It was already midday and we were still swinging. Most of the class had left and only ten of us remained. The sound of metal clashing could be heard almost every second. Soon there was no one left in the field. I was about to give up when the instructor appeared beside me.
"Why are you still here?"
She gave me a questioning gaze and I gulped.
"Because I thought I could dent the tree a little."
The instructor laughed a little and then stopped.
"This test was impossible from the start, especially with your current strength."
I looked down at the ground and then at the tree.
"So does this I didn't pass."
The instructor shook her head.
"You passed since you stayed and didn't give up but beware my training methods are hard."
I nodded and picked up the silver sword. I walked back with the instructor and put it in the chest. Before I left the instructor stopped me.
"Meet me here tomorrow morning and don't be late."
The instructor walked off and I stood there in a daze. I walked back to my living quarters and went to sleep.
I woke up really early and headed to the tree field. The instructor was waiting for me. She was wearing a blue robe with clouds printed on it. When she saw me she stood up. I walked towards her and smiled. I bowed and greeted her.
"Good Morning instructor."
She nodded a cleared her throat.
"I'm going to teach you how to cultivate today. As you should know there are ten known realms. The first four realms Foundation, Tempered Body, Flowing, and Ascension is split into nine parts. The other five realms Immortal, Emperor, Half King, King, Half God, and God are split into five parts."
I stopped the instructor halfway through her talk to ask a question.
"What realm are you?"
She didn't answer me and continued to talk.
"Now the first thing you have to do is sit in the lotus position."
I sat down in the lotus position and looked at the instructor for more information.
"Now close your eyes and feel the energy around you. Pull that energy into you and let it spread through your whole body."
I did what she said and felt for the energy. At first, I felt nothing but then I felt a brush of energy and pulled it in. The energy spread through my body and it was hot. I could feel the sweat running down my face and whole body. I regained my composure and tried to feel for more energy. I felt more and absorbed it all.
By the time I finished cultivating I was lying on the ground panting.
"Congratulations for entering the first stage of the Foundation Realm."
The instructor clapped and passed me some water. I sat up and drank it.
"Why did it hurt so much?"
The instructor looked down and then at the trees.
"These trees are full of energy, the closer you are the more energy you can collect but it gets dangerous because the energy has been building up for years. That's why the trees are so hard."
I looked behind me at the trees and then back at the ground.
"Could I get closer then?"
The instructor shook her head.
"I will let you get close at the fifth stage of the foundation realm."
I nodded and stood up and stretched.
"When can I practice my martial arts and skill?"
"When you enter the first stage of the tempered body realm."
I nodded and sat back in the lotus position. I continued to absorb the energy until nightfall. I had made it to the third stage of the foundation realm in one day and was happy with my progress.
I walked to my living quarters and went to sleep.