C8 Advancement

As soon as he stepped into the yard, Aotian heard Maria calling out to him.

"Aotian, come here for a moment!"

"Aunt Maria, is something wrong?" Aotian approached her with curiosity.

"Oh, you! Do I need a reason to call you over? Tomorrow is your birthday, and I've made you a new set of clothes. Do you think they'll fit?"

With that, Maria went back into her room and brought out the clothes she had crafted for Aotian to try on. Aotian's body had changed a lot over the past year, outgrowing many of his old clothes. Luckily, he had mostly been wearing the training attire his master had made for him, which he seldom took off, even during his downtime. The fact that his other clothes no longer fit didn't bother him much. But seeing the outfit Aunt Maria had made, Aotian felt a surge of happiness. He had felt forgotten by his family for so long, not having seen them for over half a year. Aunt Maria had been the one looking after him all this time. He wondered if even his family had forgotten his birthday. It seemed Aunt Maria might be the only one who still cared. These thoughts stirred a mix of gratitude and sadness in him.

Cradling the new clothes, Aotian smiled at Maria and said, "Thank you, Auntie. I'll try them on. I'm sure they'll fit perfectly because you made them."

"Now, now, no need for such formality with me. Just try them on, and if they don't fit, let me know. I'll alter them for you," Maria replied, her voice filled with affection. She had come to see Aotian as her own child and was genuinely pleased that he hadn't lost his spirit over the past year.

Back in his room, Aotian slipped into the clothes and found they fit him like a glove. "They're a perfect fit!" he exclaimed, deeply appreciative of Maria's thoughtfulness.

"Don't get too full of yourself, kid! I've got something to discuss with you," Matt interjected, stepping out of the shadows with a serious tone.

"Master, what's on your mind?" Aotian asked, ready to listen.

"You've completed the initial phase of your training after a year of hard work. Starting tomorrow, you'll move on to advanced training. The exercises will change, focusing on comprehensive and meticulous enhancement to increase your body's strength and resilience." Matt had been pleased with Aotian's progress, but he had kept him on the lower-level regimen for an extra three months to solidify his foundation before sharing this news.

"Really? I've completed the beginner's training already? But I don't feel any different. Isn't it said that martial artists experience a change when they break through? So, what level am I at now?" Aotian eagerly inquired upon learning he had finished his training.

"Yes, you're ready to begin advanced training now! With our Blood Refinement Arts, there's no noticeable change at the first stage. Its primary focus is to fortify the body and enhance resilience to impact because, in our discipline, the body is the ultimate weapon. So the first stage is all about building a solid foundation. It's perfectly normal that you haven't felt a shift in your abilities. Currently, you're about as strong as an apprentice swordsman," Dark Night War explained.

"Just an apprentice swordsman? That's pretty weak, huh?" Aotian felt a pang of disappointment, as if doused with cold water.

Dark Night War noticed Aotian's crestfallen look and wanted to reassure him that, even though he was at an apprentice swordsman's level, he was capable of defeating a novice swordsman with his present skills. In essence, his overall strength was on par with a novice swordsman. But Dark Night held back, concerned that such knowledge might lead Aotian to complacency, which could hinder his training progress. He believed that a little pressure was necessary to fuel Aotian's drive.

"Kid, don't be ungrateful. You should realize that it takes others about a year and a half to reach the level of an apprentice swordsman, and even the talented ones need at least a year. You've achieved this in just one year. What more do you want?" Dark Night consoled him.

Reflecting on his master's words, Aotian acknowledged the truth in them. His progress was indeed commendable, yet he knew the effort he had invested was much greater than others. It was clear to him that he needed to push even harder.

"Understood, Master. I won't let you down. I'm determined to grow stronger!"

Seeing the fiery determination in Aotian's eyes, Dark Night nodded with satisfaction.

"Good. Take the rest of the day off. Tomorrow, we'll embark on a new phase of training!"

"Alright!"

The next morning, Aotian was up at the crack of dawn, as usual.

"Master, what's on the agenda for my training today?" Aotian inquired with curiosity.

"Today, we're going to modify your original training regimen by adding some weights and tools. First, you'll strap on several items I've provided to your legs, arms, waist, and chest. Your task is to complete fifty laps back and forth with these added weights. Next, locate a waterfall. After your run, you'll stand under the waterfall with weights, maintaining a horse stance as the water rushes over you for three hours. And tonight, you will endure the onslaught of my spirit upon your mind, soul, and consciousness to strengthen your willpower and soul, laying the groundwork for the next phase of training. I've observed a large, towering waterfall deep in the mountains behind your home that's perfect for your practice!"

Heeding his master's instructions, Aotian donned the gear that emerged from his ring. Holding the surprisingly heavy small piece, he marveled at his master's preparedness. Fully equipped, Aotian's load reached 250 kilograms, and with his shoes, an astounding 350 kilograms. For a nine-year-old, this was a significant burden, but Aotian, hardened by a year of training, could still move despite the weight. He began his arduous training with determined, heavy steps.

After a grueling fifty laps, dusk was approaching. The thought of enduring another three hours of training weighed heavily on him. Aotian, weary to the bone, trudged toward the mountain's depths. Roughly 3000 meters later, he beheld the majestic waterfall his master had described. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, the waterfall shimmered with captivating hues. The sight of water cascading down from dozens of meters high, glinting with golden light, was mesmerizing. But there was no time to be entranced. Aotian rushed to the waterfall's base and assumed the horse stance. No sooner had he straightened up than the forceful current knocked him flat, causing him to gulp down water. Battling the pressure, Aotian struggled to rise and maintain the stance, only to be swiftly toppled again.

Time after time, he was knocked down and got back up, faced defeat and started over. The presence within the ring, Matt, couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Aotian's plight. Yet, he knew this wasn't the moment to let Aotian stop; these challenges were essential. And even if he suggested a brief rest, Aotian's fiery, determined eyes would surely reject the idea. All Matt could do was hope Aotian would endure the next three hours.

Those three hours felt like three years amidst the constant setbacks. But Aotian persevered! Collapsing from exhaustion, he lay in the water, dizziness overtaking him until he knew no more.

After an indeterminate time, a cool breeze stirred Aotian awake. Opening his eyes, he was greeted by a canopy of stars.

"Kid! Awake, are you? If I hadn't used all my soul power to drag you to shore, you'd be sleeping with the fishes! And fainting—couldn't you have picked a better spot?"

"It's not like I wanted to faint. How can you blame me?" Aotian grumbled in response to his master's scolding.

"Enough of that. You'd better head back before Aunt Maria starts worrying."

"Oh, Master, how long was I out?" Aotian inquired, a note of concern in his voice.

"Not too long, less than fifteen minutes. Now get going!"

"Okay, got it!" With that, Aotian dashed down the mountain.

Back in the courtyard, it wasn't too late, and Aunt Maria let him off with a few offhand remarks. Aotian grabbed a bite to eat before heading to his room to prepare for the final training session.

"Master, are we ready to begin?" Aotian asked from his seated position on the bed.

"Yes, but first, a word of caution. Using my soul power to stimulate your spirit and mind is risky; one false move and you could end up a fool. The pain you're about to endure is beyond what most can bear. I trust you'll maintain your willpower and not lose focus, because the consequences could be dire. This training is designed to strengthen your will and spirit, setting the stage for what's to come," Matt said with grave seriousness.

"Okay, Master, rest assured, I'll make it back!"

"Good! Let's get started. You must focus your willpower to withstand the onslaught of shock and pain I'm about to bring you! Remember, you mustn't let your guard down! Okay, let's begin immediately!"