Chapter 8: Mastering Power
The cave was silent, save for the faint crackle of energy as Bhoumik sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, his eyes closed in deep concentration. Before him lay two scrolls—one detailing the Heavenly Palm, the other outlining a movement technique called Thunder Steps.
The Heavenly Palm was an offensive martial technique, one that, when mastered, could crush the bones of an opponent with a single blow, harnessing the power of spiritual energy to devastating effect. Thunder Steps, on the other hand, was a movement technique, a method to channel spiritual energy into the legs, allowing the user to move at blinding speed and overwhelm enemies in combat. Both were high-level techniques, far beyond the basic arts he had learned before.
Bhoumik opened his eyes and stared at the scrolls. Mastering these would be no easy task, especially for someone at his current level. But if he wanted to survive Green Hell Paradise and grow strong enough to challenge the powerful beasts in this region, he had no choice.
The first few days were difficult. Bhoumik attempted to learn the Heavenly Palm, focusing his spiritual energy into his hands, but the technique required a level of precision and control that he hadn't yet mastered. Each time he tried to release the spiritual energy, it backfired, sending painful surges through his arms and leaving him winded and injured.
"Damn it," Bhoumik muttered under his breath as he nursed the burns on his palms. His eyes flickered with frustration, but his mind remained calm. He knew that mastering a technique of this caliber required time. Rushing would only result in failure. And failure was not an option.
Over the course of several weeks, Bhoumik trained relentlessly. He practiced in the small cave he had discovered, using the rich spiritual energy of the Green Hell Paradise to recover after each failure. Slowly, he began to understand the technique, learning to control the flow of spiritual energy through his meridians. He studied the movements carefully, his sharp mind analyzing every detail of the scroll.
On the fourth week, something clicked.
Bhoumik stood in the clearing outside the cave, his hands glowing faintly with the energy of the Heavenly Palm. This time, when he struck the air in front of him, a blast of force erupted from his palms, sending a nearby boulder crashing into pieces. The impact left a deep impression in the ground, the force of the attack echoing through the trees.
A small smile tugged at the corner of Bhoumik's lips. He had done it. He had mastered the Heavenly Palm.
With the Heavenly Palm now within his grasp, Bhoumik turned his attention to the Thunder Steps movement technique. This technique would allow him to move with incredible speed, giving him the upper hand in battles where raw strength wasn't enough. He could sense that it would be crucial in fighting faster or more powerful opponents.
But much like the Heavenly Palm, Thunder Steps required precision. Bhoumik had to learn how to channel spiritual energy into his legs, but the first few attempts resulted in nothing more than clumsy, ineffective movements. His legs ached after hours of failed practice, but Bhoumik didn't stop. He never stopped.
Weeks passed, and Bhoumik's movements became faster and more fluid. He could feel the spiritual energy flowing through his legs, allowing him to move with lightning speed across the ground. He tested his new technique by darting through the trees, his figure barely visible as he weaved through the dense forest.
Each step was faster, each movement more precise. By the time another month had passed, Bhoumik could disappear from sight in an instant, his speed enhanced to the point where even powerful beasts would have trouble following his movements.
The Thunder Steps and Heavenly Palm were now his, but Bhoumik wasn't done yet. His cultivation continued as well, the rich spiritual energy of Green Hell Paradise flowing into his body, strengthening him day by day. By the end of the third month, he had broken through to the 5th level of the Master Realm.
Confident in his new strength, Bhoumik decided it was time to test his abilities. He left the cave and ventured deeper into the middle region of Green Hell Paradise, his senses attuned to the presence of magical beasts. This time, he wouldn't avoid them.
After hours of searching, he finally found his target—a massive lizard-like creature, its scales gleaming in the faint light filtering through the trees. Its aura was immense, and Bhoumik could immediately tell it was a 3rd-grade high-level magical beast. The creature's eyes locked onto him, and with a deafening roar, it charged forward, its sharp claws digging into the earth.
Bhoumik didn't flinch. His eyes sharpened, and he gripped the spear he had taken from the dead cultivators, the cool metal reassuring in his hands. As the beast lunged at him, Bhoumik activated Thunder Steps, his body moving at lightning speed to avoid the attack. In an instant, he was behind the creature, the spear thrusting forward with deadly precision.
The spear pierced the beast's scales, drawing black blood, but the creature wasn't done yet. It whirled around, its claws slashing through the air, but Bhoumik was already gone, his Thunder Steps carrying him out of reach.
With a calm breath, Bhoumik raised his hand, channeling spiritual energy into his palm. Heavenly Palm!
He struck the beast's side with an explosive blast of energy, the force shattering its bones. The creature roared in pain, but it was too late. Bhoumik moved in for the final blow, the spear driving into the beast's heart, ending its life in one swift motion.
Bhoumik stepped back, watching as the beast collapsed to the ground, its body twitching before it finally lay still. He exhaled, the thrill of victory coursing through him. This was his first real victory against a 3rd-grade magical beast, a sign of how far he had come since first entering Green Hell Paradise.
After the battle, Bhoumik's thoughts returned to the treasure map he had taken from the dead men months ago. He hadn't paid much attention to it at first, but now, with his new strength, it was time to see what it led to.
Following the map's directions, Bhoumik ventured further into the middle region. The terrain grew more treacherous, and the presence of powerful magical beasts increased, but Bhoumik avoided conflict, focusing on his objective. Hours passed, and finally, he reached a small, hidden chamber, nestled within a rocky outcrop.
The entrance was faint, almost invisible to the naked eye, but Bhoumik's sharp senses picked up the faint spiritual energy energy emanating from within. He pushed aside the rocks, revealing a hidden chamber deep within.
Inside, Bhoumik found a medallion, its surface etched with ancient symbols. It was old, worn with age, but the power it radiated was undeniable. This medallion wasn't just a relic—it was the key to something much greater. As he picked it up, a faint pulse of energy ran through the sealed rings on his fingers, a subtle reminder that there were secrets yet to be uncovered.
Bhoumik stared at the medallion for a long moment. This was just the beginning. Whatever this key unlocked, it would lead him to greater power—and likely greater danger.
He tucked the medallion away and left the chamber, his mind already planning his next steps. The Green Hell Paradise had tested him, but he wasn't done yet.
As Bhoumik continued his journey, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The beasts in this region were stronger, yes, but there was something else—a presence, distant yet palpable. He could feel the gaze of something or someone watching him. His instincts warned him to be cautious.
Bhoumik knew that he wasn't the only one searching for the treasures hidden in Green Hell Paradise. Other cultivators, perhaps far more powerful than him, were likely on the same path. The thought didn't bother him. It only made him more determined.
With the Heavenly Palm, Thunder Steps, and his newfound strength at the 5th level of the Master Realm, Bhoumik was ready to face whatever came next.
But even he knew that the real dangers were still ahead.