chapter 4: 12 forging of death – 1

Within the ravine, one could a brief outline on the side of the mountain. The cliff ends with a shallow base. Amid the structure at the bottom, one could see the shape of a cave.

Darkness engulfs the interior of the cave. A faint outline of a figure could be seen. It was not moving. An occasional creak could be heard within the area.

It was non-other than Long Tao. It was the second day after his recovery. He engrossed himself in cultivating the first two arts. He found both of these arts to be much above the mantra his clan had provided.

He decided to cultivate the 12 forges because it was the one with the least requirements. The blood tempering art required the blood of a beast. He needed to go on a hunt. But his present strength was not enough.

As he surfed through the content, Long Tao came to find out the mantra to invoke, attract, and absorb the hell Qi. The origin was still a question for Long Tao. But he started invoking it right away.

There was a set of instructions about both the best cultivation environment and precautions to be taken while cultivating this particular art. The art's origin would be the best place to improve. But he didn't have a choice.

Long Tao chose the cave for its remote location and dark environment. He found a stone large enough nearby to cover the mouth of the cave. Long Tao was astonished by the changes occurring in his body. Although he was yet to start cultivating, he was already able to lift this weight.

The instruction stated the procedure of practice. Long Tao followed the invoking sequence and started cultivating. There was a clear description of how to rotate the Qi around the body. 

Each revolution will restructure the body frame, muscles, meridians as well as bones. It was breaking and forming the body with Qi. The process repeats for each of the 12 stages.

The first level would require one to revolve the qi once. With each improvement in stage, one would need to undergo double the amount of rotation. It was more of a self-torture technique. But Long Tao was hell-bent on practicing this influential art. His will didn't falter.

Long Tao heaved a colossal breath, focused himself, and started enchanting the formula. Black Qi began to originate in the surrounding, and fill the cave. He then absorbed the Qi inside his body as per the instruction and started the circulation.

The previous phenomena which healed Long Tao's body were due to the black and gold fluid. This black fluid was real compatible with Qi. But the golden liquid began to automate. A new type of Qi started appearing too. 

It was as if both the variants were polar opposite, but somehow they came into harmony within the body of Long Tao. As the circulation process began, one could hear the cracking of bones, tearing of muscles, and the body frame was shaking.

An unimaginable amount of pain started to originate, and Long Tao howled in damnation. He was on the verge of collapse, but suddenly remembered the words written on the manual. He couldn't lose his consciousness, or the art won't be successful.

He remembered himself being a genius who was crippled. His clan members were looking at him with disdain. His brothers were avoiding him, even his father leaving him for good. Long Tao hated the feeling of helplessness. He clenched his teeth. A sudden desire to be the strongest arose from within.

"I don't want the heavens pitying me. Living at the mercy of others, being helpless, and pitied upon. I will write my fate and destiny with my hard work. I will conquer and slay all my enemies. From today onwards, no one can look down on me."

As these thoughts reverberated in his mind, Long Tao persevered through the pain of his body being destroyed and re-forged by the fluid mixture of Black and golden Qi. Veins could be seen to pop out on his face, his eyes being bloodshot.

His body is becoming deformed and reformed with the Qi. A mild roar of pain could be heard outside the cave. After the whole day, silence descended upon the interior of the cave as a figure could be seen lying unconscious on the floor.

............

Long Tao's face was filled with a smile as he lost consciousness after the successful completion of the first revolution of the Qi. He was now on the first level of foundation, forming as per the sutra.

Although there were instances when He nearly lost himself, ultimately, he persisted through the process and completed the first step. After half a day went by, Long Tao gained consciousness and sat down. He could feel his body filling up with incredible strength.

He speculated his features by touch, and after an hour of movement, stretching, swinging, he came to find out that not only was his body structure improved and his height increased, even his flexibility, senses, and agility increased.

He could feel his enhanced physical attributes. In comparison to the boost in strength provided by this art, the Long clan's sutra was garbage.

After experimenting for a short period, Long Tao found that his strength could already match an average practitioner at the 4th stage of foundation forging.

He calmed himself down as he prepared for the second round of forging his body. The screams of agony reappeared. Long Tao's body started making a series of sounds. Bones were being reformed.

...............

In another site, within the Long manor-

A loud banging of fists could be heard, the seat on which Long Shen was sitting cracked. Tears fell from his eyes as he looked towards the sky" I am sorry my son. I bring your father, couldn't take care of you. It is the fate of someone who chose to sit on the seat of the clan leader." Long Shen decided to end the search operation. 

"Damn these heavens. Even if you took everything from my sons, at least allow him to remain alive. " Long Shen retired to his mansion, to see his wife lamenting the loss of her only son.