Mind and Body as One

"I have no idea. Xuan Long, leave him to me. I've got a whole list of ways to torture that crazy maniac. All I know is that every time he asked me to give up, I chose not to. And that changed something in my body. I don't know what or how, and I can only notice this when I look back because I felt the cumulative effect when testing my PP. What is that realm anyway?"

"Mind and Body as One. It is the first mental realm of cultivation. Realms are basically boundaries that one is acknowledged to have reached when he/she can reach certain parameters. There are various types of realms like physical, paranormal and even magical. The mental realms are one of the most important ones, as the mind or consciousness is the source for everything.

The realm of Mind and Body as One signifies that one has attained full control of their body. Initiates are taught to punch with every cell in their body, but is it physically possible to do so? In this realm, it is. It basically means that you have mastered the art of controlling your body. Because you are only in the initiate phase, activating that state caused you to faint due to mental and physical exhaustion: your body is just not strong enough to handle the load, even though you have broken through. Congrats on that, by the way. You have made me and a lot of people who had high hopes on you proud.", answered Attok as he beamed at Lance with happiness.

Lance digested everything that Attok had told him till now as they reached the cafeteria. Helping him sit at a bench, Attok went to get some food.

A peculiar incident took place as Attok walked towards the long queue. It seemed that it was lunch time, and most of the initiates were impatiently standing in queue for the heavenly enidra.

As they stared with bated breath for the line to move, they felt an urge in the corner of their minds to move aside. They ignored it at first, but it got stronger and stronger until it filled their minds. Eventually, they found themselves moving to the side as a tall and muscular gentleman in a tuxedo walked past them.

After he did, any thoughts of reprimanding him were squashed as waves of overwhelming might washed over them from his wide back. The only thing they could do was scamper back into the line after he had passed and discuss who he was with their friends.

To Lance, it seemed that Attok was thick log that parted the water as it flowed through a shallow stream. People automatically moved out of his way without him saying a word.

As Attok came back with a plate almost filled with enidra, Lance was still looking at the line trying to figure out just what it was that Attok had done.

Figuring this out, he said, "That's just a trick that even you are going to be able to do when you become a master. But to do it so smoothly, you gotta be a legend. As you have at least almost reached the first mental realm, you are guaranteed to become at least a master! We all have much higher hopes for you though. And so far, we are very satisfied. Thats why, the faction elders have decided to reward you."

Hearing the word "reward", everything else Attok said flew out of his mind. Ever since he had learnt that cultivation was real, he had imagined himself with a sword on his back, arms crossed behind him, the very image of deadly style as he gazed over the territory he owned. This was the image Wuxia novels had developed in him.

Expectations higher than ever, he looked at Attok with the eyes of a toddler who knows his father has gotten him a gift but is hiding it behind his back.