Chapter 8

After leaving his fathers' study, Tiberius made his way to the gardens to continue his training. But, instead of contemplating sword laws, he thought it better to review the body-refining technique he obtained at the same time as "Carnage of Life and Death."

According to his current knowledge, legitimate body-refining techniques were rather rare, at least in this part of the world. They were all rudimentary and not worth practicing. Most warriors chose to simply reinforce their bodies with Qi if they needed a bit more of a physical advantage in battle, so there were plenty of such enhancing techniques available. Mages, on the other hand, would spend time studying the Body-refining techniques because mana didn't do much in strengthening their bodies, only their minds, and souls. Even so, there were spells, mich like warrior techniques, that reinforced and strengthened the physical form if only temporarily.

So, the only ones who practiced the body-refining techniques available in this area are those who have little to no talent on either path to use those options effectively or efficiently. They either couldn't sustain the technique/spell for long enough for it to matter, or it didn't provide a sufficient boost for it to be worth it. While the body-refining techniques didn't provide an over-whelming advantage or even the playing field, it still gave a slight starting advantage before techniques/spells are activated. It also didn't cost any ki/mana to maintain, which at this point was its only advantage.

But the technique Tiberius received wouldn't be so simple and lackluster. Tiberius believed that there wasn't any way an expert on such a level would gift him something ordinary, even if the only reason were to save face.

Once Tiberius returned to his garden, he sat down in his usual spot upon a mat under the sakura blossom trees and began to review the technique. Tiberius sat in a meditative pose for almost an hour, organizing his thoughts before he slowly began to recall the information that the mysterious stranger passed onto him. As the knowledge came bubbling forth, the first thing that surfaced was the name of the technique 'Vitality of a Reborn Sage.' According to the inherited knowledge, it trains the body to allow it to have the physical might of those above ones' realm. 'Vitality of a Reborn Sage' has nine domains with nine stages in each domain that trains the skin, flesh, internal organs, bones, and senses to an unbelievable degree. Once a person masters this technique, it increases the persons' physical might by nine times what they would typically be capable of mustering.

Tiberius was beginning to get excited about training this technique until he realized just how difficult it was to practice. He didn't understand how anyone was able to master 'Vitality of a Reborn Sage' to its' maximum level due to the degree of difficulty. It wasn't so bad at first because all one needed to do is cycle one's Qi/mana in a certain way that it's like getting struck by hammers. But as you progress, you need to treat your body as if it were a material you were trying to forge, requiring increasingly hot flames to temper your body. It got to the point that to progress into the eighth domain, you needed to be subject to heat equal to the sun's center and after that to get to the ninth domain.....

Tiberius shook his head, deciding not to think about it anymore. After all, it's not like he is at that point yet and couldn't do anything about it right now. "I'll worry about that when I get there," Tiberius thought to himself.

"For now, I'll focus on getting to the first domain of this technique," Tiberius thought as he allowed his mind to slip into a meditative state, moving his Qi in the manner dictated by 'Vitality of a Reborn Sage.' Soon after, he began the sound of something cracking replaced the peaceful quiet that once covered the serene and beautiful gardens. The pain got so intense that Tiberius croaked out an agonizing groan. As time moved forward, the throbbing agony got worse until Tiberius blacked out.

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Tiberius slowly opened his eyes, finding himself lying in an open field that had a gentle spring breeze flowing through it. After glancing around for a few moments, he stood up and began to look around to get a better look at his surroundings.

Off in the distance, he noticed a large structure standing tall. Deciding that he had no other choice of heading, he began to move towards it. Hours seemed to pass by life water through cupped hands before he finally got close to the area the building stood, surrounded by a high wall.

Approaching the wall, Tiberius came to the only entrance within sight, which was an opening two and a half meters tall and two meters wide. Although there wasn't a door or even a gate to bar his entry, he felt that there was a force present that could prevent any unauthorized entry. But at the same time, he believed that he would be allowed in as if he belonged here.

He stood at the entrance for several minutes, contemplating his options. But he ultimately decided to step onto the path and enter the area beyond the walls.

What lay before Tiberius, upon entering the area was a massive field filled with statues of people long forgotten. In the center of this field stood what appeared to be a temple. Tiberius stood at the beginning of the path in a daze at the sheer number of statues that stood. It took a long while before he recovered enough to see that the road he stood on lead straight to the ancient temple.

Once he fully recovered himself, Tiberius turned his gaze to the temple and began following the path towards it. He didn't know why, but it feels as if something about the temple was calling out to him. As he moved forward, he passed statue after statue, each depicting a different personage and each feeling intimately familiar. Some described mighty warriors with their swords pointing out as if leading a charge against a terrible foe. In contrast, others depicted powerful mages weaving an ancient forbidden spell to rain destruction upon their enemy.

Tiberius continued forward, slowly trekking towards the temple. But it seemed that the closer he got to it, the harder it was to take another step forward. By the time he reached the base of the stairs, Tiberius was gasping for air, drenched in sweat. Taking a few moments to catch his breath, Tiberius lifted his foot to take the first step. Unfortunately, before his foot could land, he heard a gentle sigh, causing him to pause mid-step.

"You're not supposed to be able to come here. You're also not supposed to remember so much from your past life." A kind and soft voice drifted out of the temple as if dancing on the wind. The sound that came out was so beautiful and graceful that it seemed to have the ability to calm even the most tumultuous hearts.

Tiberius' expression became tranquil once he heard the voice come gliding out of the temple. "Who are you?" Tiberius asked as nicely as possible, using the same tone he listened to his father use when he's trying to coax his mother into talking to him.

"It matters not who I am. You need to be on your way. You do not belong here." The disembodied voice once again called out this time with a pulse of power that threw Tiberius back.

"Begone and don't return here until the time is right," the voice said as an even more powerful force slammed into Tiberius, causing his vision to darken.

The last thing he heard before everything disappeared was the voice saying, "There was a grave mistake, and something went wrong. I hope you have the ability to survive the coming tribulations. Otherwise, we may all be doomed." The tone was mournful and filled with melancholy.

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Tiberius' eyes snapped open in surprise, finding himself back in his garden. Seeing that it was already dusk, Tiberius quickly ran to bathe before heading off to have dinner.