Chapter 34 - Preparations
The cave is quiet, save for the occasional flicker of torchlight dancing along the walls. De-Reece sits cross-legged, steadying his breath as the lingering essence of the Komodo dragon settles within him. His meridians hum with the slow circulation of qi, reinforcing his foundation as he resists the urge to force a breakthrough. Stability before advancement. That was a lesson he had learned the hard way.
Across from him, Solar watches with sharp, intelligent eyes. Her sleek black form is still, but the pulsing violet lines along her body indicate her quiet attunement to him. She has recovered, stronger than before, but now their journey would begin anew.
De-Reece exhales slowly, standing. He has time—two weeks before meeting Kalia. He intends to use every moment wisely.
He moves to the open section of the cave, where a formation stone stands ready. He had constructed it for training purposes before, embedding it with reinforcing inscriptions so it could withstand high-impact strikes. This will be the true test.
De-Reece steps into position, inhaling deeply as he focuses. The Sky Shattering Demon Palm is an Earth-Grade technique, one that starts at the lowest tier and refines itself with its wielder's progress. Unlike most techniques, it does not rely purely on brute strength—it thrives on precision, qi manipulation, and the flow of force through meridians.
He channels qi into his palm, feeling the coursing energy spiral along his arm, igniting a pulsing, dark-red glow around his hand. The technique does not release in a single burst. Instead, he molds the qi, condensing it to the breaking point, before the strike lands.
He steps forward.
Boom!
The strike connects, and the formation stone shudders violently, cracks forming across its surface. The force does not merely impact—it seeps into the target, shattering from the inside out. Even as dust settles, he knows the strike was inefficient. Too much qi wasted, not enough refinement.
Again.
For hours, De-Reece repeats the motion, correcting his stance, his release, the way he coils and snaps his muscles in unison with his qi flow. Each failed attempt is a lesson. Each successful strike is noted and adjusted. Sweat beads at his brow, but he continues.
By the end, when the final strike lands, the formation stone explodes outward in a perfect rupture—smooth, controlled destruction.
He exhales, flexing his fingers. A weapon at last.
With training complete, the next priority is supplies. De-Reece ventures into the forest, Solar following closely, her presence a silent shadow beside him.
His keen eyes scan the underbrush for alchemy ingredients—not just for healing pills, but potential enhancements. His recent battles have drained his reserves, and he refuses to leave unprepared.
Hours pass as he collects:
Bloodleaf Grass – An essential component for qi-replenishing pills. Frost Petal – Useful for calming internal injuries. Ironroot Bark – A rare find, capable of fortifying the body's resilience.
Each herb is stored in his bag with practiced efficiency. Along the way, he hunts small spirit beasts, careful not to overextend himself, but ensuring he has preserved meat for the journey ahead.
As night falls, he returns to the cave, mentally preparing for the next task.
The dim glow of the alchemy furnace flickers across the stone walls of the cave, casting long shadows that dance like silent specters. De-Reece sits before it, legs crossed, the array of ingredients laid out in precise order. The scent of crushed herbs and residual qi essence fills the air—a mix of earthy richness and the faint metallic tang of spirit energy.
His hands move methodically, selecting each component with meticulous care. Bloodleaf Grass, for stabilizing the pill's structure. Frost Petal, to regulate the intense heat of refinement. Ironroot Bark, to fortify the body and harden the physique. And finally, the refined Komodo Dragon Essence, extracted painstakingly from the beast's core.
The alchemy furnace hums as he channels qi into it, stoking the flames with careful control. This is not a task that allows for recklessness. Alchemy is an art, a delicate balance between destruction and rebirth. Too much fire, and the ingredients will burn to waste. Too little, and the pill will form weak and ineffective.
As the cauldron heats, De-Reece lets his mind drift to the knowledge he had gleaned from the Heavenly Demon's alchemy tome. Pill grades—Spirit, Earth, Sky. Each containing a hierarchy within: Low, Mid, High, and Peak. The majority of alchemists struggle to form anything beyond Low-grade Spirit Pills. De-Reece had already pushed past that threshold, but the path ahead was long and perilous.
His first attempt is a Qi Replenishing Pill—a simple yet crucial elixir that will sustain him in battle. He feeds the ingredients in, watching as the essence swirls, the cauldron flaring with golden light. A test of control. The mixture seethes, unstable at first, before his qi gently guides it into harmony. The scent sharpens—bitter, but potent.
A soft cracking sound echoes within the furnace. The flames settle. He opens the lid, reaching in to extract three smooth, mid-tier Spirit Qi Replenishing Pills. A success.
But this was only the beginning.
His next attempt is an experiment in Body Fortification Pills. His previous battles had pushed his endurance, and he knew he needed something beyond simple recovery. The essence of the Komodo Dragon, infused into a fortification pill, could amplify his physique. But the balance was precarious. If he failed, the pill could turn volatile, or worse—become poisonous.
He places the refined dragon essence into the furnace, alongside Ironroot Bark and a fragment of tempered beast bone. The cauldron shudders the moment the ingredients meet the flames. Energy surges, volatile and unstable, threatening to explode.
De-Reece grits his teeth, adjusting his breathing, his hands pressing against the cauldron as he channels his qi in steady waves, forcing the raging energies into submission. The battle between fire and essence wages within the furnace, but he does not waver.
Minutes pass. The mixture stabilizes.
Then, silence.
When he lifts the lid, a single pill rests within, vibrating with latent power. The surface is smooth, almost glass-like, a deep crimson hue with faint black pill lines running across it. A High-Tier Spirit-Level Body Fortification Pill.
De-Reece exhales, the corners of his lips twitching in satisfaction.
A Spirit Solidifying Pill, meant to stabilize and reinforce his internal meridians. A blend of Bloodleaf Grass, Frost Petal, and Void Lotus—a rare find from his past excursions. The process is even more delicate than the last, requiring precise timing and control over the cauldron's heat.
The mixture simmers, resisting cohesion. He grits his teeth, channels a thread of pure qi into the flames, pushing it to the perfect balance.
A pill forms—a smooth black orb with faint golden veins running through it. Peak Spirit-Level.
A second success.
He exhales, exhaustion creeping into his limbs, but satisfaction settles in his chest. These would be his trump cards, his safety nets for the journey ahead.
Morning arrives, sunlight filtering into the cave. De-Reece secures his supplies, ensuring his weapons and pills are safely stored. He steps out, breathing in the fresh air, feeling the weight of his upcoming journey.
Solar stretches beside him, sensing the shift in his focus.
"Time to go," De mutters.
With one final glance at the cave—a place that had both protected and hardened him—he turns away, ready to face the world once more.