Chapter 5 Celestial Dragon Rebirth

Seeing the Old Spirit's intense gaze, Jian's eyes widened, his pulse racing as he processed the old spirit's question. Taking a shaky breath, he fixed his gaze on the ghostly figure before him, half-expecting it to vanish at any moment, taking his last hope with it.

The spirit's presence seemed to solidify in response to Jian's growing focus. His ethereal form glowed faintly, casting an otherworldly light over the clearing, highlighting the lines of age and wisdom etched into his ghostly face. His expression was calm, almost expectant, as though waiting for a storm of questions he knew was about to come.

Finally, Jian swallowed hard and found his voice. "So... what exactly happened when I touched that stone? I felt this... overwhelming force, like it was trying to consume me."

The spirit's gaze softened slightly. "What you felt was no mere force. It was the imprint of an ancient martial technique-one that few have glimpsed, much less harnessed. This technique carries a weight beyond your comprehension."

Jian's heart raced, each beat thundering in his chest. "You mean... a martial technique? And it's inside me now?" He couldn't wrap his head around it, the idea that something so powerful could be hidden within him, like a dormant storm.

The spirit nodded, and for a moment, a trace of pride seemed to flash in his eyes. "Indeed. But do not think that simply possessing this technique makes you powerful. The path to wielding its power will demand every ounce of strength and dedication you can muster."

Jian felt a surge of determination, though a slight doubt nagged at the back of his mind. He'd struggled to control even the simplest of techniques; how could he possibly hope to master something of this magnitude? Still, he pushed his doubt aside, focusing on the chance he'd been given. "What do you mean by 'possessing it isn't enough'? What else do I need?"

The spirit's lips curved into a faint, almost mysterious smile. "Cultivation and activation. This technique must be cultivated and activated with painstaking discipline. This is not some simple skill you can memorize and perform. It is a path, and one that will transform you if you're strong enough to see it through."

Jian furrowed his brow, his thoughts racing as he tried to understand. "Cultivated and activated? I thought martial techniques were just... skills-something you learned, like a move or a stance. Something physical."

The spirit chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Martial techniques are far more than simple skills, boy. They form the very foundation upon which a cultivator's potential is built. Without a strong technique, even the most gifted warrior will struggle to reach greatness."

Jian's curiosity flared, igniting a growing need to understand this new world the spirit had revealed to him. "So, what exactly are martial techniques, then?"

The spirit stroked his long, wispy beard, his expression contemplative as if recalling ancient memories. "Think of martial techniques as the heart of your cultivation. They are not just movements; they are practices that refine and strengthen a warrior's foundation, shaping the essence of your martial energy. The stronger the technique, the greater the cultivator's potential to grow."

Jian felt a flicker of something he hadn't felt in a long time-hope. "So... this technique is... powerful?"

The spirit's eyes glinted with a hint of amusement as he looked at Jian, assessing him carefully. "Ah, so you wish to know its strength, do you?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "In truth, even I do not know the limits of this technique's power. Its potential is unfathomable."

Jian blinked in disbelief, a thousand questions rising at once. "You... don't know its limits?"

The spirit sighed, his gaze growing distant as if gazing through the veils of time itself. "Martial techniques are usually well-defined. They fall into four major ranks, each divided into three levels-low, middle, and high. The higher the rank, the more potent the technique, and the more demanding it is to master."

He raised a hand, ticking off each rank with his long, slender fingers. "First, there are the **Basic Rank** techniques. They are common but essential, foundational for any young cultivator. Next come the **Profound Rank** techniques. These are more complex and require a solid foundation and a strong body to wield. After that, we have the **Earth Rank** techniques, known for their immense power and often the reserve of clan elites or warriors of renown."

The spirit paused, a flicker of something almost like reverence in his eyes. "And then, we come to the **Heaven Rank** techniques, rare and formidable. They are so challenging to master that only a handful of warriors across the ages have ever wielded them. A Heaven Rank technique can change the tides of battle, sway entire wars, and bring empires to their knees."

Jian's mind whirled as he tried to absorb the immensity of what he was hearing. "So... if there are only four ranks, does that mean this technique is Heaven Rank?"

The spirit's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with an unfathomable mystery. "No, boy. This ancient technique defies those ranks. It is beyond anything I have ever encountered in my long life. When I stumbled upon it in my youth, I could not determine its level. It felt... otherworldly, as though it belonged to an entirely different realm."

Jian blinked, stunned. "So it's... unranked?"

The spirit nodded, his expression serious. "Precisely. Its power is beyond measure. Even at my peak, it was this very technique that enabled me to reach the heights I did."

Jian's heart raced, his spirit surging with excitement and a touch of fear. "Then... who created it? Who could have made something so powerful?"

The spirit's gaze turned somber, as though recalling a distant memory, his voice softened. "It is said to be the creation of a legendary martial immortal-a figure of such overwhelming power that he transcended mortality itself. He called himself the 'Celestial Dragon Immortal.'"

Jian's mind reeled at the name, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Celestial Dragon Immortal..."

The spirit nodded, his expression grave. "The Celestial Dragon Immortal lived thousands of years ago, an enigma of boundless power and mastery that no one could rival. I found this technique by chance, but even then, I felt traces of his will imprinted upon it-a will so potent that it still resonates across the ages."

A shiver ran through Jian as he thought of such a being, of the power it would take to create something that would endure for thousands of years. "So... this technique was created by an immortal?"

"Yes," the spirit replied, his voice dropping to a whisper, as though reverence bound his words. "And his will remains embedded within the technique. That is why it is no easy feat to master. The Celestial Dragon Immortal's technique was not designed for the faint of heart."

Jian's gaze burned with determination as his fists clenched involuntarily. "Then I'll master it. I'll prove myself worthy."

The spirit looked at him, his expression a blend of approval and amusement. "Bold words, but words alone will not suffice. This technique demands more than just resolve-it requires strength, resilience, and a body tempered to withstand its power."

Jian's confidence wavered slightly. "Tempered... body?"

The spirit's gaze grew serious, a touch of warning in his tone. "Before you can even begin to cultivate this technique, your body must be prepared, strengthened to endure the trials it will demand."

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