The Lecture continued on similarly for days on end only when it was time for sun to set it would finish. Elder Zheng not only expanded upon the Three Phases of Mages, But also explained in detail with same fervor about Three Phases of Sorcerers of Spirit & Warriors of Body.
Another Sun Set & another Sun Rise, time passes by like it is in hurry in the Sect.
Sargon usually woke up before SunRise which had a better environment & mood for smooth circulation & Cultivation of Mana & SpiritForce. After which he would train hard in the flesh trying to reach the Pulse Tempering Phase by enlightenment of True Essence Realization.
He had already made some progress in the Way of Sorcerers; he could already condense the illusory wave-like mental SpiritForce into a Point to create a Yin-Yang Spirit Bomb which was the speciality of the Spirit Artist 2nd Phase from DarkNorth Inheritance.
In terms of body he had already fully switched & adapted to Mountain Forest Body Tempering Art & was just one step away from entering 2nd Phase. This was slow as he had to re-adjust & hide the Shura Body Refining by adapting the techniques of Mountain-Forest Body Tempering Art.
After having some Breakfast together with the trio of Rockarna & Arjumon they both would hike deep into the Safe Forest of the Sect to practice Martial Arts far away from the prying eyes of others. No one wants to reveal one's Art in the open for others to inquire about.
This is something engraved deep in the culture of Nashirah. One can reveal openly one's Cultivation Base & show which Phase & Realm one has acquired but the Skills were to be kept hidden. After all, another way of calling those skills is "Dharma Protecting Arts - the one who protects you from harm while on a long arduous journey of Immortality."
Even if the skill was common as cabbage & grass. It was not the Skill but how one wields it that makes the difference. So, practicing Skills together was also regarded as a Way of Showing Trust.
Essence Subduing Flame Saber :6th Form : Flying Flames of Blades
As the technique was activated a weird three-finger thick Aura was covering the Saber of Sargon. Together with the amplification & Ease of this Aura the 6th Form took shape almost instantly.
The Aura slowly changed & morphed into the shapes of Flames & as Sargon swung his Saber the Flames also went along its trajectory slowly changing into the Shapes of Blades , Knifes, Daggers, Swords & Saber as it went on & hit the Mountain.
Booomb !
"By ShahRaab! What a fierce attack. Even I don't have confidence to face it head on", replied the robust Fatty , the Tank of the Trio, Rockarna Hanim clenching his fist , "I must hurry my Body Cultivation."
"Damn it ! What is this progress ? It doesn't make any sense. Alas I have to catch my Attack Skills up to this level at least else I would be left behind. Just like that ….." , the Introverted Arjumon was ruminating on his own styles.
"Haha. Brother Rockarna , a Body Cultivating Warrior without Patience, this poor Daoist had only heard of 'em in the stories but I am glad to see it in 'Flesh'' .", Sargon chimed in & teased these envious bastards.
"I have also achieved Minor Mastery in Domineering Fire Speed Saber Sutra & can also simulate the Aura of that Art. But it might still take some time to truly incorporate in the Essence Subduing Flame Saber Art. Alas , about the True Inheritance of Darknorth's Lineage I have yet to even achieve the Initial Mastery. What kind of Aura would this True Immortal Art pose ? When will I be able to experience it?", Sargon was lost in his own emotion.
"It seems someone is feeling resentful about still not defeating us , The Future Duo Kings of Violet Valley . haha ", rockarna was indeed having some fun.
After all despite this rapid improvement of his Realm & techniques Sargon was just standing on equal footing with these Rich Young Masters who were supplied with who knows what kind of Drugs along with Stricter & more Systematic Training Regiment. They must have Masters & Experts in a specific field guiding them . He who is from an affluent Family knows some secrets, Pills & techniques for boosting the Cultivation Speed without side-effects.
How Lucky !!
All he got was just old style training from his Brute Father. One Part Explanation & Rest were some brutal beatings. Ahh, How he remembers those times of "Father-Son Bonding".
"Am I feeling Nostalgic about those Hell-routines instead of Relaxing lectures from my Mother . Am I becoming Masochistic ? No, this must be the The Immortal Corruption Miasma acting on me trying to shroud my Mind & Dao-Heart towards Devil's Path, perhaps due to the smooth breakthrough my Mindset has yet to catch my Cultivation Base & is still far behind. ", he shuttered deep from his spine.
