"How's the cultivation?" Song Yunlan asked.
"I will reach rank 1 late stage probably in 2 days." Li Gang replied firmly. No matter how mature he is, he only want to be a kid in front of his mother. Even though he become used to all the emotions, it doesn't mean he lost those emotions. He just suppresses them under his calm and composed expression. He doesn't want his emotions to cause a hindrance to him.
Song Yunlan happily praised: "You did well." Li Gang smiled feeling genuinely happy. Probably his mother is the only one who could make him smile.
Song Yunlan suddenly said: "I have a good news for you."
Li Gang thought. 'Did she agree? Impossible! Given her pride, she wouldn't lower herself to marry someone like me whose aptitude is so bad.'
Song Yunlan replied. "Wang Xueyao agreed to the marriage. We have decided to hold your marriage after the end of Monarch Inheritance. Although we don't know how long it will take, but it is likely to be around 10 years."
Li Gang was shocked, and immediately calmed down. This is not the first time his assumption failed. He had failed many times, and with the hit and trial method, he has been improving himself in past years.
'It seems I thought too much of her. But it is still difficult for me to believe she agreed. Is it that Wang Jinlong forced her?'
Li Gang immediately asked: "Mother, did Wang Jinlong agreed to the marriage or Wang Xueyao? I don't want a forced relation."
Song Yunlan frowned but still replied. "You don't have to think of such things. Anyways, it was Wang Xueyao who took the initiative to accept the proposal."
Li Gang's face changed. 'How can it be! This is only possible if Wang Jinlong doesn't even have a control over Wang Xueyao. But that wouldn't be enough for her marry me. I would have to be careful of this fiancé of mine! I also can't deny the possibility of her rebellious nature that occurs in adolescence period. I have also been facing mood swings lately.'
It is impossible to judge a person just by looking at his face. It's because real life has too much variables. Let's just say a person frowns after meeting for the first time, then we can't judge anything about them just by looking because the person may be acting to change his expression. He may suddenly remembered a bad memory. And even as far as it was just a variable. The person did subconsciously without thinking anything. A randomness also appears in a real world. Real World has everything probabilistic in nature. Nothing is absolute and nothing is predictable because of Randomness, unless someone knows the exact snapshot of the World itself. Even then, external variables outside the World may cause randomness. This randomness, when in your favour, is called Good Luck, and when against, it's called Bad Luck! The cause of these randomness could be anything, even as far as slight change at atomic level particles may cause such randomness.
Li Gang changed the topic and asked: "What is this Monarch Inheritance?"
Song Yunlan replied. "A Rank 8 Warrior is known as a Monarch. Soon, a Monarch Inheritance would open within the Great Forest. Many Warriors from different part of the Southern Continent have already arrived in the Azure Mountain. The sudden appearance of the Inheritance shocked everyone. This Inheritance showed it's signs of opening on the same day as the Awakening Ceremony!"
Hearing the sudden news, Li Gang was shocked and laughed inwardly. Here's the opportunity I have been waiting for years. He thought he would only get such opportunity after leaving Azure Mountain, but it seems his luck hasn't exhausted.
He suddenly thought of something.
'Is that why the markets are busy these days, and many outsiders are coming?'
"It is very rare opportunity for many youngsters. Many cultivators from Thunderous Peak Sect and Moonlight Sect have already arrived and inspecting the situation. In this Inheritance, only Warriors below the age of 100 years old are allowed."
Li Gang understood. Even though it means he can go, but with rank 3 to rank 5 warriors, his advantages would be minimal.
For rank 4, killing a rank 1 is as good as killing an ant. But, he can't give up this opportunity at the same time. Even though it seems there is a huge danger, no one would kill anyone meaninglessly, unless they are some maniac.
He said firmly: "I am going." He doesn't want to lie to the person who loves him in this world.
Song Yunlan was calm, as if expected this outcome. Unexpectedly she nodded.
Li Gang understood the situation immediately.
There is no way Song Yunlan would let him go so easily. There is only one possibility.
'It seems father wants me to give up on being a warrior, marry and settle down in some business. Even though he didn't like me, he is still my father and wouldn't put my life in danger. Probably he wants to pave the way for Li Yuxong as a Village head. Li Yuxong is also likely to be among the Li family warriors going this time.'
