Despite not physically needing sleep, I decide to grab some before the next day.

While not necessary, it is good for my long-term mental health.

When I awake, it is super early in the morning, allowing me to quickly get things ready for everyone else. First thing I do is to review some things that the elders had left for me. Using my scan to go over each of the documents, I’m able to learn more of the beginning steps for each of the items, even if I’m not able to do them just yet.

This includes the talisman and formation creation, standalone body cultivation method.

Considering this, it’s easy to get the elevator for both towers running before anyone else can wake or at least move around their towers.

For those that are awake, they are likely doing some light training or cultivation. Since some of them are already in the qi condensation realm, they already have a cultivation method. Meaning that both will probably stay in their rooms.

I wonder if it will be easy for them to switch to another method later on. Guess that will be something to look into once we get back.

Setting up the elevators was simple, as I only needed to adjust some settings as the master of the towers.

I also added some quality-of-life aspects to them, to make navigation easier, like signs pointing to the different areas.

Just as I’m putting the finishing touches on it, I can see Ai and Lin coming out of the elevators. Of course, I practiced using the general team’s tower, before putting the special touches on my sworn sisters’ one.

Lin is the one to speak first.

“Hey, morning. Are we training the group on stuff today?”

…

Ah. That’s actually a good point.

It might not be the best idea to just leave a bunch of people here with no idea on what to do.

I change my plans quickly to accommodate.

“Yeah. We’ll go over some baseline stuff before we actually head over to the Halls of Exalted Purity. I’ll give the people who will stay back some stuff to work on while we are away.”

She squints her eyes a little, clearly wondering if I had just come up with that.

“Okay… so, how is this going to work? Are we the leaders of the group?”

Ai chimes in.

“Somewhat. You, Lin, and Shi will be leaders, depending on how you feel about it. Mei Lin will probably not be, as she is too young at this point.”

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Both of them nod in understanding. Even in this world, regardless of how intelligent, it’s not the best look to have a young child in such a position.

We chat for a bit more, catching up a bit on each other’s journeys.

One thing I noticed about them, when I was doing the healing and optimization earlier, is that they are as strong as I am. Even with all my benefits.

Yep.

Every day they’ve been working out and taking advantage of the healing that I’ve been doing.

What’s even crazier… is that they haven’t even entered the Qi Condensation realm yet.

… this really means that I need to include a more intensive workout regime in my schedule. Even with me running around, like I have been, I should have even greater benefits if I do the same level of work.

Soon enough, we move over from the East tower to the South one with Mei Lin and Shi, who quickly come down. It appears they were ready for a while, but were just training privately.

Once we arrive, many of the people are already up and going around the tower. Re-exploring the areas other than their rooms with increased confidence because of the new signs.

One of the new settings in the building is the ability to send out a message like an intercom.

“Hi all. This is James speaking. Please come down to the lobby area in an hour.”

I gave some time for them to come down, as there’s a possibility that some people are still in the middle of cultivating after yesterday’s healing session. Interrupting the process suddenly might not have the best effects on them.

In the meantime, I organize the place to have it be easy for a meeting to take place.

But while I’m doing that, everyone is already down here. Apparently, in this culture, being early is a sign of respect in its own way. Making someone wait for you is a major disrespect.

Soon enough, I can see that we might as well get started, since they are ready anyway.

“Good morning, everyone. As you all have likely known, we’ll need to be leaving for the Halls of Exalted Purity soon. Before we leave, though, I want to impart a few techniques for everyone to mull over before we go forward.”

I take a seat on a cushion in the middle of the crowd of people who make a space for me.

“Take a cushion from the corner and sit on it in a circle around me. I want each of you to follow my exact movements before I correct your movements. We’ll be practicing diaphragmatic breathing and some Body Cultivation techniques that will work with any cultivation method you choose to use.”

There’s a rumble in the noble’s group, far more than the regular group.

One man from their group cautiously steps forward.

“Master James? Are you saying you are sharing a secret realm level body cultivation method with us?”

I give a nod, and they erupt in loud talking.

I can overhear many things in their mumbling.

“Looks like I’ll be finally surpassing my older brother. I never doubted our young master!”

“Our young master is so generous; I’ll serve him for the rest of my life!”

And many more statements of loyalty.

The other groups are also excited, but seem to go along with the rest, as if they understand.

Before they move on, the same man steps forward again. But giving a deep bow that he holds.

“… I apologize, Master, for questioning your decision on this. Will we be safe practicing this in public?”

Things go quiet at this. There will be no question of the realm of body cultivation technique, if so many people can practice it with different cultivation methods.

Now’s the time to show confidence… even if I’m not sure myself.

I give a smile at this.

“Yes. I’ve gotten word from several elders that they will cover us on making sure we are safe to practice this.

“… But I must warn you that this is still somewhat of a secret that I’m sharing with you. Others may interpret things how they wish, but you should stay quiet on this until it is public.”

A share of vigorous nods abounds, as many people can understand that.

With that resolved, all of them quickly move over to the pillows and bring them in concentric circles around me. Sitting down on them soon after.

Once everyone gets all settled, I have them start the breathing exercises first.