[When you reveal that you can sense the spiritual energy, Master Brightflame gives you praise. You do not voice your disagreement, but internally you attribute your ability to the copious amounts of spiritual energy that you have consumed in prior simulations…]

Lem agreed with his simulated self. Despite the martial elder’s words, he doubted his talent.

Had the other disciples been stuffed with so much spiritual energy that they had nearly burst?

He felt that even just having additional energy to sense within him was enough to have a significant advantage over others. At the same time, he also knew that his senses and his mind had both been improved.

And yet, he was merely ‘quicker than many of the other disciples.’

Taking the advice of the martial elder, Lem’s simulated self closed his eyes again and began to meditate on the visualization diagram.

Lem followed suit. The mountain appeared in his mind, full of vibrancy and life.

Lem’s simulated self was excited with his progress, but he forcefully subdued his emotions. He began to perform the breathing movements again.

Breathe in. Breathe out. He sensed the spiritual energy within him and tried to nudge it.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Nudge the spiritual energy.

Breathe in. Breathe out…

As time passed, Lem found that the spiritual energy stirred every time, but there did not seem to be any improvement in the degree to which it moved. It was always just a slight change, barely perceptible.

He knew that he was a long way from being able to circulate it through his body.

Breathe in. Breathe out…

Breathe in. Breathe out…

Breathe in. Breathe out…

Eventually, Lem’s simulated self gave up, and stopped the cultivation session. He opened his eyes.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

Even if he had not succeeded, it did not affect his spirited mood. He could handle a temporary lack of success. What he could not handle was a lack of direction.

[After being instructed to cultivate again by the martial elder, you resume your practice, but you do not make any progress. However, the failure does not upset you...]

“You should stop for the night and go to sleep.”

Lem’s simulated self was surprised. He had thought that Master Brightflame would give him more direction and tell him to cultivate again.

Evidently his surprise was visible, as the martial elder chuckled. “It has been more than four hours, and I do not want your intuition to be negatively affected tomorrow.”

As the word ‘intuition’ was spoken, Lem’s simulated self felt a shudder of fear. In an instant, he was brought out of his good mood.

At the same time, Lem was marveling at how skewed his perception of time had been.

It felt like a few minutes, and yet it had been four hours!

Master Brightflame shifted his position on the rock.

“Don’t be disheartened by slow progress. I have seen many generations of disciples pass through the school and I know a natural when I see it.” He glanced meaningfully at Lem’s simulated self. “I have been wondering about this intuition of yours.”

Again, Lem’s simulated self felt a shudder pass through him.

“I suspect that it is the raw potential in you, some innate constitution that was awakened by your infection. As to which constitution that is, I am sure you would be curious…”

Master Brightflame looked at Lem’s simulated self, gauging his reaction.

He tried to look interested.

Master Brightflame was apparently satisfied, as he continued. “Unfortunately, innate constitutions, rare as they are, are often unique and difficult to assess. There are some methods available to the school, but I cannot bring them out without arousing suspicion, so I am afraid we will have to go without knowing.”

“In any case, even with such a constitution, you would still be unfit for the world of immortals. Leaving aside your infection for which they would kill you on the spot, your talent would be laughable by their standards.”

Lem’s simulated self nodded in agreement. At the same time, his stomach began to growl audibly.

Master Brightflame noticed, and stopped talking. Lem’s simulated self stared back, not knowing what to say.

“Go ahead. Eat if you wish. Immortals above, don’t starve because you are too scared to eat in front of me.”

Master Brightflame chuckled again, and Lem’s simulated self cracked a smile through his fear. Nevertheless, he quickly opened his bag and began chewing on the dried meat.

For a time, he expected the martial elder to speak.

When he looked over, Master Brightflame was perfectly still on the rock. He had begun to meditate.

Lem’s simulated self suddenly felt a slight change in the atmosphere.

Was it the result of Master Brightflame’s cultivation?

He was careful not to disturb the martial elder.