CHAPTER 349: CHAPTER 348: THE LEGACY OF RESONANCE

Hadric carefully unrolled another scroll, the parchment covered with delicate lines and flowing runes.

"The first step," he said, "is Resonance Breathing. It’s a breathing pattern designed to make mana channels tremble at a different frequency, just enough to start tuning them toward Qi resonance."

He demonstrated with a slow inhale and exhale. "It sounds simple, but it requires precision. A single mistake could cause mana backlash, and the body might reject the new flow entirely."

Lumberling followed his movements with serious eyes, quietly memorizing the rhythm.

Hadric nodded slightly, seeing his focus. "The second step is called Vein Engraving. You’ll need a special alchemical liquid to do this, something that acts as a conductor. It’s applied internally, through focused mana, to carve artificial meridians alongside the natural ones. These new channels serve as conversion lines that slowly transform mana into pseudo-Qi."

He pointed to a detailed sketch showing glowing lines branching through the human body. "This part is dangerous. If done too quickly, it’ll tear their mana veins apart."

Lumberling nodded. "Understood."

"The third step," Hadric continued, "is Core Stabilization. This one’s not just physical, it’s a trial of will. The practitioner must rebuild their energy center, the dantian, from the inside out. They’ll do this through meditation while enduring hunger, cold, and fatigue. The process forces your body to adapt, much like how martial artists in our old world tempered their cores through pain."

Lumberling’s expression grew firm. "I think they’ll be able to handle it."

Hadric gave a faint smirk. "You might say that now, but this step has broken many. Still, if they endure, their core will begin to form the foundation of true cultivation."

He then tapped the last page, where a swirling symbol resembling both mana and Qi merged into one. "The final step is Mana Conversion. Once their body can stabilize both energies, it’ll start drawing in mana naturally and converting it into usable Qi. From then on, they can circulate energy as a cultivator would. But..."

He paused, his tone softening. "Because this method is still incomplete, its efficiency isn’t perfect. It functions at roughly sixty to seventy percent compared to those blessed by the Divine."

Lumberling exhaled slowly, his gaze falling on the parchment. "Even so," he said quietly, "for someone who was never meant to cultivate in the first place... this is already a miracle."

Hadric smiled faintly, pride mixed in his eyes.

’So it’s not perfect,’ Lumberling thought, watching the old Duke carefully roll the parchment back into its case, ’but even so... to create a technique like this on his own, it proves just how far his will and wisdom have reached.’

He couldn’t help but compare it to his own creation, the Bruteforge Body Cultivation Path. It was a method he designed long ago, one that pushed the body beyond its natural limits, but it only had one layer. He never managed to develop it further.

Now, standing before a man who had built an entire system capable of letting mortals touch Qi, he felt both humbled and inspired.

When Hadric finished storing away the scrolls, he looked up at Lumberling with a calm smile. "Take this knowledge and use it wisely. I trust you’ll do what’s right with it."

"I will, Senior," Lumberling said, bowing slightly. "I won’t let your legacy go to waste."

Hadric’s gaze softened. "Good. Then my heart is at ease."

Outside, the low rumble of drums began to echo across the barracks. The sound of metal boots striking stone followed soon after. Soldiers shouted orders as formations began to gather, the Duke’s personal army preparing to march.

Hadric walked toward the door, his emerald armor glinting under the torchlight. "It’s time," he said quietly.

Lumberling followed beside him until they reached the courtyard. Thousands of soldiers stood ready, their banners fluttering in the cold wind.

Hadric climbed onto his horse, his presence commanding even without words. "Lumberling," he said, looking down at him, "protect this city while I’m gone. If I fall, make sure these people live to see another day."

Lumberling met his gaze firmly. "You have my word, Senior. I’ll guard this place with my life."

Hadric smiled faintly, the kind only a warrior gave before heading into the unknown. "Then may fate favor us both."

With that, he raised his hand, and the entire army began to move. The thunder of hooves and armor filled the air as Duke Hadric and his forces marched out to face the Viking invaders.

