Spiritual rain fell upon the Peak of Rising Flame, droplets of pure energy with a coefficient of 0.99975 that should have been refreshing, but today felt like the tears of the sky. Lux sat on his room's balcony, watching the raindrops form complex energy patterns as they touched the pavilion's protective barrier.
"You've been quiet for too long, worm," Mobius' voice broke the silence. "Usually, your primitive brain never stops chattering."
Lux didn't answer immediately. His silvery-gray eyes reflected the flashes of lightning in the distance, each light revealing a depth of thought unusual for a seven-year-old.
"I was thinking about that pattern," Lux finally mumbled. "Five Elements Corruption. It requires a deep understanding of the meridian system, right?"
"Of course," Mobius replied. "Only a meridian master or a high-level alchemist could commit such sabotage. Or..."
"Or what?"
"Or someone with abilities like ours," Mobius said, his tone turning serious. "Someone who can see and manipulate the coefficient of reality."
Lux froze. "You think there's another 'star child' in the Burning Sky Sect?"
"Or something more dangerous," Mobius replied. "Let's run an experiment."
Mobius guided Lux through a process of tracing energy deeper than ever before. Lux sat cross-legged, focusing all his attention inward.
"Focus on the largest fracture point in your spine junction," Mobius instructed. "Measure not just the coefficient, but the energy 'fingerprint' that left that trace."
Lux exerted all his ability. The Möbius Gauge in his mind spun faster than usual, the coefficient numbers changing in patterns that were almost impossible to follow.
DEEP SCAN FRACTURE POINT #2 (SPINE JUNCTION)
Current CoR 0.99961 (increasing from 0.99956)
Energy Signature Detected foreign residue
Pattern Analysis Structured manipulation, not an accident
Source Tracing Trace leads to... the alchemy division?
"The alchemy division?" Lux opened his eyes, confused. "But they're the ones who provide my herbal treatments."
"Exactly," Mobius said. "Perfect for hiding poison in medicine."
Lux immediately sought out Elder Liam, finding him inspecting herbal supplies in the alchemy warehouse.
"Elder Liam," Lux greeted, trying to keep his voice calm. "I need to talk."
Liam looked at him, immediately catching the urgency in Lux's voice. "A new discovery?"
Lux nodded, lowering his voice. "I can trace the energy signature in my fracture points. It points to the alchemy division."
Liam's face turned grave. His usually stable energy coefficient of 0.99985 now fluctuated to 0.99980. "That's... concerning. But not surprising."
"You already suspected?" Lux asked, surprised.
"There was a similar incident 50 years ago," Liam replied, looking around to make sure no one was listening. "A talented disciple had his foundation destroyed. Suspected sabotage, but never proven."
He looked at Lux. "Can you identify the culprit?"
"Not yet," Lux replied. "But I have an idea."
That night, Lux and Liam devised a plan with the silent assistance of Sect Master Klahan.
"We're going to use you as bait," Liam said in a secret room with a coefficient of 0.99990. "You will 'accidentally' reveal that your foundation is almost fully recovered."
"And we hope the culprit will try again," Lux concluded.
Klahan nodded from an energy projection. The coefficient of his projection was 0.99997, almost perfect. "But we will watch every step. I have placed my spies in the alchemy division."
The next day, Lux began to play his part. During a herbal bath session with several other disciples present, he "accidentally" leaked information.
"Just one more week," he said to Silvia, loud enough for the servant preparing the herbs to hear. "My foundation is almost fully recovered. Even stronger than before."
The energy coefficient in the room fluctuated as the information was absorbed. Lux, with Mobius' help, immediately measured every change.
"There's a reaction," Mobius reported. "Two people are showing abnormal fluctuations."
One was a regular servant, whose usually stable coefficient of 0.99930 jumped to 0.99945. The other was an alchemist apprentice, whose coefficient went from 0.99950 to 0.99965.
"But it's not them," Lux whispered. "They're just surprised. The real culprit is more... controlled."
The third day of the plan passed without result. Lux was starting to get frustrated when something unexpected happened.
While he was practicing swordsmanship with Karion, there was a strange disturbance in the pavilion's perimeter.
"Lux, look!" Karion exclaimed, pointing to the energy barrier that usually had a coefficient of 0.99985. "Something's wrong."
The barrier was fluctuating wildly, its coefficient dropping to 0.99970 before stabilizing again.
"Energy pulse," Mobius said. "Very subtle, but strong. Someone is trying to scan you from a distance."
Lux immediately activated maximum measurement. With Mobius' help, he traced the source of the pulse.
ENERGY PULSE ANALYSIS
Source Location Forbidden Library
Pulse Strength CoR 0.99992 (very high)
Signature Similar to the trace in his fracture points
Method Advanced spiritual sensing
"The Forbidden Library," Lux mumbled. "Only senior elders and Direct Disciples are allowed inside."
