The next stage of training took them to a new part of the pocket dimension, one filled with lush, vibrant forests that pulsed with life. Asira Ironroot , the stoic cultivator, motioned for Anthony to follow her deeper into the woods. The air here was thick with the scent of earth , wood , and growth .
“You’ve mastered the basics of Techno-Magic , but now you must learn to balance with the world around you. The path of Cultivation requires an understanding of the flow of Chi the life force that moves through everything, from the grass underfoot to the stars above.”
Asira placed her hand on a nearby tree, and the ground around them seemed to pulse with energy. Roots surged upwards, forming a network beneath their feet, connecting them to the earth.
“Now, feel the Chi ,” she instructed. “Draw it into yourself. It is the lifeblood of this world. You must learn to harmonize with it.”
Anthony hesitated but took a deep breath. He extended his hands, palms open, and felt a tug in the aira vibration beneath the surface of the earth. Slowly, he connected with it, pulling it into his body. At first, it felt like a faint current , weak and distant. But as he focused, it grew stronger. He could feel the life force moving through him.
In the days that followed, Anthony began learning to manipulate the Chi around him. He practiced enhancing his strength , speed , and even using the Chi to heal small injuries. But while he could already feel the power flowing through him, maintaining the balance was more difficult.
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Meanwhile, Miss Valenski was not idle. Her telepathic powers grew with each day, and she began scouting ahead for Anthony, using her enhanced stealth skills . She would slip through the trees, barely visible as her sense of danger heightened, anticipating threats before they could strike.
She also began to link with Anthony’s mind, able to send him brief flashes of information when danger loomed. At first, it was small things feeling the presence of a wild animal nearby. But soon, she began to interpret Anthony’s thoughts more clearly, sending silent warnings as he trained in the forest.
One day, during training, as Anthony meditated under a large oak tree, Miss Valenski’s thoughts surged through his mind like a whisper.
“Movement ahead. Dangerous.”
Anthony opened his eyes, immediately alert. He stood and adjusted his posture, channeling his Chi to enhance his senses. Miss Valenski’s telepathic warning had been right. A group of beast-like creatures was moving toward them through the forest.
“Stay close,” Asira murmured. She raised her hand, and the ground around them seemed to respond. Roots twisted and shifted , forming barriers as the beasts approached.
Together, they fought off the creatures, Anthony using his Techno-Magic to fire energy blasts and his Chi to enhance his strikes. Miss Valenski darted through the trees, scouting the area and providing critical information . The beasts were tough, but with their combined abilities, they managed to defeat the group.
“ Well done ,” Asira said, a rare smile forming on her face. “You have done well in both Techno-Magic and Cultivation . You are ready for the final path.”