Song stepped into the room alone, delicately sinking into a kneel across from Kai. He offered her a patient silence, watching as she nervously tugged a loose tendril of black hair behind her ear. Without the metallic barrier guarding her face, she appeared less imposing. Yet, the unwavering determination radiating from her gaze remained unaltered – a testament to her steadfast drive as a cultivator.
"Share your spiritual energy with me," he suggested, and wordlessly, Song started concentrating some energy between her hands before presenting it forward. With a radiance akin to a sunflower in full bloom, her golden light filled the room, casting warm hues onto her features. Her lips, lush and pink, and her eyes, a deep hazel, were enhanced by the long dark lashes that provided a beautiful frame.
"What does it embody?" asked Kai.
"It symbolizes the divine energy of the Lunar Temple, known as luminescence," she conveyed.
"Divine?" Still grappling with the nuances of local beliefs, Kai sought further clarification. "What exactly do you mean by 'divine' here?"
Initially taken aback, Song swiftly composed herself. "Divine signifies everything celestial – the heavens, stars, sun, moon. However, the Temple preaches it as originating from a superior realm, the domain of gods and immortals."
Kai fell into a thoughtful silence, pondering her explanations. Her expressions mirrored her confusion during his silent contemplation.
"Isn't the transition to godhood accomplished post-enlightenment in the Dao, once your mortal form transcends?"
Kai mused, "Achieving immortality or embodying a Dao doesn't elevate you to divinity. However, I can see why some believe this." Kai had made peace with the notion of realms swayed by abstract ideas being superior. Considering those significantly affected by these concepts as higher beings wasn't far-fetched.
When his body was entirely suffused with his crystallized energy, the world around him seemed drained of vitality, almost insubstantial – as though he existed on a different plane.
After extracting a thread of celesium microns from his wrist and assigning them a task to construct a miniature transceiver, he handled the small device in his hands.
"Your energy aligns with light, similar to mine, implying potential parallels in the acceleration of your mind and body. To leverage this, your refinement and cultivation must be flawless. Here," Kai extended a band, transforming it into a necklace.
"This enables sharing my vision with you. Wear it around your neck."
Receiving the necklace with reverence, a fleeting smile graced her face before her lips were caught between her teeth, and a rosy blush crept onto her cheeks. She adorned the necklace, and it seamlessly locked around her neck.
"Now, stand and let me observe you," he prompted, setting the embedded microns in her collar to establish a cortex interface within her brain. As she stood, they penetrated her cerebrum painlessly.
Activating his spiritual energy sight and emitting a restrained soul light to prevent harming her, he observed her golden meridians light up as the nebulous energy spread throughout her system.
"Now, observe," he gestured, a large silver frame materializing out of thin air, bearing a reflective surface. Song observed her reflection, taming a rogue lock of hair and adjusting her robe.
"What is this?" she inquired, reaching out and finding her hand pass through the mirror.
"It's a device that links our minds, facilitating the exchange of information," Kai explained, watching her in the mirror. "This composite information can be re-routed to your mind, effectively replacing your normal visual sense. We refer to it as virtual augmentation."
"Virtual augmentation," she repeated, watching her reflection enunciate the words.
"Now, look at your meridians," Kai superimposed an image of her meridians over her reflection. Observing the golden lines coursing through her, she traced them with her gaze from head to toe.
"These are my meridians," she raised her hand, examining her arm in the mirror.
Kai introduced a new image – her completed meridians. They were denser, longer, branching off in several directions. He pointed out, "The gold signifies your current progress, the white, your potential growth. Aim to channel your energy through all these routes until the white has transformed into gold."
With a severe countenance, Song studied her body's golden and white meridians, twisting and turning to observe from all angles. She admitted her lack of awareness about the possibility of having multiple layers of increasingly more minor meridians.
"The denser and smaller your branching, the easier it will be for you to refine your body. However, this would require more energy."
"I can only cultivate this energy during a full moon," she confessed, sharing her predicament.
"That won't be an issue. I'll provide the energy you need."
"You? You can produce divine energy?"
Settling into a comfortable spot where he could continue observing her, Kai responded, "I'll transmute my energy and relay it to you. Let's begin."
As they began their session, they fell into a rhythm, creating energy, cycling, and progressing section by section. By the end of it, she had gained a rudimentary understanding of anatomy. With the last trace of white purged from her system, Song collapsed, exhausted but triumphant. After ensuring the absorption of residual energy, Kai removed the interface from her brain and the necklace.
She instinctively reached for her neck, feeling the sudden absence, her lips curling into a frown.
"May this one ask something personal?" she asked, looking up at him.
"By all means," Kai replied, initiating the opening of the private chamber with a command to his motes.
