Chapter 16 Vitality

After having a good rest, Xuan Jin found himself standing before Big Boar in the Chieftain's Hall. "I suppose you're wondering why I summoned you, yes?" Big Boar asked as he motioned for the boy to take a seat. In response Jin simply nodded before taking a seat.

"Well basically its to do with your abilities and the hunt that's taking place a week from now. As you know we tossed you into the Forging Altar for a reason, not to mention because of the copious amounts of food you consumed you're expected to contribute." Big Boar explained.

Hearing this the boy's lip twitched. "Weren't you the one who provided me that food." Jin replied, to which Big Boar simply looked off to the side an awkward expression gracing his face.

"Regardless, you'll be staying with us for a while and helping out on the hunt will benefit not only the tribe but you as well. A young lad like you needs combat experience and what better way to gain that than the hunt." Big Boar persuaded trying to ease the process.

Naturally Xuan Jin was receptive. After all while his social skills weren't the best, from the books he had read he understood that community was important, and contributing to said community was vital. Not to mention he did indeed need more combat experience.

"All right I am in." Xuan Jin agreed before he recalled "You said you wanted to discuss my abilities as well?"

"Ah yes, here's your blade and a manual which explains Vitality." Big Boar remembered handing a sheathed blade and a relatively thick paper manual. "I'll need the manual back after you're done with it, so keep it safe." The Chieftain added.

Xuan Jin then pocketed the manual before unsheathing the blade. It was black in colour with a full moon guard, and black handle. This blade was known as the Lesser Moon Blade, or as Xuan Moon liked to call it Little Moon. Xuan Moon had it forged for Jin when he was about 6 years old.

'Seems its intact despite the fall.' Xuan Jin sighed his gaze lingering on the blade. After a few moment he sheathed it, and bade farewell to the Chieftain.

Exiting the Chieftain's Hall, Xuan Jin found Iris waiting outside. "Ah, hello. If you're looking for your father I just finished speaking with him." Jin greeted Iris while pointing to the door.

"Actually I am here for you. My father asked me to help you out with a bit. He's not exactly the best at teaching so he thought it'd be best if I guide you instead." Iris replied.

Xuan Jin was naturally a bit confused. While he had spent quite a bit of time with her, he still didn't know that much about here. All he knew was that she was 12 being slightly older than him, and she held a weird healing power, but he doubted she was stronger than Little Boar.

So the boy was naturally confused as to why Big Boar would have her guide him. Iris wasn't exactly a fool and soon noticed the confused expression on Jin's face. She then knocked him slightly on the head.

"Xuan Jin don't underestimate me, you should know best that age doesn't necessarily equate to ability." Iris reprimanded him, which made Xuan Jin feel a bit guilty.

While he hadn't said anything she had already guessed his thoughts, and she had a point. If one thought about it further, you could even argue she had already helped guide him in Vitality back in the Forging Altar. Her healing was after all one of the reasons he could hold on for so long.

"I apologise." The boy expressed, to which Iris smiled. "All right, lets go to the backyard now. You can read the compendium there and then we'll go over some basics." Iris replied before leading Xuan Jin away.

Soon they arrived at the "backyard", or rather an entire private training ground for the Chief and his family. Taking a seat under a tree, Xuan Jin scanned the cover of the manual.

"Compendium of Vitality." He muttered before opening up the compendium. Quickly he flipped through the compendium, a smile gracing his face. Each page he scanned through caused new realisations to dawn upon him.

About 10 minutes later he finished reading the compendium and closed it, a satisfied smile on his face. "Y-You're done already?" Iris asked shocked, back then she'd taken 3 hours to finish the book.

"Yes, I actually quite liked it. It was very content heavy and to the point, normally I'd take 5 minutes to read such a book." Xuan Jin noted before stowing the compendium away.

Iris was in disbelief, and that disbelief soon turned into doubt. "Okay, but let me ask you a few questions to make sure you've understood." Iris replied, and Jin simply accepted.

"What is Vitality?"

"Vitality is in a sense a condensation of Life Force."

"How does one acquire Vitality?"

"This depends. A rare few are born with Innate Vitality, but most utilise tempering methods and consume Demonic Beasts and various Herbs to gain Vitality."

"What are tempering methods?"

"Tempering methods are in a sense training routines. Typically completely physical in nature, they consist of creating damage, tears or "cracks", in the body which can then be filled by Vitality."

"All right. Lastly what is a Vital Core."

"Once one's Vitality reaches a limit, they must condense a core typically in their heart. This core channels Vitality more efficiently throughout the body and can condense the natural laws...would you like to ask me any more questions?"

"No, none at all."

With this their back and forth concluded with Iris completely stumped. "Hmmm, a great woman once said, age doesn't necessarily equate to ability. I guess it holds true once again." Xuan Jin chuckled before getting up.

"I guess I should listen to myself more often." Iris laughed before shaking her head. From that moment she had decided that Xuan Jin was a different being, and comparing him to the norm would only make her look stupid.

"Now that you understand Vitality, my father tasked me with imparting the Iron Body tempering method to you." Iris explained.

"No need. Lets go to the Forging Altar." Xuan Jin declared his gaze resolute. "What?! The Forging Altar? But you just got out of there." Iris was shocked as she shook her head. "Your body hasn't even completely recovered yet!" She exclaimed.

"Doesn't matter, according to the compendium with tempering methods I will have to go through the Body Forging process. That means systematically forging my skin, muscles, tendons, bones, and viscera. Whereas if I enter the Forging Altar I can train them all simultaneously. Not to mention I've already been in there before." Jin explained his reasoning.

"But your body has been under immense stress all this time. You've barely even rested a day. Why use such an extreme method." Iris argued, trying to get him to change his mind.

"I don't like half measures. Last time I had to use my Qi to defeat your brother that wasn't fair. Once I form my Vital Core I'll ask for a rematch.....And anyway, no matter what happens in there you'll heal me, right?" Xuan Jin declared locking eyes with her.

"Y-Yes, yes I will."

"Then lead the way!"