Chapter 61: Concept of Darkness-Tribulation Lightening Descends *

As Jiang Feng carefully unrolled the two ancient scrolls, his gaze was drawn to the intricate calligraphy etched on the first. The paper carried the scent of time, its ink shimmering faintly, as if imbued with a mysterious energy. This was no ordinary scroll, it exuded an aura of profound knowledge, emanating a faint yet chilling darkness that resonated with the descending night.

The first scroll introduced itself as the Silent Reaper's Cultivation Method. Its opening lines sent a shiver through him: The Concept of Darkness

"Darkness is more than the absence of light. It is the veil that cloaks all existence, the realm in which mysteries are born and secrets thrive. It is eternal, impartial, and omnipresent."

Darkness, Jiang Feng learned, as he went through the scroll, was one of the Nine Major Concepts that governed the balance of the universe, equal in stature to Karma, Faith, Time, Space, Chaos, Life, Death, and Nirvana. Each concept was a fundamental force shaping existence, a law that transcended mortal understanding.

-Karma governed the cycle of actions and consequences.

-Faith shaped destinies through belief and collective will.

-Time marched forward, unyielding and eternal.

-Space served as the canvas for creation.

-Chaos embodied unpredictability and change.

-Life and Death maintained the cycle of existence.

-Nirvana represented transcendence beyond the mortal coil.

But Darkness held a unique role. It was the domain of the unknown, the keeper of secrets, and the cradle of all things unperceived, but most due to fearing the unknown, see's it as evil and confuse the concept of darkness with the concept of death!. While light revealed the world, darkness obscured it, creating balance. It was neither inherently good nor evil, but its power could be wielded by those who understood its nature—those unafraid to step into the void.

Comprehending Darkness Energy

The scroll delved deeper, explaining how to attune oneself to the energy of darkness. Jiang Feng read each line with growing fascination:

"To comprehend the essence of darkness, one must first embrace it. Shut your senses and silence your heart. Feel the unseen, hear the unspoken, and move in the shadows between moments. Darkness thrives in solitude and grows stronger in stillness. It is a power that rewards patience and punishes haste."

The technique required more than meditation—it demanded an acceptance of one's inner fears, doubts, and uncertainties. Only by confronting these truths could one resonate with the energy of darkness. Jiang Feng's heart quickened. The idea of mastering such a profound force was both intimidating and exhilarating.

The Silent Reaper Killing Technique

Setting aside the first scroll, he unfurled the second. Its title was bold and commanding: Silent Reaper Killing Technique. Unlike the cultivation method, this scroll was direct and lethal in its teachings. It was crafted for assassins, warriors who thrived in stealth and precision.

The scroll described the essence of the Silent Reaper as the embodiment of death in the shadows. Each movement was designed to kill swiftly and silently, leaving no trace. The technique focused on merging one's presence with the surrounding darkness, making the practitioner invisible and undetectable.

"The Silent Reaper moves without sound, strikes without warning, and fades without trace. Mastery of this art demands control, precision, and the cold resolve to embrace death as an ally."

The scroll emphasized three core tenets: Invisibility, Lethality, and Evasion. These pillars ensured that each strike would be both devastating and inescapable.

The First Killing Move: Eclipse Rend

The first technique within the Silent Reaper's arsenal was named Eclipse Rend. The description painted a vivid picture of its execution:

"Eclipse Rend is a strike forged in shadow. The user channels the surrounding darkness into their weapon or hand, condensing it into a sharp, invisible edge. With a single, fluid motion, the strike cuts through the target's defenses, severing not just flesh but their spiritual essence or the soul. The wound it leaves is undetectable, its origin lost to the shadows, making it a swift, silent, and fatal attack, the enemy's shadow dies before the flesh realizes that it is dead".    "."

But even though Eclipse Rend is a very strong martial technique, a single misstep could nullify the technique's effectiveness, leaving the user vulnerable.

Jiang Feng felt a surge of emotion. The Silent Reaper teachings were daunting, but he knew their mastery could set him apart, transforming him into a force to be reckoned with. 'It is neither inherently good nor evil'

Rolling up the scrolls, he closed his eyes and steadied his breathing. The path ahead was steep and fraught with danger, but the allure of power, knowledge, and survival called to him like never before.-

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Feng retrieved a Spirit Burst Pill. The Snow White pill lay flat in his hand, silently gleaming with its pristine beauty. Without hesitation, he popped it into his mouth, feeling it dissolve into a cool liquid, sliding smoothly down his throat.

Suddenly, immense waves of spiritual energy surged within his body. His limbs tensed with excruciating pain before a ferocious suction force erupted from his heart, ravenously devouring the energy. The coiled dragon inside him stirred, its form trembling before it opened its gaping maw, greedily consuming all the energy, growing ever larger.

"Eat all you want," Jiang Feng muttered to himself as he tossed the next two Spirit Burst Pills and the two green Meridian Opening Pills into his mouth. A thunderous explosion reverberated within his body, causing his flesh to split open, and a torrent of fresh blood sprayed from his mouth, staining the floor of the training room.

Yet, despite the agony, a massive image of a dragon appeared above him, rippling through the air. The dragon stood in the sky on all fours, its body crackling with arcs of lightning, its skin adorned with jagged black scales like the sharpest swords. Its four massive horns surged with electricity, and as it opened its mouth wide, it began to consume the spiritual energy from within Jiang Feng's body, as well as the surrounding energy in the world.

ROAR!!!

A deafening roar split the skies, sending shockwaves through the city, triggering the city's defensive formations. Jiang Feng coughed up another mouthful of blood as a deep, booming voice echoed inside his mind:

"I am the Aetherion Dragon, from this day onwards. You bow to no man! I am the darkness that swallows the light, the force that bends the world to my will. With every roar, I carve my legacy into the bones of the earth. Let all tremble, for I have awakened."

It was already deep into the night. The city of Northern Moon shuddered beneath the gathering storm, massive thunderclouds rolling in from every direction, turning the sky to a pitch-black abyss. The air vibrated with raw energy, each thunderclap causing ripples through the atmosphere. Then, a torrential downpour began, fierce winds howling through the streets.

Within moments, the streets of Northern Moon were deserted. All doors were slammed shut, and windows were drawn tight, save for one—Jiang Feng, who stepped out of the Lin courtyard into the pouring rain. His eyes were steely, unwavering as he gazed up at the chaotic sky. Above, three colossal lightning bolts crisscrossed the heavens, lighting up the night like an otherworldly spectacle.

"I guess it's time."

With a resolute look, Jiang Feng turned towards the city gates, propelling himself forward with an immense burst of force. His feet left deep impressions on the ground as he shot out of the city, heading straight into the wilderness. If one could peer into his body, they would be struck by the sight of nine fully-formed meridians, each glowing with newfound power.

The sixth meridian, the Yin Qiao Meridian, also known as The Yin Heel Vessel, governed the movement and balance of yin energy, particularly influencing the lower limbs. The seventh, the Yang Wei Meridian, or The Yang Linking Vessel, connected the yang meridians, regulating the flow of yang energy within the body.

The eighth, the Yin Wei Meridian, or The Yin Linking Vessel, connected the yin meridians and regulated the flow of yin energy. Lastly, the ninth, the Zhou Meridian, also called the Circulation Meridian, was said to connect the major meridians, ensuring the smooth and continuous flow of spiritual energy throughout the body.

As Jiang Feng exited the city, Lin Moyi and Zhen Chen stood silently on a building top, watching him leave. Without a word, they followed, their figures blending with the shadows. The massive thunderclouds overhead swelled, trailing behind the young man, growing in size with each passing moment.

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