A week had gone by in a blink.
Shuren stood in the sweltering heat, facing amongst dozens of disciples. On each of his arms and legs was a metal band. Dozens of them, wrapping around his limbs. He retained a stance with his feet wide apart and arms hanging out, sweat dripping down his forehead.
Shuren felt a thud in his back, the force far heavier than everything else he had worn, and almost keeled over. I refuse to fall! Not in front of everyone like an idiot!
"Gahaha! This is the bare minimum you all need to do if you want to get to the next level. If you can't do this much, you can give up on upgrading your Talisbody!" A muscular man, over two metres tall, stood while wearing martial clothing. His muscles glistened in the light of the sky amidst the heat, and he stood like a mountain all over everyone.
"What a shame, truly! Only one of you in this entire group has achieved Iron Talisbody. Don't use the excuse that you don't have time to train. This is a necessity for all cultivators!" His words roared across the training field, with the ground rumbling as he laughed.
Elder Glorn, a towering man with short black hair, had taken over the training halls. The trainer of the hall could only stand by the side and observe, as his class had been taken over.
And he noticed Shuren had the most developed Talisbody. Iron Grade, almost as perfect as it can be. Once Shuren would reach Rank 2, he would most likely achieve Silver Talisbody much earlier than the average cultivator.
"Take off your weights, lad," Elder Glorn commanded, making sure everyone paid attention.
Shuren took off each metal band around his limbs, crashing into the earth and causing an indent to form. Each weighing over a hundred kilos, even though they appeared to be thin and lightweight bands.
"By the time the rest of you can handle this much, your body will be able to break through from Bronze Grade to Iron Grade. Though, it might take you a year or so at the very least, with the shape of your bodies. Now…" Elden Glorn cleared his throat, once again causing a rumble in the air. Every word he said could shake the world itself.
"Though the Talisoul can only be tapped into and developed in Rank 2, and Talispirit in Rank 3, your Talisbody can be trained from birth. In essence, it is the most vital thing you can train for as long as you live, no matter what stage you are at in cultivation. You must remember, your Talisbody is still linked heavily to your Talisoul and Talispirit. If you slack off on developing your body, you'll be affecting your entire Path itself." Elder Glorn tensed his muscles, and mystical lines of ethereal blue formed into tattoos around his body.
"That old coot Spiritweaver probably told you, but once, there used to be a rank of cultivation before Qidense Realm. It was known as the Body Tempering realm. The ancients would focus on their external body early on, but most abandoned it the further they progressed in the path. In fact, they considered those who trained their body into an entire class of their own. It's now an outdated method of cultivation, thanks to the development of the Talisbody." Elder Glorn waved his palm casually, but immense winds formed and almost pushed all the disciples to fall to the ground.
"A cultivator should always develop their body, soul and spirit in tandem. With all three at the same time, you achieve far greater success. You can't reach Rank 3 if you don't have Iron Grade Talisbody, and you can't reach Rank 4 without a Silver Grade Talisbody, and so on."
A rather small and scrawny boy posed a question. "Honoured Elder, what is your Talisbody Grade?"
Elder Glorn held a deep grin and smacked Shuren in the back for no reason as well. "Well, before you reach Rank 6, you can go from Bronze, Iron, Silver, Gold, and Jade. But for a very few who go even further beyond, they can reach a unique grade."
"I have the Seastone Jade Talisbody. I used to live the life of a deep-sea fisherman, Tempering my body at the depths of the eastern archipelagos. As such, I achieved a Mythical Talisbody, unique to me."
Even Shuren couldn't help but react with awe, staring at Elder Glorn's body. Seastone? Isn't that the hardest material you can find at the depth of the seas? He trained to such an extent?!
"Of course, combined with my Sea Path, it serves to strengthen both my soul and spirit as well. This is why you should continue to train your body, no matter the realm of cultivation. If you walk the Fire Path, temper your body with flames. If you walk the Cloud Path, temper your body at the peaks of mountains, where even breathing is a struggle." The metal bands on the floor levitated until it reached every disciple in front of Shuren and Elder Glorn. "All of you wear one on each limb. It's time to break past your limits!"
Shuren heard a few murmurs across the disciples.
"As expected of the winner of the finale, and a member of the Liu Clan. No wonder he's the only one with an Iron Grade Talisbody…"
"I wonder if he achieved it with the Liu Clan treasures. They're a Rank 7 Immortal Clan, one of the greatest out there…"
He wasn't too surprised. None of them would understand the years of hellish training he went through just to achieve it this early.
Shuren felt goosebumps rise up to the back of his neck. The sensation of a cold voice cut deep into his back.
"Why are you wasting your time here?" A young man with shoulder-length hair spoke. Though his voice was pointed towards Elder Glorn, his amber eyes dug into Shuren.
"Shut up Swordfall and use your swordbrain. Clearly I'm here to teach the new lads. What do you want?" Elder Glorn retorted back, cracking his fingers. Itching for battle.
"You're meant to rendezvous with Harmony at the Unhallowed Monolith today. You were the one boasting to rip open its doors, weren't you?" Swordfall let his hand rest on his sheathed sword.
