Chapter 544 544: A Master
As Caleb resumed his search for Adrian, he approached another set of people along his route, hoping that one of them could point him in the right direction.
The first person, a busy merchant packing up his stall, was initially annoyed by the interruption. "Can't you see I'm busy here?" he snapped, but upon seeing Caleb's earnest expression, he sighed and pointed down the street. "He's usually around the eastern training grounds in the morning. It's almost noon, though. Hurry up, or you'll miss him."
"Thank you, truly," Caleb responded, his tone grateful as he hurried along.
The second person Caleb approached was a young mother with her child. "Excuse me, do you know where I might find Adrian?" Caleb asked gently. The woman, distracted and trying to soothe her fussy child, barely glanced at him. "Adrian? Maybe try the park, he likes quiet places. Now, please, I need to attend to my son."
Caleb nodded appreciatively and moved on, approaching a group of teenagers hanging out near a fountain. The first few were dismissive, shrugging off his questions with nonchalant 'don't know' and 'never heard of him'. However, one teen, curious about Caleb's persistent inquiries, piped up. "Adrian, the Ki master? Yeah, he hangs around the old gazebo by the lakeside. What's an old man want with him?"
"If you could show me, I'd be very grateful," Caleb said, sensing he was finally on the right track.
The helpful teen agreed, and they walked together toward the lakeside. As they approached, Caleb spotted a middle-aged man sitting quietly under the gazebo, seemingly lost in meditation.
Adrian, noticing a figure approaching with a teenager, initially thought little of it. But as they drew closer, his curiosity piqued. 'Why would an old man be looking for me? And guided by a teen, no less? What could he possibly want from me?' he wondered, his thoughts swirling with intrigue and a touch of caution.
When Caleb and the teen finally reached the gazebo, Adrian studied Caleb, noting the earnestness in his expression and the weariness that hinted at a deep-seated need or quest.
"Good day," Caleb greeted, catching his breath. "Are you Adrian? I've been searching for you."
Adrian, still processing the oddity of the situation, nodded slowly. "Yes, I'm Adrian. But I must ask, why does an old man seek me out so fervently?"
Caleb, relieved to have finally found him, prepared to explain his mission and the urgent need to master the Light Clone Technique, hoping that Adrian would be the key to his quest.
"I'm here to learn about light clone technique..."
Adrian's initial suspicion faded, replaced by a spark of enthusiasm when he realized the nature of Caleb's quest. "You're interested in the Light Clone Technique?" Adrian asked, his interest clearly piqued. "That's a rare and challenging skill to master."
"Yes, exactly," Caleb replied, introducing himself formally. "I'm Caleb. I've been working on the technique for some time, but I'm struggling with extending the range and consistency of the clones."
"Ah, Caleb," Adrian said, nodding in understanding as he introduced himself in return. "I'm Adrian, as you know, and I've spent a good part of my life mastering various Ki techniques, including the Light Clone Technique."
Explore new worlds at My Virtual Library Empire
Before they delved deeper into their discussion, Caleb turned to thank the teen who had guided him. He reached into his pocket and handed the young guide a couple of silver coins as a token of his appreciation. The teen's eyes widened in surprise, and after a brief, stunned pause, he dashed off, perhaps fearing Caleb might change his mind or realize he had been too generous.
Watching the teen's hasty retreat, both Adrian and Caleb couldn't help but laugh. "Well, that surely made his day," Adrian chuckled, turning back to Caleb.
"Indeed," Caleb smiled, then grew serious as they sat down on a nearby bench to discuss the technique further. "So, about the Light Clone Technique—I understand the first phase is crucial. It's about condensing and manipulating light energy effectively, right?"
"Yes, the first phase is foundational," Adrian confirmed, leaning forward, animated by the topic. "You need to focus on the quality of the light. It's not just about generating light, but about controlling its intensity, stability, and cohesiveness. Each clone has to be a precise replication, not just a vague semblance of light."
Caleb nodded, soaking in every word. "I've tried various methods, including using reflective surfaces and different frequencies of sound to stabilize the light, but the results have been inconsistent."
Adrian listened intently, then offered his insights. "Those are interesting approaches, but let's consider the angle of your Ki flow."
Adrian leaned back, his face full of smiles as he continued sharing tips and advice about mastering the Light Clone Technique, a topic he was clearly passionate about.
"First things first," Adrian began, "understanding the scientific principles behind the Light Clone Technique is crucial. It's all about manipulating light energy, but you've got to think of it as more than just light. It's an extension of your own Ki, your energy, so how you control your internal flow is key."
He paused, making sure Caleb was keeping up, then continued, "For the first phase, you need to focus on the purity and concentration of your Ki. This isn't just about making light appear; you need to mold it, shape it as if it were clay. The better your control, the more stable your clones."
Adrian's eyes lit up as he delved into more detailed advice. "One thing I learned the hard way is that environmental factors play a huge role. Light behaves differently at different times of the day and in different weather conditions. Training outdoors helped me understand these subtle nuances, which refined my technique significantly."
Caleb nodded, absorbing every word. Adrian, noticing Caleb's engagement, shifted to sharing personal anecdotes from his training days.
"There were countless times I failed," Adrian admitted with a chuckle. "During my early days, I'd get frustrated because I couldn't maintain the clones for more than a few seconds. They'd just fizzle out. It took me a while to realize that my approach was too rigid. I was forcing the energy, not guiding it."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "The breakthrough came when I started to really 'listen' to my Ki, tuning into its flow like it was part of a greater symphony. I stopped trying to command the light and instead, began to collaborate with it."
Adrian then shifted to explain some very specific scientific principles. "You see, the first phase works by aligning your Ki with the natural vibrations of light. Think about it like tuning an instrument to find the perfect pitch. Your Ki needs to harmonize with the light's frequency, which requires precision and a deep sensitivity to the energy around you."
Caleb, acting primarily as a listener throughout this exchange.
What do you think?
Total Responses: 0