They started with small stones that had a coefficient of around 0.99910-0.99930. Lux discovered that although changing the coefficient of the stones required more energy, once changed, the effect lasted longer.
"This stone... is now more fragile," said Lux after successfully distorting the coefficient of a stone from 0.99925 to 0.99920.
"An interesting side effect," commented Moebius. "By changing its molecular stability, you've made it easier to break."
Moebius also reduced the duration of the training sessions from 30 minutes to 15 minutes, with more frequent breaks in between. They found that with this approach, Lux could do three short sessions per day instead of one long session that left him exhausted.
"Your worm body has limitations," explained Mobius. "It's better to have many short sessions than a few long ones. This allows your brain to process the experience without overload."
And by the end of the month, Lux was able to perform small, controlled distortions on various objects:
· Changing the temperature of his drinking water by a few degrees
· Making leaves fall more slowly for a few seconds
· Even once managing to make a metal coin slightly heavier for a moment
"Your progress is acceptable," said Mobius. "But remember, this worm is still just the basics, so don't get overconfident."
Lux nodded, but inside he felt happy. For the first time since coming to this world, he felt he had achieved something small. He might still be a child, but he was trying to build the foundation for something big.
He looked toward the horizon, at the towering Burning Sky Sect tower. One day, he would be strong enough to find his friends. To understand the truth behind the gray meteor.
And with Mobius by his side, despite being arrogant and annoying, he began to believe that it was possible.
Change comes gradually, like the changing seasons, but for the Noctis family, the past two years have brought about a transformation faster than they could have anticipated.
One night, Noctis came home with a worried look on his face. "I've been given a new assignment from the sect," he told Lumina as they sat in the living room. Lux listened quietly from behind his bedroom door.
"The disruption in the spirit herb supply chain is getting worse," Noctis continued. "The sect has ordered me to lead an investigation team to the border region."
Lumina frowned. "The border region? That should be close to the Shadow Viper Sect's territory. Haven't they been getting more aggressive lately?"
Noctis nodded heavily. "Yes. Three trade caravans have been attacked in the past month. Our sect has lost a lot of valuable resources."
"How long will you be gone?"
"About six months."
Lumina was silent for a moment before whispering, "Six months? That's too long, Noctis. And too dangerous."
"I know," Noctis sighed. "But as a Core Member with five Pillar affinities, the sect expects more contribution. This is an important task." Noctis explained.
From behind the door, Lux felt a deep sense of concern. Over the past two years, he had learned enough about sect politics to understand the danger of this situation. The Shadow Viper Sect was known as a cruel sect that did not hesitate to kill.
"The politics of worms," Mobius commented. "Fighting over resources like ants fighting over crumbs."
"Hope you come back safely, Dad," Lux replied in his mind.
"That's none of your business. Just focus on your training."
The next day, Noctis began preparing for his departure. Lux watched from a distance as his father checked his weapons, pills, and talismans in preparation for the mission.
"Don't worry, Lux," said Noctis when he noticed his son's gaze. "Father has this." He showed him a protective cloak that emitted a subtle energy. "This is a gift from Elder Feng. It can withstand the attacks of a Foundation Establishment cultivator."
But Lux could see the cloak's coefficient 0.99940. Strong enough, but not invincible. In his heart, he wished he could do something to protect his father.
"While I'm gone, you have to take care of Mom, okay?" Noctis ruffled Lux's hair.
Lux nodded earnestly. "I promise, Dad."
The night before Noctis' departure, the family gathered for their last dinner together for the next six months. The atmosphere was heavy, though they all tried to hide it.
"Lumina," Noctis said, holding his wife's hand. "I've spoken with Elder Feng. While I'm gone, the sect will provide extra protection for the two of you."
"We'll be fine," replied Lumina, smiling weakly. "Just focus on your task and come back safely."
With Noctis' departure, life changed for Lux and Lumina. Lumina's responsibilities as a formation expert increased rapidly.
Two weeks after Noctis left, a messenger from the city defense team came to their house.
"Mrs. Lumina," said the cultivator in armor respectfully. "We need your expertise. The defense formation at the east gate is starting to weaken."
Lumina replied. "I'll check it out right away."
Lux was allowed to come along, on the condition that he did not leave his mother's side. At the east gate, Lux watched his mother work. He saw Lumina circle the damaged formation, her hands moving quickly as she measured the flow of energy.
"The formation coefficient is 0.99890," Lux thought to himself. "There are several weak points."
"Just be quiet and observe," Mobius warned. "Don't even think about trying anything."
Lux watched as his mother harmoniously used her four Pillars. The Soul Pillar to sense the flow of energy, the Intelligence Pillar to analyze the formation's patterns, the Perception Pillar to find flaws, and the Fire Pillar to strengthen the formation's core.
Within three hours, Lumina had not only repaired the damaged formation, but also improved it. Its coefficient rose to 0.99915.
"Excellent, Lady Lumina!" praised the guard commander. "This formation is even stronger than before!"
Then news of Lumina's expertise spread quickly. Within a few weeks, she received more requests for help. From repairing the protective formations of spiritual shops to helping optimize the cultivation chamber formations at the sect headquarters.
One afternoon, Lux overheard his mother's conversation with a senior manager from the team responsible for the city's formations.
"We want to recruit you as a formation consultant for the city defense team, Miss Lumina," said the manager. "We need your expertise, because lately many formation experts have been assigned outside the city on sect missions, so we are short-staffed here."
Lumina thought for a moment, then replied, "I'm willing, but on one condition, I will only work when my son is at school or with his nanny. My family is my top priority."
The condition was accepted, and Lumina officially became a formation consultant. Lux watched how his mother flourished in her new role. She was no longer just a wife and mother, but also a respected cultivator in her own right.
For Lux, this change meant he spent more time alone or with the babysitter provided by the sect. But it also gave him more freedom to practice with Mobius.
"Father is away from home more often. Mother receives more cultivator guests for formation requests," Lux muttered one afternoon as he watched his mother receive guests from other sects.
"The adult cultivator world is full of responsibilities and dangers," Lux said to himself. "One day, I may also have to face them."
Lux observed how the dynamics of power worked. Cultivators from smaller sects treated Lumina with excessive respect, while cultivators from sects equal to the Burning Sky Sect treated her as an equal.
He also began to understand the pressure his parents faced. The constant requests, high expectations, and ever-present danger.
"Mobius," Lux asked one night. "Do all cultivators live like this? Always alert, always striving to become stronger?"
"The weak die, the strong survive. That is the law of the universe, worm. In any world."
In his solitude, Lux found new determination. He had to become strong—not only to find his friends and understand the secrets of the meteor, but also to protect his parents.
He noticed how his mother sometimes looked tired after a day of work, but still smiled at him. He remembered how his father sacrificed himself by going to dangerous areas to protect the sect and his family.
They fought for him. Now, he had to fight for them too.
"Your training today was poor," Mobius criticized when Lux failed to maintain his concentration.
"I'm worried about Dad," Lux admitted.
"Worry is a weakness. Focus on what you can control with your power."
But for the first time, Lux felt he didn't entirely agree with Mobius. Worrying about loved ones wasn't a weakness; it was a reason to be strong.
He looked toward the city, toward the sect's towering tower. Somewhere out there, his father was facing danger. Here, his mother was working hard. And he...
He would keep training. Not because of Mobius's orders, but because of his own choice.
Because one day, when danger threatened those he loved, he wanted to be able to do more than just measure the reality coefficient.
He wanted to be able to change it.