"You can be Shameless & do whatever you like, just don't drag my Name into it. With Brother Sargon's Progress it is just a matter of time before he overpowers us. We must not be Complacent. ", the Mysterious introvert Arjumon Sinek of the Trio rebutted.
"Well Said. It would be indeed a matter of time for this Seat to return to his Glory. Once I attain Minor Mastery of Five Animal Hands & reach Aura-Inception Realm then Defeating Rockarna is as easy as catching a fly. But Brother Arjumon is indeed hidden well with your 2nd Phase entering of SpiritForce coupled with the fact that your elemental Nature of Wind & Water suppresses mine of Lightning & Fire. It would indeed be hard to surpass you.", Sargon pointed out the hidden Secrets of Arjumon while taunting Rockarna.
"What !! You Arjumon . Sick F**k , do you even consider me your friend. How long have you been hiding this ? Didn't we promise each other to have fun & enjoy the blessings of the Sect & have a relaxing time. If it were not for Sargon I would have been hidden in the dark. You Betrayer. Hmph! Take this Hit from your Uncle", soon the enraged Rockarna & Arjumon began to have a fight.
"You Idiot. How can Immortal Journey be something that could be treaded upon through leniency . You must give your all to have hope of Ascension. Don't you see with your common sense that Brother Sargon being able to point out & see through my recent breakthrough means he has truly reached the Peak of 2nd Phase of Sorcery.", Arjumon soon shifted his anger , "Sargon, wait for me! You are just observing us from a distance to see my weakness. How could it be so easy , don't let me catch you , you seward bastard."
Rockarna and Arjumon's bickering escalated into a spirited fight, while Sargon observed with a knowing smile. "Let them spar," he thought. "The road to immortality is long, but with companions like these, it won't be lonely."
***
The sun hung high , its orange hue spilling through the dense foliage of the sect's safe forest. The trio of Sargon, Rockarna, and Arjumon descended deeper into the woods, their laughter and friendly banter filling the crisp air. But soon, a commotion broke through the tranquility—a sharp clang of metal and the unmistakable thrum of Mana clashes.
"Sounds like trouble," Arjumon said, his keen senses already picking up the faint traces of a heated battle.
Sargon narrowed his eyes. "Let's check it out. Stay sharp."They moved swiftly, their footsteps muffled by years of martial training.
In a small clearing, two figures clashed fiercely. Rahus Lombaros, clad in the black and red uniform of a vassal clan to the sect, stood domineeringly with his blade ablaze in crimson Mana . Opposite him was a wiry youth, his tattered robes betraying his not so high Background. Samus, though clearly outmatched, stood firm, his Mana flickering like a wavering candle.
"You're nothing, orphan!" Rahus spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "This is the price for stepping above your station." With that, he activated the second phase of his body refining technique. His muscles bulged, veins glowing faintly with a golden hue, and his strength amplified tenfold.
Samus staggered, barely able to hold his ground.
Rockarna growled. "He's taking this too far."
"Agreed," Sargon said. Without another word, the trio stepped into the clearing.
CLANG
CLANG
BOOM
"Enough!" Sargon's voice boomed as he and his companions approached.
Rahus turned, sneering. "Stay out of this, orphans and dogs shouldn't meddle in matters of noble blood."
"I think you'll find we're more than capable of handling the likes of you," Rockarna shot back, cracking his knuckles.
"Wait, let me test my Five Animal Hands technique. I can use both Mana & Essence simultaneously as per the Skill instructs achieving Initial Mastery. I can also use the Form of Golden Tiger, White Deer, Ghost Ape , Mountain Bear & Red Crane & switch between them effortlessly. Only the Aura of these Five Animal Hands is yet to be imitated. Let me go alone."
"But brother Sargon even if you can imitate FiveHands Aura & induce it into your Five AnimalHands , this is after all one of the commonly found technique , its tailor made for Secular Warriors , can you really do with this ?", Rockarna despite his righteous mannerism, was clearly itching for a fight to vent his frustration onto someone.
This was after all the best Therapy Method. That is to transfer the Trauma.
"Clearly let Sargon go alone. We won't get this opportunity with him giving it all. We must know everything about his opponent. ", Arjumon pointed out but from the tone of his voice one could figure out that the enemy was Sargon. After all, he hadn't forgotten his grudge the day before.
