studied the technique an hour, committing its methods to memory and getting a good understanding of it. There were detailed instructions on creating medicinal baths with specific herbs, similar to what I had used with the Purple Hazegrass and the Sacred family's body cultivation methods but slightly more advanced. The body would be subjected to harsh conditions, and only by withstanding the torment and stain could the cultivator advance.
After thoroughly absorbing the contents, I closed the tome and returned it to its place on the shelf.
Finally, after using my Byakugan, I swiftly copied all the books into my template.
The information was stored and sorted with perfect clarity. And once I had scanned through the shelves, I left the library and returned home.
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Now, my mind turned to my next goal: The Sacred Family’s Body Cultivation Manual. This Yellow-grade top-rank cultivation art was the foundation for the Sacred Family’s warriors, reputed to take a person with good aptitude to the Black Gold warrior level after at least fifty years of dedicated practice.
But with the knowledge I now possessed from both the academy’s and the Sacred Family’s library, I could take this art further. It was no longer enough to rely on its existing form. I needed to evolve it—combine and refine it with superior techniques.
I sat cross-legged, closing my eyes as I tapped into the vast pool of knowledge stored in my template. Hours passed as I sifted through the volumes, and isolated every fragment relevant to body cultivation.
One particular piece of information caught my attention—a fragment of the Heavenly Demon Art. This Earth-grade Mid-rank art was far more profound than both the Sacred Family’s manual and the Earth Body Refinement Art I had previously studied. However, it was incomplete. A crucial portion of the art was missing, the original creator unable to forge a fully realized technique.
Still, it had potential.
I began focusing on how to merge the essence of this incomplete art with my soul cultivation technique, Holy Primal Darkness. If I could unify their principles, I might create something far superior to even the original concept—something that could transcend the limitations of a mere Earth-grade, Mid-rank art.
Inside my template’s space, all the gathered information condensed into a single tome: The Profound-grade Low-rank Heavenly Demon Sutra.
The Heavenly Demon Sutra was an ancient and intricate method, possessing two distinct paths. The first involved absorbing all forms of energy into the body to refine your physique; the second required consuming the blood of demon beasts, imprinting a demon mark upon the flesh.
At its pinnacle, this technique would transform you into an asura—a monstrous figure with six arms, whose combat strength would eclipse anyone within your realm. Strength became irrelevant; whether you stood at the lowest point of a realm or the peak, you would crush your opponents. Even when facing foes from a realm above, you would remain unshaken, able to stand your ground and retaliate with terrifying power.
A unique ability within the Sutra, Asura’s Wrath, allowed you to enter a berserk state without the usual dangers. Unlike typical berserkers, who lost control and reason, you would retain full mastery of your mind and body, enhanced with unrelenting strength but without losing clarity. This meant that your heightened combat power would remain under your rational control—an advantage no other berserker could claim.
Beyond physical strength, the Sutra granted the ability to merge with demon spirits of all attributes, creating an unmatched balance of energies within your soul realm. It cultivated harmony between all energies, ensuring a perfect yin-yang equilibrium. This balance allowed for stable absorption of surrounding energies, free from the risk of backlash that would plague many cultivators.
Even those lacking natural attributes could train in the Sutra, gradually reshaping their soul realm to accommodate all attributes.
With this technique, my path to supremacy had been laid bare.
For now, I began with the first path: True Tempering.
Tempering focused on fortifying the bones, tendons, and muscles through a combination of grueling physical exercises and the manipulation of spiritual force. Though less rare and mystical than techniques designed for soul force cultivation, it was a crucial foundation. Without a resilient body to support it, even the most potent soul force would falter.
At its zenith, true tempering allowed a cultivator to undergo a metamorphosis that harnessed the raw energies of the universe. This process drew upon the essence of the heavenly elements—earth, fire, water, wind, and even the mysterious forces of space and time—to reshape not only the body but the mind, will, and soul. Each breakthrough pushed the cultivator closer to transcendence.
Beyond physical refinement, the advanced stages of tempering enabled the harnessing of natural forces like heavenly thunder. The crackling power of thunder would carve indelible marks of strength and unshakable will into every fiber of the body, leaving no part untouched. This force would scour the impurities from within, allowing the cultivator to reach new heights.
Over time, this practice would gradually reshape one's entire being according to the laws of nature, bringing forth profound transformation with each realm ascended.
The process was akin to a butterfly emerging from its cocoon—a complete rewriting of one's essence, not merely a strengthening of muscles or force. The transformation went beyond physical limits, creating a being that embodied both power and balance on a deeper, cosmic scale.
The body, after all, was the foundation—the vessel through which all power flowed. Soul force amplified physical strength, and cultivating the body would only further strengthen this dynamic. The stronger your body became, the greater your power when channeling soul force, making the two inseparable components of your true strength.
