Chapter 4 - Quabuta Training Arc Part 2

Is that all there is to life? Some might prefer to live in a utopian world where every action is free from consequences, a life without meaning. Others strive to carve their own destiny, undeterred by the constraints of talent, calculations, or the whims of fate. The question remains, what truly gives life its meaning?Is it the nature of a cruel world that grants unfair advantages to some while taking others before they even begin? Or is this merely the reflection of our complex human nature, a product of our intricate minds wrestling with the injustices of existence?Qiao has always shouldered a heavy burden, growing up alone with his mother in an unforgiving world. Life's peaks and valleys are all too familiar to him. In this harsh reality, the powerful often take from the weak rather than offering a hand, driven by selfish desires and an overwhelming instinct for self-preservation. Such is the nature of humanity.The more his eyes opened, the more hatred and betrayal he saw in this world. His nation, Tianfeng, once one of the most feared empires, now found itself at its lowest, struggling after Yuanshi conquered them with the power of the Five Ethereal Overlords on their side.Is it too much to ask for a peaceful future? Yet, Tianfeng was not without sin. Their ambition drove them to reach beyond their grasp, provoking the wrath of Yuanshi and their powerful allies. In their pursuit of greatness, they angered forces far stronger, leading to their downfall.Qiao is a pivotal piece on fate's chessboard, the hidden trump card, and the ultimate last resort. A formidable power lies dormant within him, awaiting its moment to be unleashed—a power placed there by destiny, perhaps even by the hands of higher beings.Can Qiao truly unleash his destiny? Though formidable powers lie in wait for someone like him, these forces are neither to be trifled with nor underestimated. Will he be the one to script his own destiny, breaking free from the chains of fate that bind him? Or will the weight of these latent powers and the challenges they attract be too much to bear?Qiao wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath steadying after the relentless body-strengthening regimen. As he looked up at the clear morning sky, Zhang's voice broke the silence, pulling him back from his thoughts."Now that you've mastered the initial phases of body and mind enhancement, it's time to delve into the most intricate and essential aspect of your training—spirit cultivation."Qiao turned to face the old man, curiosity and determination burning in his eyes."Spirit cultivation?" he echoed, trying to grasp the full weight of what lay ahead."Yes," Zhang nodded, his tone serious yet encouraging. "This is where true mastery begins. The power within your spirit is the foundation upon which all your abilities will be built. Strengthening it is crucial if you are to fulfill the destiny that awaits you.""Spirit Cultivation is paramount—it not only dictates the mastery of one's attacks and techniques but also extends its influence over diverse branches such as Magic Seals and Gear Enhancement."They moved to a secluded area of the mountain, where the air seemed to hum with an unseen energy. The landscape was serene yet charged, as if the very ground held secrets waiting to be unearthed."Sit here, Qiao," Zhang instructed, pointing to a smooth, flat rock beside a tranquil stream. "Focus on the flow of the water and align your breath with its rhythm. We'll start with basic meditation, to calm your mind and attune your spirit to the energies around you."Qiao sat down, crossing his legs and closing his eyes. He took a deep breath, letting the cool mountain air fill his lungs. As he began to concentrate on the sound of the stream, he felt a subtle shift within himself, a quieting of his turbulent thoughts and a burgeoning awareness of the world beyond his senses.Zhang watched him closely, a faint smile playing on his lips. This was the beginning of a profound journey—one that would test Qiao in ways he could not yet imagine."Remember," Zhang's voice was soft but firm, "spirit cultivation is not just about power. It's about finding balance within yourself and with the world around you. Only then can you truly harness the strength that lies within."With each passing moment, Qiao could feel the faint stirrings of a deeper connection to the world around him, a subtle pulse of energy that resonated with his own spirit. This was just the beginning, but he knew that with Zhang's guidance, he was ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead.And so, under the watchful eyes of his mentor, Qiao embarked on the next phase of his training—a journey into the very essence of his being, where the true power of a magician is born."Don't forget, this won't be as straightforward as the body strengthening and mind enhancement training. Given how quickly you progressed through the first two stages of Quabuta Arts, soul cultivation will likely take several weeks for you to fully comprehend."A person's soul cultivation can be in one of the seven stages. The first stage is Spiritual Foundation, where every being begins upon grasping soul cultivation.The second stage is Essence Refinement, which focuses on further aligning one's soul with the body.The third stage is Soul Awakening, where the soul and body become unified, removing limitations from the body.Fourth is Harmony Attainment. At this stage, practitioners achieve Elemental Fusion, harmonizing their soul with elemental