Within the training hall of the Nefarious Sanctuary, Neebo, drenched in his sweat was training with his limbs bound by heavy chain mace; four chain mace weighing at 10 kilograms each, to be exact. It has been an unexpected catalyst for the improvement of his physical capabilities.
His body now had fully recovered from the beating that he had received previously from Prince Archilles, and now, he seems more physically fit and physically stronger.
On this day, he'd be officially imprisoned for his 3rd week already. And his mental training had improved leaps and bounds compared to his physical training. On his first week, he couldn't maintain an hour or two of not resisting the violent dark energy within the sanctuary. But now, he is able to train his physical abilities for four hours, twice per day; all the while, maintaining his mental focus resisting the dark energy.
Neebo was breathless, with his hands on his knees. Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound coming from a hallway he had never searched before.
He took deep breathes and calmly composed himself. He doesn't know what lies ahead, although he isn't afraid of anything, there is this defensive mindset that he had a feeling that he had to apply within this sanctuary. There is a reason why this sanctuary became a forbidden land for Hazel Grove.
After gathering his strength back, he calmly walked towards that hallway and probe on to where the sound came from. Neebo cautiously made his way towards the source with each step echoed through the dimly lit hallway, amplifying the suspense that hung in the air; as he turned a corner, his eyes widened in astonishment and apprehension.
There, before him, were four figures shrouded in darkness. The sight sent a chill down Neebo's spine. Neebo crouched and sneaked further in as his curiosity betrayed his composed mind. As he went closer probing the identity of these figures, he discovered that these figures seem to be of human and Neebo also took notice of the blank expressions that they had; their eyes were devoid of life and their movements devoid reason.
It seems clear to Neebo that the dangers of the Nefarious Sanctuary wasn't only about the violent dark energy that permeates and corrupts people's mind. But also, these lifeless beings; they must have been imprisoned here like himself, but unlike Neebo, they unfortunately have succumb to the corruption of the mind, rendering them soulless, roaming around the sanctuary.
Neebo felt danger upon probing the identity of these beings. He felt that he might not be able to defeat them, given that he is under immense pressure resisting the violent energy all the while, carrying these heavy chain maces. He retreated slowly; unfortunately, he stepped on a withered bone that made an echoing sound that reverberated around the dark hallway.
The sound was tracked down by the soulless, and they took notice of Neebo's presence. With an otherworldly swiftness, they advanced upon him, their strength far surpassing Neebo's own newly acquired physical prowess. Panic flickered momentarily within Neebo, but he quickly composed himself, drawing upon all his energy to swiftly find the gaps for him to escape.
A fierce battle ensued as Neebo fought against the soulless bodies, dodging their relentless attacks with agility and precision. His limbs strained against the weight of the chained maces, but he wielded them with determination and skill, using their formidable weight as an advantage. Despite their superior physical strength, Neebo's strategic thinking and agility allowed him to hold his own, delivering calculated strikes and parrying their blows.
As the intense confrontation neared its climax, Neebo felt his energy waning. His muscles ached, and his breath came in ragged gasps. Just as it seemed he might succumb to exhaustion, a figure emerged from the shadows, seemingly unaffected by the violent energy that permeated the sanctuary.
This mysterious person possessed an aura of tranquility and power, radiating a sense of calm amidst the chaos. With swift movements, the mysterious person dealt heavy blows against the four soulless bodies, and soon after, the mysterious person snapped the necks of the four soulless bodies one by one.
Neebo, who almost lost his life against these four soulless bodies, lied down in defeat and exhaustion. He took deep breathes and composed himself; He was intensely being attacked by the dark energy. The mysterious person turns its attention towards the meditating Neebo, "How long have you been imprisoned here?" the mysterious person asked, his voice was steady and reassuring.
Neebo who was struggling to resist the dark energy heard him clearly, it seem to be that this mysterious person is a man, judging by his voice. Neebo answered weakly, "three weeks…"
"hmmm, impressive. You're the first." The mysterious person was really curious about Neebo. He closed in the distance with fluid and precise movement that Neebo couldn't even detect. Standing just behind Neebo, the mysterious person reached out his right hand and placed it on Neebo's right shoulder gently.
