Credence

"What you have executed is the Provenance Qi Absorption Technique…

It is among the most commonly widespread technique in our realm. But this technique, despite being widespread, is not the most commonly chosen." the mysterious cultivator told the clueless Neebo.

Having heard of the name of the breathing technique, Neebo was excited. Such sophisticated name for a technique, every cultivator must have craved to learn this technique. But the latter sentence was a thunder strike for Neebo's zeal.

Noticing Neebo's dejected expression; the mysterious cultivator continued, "This technique requires meticulous control of breath and concentration, allowing the cultivator to align their internal energy channels with the external Qi streams.

Through the Provenance Qi Absorption Technique, cultivators strive to establish a profound connection with the primordial forces of heaven and earth, allowing them to draw in the purest and most potent Qi. By harmonizing their breathing and focusing their intent, cultivators are able to absorb the Qi directly from the cosmic origins, tapping into the natural flow and balance of energy.

By absorbing the Provenance Qi, practitioners can fortify their own cultivation, enhance their spiritual power, and bolster their physical and metaphysical capabilities. The Provenance Qi Absorption Technique is regarded as an advanced method, requiring profound insight, discipline, and mastery over one's Qi manipulation skills to unlock its full potential."

Hearing the mysterious cultivator's explanation, Neebo was knocked senseless.

"By the looks of it, you haven't acquired the complete manual for the technique. You've been executing the technique improperly. If my guess is right, you've only been doing the technique for a few cycles for each meditation. If you want to break through to completion of the technique, you must properly understand Qi flow and not just haphazardly gathering the Provenance Qi around you." the mysterious cultivator deduced.

Neebo who was earnestly listening fell into deep thoughts and realize what the mysterious cultivator had said, "I do indeed have no further idea about the breathing technique other than the breathing technique itself from the ancient text."

The mysterious cultivator nodded and paused for a moment, seemingly in deep thought. Neebo was anxiously waiting as to what the mysterious cultivator might suggest next. Neebo was hoping that the mysterious cultivator could guide him and teach him.

"Can I ask for your guidance, Esteemed Sir?" Neebo asked.

The mysterious cultivator looked back at Neebo and after thinking it through, "Your encounter with me must have been predestined by the Heavens. But I cannot take you with me nor can I solve your battles for you, for that would not help you grow. I will impart to you the rest of the Provenance Qi Absorption Technique. Since it cannot be called a loss for me; this technique has already reached this mortal plane, I'm just letting go of things that burdens me to carry."

"Can you include to that, my liberation from this place?" Neebo shamelessly quibbled.

The mysterious cultivator seems to not hear Neebo and continued; his gaze was locked on deep into Neebo's eyes. "I shall warn you; this technique requires the cultivator to gather the balance of Provenance Qi. It means that you'd have to cultivate all five elements; wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

Since you seem to have no idea of the principles regarding cultivation, I guess it wouldn't be too much to give you this…" the mysterious cultivator took something from the air with a flip of hand; he was holding two books.

Suddenly, the mysterious cultivator exploded with a very strong and domineering aura; blowing away the rugged azure robes he wore. The mysterious cultivator's face was exposed, and his appearance was revealed to Neebo. The mysterious cultivator was looking like a young man in his mid-20, with his long golden hair falling freely up to his waist; his face had an expression of indifference.

As the mysterious cultivator exploded with his domineering aura, his gaze towards Neebo felt as if he was the one who stood supreme over everything in the universe. He had arrogance that he was someone who stood above all lives.

The exhausted Neebo was frightened as he sat cross-legged and wonderstruck with his mouth wide open.

"I am Xuan Zang,

Remember my name! This is the first part of my Great Evolution Technique." Xuan Zang reached out his other hand and pointed into Neebo's forehead. This action sent a massive azure energy towards Neebo's soul, which sent him in his stupor.

Xuan Zang then threw the two books he was holding beside the stunned Neebo, "I have included information you need to know about cultivation within this Manual.

If you're successful, you would be able to reach the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul Stage. After that, you would need the second part of my technique…

If you do reach that stage, come and find me at the Scattered Star Mountains Sect. This would be my test for you and your credence."

As Xuan Zang emitted his blinding energy, Neebo fell unconscious and drifted to his rest.

Xuan Zang exploded in blinding azure energy and disappeared.

What remains was the unconscious Neebo, fast asleep within the halls of the Nefarious Sanctuary; two books besides Neebo; and an azure glowing light floating above him, negating the dark energy that surrounds Neebo.

It has been a day already and Neebo was still sleeping deeply; his mind was filled with what that mysterious cultivator, Xuan Zang spoke.

