"I need a body cultivation art," Silas said, folding his arms and glancing at the interface. "Based on the analysis I already paid for with merits. Please present me with a suitable technique."
The system chimed in response. Calculating…
A moment later: 25 merits deducted. An additional 25 merits discounted for ingenious question phrasing. I don't care what the others say, you're not slow, 575 merit points remaining.
Silas raised an eyebrow, lips twitching slightly at the system's unprompted sarcasm. "Appreciate the vote of confidence," he muttered, shaking his head. Was the system programmed to needle him just enough to make him question his sanity, or was it just… bored? Whatever it was, he wasn't rising to the bait. He exhaled sharply and ignored the dig.
The glowing interface shifted, revealing a list of cultivation techniques, each accompanied by a brief description.
Flowing River Vitality Art
A gentle technique that enhances flexibility, stamina, and natural regeneration. Progress is steady and risk-free, ideal for building a reliable foundation.
• Potential: Moderate
• Difficulty: Low
Verdant Body Awakening Scripture
Draws from nature's energy to build a resilient and toxin-resistant body. Offers dependable growth with lasting endurance and vitality.
• Potential: High
• Difficulty: Moderate
Diamond Furnace Body Refinement
Forged in cycles of pressure and heat, this technique tempers the body into a vessel of unmatched strength and toughness. Promises transformative results.
• Potential: Exceptional
• Difficulty: ???
Silas stared at the options, his brow furrowing. The descriptions weren't long, but they told him enough to start weighing his choices. Still, something about the list nagged at him. "Why are you giving me three options here?" he asked, leaning closer to the monolith.
The system responded with its usual flair. Because offering only one path would lack the elegance of cultivation, and offering none would lack the entertainment of watching you struggle.
Silas let out a soft laugh despite himself. "Yeah, thanks for the wisdom, Master Yoda."
Silas studied the options displayed before him. Each description teased him with just enough detail to hint at its potential but left plenty unsaid. He took his time, letting the implications of each option sink in.
The Flowing River Vitality Art seemed straightforward—enhancing flexibility, stamina, and natural regeneration. It sounded solid and dependable, like the kind of technique someone might pick to play it safe. The progress was described as "steady," and the risk was practically nonexistent. But moderate potential? In a world that had literally turned into a crucible, moderate didn't sound like enough. "Not bad for a beginner," Silas muttered, tapping his chin. "But if I'm going to stake my life on something, I don't think 'risk-free' is going to cut it."
The Verdant Body Awakening Scripture grabbed his attention a bit more. It offered a strong foundation—resilience, toxin resistance, lasting endurance. In a world where even the plants might start fighting back, being able to shrug off poison or environmental hazards sounded practical. It had higher potential than the first technique, but its difficulty wasn't so extreme as to be daunting. "This feels like the smart choice," he muttered. "Strong body, good defenses. Perfect for surviving whatever insanity the system throws at me." He tilted his head thoughtfully, filing it away as a viable option.
The Diamond Furnace Body Refinement practically dared him to pick it. The description promised transformative results, but it was vague about how those results would be achieved. Forged in cycles of pressure and heat. Silas frowned at the phrasing, his eyes narrowing. The potential was labeled as exceptional, but the difficulty? Just a string of question marks. "Pressure and heat, huh?" he said aloud. "Sounds like I'm supposed to turn into a diamond—or burn to ash trying."
As if on cue, the system chimed in with an oddly philosophical line: The path of cultivation tempers the unyielding. Only under great pressure can carbon transcend into brilliance. Silas raised an eyebrow. "Okay, poetic, but couldn't you have just said, 'Diamonds need pressure'? That whole steel thing earlier didn't even make sense." He shook his head and muttered, "System's got a flair for drama, I'll give it that."
But he couldn't deny that this technique intrigued him. It promised not just survival, but strength beyond anything he'd ever known. Sure, it sounded like the hardest path, but after spending two years paralyzed, he was no stranger to hard. If anything, the challenge only made it more appealing. He stepped back and looked at all three options again, weighing them carefully. The first was practical but uninspiring. The second was well-rounded and logical, a great choice for anyone trying to survive. But the third? The third felt like a gamble—a bold choice for someone ready to bet everything on themselves.
