Volume 1, Chapter 7: The Way of the Shaman

Sword energy swirled around Xiahou, slicing through and pulverizing the dry, yellow leaves that fluttered past him. The black sword streaked through the air, emitting a sharp whistle as it cut through the space. Xiahou executed the entire set of Qingcheng Sect's Deadly Thirty-Three Sword Techniques with a murderous aura, his movements as fast as lightning and as fierce as thunder. The heavy steel sword, weighing over sixty pounds, felt as light as an ordinary sword in his hands. His swift and agile maneuvers showed no sign of hesitation or sluggishness. Despite being just over six years old, he wielded the sword with the proficiency of a seasoned swordsman.

With a sharp cry, he hurled the steel sword into the air, sending it slicing towards a large tree in front of him. The sword, infused with his elemental energy, moved like a living thing, carving a deep gash into the tree trunk before embedding itself.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Xiahou walked over and pulled the sword out of the tree, exhaling softly. The Qingcheng sword techniques he had just displayed were no ordinary street tricks from his past life. They were lethal moves taught by a Qingcheng swordsman hired by the Special Task Force, refined through countless battles.

"White Tiger, you always favored these sword techniques, but I, Xiahou, usually rely on my bare hands. However, in this world, any increase in strength is crucial, so I must master this swordsmanship too." Gazing at the forest of withered trees, Xiahou let out a long howl and leaped four meters into the air, showering another old tree with a flurry of sword strikes. This time, he used secret techniques taught by a Wudang Sect instructor in the Special Task Force.

"Discard the dross and retain the essence. Once I can merge these dozens of sword techniques into just three to five ultimate moves, I should be strong enough to leave the forest and explore the world outside!"

Filled with heroic ambition, Xiahou planned for the future, unaware that these sword techniques were already the distilled essence of centuries of refinement. Simplifying them further into just a few moves would not be easy. However, determined to leave the forest as soon as possible, Xiahou pushed himself relentlessly. Since the departure of Golden Eagle's caravan, Xiahou had been training with a fervor bordering on madness, striving to become stronger, quicker, and more efficient.

It all stemmed from a casual remark by the head guard of Golden Eagle's caravan: "Brother Xiu, your boy could probably match a first-class warrior, right? Hehe, at just five years old, that's impressive! Brother Xiu, you're only a second-class warrior!"

Rumor had it that high-level warriors were ranked into nine classes, and he was merely in the first class despite having practiced the profound Black Tortoise True Art since birth! The people of this world were incredibly powerful. To leave the forest and survive beyond it, Xiahou suddenly shouted, "Work harder, even harder!"

The steel sword in Xiahou's hand trembled, emitting a thunderous roar as he channeled all his elemental energy into a powerful slash at the dense forest beside him. A faint yellow glow enveloped the blade, and with a single stroke, it cut through seven large trees as effortlessly as slicing through tofu. The seven thick trunks toppled to the ground in a heap.

Chihu Xiu's hearty laughter echoed: "A-Yi, my boy, come here to your father. The shaman has agreed to let you study with him for a while. Ha, you'll definitely become a high-level warrior. When that happens, our clan will earn great honor within the tribe."

Following his voice, Chihu Xiu strode in, dragging Bai by the scruff and smacking his rear. He tossed Bai onto the ground like a stone, then kicked him so hard that Bai yelped and stumbled into Xiahou's arms, tearfully chewing on a wolf leg.

Annoyed, Xiu glared at the sweat-drenched Xiahou and scolded, "Keep an eye on this troublemaker. I'll admit Bai's taming of the wolves is impressive, but he can't keep eating the wolves others have tamed. The Huo family, the Panniu family, the Xi family, the Mang family, and the Jin Yuan family—he's eaten the brains of a dozen wolves. What good are they now?"

Bai turned his head, making a face at Xiu and grinning as he hid behind Xiahou with the wolf leg. Xiahou calmly looked at Xiu and nodded, "Father, it's fine. Tomorrow we'll have Bai go to the mountains and catch a few packs of wolves. For every one he eats, he'll bring back ten. That should be enough."

Xiu was delighted and gave the dejected Bai a fierce glare before dragging Xiahou towards the village. "Good, I'll listen to you. Bai, tomorrow, catch me a hundred—no, two hundred—no, three hundred wolves, or I'll skin you and use your hide as a wedding gift for A-Yi."

After a few harsh threats directed at Bai, Xiu patted Xiahou's shoulder and advised, "When you're with the shaman, listen to him. His knowledge is vast; he knows almost every herb in the forest. He can commune with both gods and spirits and is the most skilled shaman in dozens of nearby tribes. He's a third-level shaman! I'm only a second-level warrior, but he's a third-level shaman!"

A third-level shaman, impressive? Perhaps. At least Xiahou could sense that the shaman possessed a unique power much stronger than his own second-stage Black Tortoise True Art, possibly equivalent to the peak of its second stage. So, this is a third-level shaman?