Karion, who overheard the mumbling, frowned. "My father is the librarian there. I can help get you inside."
That night, with Karion's help, Lux sneaked into the Forbidden Library. The coefficient of this room was 0.99993, almost matching the Grand Elder's room.
"This is where we keep forbidden techniques and dangerous artifacts," Karion whispered. "Including records about Five Elements Corruption."
With Mobius' guidance, Lux began scanning every corner of the library.
"There's strange residue on the third shelf," Mobius guided. "Coefficient 0.99994. Very high, its looks like nascent soul level cultivator."
Lux approached the shelf, finding a scroll about "The Art of Meridian Manipulation." The coefficient of the scroll was 0.99988, but there was a higher residue around it.
"Someone just read this," Lux whispered.
"And that someone is very powerful," Mobius added. "Probably not an ordinary cultivator."
As they were about to leave, something caught Lux's measurement attention it is a small crystal window showing a room behind the library and also there is a barrier around it. There, he saw an unexpected figure.
Grand Elder Lina Windwhisper was talking to someone unrecognizable. The stranger's coefficient... 0.99996. Almost matching the Sect Master's.
"That's him," Mobius said. "The source of the energy pulse."
But before Lux could hear their conversation, Karion pulled him away. "We have to go. My father will be back soon."
Then the next morning, Lux reported his findings to Sect Master Klahan and Elder Liam.
"Grand Elder Lina?" Liam repeated, disbelieving. "But she's been the most supportive of you!"
Klahan seemed calmer. "I've suspected Lina for a while. She's too... interested in your legacy."
He stood up, walking to the window. "Lina has always been obsessed with progress. She believes the ends justify the means. Perhaps she sees your legacy as the key to something."
"But why ruin my foundation?" Lux asked, confused.
"To control you," Klahan replied. "A cultivator with a fractured foundation is easier to manipulate. And with your measurement abilities... you would be the perfect tool for her."
That day, Grand Elder Lina herself came to see Lux.
"Lux," she greeted with a sweet smile, her energy coefficient a perfect 0.99995. "I hear your progress is impressive."
"Thank you, Grand Elder," Lux replied, trying to keep his face neutral.
"I have a proposal," Lina continued. "Once your foundation is restored, how about joining my resource division permanently? I can give you access to unlimited resources."
She moved closer, her voice turning subtle. "And perhaps... we can explore the true potential of your meteor legacy. Together."
"The bait," Mobius said. "She's trying to recruit you officially."
Lux thought quickly. "I... need time to consider it, Grand Elder."
Lina smiled, but her green eyes flashed with subtle disappointment. "Of course. But remember, Lux, in the world of cultivators, opportunity doesn't knock twice."
That night, Mobius gave Lux an important lesson.
"You learned something valuable today, worm," Mobius said. "True strength isn't about how fast you advance, but about how well you understand the game."
"But I almost got destroyed because of my ignorance," Lux protested.
"Exactly," Mobius replied. "But you survived. And now you're stronger than before. Not because of your cultivation, but because of your experience."
Mobius then revealed something surprising. "I'm starting to remember... a drop from my past fragments. I've seen conflicts like this before. Between those who want to accelerate evolution and those who respect the natural process."
"Evolution?" Lux asked.
"Cultivation is a form of evolution, worm. And like all evolution, there are those who want to force it, and there are those who let it flow naturally. You have to choose your side."
With this new understanding, Lux made an important decision. He would continue to repair his foundation, but not rush. He would learn from every elder, every disciple, even from his enemies.
He would use his measurement abilities not only for cultivation, but to understand the world around him. To distinguish friend from foe, truth from lies.
And most importantly, he would find his lost friends not as a hasty and careless cultivator, but as someone who has the strength and wisdom to protect them.
Two weeks later, Lux's foundation was almost fully restored. The coefficient of his body was now stable at 0.99990, higher than before.
Elder Liam examined him one last time before allowing him to continue cultivation.
"Extraordinary," Liam praised. "Not only recovered, but stronger than before. Like metal forged in fire stronger after being repaired."
Lux nodded, feeling the difference in every fiber of his body. Energy flowed smoother, more efficiently. Even without active cultivation, he could feel an increase in strength.
But more important than his physical foundation was his mental foundation. He now understood that cultivation is a journey, not a destination. Every step, every lesson, every failure is part of the process.
He looked at the horizon, towards the vast world that awaited. His friends were out there somewhere, perhaps facing their own challenges.
With a new foundation both physical and mental Lux was ready to continue his journey. Not in a hurry, but with conviction. Not with fear, but with wisdom.
He may still be a child of only nine years old, but he had learned a lesson that many inexperienced cultivators did not understand that the strongest foundations are built from the toughest lessons.
And in a cultivation world where strength is often measured by how high one can fly, Lux had learned the value of having deep roots.