Step of Foundation

Neebo had been training nonstop for the entirety of the month. All, while protecting himself from the corruption of the Nefarious Sanctuary; The Provenance Qi Absorption Technique had given him a better understanding how to gather and refine the heaven and earth Qi around him. While the other Manual, the Records of the Azure Demon has provided Neebo knowledge that far exceeds his understanding towards the world beyond.

Through reading and studying the Records of the Azure Demon, Neebo felt like what was written within the manual is an essential knowledge for him to build his body and the knowledge of forces beyond his imaginations. Neebo even felt like studying this manual should be given priority rather than keep absorbing the heaven and earth Qi. He found out through the Records of the Azure Demon; that even though one can increase his or her strength by madly absorbing the heaven and earth Qi, that wouldn't mean that the person could hold that power and strength for long period of time.

Neebo had been training his physical limits for two weeks already; at first, he felt that the chain mace that binds his movements was a great hindrance for him; but now he felt fortunate for having such heavy object for which he could use to train his body.

Body Cultivation takes way longer to cultivate. To some, cultivating the body to the same level as Qi Condensation stage and breaking through the physical limits of a mortal being is enough, as they turn their focus cultivating their spiritual energy. Not only does cultivating the physical body takes longer time, it is also is the most difficult method of cultivation.

The Records of the Azure Demon had a few sets of training to cultivate the body, and Neebo chose the one that he could train with, given his circumstance. He chose the "Nine Steps of Suppression", it could be said that even though the Art is an attack suppression type, the practitioner must have a strong physical body to perform the technique. And the manual had the complete training that fits perfectly for Neebo.

As Neebo trained his physical body to its newfound heights, Neebo found that just the first step of the technique requires a lot from his physical strength. The first step, known as the Step of Foundation, sets the tone for the entire art. It requires the practitioner to root themselves deeply into the ground, establishing a stable and unyielding stance. This step alone requires tremendous leg strength and stability, as the weight of the body sinks into the earth.

But as Neebo studied the Art thoroughly, he had an epiphany regarding its execution. Since just the First step alone, the weight of that step was said to display immense level of strength at five hundred kilograms. How can he execute such strength with just physical strength alone? He thought to himself.

"Maybe if I add into my spiritual energy, my first stage Qi Condensation Cultivation. Maybe I could perform the first step."

Since in this art form, the practitioner must possess a strong and well-conditioned body to perform the technique effectively. The foundation of the technique lies in the practitioner's ability to harness their inner strength and channel it through their physical movements, Neebo deliberately infused his internal energy and channel it through the movements of the first step of suppression.

Booooom!

As Neebo's first try, an immense force swept the ground that he had stepped on. It was a weight that exceeds what he thought he was capable of manifesting.

"So, this is the power of the First step of Suppression!"

"This is not yet a complete First step, but this is more than enough to turn that Archilles prick into meat paste Hahahaha!" Neebo's boisterous laugh resounded the quiet training halls of the Nefarious Sanctuary.

Since then, Neebo had been training the first step, all the while manipulating and enhancing his controls over his internal energy.

Neebo had been clinging into his First level of Qi Condensation Cultivation all this while to satiate his hunger for food. He had been used to his lavished lifestyle, and these sudden changes had been a combination of physical and mental torture for Neebo. Fortunately, he detected incoming presence within the Nefarious Sanctuary.

Two figures came closer towards the training hall Neebo was in, and they were dumbstruck at the sight of Neebo training. These were the King's Guard that was assigned to watch over him. Neebo then remembered that Queen Elara ordered a yearlong supply for him, but he haven't found a single grain within the sanctuary.

'These bastards must have thought I wouldn't be able to last this long and have been secretly stealing from my provisions.' Neebo thought to himself.

"Have you come to deliver my provisions? Or shall I make a food out of your bodies?" Neebo stopped his training halfway and spoke imposingly.

Neebo had given these two King's Guard their biggest fright.

"Ho.. how are you still alive?!" the younger one of them spoke first.

"E..even… even Prince Archilles had a hard time…"

The older King's Guard was a veteran, even though he was dumbstruck, his gaze could clearly observe how comfortable Neebo's face was within this corrupted place.

