Chapter 38: The First Stage Of The Three Stages Of Hyper Physique

‘Beginner second level Martial Mortal’. After exchanging hundreds of blow with Grandmaster Kartion, Zax finally breached the bottleneck between the first and second Martial Mortal level. Of course it did not mean that Grandmaster Kartion at his best was stronger or equal to a Peak first Level Martial Mortal. In fact, since Zax threw the first blow with the strength of Peak first Level Martial Mortal it instantly became an experiment of how long Grandmaster Kartion could bear the suppression and what it would ultimately take for him to surrender.

BOOM!

Zax replicated his first strike, an open palm to Grandmaster Kartion’s skull, and drew a distance afterwards.

“Argh!” Grandmaster Kartion’s groaned and staggered. For a brief moment he became motionless, losing the luster in his eyes. “I passed out!” He regained consciousness and breathed deeply. Probing his condition, there was a small fissure at the outer layer of his skull. ‘Another couple of blows like this and it would’ve split!’ He relaxed his stance in acknowledgment. ‘Not that it has to come to this. This whole time Martial nephew Zax was using blunt movement. If he had revealed his attainments in his bodily maneuvers or an even less advanced technique, I would have been down from the start’.

Being aware of this did not actually shake Grandmaster Kartion’s assurance in his physique. Martial arts and movement techniques or one thing and bodily cultivation was another. If he will spend his time more training in either of the two formers, next battle he could better keep up and endure longer.

“This should suffice”. Grandmaster raised his head to Zax and transformed to his humanoid form.

“Master!”

“Big brother!”

“Little brother!”

The spectating members of the household hassled to come close, some of them with awe plastered on their faces, others with shock and admiration.

“Little brother Zax, I’m utterly flabbergasted by how strong you had become in such a short span of time”. Raroen said in praise.

“Indeed!” Rarahel joined in. “You are twenty one years old ... do you have the smallest inclination of how frustrating your improvement can make others feel?”

“Big brother Raroen, big sister Rarahel, have you forgotten little brother Zax’s telling of his experience in that Ercas Mir?” Mes interrupted. “Little brother said that if not for that peculiar God made dark attribute’s essence and the place called ‘Earthly Crater’ there was no way he would have achieved this qualitative jump in strength”.

“Martial nephew Mes is right”. Kartius nodded. “From how Martial son described it, he more than once was more lucky than diligent”.

“Be that as it may”, Grandmaster Kartion converged last. “His talent was always spectacular”. He turned to Zax. “Martial nephew, you helped me a lot. Be at my Blue Tower tomorrow and I’ll pass you the Three Stages Of Hyper Physique’s perfect first stage and second stage’s template”.

“The second stage’s template?” Zax had no idea why Grandmaster Kartion would give it to him of it was incomplete.

“Yes. Although it’s early to say, when you’ll fully cultivate the first stage, I’d like for you to use your insights to help me formulate the second stage, or at least display a notion of how do you think its system should function”.

“Okay, Grandmaster”. It was not a complicated request.

In the past Zax already shared portion of his thoughts when he accompanied his Master and Grandmaster Kartion in the pursuit of the Three Stages Of Hyper Physique, back when it was named the “second phase of the Seven Stages Of Bodily Refinement”. Now that it became a technique based on the absorption of attribute’s essence and attribute energy, it would not have been pretentious of him to take the initiative to ask for the second stage’s template.

“Little Zi, are you going home?” Zax inquired.

“Yes, since Grandmaster told me to return tomorrow”.

“Wait”, Raroen stopped him. “Little brother Zax, spar with me once”. It would have been a shame to miss the opportunity to test himself against someone who traversed the world above ground and is a match to the most supreme of experts.

“I want to exchange pointers with you, as well, brother Zax”. Hagen asked.

“I suppose all of us what a taste of little brother Zax”. Mes chuckled.

Zax laughed. “I don’t mind. Big brother Raroen first, big sister Hagen second and so forth by seniority”.

“That means that I’d be next to last!” Mes was discontent; he was the third to speak.

“Then you will almost get to see all the different ways little brother Zax can beat you”. Simel taunted. “Little brother Zax, wouldn’t it be better to arrange the order by gender, too, females first?”

“I have not issues being after big brother Raroen”.

“I don’t mind being after big brother Simel”.

Hagend and Rarahel pitched in.

“Hey”, Mes protested. “I should’ve been third, how come I’m pushed to the end of the line? Shulip, aren’t you going to give some face to your big brother?!”

“I’m fine being after big brother Raroen, big sister Hagen, big brother Simel and big sister Rarahel. Big sister Zetsa, if you are interested in the spar, little sister Shulip will respectfully take a step back”.

“Shulip!” Mes was dispirited. “Fine, fine! Have fun on my expense. I’ll be there watching and laughing as you get your asses kicked by little brother Zax!”

Standing on the sidelines, Zetsa and Kartius amusingly watched as Mes was being teased.

“Aren’t you curious of how well can you fare against the condition Martial son presenting?” Kartius asked.

Zetsa shook her head. “And you, Martial uncle?”

“Big brother accomplishments in Kinetic Force are higher than mine and in contrast to him, I am also a third level Core Master. Our strength is roughly on the same level, so there no need to embarrass myself for no reason. Mm? They are starting”.

...

The space was dark and sealed, in it, Zax sat with eyes closed and legs crossed.