energies of the world. This allows them to manipulate and channel all elemental forces, instead of just one, such as fire, water, earth, and air with great precision and power.Fifth is Celestial Attunement, where power increases significantly compared to the previous stages.Sixth is Divine Illumination, allowing magicians to transcend their previous limits, achieving perfect mastery over the four elements and their sub-elementsSeventh is Transcendent Mastery, a feat achieved by very few. Users at this stage can contend with higher beings and even possess the ability to defeat them.Each stage consists of 12 levels, each contributing to mastery of that stage.Over the days, Qiao began to feel this subtle power within him growing stronger day by day.Weeks passed in diligent practice and meditation under Zhang's guidance. Qiao immersed himself in the rhythms of nature, honing his ability to sense and manipulate the energies around him. Each sunrise brought renewed focus and determination, while each sunset marked a deeper understanding of his own spirit.One evening, as he sat by the same tranquil stream where his soul cultivation had begun, Qiao felt a profound shift within himself. The subtle power that had once eluded him now flowed through his veins with undeniable clarity. It was as if he had unlocked a dormant reservoir of energy, one that resonated with the very essence of the world."Uncle Zhang," Qiao murmured, barely daring to believe it himself, "I think... I think I've grasped it."Zhang's eyes sparkled with pride and affirmation. "Yes, Qiao," he said with a knowing smile. "You've reached a milestone in your journey. Soul cultivation isn't just about harnessing power; it's about forging a connection with the world around you and discovering your true potential."In that moment, as the last rays of sunlight bathed the mountain in a golden glow, Qiao knew that he had crossed a threshold. After just 5 weeks, he had embraced the essence of soul cultivation—a transformative path that would shape his destiny and define his place among magicians."Qiao, now that you've entered the Spiritual Foundation, I would like to test for your element," said Uncle Zhang in a serious tone.Uncle Zhang led Qiao to a secluded clearing nestled deep within the mountain forests. The air crackled with a subtle energy, hinting at the elemental forces that lay dormant nearby. Standing at the center of the clearing, Zhang instructed Qiao to close his eyes and concentrate on his inner self."Qiao, to determine your elemental affinity, you must connect with the natural energies around you," Zhang explained calmly. "Focus on the elements—earth, fire, water, and air. Feel their presence, their essence."With a nod, Zhang extended his hand towards a nearby patch of soil. Slowly, the earth beneath them began to tremble ever so slightly, sending a faint ripple through the ground. Qiao's brow furrowed in concentration as he sensed the earth's steady pulse beneath his feet.Next, Zhang directed Qiao's attention to a cluster of dry branches piled nearby. With a subtle gesture, the branches ignited into a gentle flame, flickering and dancing in the still air. Qiao watched in awe, feeling the warmth and energy of the fire as it embraced the surrounding space.Moving to a small stream trickling nearby, Zhang guided Qiao to cup his hands and draw water from its crystal-clear depths. As Qiao held the water in his palms, he felt its cool, fluid nature soothing his spirit and refreshing his senses.Finally, Zhang directed Qiao's focus to the rustling leaves above, where a gentle breeze swept through the clearing. The air seemed to caress Qiao's skin, whispering secrets of freedom and movement that resonated deeply within him.Throughout these elemental encounters, Zhang observed Qiao's reactions closely, noting any subtle shifts in energy or affinity that hinted at his natural connection to one of the four elements. Each encounter provided insight into Qiao's innate abilities and potential for mastery as a magician.Usually, a magician has only one affinity until reaching the fourth stage. However, Qiao has an affinity for all four elements even though he is only in the first stage.*Qiao has an affinity for all four elements? I never thought that was possible. This could complicate things greatly; if others learn of his four affinities, officials from Yuanshi might attempt to execute him.*"Brother, while I'm proud of your ability to use all four elements, you must choose just one to display to strangers. However, continue training in all four. Save using all of them for dire situations.""I figured as much, Uncle Zhang. Those bastards from Yuanshi would come for my head. Are there any elements better than the others, or do they all have the same potential?""Well, every element has its strengths and weaknesses. However, we need to consider things from other perspectives. Typically, most magicians who are below the fourth stage of soul cultivation are predominantly fire affinity users.""Since fire's weakness is water, you should choose water, even though you would be weak against earth users. Earth users are strong against water users but weak against air users. Air users are strong against earth users but weak against fire users.""Water it is then. Should we still go with your plan to train in Tiao? Wouldn't it be risky in the city?""Don't worry, this old man has connections. We'll be staying at a friend's house, but we'll train outside in the forest. It's filled with magic beasts up to level 4, but I can handle them."