Chapter 26: The Core’s Awakening

Arin sat in the grove, the glowing moss soft beneath him, the crystal tree's leaves casting faint light across his face. The Relic's energy flowed like a steady river, filling his meridians with warmth. His dantian pulsed at the Peak of the Spirit Initiate Stage, its edges sharp and brimming with power. The barrier to the Spirit Core Stage loomed—a thin veil, ready to part with one final push.

Heeding Vale Harth's command to solidify his foundation, Arin had tempered his core for weeks in the Relic's dilated time. Now, the hum in his chest thrummed clear, urging him forward. He closed his eyes, centering himself. Don't push. Follow. He guided the Relic's energy in a slow spiral, letting it condense within his dantian. The barrier trembled, then cracked, and a surge of power flooded his core.

His dantian shifted, collapsing inward, then expanding into a denser, glowing orb—a spiritual core. Energy coursed through his meridians, stronger, more refined. His aura steadied, no longer a flickering mist but a solid presence, marking his entry into the Spirit Core Stage, the Third Realm of the Mortal Realms.

Arin exhaled, opening his eyes. The grove looked sharper, the crystal tree's light more vivid, as if his senses had deepened. The hum in his chest was quieter now, but its resonance lingered, tying him to the Relic's energy. He felt stable, his foundation solid, ready for the trials ahead.

He glanced around the meadow. The number of juniors had thinned—where nearly fifty had sat, only thirty or so remained, their auras bright as they meditated. The others, likely those already at the Third Realm or who had broken through faster, must have moved on to explore the Relic, as Harth had permitted. Arin's lips curved slightly; he wasn't the first, but he was on their heels.

Lyra sat beside him, her face calm, her aura surging. Her dantian pulsed rapidly, teetering on the edge of the Third Realm. Tiny sparks of energy danced around her, a sign of an imminent breakthrough. Arin didn't speak or move, letting her focus. She'd reach the Spirit Core Stage soon, and he wouldn't disrupt her progress.

Turning inward, Arin explored his new realm. The Spirit Core Stage felt different—his spiritual energy was no longer a loose mist but a concentrated stream, flowing with purpose. His dantian, now a solid core, spun steadily, generating power with every cycle. His meridians were wider, stronger, capable of channeling more energy without strain. He sensed a new clarity, as if the world's spiritual currents were easier to read.

Curious, Arin extended his senses, testing the Third Realm's capabilities. He focused his spiritual energy, projecting it outward like a gentle wave. At first, it was clumsy, dissipating after a meter. He adjusted, following the hum's rhythm, and tried again. This time, his senses stretched further, mapping the space around him. He could feel the moss's faint energy, the crystal tree's steady pulse, and Lyra's vibrant aura, all within a 10-meter radius.

The spiritual detection was rudimentary but promising. He sensed the stream's flow, its energy denser than the air, and the distant hum of other juniors' auras, each distinct yet harmonious with the Relic. With practice, he could refine this skill, extending its range or precision, but for now, 10 meters was enough to navigate the Relic's trials.

Satisfied, Arin let his senses retract, focusing on his core. The Third Realm gave him a sense of solidity, like a foundation stone set in place. He was ready to explore, but he wouldn't leave Lyra behind.

A soft pulse of energy broke his thoughts. Lyra's aura flared, then stabilized, her dantian condensing into a spiritual core. Her eyes opened, bright with triumph, her new Third Realm aura steady and vibrant. She grinned at Arin, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Spirit Core Stage," she said, her voice quiet but proud. "Took long enough."

Arin smiled. "You're faster than I expected. Ready to see what the Relic's hiding?"

Lyra nodded, standing. "Let's go. I want to know what's out there."

Arin rose, his spiritual detection active, scanning the grove's edges. The meadow stretched beyond their grove, its glowing moss leading to a winding path flanked by crystal clusters. In the distance, a stone archway glowed faintly, its runes pulsing with the same spiral patterns he'd seen in his visions. The Relic's energy seemed to beckon, inviting them to explore its trials.

He glanced at Lyra, her aura mirroring his own resolve. "Stay close," he said. "We don't know what's waiting."

Together, they stepped out of the grove, following the path toward the archway. The Relic's small world felt alive, its energy shifting subtly, as if watching their progress. Arin's hum pulsed faintly, whispering of spirals and a presence beyond the stars. The trials ahead would test their new strength, but for now, he and Lyra moved as one, ready to uncover the Relic's secrets.