Getting thanks from everyone was good and all, but now it was time to get Uncle Tian Lu to make true on that bet and impart that so-called forbidden technique of his to him.
****
I followed the second elder whilst thinking about the intricacies of tumbleweeds, because what happened not long ago was some sort of freaky.
As a result, I didn't really pay attention to where I was going. The only thing I was vaguely aware of was that I took a lot of twists and turns, a lot more twists and turns than I thought this village-ish sect had.
However, what roused me from my rumination was a subtle heat. It wasn't really hot, but there was a heaviness to it. We eventually started to head down, and that caused me to put my thoughts to rest for the moment so I could take this all in.
We were heading down a narrow staircase. Both sides were constructed of red-coloured layered bricks. As I looked down below, it appeared as if I was descending into the jaws of some massive beast that wanted to devour me. I briefly thought of the indigestion it would suffer.
"Master Tian Lu is orchestrating the creation of something that will shake the entire continent. Though I am sure that his concentration is transcendent, I would still ask that you practise prudence and speak only when spoken to."
"You call him master, huh? Since I call him master, doesn't that make us junior and senior apprentice-bro-"
"You talk too much."
When he said that to me, I could tell that he didn't like me very much, but who was I to go against my senior apprentice-brother?
We continued to descend for quite a while until I saw a dim light that shone softly at the end of the stairwell.
Once I took the last step I saw a golden forge and spurts of fire that escaped through a few pre-designed outlets. The roar of the flame was like some beast howling.
There was a figure that stood before the forge, undaunted by the fire that licked his skin. He held a hammer in hand that flew through the air in a beautiful arc. Every swing brought with it a melodious clangour that rendered me… speechless.
When I came to this cultivation world, the novelty of my being here wore off after a while and I took it as me simply living here. However, there would be few moments when something so magical took place that it reminded me of where I truly was and I would feel that novelty return. This…? This right here? This is one of those moments.
"Leave us Tan Shui." Master's voice carried with it an odd quality that made it unnaturally clear yet somehow in resonance with everything he did.
The second elder executed a bow and returned from where we came.
"So his name is Tan Shui, huh?"
"If you want him to hate you more than he already does, then you're free to call him that."
Master Tian Lu didn't turn when he spoke. Apparently, he never understood basic etiquette, but I'm here to get what I should, so I let him be.
The forbidden technique I wanted to get my hands on was the technique that the first elder used when they fought against Scarlet Flame Long-Tailed Hawk. The same one that had him bedridden unless he took that herb to help him recover.
"You can't use that technique."
"Why?" I should have known this would never be easy. I even disregarded the fact that he just read my mind.
His movements remained unaffected by any and all external factors. "Because the same thing that happened to the first elder will happen to you."
"It couldn't have been like that in the beginning. How can I use it without being hit by that sequelae?"
There had to be a way. I needed other techniques at my disposal, and that attack was certainly a good candidate.
"You need a certain type of body for that, a body that very little possesses. You don't have that body."
Was this old drunken master of mine saying I wasn't built different?
Apart from that, the only thing that did come to mind was the revelation brought upon by a now comatose Steely, so I figured I'd tried my luck. If it didn't work, then I would know to never make a bet with Master again.
"I was advised by an… acquaintance of mine that I seem to be in… possession of a special physique."
As I said this, Master Tian Lu's movements remain undisturbed, and I had to say that I admired that.
"To be honest, with everything that you are and all that you have done, it would be downright bizarre if you didn't have a special physique. However, it doesn't matter what physique you have, it won't help you in this scenario."
"At least hear what it can do first." I wasn't going to let it end here. Based on what I know about cultivation tropes, this technique needs something equally powerful or even more powerful to go along with it and I had to get me a piece of that.
"Fine… go ahead."
After receiving permission, I shared the details as given to me by the Destiny Scale. I left nothing out regarding my potential. I could see where Uncle Tian Lu's figure shuddered at times, but he managed to correct himself to avoid destruction.
By the time I finished, Master Tian Lu didn't say anything else. He simply kept up his forging arts. It was almost as if he was using the process of forging to answer the question of what to do.
Whatever it was, I gave him time, time to come to a decision where he favoured me.
"The reason why the technique damaged the first elder so much is because the technique was originally meant to be used in conjunction with somatic essence, and you also needed to have a body strong enough to withstand it. He tweaked it so that it ran on spiritual qi instead since his cultivation method cultivated spiritual qi. He disregarded his origins as a demon per my wishes and took a path unconventional to us to allow certain techniques to see the light of day, but it was a failure."
He paused at this point, it was as if he was sad that it didn't work. As if he was disappointed that such a slapdash method didn't yield fruit. I said nothing at this point. I only waited.
"I should have known that it is never easy!" He held the hammer in his hand, but he did not bring it down. He waited and used the time to speak.
"There is no shortcut on this path and I will no longer allow for the perversion of my legacy! So if you can do what you say you can do, then I will pass it down to you, pure and untainted. However, if your physique does not live true to its speciality, then you will die. Are you prepared for this!?"
"Yes." There was no hesitation here. Been there, done that.
The hammer remained raised as he put forward another condition. "There is a responsibility that you, a recipient of this legacy, will inherit. Are you prepared!?"
"Yes." I already accepted the task given to me by a True Star Sage's Spiritual Intent. How hard could this be?
Dum!
A powerful fluctuation escaped Uncle Tian Lu's body. This was somatic essence, but it was practically alien compared to the likes of Jiandan Tai, or even that of the outer sect elder of the Iron Body Forge Sect.
The hammer in his hand shook. It was set to fall at any time, but I knew there was one last question to ask of me, and though I knew my answer, I gave him time to ask his question all the same.
For I knew somehow that I was the reason for the hammer to remain suspended. So here I stood, awaiting my question.
"For the Foundation Forge Body Tempering Art, ARE YOU PREPARED!?"
It was then that I came to know one of the tools handed down to me that would accompany me on my path to dominate this world.
There was only one word that was appropriate for this occasion. "Yes."