Such profound tempering, surpassing mere physical enhancement, paved the way for true ascension. Strength alone could never hope to reach the same level of metamorphosis.
With the discovery of the Purple Hazegrass, I crafted a new alchemical mixture, modifying one of the Sacred Family's recipes to create a specialized concoction for my body cultivation art.
After a series of experimental trials, I successfully verified its effectiveness.
Using my soul force, I melted the herbs together, forming an alchemical liquid. In this mixture, I combined about five pounds of Purple Hazegrass with another five pounds of various complementary herbs.
Once I prepared a bath infused with the alchemical liquid, I settled in, crossing my legs as I immersed myself in the warm, vibrant essence. A surge of energy pulsed through my veins, invigorating every part of me.
Focusing my mind, I began to circulate my soul force in harmony with the body cultivation technique.
The process wasn’t swift; each inch of muscle, bone, and tendon required thorough tempering and infusing with spiritual energy. It was an arduous, repetitive endeavor, but I welcomed the challenge.
Every step I take strengthens my control, making me a weapon that can't be broken.
As I continued my cultivation, I felt subtle changes stirring within me. My soul realm was evolving, though the transformation was gradual. Settling into a meditative stance, I allowed my soul realm to ripple, the flow of soul force coursing through me like a quiet storm preparing to break free.
Hours passed, the rhythmic pulses of energy intertwining with my body’s natural flow. I could sense my muscles tightening and strengthening, my bones growing denser, and my overall stamina increasing.
When I finally opened my eyes, I felt lighter, more agile, and undeniably stronger. My flesh had become more resilient, reforged to a strength surpassing that of steel.
A few more weeks of this, and my body will be as refined as my soul.
Rising from the bath, I flexed my fingers, feeling the unparalleled strength coursing through me.
I stood with a pleasant, almost serene expression, my skin now glowing with a smooth, marble-like luster. My sharp features were framed by sleek black hair. The depth in my dark eyes held a quiet intensity, and my lean, athletic frame was effortlessly composed, radiating a quiet power that would naturally draw the attention of anyone nearby, though I barely noticed.
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Now that my cultivation had stabilized and my physical training had begun, the next phase of my plan was clear: I needed to test my abilities in combat to gauge just how far I had come and where I still needed to improve.
And who better to test myself against than a warrior?
I called out to my family's servant. Shen Kai was an old man with white hair who had served my father before he died in a demon-beast attack. Loyal and devoted, he had been part of the family for dozens of years but never sought to profit from his position. I could trust him.
Stepping outside my home, I found him waiting. He greeted me with a respectful bow. "Young Master Naraku, what reason did you call me for?"
"Shen Kai, you are a Gold Rank warrior, right? I want you to help me with my training." I said.
"Of course, Young Master. We can spar here."
He motioned toward a nearby clearing, the ground covered with cobblestone and framed by sturdy trees. This would be the first real test of my newfound abilities.
"Are you ready?" he asked, his tone serious yet encouraging.
I nodded, feeling the weight of his gaze. "Yes!"
As we took our positions, I could see the glint of wisdom in his eyes. Shen Kai was no stranger to combat; he had faced countless beasts while defending Glory City in his time.
"Begin!" he called out, launching forward with surprising speed.
I reacted instinctively, channeling my soul force to enhance my agility.
I sidestepped his initial attack—a swift strike aimed at my shoulder—and countered with a low kick designed to unbalance him. The moment my foot connected with the ground, I felt the surge of energy flow through my legs, stabilizing my stance.
Shen Kai was sent back and grunted, but recovered quickly. "Not bad! But let’s see how you handle this!"
He unleashed a series of rapid punches, each one fueled by a portion of his Gold Rank strength. I focused on maintaining my composure, my training kicking in as I blocked and parried his blows, feeling the power of my enhanced physique absorbing the impact.
With each exchange, I could sense my reactions sharpening. I was no longer merely a student practicing techniques; I was evolving into a warrior.
I concentrated on my breathing, allowing my soul force to guide my movements. With a sudden burst of speed, I closed the distance between us, aiming a strike at his midsection. Shen Kai easily managed to deflect it, but the force of my attack sent a ripple through his stance.
"Impressive!" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with interest. "You’ve come a long way since your training began."
We continued our spar for several hours, each exchange of blows revealing the depth of my progress and the areas where I still had room to grow. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the stone floor.
By the end of our session, I was panting, sweat glistening on my skin. Shen Kai seemed even more tired than me. "You’ve improved significantly, Young Master. With continued training, you can surpass me."
As I caught my breath, I realized this was only the beginning of my journey. There was much to learn and many battles to fight. But with each step, I was one step closer to becoming the warrior I aspired to be.