Silas crossed his arms, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah," he said quietly. "I don't think 'moderate' or 'logical' is why I'm here." His fingers hovered over the glowing display for a moment before he made his decision. "Diamond Furnace Body Refinement," he said clearly.
The system responded immediately: Cultivation method selected. I As the display faded, Silas exhaled, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. He hadn't felt this kind of excitement since before the accident. Back then, martial arts had been his passion—a way to push himself, to see how far he could go. Now, with this technique, he had a chance to push those limits again. He flexed his fingers, imagining the strength that could come from this path. Sure, it would hurt. Sure, it would be dangerous. But wasn't that the point? If he was going to fight for his place in this new world, he wasn't about to settle for "moderate." He was going all in.
The monolith stood silently before Silas, an unyielding presence that seemed carved from the bones of the earth itself. Its surface shimmered faintly, veins of light running through it like molten rivers trapped beneath stone. Silas felt his breath catch in his throat. Something about the monolith felt alive, humming with purpose he couldn't quite understand.
Then, the air shifted. A faint glow emerged in front of him, swirling and solidifying until it took the shape of a book. Its cover was dark, like hardened coal, but lines of shimmering light crisscrossed it, forming intricate patterns like raw diamonds waiting to be uncovered.
Hesitant, Silas reached out and grabbed the book. Warmth flooded his hands, followed by a faint vibration that traveled up his arms. When he opened it, the first page greeted him with glowing, golden script:
"Diamond Body Refinement Technique - Foundation Establishment Stage
His brow furrowed as he mouthed the words. "Diamond… Refinement?" The title felt heavy with meaning, though it wasn't one he fully grasped yet. Still, the promise of strength lingered in the air like a whisper. Intrigued, Silas flipped to the next page.
The introduction read:
"Diamonds are formed deep within the earth, where unimaginable heat and pressure transform raw carbon into brilliance. This technique mirrors that process, using spiritual energy to compress, heat, and crystallize the body. Through this, the cultivator becomes unbreakable, their foundation as pure and resilient as a diamond."
Silas blinked. "Unbreakable?" The thought stirred something deep inside him—part hope, part disbelief. He'd spent his life feeling small, powerless. The idea of becoming stronger, indestructible even, was intoxicating. But heat? Pressure? Spiritual energy? He didn't even know where to begin.
Still, he turned the page. The words seemed to glow brighter as though urging him forward.
Foundation Establishment Stage
The manual divided the process into three phases, each reflecting the forces that create diamonds within the earth. Silas felt a mix of awe and confusion as he scanned the diagrams and text. Every step required spiritual energy—something he barely understood—but the instructions were clear.
Phase 1: Building Pressure - Internal Compression
"Pressure is the first step. Deep beneath the surface, carbon is compacted under layers of earth until it begins to transform. For the cultivator, this begins within the body, compressing muscles, bones, and organs using spiritual energy."
Silas studied the instructions, his curiosity growing. Spiritual energy, it seemed, could act as a force, pressing inward and reshaping the body from the inside out.
Muscles: By guiding spiritual energy through his muscles during exercises, Silas could amplify the strain of every movement. The energy would press against the fibers, breaking them down more effectively before accelerating their recovery.
Bones: The manual introduced a technique called Marrow Compression Breathing, which channeled spiritual energy into the skeleton. The energy acted like an invisible force, compacting the marrow and densifying the bones until they could bear immense strain.
Organs: Using slow, controlled breathing, Silas would direct energy into his organs, strengthening them to withstand the increased internal pressure. This was crucial, the manual explained, as the organs would serve as the foundation for the body's endurance.
"The earth compacts its raw material slowly, layer by layer. You must do the same, shaping your body into a form that can endure the pressures to come."
Silas scratched his head, muttering, "So… I just imagine energy squeezing me like I'm being buried alive?" The concept felt strange, but something about the idea made sense. The body had to adapt, and this pressure would force that change—if he could survive it.
