Chapter 4 The first step towards strength

The faint light of dawn crept into Makoto's small room, casting long shadows across the floor. He stirred from his sleep, his muscles aching from the previous day's exertions. The effort of rekindling his cultivation had left him drained but satisfied. For the first time since awakening in this body, he felt a sense of progress, however small it was.

Beside his bed sat a tray of porridge and dried fruits, accompanied by a neatly folded note. Yuna's delicate handwriting read: "Eat well. You'll need your strength." The simple gesture brought a flicker of warmth to his otherwise cold heart. Despite everything, Yuna's quiet support had become a beacon of stability. He resolved to repay her kindness someday.

After eating, Makoto struggled to his feet. His body, though recovering, was still far from its peak. Every movement reminded him of the damage done to his meridians and bones. His muscles, weak from disuse, protested against his every step.

He took a slow, deliberate breath, steadying himself. This pain was nothing compared to the battles he had endured in his previous life. This was temporary. He would endure.

Makoto ventured outside, the cool morning air bracing against his skin. Disciples bustled about the sect's training grounds, their chatter filling the air as they prepared for their daily routines. Their energy was palpable, a sharp contrast to the hollow emptiness Makoto had felt upon waking in this world. He ignored their curious glances, focusing instead on his destination: the sect library.

The sect library stood like a silent sentinel at the heart of the grounds, its towering shelves filled with scrolls and tomes chronicling centuries of cultivation knowledge. To Makoto, it was both a treasure trove and a reminder of how far the martial world had fallen since his time.

Walking among the rows of scrolls, Makoto's gaze sharpened as he searched for what he needed. Though he possessed unparalleled knowledge from his past life, he required something that aligned with this era's techniques. A disguise, a facade, to mask his true strength as he rebuilt himself.

After hours of searching, his fingers paused on a scroll titled "Evergreen Rebirth Art." It was a basic technique, popular among outer disciples for its simplicity and reliability in stabilizing qi. To most, it would be little more than a stepping stone. To Makoto, it was the perfect cover for the ancient methods he intended to weave into his cultivation.

He settled at a quiet corner, unfurling the scroll. As he read, his mind instinctively compared its principles to the methods of his previous life. The techniques were rudimentary, lacking the depth and complexity he once commanded, but they would suffice for now.

Makoto was deeply engrossed in the scroll when he felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere. A faint presence lingered nearby, its owner carefully observing him. Without raising his head, Makoto allowed his senses to expand, identifying the source. A young man stood a few paces away, his inner disciple robes marking him as someone of higher standing within the sect.

"You're Makoto, aren't you?" the man asked, his tone measured.

Makoto looked up, meeting the man's gaze. He had sharp features, dark hair neatly tied back, and an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. "I am," Makoto replied evenly. "And you are?"

"Riku," the man said, stepping closer. "I've heard about you. Word travels fast when someone survives an encounter with Ryo and lives to tell the tale."

Makoto's expression remained neutral, but a flicker of annoyance crossed his mind. "What's your interest in me?" he asked.

Riku smirked faintly. "Curiosity, mostly. And a warning."

"A warning?" Makoto echoed, his tone calm but guarded.

"There are those in this sect who would rather see you remain where you are-broken, forgotten," Riku said. "You've drawn the wrong kind of attention. Be careful who you trust, Makoto."

Makoto studied Riku's face, searching for any sign of malice or deceit. But the man's expression was unreadable. Finally, Riku turned and walked away, leaving Makoto with more questions than answers.

Later that afternoon, Makoto returned to the training grounds. The open space buzzed with activity as disciples sparred, meditated, and practiced their techniques. Makoto chose an isolated corner, unrolling the scroll of the Evergreen Rebirth Art.

He began slowly, guiding his breathing and movements in perfect harmony. To any observer, it looked like a novice practicing a low-level technique. But beneath the surface, Makoto was weaving ancient principles into his practice. Each breath circulated qi through his meridians, repairing and strengthening them with a precision only he could achieve.

The process was grueling. Sweat poured from his brow, his muscles screamed in protest, and his fractured meridians throbbed with pain. But Makoto pressed on, each movement bringing him closer to recovery. He could feel the faint flame within his dantian growing brighter, a sign that his efforts were bearing fruit.

As he trained, he became aware of several disciples watching him. Among them was Riku, his piercing gaze fixed on Makoto's every move. Makoto ignored the onlookers, focusing instead on his movements. But when he finished, Riku approached once more.

"Not bad," Riku said, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "For someone who was supposed to be crippled, you're making remarkable progress."

Makoto wiped his brow, meeting Riku's gaze with calm determination. "What do you want this time?"

Riku's smirk widened. "To see how far you can go. You're an interesting one, Makoto. But remember, the higher you climb, the more enemies you'll make."

Makoto held Riku's gaze, unflinching. "Let them come. I won't stop climbing."

Riku chuckled softly, his expression unreadable. "We'll see. Just don't let your ambition blind you." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Makoto to his thought.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the training grounds in a warm golden glow, Makoto returned to his room. He sat cross-legged on the floor, closing his eyes to meditate. The day's efforts had drained him, but they had also reignited the fire within him.

The flame in his dantian burned brighter now, a beacon of hope in the darkness. His body, though still weak, was beginning to remember the strength it once held. He could feel the first stirrings of his former power returning, and with it came a renewed sense of purpose.

Makoto clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. He would rise again. The sect's politics, Kaizen's schemes, and Ryo's betrayal-they were mere obstacles on the path to his true goal. He had been brought low, but he was far from defeated.

This was only the beginning.