บท 5: "The Art of Energy"
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
AN ANOTHER QUEST HAS ARRIVED:
OBJECTIVE: TO PROVE YOUR WORTH AGAINST SHINRA REIJIN IN A SPARRING MATCH
RESTRICTION:
*ONLY ALLOWED TO USE THE TECHNIQUES IN THE MARTIAL ARTS JOURNAL PROVIDED.
*ANY SKILLS ATTAINED IN THE PREVIOUS LIFE ARE NOT ALLOWED AND CAN ONLY BE USED WHEN THE USER ACQUIRES THE SKILL THROUGH LEVELLING UP OR QUEST REWARDS
REWARD: *THE SKILL [ 12 SCALES OF THE DRAGON BLADE ] WILL BE PERMANENTLY ADDED TO YOUR SKILLS.
* AFFILIATION WILL BE UPDATED
PENALTY: YOU WILL BE KICKED OUT OF THE GUILD AND BECOME THE PATHETIC LOSER WHO COULDN'T EVEN JOIN A WASHED-UP GUILD [SO DON'T FAIL :) ]
TIME LIMIT: 30 DAYS
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
I read through the contents of the quest. It was a challenge to beat him in 30 days with the body I currently have. But as of now, I had no choice but to follow through with it.
As I was reading through it completely forgetting about my surroundings, I felt Kiba's intense gaze as he reiterated, "Now do you still want to do this?"
I replied looking straight into his eyes, "Yes, sir."
Kiba nodded, acknowledging my decision. I could feel the eyes of the other disciples watching us intently, their curiosity palpable.
"What are you all looking at? Get back to training!" Kiba commanded, and the disciples quickly dispersed, returning to their routines. He handed me a martial arts journal titled "The 12 Scales of the Dragon Blade" before walking away.
I looked at the book still wondering if this was even one of the books I made. It definitely was a third-rate martial arts book, the question of why they were using these as the basis and foundation of their martial arts puzzled me.
Perhaps they are unable to understand how the old techniques used to work.
Anyway, there was no time to waste. 30 days definitely was a short time, considering the situation on hand. I had to test out my new body's capabilities and limitations.
Monologuing events of every single day ought to be boring, sooo fast forward a week, I am doing more exercises to surpass my physical limitations.
Yeah, it's been a week and I can barely do 100 pushups or any of the other bodyweight exercises. I knew it was gonna be a tough 30 days but still didn't expect my physique to be this weak.
Perhaps it's because I am used to being in a body with a vast amount of ki, more than enough to clear a mountain range from a weak swing with my blade, a body filled with the training and experiences, the pain and suffering of each battle into a body that hasn't seen a single day of training.
It really is quite weird even though the age gap between my old life and new life is quite short. It's like you are covered in another person's skin. It's quite hard to explain it in words, it's something you will only understand once you experience it.
Anyway, the whole week was gone trying to get my body in a condition that is able to take in ki because if I try to use the cultivation technique I am using to gain ki, my body will be torn from the insides and if I don't awaken my ki, I don't stand a chance against Shinra.
I got up and walked to the nearest tree, sinking into the shade. I knew Shinra would be a tough opponent, especially with his new body. The only way to catch up was to cultivate my ki.
I sat down, closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, focusing my mind.
Energy is made up of two components:
one is the natural energy of the world and the other is the spiritual energy of the world.
Both these natural and spiritual energies form together as the building blocks of the entire world.
Just as atoms are the fundamental building blocks of all living creatures, natural and spiritual energy serve as the core forces that shape the world. By harnessing even a small portion of these energies, people can transcend their human limitations and adapt to the challenges of this new world.
The natural energy is called ki. Ki is the natural life force one finds around them and in nature. Those who cultivate Ki and use it to fight are called martial warriors.
The spiritual energy is called mana. Mana is the dense spiritual energy that permeates our surroundings. Those who use mana are called mages.
Both these energies form the world.
I took another deep breath, immersing myself in nature, feeling the wind brush against my skin, and hearing the water running in nearby streams. I visualized the Ki particles dancing around me.
My eyes were not open but I could clearly visualize the ki particles, that's what happens when you immerse yourself in nature, you become one with it.
Slowly, I began to absorb the pure Ki into my dantian. At first, the ki warmed up my body, the fatigue started to disappear, and my senses became sharper.
That's what happens when you reach the realm of ki realization. It's the starting stage of ki that normal kids at the age of 10 or 12 experience when they feel ki for the first time.
But such a feeble amount of ki was not enough to beat someone like Shinra. That was why I had to go through physical training. I had to force more ki through my body and cleanse all the impurities within my body. Only after that can one walk the path of a martial warrior.
While trying to push more ki into my body I could feel my body at its limits. Blood started to come out of my mouth. I had to finish it no matter what. I condensed the energy in my dantian as much as possible and slowly let it permeate through my body pushing out all the impurities out of my body. It was a struggle but I finally managed to do it.
