Born in Blood

Within the underground were countless shops and other businesses, except they weren't normal by any means. From what Liam could see, some displayed weapons which didn't look to be made from traditional metals, glimmering various colors.

Hundreds of merchants and robed figures could be seen traversing its pathways. Others shops sold pills, and some were restaurants with signs at the top which caused him to raise a brow.

"Rare magical beast meats?" Liam uttered, remembering the dragon from his infancy. "Is that what it was?"

Before he could ask, Lloyd had already begun walking, prompting him to follow.

"This place is only for cultivators and rich merchants. You can find practically anything as long as you have the means to pay for it." Lloyd explained.

The underground was also protected by armored guards, but with Lloyd beside him, Liam didn't get into any trouble.

"I'll explain a few things on the way." Lloyd said with his face turned forward. At the same time, Liam's curious eyes fell on the surrounding buildings.

"Know that this cultivation thing isn't for the weak-willed. Although it might give you power, you can die at any time, and it's much more boring than you think."

Liam nodded. He had already resolved himself to it.

"Firstly, the interconnected centers of power, starting with the sea of consciousness, an ethereal organ within the mind." Lloyd tapped his temple. "It's also called the mental sphere."

"The pressure you went through earlier was me releasing a bit of its strength. Simply put, it expresses your thinking speed, five senses, and something called mental energy. This organ even allows cultivators to sense their surroundings without eyes or ears." Lloyd revealed.

"At the same time, mental energy is what allows us to use spells."

Liam's eyes glimmered with colorful lights. 'A bit of its strength?' He repeated.

Lloyd flashed a smile from the side. "Moreover, it allows us to use space-rings, items that allow us to store anything we want as long as it fits inside." He flashed his index finger, displaying a black obsidian ring.

Lloyd opened his palm, and a piece of steak wrapped around a cloth materialized in his hand.

"Eat."

Looking at his disciple's skinny features, Lloyd couldn't help but feel some sort of responsibility for him.

Liam instantly accepted the meal and thanked him before wolfing it down.

"Expanding the mental sphere vastly improves your senses and all your mental capabilities, as well as the synergy between other centers of power." Lloyd clarified. "To expand it, you require a special rune."

"The Body houses the other two organs. It determines your overall physical prowess. The strength of any martial art depends on your body first and foremost. This is why 'techniques' are so important, beca--"

"Martial arts?" Liam interrupted.

A chop landed bluntly on Liam's head.

"Let me finish!" Lloyd rebuked, before continuing. "Techniques are what allow us to make use of the 'Ora' granted by the Opposition. Tempering methods, cultivation methods, etcetera, all take advantage of the world essence and give us humans magical abilities."

Liam rubbed his head but listened intently nonetheless.

"The body requires a tempering method to awaken. With it, one could absorb 'Ora' into their body, strengthening it considerably.

"That leads to the last and perhaps the most important organ, the 'core', located within the abdomen."

Lloyd tapped his lower body, right beneath the navel.

"It allows for the manipulation, and absorption of 'Ora', and is the very essence of cultivation. Usually, it forms at the average age of fifteen, but if one progresses his other centers of power, that process can hasten considerably.

"To put it simply, the core is the handle of a sword, the body is the sword itself, and the sea of consciousness is the hand which holds it all together.

"Not to mention, once you awaken the core, you receive your element."

Before Liam had the chance to ask, Lloyd already answered.

"The elements are six, for humans at least. There's Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Light, and Darkness. Light and Darkness elements are both extremely rare and versatile, but are equally as strong.

"This doesn't mean that the other elements are weak though, all depend on how they are used. In some, very rare cases, a person might receive two elements. Those lucky bastards are called dual-elementalists.

"To begin cultivating, you must temper the body, because it houses the other two organs and is the easiest to awaken. Simultaneously, you can work on awakening your sea of consciousness."

"I'll tell you more when you take the first step."

As Lloyd concluded his explanation, the pair reached the walls of the underground.

The giant walls housed large caves in which guards, hunters and other cultivators made their way inside, ladders connecting them all together.

A line of such people formed all around the foot of the wall.

From what Liam could see, an armored guard accepted a small fee before letting them enter inside.

"These are called 'Ora' caves. Spots where the concentration of world essence is stronger." Lloyd explained, before approaching the guard and handing him a handful of glowing yellow crystals.

"One hour." The guard said blankly, gesturing for Lloyd to enter, before shifting his focus to others wanting to pay.

"What kind of money is that?" Liam inquired.

"'Ora' Stones, a currency only cultivators use." Lloyd entered one of the caves with Liam closely behind.

The inside was completely empty, but a faint mist floated around freely.

Lloyd sat cross-legged and gestured for Liam to do the same.

"Now, I'll give you a choice for your first technique."

Lloyd smiled, taking out two parchments from his ring, handing them to Liam.

Liam instantly accepted and started reading.

'Infernal Breathing'

'Rank-2 tempering method.'

'Allows the user to use the Infernal Breathing-Technique to heat the body to extreme temperatures. To purify the impurities within the body, one must endure the heat for one minute, completing one cycle.'

'Ten cycles are required. The minutes must be increased by one every cycle.'

'The end result is a Rank-2 Tempered Body. In addition to this, the user will have above-average heat resistance.'

'Warning: If the user does not complete the cycle by enduring the heat and loses consciousness, he may be maimed or, worse, unable to practice bodily cultivation.'