Breakthrough To Qi Condensation Realm

Getting the answer he wanted, captain Marcus nodded his head before turning around as he walked out of the building but before leaving, he instructed them to keep up and the boys did just that since they would rather not end up being punished for disobeying his orders. Following captain Marcus around, the other members couldn't help but look their way, since it is very rare for captain Marcus to be seen with junior members.

"Elder Thorne, do you mind if I borrow these two for a while?" Asked captain Marcus to elder Thorne who was busy attending to a junior.

"They should be done with this task, go ahead then but don't work them out that much" replied elder Thorne with a smile.

Seeing that elder Thorne didn't have issues taking them away from their post, captain Marcus led them out of the territory as they went into a forest that was not that far from the ironwood fortress territory and behind the forest was the mountain that blocked the way to their village.

"What are we supposed to do here, captain?" Asked Alden with a confused look on his face.

"You are the ones that said you are ready for the next step so that is what we are here for boy" replied captain Marcus with a cold look on his face as he turned to face the two with his hands folded under his chest.

They were confused as to what the captain meant by that, but it all changed when they saw two axes coming their way.

"Catch" captain Marcus' voice came too late as the axes were already before them.

Just moving to the side just in time, they were able to avoid being hit by the axe as it went past them before being pinned into a tree. They were both left in fear as they glanced at the axes.

"Your assignment this time around is to cut down some trees and bring them back to the territory" said captain Marcus as he gave his order.

They did not say anything but just turned around to look at the trees that seemed to be older than they were, wondering if they would be able to cut down one not to talk about two trees.

"You are the ones that said you are ready so enough with that look and start chopping" commented captain Marcus before leaving not giving them the time to complain.

"It shouldn't be that difficult to chop down these trees right" said Alden with a sigh before going forward to pull one of the axes out of the tree which seemed very difficult but was finally able to pull it out before giving it a powerful swing as he cut into the tree.

Hoping he has cut deep into the tree giving the force behind the swing only for him to see that he was only able to make a dent in the tree. Ethan decided to join him since it would be easier for them to chop the trees down.

They worked the whole day and before long it was already nighttime, and they still weren't able to chop down one tree. Instead, they were left with blisters and shaking hands. Just when they were busy taking a break, captain Marcus came by to check on their progress only for him to find the two sitting on the ground.

"You still couldn't chop down a tree?" Asked captain Marcus, and he didn't seem surprised at all when looking at the tree that was still standing tall even after being chopped that deep.

There was no reply from the two as they just sat there while looking at him in defeat and seeing this look of theirs, captain Marcus let out a sigh before throwing a bottle at them.

"Drink up and go get a sleep, tomorrow is another day" he said to them.

Catching the bottle midair, Ethan was the first to drink from it before passing it to Alden as he took a mouthful as well. After drinking from the bottle, they notice the wound they had on their palm from cutting the tree has already healed up.

"That should carry you until you were able to complete the task. Once you can chop down these trees without a problem would be the day you are ready to undergo the training but as you are now, you would only end up harming yourself" advise captain Marcus before walking out.

Watching him leave, Alden could not help but look at the bottle in his hand before staring back at captain Marcus.

"Let's go get some sleep Ethan".

With that, they went back to their room without even eating and the next morning, they ate before going back to the forest to continue chopping on the tree.

It took them the whole of two months before they were able to chop the tree down and there was no one happier than them, and it took them another month before they could chop the trees without any assistance.

"You boys do catch up really quick" a voice came from afar.

Turning around, they notice it was no one besides captain Marcus, who seems to be heading their way.

"Greeting captain" they both greeted him with a bow.

Captain Marcus only waves his hand before speaking up as he looks at the trees laying on the ground.

"Others took way longer before they were able to chop it down but you two only needed three months before you could chop it down, I must say I'm impressed by your progress" said captain Marcus.

"Does that mean we are now qualified to start training?" Asked Ethan.

"You have already started your training and I must congratulate you two for making a breakthrough into the Qi condensation realm" replied Captain Marcus with a smile on his face.

Both Alden and Ethan were surprised by the captain's claim as they just stood there before looking at each other.

"We are already in the Qi condensation realm" they both said almost at the same time.

"That's right boys. There is no way you would have been able to chop down these trees if you don't possess the strength of someone at the Qi condensation realm and what better way to achieve this other than to train the body to the extreme" captain Marcus gave them the reply to their questions.