Breakthrough
Robert kept going through his training without an instant delay.
For two full days, the room echoed with the quiet thud of his practiced motions and the occasional crackle of energy.
The light from the crushed spirit stones filled the space with a soft glow, flickering with his breath and concentration.
Sweat dripped down from his chin, pooling under his feet, but his stance was constant and unwavering.
Whenever a spirit stone dimmed and crumbled to dust, he replaced it without a second thought, one after another.
No breaks. No distractions. The cultivation process was grueling, but he was just as relentless.
He directed the Dragon Body Tempering Method with the precision of someone possessed, as if the very marrow in his bones required change.
With every move, his body was strained, hurt, and reconstructed. Every muscle cried and then settled into a stronger, better alignment.
At the dawn of the third morning.
A sudden surge.
The surrounding air twisted and pulsed as if the mana in the room was being drawn into his body.
A glowing warmth radiated from his body, not burning but blazing with purpose.
He clenched his fists as his back arched slightly. A shiver ran through him, and then he roared.
The sound wasn't loud, but it echoed with ancient weight, as though something far older had shifted inside him.
Then, the voice of the system echoed in his mind—calm, unwavering, and absolute.
[System Notification: Dragon Body Tempering – Level 1 Completed: Draconic Skin Acquired.]
[Body Tempering Realm – Level 2 Reached.]
After listening to the system notification. He stood there, breathing heavily, his body faintly shining beneath the ski, mana flowing through his limbs like liquid fire, steady and alive.
His skin felt extra hard, more resistant, yet flexible. Every movement now carried an effortless power, as though his limbs were waiting to be tested in battle.
He looked at his hand and smiled.
"This… is only the beginning."
Without wasting time, he stepped forward and took a new stance.
It was time to start his next training session.
Heaven Mountain Fist.
"System", he said, brushing the sweat from his brow.
"Can you give me the full details about the Heaven Mountain Fist technique?"
The system answered right away.
[Displaying Martial Technique: Heaven Mountain Fist]
Classification: Earth Attribute, Power-Based Grade: Mid-Tier Mortal Rank (Custom Progression Compatible)
Technique Structure: Partial – 4 Levels Unlocked
Level 1: Grounded Form – Focuses on footwork and grounding the body like a mountain, enhancing balance and stability.
Level 2: Weighted Flow – Turns speed into a strong force, causing each strike to feel like it carries tremendous weight.
Level 3: Earth Pulse Impact – Strikes create shockwaves, effective at close quarters to break through defenses or stagger enemies.
Level 4: Mountain's Wrath – A finishing blow that concentrates all gathered energy into a single, unstoppable attack.
Training Video Available.
"Start the video," Robert said.
A glowing humanoid figure appeared again, this one broader and heavier in its stance.
It moved slowly at first, each punch deliberate, yet devastating. The ground beneath its feet cracked slightly with every step, simulating the tremor of falling stone.
Robert watched the sequence once. Then twice. Then again, until the motions carved themselves into his mind.
He moved to the center of his room, steadied his breath, and reflected on the stance.
Left foot forward. My right fist pulled back. Hips lowered.
Then smash.
The air cracked faintly as his fist surged forward, not fast, but dense with intention.
He followed the form again, then again, letting the rhythm of the body settle into his muscles.
He didn't just throw punches.
He was building a mountain—one fist at a time.
And this time, he had the power to shape it.
The rest of the day passed in relentless training. Robert engaged himself in the Heaven Mountain Fist, his strikes growing heavier and more focused.
The spirit stones around him continued to crackle and dim, feeding his body with the energy it demanded. With each repetition, the technique flowed smoother, the force behind it more devastating.
His breath moved in rhythm with his fists, and his stance felt rooted to the very earth beneath him.
Sweat drenched his shirt, and his knuckles were flushed from the impact of practice stones and air alike, but he did not stutter.
He trained until night turned into morning.
As the first light of dawn slipped through his room's windows, a sudden shift pulsed through his body.
[Breakthrough Reached: Heaven Mountain Fist – Level 1: Grounded Form Mastered.]
A notification echoed in his mind.
His muscles thrummed with stability and strength. Every step felt more solid, his balance unshakable.
The mountain had finally rooted itself within him—its weight, its stillness, and its determined will now etched into his very being.
Robert exhaled, his chest rising and falling with calm satisfaction.
He sat down cross-legged, energy still coursing through him.
"System", he asked, "Is there any feature to hide my cultivation level from others?"
The reply came swiftly.
[Yes. Cloaking Feature Available.]
[Effect: Conceals cultivation level of all beings below the Soul Manifestation Realm.]
[Note: Above that point, a system upgrade is required.]
"Activate Cloaking," Robert said.
[Cloaking Activated.]
A faint shimmer passed over him, then vanished.
He smiled.
Now, he could train without drawing unnecessary eyes. No one would suspect the power he was calmly building.
And with this, he could push ahead—faster, harder, stronger.
The excitement of gain rushed through his chest, but that thrill was suddenly interrupted by a nasty, earthy smell.
Robert glared and looked down at himself. A dark, sticky residue coated parts of his skin, oily and unpleasant.
He quickly realized what it was.
"So this is the impurity expelled during body tempering."
It was the waste—impurities forced out by his body. It meant the technique was working.
Without wasting a moment, Robert stepped into the bathroom and cleaned himself entirely.
He scrubbed off the dark substance until his skin was raw, then returned to the room.
The scent still lingered in the air, so he cleaned his surroundings as well, not willing to leave a trace of what he had experienced.
After everything was spotless, he addressed the system again.
"System, is there a storage space available?"
System reply: Host Yes. Storage Space Available: 1000 cubic meters.
"Good," Robert nodded. He walked to the corner where he'd kept a few leftover low-spirit stones, low-grade pills, and some healing medicine.
With a wave of his hand, the items glowed, then vanished into the system's dimensional storage.
Then the sound of the system notification is heard.
[Items Stored Successfully.]
Robert exhaled. That would make training much easier.
He glanced toward the window. Sunlight was filtering in. He hadn't seen it in days.
"It's already been four days... I haven't stepped out of this room once."
With a deep breath, he stepped outside. The air was fresh and cool.
Clan members moved around the compound, and some looked at him in surprise.
Whispers followed in his wake. Curious. Disbelieving. But he paid them no mind.
His eyes were fixed forward.
He walked past the gates of the Osborn Clan, heading toward the outer paths of the clan lands.
His target was a nearby forest with a quiet place to train alone.
But before he could reach the forest, three figures stepped out from a narrow street and blocked his way.
All wore the clothes of the James Clan.
The one in front sneered. "Well, well. If it wasn't for the fallen heir himself."
Robert stopped, his expression unreadable.
The other two James clan members laughed, their faces twisted with insult and mockery.
He said nothing.
But in his silence was a storm waiting to break.
They saw a fallen heir.
But what stood before them…
Was a dragon sharpening its claws?