Clark was astonished by his master's response and asked:
•"How can I face something whose nature I don't even understand? I don't even know what his fire is!"
The master replied:
•"Yes, you're right. You don't know what his fire is. But let me tell you: what is his fire? It's the Primordial Fire, a great fire that managed to shake the heavens and the constellation of the Tyrant Dragon.
•It accomplished this feat - it shattered the heavens and reached the realm of the Immortals.
•Because of that, the aurora we always see was formed.
•It remains unaffected by anything, which is why that Primordial Fire attacked you to protect its user. In other words, the physical laws of our world don't affect it, and this includes time!!!"
Clark retorted:
•"Your words haven't helped me at all! It's as if you're saying I'll die facing him!"
The master asked Clark:
•"Do you intend to flee?"
Clark laughed and replied:
•"Perhaps I will flee. The ethics of this world don't deter me. It doesn't matter if I flee or beg for my life. I might not beg, but there's no harm in fleeing.
•When I read that book I obtained from the inheritance, it presented a great idea namely: Crime, Punishment, Principles.
•Principles are merely constraints placed to make us yield to justifications for our weakness. Why do I fight? Perhaps for my family, perhaps for my comrades, for my country. That's one of the principles, and at the same time, it's also perseverance.
•Isn't that right? And this is what's strange. Life is interesting, shattering at many times, terrifying at many times. Humans are cowards who fear death; some fear being humiliated.
•That's why they wear the cloak of weakness to hide their weakness."
The master clapped for Clark:
•"Well done, Clark! I expected you to be just an impulsive fool who submits to trivial principles and masculinity.
•Being a dog licking feet is better than being trampled by the strong. But...
•I can strengthen you during these three days easily, and make your body strong enough to perhaps face the Tyrant Dragon Art.
•But let me tell you, Clark: There are two types of those who undergo tempering; they're called Body or Strength Temperers, and there are Spirit Temperers who rely on their primordial spirit.
•There are also those who rely on poisons, among other things.
•In your case, you're facing a user of Body Tempering, so your opponent currently likely has a body hardness close to diamond."
Clark responded:
•"So you mean I must temper my body with a martial art that brings me closer to his level?"
The master laughed:
•"Do you think there's anything that can bring you close to someone who trained for many years within just two days?
•Life isn't easy, Clark. But we will rely on speed. As for the matter of body tempering, I guarantee you the last three hours before your confrontation will be painful.
•Therefore, we need optimal speed intensification and optimal momentum to deliver precise strikes, then defend. In other words, Clark...
•You will train incessantly without fatigue or boredom.
•Mercilessly. Nothing like what you've seen or are accustomed to. So, are you ready?"
Clark replied with a smile:
•"Of course! You know my answer."
The master stood and said:
•"Then let's go!"
The two promptly headed to an isolated, massive chamber, 60 feet from floor to ceiling and extremely spacious.
The master spoke:
•"Clark, show me your black fire."
Clark complied with the command.
The master remarked:
•"Clark, it's amusing that you're supported by the Demon Sovereign Agaris. It's quite impressive."
Clark said:
•"What? It's a blessing from the Demon Sovereign, but he kept bothering me, wanting me by his side, yet he never said he bestowed anything of this sort upon me. You know..."
Suddenly, a notification reached Clark:
[Demon Sovereign Agaris]:
•"Of course I didn't tell you about my 'blessing'. It was a trick to bypass the System, making it appear as a natural gift.
•But in truth, it wasn't a natural gift.
•It was merely something I bestowed upon you as a favor from me, at the moment of your awakening, so you could face an opponent who will be a dangerous enemy to you. I cannot disclose who he is, his name, or who stands behind him.
•Because he currently uses the System's protection. He also knows nothing about you, but his informants are everywhere.
•Therefore, when I gave you my personal flames, I made you receive them as an awakening gift. Thus, he remains unaware of you.
•But what I currently know is that in the Gothic Kingdom, this dangerous opponent now has intentions extremely threatening to all worlds without exception. He wants to summon the Ancient Demon known as 'Ruler Valdemir Lorenti' - the most dangerous demon in all existence.