"test of your credence..."

"If you do reach that stage… come… find me… the Scattered Star Mountains Sect…"

"Reach the pinnacle… Nascent Soul Stage…"

"I am… Xuan Zang…"

As his consciousness slowly drifted back, Neebo was awakened by a loud cracking sound.

As Neebo got up to his feet, free from his exhausted state; He noticed that he was inside a huge spherical azure light. He had remembered this sensation; it was when he was yet to be confined within the Nefarious Sanctuary; A sensation free from continuous resistance of the dark energy that surrounds him.

'It seems that this light is about to break. This must be the reason why the dark energy couldn't pounce into me.'

Neebo sat cross-legged as he made use of the remaining time to recollect his memories of what had happened; all along while the azure light can still shield him against the violent dark energy.

Neebo stared down the two Manuals beside him; he read the title of the Manuals; Provenance Qi Absorption Technique Manual and The Records of the Azure Demon.

Neebo picked up the Provenance Qi Absorption Technique Manual,

'This must be the complete Manual of the one that I had been practicing.'

Neebo flipped through it and studied it for as much as he can. Along the way, he uncovered the mistakes he did and tried to emulate the proper way of execution.

As he dove into his studies, all the while, practicing the proper breathing technique. The light that was about to break; shattered.

Booooom!

It exploded in azure and white smoke that spread into the halls of the Nefarious Sanctuary.

At that moment, the violent energy that was kept at bay by the light drove its way into Neebo.

But Neebo had been expecting it, as he sat cross-legged; Neebo resisted the incoming surge of violent energy. And as he resisted it through his mental focus, he performed the proper execution of the Provenance Qi Absorption Technique.

As he gathered the Provenance Qi within his surroundings; he guided the collected energy through his meridians; as it was told by the Manual.

First cycle… second cycle… fourth cycle… eight cycle…

By the fourth hour, Neebo felt excited by his progression.

'I guess being locked up in this isolated prison is actually a fortuitous opportunity for me.'

'Just you wait, Foundation Establishment Elders! I, Prince Neebo will be the harbinger of your deaths!'

Hours turned into days, and days into a week. And it has been a month now since Neebo was imprisoned within the Nefarious Sanctuary.

The two King's Guards assigned to him had been slacking all month long within the Guard cabin outside the Nefarious Sanctuary. There were ten barrel of rations with them; four has already been emptied by them.

"Hey, it's already a month since we took the kid inside the sanctuary. I think it's time to take the empty barrels inside now." One of the King's Guards suggested.

The other one who was lying by the haystack answered, "Well I guess we couldn't take the rest of these rations away now haha it's a pity that we could only divide it in two's."

"Knock it off, Two barrels of ration is already plentiful for each of our families. Let's clean this up and place the empty barrels inside where we left that bastard off."

"I guess our short vacation's over haha"

The two King's Guards then carried two empty barrels each and went inside the Nefarious Sanctuary.

Along the way, the two Guards chattered, "What do you think happened to that brat?"

"What else! None has ever survived the corruption of the Nefarious Sanctuary! Although a month can be considered short, only King Cedric and Young Lord Archilles was able to train within the Nefarious Sanctuary for that long. And even them, had a hard time resisting the violent dark energy within the sanctuary. What more, a mere brat from a weak subsidiary kingdom."

"Well, that brat isn't all that weak haha I believe his foul mouth has transcended higher realm already Hahaha I remember how shameful and prideful that piece of shit was! Hahaha it was truly a sight for an eye sore!"

Both King's Guards laughed along the way. And not long, they arrived to where they left Neebo. What received them was an empty unlocked cell.

They both looked at each other and had a troubling look on their faces.

The older King's Guard assured, "Don't worry; the Nefarious Sanctuary isn't a place he could easily escape to. I'm sure he is somewhere dead already."

The other replied anxiously, "haha I guess you're right senior, let's just leave this barrels off inside his cell and quickly leave this damned place."

"Let's do that."

They both hurried and left the empty barrels inside Neebo's cell and quickly made their way back outside.

But as they were walking quickly, they heard sounds from one of the halls near them. They have heard of the dangers inside the Nefarious Sanctuary, what remains of the prisoners here were powerful soulless bodies. Still, they haven't witness one. And being able to come across one would give them a very astounding tale to share for their comrades.

They carefully made way towards the noise. And as they were a corner away from the noise, they slowly peaked and took a look at what was making the noise. What they found out sent chills down their spines; before them was Neebo, with his limbs carrying the chain maces that abounds him; was comfortably training his combat arts amidst the raging violent energy within the sanctuary.

They knocked off their feet and were left dumbstruck.