"Here, the passage of time aligns differently with your mortal world," the skull explained as Leon finished planting the seed. "Everything grows much faster here—approximately ten times faster than in Fangwood Hamlet. When you return tomorrow night, this plant should have matured fully, and you might even find insects around it. These insects can produce a substance beneficial for your cultivation progress."
Leon, nodding in understanding, felt a mix of anticipation and curiosity. The rapid growth rate promised swift results, but it also meant he'd need to be prepared for whatever challenges those results brought forth.
Just as they concluded the planting, Leon's thoughts drifted to a term the skull had mentioned but that he didn't fully understand. "What is cultivation?" Leon asked, his expression puzzled.
The skull paused, a flicker of confusion crossing its ethereal face. "You don't know what cultivation is? But how did you access this world?" it queried, genuinely perplexed.
Leon thought back to the only unusual event that had happened before he found himself in this strange garden. "The only thing that happened was when I killed some insects on a plant in our village and ate them. I felt some energy then," he explained, hoping it might shed light on his situation.
The skull considered this information for a moment before responding, "It appears that consuming those insects and the energy you felt was a catalyst, helping you subconsciously begin cultivating, albeit very inefficiently. It likely opened the path to this place."
Realizing Leon's need for a basic understanding, the skull then attempted to explain cultivation as best as it could, given its limited knowledge:
"Cultivation is a process of strengthening and enhancing one's body and spirit. Here's a simple breakdown:
Stage One: Physical Foundation
Purpose: Strengthen the body to prepare it for further cultivation tasks.Activities: Engage in exercises that enhance strength, flexibility, and endurance.Outcomes: This leads to a robust physical condition, providing a solid base for the next stages.
Stage Two: Core Formation
Purpose: Begin harnessing and manipulating Qi to form an energetic core within your body.Process: This involves learning to control and condense Qi.Influences: The quality of your core depends heavily on your physical conditioning from Stage One.
Stage Three: Multiplication of Cores
Purpose: Expand your capacity to manage Qi by forming multiple cores.Process: Duplicate the core formation throughout various points in the body.Dependencies: The success of this stage relies on the strength and stability of your initial core.
These stages are designed to gradually elevate your abilities, allowing you to handle more potent energies and undertake greater feats."
The skull's explanation was straightforward, reflecting its own limited grasp of a complex subject. "That is as much as I understand," it admitted. "Cultivation can be a profound and life-changing journey, and it appears you've only just begun."
Leon listened intently, absorbing the skull's words. The concept of cultivation seemed both daunting and exciting, offering a path to the kind of strength and capability he dreamed of. As the skull finished explaining, Leon felt a new resolve forming within him, a determination to pursue this path not only for his own growth but to protect Mei and their home. With the skull's guidance, he was ready to embark on this new adventure in the mystical realm of the Graveyard Garden, exploring the limits of his potential and beyond.
Leon turned to the skull with a question that had been forming in his mind as he absorbed the introduction to cultivation. "Do you know of any cultivation techniques I can use? I don't have any," he asked, his tone reflecting both curiosity and a slight sense of urgency.
The skull, its glow dimming thoughtfully, responded after a moment's pause. "You are in need of a foundational technique, and it seems I do possess knowledge of one particularly rare and powerful method that could suit you well. It's called the 'Godly Forest Foundation.'"
Leon listened intently, his eyes widening as the skull elaborated on this unique technique. "Imagine growing a forest within your body. The first stage of cultivation is primarily about building your body as a foundation to harness and manipulate Qi. A stronger foundation naturally leads to greater potential in your future cultivation endeavors. This technique—envisioning your cells as trees and plants within a vast, resilient forest—aims to strengthen your entire being. A single tree can easily fall, but a forest, with its interconnected strength and diversity, stands firm against many adversities."
"The concept is simple but executing it requires precise guidance, as improper practice could lead to harm. You need to visualize water surrounding your body, nourishing the ground. This water represents Qi, and as it soaks into the earth, it encourages the growth of plants—your cells. The more water you guide, the stronger and larger these plants will grow."
Taking a deep breath, Leon closed his eyes and attempted to visualize his body as a dry, barren landscape, a desert thirsty for nourishment. He imagined a sparse amount of water, a precious resource, beginning to flow around him. With focus and determination, he directed this water to a specific area of the ground, hoping to concentrate his efforts where it might yield the most noticeable growth.
After some time, Leon opened his eyes, his expression clouded with disappointment. The mental exercise had yielded only a few sparse strands of grass in his internal visualization, far from the lush forest he had hoped to cultivate. Turning to the skull, he shared his frustration. "There's so little water... I tried to focus it all in one area to make the most of it, but all I got were a few strands of grass, and they don't even look fully mature."
The skull considered Leon's words, its own form shimmering slightly as it pondered the implications. "It appears that your body currently lacks sufficient Qi, which is quite unusual. It suggests that the mortal plane you reside in, and specifically the area around Fangwood Hamlet, may have very low and poor-quality Qi."
This revelation set the stage for Leon's journey, highlighting the challenges he faced due to the inherent deficiencies of his environment. However, it also opened up a realm of possibilities. If he could learn to cultivate effectively despite these limitations, any progress he made would be a testament to his strength and potential.
"Leon, do not be disheartened," the skull encouraged, its voice echoing softly in the ethereal space. "This beginning, though modest, is a crucial first step. Every great journey starts with understanding one's limitations and learning to overcome them. Your path to cultivating a 'Godly Forest' within you may be difficult, but it holds the promise of extraordinary power and resilience. Let this challenge inspire you to push beyond the ordinary, to transform the sparse desert of your inner world into a thriving, vibrant forest."
With those words, the skull managed to reignite a spark of determination in Leon. Despite the initial setback, he felt a renewed sense of purpose and excitement. The journey ahead would require patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of the mystical arts of cultivation. But it was a path that promised great rewards, a journey not just of physical and spiritual growth but of profound personal transformation.
Leon nodded, his young face set with resolve. "I will try again. I'll find a way to bring more water, more Qi, to my forest. I'll grow stronger, not just for myself, but to protect Mei and everyone in Fangwood Hamlet."
With the skull's guidance, Leon prepared to delve deeper into the secrets of cultivation, ready to explore the vast and mystical landscape of his own potential. The promise of a future where he could wield the strengths of a Godly Forest within him was a compelling vision, one that would drive him to return to the Graveyard Garden night after night, each visit a step towards mastering the formidable powers that lay dormant within him.
As Leon stood beside the skull, contemplating the vast responsibilities and potential of his Graveyard Garden, a thought struck him—a gesture of gratitude towards the being that had offered him so much guidance and would continue to play a crucial role in his journey.