NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: The Plea
As soon as Aisha left, her figure fading into the distance, Roy turned back to the campfire, ready to clean up and move on. But what he saw made him freeze. Kevin was on his knees, his forehead pressed to the ground, kowtowing in front of him.
"Kevin, what are you doing?" Roy's voice held confusion, his brows knitting together as he took a step closer.
Kevin didn't raise his head. Instead, he took a deep breath, and his voice came out loud, almost a scream, filled with desperation and determination. "Teach me how to cultivate, Roy! I know it's shameful of me to ask, considering we've only known each other for three or four days, but I can't miss this opportunity. If I let this pass, I know I will regret it for the rest of my life."
Roy stood there in stunned silence, looking at the young man who was bowing before him. He could see Kevin's body trembling, not out of fear but out of sheer willpower. The weight of Kevin's words echoed in Roy's mind, and for a moment, he saw a two-year younger version of himself—someone desperate for strength, desperate to change his fate.
The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the scene, highlighting the sheer sincerity in Kevin's posture. Roy knelt down, placing a firm hand on Kevin's shoulder.
"Get up," Roy said, his voice softer now, though still firm. "You don't need to do this."
Kevin stayed in place, his forehead still pressed to the ground. "I know every martial artist has their own journey and it is shameful for me to ask this, but I have to know your response before I get up. I don't care if I look bad or whatever, but I will become strong any way I can."
Roy couldn't help but smile at Kevin's determination. There was a fire in Kevin's voice that reminded Roy of his own struggles. He understood that kind of desperation, the willingness to do anything to change one's circumstances.
Roy nodded. "Alright, I'll help you." He paused, his expression turning serious. "It's true that every martial artist has their journey, but asking for help is also part of that process. If I hadn't received help, I wouldn't be here today either. Let's go and talk in the hut."
Kevin finally lifted his head, a desperate smile breaking across his face. "Really?"
Roy nodded again, his expression softening. "Yes, really. But first, let's get inside. The morning is still cold, and we have much to discuss."
The two made their way to the hut, the tension in the air slowly dissipating. Inside, the hut was modest, with only a few basic furnishings—a small table, two chairs, and a simple bed made of straw. Roy gestured for Kevin to sit, while he took the chair opposite him.
"First, tell me about yourself," Roy said, leaning back slightly, his eyes studying Kevin. "How did you come to live in this hut, and why did the guards give you such a mean look when we entered the city?"
Kevin hesitated for a moment, his eyes lowering as he gathered his thoughts. He took a deep breath, then began to speak. "I grew up in the city. My father wasn't a cultivator, but he was a swordsman—a really good one at that. After my mother passed away when I was young, things began to change. One day, a Bone Forging expert challenged my father, and even though my father wasn't a cultivator, he beat that expert in a duel. The expert couldn't handle the shame of losing to someone without cultivation, and he used his connections with the city lord to ruin my father's reputation.
"They forced us out of the city, and my father's name became synonymous with disgrace. We moved here, to this hut, and my father continued to train. He was an incredible swordsman, and one day, while he was training, a wandering sword expert saw him. Impressed by my father's skills, the expert gifted him a pair of swords and daggers as a token of respect.
Last year, a Bull Bear—a peak rank 2 monster—attacked us. My father fought it to protect me. He managed to defeat the Bull Bear, but the injuries he sustained were too much, and he died shortly afterward." Kevin's voice cracked, and he clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "Since then, I've tried to make a living by hunting and doing odd jobs for people in the city, but it's not easy. The guards in the city remember my father, but not in a good way. They think I'm just like him. But I'm not. I want to prove them wrong. I want to show them that I can be strong, that I can be more than what they think of me."
Roy leaned forward, his gaze steady. "I see. You've had a tough life, Kevin. But that doesn't mean you're destined to stay down. If you're willing to put in the effort, I will teach you. But understand this—cultivation is not easy. It's painful, it's demanding, and it will push you to your limits. Are you ready for that?"
Kevin looked up, his eyes filled with determination. "I'm ready. Whatever it takes, I'm ready. I won't back down."
