The next morning, the golden rays of the sun gently touched Uttar's face, slowly pulling him out of his deep sleep. He squinted his eyes, stretching his arms as a sense of tranquility washed over him.
Uttar: "Ahh… that was a good sleep. Now, it's time to get ready and prepare for my training."
Determined, he quickly took a bath and freshened up. As he looked at his reflection, he felt a new sense of purpose.
Uttar: "Last time, when I entered the forest, someone tried to kill me. I need to be more cautious this time. But where should I go for training?"
He fell into deep thought. His brows furrowed as he considered his options. Then, a sudden realization struck him.
Uttar: "Yes! There's one place… a cave that only my father and I know about. It is protected with a powerful formation, making it the safest place for training."
The cave was hidden deep within the forest, concealed by nature itself. It was a place untouched by others, known only to those who possessed the formation disc—an artifact that granted entry. And Uttar was the only one who had that disc.
Without wasting another moment, he set out toward the cave.
The Hidden Cave
The forest was dense, with towering trees and intertwining branches blocking the sunlight. Uttar moved swiftly, his senses heightened, making sure no one followed him.
After walking for some time, he finally arrived at the farthest edge of the forest. Thick branches, leaves, and vines covered the entrance to the cave, making it impossible for anyone to spot it.
Uttar took out the formation disc and placed it in the designated spot. The moment he did, the environment around him shifted.
Leaves and branches moved on their own, parting away as if an invisible force had commanded them. The cave entrance slowly revealed itself.
Uttar: "No one can find out that I am here. This place is completely secure."
As he stepped inside, the cave sealed itself again, restoring its natural camouflage.
Uttar took a deep breath and pulled out the God's Handprint Technique scroll. With great anticipation, he unrolled it and began reading.
The God's Handprint Technique
The ancient script on the scroll exuded a mysterious aura, as if it contained the wisdom of the gods themselves.
"The God's Handprint Technique is a rankless technique. It does not belong to any classification, for its true power surpasses all known ranks. This technique allows the user to manifest a massive hand projection, capable of overwhelming any opponent. However, there is a fundamental requirement for learning this technique—"
Uttar's eyes widened as he continued reading.
"Only those who have unlocked all seven chakras can perform this technique. It draws power from every chakra, harnessing the full potential of the user's elemental abilities. If you succeed in learning this technique, you will be eligible for the final form of the God's Handprint, but this scroll contains only the trial version."
Uttar: "What?! There's another version beyond this?!"
A mix of shock and excitement filled him.
Uttar: "But the requirements… they're too high. I have only unlocked three chakras. Still, I have to try."
With determination burning in his heart, he placed his hand on the scroll and channeled his chakra into it.
The moment he did—
WOOOSH!
A powerful force erupted from the scroll, and countless glowing symbols shot into the air before surging toward his forehead.
A searing pain engulfed Uttar's mind.
Uttar: "AARGH!! What's happening to me?!"
It felt as if thousands of lightning bolts were piercing his brain. His vision blurred, and his body trembled violently.
After what seemed like an eternity, the pain finally subsided.
Uttar gasped for breath, sweat dripping down his face.
Uttar: "W-What… just happened?"
Then, as if something clicked inside his mind, he suddenly understood the technique.
Uttar: "I… I learned it?! The entire technique was imprinted into my mind?!"
But another realization struck him.
Uttar: "Now I understand why the requirement is to unlock all seven chakras. This technique doesn't rely on just one energy source—it requires the power of every chakra to function properly. But… I only have three chakras unlocked."
He clenched his fists.
"Does that mean I can't use it?"
Then, a new thought emerged in his mind.
Uttar: "What if… I create a new technique based on this one? A version that uses only the chakras I have unlocked?"
The Creation of a New Technique
Determined, Uttar focused on his Muladhara Chakra—the root chakra, associated with the earth element.
As he concentrated, a surge of power flowed through his body. He raised his hand and activated the God's Handprint Technique, channeling it through his Muladhara Chakra.
BOOM!
A massive earth-formed hand projection emerged, crackling with dense energy.
Uttar's eyes gleamed.
Uttar: "It worked! This is an Earth-based version of the technique!"
Without stopping, he shifted his focus to his Svadhisthana Chakra, associated with water.
He performed the same technique again. This time—
WHOOSH!
A water-formed hand projection materialized, fluid and powerful.
Finally, he activated his Manipura Chakra, connected to the fire element.
FWOOSH!
A blazing hand projection erupted from his palm, engulfed in roaring flames.
A thought crossed his mind.
Uttar: "What if I combine all three chakras?"
He took a deep breath and concentrated, merging all three elemental energies.
A powerful force burst from his body—
BOOM!
A colossal multi-elemental hand projection materialized before him, radiating an intense aura of earth, water, and fire combined. The power shook the cave walls, sending tremors through the ground.
Uttar stared at his own creation, a sense of pride and excitement washing over him.
Uttar: "Oho… I can use elemental power even though I haven't broken through to the Sadhak rank!"
He clenched his fists.
"My body… it has changed. And it's all because of that mysterious ring."
With newfound determination, Uttar made a silent vow.
Uttar: "Now that I have learned the technique, it's time to focus on my cultivation. I will master this power… and one day, I will become the strongest in the universe."
His journey had just begun, but the fire in his heart burned brighter than ever before.