Chapter 27 : Lightning Step
"I don't want you to feel too down. The truth is, if you can reach rank three body fortifications, you will be able to assimilate at most 7% of the pure lightning in one baptism. I believe that might be pushing your limits however and those are just estimates. The main point I want you to remember is that you are doing remarkably well for now. With that in mind, I'm going to teach you some proper martial techniques so that you can leave this ravine and escape this valley of death."
"I thought you needed a manual or something to learn martial techniques?"
"No, the truth is, anyone can make martial techniques. After all, you made some by copying skills attached to the crude weapons you created, right?"
"Y-Yes…" Young said, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to insult you. Anyway, my point is-- anyone can create a technique. But not everyone can create a proper technique." Spark said, continuing his explanation.
"To make a technique there are basically five things you require. The first is a need, a technique that does not address a need is useless. The second, is the conditioning to use the technique. The third is intimate understanding of the technique, the fourth is understanding of the elements you need to carry out the technique. Finally, the last and most important aspect of a technique is application. You must use a technique until it becomes second nature to you. Unless you can call it forth in your most dire time, a technique is unreliable and therefore useless."
Young simply listened and nodded, to be honest he was quite happy to be taught anything. His teachers and fellow students at the academy would never go to such lengths to explain anything.
"The first technique I will impart to you is called Lightning Step. Essentially, it uses the surging power of lightning energy in order to propel you in a direction of your choice. This technique is primarily used to bridge large distances and can be useful for closing the distance between you and a foe-- or creating distance to escape. With this technique you will be able to leave the ravine."
"Really? That's amazing. So how do we get started?" Young asked. Thus began Spark's first lesson on teaching Young a martial skill. Throughout the land martial skills were coveted almost as much as elemental techniques and often they were passed down along family lines. With Young being an orphan, this part of his heritage had been lost to him, thus Young absorbed everything Spark had to say.
"There's no way I'll waste this opportunity." Young thought.
The Lightning Step was a rather simple technique. By creating lightning energy, then sending it down through one's legs to the calves and toes -- an explosive burst of power could be achieved. In turn, each step could be used to create such a burst in power to easily bridge several meters.
After just thirty minutes of practice Young was able to quickly traverse three hundred meters in just under three minutes. This was roughly three times faster than before, though his body still needed to get used to the strain placed upon it by Lightning Step.
Because the energy would be transferred through his muscles, Young ran the risk of damaging his flesh when using the technique. Furthermore the strain on his toes and ankles was significant.
"You've managed to make this technique your own in such a short time. Great job, however -- in order to escape the ravine you will have to master the ability to propel yourself great distances. I'd say, hmmm -- when you can place three times the power into the technique and safely land you will have reached step 1 of the escape plan." Spark explained.
"Step one? What's step two?" Young asked.
"Being able to repeatedly use the powered version of Lightning Step while maintaining control, safely. Six bounds should be enough to help you clear the ravine wall." Spark replied.
"I love it when a plan comes together." Young said, clenching his fist as he etched his goals into his memory.
He would spend the next two days training his toes, ankles, calves and thighs endlessly for all were necessary to make powerful leaps like Spark described. On the third day of Lightning Step training, just three weeks after having been knocked off a mountain and almost meeting a terrible fate, Young was ready to challenge fate once more.
"All of your preparations are complete right? You have enough water to last you a week, and enough mushrooms for three days--correct?" Spark's voice echoed as Young stepped out of the cavern, revealing the rising dawn.
"Yes. I'm ready." Young said, a look of determination spreading across his face. Over the past 21 days of his life Young had changed immensely. If any of his classmates or teachers were to see him now, he would look like a different person. His body had grown more muscular due to the rapid changes of his body fortification. His hair had grown wild beyond compare, now falling down to the small of his back. He lost his shirt weeks ago and his pants were ragged and in disrepair. His shoes were the last of his outfit to break -- given his relentless step training over the last seventy two hours.
With Spark awake once again, the two were ready to make their escape.
"We need to leave soon. I have a suspicion that there might be other Aged Beasts in this valley that are drawn to the pure lightning within you."
"Aged Beasts? What are those?" Young asked as he walked towards the portion of the ravine with the least amount of distance between the walls.
"Aged Beasts are creatures who have evolved to consume energy sources directly, creature's like the 100 Years Grub. They especially value hunting and eating hapless cultivators such as yourself. You see they can draw out all the energy from your flesh and bones, anything you've accumulated within during your life -- and use that to make themselves stronger."
Young shuddered as he thought back to the encounter which nearly ended his life. He felt fearful and exposed now that the cavern was at his back. What would keep him safe from other creatures that might want to prey upon him.
"And they are drawn to me?" Young asked as he gazed around, glancing upwards at the ridge of the ravine wall. He couldn't help but recall the encounter with the feline monster just last week. The creature had not been seen since then, but Young couldn't shake the feeling that it may have still been lurking nearby.
"The energy inside you. But never fear. If worse comes to worse, we will use that very energy against them and make a hasty retreat." Spark offered as Young finally reached the point where he would attempt to climb the ravine wall.
"This will be a small matter for the master of the Jade family." Spark said as Young gazed up towards the shear wall above him.
"Indeed. It's time to return to the academy." Young said as he crouched downward slightly and focused his qi in his legs. The familiar crackle of lightning element energy echoed in the air as Young leapt forth along his first steps to freedom.