Calina, who was also there, didn't know what Roan was talking about. "Secret? How come you didn't tell me anything about that?"
Roan snorted in response. "Hmph! Since when do you have magnetism as an element? Roan then pointed at Zuo, telling her, "Other than this kid, I don't think there's someone else who can pull this off, me included."
Those words only made Calina and Zuo even more curious. "What is it? What is it?!"
Roan shook his head before saying, "Before that, I want you to promise me one thing, Zuo." Roan had a very serious expression as he said that.
After he spent the last nine months with Roan, Zuo knew when his master was being more serious than usual by now. "Yes, Master! As long as it's something I can accomplish!"
Roan nodded, satisfied. "I want you to keep what I'm going to teach you right now a secret. I'm not sure if you will be able to pull it off, but in case you do, you should only use it in death and life situations. If not, you should keep this ability of yours hidden."
Zuo immediately nodded, saying in response, "I'll do as Master says."
"Very good. Now, sit down." Roan then looked at Calina, telling her, "You can listen as well. Just make sure you don't open your lips regarding this."
Calina felt offended after hearing that. "After so long, do you really think I would ever do such a thing? How many things do I know about you that I've never let escape outside?"
Roan nodded before turning his attention back to Zuo. "Your Elemental Affinity power is magnetism, and you can control any type of metal that reacts to it. That being said, what do you think is the most fearsome magnetic existence for you to control?"
Zuo was still a kid, so he immediately answered the first thing that came into his mind. "Weapons!"
*Pah!*
*Ouch!*
Zuo rubbed the back of his head after Roan slapped him. "Why did you hit me?"
"Because you didn't even try to think about it. You should have at least considered that the most obvious answer in your head had some issue after my question." Roan then looked at Calina. "What about you?"
Calina was taken aback. "Eh?! Me?!" To be honest, the first thing that popped up in Calina's head were weapons as well. However, she obviously knew that wasn't the case anymore. "Errr…the environment? Are you perhaps saying that we can find trace amounts of magnetic properties on everything?"
Roan nodded and then shook his head right after. "Your idea is good, but the answer is wrong. Not all things are magnetic. The correct answer is…blood!"
"Blood?!" Calina and Zuo were shocked to hear that. "Do you mean blood is made out of metal?"
"Not exactly." Roan shook his head as he explained, "To be honest, an adult man has around 4 grams of iron distributed all throughout their blood. From the point of view of magnetism, this is an incredibly small amount that can hardly be affected by common magnetism."
Roan then looked at Zuo before continuing, "However, your control over magnetism keeps increasing as your cultivation grows. At the moment, your power is far from enough to affect so little iron in the humans or any other race's blood. But the way it's going, I believe you will start to feel the magnetic field in a human's body when you arrive at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm. At most, it should be possible for you to feel it in the Core Formation Realm."
Zuo was surprised to hear that. "Does that mean I can control my opponents like dolls?"
Roan shook his head. "That is way too little. Depending on the difference in cultivation, you can straight up kill someone."
Calina found it weird, though. "Wait! Would he be able to do so much with this little bit of iron?"
Roan understood that the concept of magnetism was still too foreign to Calina and Zuo. They were underestimating Zuo's Elemental Affinity way too much. "You don't get it. Magnetism isn't a kind of power that can be easily blocked. Spiritual Energy barrier? Useless! Magnetism is a different type of energy. It can pass through Spiritual Energy barriers as if they weren't even there."
Roan continued, "The only way I see to defend oneself against your Magnetism Elemental Affinity is to force the body's functions to continue working under the pressure of the magnetic field. That, of course, is easier said than done since no one knows that Zuo can reach this level."
Calina finally understood why Roan said to keep this special ability a secret at all costs. Soon after, she patted Zuo on the shoulder before saying, "Zuo, you absolutely can't let anyone know about this secret. This power of yours is just too dangerous. The ability to kill someone instantly by controlling the iron in their body is too terrifying. If others find out about it, you would definitely become a target to be killed as fast as possible by the whole world."
Roan nodded. "Even if someone knows they can force their bodies' blood to work normally by pushing them against the magnetic power, it would still be a huge burden to the other part. You can also use it as a surprise attack. The moment you and your opponent are about to clash, you could use your magnetism to stop his body for a moment. That would be enough for a fatal attack. All in all, this is a very dangerous power."
Roan then warned Zuo once more. "Zuo, I don't want you to rely on this power. The effect becomes more limited the higher the cultivation difference between you and your opponent. Don't let others find about it while you are still weak. There will be no lack of high-level cultivators trying to aim for your life before you grow."
Zuo couldn't help but feel scared after that. Telling a kid he could become everyone's enemy and die in the process was a very efficient method to stop their wild thoughts. "A-Alright, Ma-Master.. I won't tell anyone."
