Chapter 4 - Primeval Vitality Technique
The next morning, soft sunlight filtered through the windows as Eren stirred awake. His first sight was Alina Rieager, his mother, seated by his bedside. Her delicate features looked pale and thin, and her usually bright eyes were red and puffy from sleepless worry.
The moment she saw him open his eyes, she enveloped him in a tight embrace.
"Eren, you're awake! Tell me, do you feel any pain?" she asked anxiously.
"Mother…" Eren's heart ached seeing her in such a state. He couldn't find the words to express himself. It was clear she hadn't slept all night, her exhaustion etched deeply into her face. Gratitude swelled within him—after all, though his body was that of an eight-year-old, his soul carried the maturity of a grown man.
Hearing the soft, almost pleading tone in his voice as he called her "Mother," Alina felt her heart twist. She knew Eren carried a heavy burden. In a world where strength defined a man's worth, his frail body made him an object of ridicule. She felt she had failed him, unable to give him a better start in life.
Eren, sensing her thoughts, gently spoke, "Mother, you're exhausted. Please rest now."
Though his voice was small, it carried a maturity that tugged at Alina's heart. She lay down beside him, unable to resist his quiet insistence. Holding her son in her arms, she finally drifted into a much-needed sleep.
When he was sure his mother was resting, Eren carefully slipped out of bed and left the room. For the first time in years, his body felt light and full of energy. He no longer felt the constant tightness in his chest or the weakness that usually plagued him. Hope surged through him—perhaps he had truly changed.
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Stepping out of the Rieager estate, Eren ran.
His heart pounded with excitement and nervousness. Could it be true? Could he finally practice martial arts like others? Reaching the halfway point of the nearby hill, he paused to catch his breath. This time, his lungs burned from exertion, not weakness.
His thoughts raced back to the previous night and the mysterious Primeval Vitality Technique that had imprinted itself into his mind.
Closing his eyes, Eren focused. Sure enough, the Yin-Yang Symbol appeared in his consciousness, spinning steadily. With every rotation, it sent waves of energy coursing through his body, strengthening his organs and revitalizing his meridians.
He smiled. This technique was the foundation of the human race's ancient strength—the art that allowed them to rival even the Demon Gods in the distant past.
"The Primeval Vitality Technique…" Eren muttered, his voice filled with determination. "This is the key to everything."
This technique was the origin of cultivation itself, meant to strengthen the body's foundation. With it, even someone unable to wield martial arts could achieve unimaginable power. It wasn't just a skill—it was the cornerstone of all physical and spiritual mastery.
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Walking further into the forest, Eren found a quiet clearing surrounded by trees and the sweet scent of wildflowers. The air was fresh, and the morning sun cast a warm glow over everything.
Eren resolved to begin his training. Following the steps engraved in his memory, he started practicing the Primeval Vitality Technique.
The technique seemed simple: calm the heart, align the spirit, and allow the body's natural vitality to circulate. However, as he went through the motions, he felt no immediate results. There was no sudden surge of energy, no awakening of mystical qi.
Eren wasn't discouraged. He knew mastery required persistence. Determined, he repeated the process again and again.
Time passed unnoticed. By the time Eren opened his eyes, the sun was high overhead—it was already noon. Though he hadn't felt the qi he sought, he was brimming with newfound energy.
On the way back to the estate, he ran without stopping, marveling at his stamina. No more breathlessness, no more fainting spells. For the first time, his body felt alive.
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As he passed the training field, Eren saw his cousins—strong, confident youths—sparring with wooden swords, lifting heavy stones, and practicing their strikes with iron hammers. For years, he had avoided this place, unable to bear the sight of their strength. Today, it no longer stung.
"You've been out again, haven't you, Eren?"
The familiar voice of his grandfather, Marcus Rieager, greeted him as he entered the courtyard. The old man's expression was a mix of worry and reproach. "You must rest. Your body isn't strong enough for this."
Eren gave a reassuring smile. "Grandfather, I only walked near the gate. I'm fine."
Marcus sighed. Despite his grandson's limitations, he couldn't hide the pride he felt. Eren was intelligent and hardworking—a bright light in the Rieager family. Yet without the ability to practice martial arts, he would always lag behind his peers.
"Very well, but you must take care of yourself," Marcus said, softening his tone. "I sent someone to the city today to fetch a hundred-year-old purple ginseng. We'll prepare it for you tonight—it'll help strengthen your body."
"Thank you, Grandfather," Eren said sincerely. He could sense the genuine care in the old man's voice.
As Marcus walked away, Eren stood in the courtyard, his heart swelling with hope. His body had already begun to change, and with the Primeval Vitality Technique as his guide, he would forge a path forward.
His journey had only just begun.
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