Three days passed after the battle inside the cave.
The violent clash with the Necto Bear had left deep marks, not just on Alex's body but also on his mind. However, under the effects of the recovery pill and his own growing vitality, his injuries had now completely healed. His breathing was steady, his stance firm, and his gaze sharper than before.
Near the flowing waters of the Baspian Forest, Alex stood silently, feeling the strength within his body.
Yet—
He knew it wasn't enough.
---
"You are fully recovered," Yi Zhau said, floating behind him, his tone calm yet carrying an edge of judgment.
Alex nodded slightly.
But Yi Zhau's next words came without mercy.
"Your body is still weak."
---
Alex's expression tightened, but he did not argue.
---
"You could not even endure a single direct attack from that beast," Yi Zhau continued. "If I had not intervened, you would have died without resistance."
---
Silence fell.
---
Alex clenched his fist slowly.
"…I understand."
---
Yi Zhau observed him for a moment before speaking again.
"I can help you."
---
Alex turned immediately.
"How?"
---
A faint glow appeared in Yi Zhau's hand. From within it, a projection formed—a scroll made entirely of soul energy.
"This is called the Body Manifestation Mantra," Yi Zhau said.
---
Alex's attention sharpened.
---
"It is a body cultivation technique," Yi Zhau continued, "one that transforms your physical body beyond ordinary limits."
---
His voice slowed, each word deliberate.
"It contains nine stages."
---
Alex listened carefully.
---
"The First Stage—Body Manifestation," Yi Zhau said, "focuses on strengthening your muscles, bones, and internal structure. It is the foundation."
---
"The Second Stage—Iron Body Manifestation—hardens your outer body, making your skin resistant to attacks."
---
"The Third Stage—Steel Core Manifestation—reinforces your organs, ensuring they can withstand impact."
---
"The Fourth Stage—Blood Flame Manifestation—enhances circulation and increases explosive power."
---
"The Fifth Stage—Bone Refinement Manifestation—transforms your bones into structures as strong as refined metal."
---
"The Sixth Stage—War Body Manifestation—grants endurance and combat resilience far beyond normal limits."
---
"The Seventh Stage—Elemental Body Manifestation—allows your body to resonate with elemental energy itself."
---
"The Eighth Stage—Sovereign Body Manifestation—creates a body capable of resisting even high-level attacks."
---
Yi Zhau paused briefly before finishing.
---
"The Ninth Stage—Infinite Body Manifestation…"
---
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…is beyond what you can comprehend right now."
---
A faint chill passed through Alex.
---
"This technique…" he said slowly, "…is powerful."
---
Yi Zhau smirked faintly.
"Of course it is. Otherwise, I wouldn't mention it."
---
Then his tone changed abruptly.
---
"But I do not have it."
---
Alex blinked.
"…what?"
---
"I lost the original scroll somewhere in this forest long ago," Yi Zhau said casually.
---
Alex stared at him.
---
"You are serious?"
---
"Yes."
---
A brief silence followed.
---
Then Yi Zhau added, "Go find it."
---
Alex frowned. "Why don't you come with me?"
---
Yi Zhau's gaze turned cold.
---
"This is your journey."
---
He floated slightly higher, looking down at Alex.
---
"If you cannot retrieve a scroll on your own, then you are not worthy of cultivating it."
---
Those words carried weight.
---
Alex took a slow breath.
---
"…fine."
---
Without hesitation, he turned and entered deeper into the forest.
---
Into the Forest
---
The Baspian Forest was vast and filled with danger.
The deeper Alex went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The towering trees blocked most of the sunlight, casting long shadows across the ground. Strange sounds echoed in the distance, and the air felt thick with hidden threats.
---
Alex moved carefully, his senses fully alert.
---
"Somewhere here…" he muttered.
---
Time passed.
---
Hours went by as he searched through the dense forest.
---
Then—
A faint sound broke the silence.
---
A low growl.
---
Alex stopped instantly.
---
From the shadows, a beast emerged.
---
A Shadow Fang Wolf.
---
Its body was lean and muscular, its dark fur blending almost perfectly with the surroundings. Its sharp eyes locked onto Alex, filled with aggression.
---
Alex exhaled slowly.
---
"Move aside," he said calmly.
---
The wolf did not respond.
---
It attacked.
