[You wait in place for several minutes…
The martial elder returns with a bag. He tells you to point the way. You respond that the first leg of the journey is along the river, wondering if the elder will take something out of the bag.
You are slightly disappointed when the martial elder directs you to begin walking.
You walk with the elder in the direction of the river…]
The first stretch of the journey was quiet.
Lem’s simulated self was still nervous around Master Brightflame.
As he walked, he was self-conscious about everything. Each step, he was careful not to trip over a root or hit his head on a branch. He tried not to look at the martial elder, who was walking a couple of meters to his side.
He was still vividly aware that Master Brightflame was under a misapprehension about his true abilities, and he was worried that his lies would be discovered.
After a few minutes, Lem stopped monitoring what his simulated self was doing, as he began to meditate on the [Mountain Sitting Technique].
He fixed the visualization diagram in his mind’s eye and began to think about mountains.
As the image drifted in and out of focus, generating many perspectives, he began to ponder different aspects of what he saw.
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An unknown amount of time passed when Lem was roused from his meditation. He noticed that his simulated self had begun engaging the martial elder in conversation again.
“What cultivation realm?” Master Brightflame looked sharply at Lem’s simulated self. “To be given the title of Martial Master, it is required that a practitioner achieve Spirit Refinement. That is also the minimum standard to become an elder of a martial school.
“I have been less diligent than others, only reaching the Second Stage of Spirit Refinement. There are elders who are far more powerful.”
[You ask the martial elder what his cultivation realm is, and you learn that he is a Martial Master, which corresponds to the Spirit Refinement Realm…]
“What title is given to cultivators in the Body Refinement Realm?” Lem’s simulated self asked.
“Body Refiners? They do not have titles. If you must give them a name, we would refer to them as martial disciples. Of course it is acceptable to simply call them practitioners if you must. Now that you have received a cultivation technique, you could be considered a half-step practitioner yourself.”
Master Brightflame gave a half smile as he looked over Lem’s body. “Perhaps you will find more success than you imagine in your pursuit of cultivation, and it will not be long before you join the ranks of martial disciples.
“Of course, you must always be wary of other cultivators, particularly those of the martial schools who could report directly to the sects. Not everyone is so willing to overlook the rules.
“You could find yourself in grave peril if the Heavenly Treasure Sect learned of your presence. If you had not touched a cultivation technique they may not care, but if you had already begun to cultivate, not even I could save you then…
“Young friend Lem, to a certain extent, you could consider us bound at the hip.”
Master Brightflame chuckled and slapped Lem’s simulated self on the shoulder.
He nearly jumped from fright.
“Hehe. Don’t worry about this spiritual lily. Even if it does not please me, with this intuition of yours another opportunity will present itself.”