Wizard: I Can Refine Everything

Hundreds of years had passed since Richard last entered the Mountain Secret Realm.

This period of time would have been enough for a mortal dynasty to change hands and decline from its peak, but for the Secret Realm, it was merely a moment.

Entering the Secret Realm, Richard followed the path he remembered, arriving at Changshan Temple where he had practiced in his youth.

Compared to his last visit, Changshan Temple was now quite desolate.

DONG! DONG! DONG!

Richard landed in front of the Mountain Gate of the Changshan Temple and knocked forcefully on the door.

Soon, a rolling rumble sounded as two aged dwarves opened the Mountain Gate.

These two old dwarves were both of Second Level strength, their faces as time-worn as if cast from iron.

"Who visits Changshan Temple?"

Upon a closer look, they seemed to recognize the black-robed figure standing at the door; he looked so familiar.

"Two Masters, do you remember me?" Richard asked with a slight smile to the two dwarves, "Over six hundred years ago, I practiced here."

The two old dwarves thought for a moment, and one of them suddenly lifted his head as something seemed to dawn on him.

"Master Richard!" The old dwarf exclaimed and then proceeded to prostrate fully as a mark of deep respect.

Seeing this, Richard quickly intervened, "Hey, there's no need for such formality. Just remembering me is enough; no need for such a grand gesture."

But the old dwarf was very stubborn and insisted on completing his ritual of respect, even though Richard was already supporting him.

Triggered by this, the other old dwarf also remembered who Richard was.

Without another word, he immediately threw himself to the ground and also performed a full prostration.

"Ah, what are you doing!"

Looking at the dwarf prostrate on the ground, Richard spoke with a bit of helplessness.

"Without the guidance of the Master, we would have withered away in this Secret Realm, never to return to the Mountain World or to rebuild the doctrines of Changshan Temple."

Hearing this, Richard immediately understood why these dwarves held him in such high regard.

His words of advice to the Abbott of Changshan Temple had indeed come to fruition.

These mountain dwarves had truly returned to the Mountain World and rebuilt their doctrines.

Seeing the stubborn dwarf in front of him, Richard decided to let him carry on with the respect.

This group of mountain dwarves was even more stubborn than the Magic Dwarves he knew from the Wizard World.

After the ceremonial respects, the two old dwarves led Richard into Changshan Temple.

The temple was now very desolate; apart from the old dwarves, Richard didn't even see one disciple.

"Have you sent all your disciples out of the Secret Realm?" Richard asked, puzzled.

"Yes, sir," one of the old dwarves replied respectfully, "The disciples of the temple have been all sent out of the Secret Realm to rebuild Changshan Temple."

"And why have you stayed?"

"Sir, we are the safeguard of Changshan Temple," the other old dwarf replied, "The environment in the Mountain World is not ideal; past wars have created many deadly zones, and Changshan Temple is located on the edge of one such zone."

Richard nodded thoughtfully and did not ask further.

Upon reaching the depths of the temple, Richard encountered the overseer of the Secret Realm's Changshan Temple.

As soon as Richard saw the dwarf, he couldn't help but smile.

"Abbott, long time no see."

The overseer of the Secret Realm's Changshan Temple was the same Abbott who had dealt with Richard all those years ago.

The Abbott approached Richard, prostrated fully, and then stood up with a smile, "It's been many years, Master. Your progress has been divine. In just over six hundred years, you've ascended from the Second Ring to the Three Rings.

Such speed truly shames me."

Richard waved his hand with a smile, "Just some opportunities."

"What brings you here this time?"

Richard sighed slowly and said, "Though my strength has advanced over the years, I've neglected my combat skills.

Now that I am of the Three Rings, my skills do not compare to some Second Ring Wizards.

Thus, I've come to refine my combat skills."

"Refining skills…" the Abbott pondered for a moment, looking somewhat conflicted, "Master, how long can you stay this time?

Skill refinement is not something that can be achieved overnight.

Without prolonged practice, no one can master such skills fully."

"Worry not, Abbott," Richard replied, "I can practice here at Changshan Temple for ten years, if not enough, twenty or even thirty years."

"Then there is no problem." The Abbott said with a smile, "I'll arrange to clean up the room you used during your previous stay.

From tomorrow, I will personally assist in your practice."

Richard brought his hands together in gratitude, "Thank you, Abbott."

...

The next morning, Richard rose from his meditation and slowly proceeded to the Martial Arts Arena.

There, the Abbott, dressed in a cyan and black monk's robe, was already waiting for his arrival.

"Master, you have been negligent," the Abbott said sternly, "Since you've come to Changshan Temple, entrusting us to refine your skills,

we will do our utmost to fulfill your request. And you, Master, should try to cooperate with us.

If there's any special circumstance, I hope you can tell us beforehand."

Richard joined his hands and slightly bowed to the Abbott, "I mistimed my meditation, it won't happen again.

