Chapter 3: The Incredible Transformation

Words : 1876 Updated : Mar 20th, 2025

Connor stared blankly at the broken tree, unable to believe his eyes. He reached out and touched it to confirm that it was indeed broken. Even then, he couldn't quite comprehend what had occurred. Despite his rigorous physique training, he knew his limits. He couldn't defeat Michael, a lower Novice Level, let alone easily break a tree of such size. To test himself further, he approached another tree, equally about a meter thick. Before making a move, Connor checked the tree to ensure it was intact. He then struck it with half the force he had used before. Bang! The tree shook violently. A creaking sound followed as the tree split again at the point of impact. Connor looked at his right hand in disbelief. "How is this possible?" he exclaimed. "Could it be the tricolored sphere?" He recalled the previous event. Before heading to Wolf Fang Mountain, his strength had been nowhere near this level. The only change since then was the encounter with the tricolored sphere. His eyes gleamed with a mix of excitement and disbelief. This was raw, unadulterated power. Connor eagerly moved toward a massive boulder weighing six hundred pounds, something he could never have budged before. Filled with anticipation, doubt, and a hint of worry, he placed his hands on the rock and pushed. The boulder rolled away after he pushed it. Connor rushed over, grabbed the boulder, and lifted it effortlessly. Shockingly, it felt as light as ten pounds, almost straining his back with the sudden exertion. This unexpected display of strength left him utterly astounded. After recovering from his shock, Connor murmured, "Just how much strength has the tricolored sphere granted me?" He scanned his surroundings and spotted another massive stone, nearly seven hundred pounds. He decided to test his newfound strength on it too. The result was the same. He lifted the stone with ease. His eyes sparkled with determination and excitement. "Why don't I try the Divine Thunder physique technique?" The thought thrilled him, though he also felt a bit apprehensive. The technique was a gift to Quentin from a friend who didn't want his creation forgotten. Despite its potential, the Shayle family struggled to unlock the scroll containing the technique. It was sealed with a secret mechanism to determine eligibility, something even Quentin couldn't crack. Connor had tried before without success. With his newfound strength, he was eager to give it another go. He headed to the Shayle family's Combat Technique Pavilion. Most of the advanced techniques were brought back by Quentin and acquired through various means. Among them were several physique techniques. The elders guarding the pavilion didn't stop Connor. He was a frequent visitor, often looking for new training techniques. Inside, Connor went straight to the cabinet storing the physique technique scrolls. Countless scrolls were placed on top. He felt slightly nervous as he picked up the first scroll on the left, which contained the Divine Thunder physique technique. The scroll was known to release a lightning bolt if one was unfit to train, causing intense discomfort. Yet, driven by the memory of the Continental Youth Tournament's grand prize and the changes the tricolored sphere had brought him, he couldn't resist trying again. He gripped the scroll and pulled. A bolt of lightning shot from the scroll. Connor squinted at the flash as it entered his arms, feeling a warmth in his chest as the lightning converged there, disappearing from sensation. "It's happening again!" Connor exclaimed, delighted. The tricolored sphere had once circulated through his body before settling in his chest, and now the lightning was doing the same, confirming the sphere's mysterious powers. Connor opened the scroll. More bolts of purple black lightning, as thick as his thumb, surged into his body. They, too, settled in his chest. He unfurled the scroll further. The scroll contained detailed illustrations and descriptions of each technique, along with potential issues that might arise. "I must train," Connor declared resolutely, clutching the scroll tightly. He tucked the scroll away and left the pavilion. Returning to the back mountain, Connor reopened the scroll. Unfurling it again unleashed another wave of lightning, more potent than before, but it, too, gathered in his chest. "Could the lightning be a form of body tempering rather than just a test of eligibility?" Connor wondered. Instead, he decided not to dwell on it and focused on studying the technique. After reading it, he exhaled deeply. "What an incredible technique," he marveled. "To complete it, one must endure a hundred strikes of heavenly thunder. No wonder it's called the Divine Thunder physique technique." The power of heavenly thunder was immense, capable of killing with a single strike. To withstand a hundred strikes would require an extraordinary physique. Resolute in his decision to train, Connor immediately began his regimen. The initial stages weren't too challenging. They involved standing under a waterfall and training in rapids. The basic training primarily took place in water. According to the technique, water training enhances physique and improves flexibility, which is essential for physique training. There was a waterfall at the back of the mountain. Connor headed there. The large waterfall had a tremendous flow and was Lanshire City's primary water source. Connor stripped down and approached it. As he stepped under, the torrent cascaded down, but he withstood it easily. However, the rocks beneath were slippery from years of erosion. He lost his footing and fell into the water. The current was so strong that he had been swept over a hundred meters downstream when resurfaced. Climbing back onto the bank, he returned for another attempt. He fell again into the water. And so began his endless cycle of trial and error.

Chapter 3: The Incredible Transformation

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