---
With a sudden burst of speed, it lunged toward him.
---
Alex remained calm.
---
Water energy gathered around his hand, forming a dense layer of flowing force.
---
At the precise moment—
He moved.
---
His palm struck forward with controlled power.
---
The attack connected directly with the wolf's body.
---
A heavy impact echoed.
---
The beast was thrown backward, crashing into a tree.
---
It tried to rise, but its body trembled.
---
Alex stepped forward slowly, his gaze steady.
---
"You chose the wrong opponent."
---
The wolf collapsed.
---
Alex turned away without another glance.
---
His confidence had grown.
But deep within—
There was a trace of arrogance forming.
---
Finding the Scroll
---
After more searching, Alex finally sensed something unusual.
---
A faint fluctuation of energy.
---
Subtle.
But distinct.
---
He followed it carefully.
---
Step by step, the energy grew clearer.
---
Until he reached a hidden clearing.
---
At the center stood a broken stone structure.
---
An ancient altar.
---
Time had worn it down, cracks running through its surface.
---
And on it—
---
A scroll.
---
Old.
Worn.
Yet emitting a faint, powerful aura.
---
Alex's eyes sharpened.
---
"This must be it."
---
He approached slowly.
---
The moment his fingers touched the scroll—
A wave of energy surged through his body.
---
Heavy.
Ancient.
---
His muscles tensed slightly.
---
There was no doubt.
---
"This is the Body Manifestation Mantra."
---
Without wasting time, he stored it and returned.
---
Return
---
Back near the waterfall, Yi Zhau was waiting.
---
Alex took out the scroll and tossed it toward him.
---
"I found it."
---
Yi Zhau caught it and examined it briefly.
---
A faint smile appeared.
---
"Not bad."
---
He closed the scroll and looked at Alex.
---
"Now…"
---
His voice turned serious.
---
"…your real training begins."
---
Body Training
---
The first day—
Was unbearable.
---
Alex stood beneath the waterfall.
---
The force of the falling water struck his body like continuous blows.
---
At first, he couldn't even stand properly.
---
His legs trembled.
His muscles tightened.
---
"Endure," Yi Zhau said.
---
Alex clenched his teeth.
---
Seconds felt like minutes.
Minutes felt like hours.
---
His body screamed in pain.
---
But he did not step away.
---
He endured.
---
The next phase—
Was worse.
---
Yi Zhau tied heavy stones to Alex's body.
---
"Move," he ordered.
---
Alex struggled.
Each step felt like lifting a mountain.
---
His breathing became heavy.
His vision blurred.
But he kept moving.
Day after day—
The training continued.
Under the waterfall.
Carrying weight.
Endless repetitions of physical movements.
Punches.
Steps.
Controlled breathing.
His body was pushed beyond its limits.
His skin tore.
His muscles burned.
More than once—
He collapsed.
But each time—
He stood again.
Yi Zhau watched silently.
---
No praise.
No comfort.
Only pressure.
Days turned into a relentless cycle of pain and effort.
---
Slowly—
Very slowly—
Change began.
---
Alex's body adapted.
---
His muscles grew stronger.
His bones felt denser.
---
His endurance increased.
---
The pain that once overwhelmed him—
Became something he could endure.
---
Breakthrough
---
One morning—
Alex stood beneath the waterfall again.
---
The same crushing force struck his body.
---
But this time—
He did not move.
---
His stance remained steady.
---
His breathing calm.
---
The water continued to crash down.
---
But his body no longer trembled.
---
A faint energy began to circulate within him.
---
It spread through his muscles.
Through his bones.
---
His entire body responded.
---
Something awakened.
---
Yi Zhau observed carefully.
---
"…finally," he said quietly.
---
The energy within Alex intensified.
---
His muscles tightened.
His structure strengthened.
---
A new level of power formed.
---
Alex opened his eyes slowly.
---
They were different now.
---
Calmer.
Stronger.
---
He clenched his fist.
---
A subtle force spread outward.
---
He could feel it clearly.
---
His body had changed.
---
"Body Manifestation…" he murmured.
---
Yi Zhau smirked faintly.
---
"You have reached the First Stage."
---
Alex took a deep breath.
---
The journey ahead was still long.
---
But this step—
Was real.
---
And this time—
It was earned.