Apart from this, I need to visit the Mountain Heart for an hour each day."

The Abbott nodded, "Acceptable."

Richard took off his Wizard Robe, revealing the training attire underneath.

The Wizard Robe was indeed cumbersome for close combat.

But it wasn't the Wizard Robe's fault, wizards are noble Masters and Masters would never engage in close combat.

After preparing himself, with a sudden bang, Richard's figure vanished, leaving only a pair of clearly visible footprints on the bluestone ground.

The Abbott heard the noise and his expression didn't change, but his body slightly crouched, dodging a swift gust of wind overhead.

"Master, you're too slow," the Abbott spoke.

Before the words finished echoing, the Abbott's body suddenly shook and from his robust physique, faint Magic Patterns emerged as if alive, snaking around.

Seeing this, Richard's alarm bells rang. However, before he could act, an unprecedented oppressive force descended like a mountain. Right after, a fist, as massive as a mountain itself, as if breaking through the confines of space, appeared instantly in front of Richard's chest.

Boom!

A loud explosion resonated across the Martial Arts Arena, sending Richard flying like a cannonball.

The Abbott withdrew his fist and stood firmly, quietly watching in the direction Richard was hurled.

Richard was lying on the ground, a large crater formed at his chest.

"Damn, that was fast."

Richard clutched his chest as he stood, the Abbott's punch appeared simple but was a display of highly skillful subtlety.

In that single punch, Richard felt at least three types of forces.

A spiraling force broke through his Magic Barrier, a spiritual power intimidated his soul, and lastly, a massive force sent him flying.

"Abbott, your Changshan Fist Intent has improved," Richard praised.

The Abbott nodded slightly, "Thanks to the mushrooms from the Master, the wounds on my soul have fully healed, allowing me to advance this martial art further."

Before, his soul's injuries hindered him, letting his Changshan Fist Intent lie dormant.

Now that his injuries had healed, the art he developed could not remain dormant.

Richard's chest injuries, with the help of Flesh Control and Bloodline Seed, healed quickly.

Soon, the two were fighting together again.

Bang! Boom! Thud...

Long after, when the sparring ended, Richard, exhausted, arrived at the location of the Mountain Heart.

"Damn, this Dwarf really tried his best, but he's quite simple," Richard muttered to himself, rubbing his head.

Though the Abbott had been holding back during the battle, his Changshan Fist Intent still impacted Richard's soul considerably.

It left him feeling somewhat groggy.

Richard shook his head, trying to clear it.

In front of him, the extravagant Mountain Heart remained unchanged, exactly as it was hundreds of years ago when Richard first saw it.

For the mountains, mere centuries were but a moment.

Switching to Energy Vision, Richard continued a task he had not completed hundreds of years ago — finishing the Mountain Rune.

...

The days of training were monotonous, Richard spent each day sparring with the Abbott.

The rest of the time, he was observing the Mountain Heart or studying the heritage of Changshan Temple.

Yes, as a distinguished guest of Changshan Temple, Richard could freely learn the temple's legacy.

Time flew by quickly, and Richard progressively became stronger.

It took him a year to progress from being defeated by a single punch from the Abbott, to two punches.

Then just three months later, it took the Abbott three punches to knock Richard down.

Then four punches, five punches, six... After adapting to physical combat, Richard progressed at almost a visibly discernible rate.

He was like a dried sponge, constantly absorbing the combat techniques of many masters at Changshan Temple.

Then, like a Melter, he refined these techniques into something of his own.

...

Bang! Bang! Bang...

Loud explosions constantly reverberated in the Martial Arts Arena, two blurred figures intertwined at speeds surpassing the limits of the naked eye, leaving faint afterimages that fluttered like ghosts.

Despite both parties deliberately controlling their power, aiming to strike each other precisely to limit collateral damage,

the solid bluestone ground still couldn't withstand the shockwaves of their battle.

Cracks spread fast across the stone like a spiderweb, then finally shattered into powder with a loud crash.

Boom!

Suddenly, a loud noise erupted, and the two battling figures split apart. A tall figure flew backwards, leaving a smaller figure on the spot.

"Master, you have won," the smaller figure expressed sincere admiration, "In just ten years, you've pushed me to unleash my full strength.

Such talent is truly astonishing."

Richard stood up, dusting off his clothes.

"So the Master has been holding back in our fights?"

The Abbott shook his head, "Master, your physique is far from matching mine, and if I used my full strength, wouldn't it be bullying?

After ten years of training, Richard finally won once, though it was just a single move.

A crack appeared behind Richard, and the voice of a Witch came from behind it.

"Master Richard, your time is almost up."

Richard straightened his clothes and bowed respectfully to the Abbott.

"Abbott, I must leave now. Take care."

The Abbott placed his hands together and returned the gesture, "May the spirit of the mountains bless the Master with invincibility in all battles."