"Not bad. You finally blocked one." Alexander's father smiled.
This was the first time Alexander has managed to catch a strike from his father. One had to know, that while not powerful, his father's attacks were always lightning fast when he sparred with Alexander.
Previously, he wouldn't even be able to see one coming, not to mention blocking. Today, however, things were different. He was sure that he caught the blow because his intuition told him exactly when it was going to arrive.
"Are you sure you are not just messing with me, dad?" Alexander asked cautiously.
"Oh no, don't think that way." His father reassured him. "I am putting the same amount of effort as always. You better look here."
His father pointed at the place Alexander was standing when his father blocked his fist. It was directly in the middle of the slate walkway that went from the house towards the garden at the far end of the backyard.
"A stone walkway? It was stone yesterday and I guess it is the same today." Alexander replied.
His father smiled lightly and said, "You're right. But take a closer look at this particular stone."
Slowly and deliberately, he walked closer and crouched. The stone was nothing special.
"Uhhh. It's gray?" Alexander suggested hesitantly.
"Look around it." His father instructed.
Looking carefully around the stone, Alexander spotted a small displacement of the soil along the edge. At first glance, it didn't look special, but upon further inspection, he realized that the rock has sunken by almost two centimeters!
"Am I that heavy now?" Alexander muttered, but then a flash of realization appeared in his eyes. He looked at his father who smirked knowingly.
"While you are probably a little heavier than before, it is not the cause of slate sinking in." His father informed him. "The real reason is the force behind your fist."
"You mean that was not my imagination?" Alexander asked. "Am I that much stronger now?"
"Correct!" His father confirmed. "Your strength has increased considerably, not to mention your senses. Try to focus on your environment."
Alexander sat down crossed his legs and closed his eyes. He made a deep breath and opened his eyes. He focused on the sensory feedback he was getting and an astonished expression appeared on his face.
It seemed like every single one of his senses was better than ever, crystal clear even. As if all his life there was a fog in his head, but today it suddenly cleared away!
He looked at his father. "How... What... What's going on?"
His father chuckled and replied with a satisfied smile. "Did you think I put you through all this training for nothing?" He helped Alexander up and gave him a hug. "Congratulations, son. Let's go inside, this calls for a little celebration."
They returned indoors, and his father went straight to the basement. He returned with a nondescript bottle in hand and produced two cups. The cups were filled quickly and a powerful enticing smell permeated through the living room.
It was wine his father brewed himself and he usually only took it out when Uncle Nikolai visited, a friend with whom he served together in the army.
"Dad, I'm still 17, you know?"
"It is just a few days until your birthday anyways, or do you think some magical change will happen when you turn 18? You'll still going to be the same kid you were the day before."
Alexander could only shrug in response.
"To my son's success!" His father downed the cup quickly. Alexander didn't think much and did the same. As soon as wine entered his mouth he felt a familiar burning sensation.
It was just like the medicinal bath he took before, but this time the burning feeling was different. It was deeper and it had an obvious invigorating power to it.
"Now that your body can handle it, you can witness your old man's great skill of brewing wine." His father smiled smugly.
"Anyways, what exactly are we celebrating, dad?"
His father laughed loudly. "Your future! Honestly, I never expected you to make such fast progress." He wiped the wine off his mustache. "Let me explain. Listen closely."
Alexander nodded and prepared to listen intently.
"You can feel the changes in your body. You feel better than ever, right?"
Alexander nodded enthusiastically. "Definitely!"
"Right, it is true that your physical abilities have improved drastically." His father continued calmly. "The reason for this is the First Pillar Stage."
"What?!" Alexander thought. "First Pillar?"
As if reading his thoughts, his father nodded reassuringly. "Yes, my boy, you passed into the First Pillar Stage of bodily tempering. Congratulations!"
Alexander felt from the tone of his father that it was something to be happy about but he still was confused.
His father saw the expression on his face and continued.
"On the path of martial arts, the first great accomplishment would be to become a recognized master. Becoming a master means being able to grasp the essence of martial arts and incorporating it into even your everyday movements." His father smiled. "You have achieved this level long ago."
"Did I?"
His father nodded excitedly. "Of course! If there were enough peers for you to train with you would be clear about it, but since you only have me to spar against, it is normal for you to not have enough of a reference.
Anyways, the next one is becoming a grandmaster. The level of a grandmaster means surpassing the natural limits of a human being and entering the great path of inner strength cultivation. This is what you achieved today."
"So that's what we are celebrating, right? But you said something about pillars before." Alexander inquired.
"Pillars?" His father repeated. "Well, that was just a metaphor. The pillar I was talking about is a pillar that would support your further cultivation as an inner strength master."
"Inner strength master? This is getting only more confusing, dad."
"Stop interrupting and let me finish." His father stroked his chin. "As long as you surpass the bodily limits of an ordinary martial artist, you can enter the realm of cultivation called Eight Pillars of Body Tempering. Eight pillars refer to eight extraordinary meridians one has to unlock in order to cultivate inner strength. Those eight meridians serve as pillars that support your foundation as an inner strength master."