Author's Note:The mountain's name in the original language is "Monte dos Quatro Afluentes", which literally means "Mountain of the Four Confluences/Tributaries."From this chapter onward, I will keep the name closer to its original meaning as Four Afluents Mountain, since it is tied to important lore in the story. Thank you for your understanding.
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The three widened their eyes in astonishment. They had never imagined they would be given such an opportunity.
— The second realm of the Qi path is Qi Absorption, — Sai continued. — Here, you will begin circulating energy within your bodies, allowing the initial use of spells and techniques.
All three of them shone with excitement.
— But it is a dangerous realm. Its levels are easy to reach, however, if you do not build a proper foundation, you may carry bottlenecks for the rest of your lives.
— And how do we build this foundation, Master? — Wang Tao asked attentively.
— By compressing Qi into the chakra points before circulating it. The more condensed it is, the more your body adapts, and the better your control will be in the next realm: Foundation Creation.
The three held their breath.
The realm of the ancestors.
— We will talk more about that when you are closer to reaching it.
Sai then moved his hand, and the symbol in the circle shifted from Qi to Soul.
— The soul already exists within all of you.
— Cultivating the soul is not about creating something new, but about awakening and strengthening what is already there.
His tone was casual, as if speaking of something simple… even though it was not.
— The first realm is Awakening of Consciousness. Here, the cultivator learns to sense their own soul. The difficulty lies in patience and sensitivity. Without them, it is possible to severely injure yourself.
The three memorized every word.
— The second difficulty… — he continued — is that soul cultivation techniques are rare. They are guarded by families and sects that do not share them.
— And we will learn them? — Yan Li asked, unable to hide her excitement.
Wang Tao was too serious to react.
Wei Lian only listened, absorbing every word.
— Patience is the first virtue of this path, Disciple Yan Li. Begin practicing it now. — Sai warned.
— Sorry. — she bowed, blushing.
— As I was saying… in this realm, through correct meditation, you will locate and stimulate the soul until it awakens.
— Unlike other realms, there are no levels here. Either it awakens… or it does not. This shows how delicate this stage is.
The three nodded in silence.
— The second realm is Spiritual Attunement. Here, you learn to perceive the mind as something separate from the senses.
— Through meditation, you will align soul and body. You will begin to sense muscles, breathing, pain, and emotions more clearly. With this, the soul strengthens until it reaches the third realm.
Sai raised three fingers.
— Soul Form.
— At this stage, the soul gains its own manifestation. This form varies according to the cultivator's heart and can be used for spiritual marks, assistance in professions, or as support for special techniques.
Once again, he moved his hand, changing the symbol in the spiritual circle from Soul to Body.
— And body cultivation transforms the flesh itself into a transcendent vessel.
Wang Tao straightened his posture.
— The three levels are Tempered Skin, Vital Blood, and Forged Bones.
— In the first, you temper the skin. In addition to superhuman strength, you will gain resistance against ordinary weapons.
The disciples nodded in agreement.
— In Vital Blood, normal poisons, diseases, and fatigue cease to be common threats to the cultivator.
Wang Tao narrowed his eyes.
— Forged Bones is one of the vital milestones for body cultivators, because in this realm the cycle of the mortal body is completed. Spiritual weapons will have difficulty piercing the cultivator, and they will resemble demonic beasts in combat.
— But do not be mistaken. Of the three, body cultivation is the one that demands the greatest willpower. The pain of reconstructing muscles and bones is not something every cultivator can endure. — Sai concluded, allowing the disciples time to absorb the information.
— Master… — Wang Tao hesitated — how does one cultivate the body?
— That will be explained tomorrow, when you decide which path you will cultivate.
— Why can't we cultivate all three? — Wei Lian asked innocently.
Sai answered calmly:
— Because even if the laws of Heaven and Earth are fair… the Heavens are not generous.
— Some people have more talent. Others, more luck. And all have limited time.
— Cultivating all three requires more than dedication. It requires resources, opportunity… and risks that few would survive.
He concluded:
— And a cultivator who cultivates all three is not necessarily stronger than someone who masters only one.
— Remember: everything begins and ends with the Dao. Do not choose a path because it is powerful. Choose it because it suits who you are.
Yan Li spoke up:
— Master Sai… so we are the ones who must choose?
Sai looked at her.
— If I choose for you, you would only be exchanging one imposed destiny for another.
— I only show the roads. Those who decide which one to walk… are you.
The three felt the weight of responsibility settle on their shoulders.
— Engrave this in your hearts, — Sai said as he turned to leave. — Cultivation is not about accumulating power. It is about aligning with a truth… and then paying its price.
He walked away, hands behind his back.
— Tomorrow, tell me which path you have chosen. It does not need to be final. Paths can adjust. But the choice must be yours.
And then he left, leaving only the wind and the silence behind.