Chapter 13 - Third Layer, Ghost Step
Eren felt a sudden dizziness wash over him. The Yin and Yang Jade Pendant around his neck released a rapid flow of refreshing energy, spreading throughout his body like a much-needed relief, as if the drought he had once felt had been quenched in an instant. The sensation was akin to nectar, cool and revitalizing.
The refreshing feeling didn't stop there. Although Eren's limbs felt weak, a sense of laziness overcame him, but it was an incredibly comfortable sensation. It was a state of relaxation, almost like when he fell asleep peacefully. However, something strange happened within him.
This time, Eren didn't panic as he did when he broke through to the second layer of the Ancient Strengthening Technique. Instead, he remained unusually calm. A warm qi enveloped his body, gently moistening his bones and meridians. The flow of this energy resembled knitting wool, becoming denser and more pronounced. Eren could feel his meridians becoming tougher, more resilient, and even thicker than before.
His strength gradually returned, and it felt as though he had surpassed the peak of the second layer. He realized that his body was approaching the third layer. In reality, he had just entered it, and if he could breakthrough to the fourth layer, he would be on an entirely new level of power.
As his qi continued to circulate through his body, Eren couldn't contain his joy. It was all thanks to the real combat experience he had gained, especially in the battle against the Giant Golden Wolf. He knew it was because of that fight that he had been able to push himself beyond his limits.
His eyes lingered on the now-retreating wolf. He could sense the danger was over, and it was clear that the wolf, though fierce, was retreating. Eren didn't want to chase after it, as he felt that it was the fight with the wolf that had pushed him into the third layer.
Inspecting his meridians and dantian, Eren found a solid lump of qi, a sign of his advancement. But that wasn't all—his Blue Lotus had also reached the third layer. He realized that it was no longer the same as the Blue Lotus of the Qing family. There was a subtle difference, but Eren couldn't quite identify what it was. He felt a slight confusion, thinking that maybe he wasn't such a waste after all.
"Could it be that I'm no longer a failure?" Eren wondered, his thoughts drifting.
"I'm not sure when I'll break through to the fourth layer. It seems like the road ahead will only get harder. But I won't give up… not even on the Blue Lotus," Eren mused, reflecting on the long journey ahead.
"Forget it. I have the Ancient Strengthening Technique, the Solitary Nimble Fist, and now… my new escape technique." Eren chuckled bitterly. "Really? An escape technique? Is that all I get for breaking through the third layer? How disappointing…"
Eren had hoped for a technique to aid him in refining medicine or maintaining his health, but instead, he had received an escape technique. The thought made him feel a mixture of exasperation and helplessness.
He sighed again. "I don't know how long it will take me to break through to the fourth layer. Will I ever learn the medicine refinement technique, make a Buddha Relic, or even a Five-Dragon Pellet or Nine Revolutions Resurrection Pellet? Tsk… I wish I could hurry up!"
Eren's desire to learn the medicine refinement technique wasn't only because of his own cultivation but also to create pills that could improve Qing Yi's health. But for now, it felt like a distant dream.
"An escape technique is better than nothing, I guess. I'll have to learn it, even though it doesn't seem to suit me at the moment," Eren thought, his mind shifting gears. "But if it's really a top-tier technique, it might save my life one day."
He closed his eyes and delved into the technique inside his mind. It resembled the kind of skills used by thieves—stealth and misdirection, utilizing the environment for concealment. As Eren examined it, he was both impressed and intrigued by the detailed plans it included for every kind of terrain and scenario.
"But how will I use it to escape if I'm discovered? What should I do then?" he muttered, realizing there was more to this technique than he initially thought. There had to be a hidden element that he hadn't unlocked yet.
Sure enough, after a bit more focus, Eren discovered that the technique included not only stealth but also an escape method. It required the use of qi to activate.
The footwork technique was called Ghost Step, and though the name seemed a bit lackluster, Eren didn't mind. He had already learned a great deal from the Concealed Weapon technique and the Solitary Nimble Fist, so he was eager to learn this new skill as well.
However, Eren quickly realized that learning the Ghost Step wasn't going to be as easy as he'd hoped. The process of learning required focus and precision, and though the technique was a powerful one, mastering it wasn't something that would happen overnight. He counted the nine steps required to learn it, which were based on numerology and patterns spread out like a puzzle. It wasn't going to be quick or easy—his mind had to digest all the information, which would take some time.
After contemplating his options, Eren decided to leave the injured wolf alone. He knew it could be dangerous to provoke such a powerful beast, and though the wolf could bring him great benefits, he didn't want to risk encountering more wolves or even a pack of them.
"No. I can't run. But if I learn the Ghost Step, I'll be able to escape more easily if the need arises," he thought with renewed resolve. "The Ghost Step could complement my Solitary Nimble Fist, allowing me to attack and evade with unparalleled speed!"
The sun was setting on the hillside just outside the Qing family's compound, casting a warm red glow across the sky. It was the perfect time to practice his new technique. The first stage of the Ghost Step was all about speed—pushing his limits to move so fast that it would seem like a mirage. In an escape, each inch of progress would require mastery of all nine steps and the numerology.
Eren took a deep breath, ready to begin. It was time to strike while the iron was hot and dive into mastering his new technique.