Martial Path

Ye, I can see it in the distant horizon, and around Me if I must say so. Encroaching Void of endless magnitude in the vast cosmos alongside a flicker of light, growing, propagating, the Glow. A transition, a metamorphosis that may take eons, or may perphaps may never occur.

-Everdark and Constant Light

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Shortly after the rigid instructor arrives, the youths, consiting of 54 boys and girls, are now lined up, ready to listen to his teachings and start of training.

Although the training grounds is a bit crude, but all the necessary tools and equipment for training can be seen and it is also extensive, letting the youths practice without feeling cramped.

"Alright kids, Four new bloods will be joining us starting today and I hope all of you can help them in learning the Martial Path and building up your teamwork. I won't tolerate slackers. Got it?" the rigid instructor said seriously as four young newbies, around 13 years old, started entering.

"Yes sir!" all the youths exclaimed in concert.

In order for one to embark the Martial Path, one must first undergo the Illuviation. This is the process of accumulating potent mystic energy in the environment towards the body.

Most people starts illuviating at age nine because that's mostly the age a child's body can handle the extra energy.

Illuviation has ten stages:

Iron

Copper

Silver

Gold

Platinum

Quicksilver

Mithril

Obsidian

Orichalcum

Adamantium

Each stage doubles the accumulated energy required in order to advance. Then, after one enters the final stage, a cultivator must condense these energies and form one's Martial Heart to completely be a Martial Apprentice, the first stage in the cultivation path.

Mostly, people enter this stage at age 12.

A cultivators' Martial Heart is their Ultimate Truth, their beliefs. Throughout their journey in the Martial Path, they must constantly reinforce, strengthen and reforge their Martial Heart.

If one starts to doubt oneself, it can lead to the creation of a Heart Demon, that which hinder a cultivator's path or may even lead to regression, slowly losing one's cultivation levels.

Or worst, when one's worldview of truth is completely overturned and one is not able to reforge a stronger Martial Heart, it can cause the shattering of one's cultivation, meaning someone can no longer be a cultivator.

Soon, the morning training officially starts as the instructor said, "Go to your groups. To those practicing the Sword Path, stand to my right. To those who chose the Marksman Path, stand to my left. Move!"

"You boys," he said, referring to the four newbies. "Stand with the Sword Path group first to understand the basic. I will guide you all in your training." the instructor further remarked.

The training grounds was then divided as the youths formed two files. There are 40 youths from the Sword Path group including the four new boys while the Marksman Path group only has 18 youths.

Soon, noises of stomping, swinging and clanging can be heard throughout the training grounds. The vigorous young men and women all performed their routine exercises with much mastery, clearly from constant practice, according to the Martial Path they practiced.

As the village chief always say, "A strong body means a strong foundation for any path one will take."

The Martial Path is one of leading paths the inhabitants of this world, Ageartha, often practice. By taking the Martial Path, practitioners aims to improve their physical prowess to execute profound techniques. The main point of cultivation is their Physical body, thus they can be referred to as cultivators or practitioners.

By harnessing the energy or force within their body, cultivators can explode with extreme power like a bear or a burst of speed like a jaguar.

This energy or force is referred to as Qi. A formless energy within every living being's body, even plants have Qi.

The instructor nods after seeing most of the younglings improved through physical training. He called out to the Sword Path group and pointed to a large dark brown boulder at the far end of the training wall. Just from its thickness and appearance, one can assume how hard it is.

"See that boulder. I need one person to try slashing it and see the result."the instructor said.

"Atroth, work those muscles of yours and show me what you got." He called out Atroth because he is one of the best swordsman in the group and is a Platinum-rank Martial Scholar, the second stage after Martial Apprentice.

His rank is at the upper ranks among the youths.

Atroth with his robust body and large greatsword, carefreely walks closer towards the large boulder.

'Swoosh'

He lifted his greatsword and mightily swung aginst the large boulder.

A loud sound echoed but only a few centimeter deep slash mark can be seen if one observe closely, too shallow. It became more apparent how sturdy the large boulder is because normally, Atroth can easily cut down a tree that required two persons to hug its trunk.

With that much strength yet only leaving a shallow mark, it can be seen how hard the session they must undergo this week.

"Hahaha"

Atroth laugh innocently while scratching his head, even he was not expecting his strength to only amount that much against a mere rock. He walks back hurriedly towards Lex and Niles.

The rigid instructor then called out to the Sword Path group and said, "This week's training session for your group will be about 'Cleaving'. Now, focus on my demonstration because I will not repeat it again."

He walks towards the large bouder but not close enough to touch it with a sword. Seeing this, everyone was confused.

However, seeing their instructor no longer moving forward but instead, getting into a slashing stance, they hurriedly focused.

The next instant, a rapid sword slash flashed and a loud sound was heard.

The group intently look on the boulder, only to discover a precise 50-centimeter deep mark embedded on it.

Just from his sword's residual force alone, he left a deep mark in the large boulder. Evidently, their rigid instructor is a powerful sword practitioner with keen judgment and precise control on his power, maximizing it.

From the years of living in the mountain range, with constant danger from mystic beasts, where every ounce of energy must not be wasted for it can be the line between life and death, a deep sense of combat awareness is sharpened.

The youths are in awe from his display of prowess. However, they were soon distressed from learning the harsh training challenge, requiring the Martial Apprentices to leave a 10-centimeter mark while the Martial Scholars to make a 50-centimeter deep mark in the boulder.

Soon, they started practicing their skills and trying to imitate the demonstration earlier.

Although they have varying cultivations, the youths showed proficiency in handling a sword.

Lex walked closer to the large boulder with Atroth and Niles. Seeing the trio, the others give way since two of the best swordsman will be making a demonstration- Lex and Atroth.

Lex started feeling the large boulder to determine the toughness. Then, he started getting ready to hit the boulder, making a couple of slashes in the air.

His cultivation is at the Copper-rank Martial Scholar and just like Atroth, his cultivation is at the upper rank in the group.

Lex is two years younger than Atroth and from his cultivation alone, it can be seen how much of a genius cultivator he is.

"I want to try it," Lex said as he get into a slashing position.