Rise of The Demon General 5 Chapter 5

Having found no leads and given that the residents there seemed inclined to support his growth, he ultimately resolved to approach Hei Gong directly. Nevertheless, he maintained his decision to conceal the existence of his already formed energy core. He selected a moment when both Hei Gong and Hei Pho were present to broach the subject.

He adopted his most endearing demeanor, as a small child would, and inquired, "Grandpa Gong, I've been reading about cultivation. It states that if we learn a cultivation method, we can become cultivators. Would you be able to teach me?"

Hei Gong merely cast a glance his way and scoffed, "Hmph, you are merely three years old. Your energy core hasn't even formed yet. What good would learning a cultivation method do you?"

"If I begin learning early, I'll be better prepared when the time is right," Amon reasoned.

"You are quite the child. What do you comprehend of cultivation? It isn't something you can simply learn and prepare for. You either cultivate, or you do not."

"Do not dismiss Hei Mo so readily," Hei Pho interjected. "This child is not ordinary. Have you ever encountered a child who can converse and reason so effectively at his age? He's already absorbed and comprehended numerous books. Furthermore, his aptitude in learning my medicinal arts is exceptionally astounding."

Ever since Amon had expressed an interest in the medicinal practices she followed, Hei Pho had taken it upon herself to instruct him personally. She had been thoroughly amazed by the swiftness of Amon's learning under her tutelage and had grown increasingly fond of him as they spent more time together.

"Naturally, I know he is not ordinary. After all, he is not…"

"Hei Gong! Be mindful of your words!" Hei Pho sharply interrupted Hei Gong.

'I am not what?' Amon pondered, his curiosity piqued. As he had suspected, there was indeed something peculiar about his existence.

"Hmph, very well. If you wish to instruct him, then you shall. It's a waste of effort in my opinion," Hei Gong declared before striding away.

"Pay him no mind," Hei Pho advised. "He is merely overwhelmed by our family's current predicament. It is no simple feat for our declining clan to maintain its standing within this nation. Come now, I shall reveal what has captured your interest."

Hei Pho gestured, and a book materialized in her hand as if by magic. Amon gazed at it with astonishment. Noticing his surprised expression, Hei Pho let out a soft chuckle. She explained, "This book was retrieved from my Space Ring."

She then indicated the ring on the middle finger of her left hand. "It is an enchanted artifact imbued with the laws of space. Within this ring resides a space as vast as this very room. I can store my various possessions inside and retrieve them at will."

"Does Hei Gong also possess one?" Amon inquired.

"Most cultivators do; it is an essential item that can be purchased," Hei Pho confirmed with a nod. "Naturally, their capacities vary. Some only possess space equivalent to a wardrobe. A wealthy noble, however, might have one that encompasses a space the size of a mansion."

No wonder he had found nothing during his search, Amon mused. It was because they kept all their valuable belongings on their person. It was an ingenious method to deter theft. One would have to confront the owner directly to acquire their belongings. He realized he needed to obtain one of these rings for himself.

Hei Pho extended the book towards him, stating, "This tome contains the method for a cultivation art. It is a foundational technique, suitable for the Human Realm."

Amon accepted the book and examined its cover. In their native script, the title read: Energy Funneling Art. He opened the book and immediately began to read.

Hei Pho observed his eagerness with amusement. "Although you are currently unable to practice it, you can commit the method to memory and apply it once your energy core has formed. At that point, I will provide guidance. For now, you will encounter many things you do not comprehend, but do not dwell on them excessively. True understanding will only come when you put the art into practice."

Amon offered no verbal reply. Seeing the child so engrossed in studying the technique, Hei Pho chose not to say further. She departed, leaving him to his private study, to attend to her own affairs.

Amon continued his reading without interruption. She was correct; numerous aspects remained beyond his grasp. He understood that he would need to translate the theories within this book into practical application to gain a proper understanding.

He rose and exited the room, which, though unoccupied, was a common area accessible to anyone. He proceeded towards a more secluded section of the mansion. He had previously taken a tour and noted which areas were less frequented. Given the sheer size of the mansion and the limited number of occupants, certain areas were bound to be overlooked.

The specific location he chose was a warehouse that had evidently been disused for many years, perhaps even centuries. Cobwebs and thick layers of dust covered everything. He could even observe insects and rats scurrying away as he entered. The pervasive dirtiness did not bother him. He required a private space, and this location served his needs perfectly.

He sealed the door behind him, ensuring it was locked, and for an added layer of security, positioned an unused table against it. Settling into a corner, he placed the book on the floor before him, opening it to the section detailing the breathing technique.

This particular breathing technique differed significantly from the common method he had employed to absorb Aether when establishing his Energy Core. The one presented here was notably more intricate and extensive. He diligently followed the instructions depicted on the pages, practicing the movements several times before moving on to the subsequent section, which outlined the manipulation of Aether within the body.

Having committed the techniques to memory, he closed his eyes and began the breathing exercise. Combined with the Aether manipulation method, he could sense the surrounding energy coalescing towards him. The fundamental principle of this cultivation art appeared to be the generation of a suction force, drawing in the Aether from his environment. He surmised this was a rudimentary art, but for him, any method was valuable, provided it aided in fortifying his Energy Core.

The entire day was dedicated to Amon's assimilation of this new art. Initially, he could only intake minuscule amounts of Aether. Yet, even these small quantities were a substantial improvement over the standard breathing technique he had been using. As he became more adept, the volume of Aether entering his body steadily increased. His Energy Core absorbed the influx of energy relentlessly, much like a parched man in a desert stumbling upon an oasis. The disparity between possessing a cultivation art and lacking one was as profound as the chasm between heaven and earth.

As dusk began to settle, he made the decision to halt his training. He was aware that his prolonged absence would inevitably spark concern and searches. While they granted him considerable freedom within the mansion's confines, he sensed their constant vigilance to ensure he remained within its bounds. His attempts to venture outside, to glimpse the world beyond, had been consistently thwarted. There was also the incident where he tried hiding until late at night, resulting in a rather intense commotion as they searched for him.

In the ensuing days, he continued to spend a portion of his time engaged in what appeared to be child-like behavior around the mansion, while also diligently maintaining his medicine tutelage under Hei Pho. Abruptly disengaging from all activities after receiving a cultivation art would undoubtedly raise suspicion. The remainder of his day was devoted to training with the Energy Funneling Art. Conveniently, Hei Gong was away on business for a week or two, granting him exclusive use of his room and the liberty to cultivate undisturbed during the night.

With each passing day, the speed at which he channeled Aether into his body accelerated. It was evident that his proficiency in the art was steadily improving. He could also perceive a noticeable strengthening in both his body and his Energy Core. Nevertheless, he recognized that the progress was quite gradual. Following his sessions with the cultivation art, he could roughly ascertain the remaining capacity of his Energy Core.

According to the texts he had studied, each cultivation stage was further subdivided into beginning, intermediate, and peak phases. Having just embarked on his cultivation journey, he was presently situated in the Human Realm, at the nascent stage of the Mortal phase. Based on the current emptiness of his core, it would likely take him two to three years of consistent daily training to reach the intermediate Mortal stage.