In the kitchen, silence reigned as everyone waited patiently.
Luna Hart hesitated for a moment before speaking seriously:
"Master, I truly don't understand… It's very strange. I conducted a physical assessment of you. Your constitution is extremely weak, belonging to the lowest category of mortal physiques. From your meridians, it's evident you've never engaged in cultivation—not even a trace of it.
However, within your body exists a peculiar force. It envelops you completely. When I came into contact with it, I felt as though I was touching something terrifying—an overwhelming presence. It felt like being trapped in an inescapable dark void, and as if I might be crushed by an invisible hand if I dared to resist…"
Noah sighed, averting his gaze.
"You've seen my darker side. As you said, this body has never cultivated before. This is merely a fragment of my original body, given independent consciousness. But as for this physical constitution… what do you mean?
I distinctly remember ensuring this body was created with decent talents. Check again."
Luna Hart pondered for a moment before shaking her head decisively.
"It's impossible to be mistaken. I've examined thoroughly. You possess a non-attribute mortal physique. While you can cultivate all types of techniques, your efficiency will remain low."
From his perspective, Luna Hart, standing naturally with nothing covering her, conversed with poise. Her demeanor was both dignified and captivating.
"Luna," Noah said calmly, "in my era, a balanced constitution capable of adapting to various cultivation techniques was seen as powerful. The so-called restricted physiques were considered weak. It seems times have truly changed."
"Alright then. Bui Tuyên, gather all elemental cultivation techniques for me, along with supporting elixirs."
Bui Tuyên hesitated briefly before replying with some embarrassment:
"Master, I don't have all the techniques or elixirs on me. But rest assured, if I venture down the mountain, I'll definitely acquire them."
Noah glanced at him.
"Then you may descend the mountain. Go quickly."
As Bui Tuyên left, he grabbed a cup of water on the way out. "Such a miser," Noah thought.
Now, the kitchen was quiet, with just him and Luna Hart remaining. Her figure was indeed stunning.
"Luna," Noah began, "earlier, that was just a defensive instinct. Don't take it to heart."
Luna thought to herself, Defensive instinct? More like showing dominance! After all these lifetimes, shouldn't bygones be bygones? How petty can he be? Despite her thoughts, she smiled politely.
"No, Master, you overstate it. I could only uncover the truth because of your help. I can't take all the credit."
Noah wondered if her words were deliberate. He felt as though she was subtly reminding him of his so-called mortal physique. Is she looking down on me? Trying to distance herself?
"Luna," he said suddenly, "did you know that in my time, a mortal physique was considered divine?"
Luna was taken aback. She didn't know what she had done wrong. Seeing his serious demeanor, she felt confused and could only nod.
"Yes, divine physiques are indeed powerful."
After speaking, Luna instantly regretted it.
Noah pulled out a chair and sat directly in front of her. Internally, he smirked, Heh, after seeing your body, you think you can escape me? You'll be mine. He took a deep breath to steady himself.
"It seems you truly don't understand the strength of a mortal physique. Let me explain it to you."
"The way of the heavens seeks balance—what's lacking is replenished. Mortal physiques are naturally balanced, unlike other constitutions that are skewed toward specific elements. Most specialized physiques start strong but slow down as they advance, while mortal physiques are the opposite. They begin slow but accelerate later, almost without bottlenecks.
During pivotal transformations in cultivation, mortal physiques excel. Only one other physique matches their potential: the legendary Chaos Physique. Mortal physiques are essentially a second-generation Chaos Physique.
Those who revere specialized physiques as supreme geniuses are short-sighted. Cultivators aim for greater truths, not short-term gains."
Luna remained silent, listening intently. She felt as though she had glimpsed a new horizon and responded with admiration. Her expressions of astonishment, reverence, and submission seemed genuine.
"Master, if the heavenly way favors mortal physiques so greatly, surely the challenges must also be immense. How did you overcome them?"
Noah, having drawn upon every bit of knowledge he could recall, felt a bit drained. Yet, seeing her awestruck expression and her hands clasped in admiration, he thought to himself, Worth it. Absolutely worth it.
"Enough for now. If you want to know more, you'll find out later."
"Stand up and spin around for me," he commanded.
Though puzzled, Luna complied, spinning gracefully.
"Like this, Master? Master…?"
Noah nodded approvingly. "Perfect… slender waist, firm hips, delicate curves…"
"Ahem! Prepare warm water for my bath. Use the firewood in the kitchen. I'll step out for a moment and return shortly."
Luna puffed her cheeks, pouting as she glared at him walking away.
When Noah returned, he carried a bundle of herbs. According to the system, these will aid my cultivation, he thought.
