Fang Long sat silently in the cave, his heart still pounding. Cultivation. He could cultivate.
For a long time, he simply breathed, feeling the energy flowing through his body. The reddish-black qi circulated through his newly rebuilt meridians like a wild river, powerful and untamed. But slowly… it calmed. It obeyed him.
Fang Long stood up. His gaze fell on the skeleton sitting on the stone platform. The old bones had not moved, yet the cave somehow felt quieter now, as if the presence that had spoken to him had finally fulfilled its purpose.
He bowed deeply.
"Thank you… senior."
Then Fang Long began to explore the cave.
At first, he only noticed the beauty. But soon he realized something else. The walls of the cavern were not decorated randomly.
They were covered in writting.
Rows upon rows of ancient characters stretched across the stone surfaces. Some glowed faintly, carved deeply into the rock. Others were etched lightly, as if someone had written them in a hurry long ago.
Fang Long walked closer. His eyes widened.
"These… are cultivation manuals."
The cave wasn't just a hiding place. It was a training ground. A complete inheritance. The first wall described the foundation technique.
Demonic sword breathing method.
It explained how to circulate demonic qi through the body and temper the meridians so they could withstand violent power. Unlike orthodox cultivation methods that focused on calm and harmony, this one embraced aggression. Power. Domination. The manual warned clearly:
"Those with weak minds will be consumed."
Fang Long smiled faintly. Weak minds didn't survive his childhood. He sat down immediately and began practicing. The first months were brutal. Every time Fang Long circulated the demonic qi, it burned through his body like molten iron. His meridians screamed.
His muscles tore. But they healed stronger each time. Day after day, Fang Long meditated inside the cave, slowly learning to guide the violent energy. He followed the instructions carved into the wall perfectly. Breathe. Circulate. Compress. Release.
Slowly, the qi inside his body became more refined. After three months, Fang Long broke through.
He reached the 1st Rank of the Qi Gathering Realm.
For the first time in his life, he truly stepped onto the path of cultivation. And once he started…
He never stopped. The second wall taught sword techniques.
Demonic Sword Form - Chapter one.
These were not graceful techniques. They were designed for killing. Each movement was simple but terrifyingly efficient.
The first technique he learned was the Crimson Severing Strike. A direct slash powered by condensed demonic qi. The technique focused on overwhelming force rather than elegance.
Fang Long practiced endlessly. Day after day he swung the sword embedded in the cave wall. At first he could barely lift it. The sword was heavy. Unnaturally heavy. But the manual explained why.
"A sword that is light cannot carry hatred."
Fang Long trained until his arms trembled. Until his hands bled. Until the blade felt like part of his body. Years passed. The outside world forgot Fang Long. But inside the cave… A monster was being born.
The first year, Fang Long mastered the Demonic Sword Breathing Method.
His body transformed completely. The weak, starving boy was gone. His muscles hardened from constant training, though his build remained lean and agile. His long black hair grew past his shoulders.
His eyes became sharper, darker.
Cultivation Rank: Qi Gathering Realm - Rank 4
The second year, he moved on to the next wall.
Demonic Body Tempering Art.
This technique strengthened the body using demonic qi. Every day Fang Long smashed his fists into stone walls. He struck the cave floor. He endured waves of demonic energy crashing through his bones.
Pain became normal.
Cultivation Rank: Qi Gathering Realm - Rank 7
New ability gained: Demonic Body,
His bones became harder than iron. His recovery speed increased dramatically.
The third year, he fully mastered the first chapter of the sword arts.
Fang Long could now release qi through his blade. His strikes carried terrifying pressure. The sword embedded in the cave finally recognized him as its master. When he held it, the blade glowed faintly crimson.
Cultivation Rank: Qi Gathering Realm - Rank 9
The fourth year, he aimed to breakthrough.
After months of preparation, Fang Long advanced to the next realm. The cave trembled as demonic qi surged violently through his body. His aura exploded outward. Red and black energy spiraled around him like a storm.
He entered the Foundation Establishment Realm. At this stage, cultivators truly separated themselves from mortals.
His qi became denser. Stronger. Sharper.
On the fifth year, Fang Long stood at the edge of the mountain cliff. The same cliff he once planned to die from. But he was no longer the same boy.
His long black hair flowed behind him in the wind. He wore a deep black robe made from materials he crafted himself inside the cave.
In his hand was the legendary blade from the cavern.
The blood demon Sword.
The blade burned with crimson light. A reddish-black aura slowly swirled around his body. His presence alone felt oppressive. Cold. Dangerous.
Cultivation Rank:
Foundation Establishment Realm - Rank 3
Fang Long looked out across the endless plains below. Five years ago… He came here to die.
Now…
He had returned as something else entirely. Something far more dangerous. He slowly unsheathed the Blood Demon Sword. The air trembled. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"The Heavenly Dragon Sect…"
His eyes turned cold.
"I'm coming back."