Early in the morning, just as the soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains, Elder Orimudi arrived at Naria's home. His usual stern demeanor was softened by a rare smile as he handed her a small box filled with intricate toys and a glowing crystal pendant for Niu. Naria raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by his thoughtfulness.
"You're becoming quite fond of him," Naria said, her tone playful as she welcomed him inside. She couldn't help but notice the almost paternal affection in Orimudi's gaze when he spoke of her child.
"I merely see great potential," Orimudi replied, his eyes scanning the room before landing on the crib. "I'd like to begin his lessons as soon as he awakens. Time is of the essence."
Naria smiled. "Let me feed him first. He'll need his strength."
As soon as Niu stirred awake and Naria began to feed him, Orimudi watched intently, his gaze sharpening. It wasn't the act of breastfeeding that intrigued him but the subtle exchange happening between mother and child.
He noticed the unspoken communication—the telepathic link between them. Niu would barely move, yet Naria seemed to anticipate his needs before he expressed them.
Orimudi's eyes narrowed slightly, marveling at how even such a young child could possess such an advanced form of spiritual connection. He couldn't wait to begin.
"What is his proficiency in telepathy?" Elder Orimudi asked.
Naria, knowing Orimudi was intelligent enough to understand what was happening, replied, "Let's just say, if you get a sudden urge to read him a book, he's already in your head."
---
Elder Orimudi was not a man easily impressed. A scholar and warrior, he had spent decades honing his craft—mastering magic and strategy, as well as gathering forbidden knowledge that would shatter the minds of lesser beings.
He had long forsaken personal ambition, turning his attention to matters of the soul and the mysteries of the universe. The sanctuary knew him as aloof and detached, but beneath that exterior lay an unquenchable thirst for discovery.
When Orimudi requested the task of safeguarding Niu, it was more out of curiosity than duty. The child wasn't just gifted; Orimudi sensed something darker and deeper within him. A force so potent that even he, a master of soul titration, could barely withstand its presence.
From the moment Niu was born, Orimudi had felt an overwhelming soul pressure emanating from the child. A pressure that, in his opinion, could only mean one thing: the child was the reincarnation of the dragon.
Orimudi's first step was to protect himself. He had fashioned twenty quarter inch needles forged from the bones of a void realm being, inscribed with intricate runes, designed to shield him from Niu's immense soul pressure.
The needles were carefully embedded into his skull, creating a counter-balancing force to meet the external soul pressure on his mind. This allowed him to interact with Niu without being crushed by the child's sheer spiritual force.
But Orimudi knew that wasn't enough. The rest of the sanctuary couldn't be allowed to sense Niu's power. If anyone else recognized the boy for what Orimudi believed him to be, it would spell disaster.
Thus, he created another device, hidden among the gifts he brought for the child. This one was far more intricate, designed to cloak Niu's presence. It acted like a shroud, hiding the boy's overwhelming soul pressure from even the most sensitive magical detection.
The device was a small, unassuming pendant necklace that Niu would wear at all times, engraved with complex runes that pulsed with protective energy. It suppressed the child's aura, keeping his soul pressure at a level indistinguishable from that of an ordinary child.
Once the safeguards were in place, Orimudi began his true task: teaching Niu.
---
The first lesson began in Naria's private study, a grand, dimly lit chamber lined with towering bookshelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. The air was thick with the scent of aged paper and burning incense, giving the room an almost reverential atmosphere.
Niu sat across from Orimudi, his small body dwarfed by the grand chair he was seated in. Despite his age, there was an eerie calm about the child, his piercing eyes never leaving Orimudi's face.
Orimudi studied Niu in silence for a moment before speaking. "You are not an ordinary child," he began, his voice low and steady. "There is something... ancient within you, something powerful. I have felt your soul pressure, and it is unlike anything I have ever encountered."
Niu listened carefully, his young mind absorbing every word.
Orimudi leaned forward, his eyes serious but warm, "Every soul, represents a being's true essence — its creativity, imagination, and unique understanding of the world— is immortal. It should return to the path of reincarnation upon death. "
"Every sentient being's power system starts with what we call soul energy, and the body is our first and most tangible connection to the universe."
"The world you find yourself in is governed by soul energy," Orimudi continued. "This power is not just physical strength, but a mastery of the unique connection you have with the universe. The soul is consciousness, this meaning it is not only self-aware but also conscious of the world around it. The stronger your soul therefore your understanding and connection to the universe, the greater your potential to rise through the ranks of our power system. But with great power comes great requirements—and great danger."
