“From now onwards, you should practice the body refining art of my family along with the Tyrant Physique.” Tang Zi instructed while staring at the surprised face of Kent.
Kent nodded, still in awe of what he had just witnessed. His mind raced with thoughts of his own potential transformation. He tried to imagine what beast he might turn into, curiosity getting the better of him. “Master, what kind of beast do you think I might become?”
Tang Zi smiled knowingly. “The first stage of the Inner Beast Transformation of the Golden Body, is to find your inner spirit. I am taking you close to this devil mountain for this exact reason. Your inner willpower is tested here. Once your sane mind weakens, your beastly instincts will emerge. At that time, I will use an idol ‘s magical aura to find your inner spirit.”
Kent’s eyes widened with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. “How will I know when my inner spirit is ready to emerge?”
Tang Zi chuckled softly. “You will know everything very soon. The Devil Mountain has a way of drawing out what lies deep within. Your true nature will reveal itself when the time is right.”
They continued their conversation as they sat by the fire. Kent asked several questions about the process, each answered patiently by Tang Zi.
“What happens if I can’t control the transformation?” Kent asked, a hint of worry in his voice.
“Don’t worry about unnecessary things. Even if things go out of hand, I will be here to guide you every step of the way,” Tang Zi reassured him.
As they finished their meal, Tang Zi extinguished the fire, and they began their trek towards the distant silhouette of Devil Mountain. The path grew steeper and more treacherous, each step bringing them closer to the heart of the dark forest. The oppressive aura grew stronger, making Kent’s chest feel heavier with each passing moment.
“Master, where did this beastly transformation originate from? I never heard about it or no information of this mentioned in any scriptures.” Kent asked, trying to distract himself from the discomfort.
Tang Zi’s eyes grew distant for a moment, lost in memory. “It was passed down through generations in my family. My father taught me, and his father taught him. It is a legacy of our bloodline, a gift and a burden we carry. Because of this technique, my entire family got wiped from the seventh realm.”
“What?!” Kent’s mouth went wide open as he stared at Tang Zi in shock. “How did it happen, master?” Kent asked in a heavy tone.
Tang Zi shook his head. “I will tell you everything after you master this technique. You also has the right to know this story as you are related to it.”
“Hha?!” Kent exclaimed in confusion as he didn’t understand the meaning of Tang Zi’s words..
“Don’t stare at me like that. Your mother asked me to tell you about childhood and the past of your parents after you become a strong man. So, master my family transformation legacy to prove yourself.” Tang Zi replied while walking in the front.
Kent absorbed this information, feeling a deep respect for the tradition and responsibility that Tang Zi carried. “I will do my best to honor this legacy, Master.”
Tang Zi placed a reassuring hand on Kent’s shoulder. “I know you will. You have shown great promise and determination. That is why I have chosen to share this with you.”
As they neared the base of Devil Mountain, the air grew colder and more oppressive. The trees around them seemed to whisper dark secrets, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal hands. Kent’s heart pounded in his chest, his breaths coming in short, sharp gasps. He could feel the weight of the mountain pressing down on him, testing his resolve.
“This place is meant to test you. Do not fear the darkness. Embrace it.” Tang Zi said, his voice firm.
Kent nodded, steeling himself for the trials ahead.
They pressed on, the path becoming more challenging with each step. The silence of the forest was deafening, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. Kent’s mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead.
As the shadow of Devil Mountain loomed larger and darker with each step, the air grew thick with a malevolent energy. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to sap the very strength from Kent’s body, yet he pressed on, his face set with grim determination.
Beside him, Tang Zi observed in silence, his eyes narrowing as he noted Kent’s resolve. The young man was pushing himself far beyond what Tang Zi had anticipated.
Kent’s breath grew labored, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead. Each step felt like he was dragging a weight behind him, and the eerie silence of the forest only amplified the pounding of his heart.
The pressure wasn’t just physical; it was as if something intangible was pressing down on his mind, probing his thoughts, searching for a weakness to exploit. But Kent was determined not to yield.
Tang Zi stole a glance at Kent, surprised at the boy’s endurance. “He’s stronger than I thought.” Tang Zi mused.
The air became heavier, almost suffocating, as they drew closer to the mountain. At a thousand meters from the base of Devil Mountain, the pressure became too much for Kent to bear. His legs buckled, and he fell to his knees, gasping for breath.
It felt as though an invisible hand was squeezing his chest, making his heart ache with a dull, throbbing pain. His mind was assaulted by waves of emotional agony, memories and fears surfacing from the darkest corners of his subconscious.
A low, guttural growl escaped Kent’s throat as he dug his nails into the rocky ground beneath him.
“I won’t… break,” he snarled through clenched teeth, his voice trembling with the effort of holding on. His eyes locked onto the distant peak of Devil Mountain, and with a surge of defiance, he cried out, a primal roar echoing through the desolate forest.
_
Thank you for Power Stones…