The morning sun cast long shadows over the training grounds, its golden rays illuminating the sweat-soaked battlefield where he stood. His body ached, his muscles screamed, but his spirit burned with relentless determination. Today marked the next phase of his training—the mastery of the Zhao Clan's supreme techniques.
Zhao Tian stood before him, arms crossed, his sharp gaze evaluating every breath, every movement. "You've survived the breaking phase. Now, it's time to forge you into a true warrior."
The wind carried the weight of those words. This was where talent alone was not enough—only those who dedicated themselves completely could walk the path of true mastery.
⚔ The Refinement of Swordsmanship
The first lesson of the day was refining the Zhao Clan's Supreme Sword Art—a technique so lethal it was said to sever mountains with a single slash.
"Draw your sword," Zhao Tian ordered.
He unsheathed his blade, feeling its weight, its balance—an extension of himself.
"This is not about swinging wildly," Zhao Tian continued. "Each movement must flow like water, strike like lightning, and kill like judgment itself. Again!"
The training dummies stood lined in a row, reinforced with hardened steel to withstand the strikes of powerful warriors. He moved—
First Strike—Piercing Wind!
A single thrust, so precise that the air itself seemed to split apart.
Second Strike—Falling Moon!
A downward slash, cutting with such finesse that the wind screamed in protest.
Third Strike—Phantom Mirage!
He stepped to the side, leaving behind a flickering afterimage before slashing at an unseen angle.
The dummy trembled… before splitting apart in five perfect slices.
Zhao Tian nodded. "Your control is improving, but perfection is still far away. Keep going."
And so, the relentless practice continued until his arms went numb, until his body no longer fought against the movements but flowed naturally with them.
🌀 The Art of Heavenly Suppression Palm
Next was refining the Heavenly Suppression Palm, a technique that didn't just strike an enemy—it crushed them under an invisible force.
"Again," Zhao Tian commanded, standing before him with an unmovable presence. "This time, focus not just on the strike but on the weight behind it."
He inhaled deeply, centered himself, and pushed his palm forward.
BOOM!
A gust of wind exploded outward, sending dust and debris flying. The ground cracked, but Zhao Tian remained unmoved.
"Not enough," Zhao Tian said, shaking his head. "You are focusing only on the external force. The true power of this technique lies in making the heavens themselves respond to your will. Try again."
He closed his eyes. This time, instead of just focusing on his muscles, he felt the energy around him. The air, the earth, the sky. He reached deeper into his body, feeling a strange, bottomless well of power waiting to be tapped into.
He struck again—
BOOOOOM!
The entire training field trembled. Even Zhao Tian's expression shifted slightly.
"Now that… is getting closer."
He gasped for breath, sweat pouring down his face, but a small smirk tugged at his lips. He could feel it now—he was starting to grasp the essence of true martial mastery.
👻 Phantom Step: Becoming Untouchable
The next technique was Phantom Step—a movement art that made its user appear like a ghost, unpredictable and untouchable.
"Speed means nothing without unpredictability," Zhao Tian said, demonstrating by disappearing and reappearing in different spots almost instantly. "Your enemy should not know where you are… until it's too late."
He took a deep breath and began.
At first, his movements were awkward, inconsistent. But each mistake was corrected immediately, each flaw analyzed and refined. His feet grew lighter. His steps became seamless. Soon, he was no longer just moving—
He was vanishing.
The moment he stepped forward, he reappeared behind Zhao Tian, launching a strike that almost connected.
Zhao Tian barely dodged, his eyes widening for a fraction of a second. "That… was almost dangerous."
A grin spread across his face. He was learning. Fast.
🔥 The Path of Cultivation: Realms Beyond Reach
As the day's training neared its end, Zhao Tian observed him in silence before finally speaking.
"You have surpassed my expectations. But tell me—what is missing?"
He paused, catching his breath. "It still feels… incomplete. Like something is holding me back."
Zhao Tian nodded. "Good. You are beginning to understand. All these techniques, no matter how refined, are still techniques created by others. To truly step beyond, you must create something that belongs to you alone. But even more than that… you must understand the path of cultivation itself."
His eyes sharpened. "You are aware that strength is measured in realms, but do you know how many realms exist?"
He shook his head.
Zhao Tian turned his gaze to the horizon. "There are fourteen known realms in this world. Each realm is divided into nine levels before one can advance. And beyond them… lies the fifteenth realm, Absolute Being. A realm that no one in history has ever reached."
His heart pounded. "And what realm are you in?"
Zhao Tian smirked. "I am in the Heaven Ascension Realm, Level Six. But my peak was once much higher. Time has eroded my strength. You, however, have the potential to surpass even the greatest figures in history."
He clenched his fists. "Then tell me… what realm am I in?"
Zhao Tian studied him for a moment before speaking. "You are currently at the Qi Condensation Realm, Level One. But that means nothing. The strength you possess is far beyond your level. It won't be long before you start breaking through."
A fire ignited within him. The path ahead was clearer now.
"Then I will reach the Absolute Being Realm. No matter what."
Zhao Tian smirked. "Good. Let's see if you can."
The real training was only just beginning.