The Dragon’s Ascent: Metamorphosis of Bone and Body.
The room was left in a serene stillness, with only the faint traces of sand as evidence that Cedric had been there at all.
Oasis stood alone, holding the two small boxes, the legacy of his father and a gift from a powerful ally, both now entrusted to him.
Then he went back to the inn directly to his room.
Oasis sat on the edge of the bed, the two small boxes before him.
The weight of their significance was heavy on his mind, but he knew he couldn't delay any longer.
He needed to see what his father had left behind. After a moment of contemplation, he reached out and opened the box that had belonged to his father.
The lid creaked slightly as it lifted, revealing the contents within. Oasis's breath caught as he peered inside.
The first thing he noticed was a bracelet, intricately designed and shimmering faintly with a light that seemed to pulse with hidden energy.
It was a storage bracelet, similar to the one he already possessed but far more refined, a relic from his father, now his.
Beneath the bracelet, nestled in the velvet-lined box, were two manuscripts.
The ancient scripts on their covers were written in a language that was familiar to Oasis—one that he had encountered in some of the other manuals he had studied.
The first manuscript was titled 'The Dragon's Ascent: Metamorphosis of Bone and Body.'
A manual for bone and body tempering that promised to reshape a person's physical form into something extraordinary.
The second manuscript bore the title 'Winds of the Dragon: The Celestial Current.'
a cultivation technique that, from its title alone, seemed to resonate with the power of divine and the element of wind.
Oasis's thoughts raced as he considered the implications of these texts.
He picked up the Winds of the Dragon manuscript, feeling the weight of it in his hands.
"Why would my father leave me a cultivation technique?" he wondered aloud, his voice barely a whisper in the quiet room.
"I already have the Phoenix Heart cultivation technique…"
It was common knowledge that a person could only practice one cultivation technique;
attempting to cultivate a second could lead to disastrous consequences—one's body might crumble, or their cultivation base could be lost entirely.
The thought troubled him deeply, but he couldn't ignore the connection between the technique and his lineage.
"Did my father know I would have a dragon bloodline?" The question lingered in his mind.
It seemed likely, considering his mother's lineage as a dragon, possibly even a wind dragon.
This would explain the wind affinity suggested by the technique.
Still, Oasis decided it was wiser to set aside the 'Winds of the Dragon' manual for now.
His understanding of martial arts and magic was still growing, and perhaps one day, when he had a better grasp of his abilities, the technique might prove useful.
For now, he would keep it safe.
With a deep breath, he turned his attention to the first manuscript: 'The Dragon's Ascent: Metamorphosis of Bone and Body.'
Opening the manual, he found the ancient script written in a poetic, almost lyrical style:
'By the breath of the dragon and the marrow of the earth, Bones shall be reforged in the crucible of life, Strengthened by the tempering fire,
Unyielding as stone, yet light as the wind's grace. Muscle and sinew, bound by the heavens' decree, Shall twist and coil like the dragon's own,
Forging a body that bends, but never breaks, That shatters the mountains and flows like the stream. In the stillness of the night, beneath the watchful sky,
Let the marrow drink of the moon's light, And in the dawn, when the sun's fire ignites, Let the bones dance with the warmth of day.
Through pain and perseverance, the form shall rise, A vessel worthy of the dragon's might, Ascent not just in spirit, but in flesh and bone,
To touch the clouds and claim the skies.'
The words were more than just instructions; they were a promise of transformation, of taking one's physical form beyond its natural limits.
The technique involved a rigorous process of tempering, using both external forces like the elements and internal cultivation to strengthen the bones and body to an extraordinary degree.
It was a path of pain and perseverance, but it held the promise of incredible power.
As Oasis absorbed the verses, he felt a connection not only to the technique but to the legacy his father had left behind.
This was more than just a manual; it was a guide to becoming something more—something that could withstand the trials ahead.
With a deep sense of purpose, Oasis decided that this manual was the one he would pursue for now.
The 'Winds of the Dragon' could wait. He was ready to begin his ascent.
Oasis leafed through the pages of 'The Dragon's Ascent: Metamorphosis of Bone and Body' manual, noting the detailed procedures,
intricate rune diagrams, and the rare materials required for the process.
Just like the Phoenix Heart cultivation technique, this manual demanded specific resources to initiate the transformation.
Curious, Oasis peeked into the storage bracelet that had belonged to his father, wondering if the necessary items were already there.
To his surprise, all the materials he needed were indeed stored within:
the shimmering Dragonbone Powder, said to be the crushed remains of ancient dragon bones, essential for strengthening the marrow;
the Phoenix Ashes, remnants of a phoenix's rebirth, known for their regenerative properties;
and the Essence of Moonlight Dew, collected from the petals of a rare flower that only blooms under the full moon, used to coat the bones, making them resilient yet flexible.
There was also a radiant Sunfire Crystal containing the essence of the sun's fire, used to ignite the tempering process and infuse the body with elemental energy;
Serpent's Blood, extracted from a rare serpent species known for its vitality and regenerative capabilities, to fuse the elements within the bones and sinew;
and the potent Elixir of the Eternal Oak, made from the sap of an ancient oak tree, essential for fortifying muscles and tendons.
Finally, he found Wind Dragon Scales,
Shimmering and delicate, providing the final layer of protection and flexibility to his bones, allowing his body to move with the grace and power of a dragon.