As Zhao Tian followed Yan Zijin, the wind brushed through the trees around them and soon both of them reached the cave.
The entrance to the gravity cave loomed ahead, carved into the side of a jagged cliff.
It radiated an oppressive energy and Yan Zijin paused at the entrance as she turned her gaze to Zhao Tian.
"Remember," she said, her voice as cold as ever, "the gravity inside the cave increases in layers. I’ll only guide you up for some layers. Beyond that, it’s up to you."
Zhao Tian nodded, "Yes, Master."
Her lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile. "You’ll need more than your best."
She stepped inside without another word, and Zhao Tian followed.
The air inside the cave was dense, pressing against his chest with every step.
The further they walked, the heavier it became, as if invisible chains were over his shoulders.
By the time they reached the first layer, Zhao Tian’s breathing had already grown heavier.
Yan Zijin stopped, turning to face him. "Drop into a stance."
He complied instantly, lowering himself into a combat stance.
The pressure was intense, making even standing hard for him.
Yan Zijin watched him for a moment before she snapped her fingers.
A burst of energy shot from her hand, slamming into his abdomen.
*thoom* Zhao Tian staggered but didn’t fall, gritting his teeth as he steadied himself.
"Good. Your core strength has improved," she said, as she reached out and touched his abdomen.
"But your reactions are still too slow."
Without warning, she lashed out with a kick aimed at his side.
Zhao Tian twisted, narrowly dodging the blow, but the movement was sluggish under the weight of the cave’s gravity.
Yan Zijin didn’t let up and followed the kick with a flurry of punches.
Each attack forced him to move faster and dodge, despite the crushing force bearing down on him.
"Focus!" she uttered as her fist grazed his jaw.
"If you can’t adapt to this pressure, you won’t survive in intense fights."
Zhao Tian grunted, dodging another strike and counter-attacking with a punch of his own.
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Yan Zijin easily deflected it as her hand disappeared like a blur "Better, but not good enough."
She stepped back, her eyes narrowing. "The second layer will be good for you. Follow me."
Without hesitation, Zhao Tian followed her deeper into the cave and he felt the air and the pressure getting thicker in the cave.
When they reached the second layer, Zhao Tian’s body crouched a little because of the intense weight, his breaths coming in shallow gasps.
"Haa.. Haa..."
Yan Zijin stood before him, unbothered by the weight of the cave and crossed her arms, waiting.
"Stand."
He forced himself to his feet, his legs trembling under the strain.
Yan Zijin stepped closer, "This is where you’ll train. Your body needs to adapt to this weight, or you’ll crumble under real pressure. Understand?"
Zhao Tian nodded, "Yes, Master."
"Haa..." Zhao Tian inhaled sharply as the initial pressure sent a sharp jolt through his body, but the ache quickly ebbed, replaced by a spreading warmth that seemed to seep into his very bones.
Yan Zijin’s hands moved in smooth, circular motions, her thumbs kneading into the tension with a controlled force.
"Your shoulders carry too much strain," she murmured.
"You’re forcing strength from the wrong places. Let the energy flow naturally... don’t resist it."
Zhao Tian managed a weak nod, his breath hitching as her hands moved to the base of his neck.
Her thumbs pressed into the sides, working out the stiffness that had built up over hours of grueling training.
Each movement felt purposeful, her expertise evident as she worked on muscles he hadn’t even realized were sore.
"Tell me if you feel something feels wrong.. because I have never worked with male bodies before, so there might be slight variations..."
Zhao Tian managed a weak nod as she continued her work.
She shifted slightly, leaning closer as she worked her way down his upper arms.
Her palms ran along the length of his biceps, applying firm, even pressure that eased the rigidity.
When her fingers reached his forearms, she took his hand in hers, gently stretching his arm out to better access the strained muscles.
She shifted slightly, leaning closer as she worked her way down his upper arms.
Her palms ran along the length of his biceps, applying firm, even pressure that eased the rigidity.
When her fingers reached his forearms, she took his hand in hers, gently stretching his arm out to better access the strained muscles.
Her hands moved to his palms, her thumbs pressing into the center before sliding outward in slow, deliberate strokes.
She repeated the process on each finger, coaxing the stiffness from his joints with meticulous care.
By the time she finished with his arms, they felt lighter, as if the weight of his fatigue had been lifted.
"Lie back,"
Zhao Tian complied, his head resting on the pillow as she shifted her attention to his chest.
Her hands moved with practiced confidence, her fingers gliding over the taut muscles.
She worked along the lines of his pectorals, her thumbs pressing into the center before sweeping outward in broad, soothing strokes.
"This area takes more strain than you realize,"
"Every movement you make starts here. Keep it strong, but don’t let it become rigid."
As she spoke, she moved to his sides, her fingers tracing the contours of his ribs.
She applied gentle pressure, her touch firm enough to ease the tension but careful not to aggravate the soreness.
Yan Zijin leaned back slightly, dipping her fingers into the ointment again before moving to his abdomen.
Her hands pressed into the hardened muscles, her thumbs working in small, circular motions.
The herbal balm’s soothing warmth seemed to amplify her efforts, spreading a calming heat through his core.
By the time she finished, Zhao Tian felt as though his entire body had been rejuvenated.
Yan Zijin wiped her hands clean with a cloth.
"Rest, your body needs time to recover. Tomorrow, we’ll push harder."
As she stood, her gaze lingered on him for a moment, a rare flicker of warmth in her usually indifferent expression. "You’ve done well, Zhao Tian. Don’t let that go to waste."
Zhao Tian stared at the ceiling as he closed his eyes ’This training is hard... and I need to go to the forest 2 days later.’
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