Chapter 11 - The Eternal Forest

"I was performing movements similar to Sister Lina's dance when I lost consciousness," Lin Mo explained. "When I regained my senses, my body was frozen and locked."

"Oh... That is the jade body art. When did you learn it?" asked Master Zen.

Lin Mo recounted how he and Wu Di had been pursued by the forest tyrant, leading them to seek refuge inside a cave. It was there that they stumbled upon a skeleton, within which Lin Mo discovered a scripture stored in its ring. He left out the details about the old ghost, believing no one else could see him anyway.

Retrieving the scripture from the ring, he handed it to his master. Master Zen quickly flipped through the scripture.

"I see," nodded Master Zen. "Do you know your mistakes?"

"Mistakes?"

"You understood the core of this technique, yet you failed to grasp the basics," Master Zen explained. "You've only learned half. That was why it failed and your body locked."

Listening to his master's explanation, Lin Mo asked, "Can I no longer use it?"

"You can, but you must master its basics first. For now, don't use it carelessly," Master Zen continued. "Fighting human experts is different from battling beasts; you cannot risk losing consciousness mid-battle."

Lin Mo nodded in understanding.

"I've noticed it's time for you to unlock your second gate," Master Zen added. "Follow me."

The two left the courtyard and headed towards a different area around the peak. A while later, Lin Mo found himself before a cave.

"Why are we here, Master?" asked Lin Mo.

"You'll cultivate inside," replied Master Zen.

The two entered the cave. Inside, Lin Mo saw a large amount of white powder scattered across the floor.

"What is this powder, Master?"

"It's beast bone powder. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any high-ranked beast bone."

"What's it for?" Lin Mo asked again.

"It's for you."

"For me?"

"It's time for you to enter the second step of the life gate, bone tempering," Master Zen explained. "Pick a handful of powder and smear it around your arm."

Lin Mo did as instructed.

A few seconds after he smeared the powder around his arm, he groaned and clutched the smeared arm tightly.

"Try relaxing and recall all your energy from that arm," instructed Master Zen.

Following his master's guidance, Lin Mo concentrated, and half of the white powder he had applied vanished. Panting, he asked, "Master, what was that? Why was it so hot and painful?"

"That was the powder settling into your bones. It's one of the hardest steps among the seven for a reason," Master Zen explained. "You've to use up all of this bone powder."

Hearing this, beads of sweat began to form on Lin Mo's forehead. He had firsthand experience of the powder entering his body and hoped to avoid smearing it again if possible.

"Can you do it?" asked Master Zen.

"I can!" Lin Mo declared, determination in his voice.

Seeing his resolve, Master Zen nodded and left the cave.

The cave trembled beneath Lin Mo's feet, and his eyes caught sight of a massive boulder careening towards the entrance.

"I'll block the entrance; I won't have your screams disturbing the whole peak,"

With a resounding thud, the boulder sealed off the cave's only exit, leaving Lin Mo alone in the dimly lit chamber.

He wasted no time, following his master's instructions, and began to train his bones with the powdered essence.

Occasionally, travelers passing by could hear the echoing groans coming from the peak. Concerned, some elders attempted to investigate, but were promptly turned away by the Sixth Elder himself.

…

…

A month later, the large boulder blocking the cave shattered into shards, and a disheveled youth emerged triumphantly. "Success," he declared, his fist raised in triumph.

Emerging from his month-long seclusion, Lin Mo knew it was time he ask Master Zen for that item.

As Lin Mo made his way to his master's courtyard, he couldn't help but notice the other disciples casting strange glances his way and keeping their distance.

Upon reaching the peak, he found Master Zen engrossed in the delicate art of wood carving. Stepping into the courtyard, Lin Mo greeted his master respectfully. 

"Master, on my way here, I couldn't help but notice the other disciples avoiding me," Lin Mo told, scratching his head in puzzlement. "Have I become so fearsome after my breakthrough?"

"…"

"…"

Master Zen waved his arm dismissively as he observed Lin Mo, who was smeared from head to toe in a dark, viscous substance.

"You likely smell. Return after you've bathed," His master turned him away.

"Do I?" Lin Mo questioned, sniffing himself uncertainly.

The bone powder permeated his body, reshaping his skeletal structure and expelling impurities through his pores, leaving behind a pungent odor.

Half an hour later, Lin Mo reappeared at the peak, freshly bathed and meticulously groomed. Adorned in the sect's blue attire with dark accents denoting his status as a core disciple, he tied back his overgrown hair, presenting himself anew.

"How do you feel?" asked Master Zen.

