Chapter 3: The Discovery of God's Handprint Technique

(In His Own Room)

Uttar sat cross-legged on his bed, his breathing steady yet filled with excitement. He slowly ran his hands over his arms, feeling the undeniable difference in his body. His once frail and delicate bones had become much denser, and his muscles were firmer than ever before. Every inch of his being radiated newfound strength.

"Currently, I am in Manipura chakra…" Uttar whispered, his voice carrying both shock and curiosity. The realization sent waves of excitement through him.

He clenched his fist, sensing an overwhelming surge of power. His body, which had once been considered weak and incapable of cultivation, now pulsed with raw energy. His veins carried a vitality he had never felt before. Even his reflexes seemed sharper.

He stood up and stretched, feeling the strength in his limbs. His movements were lighter, swifter, and more controlled. The difference was undeniable.

"I've changed… but how much?" he wondered.

He took a deep breath and focused inward, sensing the energy flowing through his chakra points. The Manipura chakra, located just below his navel, burned like a golden flame within him. It was the chakra of power, the center of his personal strength and will.

"So, this is what true cultivation feels like," he thought, marveling at his progress.

He took a stance and threw a punch in the air. Whoosh! The sheer force behind the simple motion created a gust of wind in his small room. His eyes widened. Never before had his attacks carried such strength.

"This… this is real!" he murmured in disbelief.

A new confidence surged within him, but he quickly calmed himself. He had to be careful. If anyone found out about his sudden cultivation breakthrough, they would question him. And worse—his enemies might take action against him before he could fully understand his power.

"Currently, everyone in the clan thinks I am weak," he reminded himself.

Even the servants mocked him. The younger generation viewed him as trash. Even his own cousin, Bhaskar Upadhyay, saw him as nothing but a disgrace. But now, things had changed.

He took another deep breath. He could not afford to be reckless.

"Someone is targeting me," Uttar thought, recalling the attack in the forest. His expression darkened. "That person wanted me dead."

His fingers instinctively brushed against the golden ring on his right index finger. The mysterious artifact that had been with him ever since that fateful night. He still couldn't remove it, and he had no idea what its true nature was.

"Whatever happens, I must stay low-profile for now," Uttar decided. "I need time to fully understand my power before revealing it to anyone."

His lips curled into a determined smile. His path had finally begun.

Determined, Uttar decided on his next step. He needed martial arts techniques to complement his newfound strength. While raw power was essential, refined skills would make him truly dangerous.

"The clan library has countless scrolls on martial arts. I should start there," he thought.

Clan Library

The Upadhyay Clan's library was a vast hall filled with ancient scrolls, each containing the knowledge and battle techniques of generations past. Only clan members had access, and even then, the rules were strict. The best techniques were reserved for the elite.

Uttar arrived at the entrance, where an elder sat at a wooden desk. The man had sharp eyes and a thin mustache, his wrinkled face showing both wisdom and arrogance. This was Elder Prashant, the guardian of the library.

As Uttar approached, the elder barely glanced at him.

Uttar – "Elder, I would like to borrow a martial arts scroll for practice."

Elder Prashant narrowed his eyes, barely hiding his disdain.

("First, he should learn how to cultivate before thinking about techniques. If he weren't the Third Young Master of the clan, I would have thrown him out without a second thought,") the elder scoffed inwardly.

With a reluctant sigh, he waved his hand dismissively.

Elder Prashant – "Go. As per the clan rules, you may take only one scroll. And remember, it must be returned within two months."

His tone was cold, but Uttar ignored it.

Uttar – "Thank you, Elder."

Without another word, he stepped into the vast library.

Inside the Library

Rows upon rows of wooden shelves stood before him, filled with countless martial arts scrolls. The scent of old parchment filled the air. Uttar's heart raced in anticipation.

He walked past several scrolls, reading their titles. Each one promised incredible power, but he knew he had to choose wisely.

His fingers stopped on one particular scroll. Carefully, he pulled it out and read its description:

Iron Fist Technique – "With this technique, a cultivator's fists can be strengthened to the hardness of iron, capable of breaking bones and crushing rocks."

Uttar's eyes lit up momentarily.

"This technique is strong… but it has limitations."

It focused purely on raw power, which wasn't what he wanted. He needed something that incorporated chakra, a technique that could not only enhance his attacks but also generate more energy.

He placed the scroll back and continued searching, determined to find the perfect martial art for himself.

Uttar continued browsing through the scrolls, carefully examining each one. His eyes landed on another technique.

Mysterious Smoke Technique – "With this technique, one can create a thick smoke screen, allowing them to escape unnoticed."

Uttar murmured to himself, "This is useful… but not what I need right now. I'm not looking to escape—I need a technique that enhances my attacks."

For the next four hours, he meticulously examined numerous scrolls, searching for the perfect technique. Just as he was about to lose hope, his fingers brushed against an old, dust-covered scroll hidden behind others.

He pulled it out and read the title:

God's Handprint Technique

His heartbeat quickened. Something about the name alone felt powerful, as if fate had guided him to this technique.