After resting through the night, I woke up to a shout echoing in my head.
"Master! It's time to wake up!"
Startled, I got out of bed, feeling slightly fatigued, and rubbed my forehead gently.
"What happened, Art?" I asked mentally through our connection while adjusting my posture.
"You have a class soon, Master. It's quite an interesting one, as it's taught by a cultivator in the fifth stage of Foundation Establishment. Their insights could be very useful when you begin your journey into Foundation Establishment."
Hearing this, I recalled the class and glanced at a small device beside me, created using light and dark energy—a somewhat expensive apparatus that functions as a clock in my modernized world. This device, powered by energy, indicated the time. It was an item all students received to avoid delays and missed academy events, though I already had one of my own.
Checking the time, I channeled the internal energy in my body and used a basic water technique to cleanse myself, removing all dirt. Once clean, I employed a simple fire technique to warm my clothes, making them more comfortable against the slightly chilly weather.
While most clothes had simple arrays, bodies at my current cultivation level weren't thoroughly cleansed. Regardless, I preferred to stay clean out of habits from my past life. I refrained from bathing in the river of my inner palace due to time constraints.
With everything ready, I took some bread and milk out of my inventory and left my quarters. The bread was paired with a bit of strawberry jam, while the milk was slightly cold, so I gently warmed it with fire elemental energy.
My attire consisted of white trousers and a dark bluish shirt, slightly open and made of light fabric. Symbols on my belt displayed my sub-professional inscriptions, as well as my status as an academy novice.
As I stepped out, I noticed several students running at full speed. Some had messy hair, and others dashed out with food still in their mouths. Their cultivation levels ranged from early Foundation Establishment to Qi Condensation.
They refrained from using combat techniques, as such practices were forbidden within the academy, but they enhanced their bodies with Qi to sprint at maximum physical strength. Judging by their direction, they seemed like students fearing they'd be late for the lecture.
I utilized a bit of Qi and physical effort myself, though my movements maintained a moderate pace with an air of elegance.
It didn't take long to reach the classroom. The space was relatively simple, furnished with cushions that allowed people to sit meditatively and absorb both the lecture and their insights into Qi and Dao.
Among the individuals present, not all were academy cultivators. External visitors were also in attendance, though most were in the Qi Condensation realm or the early stages of Foundation Establishment.
I scanned the room briefly and found a place to sit. However, as I settled down, I noticed someone nearby glaring at me with an unusual mixture of resentment and hostility.
The individual wasn't particularly strong, being at the sixth level of Qi Condensation. He had brown hair and an arrogant demeanor that was admittedly quite irritating.
It seemed like he wanted to say something to me, but the presence of others and the classroom atmosphere made him hesitate. I seized the opportunity to close my eyes and avoid unnecessary headaches.
Seated, I concentrated on my understanding of the elements. Developing an affinity with specific elements is fundamental in the early stages of cultivation, serving as the first step toward connecting with immortality and laying the foundation for understanding other Dao principles.
I first focused on two elements with a complementary dynamic: fire and light.
In my mental sea and dantian, fire energy blazed like a grand bonfire, while rays of light intertwined with every spark. I studied their interaction, their individual forms, malleability, strength, gaps, and diverse properties.
Although my primary focus was deepening my understanding of water and darkness energy, the unique capabilities of light and fire demanded attention I couldn't afford to ignore.
After a few minutes of exploring these elements, I finally heard someone entering the room.
Opening my eyes, I observed today's lecturer.
She appeared to be around 20 years old, with blonde hair tinged with a burnt brown hue. From her body, I felt a strong fire aura, though it wasn't the only impression. Her presence exuded strength and oppression, contained within every fiber of her being. Her powerful muscles were visible, her open abdomen a testament to her achievements.
Some boys and girls blushed at the sight of her well-defined abs, which complemented her striking face and charismatic presence.
Intrigued by the aura she radiated, I began to contemplate. I had encountered guards of equivalent or greater strength, including my grandfather, but the sensation they exuded was distinct. Beyond the oppressive pressure of their superior cultivation base, their bodies seemed far more dangerous.
She sat down roughly on the floor and addressed the room in a loud, resonating voice.
"Greetings, everyone! I am Solei Flareon. It's worth mentioning that I am merely a senior and student of this academy."
Her tone exuded confidence and reliability. This clarification was likely necessary due to her family background—the Flareon family is one of the Duke families of this kingdom. However, I'd heard that Solei was considered a bastard and denied resources, relying solely on her determination and willpower to reach the fifth stage of Foundation Establishment and secure a stable position for her mother.
