Chapter 38: Vital Energy Technique

Elan watched as his two hundred fifty-seven clansmen sat cross-legged, enduring the slight pain of drinking the spiritual water for the seventh time this week. He could see that they had grown significantly since the first day they drank the spiritual water. Their skin had become smooth and had a slight glassy sheen, reflecting the purity and strength they were absorbing. Even the elderly, who had previously appeared frail and weak, now looked as though they were in their sixties, rejuvenated, and more vigorous.

Initially, Elan had been hesitant to allow the elderly to partake in drinking the spiritual water. He worried that their weakened bodies might not withstand the potent effects. However, the elderly were stubborn and resolute. They insisted on participating, arguing that if Elan did not permit them, they would find a way to obtain the spiritual water in secret. This was a risky idea, as unsupervised consumption could lead to unforeseen consequences.

Faced with their determination, Elan had no choice but to agree. He decided it was safer to monitor their consumption rather than risk them drinking it in secret and potentially endangering themselves. Arion also advised that it was safe for the elderly to drink the spiritual water as long as they consumed it in small, manageable amounts to prevent any adverse effects on their bodies.

With this reassurance, Elan oversaw the distribution of the spiritual water, ensuring that everyone, including the elderly, received an appropriate amount. He watched carefully for any signs of distress or negative reactions, ready to intervene if necessary.

It had been seven days since then, and Elan was filled with pride in his clansmen. He did not expect that all of them, including the elderly, would endure the pain with such determination.

He remembered perfectly the first time his clansmen drank the spiritual water on the first day. The memory was vivid: their screams of pain echoing through the valley as they complained loudly, "I won't drink the spiritual water again!"

Ninety children under twelve years old watched their parents screaming and rolling on the ground as if they were being tortured. The sight filled them with dread, and they couldn't help but wonder if they would be able to endure the pain of drinking the spiritual water when their turn came at thirteen. The fear was evident in their eyes as they witnessed the agony their parents were enduring.

Even Elan's younger siblings were scared to drink the spiritual water now that they had seen how painful it was. They clung to each other, their expressions a mix of worry and apprehension. The once-eager anticipation of joining the adults in their training had been replaced by a deep-seated fear.

They rolled on the ground, screaming at the top of their lungs, their bodies writhing in agony. But as soon as the pain subsided, they felt the transformative effects. Their bodies felt stronger and more resilient, and a sense of newfound vitality coursed through their veins.

The initial agony gave way to elation. They could feel their muscles becoming denser, their bones more robust, and their overall energy levels increasing. The joy of feeling their bodies strengthen overshadowed the pain they had endured. They celebrated their newfound power, shouting with joy and embracing one another.

However, their celebration was soon interrupted by the pungent stench of impurities being expelled from their bodies. Without hesitation, all two hundred fifty-seven clansmen, men, women, and elderly alike, rushed towards the nearby stream.

The once-clear water turned black as they washed away the impurities, the dirt and grime swirling around them, and carried it downstream.

The stream, which had been a sparkling ribbon of clear water, became a murky flow, a testament to the intense purification their bodies had undergone. They scrubbed themselves vigorously, eager to rid their bodies of the filth and emerge cleansed and renewed. The air was filled with the sounds of splashing water and relieved laughter as they helped each other wash away the remnants of their past weaknesses.

After they had thoroughly cleaned themselves, the clansmen, invigorated by their newfound strength, made their way back to the spiritual water to scoop up another round. Just as they were about to drink, Elan stepped forward, raising his hand to stop them.

"That's enough for today, you need to stabilize the changes in your bodies before taking another sip of the spiritual water," he said firmly.

Upon hearing Elan, his clansmen groaned in unison.

"But we feel good!" one of them protested.

"We can still endure more pain and become stronger."

"Yeah, we've gotten used to it. Let's keep going while we're on a roll!"

Elan chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "What happened to 'never drinking the spiritual water again'? Did you think I forgot about those complaints?"

The clansmen exchanged sheepish glances, remembering their initial reactions. One of the elders, looking slightly embarrassed, laughed and said, "Well, that was before we realized how much stronger it would make us!"

Another clansman chimed in, "We just want to keep improving, Elan. We know it hurts, but it's worth it."

Elan smiled at their enthusiasm. "I love the spirit and I understand your eagerness, but you need to be careful. Pushing too hard without allowing your bodies to adjust could be dangerous. Let's take it one step at a time and ensure you don't undo all the progress you've made."

There were murmurs of agreement, though some of the younger members still looked disappointed.

"We'll continue tomorrow. For now, let's focus on rest and recovery. Trust me, your bodies will thank you for it," Elan reassured them.

-----

On the second day, Elan was greeted by his clansmen as he opened the door of the hut.

"Good morning, Elan. It's a great day to drink the spiritual water, right?" First Elder Aric said, smiling widely.

The people behind First Elder Aric mirrored his sentiment.

"It is a great morning to drink the spiritual water."

