In the following week after reaching level three bone forging he had stopped taking medicinal baths in the second week and focused on understanding chapter one for the meridian weaving process, Lux began experimenting with trying to integrate Distortion with the Phoenix harmonic Sutra.
He found that by distorting the coefficient of certain fire energies, he could make the cultivation process more efficient. Rather than blindly following the manual, he optimized based on real-time measurements.
"Interesting," Mobius said one night. "You're using measurement for optimization. A scientific approach."
But Lux also found risks. Too much distortion during cultivation could cause "energy backlash" a wave of energy that bounces back and injures him.
Elder Liam, who was watching Lux's progress closely, called him for a serious conversation.
"Lux, you're making rapid progress," he said. "But I feel like you're... trying to modify the technique. Be careful kid. That's dangerous."
Lux nodded. "I'm just trying to make it more efficient, Elder Liam."
"The Phoenix harmonic Sutra has been refined for thousands of years," Liam warned. "Modifications without deep understanding can be fatal."
But in his heart, Liam was impressed. Lux's modifications did increase efficiency by 15%. That was an extraordinary achievement for a novice cultivator, truly a terrifying understanding.
Tensions peaked when Karion challenged Lux to a cultivation duel - a competition to see who could reach "First Phoenix Ignition" first, a technique that could only be mastered after reaching meridian weaving from the sixth stage of bone forging.
"If you're really that great," Karion challenged, "prove it by completing the technique first and I'll tell you I completed it in 5 months after reaching stage 4" he said proudly.
"Then what's your bet if I can complete it faster?" Lux responded while challenging back.
"I'll give you one fire hardening pill that helps with fire energy absorption in the bone forging stage, but if you fail you have to give all your resources for the next month, how about that?"
"fair enough, a pill that is only given 1 even to direct dicipline" Lux thought
Then Lux accepted the challenge, and knew with Mobius's help he could optimize the process.
But Silvia warned, "Be careful, Lux. Karion is supported by his grandfather. They will use any means to make sure he wins."
"NAH don't worry I'D WIN" Lux said confidently.
"well just reminding"
Lux began his cultivation marathon with the help of distortion from mobius, he could measure the purity of real-time energy, optimize the flow of energy through the meridians, prevent energy blockage before it happened, and maximize conversion efficiency
In one month and three weeks after cultivating day and night with the help of mobius and elder liam's guidance, lux's energy reached the equivalent of a stage 6 meridian weaving cultivator, which even made elder liam speechless at how terrible his meridian weaving speed was which made elder liam tell lux that the sect's fastest record in reaching stage nine bone forging was achieved by one of the former sect masters who had ascended to the upper world two generations before the current sect master which was only one year, and he was curious how fast lux would reach stage nine.
"Impressive progress, worm," Mobius praised. "But watch out for burnout."
Sect Master Klahan, who was watching from afar, summoned Lux on that day, "Lux," he said seriously, "you're pushing yourself too hard. Cultivation is a marathon, not a sprint."
But Lux could see the admiration in Klahan's eyes. "But your progression... is extraordinary. In almost two months since you started, which achieves what usually takes one to two years."
Then Klahan gave Lux a special protection jade. "This will protect you from energy backlash. But remember, there are no shortcuts to true strength."
That night, Lux realized something important. Every major faction had inherited earth advance grade techniques, but none were like Distortion from mobius.
His ability was unique Not only in strength, but in approach, When other cultivators followed the manual, he could measure and optimize it in real-time.
He began to understand why the legacy from the gray meteor was so valuable and dangerous.
He stood on his room's balcony, looking at the stars. The countless coefficients of the universe twinkled above him, each with its own story and secrets.
He now knew that his journey had just begun. With the meteor legacy and Distortion from mobius, he had the tools to reach unimaginable heights.
But he also knew that every step he took would be watched, every achievement would be feared, and every mistake would be exploited.
With a deep breath, Lux was determined to keep moving forward. Not only for himself or his parents in this world, but for his lost friends, for the truth about the gray meteor, and for a better future for this conflict-ridden world.
The Verdant Lotus world was not ready for what was to come. But Lux Noctis was ready for the world.
The next morning, Lux went to the special training hall for direct disciples to wait for Elder Liam to teach a special class on inter-sect relationship strategy planning.
While waiting, Lux saw the direct disciples like Erika and Silvia doing their routine sparring, Karion was nowhere to be seen, while Yuan was doing what looked like very strenuous physical training.
Lux sat in the meditation spot while he thought about the information about the direct disciples that he had collected so far from Elder Liam,
Karion, thirteen years old, Qi Nurturing Realm stage eight, started cultivating at the age of eight, reached the Qi Nurturing stage at the age of ten, and is the grandson of Grand Elder Kalman,
Silvia, twelve years old, Qi Nurturing Realm stage seven, started cultivating at the age of eight, an orphan adopted by Grand Elder Lina because she was born with a unique innate body that is kept secret,
Yuan, thirteen years old, disciple of Grand Elder Bram, started cultivating at the age of nine and is currently at Qi Nurturing Realm stage seven,
while Erika, a young girl of twelve years old, is a direct disciple who entered the sect through formal registration and whose talent was discovered by Grand Elder Shen and then made a disciple, starting cultivation at the age of eight and now at Qi Nurturing Realm stage seven.
And of course, Lux is the last member of the current generation, because the generation above Lux has reached the peak stage of Core Forging-Early Nascent Soul, they have held official positions in the sect and one of the previous generations has become the current young master of the sect, ready to become the successor of sect master Klahan after he decides to step down as protector.
While Lux was engrossed in his thoughts, someone suddenly entered with a surprised look and said, "Impossible... you have reached the sixth stage of Meridian Weave..?"
"Hehe... just a little luck, what about the bet, Karion?"
"Tch" then while taking something from his bag, Karion said, "I didn't expect you to win the bet, here take this" while throwing the pill, then Karion turned towards the meditation spot. "I'll beat him next time," Karion thought.
At that moment, Elder Liam entered the room, signaling the start of their class.
Seven months later,
Seven months have passed since Lux reached the sixth stage of meridian weaving, time passed so quickly and so did his improvement, he has reached body forging realm stage nine skin hardening, and is preparing his advancement to the qi nurturing stage
The others disciplines doesn't want to be outdone by Lux all the direct disciples have focused themselves in cultivation and have been in the process of preparing themselves to advance to the foundation establishment realm.
Lux is now two months away from reaching the age and has reached stage nine of the bone forging realm, Elder Liam has suggested strengthening his understanding of the current realm and strengthening his cultivation foundation, and can start to advance in a month or two.
Lux also agreed with Elder Liam, and as a reincarnated person from earth in the modern era, he honestly doesn't even have any combat experience, Lux has asked Elder Liam to give him martial arts lessons by searching equal training partner but Elder Liam said that he is still too young, he will be given combat training when he reaches the Qi Nurturing Realm and is 10 years old.
Lux can only surrender and wait for time, besides that he also fills his time with mobius training using the power of distortion and ask Elder Liam to be his sparring partner and yes elder liam agreed.
Since becoming a cultivator Lux's distortion ability has slightly increased where he has been able to manifest Distortion on the basic physical laws of the body effectively, where the Bone Tempering ability can distort the direction of the force received by the bone, reducing the impact of physical blows, Meridian Weaving Can distort the flow of chaotic Qi temporarily, preventing Qi Deviation, and preventing backlash from energy, skin fortification Can distort the angle of sharp attacks that hit the skin, that's the result of a little sparring with Elder Liam even though he always loses badly.