Roy smiled faintly. "Good. Then we'll start with the basics. But before anything else, we need to see if you can even cultivate. Not everyone can cultivate, Kevin. Some people can't sense or move aura due to physical limitations or innate differences in their bodies."
Kevin's face paled slightly, fear flickering in his eyes at the thought of not being able to cultivate. Roy noticed this and gave him a reassuring nod.
"Don't worry," Roy said. "We'll find out now. Sit down in the lotus position."
Kevin did as instructed, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Roy moved behind him, placing his hand on Kevin's back.
"I'll help you feel your inner aura," Roy explained, his voice calm and steady. "Once you sense it, you'll need to try and move it."
Kevin closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He could feel Roy's hand on his back, the warmth of it somehow comforting in the face of the unknown. He felt a warm string of energy entering his body, connecting with a lump of energy deep within. Kevin realized that this was his aura. He tried to move it, and as soon as he wished it, the aura shifted. It felt almost too simple to Kevin, like something natural.
Roy, still focusing on Kevin, felt the aura begin to move almost immediately. A sudden voice echoed in his mind, "HIS TALENT IS A LITTLE BIT ABOVE YOURS," the Heavenly Monarch said. Roy was surprised; he hadn't expected his master to say anything. But, looking at Kevin, he couldn't help but agree.
Roy remembered his own struggle—it had taken him ten seconds on his first try to move his aura, but Kevin did it in just one second. Then again, Roy had never received any help.
Kevin nodded eagerly, then opened his eyes, his face filled with curiosity. "Was that it?" he asked, almost in disbelief at how simple it felt.
Roy smiled, nodding. "Yes, that was it. You've done well, Kevin. Now that you've sensed your aura and moved it, you're ready for the next steps."
Roy settled back and began to explain. "Cultivating is about refining and directing the energy within you. It starts with sensing the aura, which you just did, and then learning to channel it through specific paths in your body called meridians. These meridians are like invisible energy channels that allow aura to flow and nourish different parts of your body.
"The first step is to practice sensing your aura every day and learning to control it by guiding it through your meridians. Over time, this will help you gain better control of your inner energy and prepare you for later stages. But remember, the actual increase in the amount of aura you can control only happens once you reach the Qi Cultivation realm. For now, it's about familiarizing yourself with your aura and building a solid foundation.
"Once your body is accustomed to the aura flowing through it, you'll begin to temper your bones —this is the Bone Forging stage. Each stage requires dedication, and each time you temper your body, it becomes more resilient and powerful. Cultivation isn't just about increasing power; it's about transforming yourself completely, bit by bit.
You can also do Bone forging and muscle forging multiple times. Repeating Bone Forging and Muscle Forging stages multiple times can significantly increase your power, but each repetition takes more time and effort. For instance, it took me six months to complete Bone Forging twice, but it took me another year and a half just to reach the sixth stage of my third Bone Forging. If I were to attempt Bone Forging fourth time, it would likely take me at least eight years. However, each repetition makes the body more resilient, granting greater strength and power compared to those who only go through the process once."
Kevin listened carefully, his eyes widening with both excitement and a bit of apprehension. The path ahead sounded arduous, but also exhilarating. He nodded, absorbing every word Roy said. He now understood why Roy was so much stronger compared to Ron and the others. The repeated Bone Forging stages made Roy's body far more resilient and powerful, giving him a significant edge over those who had only gone through the process once.
Roy continued, "Right now, we'll focus on you strengthening your connection with your aura. You need to practice moving it at will. It should feel natural, like an extension of yourself. Once you're comfortable with that, we'll start working on guiding it through your meridians, and eventually, you'll start tempering your body."
Kevin clenched his fists, determination filling his eyes. "I understand, Roy. I'll do everything I can. I won't back down, no matter how hard it gets."
"WAIT A SECOND, ROY," the Heavenly Monarch's voice echoed in his mind, causing Roy to pause for a moment. He remained silent, his expression unchanging, as he awaited any further words from his master.