"A demon! He has clearly incorporated himself with the dark energy of the sanctuary and had evolved into a demon!" the older King's Guard announced

"Hahahaha" Neebo's boisterous laugh voice boomed across the sanctuary.

In a blink of an eye, Neebo took off and grab hold of both King's Guard's necks. And lifted the both up high. The strength Neebo displayed had given both King's Guard their biggest fright, 'This kid is truly a demon!' the younger King's Guard thought fearfully.

He dragged the both of them into his prison cell, and took the key off of the older King's Guard to lock them up. Neebo saw the empty barrels inside his cell, 'these bastards definitely plotted against me! Hahaha'

Fury escaped from the burning eyes of Neebo as he took an empty barrel and locked the both of the King's Guard inside. He smashed the empty barrel in half and made a crude barrel chair for himself, and took his seat. Neebo had a domineering look. He stared both King's Guard down and kept his silence.

The terror that could be seen in the looks of the both King's Guard could be described as extreme torture. They were clearly afraid of the Nefarious Sanctuary, and now Neebo, who had succumbed and became an embodiment of the dark energy within the sanctuary in their eyes.

"Re…release us, you… you demon!" the younger King's Guard gathered his strength and protested.

"I knew from the beginning how wicked and evil of a person you are! If only we had thought of you, having a fortuitous circumstance within the Nefarious Sanctuary, if… if only we had known! We wouldn't have kept you in this place, we should've killed you from the start!" the older King's Guard added.

Neebo smirked, he suddenly had a thought.

"Silence!" Neebo's voice was soft yet domineering.

Neebo lifted his right leg and in seemingly slow motion, his foot stomped the ground.

Boooom!

This soft movement had shaken the entirety of the sanctuary. The heavily fortified Nefarious Sanctuary shook and this gave both the King's Guard a massive fright. The younger one even peed his pants in fear, tears of trepidation flowed out from his eyes.

"st… stop! Pl… please spare us this time Si… Sir! We apologize… for offending you… we were ignorant!" the frightened older King's Guard pleaded.

"Now, we could talk amicably." Neebo had a chilling smile in his face as he was satisfied with their reactions.

"Come closer so you could hear me clearly." Neebo commanded, his voice was subtle yet powerful.

Both King's Guard crawled to the ground and kneeled closer to Neebo, "As you command Young Lord!"

"Now tell me, which one of you should I trust the recovery of my provisions? hehe"

"I can do it Young Lord!" the younger King's Guard spoke first, eagerly to exit the sanctuary.

Neebo didn't mind the eagerness in his voice, he had been fixing his gaze towards the older King's Guard, waiting for him to offer himself up.

"Let me do it, Young Lord." The older King's Guard knew what the gaze meant, thus he offered himself up. Since it could give him the opportunity to run away from this wretched place.

Neebo nodded, and agreed. "Bring all of my provisions within the day, and both of you could leave."

"I will do so, Young Lord!" the older King's Guard received the orders tactfully as he kneeled.

Neebo unlocked the cell and freed the older King's Guard, leaving behind a scared and witless younger King's Guard behind.

Neebo led the older King's Guard towards the entrance, "Make sure to relay my message to your Young Lord, 'I am alive and waiting for his presence inside the sanctuary. Let our differences be settled and let our fight decide the fate of our lives!', now tell him exactly that." Neebo tapped the King's Guard's shoulder and let him out of the sanctuary.

The Nefarious Sanctuary is loaded with formations that binds Neebo within the place. And although he is strong enough to push the doors, he wouldn't be able to take a step outside because of the trap formations that is installed. So Neebo could only send men out from this sanctuary and do his bidding.

It took the older King's Guard half the day to completely bring the rest of the six barrels filled with provisions. As the King's Guard was outside the sanctuary, he made sure to send a trustworthy servant to relay Neebo's message to Prince Archilles. The King's Guard was confident that within the day, the message would be received by their Young Lord since the messenger had the opportunity to enter the Amber Palace, He had a lot of opportunity and connections to relay the message.

And Neebo couldn't control his hunger and charged through one of the barrels to fill his empty belly.

The image of Neebo eating his hearts out seem to scare the King's Guard. 'Truly an awakened demon!' the King's Guard thought in terror.