"I can't quite put it into words, master," Lin Mo replied, clenching his fist, which crackled with energy. "I sense a simmering heat within me, as if my skeleton wants to break free from its confines. Yet, I feel an absence, as if something vital is missing."

"I see," acknowledged Master Zen with a nod. "It's good that you've noticed. There's one final step."

"What is it, master?" Lin Mo inquired eagerly.

Master Zen gestured for him to sit, and Lin Mo complied, assuming a meditative posture beside his master.

"In my youth, I hastened my body tempering, resulting in shallow foundations and lingering weaknesses," Master Zen reflected with a hint of regret. "But that is in the past."

With a wave of his hand, Master Zen summoned a bluish aura that enveloped Lin Mo's entire being.

A surge of revitalizing warmth surged through Lin Mo, akin to the first breath of spring after a long winter.

Raising his finger, Lin Mo tried to touch the ethereal energy surrounding him.

Lin Mo had always sensed the formidable strength concealed beneath his master's unassuming demeanor, a primal intuition that ignited whenever he encountered Master Zen.

As time passed, it felt as if the final puzzle piece had finally slotted into place within Lin Mo's body, evoking a crackling sensation that reverberated through his being.

The intense heat that had consumed him moments before dissipated, leaving him feeling oddly at ease.

"I feel much more at ease now, master," Lin Mo remarked, his voice tinged with relief.

"Now that you've successfully opened the second gate, it's time for your reward." declared Master Zen, retrieving a sword. "Take it."

Kneeling reverently, Lin Mo extended both hands to receive the sword from his master's grasp.

However, as soon as the weapon touched his palms, Lin Mo staggered under its weight, feeling as though he bore the burden of a colossal boulder pressing down on his arms.

"This sword..." Lin Mo began, struggling to maintain his composure.

Despite its length matching that of his arm, its weight rivaled that of a giant. He had no choice but to wield it with both hands.

In the courtyard, Lin Mo attempted to swing the sword using a single hand, but his efforts proved futile as he quickly lost his balance.

With a sigh, he switched to using both hands, yet even then, he could only manage a few clumsy swings before stumbling once more.

"This is a one-handed sword," Master Zen's voice drifted from the sidelines. "You dishonor its creator by wielding it with two hands."

"One-handed?" Lin Mo could only manage a wry smile.

He attempted to shift the sword to a single hand, but repeatedly, he faltered. Despite its appearance, the sword proved too weighty for him to control with just one hand.

As Lin Mo persisted in his practice, a piece of conversation between the sect master and Master Zen flashed through his mind.

Pausing his swings, Lin Mo turned to Master Zen. "Master, can the barriers truly prevent the beings from the forest from invading our world?"

"If the stronger beings from the deeper layer chose to roam out, no barrier could hinder them," replied Master Zen, shaking his head solemnly.

"Then, why isn't the world ruled by those powerful beings?" Lin Mo probed further.

Master Zen paused, thoughtful, and began to explain, "It's like asking someone to choose between a castle and a hut."

Lin Mo looked puzzled, struggling to grasp his master's analogy.

Master Zen elaborated, "There are few things in this world that would prompt those powerful beings to come out."

"Isn't the forest confining for such powerful beings?" Lin Mo pondered aloud.

"Confined?" Master Zen chuckled softly. "The Eternal Forest is more than just forest; it is an entirely different realm."

"Different realm?" Lin Mo echoed, intrigued.

"There's no need for you to dwell on this matter," Master Zen interjected, halting further discussion. "You'll understand when the time comes."

With that, Master Zen resumed his carving, and seeing his master's concentration, Lin Mo decided not to disturb him further.

With the sword securely strapped behind his back, he began his descent from the peak, each step weighed down by its considerable burden.

Carrying the sword constantly was taxing, even for him.

As he walked, Lin Mo couldn't help but lament deeply, "I'll likely never master the jade body arts with this sword."

He understood that with its weight, it would be impossible to wield it at the high speeds required for the jade body technique.

Halfway down the mountain, a realization struck Lin Mo: he had forgotten to ask the main question.

"Why are there barriers if not to restrain those powerful beings?" he pondered aloud.

He didn't want to climb back up with the sword weighing on his back, so with a sigh, he continued his descent.

Wu Di's absence left Lin Mo without his usual drinking companion.

Upon waking, he had inquired about Wu Di's condition from his master.

To his surprise, Wu Di had already recovered and left for training with Master Zen's permission.

Master Zen revealed that Wu Di would return only upon completing his training.

Left with only the old ghost for company, Lin Mo called out, "Old ghost, where are you? Come out."