Forbidden Knowledge

  After choosing the three techniques, Huang Di began to feel the fatigue of Qi depletion. With a swift blink, his consciousness returned to his body. His vision was slightly blurred at first but quickly cleared.

  Looking at the table, he saw, though he had already expected it, the three tomes he had selected resting beside the mystical crystal. The sight made his mind spin for a moment, but he quickly composed himself and picked up the first book: “The Soul’s Path, The Way of Giants.”

  As he channeled his energy into the tome, Huang Di was immediately transported into an inner vision state. Vivid scenes flooded his mind, teaching him about “the true martial path, soul cultivation, a concept drawn from higher planes of existence.”

  A ravenous hunger for knowledge surged within him, and he devoured the contents of the tome in a single sitting. Time seemed distorted, but he came to understand that soul cultivation involved the creation of an avatar, a spiritual version of oneself in miniature form.

  “The cultivation of this avatar,” he reflected, “is meant to enhance this form over time. Those who begin earlier hold a significant advantage, reaching higher levels more quickly.”

  He realized that the soul avatar was the foundation for all techniques stemming from it, both defensive and offensive. The Way of Giants indicated that the higher the rank attained in soul cultivation, the larger the avatar could become, reaching the scale of worlds… or even beyond.

  The ranks of soul techniques were classified as Brass, Copper, Silver, Gold, and Diamond, all considered entry-level stages in the path of the soul. While they had little effect against stronger souls, they were highly effective against enemies with a weaker spiritual level than the cultivator.

  Huang Di then picked up the second tome: “Soul Attack, Soul Defense.” This one taught effective way to use the avatar for offense and protection at the spiritual level, from basic applications at the Brass rank to more advanced concepts at the Diamond level.

  After six hours immersed in the foundations of soul cultivation, Huang Di realized that the two tomes did not provide any specific techniques, but rather technical and theoretical knowledge, serving as an introduction to the mysteries of the soul.

  For a moment, he felt frustration, he had hoped for something more practical but soon calmed himself. The value of what he had learned was immense. Even so, he still held hope that the mental technique he had chosen would provide a true defense against the spirits who, no matter how friendly they seemed, continued to arouse his suspicion.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Having a method of defense is not a bad idea,” he thought, as he prepared to delve into the next ability.

  The Trial of the Mind

  After two hours of rest and nourishment to recover his spent energy, Huang Di prepared to explore the third tome: “Secret Technique: Mind Control.” As he touched the book, a powerful suction force pulled his consciousness into its depths.

  Inside, he witnessed hooded figures using the technique with malicious intent. The ability had been banned by all nations, for those who cultivated it without a strong will and conviction ended up being dominated by it, becoming slaves, mere puppets of the technique’s creator, who many suspected were hailed from the Demonic Clan.

  The technique was infamous for its power, allowing those who mastered it to obtain whatever they desired. However, the cost was steep: with each use, one lost a fragment of themselves. Corrupt leaders, driven by fear and an insatiable thirst for control, censored any mention of the technique, burying it into oblivion.

  Huang Di pondered this, realizing that the technique posed a challenge to his martial path, a potential trap, but also an opportunity for growth.

  He understood that the “Secret Technique: Mind Control” belonged to a special category known as growth techniques. These were rare and highly valuable, for they evolved and became more powerful as the cultivator progressed in rank. Unlike standard abilities, which eventually became obsolete or required replacement, growth techniques accompanied the cultivator throughout their life, adapting to their challenges and needs.

  “That is the true strength of a growth technique,” Huang Di reflected. “It not only grows with me, but it also molds itself to me, becoming an extension of my very being.”

  Before him, a glowing prompt appeared:

  “Do you truly wish to learn this technique, despite its dangers? Yes or No?”

  Huang Di did not hesitate.

  He was a man of unwavering convictions, believing with all his soul that he would always be the master, never the servant or the slave. With that certainty, he pressed “Yes” with determination.

  Just as it had happened when Salazar placed the pill in his mouth, a torrent of information surged into his mind, revealing how to cultivate and develop the technique. Sitting cross-legged, he began a sequence of intricate hand seals, channeling energy directly into his mind.

  The technique planted a mental seed, one that would grow in power as his cultivation advanced, eventually becoming a conscious force within his soul.

  After six uninterrupted hours of cultivation, Huang Di achieved minor success in the technique, gaining:

  25% chance of mental control over targets of equal rank

  50% chance over targets of lower rank

  12.5% chance over targets of higher rank

  He was astonished by the speed of his progress. He realized that his previous classification as a genius who learned three times faster had now evolved into a demonic genius, one who learned techniques five times faster than ordinary cultivators. This was an extraordinary advantage.

  Huang Di reflected on the importance of growth techniques in his journey. They did not merely offer potential power, they grew alongside him, becoming rooted in his destiny.

  He knew that by mastering this technique, he was taking a significant step toward his goal of becoming a true master of the martial path, a cultivator capable of facing any trial fate placed in his way.

  With a determined smile, Huang Di resolved to continue cultivating the technique, determined to unlock its full potential.

  The road ahead would be arduous...

  But also filled with opportunities for growth and strength.