Time lost all meaning as Li Hua floated in a sea of sensation, neither fully conscious nor completely submerged in darkness. Her dual cores pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat, each surge of energy washing through her meridians like molten gold and arctic frost intertwined. The process was brutal but necessary, breaking down the old to make way for the new, just as she remembered from times long past.
Through the haze of transformation, memories of her past life drifted through her consciousness like phantom butterflies—memories of deadlier trials, of poisons that had burned far worse than this. The marrow cleansing powder in her bath was gentle by comparison, though its purpose remained the same: to forge strength from suffering, to transform weakness into power.
When the bath could yield no more essence, Li Hua slowly emerged from the murky water, its surface coated in a thick, greasy film that clung to her skin like tar. Her limbs felt leaden, yet thrummed with newfound power that made her skin tingle like lightning trapped beneath the surface.
The murky waters that dripped from her small frame carried away the last vestiges of weakness, leaving behind a vessel tempered by both wisdom and desperate necessity.
As she stood on unsteady legs, Li Hua could feel the changes within—meridians widened and reinforced, essence pools deepened, and qi channels flowing with unprecedented clarity. Even her four-year-old body felt different, muscles denser and movements sharper, as if every fiber had been rewoven into something stronger, faster, more refined. The price had been steep, but the rewards would prove invaluable in the trials to come.
Li Hua's trembling fingers found the linen cloth neatly folded by the bath. The fabric felt impossibly rough against her tender skin, each nerve ending hypersensitive from the cleansing process. She wrapped it around her small frame, the familiar motion made strange by her body's newfound awareness of every thread, every fiber.
When she pushed open the bamboo door screen, her heightened senses threatened to overwhelm her. The rush of cooler air carried dozens of distinct scents—jasmine tea's delicate floral notes, the lingering traces of this morning's porridge, even the subtle mixture of anxiety-tinged sweat from her family members. With careful concentration, she managed to dull the sensory assault, just as she remembered doing in her past life, finding a bearable balance between awareness and comfort.
Her parents and brothers sat at the wooden table, their spiritual energies painting complex patterns in her vision—swirling eddies of worry that she could now see as clearly as candlelight.
"Master, pull in your spiritual energy to adjust your energy perception," Little Firefly suddenly whispered in her mind. "Imagine drawing your breath inward and hold it in slightly—like catching a falling leaf."
Li Hua blinked slowly, following the Little Firefly's guidance, and the overwhelming spiritual energies dimmed until their auras became gentle glows rather than blinding beacons. At her appearance, her family rose as one, relief breaking across their faces like dawn after a storm.
Her father reached her first, his calloused hands hovering uncertainly before settling on her shoulders. Even through the simple touch, she could feel the steady thrum of his cultivation base, sense the protective qi that naturally flowed from his palms. "Little Poppy," his voice carried equal measures of concern and pride, "how do you feel?"
Li Hua looked up at him, carefully modulating her spiritual senses to observe without being overwhelmed by his flickering energy. "I'm okay, Bàba," she answered softly, her child's voice steady despite the exhaustion weighing on every syllable.
Her mother's hand found its way to her forehead, checking for fever with practiced grace. The touch carried traces of healing qi—a mother's instinctive attempt to soothe her child's discomfort.
"You've been so brave," she whispered, her fingers brushing back Li Hua's damp hair with gentle affection. "Three days of cleansing, and you held on longer than your brothers. They finished this morning, yet here you are at evening's edge."
"Yes, all three of you have done remarkably well," their father declared, his chest swelling with pride, his aura brightening noticeably. "Though your mother won't let me forget that I only lasted a day and a half during my cleansing." He cast a playful glance at his wife, who met his gaze with dancing eyes, their spiritual energies intertwining briefly in a display of affection that Li Hua could now perceive.
"Come, Hua'er let's give you a quick rinse, while your dad cleans up and prepares for dinner." Her mother moved to her side, steadying her with gentle hands.
Li Hua swayed slightly where she stood, her muscles remembering the long hours spent in the cleansing bath. With her spiritual senses now properly dampened, she could appreciate the cool, packed earth beneath her bare feet without being overwhelmed by every minute variation in the pressed dirt floor.
The subtle shifts in air pressure as her family moved around her and the complex tapestry of scents and energies that filled the house were now manageable, though still notably sharper than before her cleansing.
When they stepped into the bath house, she expertly identified each layer of scent and spiritual energy that filled the steamy air. The warm water carried distinct notes of chrysanthemum and lavender, their soothing fragrance rising with the steam. Beneath that, she could detect traces of other herbs—chamomile, mint, and something earthier she couldn't quite name.
Li Hua breathed deeply, letting the familiar scents wash over her, no longer threatening to overwhelm her senses. The water beckoned invitingly, a gentle contrast to the intense spiritual energy she'd endured the past three days.
Her mother gently lifted her into the bath after discarding the cloth, and Li Hua leaned in against the smooth wooden edge, letting out a soft sigh as the warm water enveloped her aching body. The herbs worked their gentle magic, easing the lingering tension from her muscles as she continued to fine-tune her newfound awareness.
"Hua'er, you are very impressive," her mother said as she worked the tangles from her daughter's hair. "You just started cultivating with your father a few days ago and yet you've already entered the Fundamental Phase Rank 4."
Li Hua turned to her mother, confusion plastered on her face.
Her mother chuckled, her fingers still working through the long dark strands. "I'll tell you the hierarchy system but don't worry if you forget. Your father will go over this with you many times."
Li Hua nodded, ready for the information overload.
"The hierarchy starts at the bottom with the Fundamental Phase, a foundation that consists of three distinct ranks: Preliminary(1), Postliminary(2), Intermediate(3), and Exemplary(4).
This initial phase is attainable by most children, regardless of their circumstances. Even those born into poverty—farmers, peddlers, and common folk—can reach these ranks. While anyone can advance through the Fundamental Phase, progress is slow without expensive medicinal herbs to help speed things along.
Beyond this lies the more formidable Martial Phase, comprising seven ranks that mark clear divisions in society. The first four ranks—Lean(1), Technique(2), Strengthen(3), and Determination(4)—are commonly achieved by people with more than modest means. Successful merchants and low government officials who can afford basic cultivation resources often reach these levels through dedicated practice and careful investment.
The upper ranks of the Martial Phase— Profound(5), Tempered(6), and Fulfilled(7)—are largely the domain of high nobility, with even emperors typically finding their limit within these elevated tiers. It is during the Martial Phase that cultivators truly begin to understand and harness their spiritual powers.
The Master Phase represents a dramatic leap in both rarity and capability. Divided into four ranks—Established Arts(1), Half Circle(2), Total Eclipse(3), and Golden Age(4)—this phase is seldom witnessed in the lower human realm. These cultivators are considered the elite among elite, their abilities far surpassing ordinary cultivation.
At the apex of all cultivation stands the Deity Phase, comprising three ranks— Sovereign(1), Supreme(2), Immortal(3), and Celestial(4). These legendary cultivators are so rare they're almost mythical, having transcended beyond the human world entirely.
Remember the number 4744," her mother concluded. "Four ranks in the Fundamental Phase, seven in Martial, four in Master, and four in Deity Phase. That's how you can keep track of all the ranks easily."