"Will you always retain this childlike form?"
"Curious about my body?" he chuckled. "When I transcend, I suppose I'll have to decide that. I doubt I’ll mature naturally before then." In many ways, his boyish form saved him from unnecessary trouble.
"I didn't mean... I'm just thankful... for you," she quickly corrected, offering a bow before making a hasty exit.
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Kai was in anticipation of the next disciple when the duo of Yunfie and Ai made their entrance.
"I've invited Yunfie to accompany us," Ai clarified upon their arrival, her face etching a struggle as she endeavored to articulate something further. However, Kai interjected before she could.
"There's no need to justify," he insisted. "And this will give you a first-hand experience of how it all functions, putting your worries to rest."
Securing the chamber after their entrance, he settled himself in a kneel, facing them.
"Yunfie, your cultivation is the best among your friends," Kai began, admiration filling his voice. "Your meridians are large and coursing with your unique energy. Lay down in the room's center, and once at ease, turn your gaze upward."
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He patiently allowed her to find comfort, simultaneously observing Ai's furrowed brows etched with anxiety.
"Ai," Kai smoothly extracted the thinnest loop from his wrist, morphing it into an elongated plate resembling a tiny eye. "Affix this on Yunfie's forehead. It's designed to temporarily broaden her vision."
Kai scrutinized as Ai examined the disk crafted from celesium, then gently placed it on Yunfie's forehead. Like Song's experience, the minute celesium particles journeyed into her mind. Subsequently, a mirror materialized before her, eliciting a delightful giggle as she caught sight of her reflection and extended her hand to touch it.
"In the Thousand Isles, the energy you cultivate is abundant," Kai explicated. "However, your energy is inherently playful, often shying away from strenuous tasks such as cultivation. This explains the limited number of meridians you possess, and those you have are extensively broad and frequently utilized due to the same."
Kai enabled the view of her meridians in the mirror.
"I can see them! Oh, they're so enchanting!" Yunfie couldn't contain her astonishment, observing the milky white essence of her energy glimmering beneath her skin.
"I think that your energy is grounded primarily on the notions of playfulness or amusement. Thus, we must adopt a unique strategy to perfect your cultivation," Kai posited.
"But how can I do that? Occasionally, I manage to stir my energy, but it only sustains for a short time. After a while, it feels like it simply dismisses me," Yunfie confessed, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.
"The key is to engage with it playfully," Kai elucidated. "Tell me about the games you're familiar with."
Conversations between Kai and Yunfie revolved around how to infuse fun into cultivation. They discussed fragmenting her energy into multiple squads, provoking them to participate in various 'games.' After several trials, one game emerged as a clear winner - hide and seek. She would direct a chunk of her energy to locate a remote tip of a meridian and tunnel further to conceal itself, then unleash the remaining energy to track it down.
In this game, she was the timekeeper. If the hiding energy remained undiscovered within a specified time, it was declared the winner. The game was simple, yet her energy could tirelessly engage in it, often initiating new rounds spontaneously. It took little time for her to fully explore every primary meridian; soon, secondary meridians became the latest spots for hiding.
"I suspect you can employ this technique to amass an increasingly large amount of energy. Simply devise engaging games for your energy to venture out, tag the new energy, and return. This way, you possess an edge over the others," Kai noticed how comfortably she had adapted to this innovative cultivation technique, easing any concerns he had with this approach.
He extracted the microns from her mind, removed the 'third eye' from her forehead, and extended his hand to assist her in getting up.
Meanwhile, Ai was growing impatient, eagerly awaiting her opportunity.
"If you're prepared, please sit across from me," Kai extended the golden disk toward her. "Press this against your forehead briefly to let it take hold."
With an exhale that felt like releasing a long pent-up tension, Ai positioned herself opposite him. As she pressed the golden eye against her forehead, she could feel the swift adherence of the microns to her skin. A subtle, nebulous stream of microns journeyed into her mind, establishing a mental link.
"Do not be startled," Kai's mental message reached her. "This simply enables us to communicate mentally. I wish to engage in conversation with you while preserving your privacy. Simply transmit your response in thought, and I will perceive it."
"Like this?" she attempted to shape her thoughts into a response, her eyes reflecting her astonishment.
"Exactly. Well done," Kai's gaze met hers, "Ai, I've examined your body. It appears you have been subjected to maltreatment. Signs of harm are scattered across your body."
"Cultivation can be strenuous and sometimes painful," she clarified, "lessons often involve pain, particularly for someone as obstinate and headstrong as I am."
Kai's features contorted in disagreement; something didn't seem right. "These 'lessons' were imposed by your mentor?"