Phase 2: Applying Heat - External Forces
"Heat is the second force of transformation. The earth's mantle provides the intense temperatures needed to soften and refine carbon. For the cultivator, heat comes from the environment, drawn in and harnessed through spiritual energy."
Silas turned the page to see illustrations of figures meditating near molten rock, their bodies glowing faintly with spiraling energy. The text described methods of using the environment as a tool for growth.
Heat Training: By meditating near sources of extreme heat—volcanic stones, blazing fires, or even concentrated sunlight—Silas could draw the warmth into his body. Spiritual energy would act as a conduit, spreading the heat through his muscles and bones, softening them for further refinement.
Gravity Arrays: Rune formations created crushing gravitational forces, simulating the weight of the earth's layers. Silas would need to anchor his spiritual energy within his body to resist being crushed, allowing the pressure to strengthen him instead of breaking him.
Weighted Movements: Special garments infused with spiritual energy could create invisible resistance, making every step, every motion, a challenge. The manual explained that this constant pressure would keep the body in a state of transformation.
"The heat of the mantle softens what is rigid, allowing it to transform. Without this heat, the body cannot adapt, and the process will fail."
Silas's lips twitched into a nervous smile. "Meditate near molten rock? Get squished under invisible gravity? Sounds like a blast." Despite his sarcasm, a flicker of determination burned in his chest. If this was the price for strength, he was willing to pay it.
Phase 3: Crystallization - The Reaction
The final phase made Silas's stomach twist.
"When heat and pressure converge, carbon transforms into diamond. The same is true for the body. This is The Reaction—the moment when spiritual energy ignites the forces within, crystallizing the body into its final, indestructible form."
The process was described as the culmination of everything that came before. Silas would need to focus all his spiritual energy inward, compressing it into a single point until it triggered a chain reaction. This reaction would ripple through his body, burning away imperfections and solidifying his foundation.
Convergence: Silas would gather the spiritual energy built up in his body, directing it inward until the pressure and heat reached their peak.
Ignition: At the critical moment, the energy would ignite, sending waves of transformation through his entire being.
Crystallization: The result would be a body as unyielding as diamond—resilient, pure, and capable of withstanding the pressures of higher cultivation.
"Beware. An unstable reaction will shatter the body, leaving it broken beyond repair. Patience and control are the keys to survival."
Silas exhaled slowly. The diagrams showed a figure glowing with radiant light, their body encased in crystalline patterns. The thought of reaching that stage filled him with both awe and fear. One wrong move, and everything could end in an instant.
Silas closed the book, his hands trembling. He didn't understand it all—spiritual energy still felt like a foreign concept—but the idea of becoming stronger, of transforming into something unbreakable, made his chest tighten.
"So, I just need to… survive being buried, burned, and squeezed until I turn into a diamond?" He let out a nervous laugh. "Easy."
Silas stared at the glowing cover of the manual:
"Diamond Body Refinement Technique - Foundation Stage."
The title alone felt as if it carried a weight too great for him to bear. Cultivation. Refinement. Foundation. Words he barely understood, yet they promised something extraordinary—if only he could unlock their meaning. He held the manual closer, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
"System, I would like a master lesson on how to cultivate the Diamond Body Refinement Technique—Foundation Stage."
The air seemed to hum faintly as the system responded.
"Calculating… First-time Master Lesson initiated. Discount applied. 500 merit points deducted. Host has 75 merit points remaining."
His stomach sank. "Wait… 500 merit points? For one lesson?" Silas groaned, muttering to himself. "How much is it without the discount? And what's the discount, anyway?" He sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, whatever. Let's just get on with it."
The system's tone didn't falter.
"Host must first understand spiritual energy. Does host know what spiritual energy is?"
Silas frowned. The moment of his awakening flickered in his mind—light bursting forth, power coursing through his body, the sensation overwhelming and alien. "That… during the awakening," he said hesitantly. "That was spiritual energy, wasn't it?"