I fell on the ground flat, exhausted with still blood around my mouth., that's when I heard the system window again.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONGRATULATIONS!
YOU HAVE AWAKENED KI
YOU HAVE REACHED KI CONDENSATION: [STAGE:1/5]
YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR BEING ABLE TO AWAKEN KI WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE SYSTEM. A REWARD WILL BE GIVEN TO THE USER.
REWARD:
Vein of Vitality [PASSIVE SKILL] :
The Vein of Vitality skill enhances the cultivator's ability to process and absorb energy more efficiently by optimizing the flow of energy within their body. With this passive skill, the user's energy channels (veins) expand and strengthen, allowing them to draw in ambient energy from their surroundings at an accelerated rate.
This augmented flow reduces energy loss during absorption and refinement, effectively speeding up cultivation by 20-30%.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Alright, finally something good. I thought I might have a got a defective system but this is good. I was quite worried that I might not be able to progress enough and cultivate enough ki to beat Shinra.
I had finally reached the Ki Condensation Realm, Stage 1. The amount of Ki I possess, would determine my strength, speed, stamina, and abilities.
"The martial path is divided into seven levels, each with five stages:
1) Ki Condensation Realm
2)Core Establishment
3)Martial Apprentice
4)Martial Warrior
5)Martial King
6)Martial Emperor
7)Martial Supreme
In my previous life, I had ascended to the Martial Supreme, Stage 1.
But now, I'm back at the very beginning. According to the system, Shinra seems to be at Core Establishment, Stage 2. If I don't adapt to this weakened body quickly, I might lose.
Finally, the day of the duel arrived.
I stepped onto the duel ground and I could see a crowd of disciples gathered, buzzing with anticipation. The crowd was not big in the sense but all the disciples of the guild were present to watch the duel. Their murmurs filled the air, speculating about the impending clash.
The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the arena. Whispers and shouts blended into a lively cacophony, reflecting the growing excitement surrounding the impending duel.
"I can't wait to see Shinra wipe the floor with that newbie!" shouted a tall disciple, his voice cutting through the noise.
"Who knows? He might surprise us." said another voice from the crowd
"Surprise? Please!" claimed a third voice, a boy with tousled hair and a confident smirk. "Shinra's been honing his skills for years. It's like watching a lion fight a mouse." He gestured dramatically, drawing laughter from his friends.
Another voice piped up, softer but resolute. "I just hope Shinra doesn't go too hard on him"
"Yeah, but if Shinra loses, it's not just his pride at stake, it's the pride of the entire guild; The guild has already fallen, if the best disciple were to lose against an outsider using the same techniques of the arcane guild, it will be a shame of honor to our guild!" a boy interjected, gripping the edge of his seat, his eyes darting around the arena.
"What if he gets hurt?" a girl added, biting her lip as she glanced at her friend. "Kiba might have been too harsh with this challenge."
The murmurs swelled as the crowd shifted, anticipation hanging thick in the air. Some exchanged hopeful glances, while others leaned back, arms crossed in skepticism.
This was all chitter chatter between the disciples, instead of dwelling on that I stepped onto the duel ground.
As the anticipation reached its peak, someone called out, "Look, it's about to start!"
Shinra arrived with Kenjuro. Kenjuro glanced at Shinra, concern etched on his face. "Hey Shinra, don't overdo it. Even if you don't like him, this is a duel—don't go overboard."
"Yeah, yeah," Shinra replied casually.
Both of us grabbed wooden swords, and approached each other, ready for the duel.
Kiba turned to me and said, "Hey kid, it's okay if you want to back out. I put forth an unreasonable proposition to prevent you from joining the guild. I don't want you to get injured."
"No problem, sir. I'm still going to continue with the duel," I responded, my resolve firm.
Kiba nodded, and as Shinra and I walked toward each other, we bowed in respect.
I noticed Kiba observing me, his eyes widening in surprise before he quickly regained his composure and initiated the duel.
As wee took our positions, The crowd fell silent, a chilling stillness enveloping the guild. Our eyes locked, both of us fully focused on our battle stances—my sword held low, poised for a strike, while he stood upright, steady, and resolute.
It was so quiet, the sound of us exhaling could be heard, the tension building up. At that moment, Kiba yelled out: "Let the fight Begin!"
At Kiba's signal, we both dashed toward each other, and the stage was set for our face-off.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
STATUS WINDOW
NAME: Ryojin Yukimura (LVL-7)
AGE: 17 (23)
RACE: Human??
TITLE: (LOCKED)
AFFILIATION: Unaffiliated
Ki: KI CONDENSATION: [STAGE:3/5]
Mana:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
SKILLS:
Temporal Insight [AUTHOURITY] [G]
Vein Of Vitality [PASSIVE SKILL]
12 Scales of the Dragon blade [100% MASTERY] [ACTIVE SKILL]
____________________________________________________________________________________________
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง