The sun barely peeked over the horizon when training resumed. The cool morning air did little to soothe the aching muscles of the young warrior, but he refused to show any signs of weakness. The previous day had pushed him beyond anything he had ever endured, yet he knew it was only the beginning. Zhao Tian's training was relentless, and today would be no different.
⚡ Strength Beyond Limits: The Boulder Test
Zhao Tian stood before him, arms crossed. In front of them lay a massive black boulder, its surface gleaming as if forged from the hardest material known to man.
"Lift it," Zhao Tian commanded.
He stared at the boulder. It had to weigh at least a few tons. He clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and placed his hands beneath the stone. The moment he attempted to lift it, a jolt of pain ran through his entire body.
Impossible.
His muscles screamed in protest, veins bulging against his skin. The sheer weight threatened to crush him. But something inside him refused to yield. He gritted his teeth, his qi unconsciously flowing through his limbs, reinforcing his muscles.
The boulder shifted.
Zhao Tian narrowed his eyes. "Again."
He adjusted his stance, planting his feet firmly. This time, he focused—not just on brute strength but on control. He tapped into his body's unique ability, allowing it to circulate qi more efficiently. Slowly, the boulder began to rise.
After what felt like an eternity, he lifted it off the ground, holding it up for several moments before his strength gave out. He dropped it, panting heavily, but in his heart, he felt a sense of achievement.
Zhao Tian's lips curled slightly. "Not bad. But not enough."
🔥 Martial Combat: Mastering the Zhao Clan's Sword Art
After a short break, Zhao Tian led him to the training field. Rows of weapons were lined up, their polished surfaces reflecting the morning sun. He picked up a sword—a weapon that had always felt familiar in his hands.
"The Zhao Clan's Supreme Sword Art is not just about swinging a blade," Zhao Tian began. "It is a dance of life and death, a technique that flows like water and strikes like lightning. Show me what you have learned."
He took his stance, gripping the sword firmly. The moment he moved, his body instinctively flowed through the motions he had been practicing. His blade sliced through the air, creating a sharp whistle. Every movement was precise, measured.
But Zhao Tian was not impressed.
The old man vanished from his sight, and before he could react, a palm struck his chest, sending him skidding backward.
"Too slow."
He barely had time to recover before Zhao Tian was upon him again. Their blades clashed, the force behind each strike shaking the ground beneath them. Zhao Tian was toying with him, testing him. But with each exchange, he adapted—his instincts sharpened, his movements refined.
Then, without warning, he executed a new maneuver. Instead of blocking Zhao Tian's next attack, he sidestepped and redirected the force of the strike, causing Zhao Tian to momentarily lose balance.
Zhao Tian smirked. "Clever."
But before he could press his advantage, Zhao Tian disappeared.
A split second later, a powerful strike landed on his shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Still too slow."
🌀 A Moment of Revelation
Lying on the ground, staring at the sky, something clicked in his mind. His body had reacted on instinct, yet something deeper was at play. It wasn't just the training. It was as if his muscles remembered something before this life.
Another fragmented memory surfaced.
A battle in an arena.
A sword clashing against monstrous foes.
A name whispered in the depths of his mind, lost before he could grasp it.
He sat up, sweat dripping from his forehead.
"What is it?" Zhao Tian asked, noticing his distracted look.
He hesitated. "Nothing."
Zhao Tian stared at him for a moment before turning away. "Get up. You still have a long way to go."
As he picked up his sword again, he knew one thing for certain—he was only scratching the surface of his true potential.