Lumberling stood there, watching them disappear into the horizon, the sound of their march fading slowly into the distance.

.....

That night, Lumberling sat near the flames, his gaze fixed on the glowing embers as Aurelya, Thessalia, and Vaenyra along with Liraeth, gathered around him. The mood was calm yet filled with anticipation.

Lumberling glanced at each of them, then smiled. "Good news," he said, his tone light. "Tonight, you’ll all begin your cultivation journey with me."

He spread a worn parchment on the ground. Strange runes and flow patterns were drawn across it.

"This is the foundation, the Hadric Conversion Art," he explained.

"It’s a technique I received from Duke Hadric himself. Once you master it, you’ll be able to move on to the two cultivation methods I practice, the Imperial Mindseal Meditation, which strengthens the mind, and the Ironblood Tempering Scripture, which refines the body."

The elves exchanged curious glances, excitement flickering in their eyes.

Aurelya leaned forward, her voice soft but filled with excitement. "So we can really walk the same path as you?"

Lumberling gave her a small smile. "Of course," he said, his tone playful. "Now you won’t have to keep complaining about being jealous of my multiple paths."

Aurelya snorted, rolling her eyes. "I never complained that much."

Thessalia clenched her fists, her usual calm expression replaced by eagerness. "I’m curious to see what this will become," she said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Vaenyra nodded beside her, her voice steady but full of quiet resolve. "I want to see how far this path can take me. Maybe it’ll help me reach the peak I’ve always aimed for."

Lumberling looked at the four of them. "This won’t be easy," he said softly. "The process will test both your body and patience. But if you endure, it’ll open a new door."

The group exchanged firm nods, determination settling over them.

"Then let’s begin," Lumberling said, his voice calm but resolute.

Under the quiet night sky, the faint pulse of mana began to stir.

.....

The next day, sunlight filtered gently through the canopy as the group trained in the clearing. The air shimmered faintly with mana as Aurelya, Thessalia, Vaenyra, and Liraeth sat cross-legged, practicing the first phase of the Hadric Conversion Art under Lumberling’s watchful eyes.

Birds chirped nearby, but their focus never wavered, until Thessalia broke the silence.

"Now that we’ve done what we came here for," she said, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow, "should we leave once he returns?"

Lumberling looked up from the parchment he was holding and shook his head. "Not yet," he said calmly.

"We have to find a way so this technique can be shared, not just among us, but with others too. It would be a waste if only my family could use it."

He stood, brushing off his cloak, then glanced at the four of them. "That’s why I need you all to stay here for a while, to protect the city in my place."

Thessalia crossed her arms, a hint of suspicion in her tone. "What are you planning this time?"

Lumberling chuckled softly. "What do you mean by that? I’m not planning anything," he said lightly. "I just want to see the battle between the Vikings and the martial artists."

Aurelya groaned softly. "With you, curiosity usually means trouble."

Then Vaenyra stood up as well, brushing a few leaves from her blue hair. "I’m coming with you," she said with a spark in her eyes. "I want to see it too."

"Of course," Lumberling replied with a smile. "I planned to bring you along anyway."

"I’m tagging along as well," Aurelya added, folding her arms. "No way I’m missing this."

Liraeth paused for a moment, thoughtful. "I’ll join too," she said at last. "It might help us understand more about martial artists and their ways."

Lumberling blinked, raising his hands slightly. "Woah, hold on. I promised the Duke we’d guard his city. We can’t all just leave."

Thessalia let out a quiet sigh, shaking her head with a faint smile. "Alright, I’ll stay. Someone has to keep things in order while you go chasing after your ’curiosity.’ Besides," she added, glancing at the parchment, "I’d rather spend more time mastering this technique."

Lumberling walked up to her, his grin softening. "Then I’m counting on you, Thessalia." He leaned closer and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. "I’ll promise to give you a reward after this," he said, giving her a wink.

Thessalia rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at her lips as he stepped away, his laughter echoing lightly.