Lucian's eyelids fluttered open, the dim light of a late afternoon sun filtering through the wooden blinds of the room. His vision blurred for a moment before focusing on the figure slumped in a chair beside him. Catrina was there, her head resting on her arms, fast asleep. Her feline ears twitched occasionally, and her tail swayed lazily, even in her slumber.
Lucian sat up slowly, the stiffness in his body reminding him of the intense battle with Tiankai. The soft creak of the bed frame stirred Catrina awake. Her amber eyes widened as they met his, relief and concern etched across her face.
"Lucian! You're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly. "Are you okay? What happened? How did you end up like this?"
Lucian hesitated before nodding. "I was attacked," he began, his voice filled with anger. "A man named Tiankai ambushed me on my way to Eldralis. He was strong. He was a tall muscular man with long black hair, pale skin, and black eyes. He said nothing about why, just that I had to die."
Catrina frowned deeply, her tail flicking in agitation. "Tiankai… I've heard of him. A mercenary, but one rumored to be working for powerful figures in the shadows. You're lucky to be alive."
"I barely survived," Lucian admitted, his hand clenching into a fist. "His techniques were overwhelming. If it weren't for what I learned from the golden book, I wouldn't be here."
Catrina stood, her resolve hardening. "You need to rest for today. I'll report this attack to the Leon Guild. They'll know how to handle this."
Lucian nodded but said nothing. He wasn't ready to be dependent on others.
Later that day, Lucian checked out of the medical center, thanking the healers for their care. The cool evening air brushed against his skin as he walked through the village, his destination clear: the inn where he had stayed before. The kind owner greeted him warmly, offering the same room as before.
Once inside, Lucian threw himself onto the bed, the events of the day weighing heavily on his mind. As his body relaxed, flashes of his battle with Tiankai invaded his thoughts: the man's blade, the sheer force of his attacks, the deadly precision.
Lucian gritted his teeth. "I need to get stronger," he thought to himself.
Another memory surfaced of the haunting scene he had witnessed after his fight, chilling him to the core. He turned his head toward his spatial bag, which lay on the desk. With trembling hands, he reached for it, pulling out the golden book. The mysterious artifact seemed to pulse faintly as he opened it.
New text had appeared, glowing softly in the dim light:
"You have learned simple movement and weapon techniques. Yet, what will you do without your weapon?"
Lucian's brows furrowed as he read on:
"This page will teach you the following techniques. May they serve you well in mastering your body and mind: Iron Palm and Tiger's Claw."
Lucian whispered the names of the techniques, the words filling him with a mix of curiosity and determination. He traced the text with his finger, committing the descriptions to memory.
Satisfied for now, he closed the book and placed it back in the bag. Tomorrow, he will train. He needed to be ready for whatever the heavens threw at him.
The next morning, Lucian awoke at dawn, his body rested but his spirit restless. He packed his belongings and went to thank Catrina before leaving the village.
"Be careful out there," she said, her tone laced with worry. "And if you ever need help, come back here. The guild has your back."
Lucian nodded, offering her a faint smile. "Thank you for everything."
After hours of walking, Lucian found a secluded clearing, the perfect spot to begin training. He retrieved the golden book and flipped to the page describing the Iron Palm.
"To execute the Iron Palm," he read aloud, "flow your Qi and condense it into your hands. Maintain the flow, akin to Cloud Steps, so your joints move freely. This will grant your hands the strength of divine iron."
Lucian began his attempts, focusing on channeling his Qi into his palms. The energy was stubborn, refusing to condense the way the book described. After two grueling hours, he collapsed onto the grass, frustration boiling within him.
As he stared at the sky, a particular cloud caught his eye. It swirled in the center, yet parts of it remained solid and unmoving. Inspiration struck.
Jumping to his feet, Lucian tried again, visualizing the swirling cloud. Hours passed, but he refused to give up. Finally, after relentless effort, he succeeded. His hands glowed faintly, their surface feeling unnaturally solid and warm.
Lucian stood before a massive boulder nestled among the trees, its surface rough and weathered from years of exposure. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his light brown hair catching the sunlight as a gentle breeze passed through the clearing.
"This is it," he murmured, his violet eyes narrowing with determination.
Closing his eyes, Lucian focused on his Qi. He felt the energy stir within him, swirling like a rising storm. His breathing steadied as he channeled the flow of Qi into his palms, condensing and swirling it just as the book had instructed.
The air around him seemed to shift, charged with a faint, golden hue. His hair flowed with the breeze, and his violet eyes gleamed faintly with the golden light of energy.
Lucian took a step forward, planting his feet firmly into the ground. He twisted his waist to the right, pulling his arm back in preparation. The gathered Qi surged to his palm, radiating warmth and power.
With a sharp exhale, he launched his strike.
"Iron Palm!"
The sound of his attack echoed through the clearing like a thunderclap as his palm collided with the boulder. A brilliant golden glow enveloped the point of impact, and then "crash!"
The boulder shattered into countless fragments, the pieces scattering across the ground like a broken mirror. Dust and debris filled the air, and for a moment, all was silent.
Lucian stepped back, his chest rising and falling with exhilaration. He stared at his hands, which still radiated faint warmth. A wide smile spread across his face as beads of sweat trickled down his pale skin.
"It worked…" he whispered, his voice trembling with a mixture of relief and excitement. "It really worked."
But he didn't stop there. Lucian began practicing, combining the movements of Cloud Steps with his newfound mastery of Iron Palm. He darted around the clearing, testing his agility and precision, his strikes becoming faster and more fluid with each attempt.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook him. Lucian slumped against the trunk of a sturdy tree, his spear resting beside him. The cool shade offered a welcome reprieve as he closed his eyes, his breathing slow and steady.
Three hours passed, the sun still high in the sky, casting dappled light through the canopy above.
A piercing scream shattered the tranquility of the forest, jolting Lucian awake. His violet eyes snapped open as he instinctively reached for his spear.
"What was that?" he muttered, his senses immediately on high alert.
He strained to pinpoint the source of the scream, and then he felt it a clash of Qi energies, chaotic and intense, not far from where he was.
Without hesitation, Lucian leaped to his feet, gripping his spear tightly. His heart raced as he darted through the forest, heading toward the source of the disturbance, ready to face whatever danger awaited.