The Eye of Oblivion

Chapter 6: Cultivating Techniques

A youth clad in a beast-skin tunic wielded a bone knife crafted from the leg bone of some wild beast, cleaving through the air with relentless strokes. Though the technique lacked formidable power, the blade's swift flashes and the fierce, whistling sound it produced suggested a potent edge capable of slicing through the very air. The youth's iron-gray muscles rippled with each motion, as if they might burst forth from his body, exuding an imposing aura.

"Yahan, stop fooling around and come home for dinner."

"Yes, Father, I'll be right there," the boy replied, picking up the bone knife and dashing towards a small hut.

This Yahan was, of course, Li Ran. According to tribal customs, children who turned seven would receive a name bestowed by the priests.

Having been in this world for two years now, he had gradually integrated into the village. Compared to two years ago, he had grown significantly stronger. His persistent practice of hand seals had considerably increased his strength, allowing him to match, and even surpass, children eleven or twelve years old. His endurance with the hand seals had also tripled, lasting about fifteen minutes.

Li Ran had roughly gauged the planet's gravity, which was about twenty-two times that of Earth's. Without precise measuring tools, he could only estimate.

Previously, he would have found it inconceivable that life could exist on a planet with such gravity. On Earth, scientists used Earth-like conditions to determine the possibility of extraterrestrial life, positing that only environments similar to Earth's could sustain life.

"Father! Mother!" Yahan called as he entered the hut.

"Sit down! Eat meat," said Yali, his face bright with pleasure. Ever since he had encouraged his son to consume more meat two years ago, Yahan's strength had increased markedly, and his height had grown substantially, now nearing his father's chest.

Yali often marveled at his own ingenuity, lamenting how he had never thought of this earlier. If he had, perhaps he would not have been ridiculed by those brutish men for so many years.

In a clay pot, ten chunks of meat were piled high, quivering and glistening with greasy reflections in the setting sun. The quantity nearly matched Yali's own share.

Upon reaching the seventh piece, Yahan paused and said, "Father, I want to change to a different knife. This bone knife is too light and lacks force!"

Yali stopped, tapping his hard, wire-like beard with his fingernail, producing a series of popping sounds. He then gulped down the contents of the pot, stood up, and retrieved a large, black sword from the corner of the room.

"Son, give this knife a try!" Yali said, thrusting the sword into the ground. The blade cut through the earth as though it were tofu, soon disappearing halfway into the ground.

Yahan looked exasperated. "Father, I don't even know what this knife is made of, but it’s heavier than a fully grown tiger. I can't possibly lift it."

"Heh, your strength now surpasses mine when I was your age," Yali boasted. "At seven years old, your strength is already considerable. Indeed, it's time to upgrade your weapon, considering you still have three years to go. The hides accumulated over these years amount to a dozen bundles; it should be enough for a good sword. Initially, your small strength meant these hides were reserved for you to find a wife when you grew up. But with your current strength, any woman within a thousand miles would be eager for you; you might even attract them with your prowess."

The thought of a wife immediately brought to mind a woman with a foul mouth, yellowed teeth, and surrounded by beasts. Yahan shuddered but quickly refocused on something of interest.

"Father, is the cultivation technique something similar to the strange power I see in the fists of eleven or twelve-year-olds when we fight?"

"Ah, yes. But they have only recently begun their training, so the effect is minimal, which is why you can still spar with them. As their training progresses, you will find yourself unable to match them."

A fervent light sparked in Yahan’s eyes. "Father, can you teach me now?"

Disappointingly, Yali shook his head. "That’s not allowed. Tribal rules forbid private instruction, and violators face punishment. You can only begin training when you turn ten. Patience, son. Just wait another three years."

"Let me tell you, our tribe's techniques are unparalleled. No other tribe within a hundred miles possesses techniques as effective as ours. Many women have come to our village for this very reason, attracted by our men’s superior strength and greater ability to secure prey. Your mother was the most beautiful woman in the area. In the end, it was this prowess that led her father to choose me." Yali spoke with a prideful grin.

Standing up, Yali placed the dull black sword in the corner, then briskly walked to the door. Turning back, he said:

"Finish the remaining meat, while I inform the chief. Tomorrow, we won't hunt. I’ll take you to the town to buy the knife you want. Prepare to be amazed, and don’t let your eyes pop out!"

Yahan grimaced inwardly, thinking, “I come from a high-tech society where not only can people fly in airplanes but even travel to space. What wonders have I not seen? If you were on our planet, you’d likely have your eyes trampled. Strength is of little use if it can’t stop missiles.”

Suddenly, he paused, looking troubled. “It’s hard to say if missiles could destroy these creatures. The people here are too powerful, and in such gravity, they might become superhumans on Earth. Missiles might be worth considering, but bullets would be useless, as they would fall almost immediately under this gravity. Moreover, from what I see of their defenses, bullets would likely not penetrate their flesh.”

Resolving to himself, he forcefully swallowed the meat and munched on several grape-like fruits, crunching both the skins and seeds, before muttering fiercely:

“If all else fails, then nuclear bombs—drop a few, and everything will turn to ash, thoroughly cleaned.”

Although he thought this, rationally, he felt that if a war broke out between the people of these two planets, the victory would undoubtedly belong to this planet, despite its primitive and backward state.

...

As dusk settled and heavy snoring emanated from the adjacent room, he stealthily climbed out of bed, pushed open the door, and quietly made his way outside the village for his nightly exercise. Despite several attempts to train in his room, the overwhelming noise from the snoring next door made it impossible to concentrate.

Thus, he had no choice but to carefully venture outside the village for his practice.