"Through my Third Eye, I discern a strikingly young figure, enshrouded in shadows," declared Seraphina Ming, the esteemed seeress of the Northern Moon Sanctuary, revered for her prophetic vision.
"He is undoubtedly youthful, likely under thirty, with a life force that dazzles the senses. His gaze, radiant as the stars, is shielded by an overwhelming spiritual presence, masking his true identity."
Her pronouncement stirred a tumult across the lands, challenging the beliefs of the powerful and the commoner alike.
While it was known that those transcending into the exalted Innate Realm could reverse the ravages of time, the notion of a youth barely past his adolescence achieving such a status was beyond the realm of imagination.
What could possibly bestow upon such a youth the hallowed powers of the Innate Realm so prematurely?
As he burgeoned into his full potential, his burgeoning power seemed limitless. Even the most prodigious disciples from the Four Grand Sanctuaries, with their abundance of sacred elixirs and divine creatures, took nearly a century to reach such heights.
Yet, here was a young man whose pace of cultivation eclipsed them all, sparking a maelstrom of intrigue and yearning.
What was his method of cultivation?
A fervent quest ignited amongst the mighty and the ambitious, all yearning to discover the identity of this nascent Innate master and to unravel the secrets of his astonishingly swift rise.
Meanwhile, Eddie remained blissfully detached from the turmoil his ascent had wrought upon the Great Daxia Kingdom. Unaware of the fame and fervent quests he had unwittingly incited, he continued his journey, cloaked in the serene oblivion of his own world.
Mercenaries, assassins, and thieves across the towns of Whitestone, Redwood, and Blackrock were in an uproar, regretting every moment of sleep they had indulged in.
Just a glimpse of the radiant column of light marking an Innate's birth was worth a fortune of fifty gold coins, an opportunity missed by many.
For context, hunting a third-level Lightning Leopard and keeping its fur intact might bring in a maximum of sixty silver coins, hardly a single gold coin. A rare, mutated variant with a magical crystal might fetch five gold coins at most.
However, the difficulty and danger involved in such a hunt made it nearly a mission impossible for small groups and only feasible for large, well-prepared teams.
Now, for just witnessing an extraordinary event, one could earn the equivalent of ten mutated leopards' bounty. The townsfolk couldn't help but rue their missed opportunity.
Inexplicably, amidst numerous claims, no one could confirm witnessing the bright beam from Eddie's residence in Whitestone.
The nation's Seer, endowed with the divine gift of discernment, easily separated truth from lies, punishing the deceitful opportunists severely.
In contrast to the chaotic search, Eddie remained secluded, diligently cultivating and enjoying simple, joyous moments with his young friend. He embraced his days as an Innate Realm powerhouse, engaging in playful activities like counting ants, chasing dragonflies, and teaching the young girl to summon mythical creatures from folklore. Unbeknownst to the outside world, this formidable Innate Realm master found contentment in a peaceful, unassuming life.
"Remember, only summon the mighty mythical creatures like the 'Freaking' and 'River Crab' against foes or the wicked!"
" Got it? Yes, just like that, raise your middle finger high - they really prefer such gestures..."
" And when you utter the incantations, say it with conviction, alright? Even if it's in your sweet, tender voice... You're indeed a little cherub with a voice of purity!"
Eddie's unorthodox teaching methods and light-hearted demeanor would surely astonish any fellow Innate Realm master were they to witness it.
While the Fourth Mistress occasionally scolded him for his lack of seriousness, she couldn't help but feel a sense of joy seeing his tender care towards the young girl.
Having successfully cultivated the first layer of the Innate Formless Sword Qi, Eddie had now officially stepped into the Innate Realm. His sights were now set on the next level, a challenge significantly more demanding than the first.
The second layer of Innate Formless Sword Qi involved not only circulating true qi through all 108 major acupoints in the body but also integrating the Governing and Conception vessels with the previously opened twelve meridians.
This integration would transform his entire meridian system into an unobstructed, seamless network. Upon reaching this level, Eddie would not only greatly enhance his prowess but also be capable of emitting sword qi from any part of his body.
With such a spontaneous and lethal form of attack, any enemy relying merely on physical reactions would find it nearly impossible to defend against.