Xiu was accustomed to his child's taciturn nature and didn't linger on it. He wanted to extol the shaman's greatness further but lacked the words. So, after a few vague praises, he dragged Xiahou along, swiftly reaching the shaman's dark stone house.

Respectfully wiping the dirt off his bare feet on the bluestone slab at the door, Xiu called out loudly, "Shaman, I've brought my A-Yi. See if he's suitable. If not, I'll take him back. His mother needs to measure him for a new fur vest."

The shaman, a withered figure with eyes that glowed with green fire, tottered out. He glanced at Xiahou and said in a deep voice, "Xiu, go about your business. I see no problem. Your A-Yi has much better potential than you. Your strength is lacking."

A cold hand grasped Xiahou's shoulder as the shaman yanked him into the hut. After taking a few steps, the shaman turned back and called out to Xiu, who had already run a dozen meters away. "Xiu, as the tribe's warrior leader, make sure we have enough food and meat stored for the winter. Check which wooden huts are unstable and reinforce them." The shaman's face twisted into a grin. "This winter, let's see if we can have a few more children. It would be good to grow the tribe's population."

Xiu responded loudly and began shouting, "Huohu, Jin Yuan, come out! It's still early; let's head to the nearby forest and chop some wood."

Dozens of men immediately rushed out of their homes, grabbing their weapons and axes without a word, and followed Xiu. Xiahou couldn't help but be amazed at their quick response, faster than the special forces soldiers in his past life. Of course, these tribesmen didn't have much to carry—just their weapons and some animal skins. It was much simpler than the gear of the soldiers he remembered. Huohu even ran out naked, wrapping himself in animal skins as he went.

The shaman's icy hand smacked Xiahou's head harshly, and he muttered eerily, "Xiu's A-Yi, stop watching and come here. Let me see just how much potential you have." His tongue, dark and glowing green, flicked out. The shaman scowled, "I still remember how you were quite rude when you were born, spitting all over me."

Xiahou laughed dryly and obediently followed the shaman to the fire pit in the corner of the hut. The shaman levitated a few logs into the fire pit, causing the weak flames to flicker to life. He rummaged through his belongings and took out a small black skull. It looked human but had seven sharp horns on its head and glowing green flames flickering in its eye sockets—extremely eerie.

The shaman motioned for Xiahou to sit cross-legged in front of him. As he waved the black skull above Xiahou's head, he spoke in a low voice, "The Chihu tribe's people have great potential. Seventy percent are commoners, but the remaining thirty percent are nobles. Nobles can grow into high-level warriors or shamans. Otherwise, how would the Chihu tribe have such a reputation in the forest?"

"Children who haven't come of age aren't usually tested for potential; their bodies can't handle a shaman's power. But Xiu's A-Yi, your body is strong, and you have great strength, so there should be no problem." The shaman's cold eyes stared intensely at Xiahou. "If you have potential, I'll teach you how to train your shaman power. Train well for a few years, and when you come of age, kill a fierce beast to bring honor to your father."

Xiahou wanted to ask what shaman power and noble meant, but the black skull emitted a sharp wail. A black mist poured from its mouth, enveloping Xiahou.

Xiahou felt a heat between his brows. His innate spiritual power, triggered by the black mist, exploded like a detonated shell. An invisible wave of energy burst from his brow, shattering the black mist around him. With a crisp crack, the black skull in the shaman's hand split with two fissures, leaving the shaman staring in disbelief.

The Xuanwu True Technique was one part of the Four Symbols True Technique, specifically the earth element, which Xiahou had learned in his previous life from someone with a highly mysterious and intimidating background within the Special Affairs Bureau. It was a comprehensive Taoist technique for absorbing innate energy, strengthening the body, and refining the spirit. Although the Xuanwu True Technique focused more on using earth-element energy to make the body robust and incredibly powerful, as a Taoist art, it also greatly benefited the spirit and mind. According to Xiahou's own estimates, the second level of the Xuanwu True Technique endowed him with mental power equivalent to that of fifty ordinary people.

The shaman's black skull served as a trigger, unexpectedly causing Xiahou's spiritual energy to erupt. Unprepared, Xiahou's energy surged, shattering the skull, which was not a particularly powerful artifact, into pieces.

Staring blankly at the equally stunned shaman, Xiahou cautiously asked, "Shaman, what about my potential?"

The shaman abruptly dropped the skull he was holding, and his withered, unattractive face broke into a pleased smile. "Ayi from the Qiu family, you are a nobleman, and a very talented one at that. You have the potential to become a powerful shaman. But I believe you have an even greater potential to become a formidable warrior. Look at your muscles." The shaman lifted his own animal-skin garment, laughing self-mockingly. "A shaman does not have so much muscle. A shaman's body is always weak. You should become a Shaman-Warrior."

"Shaman-Warrior?" Xiahou was very curious.

The shaman nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Ayi from the Qiu family. Shamans and Shaman-Warriors. I am a shaman, but you should become a Shaman-Warrior."

Before Xiahou could ask more questions, the shaman impatiently continued, "Now, memorize what I teach you and then go practice on your own. For the first six months, come to see me every three days. I will use herbs to strengthen your body and lay a solid foundation for you. After six months, you can train

on your own."