"That was raw awakening spiritual energy. If host cannot manipulate that energy, even untrained, host should abandon the idea of cultivation entirely. Awakening spiritual energy is rare and beneficial, with no known drawbacks. If host ever encounters a pocket of awakening spiritual energy in the future… kill for it."
He stiffened. "Kill for it?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. The system's words struck him like a hammer. The tone was cold and factual, without a shred of hesitation. Silas swallowed hard. If awakening spiritual energy was so valuable, then the fact that he had experienced it during his awakening was far more significant than he'd realized. But the thought of "killing for it" unsettled him deeply.
"Alright," he said, steadying himself. "Then what exactly is spiritual energy?"
The system's explanation was crisp, clinical, and methodical.
"Spiritual energy is the foundation of all cultivation. It is an invisible force that permeates the universe, existing in the air, the earth, the water, and all living things. It is formless yet infinite, chaotic yet transformative. Spiritual energy fuels a cultivator's growth, enabling them to refine their body, expand their mind, and align with the Dao."
Silas listened intently, nodding. "And the Dao… what is that?"
"The Dao is the natural order of the universe. It governs all things: fire burns, water flows, the heavens rise, the earth endures. Spiritual energy reflects the Dao of its surroundings, shaped by its environment. The energy of the ocean, for example, resonates with the Dao of Water—fluid, adaptive, and vast. Mountain energy reflects the Dao of Earth—stable, resilient, and unyielding."
"So, spiritual energy changes depending on where you find it?" Silas asked.
"Correct. To cultivate effectively, host must not only absorb spiritual energy but also align with the Dao of the environment. The Diamond Body Refinement Technique requires energy aligned with the Dao of Earth, embodying compression, stability, and endurance. Without understanding these principles, host cannot succeed."
Silas furrowed his brow, absorbing the system's words. The idea of energy shaped by its environment fascinated him, though it still felt abstract. He glanced at the manual in his hands. "Alright," he said. "So how do I even start?"
"To absorb spiritual energy, host must begin with meditation. Cultivation requires focus and discipline. Host must sit comfortably, clear the mind, and concentrate on breathing. Spiritual energy flows naturally but only into a vessel that is calm and open."
"Clear my mind?" he repeated. "What does that even mean?"
"The mind must be still, free from distractions. Thoughts must be silenced until the mind is as calm as a still pond. Only then can host sense the spiritual energy around them."
He crossed his arms, glancing at the ground. "And what happens when I can sense it?"
"Host will feel faint traces of energy—subtle warmth, gentle vibrations, or a faint pressure against the skin. These are signs of ambient spiritual energy waiting to be drawn inward. Host must guide this energy into the body through focused intent."
"How?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"By visualizing the energy flowing into the body, as water flows into a vessel. Spiritual energy will follow the channels of the body, referred to as meridians, and gather in the dantian, located just below the navel. This is where energy is stored and refined."
He glanced down, pressing a hand just below his stomach. "So my dantian is like a… container for energy?"
"Correct. However, raw spiritual energy is chaotic. Host must refine it through steady breathing and focused visualization, aligning it with the body and making it usable. Without refinement, the energy remains unstable and may cause harm."
Silas exhaled sharply. The process sounded straightforward, but he could already tell it wouldn't be easy. "So, meditation, sensing energy, guiding it into my body, and refining it," he summarized. "Got it."
The system offered no further comment, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Silas looked down at the manual in his lap, its faint glow casting soft light on his hands. He didn't fully understand what lay ahead, but at least now he had a direction.
With the Master Class activated, the system's voice began its lesson, calm and deliberate.
"To begin cultivating the Diamond Body Refinement Technique, host must learn the art of meditation. Meditation is the foundation of all cultivation, a practice that allows the host to connect with spiritual energy, clear the mind, and guide energy into the body. Success depends on consistency and focus."
Silas tilted his head. "So, what… I just sit down and think about nothing?"
"Incorrect. Meditation is not simply thinking about nothing. It is the process of quieting unnecessary thoughts, steadying the breath, and opening the mind to awareness. Through meditation, host will learn to sense the spiritual energy in the environment and draw it inward."