"I know, right? I mean, look at the sky; it reflects the blue hue of the spiritual water. It's a perfect day to drink it."

Even his parents were agreeing with his clansmen. Elan looked at them, all smiling widely, as if they were up to something mischievous.

"Aren't you all going to eat first?" Elan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Huh? What is eating? All I know is drinking," Jarek said with a grin.

"Yeah, could eating make us stronger and tougher?" Lian added, laughing.

"Drinking is the new eating," Aiden chimed in.

"Wow, Elan. Your clansmen really know how to use words," Arion remarked.

Elan shook his head, smiling at their enthusiasm. "Alright, listen up. You need to eat first. If you don't eat and feed your children, then I won't let anyone drink the spiritual water."

The clansmen groaned in mock protest, but Elan remained firm.

"Seriously, eating before drinking the spiritual water is beneficial. It helps your body absorb the spiritual energy more effectively and ensures that you have the strength to endure the tempering process. Without proper nutrition, the spiritual water could actually harm you instead of helping you."

"Hahaha, you're talking like you ate anything before you drank the spiritual water. You went two days without eating," Arion chimed in.

'Come on, dude. Don't burst my bubble. If I don't lie to them, who do you think will make sure they feed their children? Me?'

'But it's true, though eating has its benefits. So I only lied about half of it,' Elan thought.

After thirty minutes, Elan saw that his clansmen were done eating. He stood up and said, "Let's..." But before he could say 'go,' all two hundred fifty-seven of his clansmen rushed towards the spiritual water in the blink of an eye. It was like a bunch of rats scurrying out of sight when you turned on the lights.

"Go," Elan finished, smiling and shaking his head as he walked towards the spiritual water.

As they gathered around the spiritual water, Elan addressed them, "Today, you need to double the amount you drink compared to yesterday. This will enhance the effect and speed up the tempering process."

His clansmen, including the elderly, nodded in determination. They understood the importance of this process and were ready to endure the pain, no matter what. The elderly, despite their age, showed an unyielding resolve. They were willing to drink twice the amount of spiritual water and endure whatever pain it brought.

Seeing the light of determination in the eyes of the elderly, Elan was a bit surprised. He realized that the elderly were even more determined than the younger members of the clan. Their willpower and resilience amazed him.

Elan watched as they prepared themselves, each one focused and ready. The spiritual water was distributed, and the clansmen began to drink. Compared to yesterday, no one screamed and no one complained. However, Elan could still see the pain etched on their faces. They gritted their teeth and clenched their fists hard, enduring the intense discomfort with unwavering determination.

For two hours, they endured the pain in silence, their faces contorted with effort. Elan observed their resilience; they were becoming stronger, their bodies slowly adapting to the potent effects of the spiritual water.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the pain began to subside. The clansmen sighed in relief, their bodies visibly relaxing as the worst of the discomfort faded away. This time, there were no celebrations. Instead, they immediately rushed toward the stream, eager to cleanse themselves of the impurities once again.

As they finished cleaning themselves, Elan gathered them together. "Remember what I told you yesterday," he said, his voice steady and encouraging. "Allow your body to adjust."

-----

On the third day, Elan did not supervise his clansmen's tempering. Instead, he asked his father to take over, as he had something important to do. He needed to find a piece of flat wood to carve the Cultivation Technique Arion had created for his clansmen.

It would have been very convenient if they had paper, but that had been used up long ago. It was also out of the question to write in the clan's books, as every page was filled with the clan's history and knowledge. Even if there were blank pages, Elan wouldn't dare use them for anything else.

As Elan walked through the forest, he spotted a large tree about half a meter wide. The wood looked to be in excellent condition. He quickly decided to cut it down using the Scarlet Reaper, slicing a section about an inch thick. Elan sat on the ground and began carving the words as per Arion's instructions using a knife he had made.

Thirty minutes later, he was done. Similar to his own cultivation method, Arion had only provided cultivation for one realm, the Radiant Body Realm. However, the name was different. Instead of the Ethereal Synergy Technique, the modified cultivation technique Arion created for the clansmen was called the 'Vital Energy Technique.'

Elan could see the differences between the two techniques. The Ethereal Synergy Technique he used was more complex, focusing on harmonizing one's inner energy with the ethereal energies of the world. It required a deep understanding of the flow of energy and a high degree of control and refinement. This technique was designed for someone with Elan's unique constitution, emphasizing spiritual and mental clarity alongside physical strength.

The Vital Energy Technique, on the other hand, was tailored specifically for the needs and capabilities of his clansmen. It was more straightforward and designed to enhance their physical resilience and strength quickly. This technique emphasized the body's natural regenerative abilities, focusing on improving physical endurance and toughness. However, it was only half as powerful compared to Elan's Ethereal Synergy Technique, but still highly effective for their purposes.

Satisfied with his work, Elan placed the carved cultivation technique into his storage ring. As he said, "One down, and two hundred fifty-six to go."