The cool breeze of the night danced around Zeth, rustling the leaves and carrying the faint scent of grass. He walked through the moonlit forest, each step lighter than the last, his heart brimming with awe and gratitude. For the first time in years, he felt alive truly alive. His meridians were restored, his body reforged, and his path to the Martial Dao reopened. He placed a hand on his chest, sensing the steady flow of Qi within him. It was surreal.
"I almost forgot, what it feels like," he murmured to himself, a hint of disbelief in his voice. He couldn't help but smile. "I wonder if anyone in the sect noticed I was gone."
As Zeth continued through the forest, the sound of rushing water caught his attention. He veered off the path toward a calm, moonlit river. The sight of his reflection in the water made him freeze. Memories of the First Demon's soul clone flooded his mind. "I absorbed its essence. Does that mean… I have horns now?" Panic surged through him as he instinctively touched his head. Smooth as ever. Relief washed over him as he crouched down, examining his reflection more closely.
"No horns, thank the heavens," he muttered, brushing back strands of his white hair. His gaze lingered on the faint crimson streaks now mingling with his silver locks. They shimmered under the moonlight like threads of flame. His eyes, still crystal-clear silver, stared back at him, unblemished. His physique had also changed subtly his muscles more defined, his skin glowing faintly as if imbued with vitality.
"Well," he said, standing up and dusting himself off, "at least I don't look like a demon. That's one less thing to worry about."
With a renewed sense of purpose, Zeth resumed his journey toward the Heavenly Cloud Sect. By the time he reached the towering gates, exhaustion from the day's events finally caught up with him. He slipped through the gates unnoticed, heading straight to his cabin. The familiar creak of the wooden door brought a small smile to his lips. "Home, for now," he whispered before collapsing onto his bed. Sleep claimed him almost instantly.
The first rays of dawn filtered through the cracks in the cabin's walls, casting a warm glow over Zeth's face. His eyes snapped open, and he sat up with a start. Energy coursed through him, brimming with potential. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his heart racing with anticipation.
"Time to see if I can cultivate again," he said, his voice filled with determination. "It seems I'll have to start from scratch."
Cross-legged on the wooden floor, Zeth closed his eyes and began to channel the surrounding Qi. It responded eagerly, flowing into his body like water through a dry riverbed. To his astonishment, he found himself already in the first stage of the Mortal Qi Realm. Within moments, the energy surged, breaking through to the second stage. Encouraged, Zeth continued, circulating the Qi through his newly forged meridians. The flow was smooth, powerful, and unyielding. Before long, he reached the third stage.
"This… this is incredible," he whispered, his voice tinged with awe. "I've never progressed this quickly before."
Shocked by his rapid advancements, Zeth decided to push further. He focused on tempering his body and guiding the Qi to strengthen his bones, muscles, and organs. The effort was taxing, but after two hours of intense concentration, he felt a shift within him. He had broken through to the second layer and skipped the first layer of the Body Tempering Realm.
A knock on the door interrupted his meditation. Before he could respond, the door swung open, revealing Zhang Jingyi. Her piercing gaze immediately locked onto him.
"Zeth!" she exclaimed. "You.." Her words faltered as her eyes widened in shock. "Your meridians… they're restored. And you've reached the Body Tempering Realm?"
Zeth smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, Senior Sister, I was going to tell you-"
Her hand lashed out, smacking him across the face stopping his words. "We thought you were dead!" she scolded her voice a mixture of relief and frustration. "And now you're here, perfectly fine and… and advancing! What happened?"
Zeth hesitated. The First Demon's soul clone's warning echoed in his mind: "Keep this transformation a secret." He forced a smile. "It's… a long story. I'm afraid I can't explain, Senior Sister."
Zhang Jingyi's brow furrowed, her curiosity piqued, but she relented with a sigh. "Fine. I won't pry. But we need to report this to my father. Come with me."
The Sect Master's office was as imposing as ever. Zhang Jingyi led Zeth inside, her voice confident and direct. "Father, Zeth has returned."
The Heavenly Cloud Sect Master looked up from his desk, his sharp eyes assessing Zeth. "Hmmm. You've regained your ability to cultivate," he noted, his tone calm and detached. "And you've advanced to the Body Tempering Realm."
Zhang Jingyi's frustration bubbled over. "Father, are you not curious at all? This is a miracle!"
The Sect Master shook his head. "Everyone has their fate, Jingyi. This boy's path isn't over. Zeth," he said, turning to him, "work hard, and you may yet carve out a place for yourself in this sect."
Zeth bowed deeply, gratitude and determination shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Sect Master."
Back at his cabin, Zeth sat on his bed, deep in thought. His progress was undeniable, but he knew he couldn't rely solely on his newfound strength. "I need to train properly," he muttered. "But I don't know any effective cultivation techniques."
Determined to rectify this, Zeth made his way to the sect library. The vast hall was filled with shelves upon shelves of ancient scrolls and manuals. After hours of searching, he found a book detailing basic exercises and stances for advancing through the Body Tempering Realm. Armed with this knowledge, he returned to his cabin and began practicing in the open air.
For hours, Zeth followed the book's instructions to the letter, his movements precise and deliberate. Yet, despite his efforts, his progress was minimal. Frustration gnawed at him. "What am I doing wrong?" he muttered. "Maybe I need herbs or materials to help."
He ventured beyond the sect's borders, the dense forest offering resources. As he gathered herbs near a thicket, a deep growl made him freeze. Turning slowly, he found himself face-to-face with a massive bear. Its eyes gleamed with feral hunger as it charged.
Zeth's heart pounded, but he stood his ground. "A good chance to test my strength," he thought, his fists clenching. As the bear lunged, Zeth sidestepped with practiced ease, channeling Qi into his fist. His strike landed with a resounding crack, forcing the beast to stagger back. Undeterred, it roared and charged again.
Zeth shifted his stance, allowing the bear to close the distance before pivoting sharply. He struck its side with a Qi-infused punch, the force sending the creature reeling. As the bear retreated, a sudden surge of energy coursed through Zeth's body. He had broken through to the third layer of the Body Tempering Realm.
Before he could process the advancement, the world around him shifted. He found himself in a void, the familiar figure of the First Demon's soul clone standing before him.
"Impressive," the demon said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You're beginning to understand."
Zeth frowned. "Why am I here? And why did I advance so quickly?"
The clone chuckled. "It's simple. Aggression fuels your progress. As a demon, your Qi flows more freely when you're driven by strong dark emotions anger, determination to kill, and desperation. That is the nature of our kind."
Zeth absorbed the explanation, his mind racing. "So, fighting makes me stronger?"
"To a degree," the clone replied. "But do not mistake aggression for recklessness. Control is key.. Also you can call me Umbra."
The void dissolved, and Zeth found himself back in the forest. The bear was gone, and the clearing was silent. He took a deep breath, his mind buzzing with newfound understanding. "This power… it's dangerous, but it's mine to wield."
That night, Zeth lay in his bed, the faint flicker of a candle casting shadows across the room. He closed his eyes and called out in his mind, "Umbra, are you there?"
The demon's voice echoed in his consciousness. "Always. What do you seek?"
"I want to train," Zeth replied. "I need to grow stronger."
Umbra's tone turned serious. "Then start with the basics. Strike the hardest surfaces you can find rocks and trees. Let your frustration fuel your Qi. It's crude but effective."
Zeth nodded, a determined smile forming on his lips. "Understood."
Blowing out the candle, he lay back, his heart brimming with anticipation for the challenges that awaited him. Tomorrow marked the beginning of a new chapter in his journey a journey of strength, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of his path of the martial dao.