Chapter 9 - Advancing to the Second Level
A year had passed since Eren managed to lift a massive 800-pound stone. This experience gave him clarity on his training path. His focus was on strengthening his body while the mysterious Yin-Yang diagram in his consciousness ceaselessly refined his bones and organs. Over time, it became evident that the diagram was also enhancing his spirit, making it unparalleled in strength.
Although a year had passed, Eren still appeared thin and frail. However, none of his peers in the Marcus family could match the compact, well-formed muscles he had developed. This transformation was due to the mystical Yin-Yang diagram working within him. Quietly and in private, Eren tested his limits, gradually lifting stones over 1000 pounds without revealing his progress to others.
Eren had also made considerable strides in mastering the Blue Lotus Style, progressing to the Warrior's third layer. Yet, since he had not completed three years of training, he was still officially classified in the novice stage. Despite this, his reputation among the Marcus family's third generation had improved. No longer mocked as "waste," he was treated with cautious respect. Though Eren had long since stopped caring about others' opinions, he found the change amusing.
The most talented among the third generation—Marcus Reiger, the eldest grandson, and Alina, the prodigy—remained distant figures. Eren occasionally crossed paths with them but had little interaction. He spent more time with younger peers like Alina's brother, Thomas, who recently advanced to the Warrior's sixth layer at the age of sixteen—a critical milestone in their martial world.
To celebrate Thomas' breakthrough, the entire Marcus family convened for a grand feast. Reaching the Warrior's sixth layer before sixteen was a major achievement, setting the stage for potentially greater heights in the future. Missing this milestone often signified a ceiling in one's martial growth, with the eighth layer being the highest likely achievement. However, those who crossed it early had the potential to reach the ninth or even the fabled tenth layer, given enough effort and luck.
The Marcus family rejoiced, with Thomas receiving praise and well wishes from everyone. Meanwhile, Eren quietly observed, avoiding the limelight.
Early the next morning, Eren shared breakfast with his mother, Alina. Her radiant smile had become more frequent since his recovery, yet she remained burdened with responsibilities. She informed him of her plans to leave for a nearby city to acquire rare medicinal herbs essential for his cultivation.
"Eren, I'll be gone for two weeks. Stay focused on your training. Our future depends on your strength. One day, we'll break free from those parasites draining our family," Alina said, her voice resolute as she gently patted his head.
Eren nodded solemnly. "Be safe, Mother. Your well-being is more important than anything. I promise to make you proud and give you a life free of worries."
Though tempted to accompany her, Eren knew he lacked the strength to be of help. He resolved instead to intensify his training.
For over a year, Eren trained relentlessly. Whether under the sun, rain, or snow, he refused to rest. While the family enforced strict training schedules for the third generation, Eren went beyond the required hours, dedicating himself entirely to cultivation. Despite his physical age of nine, his mature mindset drove him to maximize every moment.
In his private training chamber, Eren focused on breaking through to the second layer of the Primeval Vitality Technique. He could feel the flow of energy within him growing stronger yet stubbornly refusing to pass the bottleneck. Covered in sweat, he muttered, "I must break through. For Mother, for myself... I refuse to remain weak."
Hours turned to days as Eren pushed himself. At last, as dawn broke, a sudden "pop" echoed through his body, like a cork being removed from a sealed bottle. A refreshing surge of energy coursed through him, invigorating every cell.
The breakthrough was monumental. The once-threadlike stream of energy in his body expanded to a dense, wool-like strand, tenfold in strength. His senses sharpened to an extraordinary degree—he could see the minute movements of ants several meters away and hear the faint rustling of leaves over ten feet away.
"Perceptiveness..." Eren whispered, marveling at his heightened awareness. The breakthrough not only fortified his body but also elevated his mental clarity to unprecedented levels.
Looking Ahead
Eren reflected on his journey thus far, from lifting a single heavy stone to cultivating at the second layer of the Primeval Vitality Technique. He knew the path ahead would be even more challenging. Reaching the third layer would likely take years of rigorous effort, but his resolve remained unshaken.
"Time is the true test," Eren mused, clenching his fists. "I'll keep pushing forward—step by step, layer by layer—until I reach the pinnacle of this world."
The morning light bathed his small frame as he resumed his training, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination.