The Sunlight filtered through the cabin window, illuminating the small interior where Zeth stirred from his sleep. He rose, peering out at the clear, cloudless sky. The crisp air brought a sense of renewal as he stepped out of the cabin and ventured toward the outskirts of the sect his destination: the forest, just as Umbra had suggested.
Zeth paused among the towering trees. Their thick trunks seemed sturdy enough to withstand the physical training he had in mind. Clenching his fists, he took a slow, steadying breath.
"Finally," he said under his breath. "Alright, let's start."
With that, he launched into a repetitive exercise of punching the nearest tree. The bark tore at his knuckles, and each blow sent a jolt of pain through his hands. Little by little, though, his muscles tensed and strengthened, adapting to the force of impact. He could practically feel his body growing tougher, as though forging itself through raw effort.
Out of nowhere, the image of the male cultivator who had pushed him off the cliff crept into his mind. A fresh wave of anger surged up from deep within, fueling a burst of qi through his limbs. Killing intent flashed in his eyes. He landed another punch, this one charged with fiery rage, and his fist tore through the trunk. Splintered wood scattered across the forest floor.
"Why did I think of him?" Zeth muttered, unsettled by the memory's sudden appearance.
A low chuckle resonated in his thoughts.
Umbra: "You're welcome. You were taking a while, so I gave you a little… push."
Zeth glanced around, realizing it was indeed Umbra's doing. "You can see my memories?"
Umbra: "Yes. We're linked for now, after all."
Umbra teased him, tossing out jokes about some of the recollections he'd gleaned from Zeth's mind. The young cultivator frowned but refused to rise to the bait, instead choosing to resume his training. He wanted to ignore those intrusive memories even the mention of the demonic cultivator angered him.
Eventually, Umbra's tone grew more serious.
Umbra: "Once you advance further in your cultivation, you'll be able to practice some beginner demonic skills. However, in your current realm, that's impossible. I'll have to wait before I can teach you anything worthwhile."
Zeth mulled over that. "Demonic skills?" he whispered to himself. The notion intrigued him, but he wasn't ready to dwell on it just yet.
As the morning wore on, he decided to head back. He recalled that his senior sister, Zhang Jingyi, planned to visit. Sure enough, by the time he neared his cabin, he spotted two figures standing outside.
Zhang Jingyi greeted him with a warm smile. "Zeth, we're here!"
Next to her stood a young man Zeth hadn't met before. "Allow me to introduce Hu Yitian," she said.
Hu Yitian offered Zeth a courteous nod. "Hello there, Junior Brother."
Zhang Jingyi clapped her hands together. "Alright, we're here to help you train. Let's begin."
Zeth eyed Hu Yitian curiously. "Senior Brother, would you mind sparring with me?"
A surprised look crossed Hu Yitian's face. "Spar? You sure?"
Zhang Jingyi interjected, "Hu Yitian is in the 4th Layer of the Elemental Qi Condensation Realm. I'm not sure if that's the best idea…"
Zeth insisted, "He's still a layer below you, Senior Sister."
Hu Yitian let out a small laugh. "Very well. I'll only use my physical strength. Your current level doesn't allow you to utilize qi offensively yet."
Zhang Jingyi nodded, though her concern lingered. "Alright. I'll supervise. Both of you, be careful."
As they prepared, Zeth mentally reached out to his shadowy companion.
Zeth (in his mind): "Umbra, can you do me a favor?"
Umbra: "What is it?"
Zeth: "I want to forget about.. him during the spar. Replace the image of Hu Yitian with Bai Jingtin in my mind. I can't let my memory of that other man keep haunting me I need another target."
A sly snicker rippled in his thoughts.
Umbra: "Hehe, alright. No problem."
At once, Zeth's perception shifted. The man before him was no longer Hu Yitian he was Bai Jingtin, the one who had humiliated Zeth in the past. Rage kindled in Zeth's eyes.
Hu Yitian, unaware of the illusion, motioned for Zeth to advance. "Come, I'll let you make the first move."
Zeth's fists tightened. "It won't happen like last time…"
"Last time?" Hu Yitian echoed, confused.
Without another word, Zeth lunged. His punch, brimming with raw fury, crashed toward Hu Yitian. The older disciple felt a jolt of unease. What!? He immediately channeled qi into his hand, managing to catch Zeth's strike before it could land a devastating blow. Even so, a tremor ran through Hu Yitian's arm.
Zhang Jingyi took a step forward, concern in her voice. "Hu Yitian?"
Hu Yitian's brow furrowed. "His body is stronger than a normal person's. Far stronger."
Zeth hopped back, putting distance between them while Hu Yitian frowned in thought. Then Hu Yitian charged, quick as lightning. Zeth watched for a split second, recalling how he pivoted against the bear weeks ago. He repeated the maneuver, stepping out of Hu Yitian's direct path and angling behind him a blindspot any fighter would normally exploit. Zeth unleashed a raging fist aimed squarely at Hu Yitian's side.
At the last second, Hu Yitian pivoted too, narrowly evading the blow. He retreated, breath slightly ragged.
"That move could have broken my bones," he said. Turning to Zhang Jingyi, he asked, "Are you sure he's only in the 3rd Layer of the Body Tempering Realm?"
"He is," Zhang Jingyi confirmed. "To be honest, he only started cultivating a few days ago."
Hu Yitian's eyes widened. "A few days? And he's already at the 3rd Layer?" His tone became resolute. "Then I'll have to get a bit more serious."
Zeth's eyes glowed with an almost manic determination. The two fighters locked gazes. In the blink of an eye, Hu Yitian disappeared from Zeth's line of sight and reappeared behind him. Zeth's reaction lagged a moment too long Hu Yitian struck a well-placed palm to Zeth's side, sending the younger cultivator tumbling across the ground. Even so, Zeth managed to plant one foot and flip upright, landing on one knee.
Umbra's voice slithered into Zeth's mind once more.
Umbra: "Not enough. I'll send him an even darker memory let him see you hanging off that cliff's edge. I need your qi to surge stronger."
Images flooded Zeth's thoughts, amplifying his rage. He glared at Hu Yitian, who appeared as Bai Jingtin in his mind's eye.
With a savage roar, Zeth charged. Hu Yitian readied a block, anticipating another direct assault. But as Zeth closed in, he suddenly pivoted just like before trying to slip into Hu Yitian's blind spot. Hu Yitian predicted the repeat tactic and pivoted in kind, but Zeth still managed to unleash a rapid flurry of blows. Each successive strike pounded harder than the last, as though something within his body was unlocking.
Pain lanced through Zeth's muscles, indicating the strain of a rapid breakthrough. He staggered, dropping to the ground on one knee again.
Hu Yitian, keeping a respectful distance, observed him closely. "He broke through…"
Zhang Jingyi frowned, equally astonished. "To the 4th Layer"
Nodding, Hu Yitian exhaled. "That's enough for today. We should stop. Zeth nice job."
But Zeth wouldn't stop. Driven by swirling anger and Umbra's manipulations, he sprang into the air. Gathering what qi he could, he channeled it into a powerful downward punch.
"Damn," Hu Yitian cursed, eyes widening. "I was careless."
Forced to react, Hu Yitian summoned a swirl of yang qi, forming a hexagonal shield that clashed with Zeth's enhanced strike. The collision sent a shockwave rippling outward, dust rising around them.
"The boy is lost in anger," Hu Yitian muttered under his breath, remembering Zeth's strange remark earlier about 'last time.' What is fueling him?
Realizing he had no choice but to end it, Hu Yitian surged forward, slipping around Zeth's guard, and delivered a swift chop to his neck. Zeth's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed, unconscious.
Zhang Jingyi hurried over. "Hu Yitian, I'm sorry. I don't know what got into him."
Hu Yitian lifted Zeth with care. "It's fine. Let's put him on his bed for now."
As the two carried him inside, Umbra's voice echoed in Zeth's mind, barely discernible yet brimming with dark amusement.
Umbra: "Maybe I should've canceled the illusion earlier… but I wanted to see just how far he could go. He is adapting well, indeed."
And so, with Zeth out cold from the intensity of his unleashed rage, the day's training came to a close.