The system's voice shifted slightly, becoming more instructional.
"Step one: Position. Host must sit comfortably, either cross-legged or on a stable surface, ensuring the spine is straight. A balanced posture supports the flow of energy through the body."
Silas glanced at the ground. "So, I just sit up straight. Got it."
The system continued, ignoring his muttering.
"Step two: Breathing. Host must focus on rhythmic breathing. Inhale slowly, drawing air deeply into the lungs. Exhale with equal control. This calms the body and stills the mind. Improper breathing disrupts energy flow."
Silas nodded absently, imagining the process. "Breathe slow, keep it steady. Sounds simple enough."
"Step three: Clearing the mind. This is the most critical step and the most challenging. Host must quiet all unnecessary thoughts, allowing the mind to become still, like a calm pond. Distractions will prevent the host from sensing spiritual energy."
"Easier said than done," he muttered.
"Step four: Awareness. Once the mind is still, host must focus outward, sensing the spiritual energy in the environment. Spiritual energy may feel like a faint warmth, a vibration, or a subtle presence. Host must attune to this sensation without forcing it."
Silas furrowed his brow. "And if I can't sense anything?"
"Spiritual energy is always present, but host's ability to sense it depends on focus and persistence. It may take several attempts before host perceives even the faintest traces."
The system's tone became instructional again.
"Step five: Guidance. Once spiritual energy is sensed, host must visualize it flowing into the body, following natural energy channels called meridians. The energy will naturally gravitate toward the dantian, a core point located just below the navel, where it is stored and refined."
He glanced down at his stomach. "Let me guess… if I mess that part up, it's bad."
"Incorrect visualization will result in inefficiency, not harm. However, failure to refine energy may result in stagnation. Host must refine the energy through focused breathing, aligning it with the body's natural rhythm."
Silas rubbed the back of his neck, processing the instructions. "So, I sit down, breathe slow, clear my mind, sense the energy, and… pull it into my stomach?"
"Correct. This is the foundation. Mastery will require effort and consistency. Host's first meditation interval will begin in six hours. Review provided layout to prepare."
The faint pressure in the air settled over him again, subtle but noticeable, like the weight of an unseen presence. Silas closed the manual, his thoughts racing. Meditation wasn't just sitting still. It was work. Focus. Discipline. The system wasn't going to hand him results—he'd have to earn them.
Yet, as he sat there, the system's words brought something else to the surface. The methodical steps, the focus on clearing his mind and blocking out distractions—it wasn't entirely unfamiliar.
His grip tightened on the manual as the memory came rushing back. The flares. Back when he was paralyzed, when no one knew he was still aware, the pain had been his constant companion. It came in waves, tearing through him without mercy. But over time, something had shifted. He'd learned to live with it. Maybe that wasn't the right word. He'd learned to focus it out.
When the flares hit, he'd narrow his thoughts, pushing everything else to the edges. It wasn't about ignoring the pain. It was about controlling where his mind went, finding something else to hold onto. At first, it had been his mother's classical music. He'd latch onto the piano's steady rhythm or follow the rise and fall of violins. Over time, he realized he didn't need the music. He could clear his mind on his own, creating a space where the pain couldn't reach him.
Was that… a form of meditation? Maybe even cultivation? The thought left him uneasy, but it also sparked something else: curiosity. He'd done this before, just under different circumstances. Maybe that was why the system's explanation didn't feel so alien.
"I've been doing this without even knowing it," he murmured, his voice tinged with disbelief. "The flares… the music… it was all the same thing, wasn't it?"
The system's voice broke into his thoughts.
"Host must prepare. Success depends on focus and effort. Controlled spiritual energy has been provided to support the process, but comprehension must come from the host."
Silas nodded, exhaling slowly. He looked down at the manual in his hands, the faint glow of its cover reflecting in his eyes. The system wasn't going to do this for him, but that was fine. He wasn't expecting easy.
"Alright," he said quietly, resolve hardening in his chest. "Let's get to work."