Ghost Ape Berserk Boxing
Light Column Annihilation
Flying Crane Claws forming Net
One Yuan Heavy Water
What followed was a fierce exchange. Rahus was powerful especially with his Fast & overbearing LightSkills combined with a Heavy Form-Changing Water , but the combined efforts of Sargon's calculated strikes, focuses on Volume of Fire of Red Crane , Structure of Earth from Mountain Bear Hand , Strength of Lightning from White Deer Paw, Languidness & Versatility of Water from GhostApe & Character of Air from the Golden Tiger Hand proved overwhelming.
Golden Tiger Pounces from the West
Ahhh!!!
For a moment the invisible aura that felt like the disparity of vision produced in the desert wrapped around the hands of Sargon, slowly changing shape & giving the Aura of Golden Tiger.
Tiger Tears the Golden Wind !!!
A final strike from Sargon's Five Animal Hands left Rahus battered, his Mana Rotation shattered. He glared at Sargon, hatred burning in his eyes. "You'll regret this. Mark my words." Staggering, Rahus retreated into the forest.
"Damn it ! You are really Good Sargon already mastered the Aura Imanation of Five Animal Hands", Rockarna was there questioning reality & even started to have doubts whether he had any talent as the elders from the Clan had said.
"You are Praising me to death. How can anyone have such talent? It is just a brief imitation of Golden Tiger Hand Aura. Five Animal hands need all five intermixing & changing their Hand Aura continuously for the Aura Generated to have any meaning or stability. At best, Aura increased my combat by 30 %."
"Hmph ! No need to be too modest."
After ensuring Samus was safe and sharing a simple meal together in the dormitory hall, the trio returned to the courtyard for the afternoon lecture.
Courtyard Master Zheng stood at the dais, his serene expression masking an unparalleled depth of knowledge.
Today's topic: the intricate connection between Martial Arts, SpiritForce illusions, and Runic Talismans.
Zheng's lecture was as illuminating as it was profound, delving into how SpiritForce, when mastered, could manifest as illusions to confuse enemies or bolster talismans to empower allies.
The Lecture finished & everyone bowed & thanked him for the teachings & left the platform to do their own things. Some went to their rooms, some went to play , many wealthy disciples went to the Market to enjoy its luxuries & delicacies.
A select few were however just near the platform practicing their techniques , directly applying the knowledge into real-life practice & observing how far can theoretical knowledge be applied. If anything were to happen , Master Zheng would point out things individually through some spiritual transmission.
Among these diligent "Class-showoff students", this day, one of them was Sargon practicing Five Animal Hands.
Sargon sat in rapt attention. The threads of SpiritForce manipulation & Mana outburst he had grasped in his training now seemed to converge.
Sargon executed the Five Animal Hands technique with newfound precision. A moment of epiphany struck him like lightning, his SpiritForce & Mana executing the skill both surged, a barrier within him shattered.
There were ever changing Aura-Shapes in gaseous state wrapped around his two hands. Their shape changed continuously, fluctuating between five forms which gave the aura sensation of Golden Tiger, White Deer, Ghost Ape , Mountain Bear & Red Crane.
He ascended into the Aura Inception Mastery of Five Animal Hands.
But as his power surged, so did something darker. Whispers echoed in his mind, insidious and foreign. Ancient malice clawed at his thoughts, threatening to consume him. His vision blurred as chaotic emotions surged uncontrollably.
"Focus!" Sargon roared, but the corruption tightened its grip.
Just as Sargon teetered on the edge of madness, Courtyard Master Zheng appeared. Without a word, Zheng placed a steady hand on Sargon's back, channeling his own SpiritForce into the young cultivator.
Sargon's chaotic energy began to stabilize, his thoughts clearing. Unbeknownst to him, Zheng's intervention had another purpose. With precision, Zheng's SpiritForce probed Sargon's mana network and SpiritForce channels, mapping every nadi-Channels and meridian.
His gaze sharpened as he discovered an anomaly—there were two acupoints which were larger than normal & had traces & signs of storing Mana. If he guessed right this is almost like trying to form another Mana-Circuit ?
"Extra Virtual Mana Circuit, My Shahraab, that was something only 7th Phase could do ! No, No I must be imagining something . ", Master Zheng was himself stunned.
As Sargon regained clarity, an unsettling paranoia gripped him. Though grateful to the Courtyard Master, he couldn't shake the feeling of being thoroughly scrutinized. Yet, through meditation and reflection, his mindset solidified, allowing him to integrate his newfound power with a renewed sense of control.
The lecture concluded, and as the others filed out, Courtyard Master Zheng called out, "Sargon, stay behind. There's something I wish to discuss."
OH SHIT ! ! !