At that moment, the shaman imparted a complex and obscure incantation to Xiahou.

Having a foundation in cultivation from his past life, Xiahou immediately noticed the significant differences between this incantation and the Xuanwu True Technique he was practicing. This incantation was extreme in its approach, using a person's innate energy to attract external spiritual energy, or purely strengthening one's mental power. It constantly merged one's mental power with external forces that matched one's attributes, ultimately transforming into the unique shamanic power. Alternatively, it used spiritual energy to temper the body, endowing it with specific attributes, thereby creating a powerful warrior.

Comparatively, Shaman-Warriors were rarer than Shamans. The potential needed for Shamans was merely strong mental power; the stronger the mental power, the more suitable one was to become a Shaman. However, Shaman-Warriors required not only strong mental power but also a robust physique capable of enduring the extreme pain of spiritual energy transforming the body. This was why the shaman insisted that Xiahou must become a Shaman-Warrior. Powerful Shamans were numerous, but those who could reach high levels as Shaman-Warriors were scarce. A Shaman-Warrior, once achieved, would receive better treatment and status than a Shaman.

Before him, the shaman complained with some bitterness, "As a third-rate shaman, I can only become a shaman of a forest tribe, guiding you in childbirth and alleviating disasters for the tribe. But similarly, a third-rate shaman-warrior can stay in larger tribes, protecting the tribe's leaders or even the chieftains of major tribes."

"Shamans are plentiful, but shaman-warriors are few, so shaman-warriors are highly valued." The shaman affectionately stroked Xiahou's head, smiling, "Becoming a powerful shaman-warrior will tell everyone that you are a disciple of my Qiu tribe. Let the other shamans of the Qiu tribe know that while I may not be as good as them, my disciple is stronger."

Xiahou nodded gently towards the shaman and bowed slightly. The training method of a shaman-warrior was similar to that of the Xuanwu True Technique. The most important part of this incantation for Xiahou was the segment that trained his mental power. As a cultivator, Xiahou naturally understood the immense benefits of having strong mental power.

In the Daoist circles of his previous life, the growth of mental power was gradual, whereas in the incantation taught by the shaman, mental power could advance rapidly. Moreover, unlike cultivators who could only absorb spiritual energy using their own elemental power, shamans used their mental power to draw spiritual energy into their bodies. With this dual approach, wouldn't his cultivation speed be even faster? Xiahou's heart was full of anticipation.

Looking at the shaman sitting cross-legged there like a skeleton frame, Xiahou whispered to him, "Then, Shaman, are ninth-rate shamans or shaman-warriors the strongest?" According to Xiahou's calculations, if his Xuanwu True Technique could reach the eighth level, he should be able to attain a ninth-rate level. Because from the conversations of the guards in the Golden Eagle caravan, it seemed that ninth-rate shamans or warriors were not strong to the point of being abnormal.

The bone staff in the shaman's hand shook slightly, and a wry smile appeared on his face. "Ayi from the Qiu family, go back and train well, don't ask about these useless things."

Sighing, the shaman looked up at the dark roof, his face full of incredulity. "Ninth-rate shamans or shaman-warriors? Hmph, they are just the beginning of becoming true shamans."

Xiahou looked stunned, almost frightened, at the shaman.

The shaman saw the fear on Xiahou's face and smiled. "We live in the remote southern wilderness and don't see those truly powerful people. Ayi from the Qiu family, when you reach adulthood and have a child, go out and travel, follow the caravans. You will learn a lot."

He muttered a few words softly, shook his head, and sighed. "Such powerful shamanic power. Ayi from the Qiu family, you can't imagine it."

Slowly, the shaman closed his eyes, and the two green lights gradually dimmed. He spoke softly, "Try to use your power to sense elemental energy that matches your attributes. Train well, and you will grow into a powerful shaman-warrior. Don't waste your talent, Ayi from the Qiu family."

Xiahou bowed slightly towards the shaman, picked up his steel sword, and slowly backed out.

A white figure rolled down from the roof of the stone hut, wearing a malicious grin on its face. Xiahou swiftly swiped at its claws, finding them once again smeared with blood. Angrily, he shouted, "Bai! You've been stealing livestock from the village again!" With a swooshing sound, the steel sword swung towards Bai's head.

Bai laughed hysterically and scurried away on all fours, with Xiahou hot on his heels.

Inside the stone hut, the shaman's eyes suddenly opened, and the two green orbs of light grew brighter. "Ayi from the Qiu family, your potential is so immense! You will surely become a powerful shaman-warrior! But, what level can you reach? The strongest shaman I've ever seen was only a seventh-rate shaman, and he had already subdued all the tribes of two large clans, each with tens of thousands of people."

"Can you become such a powerful shaman?"

Taking the cracked black skull, the shaman spoke in a deep voice, "Perhaps you will become a legend? A child of six, with hidden power capable of shattering the skull of a mountain ghost, something an ordinary shaman cannot achieve. Perhaps you truly can become a legend."