Neebo was frightened awake, he was just talking to the mysterious person that was right in front of him, but now he had position himself behind Neebo, without being detected.
But before Neebo could react against the mysterious person, Neebo was locked down frozen, sitting cross legged. "Sir, I have no disputes with you. I don't even have a small bit of intentions of making an enemy out of you, Sir. Please, let me go." Neebo begged for mercy, but the mysterious person seems not to care and continued to probe on.
Neebo felt an extremely cold energy flowing through his body, coming from the mysterious person's hand. The cold energy filled Neebo with intense examination. And not for long, after 15 minutes, the mysterious person retracted his right hand away from Neebo. Along with it was the cold energy that probe into Neebo's body.
Neebo felt a heave of relief after his release, he looked back to face the mysterious person and prepared his escape if he noticed that the mysterious person would turn against him. He just couldn't settle himself from the danger radiating from this mysterious person.
"Settle down young man, I am not an enemy." The mysterious person said with his steady and reassuring voice.
"How can I trust you? I don't even know if I could even stand a chance fighting against you!" Neebo retreated a few steps back.
The mysterious person's gaze was still locked in to Neebo, but now, it was devoid of hostility. "You wouldn't last a minute against me, I assure you. What I want to know is, what sect did you come from?" the mysterious person asked.
Neebo was startled by the question. As far as Neebo can remember, "Sect" is a word used from the ancient texts about the factions of which immortal cultivators are a part of. In this mortal world, Neebo haven't come across of the word "Sect" used by mortals, yet.
The question came as a surprise for Neebo, and now he was sure that this mysterious person was a mysterious cultivator. Maybe, he is far stronger than Elder Bai and that other Elder beside the King and Queen of Hazel Grove.
"I… I don't know what you're talking about… Sir" Neebo answered shakily.
The mysterious cultivator's eyes sharpened and glowed violently, "Don't lie to me boy! I have clearly found out about your cultivation. Or would you rather prefer that I'll find the answer over your dead body?"
Frightened, Neebo answered unwaveringly, "Truly, I speak the truth Esteemed Sir! Ever since I was young, I have taken interest with ancient texts and scroll that talk about the stories of immortal cultivators, and I was very fortunate to acquire and chanced upon an ancient text regarding a breathing technique that says; it may unlock a path to the immortal world… I speak the truth Esteemed Sir! I don't belong to any sect! I don't even have any knowledge of one… if I so… I would've long tried my best entering such…" Neebo kneeled and pleaded.
Sensing the honesty in Neebo's words, the mysterious cultivator's withdrawn his gleaming eyes. His gaze still probed in to Neebo. "What is your name?"
"I am Prince Neebo of Ironfort… the 7th Prince…" Neebo answered with a hint of sadness. As his memories from the past resurfaced, the surrounding dark energy churned and reacted to it.
As it tried to drown into Neebo, the mysterious cultivator secretly vanquished the dark energy away.
"Neebo, show me your breathing technique!"
Neebo woke up from his dazed expression and received the order. He performed the breathing technique in front of the mysterious cultivator, all while the mysterious cultivator grabbed hold of both his wrists.
"Begin! Don't stop unless I tell you so." The mysterious cultivator instructed.
Neebo nodded, and did what he was told to.
After three hours of execution. Neebo was growing anxious as the mysterious cultivator hasn't instructed him to stop yet. And after another execution of the breathing technique, Neebo felt light minded as he was pulled into a dazed state.
Witnessing Neebo's breathing technique, and the pattern on how it gathers the surrounding energy; along with Neebo's reaction towards the continues application of the breathing technique, the mysterious cultivator was now definitely positive as to what kind of breathing technique Neebo had come across. And to his discovery, it seems that Neebo was very suitable to it.
After 15 minutes, Neebo was pulled back from this dazed state; and he felt refreshed and purified from his bodily impurities. He was dumbfounded by this development; as he lifted his head, he had an inquisitive look towards the mysterious cultivator. Eager to receive his guidance.
"What you have executed is the Provenance Qi Absorption Technique. And what just happened to you is, a minor breakthrough where you have advanced your cultivation half-way from the first level and into the next." the mysterious cultivator told the clueless Neebo.