Chapter 3 – Painstaking cultivation (1/2)
Ch 3 – Painstaking cultivation
After three months, Lei Yu had broken through the first stage “Lightning Foundation“ and advanced to the early 2nd stage of “Body Refining.” At a different stage, the method of cultivating had also changed.
“Body Refining,” by definition, was to allow the outside body to become solid and tough, but not for big explosive power. For someone like Lei Yu who relies on those big explosive speed and power for attacks, this body refinement method seemed a bit contradictory.
After doing daily physical exercises, Lei Yu would leave himself an extended period of time to relax. This will allow the muscles to relax and not become overworked. Overworking the muscles without downtime could cause necrosis. Maintaining a certain balance in training was one of the most important aspects of martial arts practitioners.
Every muscle on Lei Yu had become toned with defined lines on them, not the overly big bulky muscles. Even so, Lei Yu’s muscle still gave people a feeling that it contained explosive power like a fierce leopard.
Reaching the “Body Refining” stage, Lei Yu was able to freely control his body’s internal energy along with the inherent power of lightning attribute. Circulating this power throughout the body including all the large and small meridians, bone structure, skin and muscles, all would be enhanced by the power of lightning. At each critical refinement stage, there would be significant changes. One could hear a “pak pak” sound from the bones, while the skin and muscle would have the crackling sound of lightning. The pain was intolerable to Lei Yu, but all he could do was clench his teeth and deal with it. In his heart, he held onto a belief, one that had taken root and could not be swayed. (T/N: probably to become strong for revenge)
Using the internal power of lightning to refine his body was like doing homework at night. While during the day, he would work on a series of physical fitness training.
Loaded running was basically an essential part to training. Lei Yu carried a bundle of logs on his back weighing over 100 jin (1 jin 斤 = 1.33lb or 640g). Of course he had a difficult time at first, but combining his evolving body with his own adaptability, Lei Yu eventually was able to jog at a slow pace. Then ultimately, he was able to run like the wind.
Unloading the heavy logs off his back, Lei Yu flopped down onto the river’s edge grasping for air. Watching fishes swim by in the river, Lei Yu thought to himself, “the fruits were really good, but eating vegetarian all the time gets tiring. Wouldn’t it be great if I could eat a bunch of meat instead…”
There’s always a big difference between fantasy and reality. With a helpless smile, Lei Yu came back to his senses. The first thing to do was to raise his current strength, then he can think about other things later.
Picking up the bundle of logs weighing over 100 jin, Lei Yu continued to run and train.
The process of refining one’s body was difficult. It was also the hardest stage to cultivate amongst the 6 stages. Lei Yu was unable to let go of the anger in his heart. For an adolescent teenager who had experienced years of humiliation and abuse, he had already forged a strong and determined mind. But the boiling anger of a teenager would sometimes escape, this would give Lei Yu a surge of momentum. This momentum was also the push to make him reach new heights.
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Inside the forest, a teenager with some leaves wrapped around his body stood still. Across from him, a fierce beast was using its tongue to lick its sharp fangs. This beast had the appearance of multiple animal parts making up his unique body. It had a tiger’s head, but did not have the tiger’s stripes, a mane of hair on its chest instead of the back was touching the ground, there was a sharp horn on top of its head similar to a rhino’s horn, six spikes on its back that protruded from its spine, and claws like a majestic eagle soaring through the air. Finally, this beast was covered in dark fur with a pair of blood red eyes.
The teenagers body slightly vibrated as all his internal energy started boiling inside. Condensing the energy into both his arms, this teenager was careful not to make a single mistake. Facing a unnamed fierce beast, he could feel the oppressive aura emanating towards him.
Suddenly, the fierce beast stood up, blood red eyes staring straight at the teenager, eyes giving off the impression “you are going inside my stomach.” Stepping forward with his powerful claws, he pounced towards the teenager.
The teenager immediately sidestepped.
Whoosh!
Like a gust of wind, the teenager’s body maneuvered around a few trees. Not just evading the beast’s pounce, he gripped a small tree with one hand and using the momentum, kicked upwards at the beast in mid-pounce, striking it in the abdominal area.