The night was as black as ink. On Soulbreak Cliff west of the Heaven Dou Great Camp, mountain winds howled, sweeping up gravel and withered grass and lashing them against the ancient trees at the cliff's edge with mournful cries. Tang San stood beside Tang Hao at the precipice. Beneath their feet lay a bottomless chasm, while in the distance, the lights of Jialing Pass glittered faintly and the horns of the military camp drifted through the air.
Tang Hao gazed at the rolling sea of clouds below the cliff. His back appeared especially straight in the darkness. Slowly, he spoke, his voice carried by the mountain wind yet possessing a force that pierced the heart. "Since its founding, our Clear Sky Sect has passed down a secret cultivation method. This technique places extremely high demands on its practitioner. Without exceptional talent and unshakable will, not only will one fail to cultivate it successfully, but one may also suffer backlash from one's own Soul Power and risk death."
Tang San held his breath, knowing that what his father was about to teach him had to be a core inheritance of the Clear Sky Sect. His heart was filled with reverence and anticipation.
"This technique is called the Great Sumeru Hammer." Tang Hao turned, his gaze falling upon Tang San with scrutiny and expectation. "Little San, hold out your hand."
Tang San raised his hand as instructed, palm upward, facing the howling mountain wind. The wind slipped through his fingers, carrying the scent of grass and trees. Fallen leaves at the cliff's edge were lifted by the gale, brushing past his fingertips before drifting lightly down into the abyss.
"Tell me, what do you feel?" Tang Hao asked.
Tang San closed his eyes and concentrated, carefully sensing the touch against his