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Chapter 44
Mana veins
The next night, Siegfried decided that it was time to finally break through the next stage of cultivation. He sat on the floor of his room, alone and close his eyes.
Inside his soul realm, some things have changed a bit while others remain the same. The little phoenix was still floating over his mana pool, which was now big enough to be called a pond.
The pond was filled with a bright substance that keep changing colors to different tones of red. This is the place where all of the mana collected while meditating ends up. It all accumulates here, at the center of his soul.
Nine lines came out of the pond. Those lines represent his nine initial mana veins and they are currently the only ones carrying mana around his body.
There are in total 64 metaphysical conduits (also known as mana veins or energy veins) capable of carrying energy all around the human body. The average cultivator will only be able to open 23 of those conduits, leaving him with a total of 32, counting the 9 initial ones.
One would be considered a genius if able to reach 50 mana veins. According to Olivia Sinclair, the teacher of mana gathering class. There are no records of anyone opening all 64 mana veins.
Of course, the first thing that Siegfried thought was that if anyone manages to archive that feat, that person will most definitely keep that as a secret. Otherwise, they would have to deal with a lot of powerful people coming after their methods.
Siegfried focused on his memories of the Revolving Phoenix technique and found something curious. He went over the section that talks in detail about the mana vein stage and discovered that the manual talks about a 65th mana conduit.
'65? that shouldn't be possible. Even after ten millennia of advancement, there is not a single mention of anyone even theorizing about a 65th mana vein. Could this be knowledge only available to the Gods?...what would happen if I opened it?'
Unfortunately, the phoenix was still sleeping, otherwise, he would have many questions for her.
'How long are you going to sleep?' Siegried wondered while looking at the phoenix shape, curling tightly into a ball of fiery feathers.
He sighed. 'I will have to solve this myself.'
He analyzed every single detail of the cultivation technique since he did not want to make a mistake at this point. After he was satisfied, he focused on the mana pond area.
A stream of light started to exit the pond, creating a line that progressed forward until it got lost in the distance.
'First one connected.' Siegfried had just opened his 10th mana vein. He knew that the first ones will be very easy but could not help to smile at his little victory.
He continued the process for two hours, and by then, he was physically and mentally exhausted. Siegfried had managed to open 9 mana veins, bringing his total number to 18. Already double what he had.
He opened his eyes and examined himself. He was covered in sweat but otherwise fine.
Then, he performed some tests. He conjured a small ball of fire and realized how much easier was to channel mana around his body now. It only took him an instant to gather the exact amount he needed to create the spell, even without a wand.
'This is good but let's not get arrogant. I know that with every mana vein opened, it will get exponentially harder to open the next.'
During his last life, he was considered a genius, but even then, he only managed to reach 52 energy veins. It was considered a really top-notch result by most, but for Siegfried, it has always been a bit of a disappointment.
'This time I have this mysterious cultivation technique given to me by a Phoenix nonetheless…if I cannot open all 64 of them…I will die in shame!'
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The weekend arrived. Siegfried had promised to go with Edward into the capital in order to buy supplies.
The two of them meet at the front gate while wearing normal clothes. There was no need to call extra attention by wearing their academy robes.
"So? where do we go?" Asked Siegfried.
Edward smiled. "Why, to the Alquemy Emporium, of course! It is the biggest alchemy shop in the capital, it was created long ago by one of the founders of the Alquemy Association. The great Robert Ma-"
"Alright alright!, let's go!." Siegfried has already experienced the 'Edward long rants about alchemy history' way too many times.
"The shops will close if I let you finish your speech."
"Very well…lets " Said Edward looking sad. But Siegfried knew him better than that. Edward likes to be melodramatic sometimes.
They walked on the 'Golden Road', the main street that crosses the entire city and passes through the most important places in the capital.
After walking for a few minutes, they arrive at the main plaza, right at the center of the city. There was all kind of people going around their day. Rich merchants, nobles, and commoners.
There were also many salesmen at the plaza, offering their goods and services, artists selling their creations and spoke persons, talking to anyone willing to listen.
It was one of those spoke persons that caught Siegfried's interest. But more exactly, it was the clothes that his man was wearing.
'Those look like the robes that those crazy holy priests used to wear back in my day…well, they look a bit different but are very close.' Siegfried observed.
He decided to get closer and listen to what the man was saying.
The man in question was standing on top of a small wooden stand that barely rose him above the crow that had gathered to listen.
There were two other men behind him. They wore similar clothing, but the ones from the two other men were plainer, indicating their lesser status.
"Listen to me and listen well. " The man on the stand said. "You are all lost lambs in need of guidance! Our Lord and Savior is willing to offer you that. All you have to do is pray to the One True God! Come join us, my brothers and sisters, for under the eyes of our God, were are all same."
"What is this about now?" Wondered Siegfried.