Chapter 301 - Words cut deeper than a blade.
Opening the sliding door being greeted by Mrs. Orochi gasped slightly witnessing how his body was covered in countless bruises and drenched in sweat.
She had seen her husband and adopted son in the same state yet this young man was different that she is unable to place her finger on.
For someone who had been married to a martial art master, it wouldn't be strange for her to notice subtle things.
"Good morning, Mrs.Orochi-San. Forgive me if my appearance disturbs you."
"Ah, no need to apologize. I've already gotten used to it with having my husband and son around. I was just inviting you to have breakfast and my husband asked me to call for you."
"I see, I'll be right there but...can I ask where the shower is?"
Caelum gave an awkward smile for asking but she did not mind and helped him direct where the showers were while searching for someone to get new clothes.
He went inside finding a bathtub to submerge himself, took the moment to meditate and plan for his course of action.
Currently, he was penniless and homeless in the current world he was in. Caelum did not want to stay in someone else's place and needed to find a way to get money.
He's unable to use magic creations only having his mortal physical strength and nothing else. Though, his ability to access his Jade pagoda did not mean he's capable of getting inside with his current strength.
'I should find a job even simple as teaching or something. That would help me give some free time to train since my intellect far surpasses this current era.'
The only problem is his identity and something told him that Doppo Orochi would be able to help him.
He was out of options and only let the shame buried deep into his heart before his ability to find a way to repay him.
'I'll find something online...perhaps I could search for underground fighting. It would help temper my strength and mind.'
Caelum gave a light chuckle for the first time in countless years, he was utterly lost. In the past, he relied on the system and omniscience to plan out things but only relied on himself.
It gave a sense of nostalgia when he was the breadwinner for his family before meeting Sapphire Nawa who he misses dearly.
He spent a few minutes reciting the Paragon Scripture that made it easier to clear his mind and felt everything turn into the pure white canvas with the profound words that he had written insightful strokes to the world of white canvas.
An unbelievable sight to behold trying to find the meaning of himself. He had never experienced a normal mortal fight where only their fist and body battled for dominance.
Caelum lost his Adaptable body that had let him temper himself and only left the body before he had Sapphire. It was a talentless and weak body that had not been pushed to the limit.
'This is what happens when taking shortcuts. I've lost something vital through one journey and finally had the opportunity to find it.'
His insight grows deeper the more he deeply contemplates his choices from the past. Caelum opened his eyes, unable to find the answer but had taken a step closer.
"Caelum-san, your clothes have arrived."
Upon hearing the voice of the butler step out of the bathroom quickly rinsed himself before heading out of the bathroom dressing with the clothing provided.
It was a karate uniform that fitted like a glove then noticed something contained by the piece of clothing.
"Now you've dressed nicely, follow me."
Moments later, Caelum arrived at the dinner table presented with traditional Japanese breakfast.
He did not find doppo as the butler told him that after breakfast would bring him to where his dojo was.
The courtesy and generosity of Orochi would not be in vain, placing a promise to remain him with threefolds.
After he ate the meal nourished his body that normally won't need any sustenance to survive. He went ahead and follow the butler driving him towards a building complex witnessing an enormous billboard of Orochi karate-chopping a Siberian tiger.
Caelum gasped when he was told that it was a grand accomplishment of Doppo and prided himself over this. He was surprised knowing this was mortal strength alone that defeated a Siberian Tiger.
A Siberian tiger was twice the size of a normal tiger that was built with thick and dense muscle that even the elite athlete would only dream of surviving an encounter, not even mention fighting it.
It had powerful bite forces capable of tearing flesh and bone like tofu. A beast who could be an apex predator and yet it was defeated by mere karate chop.
'Doppo Orochi….what kind of training did you do to accomplish this feat?'
He would have not been surprised if it was the world he's been in then everything would have been easy with the presence of Ki and other energy yet this normal person was able to break past an ordinary athletes' limits.
Caelum finally got out of the car and headed inside the building reaching the area where he saw Doppo Orochi demonstrating Karate moves.
It baffles him to witness the mesmerizing movement that showed the impact of each strike, a sight that Caelum intently poured his heart into understanding.
Normally, he would understand them from a glance with his Cosmic eyes but now only his natural talent that was meager at best, despite this, Caelum gave everything to learn the things that made Doppo especial
He didn't need to wait long when the Doppo Orochi technique revealed a faint aura that Caelum had been sensing for a while now. It is different from an Intent and a Dao appearing as nurturing with heart and faith.
Doppo Orochi was not merely doing Karate rather he appeared to be an embodiment of Karate from head to toe. It was truly an enlightening sight letting him grow closer.
For the first time, Caelum treated power as a mere tool and never found himself maturing in showing value to his martial art. He had pride but never to this level of degree.
This level of dedication made him appreciate martial arts who poured their heart into making them. He had taken the long history of their martial art by cheating his way.
'Martial art is not merely a tool for fighting, but rather a type of belief and faith.'
Gaining a new appreciation of true warriors steps foot inside gaining the people's attention. Doppo noticed the change within Caelum and opted for a smile.
"The impurity seems to have lessened. Glad you could make it."
"Once again thank you for your help."
"Wait a bit, I'll have a chat with you. Maybe you could learn a thing or two."
He only gave a nod joining the rest of the students who were curious about his appearances but did not let the temptation take them and intently listened to their grand master's lecture.
Caelum sincerely sat in respect far from his usually carefree demeanor. He gave utmost admiration for their devotion to Karate. They all had that he did not.
Listening intently to his lecture found that his words were different from the logic from Xianxia worlds that held powerful merits that opened a door for discovery. The most striking words came from the last lecture that stirred within Caelum.
"Whatever goes as long as you're strong. That's all you to it."
Caelum could feel the words themselves directed towards him. He had long felt unstoppable having godlike ability yet in the end was it truly his power?
"Are you stupid? Being strong is a good thing. It has always been this way: you were told nothing but lies out loud and the truth whispered to you quietly."
It made it clear power and everything had been an illusion that he was the one who made himself this power.
Caelum devoured talent and affinity along with fate that increased his strength and from the sudden realization finally woke his true talent.
'Then this is the opportunity to prove my strength without relying on shortcuts. This way I would truly pass the shackle that binds me.'
Caelum took everything and admired his defeat even without fighting Doppo. He had already won before their bare hands. collided with each other.
For the first time, deep within him, something had been blossoming, and determined to find ways to nurture it. An emotional pain had wounded his heart and did not know what it was.