'That statement sounds off, ' Niu thought but his memory failed him.
"But in life, the soul needs the body as a vessel to experience the world through sensory input." Orimudi continued.
He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Therefore, mastery over soul energy begins with mastery of the body through stages in the body foundation realm"
Niu looked thoughtful, processing Orimudi's words. "So, without the body, the soul would be… disconnected from everything it experiences?"
Orimudi nodded. "Precisely. Imagine that our senses—sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste—are just tiny glimpses into the vast universe. But, as remarkable as they are, they're limited. To cultivate is to transcend these limitations, to become more attuned to the true energy of the world."
"The body is a tool that the soul must master inorder to interact with the world at a sensory level. The actions of a body is limited by the quality and quantity of the energy it can contain."
" We as humans can perceive the universe communicating with us through our five senses. In order to respond, our body whether using our hands or legs, are the first interfaces we can use to interact with the external world. What lesser minds call magic is when our soul communicates with the forces of the universe outside the bounds of our five senses."
"A refined body offers superior sensory input therefore improved magical performance by providing better feedback from the world, whether from sight, touch, or taste ."
As Orimudi sat down with Niu to explain the fundamentals of cultivation, he began with a concept that would serve as the foundation for all growth.
"The Body Foundation Realm," he explained, "is the first step on the path to soul mastery. To break through this realm is to unlock the potential of your physical form. It is the foundation upon which all future power is built."
Niu tilted his head, intrigued. "That's what you mean by 'body foundation' then? It's not just about physical strength, is it?"
"Correct," Orimudi replied, a glint of approval in his eye. "Body Foundation is the first stage of cultivation, divided into nine levels of body tempering. It is the stage where you transcend the limitations of the body—enhancing your senses, your strength, your speed, and your agility. The energy we draw from the world is what drives this progress, and it goes beyond ordinary strength. Ordinary humans function within the first level, but even athletes can naturally develop some aspects of the second."
Niu nodded, his young mind already beginning to formulate questions.
"So, food isn't just food then, is it?" Niu asked, a small smile forming as he connected the dots. "It's a way to harness energy, like trees use sunlight for photosynthesis?"
Orimudi chuckled, nodding. "Very good, Niu. Precisely. Every living thing—be it plant, animal, or even stone—has a way to accumulate the world's energy. For humans, food is our primary source, but we can train ourselves to go beyond it, to absorb the very energy around us, even beyond the limitations of food."
Orimudi continued, pacing around the room. "Once you have mastered the Body Foundation Realm, you move into the Spirit Foundation Realm. This is where the true magic begins. In the Spirit Realm, you learn to use your spirit aura, your intent, to manipulate the world around you. The strength of your spirit is limited only by the resolve of your heart—if your spirit attempts to do something beyond your belief, it will collapse."
"The body is limited in perception by its senses. When a cultivator transcends past his physical senses, they develop an intuition that interacts with the world energy."
" The spirit is the intent of a being to interact directly with the world's energy without the need of a body. Once a being is conscience of the power it possesses it can perform tasks without using its body but applying intent alone. This process consumes internal energy and results in stress to the body similar to exercise."
"You have had the unique opportunity to experience spirit magic by using your mother's spiritual connection as a crutch. She is a peerless spirit master who is better suited to take you through the realm. She has proven her expertise by extending the maternal womb bond long past its natural time-period just to care for you. "
Niu listened carefully, his young mind absorbing every word.
"After the Spirit Foundation, you will enter the Elemental Realm," Orimudi said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "This is where you gain mastery over the elemental forces—fire, water, earth, air, lightning, and wood. In the Elemental Realm, you learn to bend these elements to your will, shaping the world itself with your power."
"The Elemental realm builds on top of the spiritual realm. It is a requirement to have a spiritual root in order to develop an elemental affinity. You will need to have an intimate relationship with an elemental force in order to gain its corresponding spiritual root."
Orimudi paused, watching Niu's reaction. "I have three spirit roots—a rare occurrence, even among the ancients. To develop an elemental affinity, you must cultivate a corresponding spiritual root. Without one, you cannot harness the elements."
Before Orimudi could continue, soft steps approached. Naria stood at the door, smiling as she observed how adorable Niu looked sitting up while Elder Orimudi continued with his passionate lecture.
"Young master," Orimudi addressed Niu formally, "we will continue our class tomorrow. Keep your questions for then. In the meantime, expand your spirit training as I have instructed."
He did not see Niu as a child, and therefore did not pretend he was one. Niu had already proven to be far more than an ordinary child, and Orimudi was eager to unlock his full potential.