"Today, I'll be giving a lecture on Foundation Establishment, but I'll also include some unique insights from my own cultivation. Don't worry; it won't interfere with your understanding."
She spoke with vigor and intensity, her fiery energy seemingly emanating from every pore.
"First, I will recap the realms and the general workings of the Foundation Establishment stage. The purpose of this stage is to use internal Qi, stored within the dantian, to gradually enhance every part of your body and existence, enabling you to reach higher realms."
"The stages are divided as follows: skin, muscles, bones, organs, meridians and blood, and finally, the mind. As the names suggest, the blessing of Qi enhances each part of your body, making it superior, improving your soul, and refining your entire being. This prepares you for higher realms and allows you to acquire more Qi."
She paused, waiting for everyone to absorb the information.
"However... my case is different." Her smile reflected her struggles, but also her pride.
"I am not a common cultivator. I am a practitioner who does not follow the path of Qi or spirit cultivation—I walk the physical path."
"In my case, instead of channeling Qi into my dantian and spirit, I focus it entirely on my body, making it stronger and more resilient than anything else. Of course, pursuing this path makes cultivation significantly harder and more time-consuming, as cultivating the body involves enduring immense pain and suffering. Moreover, it complicates the entire process."
"So, what is the difference between a spiritual path cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage and one following the physical path, considering that both enhance the physical body?"
She posed the question and gazed at the students.
One student raised their hand.
"Senior, could it be the potential level? Does the physical path enhance an individual's talent?"
Hearing the question, she smiled playfully.
"Yes and no. Indeed, physical cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage are much stronger than their Qi-focused counterparts. Their physical capabilities and progress in this realm are significantly enhanced. However, there are limitations. Physical cultivators have reduced capacity for mid- to long-range techniques and cannot extend their Qi far beyond their bodies. Nonetheless, within the same realm, it is incredibly difficult for a Qi cultivator to severely harm a physical cultivator. Of course, exceptions depend on elemental comprehension, techniques, and artifacts, but this is the general rule. Naturally, pursuing this path not only involves more pain and takes longer but also consumes significant resources, such as herbs, spiritual beast meat, and external fortifications. On the other hand, Qi cultivation generally progresses steadily with consistent effort over time. However..."
She spoke and raised her hand, striking the air with a swift motion.
There was no fluctuation of energy, nor any visible expenditure, yet the air emitted a cracking sound, as though her palm alone held the force to destroy cities.
Additionally, I noticed traces of fire emanating from her hand. Even without actively using energy, her physical strength was sufficient to overpower an enemy. Witnessing this display, I could only lament. Certainly, spiritual cultivation holds immense potential, rivaling physical cultivation. However, spiritual cultivators are more prone to severe injury or death. Moreover, physical cultivators are said to have greater potential in higher realms due to their enhanced bodily attributes.
Reflecting on my regret, I acknowledged the immense power of physical cultivation—a path I once desired to follow. More specifically, I aspired to practice dual cultivation, which involves simultaneously cultivating internal Qi and the physical body. This method demands even more time, vast resources, and specialized techniques capable of achieving such synergy. Unfortunately, such techniques are said to be nonexistent in this realm, or require two techniques with strong synchronization and association.
To my knowledge, no one practices this form of cultivation, as it is rarely pursued even by the wealthy or those with strong backgrounds. Few possess the talent, techniques, or financial means required. I often recalled examples from the protagonists of books I read in my past life...
As for me, there was no technique in my palace compatible with my elemental genesis cultivation technique. Perhaps, someday, I will find one.
Clearing my mind of these thoughts, I resumed listening to her explanation. She provided valuable insights into physical cultivation before returning to the topic of Foundation Establishment, blending it with her knowledge of Qi condensation. Though her perspective was biased toward the physical path, it offered distinct benefits.
She also shared profound insights into the element of fire during her lecture.
The session lasted over an hour.
...
Afterward, I spent several more minutes absorbing the knowledge she imparted. I could feel my cultivation base approaching the threshold of the 9th realm of Qi Condensation. With a bit more effort, I believed I could break through.
However, I sighed and rose to my feet.
Given that my apparent cultivation base was between the 6th and 7th realms, I couldn't allow others to perceive me as someone nearing the 9th realm.
Stretching my body, I left the hall and began running back to my quarters to prepare for the breakthrough. But then... I was stopped by an irritating individual.