•Throughout those unknown centuries, no one could kill him, so he was exiled. But due to his calamitous abilities, he managed to create followers for himself. We don't know how, but his traces have appeared everywhere.
•Not just your world, but all worlds. He possesses immense causal immunity.
•That's why he's always summoned by foolish humans.
•Let me be blunt with you: He is capable of devouring worlds.
•We need to prevent his summoning, and if we cannot, a being like him must not manifest at his full power.
•And should that happen, I will use all my knowledge and everything at my disposal and descend with you to fight him. I will descend alone, for I am more than sufficient....."
The message ended, and Clark was truly shocked, looking on in bewilderment. Problems kept piling onto his head without restraint or oversight.
Clark feigned innocence. He wanted to focus on his training. He didn't tell the master what he had learned.
The master said:
•"Well, Clark, what if you merged this fire of yours with your soul!!!!!"
Clark replied with utter astonishment:
•"With my soul? How? And why?"
The master explained:
•"Because your opponent has also merged his soul with fire, making it a spiritual armor that protects its wielder. Meaning his soul possesses a will separate from his own. Because of this, it remains unaffected.
•Because it inhabits a spiritual domain. And since only the body can be paralyzed, his soul won't be paralyzed. Because if the soul is paralyzed, the brain will die, and if the brain dies, naturally, the host will also die.
•So if we create a protective soul for you, your opponent will become vulnerable to you. Understand? Because your two souls will be in a state of combat!!!"
Clark laughed:
•"You're a true genius! I always thought you were just a simpleton who loved tea, but your wisdom surpasses my imagination.
•But how do I merge my soul with the flames???"
The master replied with a terrifying gaze:
•"By injecting your body with those flames! Meaning, if you fail or hesitate for even seconds during the injection, you could die! Because those flames will consume your body.
•And then your soul. And after that, they will completely rebuild your body and soul. Then you will become strong enough to rival Long Tianba! Hahahahahahaha!"
The master's laughter boomed, and Clark was horrified. What an insane method of tempering!!!!
But Clark didn't hesitate. Yes, he was shocked by the method, but there was no other choice.
There were martial artists better than him who had endured worse.So what was frightening now? He had also previously evoked the complete tempering of the Great Venerable Urban. So what was the difference now? It was more about remembering the pain he felt in those moments; he felt everything: shattering, hopelessness, despair.
But now there was no hope or despair,only grueling perseverance to live, achieve his goals, and reach his aspirations.
Without fatigue or boredom.That was the true nature of a demon.
Clark began the process.
Veins bulged from his hands,and he pierced his own heart with his hand.
Blood gushed from his mouth,but he didn't despair.
Instead,he pushed the black flames that had begun to consume him and lost consciousness.
The master revealed a strange ring that Clark couldn't perceive at all.
Then he brought out strange alchemical materials and an odd leather that resembled diamond.
The master spoke:
•"Of course, his body needs other tempering resources to endure it. A martial artist who tempers his body with an equally terrifying martial art like the Tyrant Dragon Art.
•Therefore, I will use one of the special elixirs on him, alongside the Diamond Serpent Hide, which will make his body's hardness skyrocket insanely."
The master hastily placed runic symbols around Clark, who was curled up and burning with flames.
The master quickly cast the enchantment,which became like a blazing black hole. The black hole hovered in the master's domain.
The fluids from the elixirs promptly rose and engulfed the serpent hide.
The master uttered these words:
•"Oh Great King, bestow upon your disciple your great powers. The arts of heaven and earth. Humans are heavens above heavens, mountains above mountains, but nothing surpasses the King's power. Oh World, grant your humble disciple your strength!"
The components promptly moved and surged toward the black hole.
Then a sacred aura began to appear,like stardust, a yellow aura. The master knew what it was: it was the manifestation of the World.
It emerged from that black hole and began to encompass everything,crushing the black hole violently with its hands.
And thus concluded the first process,which was body tempering. What remains is: Clark, will he temper his soul and temper the World itself? Or what?????
To be continued....