Even though it is clear that Li Yuxong will be the future Village head, he still lives under the shadow of Li Gang, despite being much stronger. He never saw Li Gang ever struggling in anything despite having low talent in cultivation.
One day later
Li Gang opened his eyes.
"Finally, reached the late stage. It's earlier than expected"
He had expected to reach it in two days. But this is not something that can be accurately calculated, since there are various factors that affects this situation. He opened the door, and walked in a certain direction.
After few minutes, he entered the back side of Li Mansion, from there, he started running into the forest area with his full speed. He then practiced till the afternoon and adapted to his new strength.
He was capable of lifting 1000 kg of weights! But, while moving, he could only take at most 100 kg, even then, his speed would decrease sharply, and he would be exhausted too. He was also able to run very fast, at the pace of around 40 meters per second.
An average rank 1 Warrior is capable of lifting 500-1000 kg of weight. Their average speed is around 20-40 meters per second! This is why, even a weakest Warrior can handle tens of Mortals at the same time.
"I need to master secret techniques. It may be something that give most advantage to me, after all, I have no Spiritual Imprint, so I may face no conflict, and may be able to display more ability. Not to mention, I have sharpened my mind ever since I was born, so it will be easier to master those. It's a pity I can't sense my soul without Soul Imprint, and so I can't use Soul attacks, which would be huge disadvantage in the long run. I don't know if a Soul type Secret Technique can help me sensing my Soul, and cultivating it. But it is unlikely."
In the Divine Spirit Continent, Warriors cultivate both their body and soul. Spiritual Imprint is like a bridge between body and soul, that helps them control their body much more easily. Body is just like a cloth for the soul. Soul should be able to perfectly synchronize with the body in order to utilize it efficiently. Spiritual Imprint helps a lot with that. The higher the grade of Spiritual Imprint, the higher the control. This is why it is said that people with higher grade of Spiritual Imprint have better Cultivation talent!
Li Gang casually dressed up. He opened the door, and first went to see his mother.
"Come in" Song Yunlan said casually hearing the knock.
Seeing Li Gang coming, she asked: "Is there something?"
"I want to learn Secret Techniques. Is there some suitable ones?" Li Gang replied slowly.
Song Yunlan: "Did you already reached rank 1 late stage?"
Li Gang: "Yes, Just reached"
Song Yunlan: "You could have taken a break, you don't have to work so hard"
Li Gang: "I don't have time to waste. I am already low in talent, I can't waste even slightest of my time."
Song Yunlan sighed. She knew Li Gang was very stubborn and independent since he was young. She had seen him crying silently many times, and whenever she went to comfort him, he would suppress all his grievances and only show his strong side. His indifferent expression is just his mask to hide his true self.
"Which type is suited for you, tell me and I would try to get it."
Li Gang thought: 'It seems she doesn't have the exercises or may be she possessed but gave away for the Village.'
"Any type would be better, but I want all sort of. It doesn't matter which attribute it is. I want those that specialize in Attack, Defense, Speed, Surveillance, Disguise and Archery related some techniques. I also want corresponding weapons. If possible, I want knife and bow, for both short range and long range attacks."
Song Yunlan was shocked.
"Aren't you too greedy? And what do you mean any attribute will do? Although your Spiritual Imprint is of low grade and the conflict due to other Secret Techniques would be low, the conflict still exist."
Li Gang looked at her calmly without saying anything.
Song Yunlan looked at him and sighed.
"Okay, I will try."
Li Gang nodded and bowed towards her before leaving.
Few hours later
Song Yunlan came.
"Here are some secret techniques."
Li Gang started looking at the scrolls one by one.
Song Yunlan explained: "I could only get Attack, Speed, Surveillance, and Archery skills. I had some attack type skills, so I added them to compensate you, and also this."
Saying that, she took out a Bow and a quiver, with hundreds of arrows.
"This Grade 2 Shadowleaf bow is crafted from Shadowsteel, a material that harnesses the power of shadows and darkness. The bow's ability is to blend into the darkness grants its wielder a significant advantage in stealthy operations or surprise attacks, making it a valuable asset for skilled archers. It is quite heavy, weighing around 100 kilograms, which is something difficult to carry for 12 year olds like you. In the real life battles, it could only be used from a single place, and because of this, you need to have very strong perception or a person protecting you."
Li Gang nodded.