"My master," Ai amended, her voice projecting out loud, "might have been a bit fervent when it came to instilling discipline. But it has made me stronger."
Inspecting her again, Kai took note of the severity of her injuries: torn meridians, cracked bones, and damaged ligaments. Signs of recurrent injury were evident, leaving him puzzled about how anyone could deem this regular discipline. The scars of these 'lessons' left no part of her body untouched, eliciting a grave expression from Kai.
"Your master was a fool; your body is marred with flaws. You'll never reach the top like this." A wave of determination washed over Kai. When I confront her master, he will experience my own discipline.
"I only have myself to blame for my state. I was unruly and lacked discipline, necessitating a stern hand. Pain has always been my most effective instructor."
Pausing to consider her words, Kai leaned back. He'd heard about victims developing attachments to their oppressors. Was this such a case? Or was there an even darker undertone to this situation? Or was it as straightforward as Ai claimed? Healing her physical wounds was within his power, but mending psychological or spiritual scars was a realm he had little confidence navigating.
"Regardless, it's fortunate that you're acquainted with pain because healing you will entail some. I might need to induce injury to ensure proper healing. Now, I need a droplet of your blood."
Ai showed a brief frown but summoned a dark pen, pricking her palm. She forced several drops from the small wound and extended her palm toward him. Kai slid his finger through the droplets and retracted it for a closer examination.
Upon analyzing her genetic markers, he summoned his spirit weapon from his red core. A single, dazzling droplet of red blood levitated from his free palm, casting a captivating glow that pulsated with energy.
He'd attempted this before in the ocean and knew about the droplet's regenerative capabilities. However, the prospect of this being his first human trial filled him with unease. Holding up his hand smeared with Ai's blood, the red drop descended, absorbing her blood and leaving Kai's hand pristine.
"This is a drop of my cultivated blood essence. Consuming it will aid your recovery. However, there could be unforeseen side effects. I've never attempted to heal someone in this manner before. What would you like to do?"
Her eyes widened, transfixed on the luminescent droplet. "You would offer me your blood essence? I am undeserving." Her gaze broke from the drop to meet his.
"Whether you're worthy or not is not for you to determine. However, if you're unwilling," Kai pulled the drop back, and it receded towards him gradually.
"No, I'm ready," she lurched forward instinctively, using a hand to stabilize herself.
A smile emerged on Kai's face as he sent the droplet toward her. As she swallowed it, the effects were instant. Her pale complexion flushed with a healthy pink hue. Beads of sweat started forming on her forehead.
"Sit back, meditate, and regulate your breath. The energy will course through you and address your injuries," Kai instructed, moving closer to her. He initiated a cellular scan, observing her normal blood gradually being consumed and replaced by the much more potent and dynamic version.
"It's incredibly hot," she panted, her body glossed with sweat. She gulped in the air, attempting to meet the heightened metabolic demand.
"Maintain your breathing. I will start rebreaking improperly healed bones, beginning with your clavicle." He touched her collarbone, indicating the site. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," she let out a sharp affirmation before clasping her mouth shut.
The procedure was painstakingly long. Many of her injuries required re-infliction to heal correctly. Kai had to open the chamber at one point, sending Yunfie to fetch cold water to cool Ai down and hydrate her. Several hours later, it was finally over. Despite her soaked attire, Ai sat across from him, maintaining a composed demeanor.
Kai observed her meridians. Her dark, inky energy flowed through them without obstruction. He had seized the opportunity to manipulate her energy throughout her body, optimizing her energy channels while she was preoccupied with the pain.
Surprised, he noticed a radiant red glow pulsating in Ai's root core. Once the healing was complete, the life force in her blood gathered there, forming a blood-red core.
"It's still so warm," she said, touching her stomach.
"Welcome to the realm of core formation. You now possess a blood core," Kai explained. "Ignore it for now and continue cultivating your original energy. Once you've formed a core with that energy and refined your body, I'll teach you how to dual cultivate with the other."
"Core formation," she murmured the words, still in disbelief.
Having completed her treatment, Kai disbanded the chamber walls, reclaiming the motes. He cast a glance around at the others.
"You've all done well. You are perfect. I couldn’t be more pleased. Continue to cultivate and form your cores. Once I'm back with you, we'll fine-tune your body refinements and prepare for your heavenly tribulation. For now, let's secure some spirit stones for you."
Their gratitude was warmly received, but the gazes that met him were imbued with a newfound sense of awe and deep respect. Song's eyes shone with admiration. Bao watched him with newfound respect, a sheen of wonder lining her gaze, while Ai's eyes held a mixture of concern and fervor. Their changed attitudes were palpable. Kai decided he might need to converse with one or more of them to prevent uncomfortable developments.