NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Cascading Powers
CG Chapter 26: Cascading Powers
Tian Chang's gaze fixated on Tom's once unblemished body, now adorned with scars, as he spoke with a heavy tone, "You've done well. I can see the fruits of your training in the past couple of days. Your hand structure has grown stronger, and your movements have gained a newfound fluidity. Now that you've mastered the art of throwing a somewhat decent punch, it's time for you to embrace the next challenge - learning how to execute a deadly kick."
Tom didn't wait long before asking, "How?"
"You will see soon once we get there," Tian Chang replied with a smile, leading Tom deeper into the giant forest.
After a while of walking, Tom heard a loud noise coming from in front of them. "Is that a waterfall?" he asked, feeling a little foolish for the obvious question.
The waterfall roared with thunderous intensity as its cascading waters crashed against the giant rocks below. The mist filled the air, creating an ethereal painting that displayed the majestic powers of nature. This was the daunting ground where Tian Chang brought Tom to undergo his training for the 'Fourth Ring.'
Tian Chang pointed to the waterfall and said, "Welcome to the training grounds of the majestic 'abandoned forest.' This waterfall will be your master during this training. It will assist you in enhancing your raw strength and power."
"To become skilled in the 'beast stomp,' you must learn to use the force of a heavenly beast as you unleash a deadly stomp that would obliterate all of the defenses of your prey," Tian Chang explained, pausing for a moment. "The 'Beast Stomp' is not an art that a weak-willed person can train in. This Ring will push you to your limits. It will try to overpower you and make you fall. This Ring will test your resolve like nothing you have experienced before. Are you ready to give it your all? Are you prepared to face the beast?"
Tom's eyes gleamed with fiery determination as he replied, "If a beast were to ever attempt to challenge me, then it should think twice before coming at me. Because once I see it, I will slaughter it before dismantling its organs."
Impressed by Tom's commitment, Tian Chang nodded and led him to the edge of the waterfall, where the hidden aged bamboo sticks revealed themselves.
"This waterfall might look chaotic at first glance; however, if you look closer, you will notice that it is simply following its natural path. As an intruder coming into its territory, you must find a way to balance yourself. I want you to stand on those bamboo sticks here while withstanding the weight coming from the heavens above," Tian Chang explained.
Tom carefully stepped onto the bamboo sticks, trying to resist the force of the waterfall. The water's power surged against him as if enraged by his presence. It was much more difficult than he had expected. Tom needed to balance himself while being mindful of the forces that pushed him down.
"I will not succumb to a stupid waterfall after all that I've been through, will I," Tom asked himself, as he was frustrated by his powerlessness.
Although Tom gave it his all, his all was simply not enough. Tom felt his legs slowly slipping away, and before he knew it, he fell into the lake.
Tian Chang called out to him, "Again. You need to find your center. You must let the waterfall flow through you."
"What exactly does 'letting the waterfall flow through me' even mean? It's not like I am going to become permeable or something," Tom thought as he mounted on top of the bamboo stick again.
Time after time, Tom attempted to find his balance and center, only to keep falling down each time. However, what Tom didn't realize was that with each fall, he managed to stay a little longer on the sticks. Although his improvement was subtle, it was still there.
On the morning of the sixth day, Tom decided to try something new. He closed his eyes, focused on his breath, and started aligning himself with the rhythm of the waterfall. Slowly, he felt his body adapting to the force, making minuscule movements that countered the waterfall's flow.
As time passed, Tom's balance and strength reached a new level. Where once he couldn't even stay balanced on a single bamboo stick, he now moved between the sticks with confidence. He even managed to perform a few basic strikes on the waterfall, creating a tiny gap in this giant wall.
The days passed, and Tom's training intensified even more. He spent all his time on the bamboo sticks, enduring the relentless pressure of the waterfall. The pain was excruciating, and his muscles were strained and aching. However, Tom refused to give up. This was his path to power. This was his path to his dream.
Tian Chang watched from afar, not interfering unless the situation was dire. He saw the pain and suffering that his son went through. However, he kept his composure, knowing that this was the only way.
On a fateful day, as the midday sun blazed over the waterfall, Tom sensed an electrifying surge of power coursing through his legs. Stepping onto the familiar bamboo sticks, he immediately noticed a newfound sense of stability and balance. The once chaotic image of the waterfall now revealed its true rhythm, clear as day to him.
Tom lifted his legs to the sky before descending with all of his might. A shockwave rippled through the air, and for a moment, the ever-moving waterfall seemed to become still. Tom's dedicated training had helped him achieve a breakthrough.
In the realm of training and mastery, some may attribute a transformative breakthrough to mere serendipity or fortune's favor. They see it as a chance alignment of stars, a stroke of luck that gifts the chosen few with greatness. Yet, amidst the sea of misconceptions, it is imperative to grasp the profound truth: a genuine breakthrough is the culmination of relentless hard work, unwavering dedication, and an unyielding spirit.