Shuren felt like an ant in the shadow of two lions. Any misstep ready to kill him. He tried to find an opening to step back, but the pressure of them both made him stay put. Two of the Elders specialising in battle are arguing right in front of me… Just their words alone are causing me to feel unease. This is the power of those at such heights, where just their mere presence can be a weapon!
Elder Glorn picked at his ear. "I know, I know. I was about to leave anyway. Here, you should train this lad up a bit. He'll last a few hits. I promise."
Shuren didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I hope Elder Swordfall doesn't take those words serious. I don't think I can even survive a single hit from these monsters.
"Lad." Elder Glorn said, this time bringing attention to Shuren. Their gazes met. Elder Glorn took his time to continue, as if ruminating carefully on his next words.
His muscles brimmed with not only thin ethereal light but also scars. "Scars are the marks of victory against your war. Don't forget that."
In the next moment, a wild gust of wind appeared at the position Elder Glorn stood. He had left with those words.
The gust caused Shuren's robes to flutter in the wind. He adjusted the hem of his clothes, checking for any dust.
"There's no use in you being here." Elder Swordfall said, his deep amber eyes gazing at Shuren. "With that body of yours."
He likewise disappeared into the wind.
Shuren couldn't even tell when they moved, or even how fast. Not even a blur of their body remained as they left.
"Elder Swordfall.. I suppose he is right. This specific class isn't of much use since I already have an Iron Grade Talisbody. But the knowledge Elder Glorn gave was indeed insightful."
He gazed at the sky, stretching his sore body. "I suppose it's time to meet the team. I also get to choose a partner as well, hmm." Shuren left the training area, heading to the dorms.
He was able to rent his own room for a few months with the Cloudsigils rewarded a week ago. Though he'd have to return back home to gather a few more necessities from his manor. Hopping on to the flying nimbus, Shuren had the urge to sit down and relax.
He refused, standing amongst the winds.
"I'm running out of my fragrance oils, so I'll need to stock up on some more. I'll grab my old sword to decorate my room some more and buy some of those materials for Spiritual Alchemy."
The words of Elder Glorn appeared in his minds once more in the middle of his thoughts.
My war, huh.
By the time Shuren made it back to his new dorm, a room just for him, he was met with a familiar face.
The fan wielding opponent Shuren encountered in the sect finale. A scion of the Huang Clan, Huang Shi Junyu.
Without hesitation, Junyu greeted Shuren with a respectful bow. "It is good to see you again."
Shuren returned the greeting as well. "Likewise, Sir Huang Shi Junyu. What calls for the occasion, meeting me at the front of my abode?"
Junyu flipped open a fan to wave. "It's a simple request. I heard you received a special missive from the elders. You are leading a team, yes? Why not invite me to help as well?"
Shuren thought for a moment. I was considering to ask Wu Ming, but I doubt that guy would be interested in looking after a bunch of Outer Disciple kids. But, it would be good to build a relationship with Junyu. Though he is from the Huang Clan, it'll only further serve us both better in the future. I doubt he knows the details of that insignificant incident from back then in the factory.
"Very well. You're hoping to increase your influence by trying to impress the elders?" Shuren asked.
Junyu just slouched, sighing with dismay. "Killing wolves isn't getting me enough Cloudsigils to get the best room in the sect. I need to go for a missive like yours to amass enough points."
"What, that's all?" Shuren walked over with a slight chuckle. He smelt a gourmand fragrance. "Which brand is your fragrance? It's quite distinct, yet not strong at all."
Junyu shut his fan, putting it away. "Believe it or not, I make my own mixtures. You want to check my collection later on?"
Both shared a glint in their eyes, one only found in those who had formed a unique bond over a certain art. The art of fragrance and beauty.
"I never thought of making my own mixtures…" Shuren rubbed his chin. "Let's check it out after dealing with the smugglers. We have to meet with the team at the Evening Clouds as well."
And down the way, they conversed in their shared hobbies, the newest oils imported from other regions, how to make sure the scents don't clash, and form a unique mixture.
By the time they reached the convening spot in Evening Clouds to meet the subjugation team to deal with the demonic smugglers, Junyu and Shuren had already formed a friendship.
Not even the small incident with the Huang Clan interfered with that.
"To think you could use sparks of flame and heat in such a specific ratio to influence the fragrance to such an extent! Junyu, how'd you even figure all this out on your own?" Shuren said, shocked at the versatility of his techniques.
"It is the nature of fire. Depending on control, density, quality, and time, you can influence the structures of not just fragrances, but many things in the world. A spark can lead to a great fire blazing across the fields, and the most powerful fire can be used to soothe an injury on a small bird. The only thing stopping your way is your own creative thinking." The fan he waved snapped shut, at the sight of the newcomers. "Well then, leader of the team. It's your time to shine."
Shuren stood at the gates of the Evening Clouds, leading towards Cloud City.
There were five people in front of them, all Outer Disciples of the sect. Those with the most potential, sent to gain experience while learning from the Inner Disciples. Two Vulfoan girls, a Silvent boy, a Cloud City native, and a vagrant from the far east.
His eyes were naturally drawn to the vagrant.
Stage…4? Already? Shuren sharpened his gaze, tempered by irritation.
Likewise, Tez did the same as well, clicking his tongue.
They both chastised each other within their minds.
Not this arrogant bastard again.
Not this ignorant imbecile again.