He tossed the herbs into the boiling water and sat beside Luna.
In the tub, Noah relaxed.
So warm and soothing… Bathing with medicinal herbs is such a luxury.
His thoughts wandered. Only six more months until I'm 18. Father always said, "After 18, do as you please." But at this rate, can I wait that long?
Mother, on the other hand, advised, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." And in this world, people marry and have kids at 16. At 18, I'm practically old.
Yes, I should follow Mother's advice.
Now, whom should I choose first? Lalatina is 18—just a few months older than me. But Luna… the heavens themselves seem to favor our union. Liora is still too young, so she's out.
Why choose? I'll take both. Polygamy is normal here.
First Lalatina, then Luna… but I must improve my cultivation first. The protagonists in those novels could last for days; I'll need strength to manage both of them.
Determined, Noah submerged himself deeper in the water, planning his path forward. Cultivate first, everything else later.
In stories, the male and female leads often "indulge" for several days straight. Without cultivation, where would they get the stamina for that?
And what if they can't satisfy both of them properly? What if they get cheated on?
Right, improving strength comes first...
The sooner I grow stronger, the sooner I'll become an adult.
Sitting in the bath, Noah recalled the cultivation method and began practicing it.
After half an hour, the medicinal effects had dissipated, the water turned dark and had a strange smell.
Noah stood up, poured the water out, and bathed again in cool water. "Cold, huh... Just one more day, and the chill will be gone."
Stepping outside, Liora greeted him with a rosy face and cheerful demeanor, bowing slightly.
"My lord, you've finished bathing."
Noah glanced at her.
"Why are you so happy?"
She shook her head, a sweet smile on her face.
"Nothing... It's nothing."
Luna Hart, standing nearby, couldn't hold back and interjected.
"My lord, Liora is going to be spoiled rotten by Lalatina's care."
Noah looked at Luna Hart, and as he joked, her bouncing movements were captivating, sparking a heated desire in him. He wanted to reach out and touch, to grasp...
...
He trudged to the kitchen with difficulty.
A sumptuous feast was already laid out.
Lalatina , wearing an apron, stood to the side with a gentle smile.
Sitting down at the table, the dishes smelled delicious, the warm and cozy kitchen was a sharp contrast to the mess when Zhao Yu cooked.
"All of you, sit and eat with me."
...
Luna Hart couldn't understand why, ever since the incident with the mortal body, her lord often stole glances at her. Every time, it made her feel itchy and uncomfortable. Her instincts told her, something's up. Surely, he hadn't forgiven her yet?
"My lord, why do you keep looking at me like that?"
Noah, who had been staring, shook his head, expressionless.
"I'm not. I wasn't looking at you."
...
"My lord, I swear I'll never speak of your physique to anyone else..."
... What did I just say?
...
"No, I don't mind. You can talk about it... I'm proud of my physique. You're overthinking it."
"The mortal body isn't weak, you hear me? Just wait and see. It's just that this era is flawed."
Luna Hart, for some reason, found herself saying, "Yes, the mortal body isn't weak. It's just not in the right era..."
...
Luna Hart felt odd all day. Whatever she said seemed to provoke her lord. I'd better avoid him for now. Standing up, she said,
"My lord, I'm full. Please, everyone, continue eating."
Noah watched her leaving. He stood up and said firmly,
"Stop right there. You're not leaving until you finish all this food. If you insist on going, I'll come with you."
...
After the meal...
Noah returned to his room alone. He resolved to cultivate quickly and become an adult.
Sitting in his room, he cultivated through several cycles.
The mortal body... The mortal body can cultivate any type of attribute technique. The key difference lies in the power when mastered. Compared to special physiques, its strength is less than one-fifth. Moreover, it's five times harder to master and requires two to three times more resources than usual.
Though it's weak, it can cultivate many types and switch techniques without difficulty.
The critical flaw of this physique is how hard it is to begin cultivation.
...
But my current situation isn't difficult...
The first step in martial cultivation is building a solid physique. Blood vessels, muscles, bones, and organs must be strong and harmonized to absorb energy.
The path of martial arts is open to everyone. Anyone can cultivate, the only difference is in strength. Martial arts don't rely on spiritual energy or enlightenment but on external energies like killing intent, resentment, charm, or righteous aura to temper the body.
Those with talent can absorb one, two, or three types of energy, making them two major realms stronger than someone who can absorb only one.
In the simulation, it took me three years to cultivate inner strength using basic battlefield killing intent.
But in my current situation...
Perhaps I should cultivate inner strength first.
Combined with the herbs I just used to enhance my body, I should be able to master inner strength in a few more days.