World Assimilation Art

Shui sat in a meditative stance and began by expelling the bit of nature energy that he had built up before regaining his awareness. Though it was only by a little, this energy that was gained through the school's cheap and public cultivation method would weaken his foundation. After completely returning his body to that of a mortal, he started using the breathing method he learnt in the Primordial Library. Unlike the first time he used it, both his talent and his environment were vastly inferior so he could only absorb nature energy little by little. However, due to his experience with arrays and inscriptions, Shui was very good at being patient when he wanted to.

When the feeling of being connected to the natural world returned to him, he didn't exit his meditation session but instead changed the position of his hands. He placed each hand's back to the knee on the same side and then he raised both hands up to his chest with his left hand's palm loosely hanging above his right hand's.

If his talent was strong enough, or if he had enough resources, he would be able to quickly reach the peak of Mortal Realm in a couple months and if he didn't rush, then even in his current state it would only take a few years. However, he could tell that this trial likely wouldn't generously wait for him to grow before throwing harsh challenges.

"The world is necessary for life, but the opposite is not true. Life must be dependent upon the world. When heaven and earth switch places, man stay connected to the world."

The words that Shui spoke in this state, were parts of an incantation for a demonic art. Demonic arts had nothing to do with actual demons, contrary to their names. They were simply unusual ways of boosting one's cultivation that were publicly banned by the so-called orthodox forces. Besides the ones that used mortals as sacrifices, the main reason why Shui disdained demonic arts and methods was because they left heart demons and generally created an instable foundation. However, this specific art was one of the few that Shui approved of because although it invited heart demons, one had to defeat any heart troubles before they could advance their cultivation. This would allow him to train his heart while increasing his cultivation.

The core heart, eos, dao heart, true self; all these were different terms for what was essentially the will of a cultivator. Since this trial likely tested his will, training it should make it easier for him to pass.

"I've made the base."

The demonic art that Shui started to practise was known as the World Assimilation Art and was split into seven stages: Base, Connection, Support, Harmonize, Serenity, Union and Assimilation. Each stage would make it easier to increase his cultivation, but the heart demons he would have to face would also become stronger so he would have a higher chance of undergoing mental collapse.

With the base complete, Shui left the room just as the light started flashing. The sun was starting to set so Shui figured it was time to head home, but on his way out of the school his path was blocked by three boys, one of which was Tin and the other two were about ten. It was obviously trouble, but Shui had no reason to walk away from it.

Since there was no point in ignoring them, Shui stopped in front of them and looked at Tin with his bandaged nose.

"Hey Tin, hope you don't mind that I left you unconscious."

He expected that he would bite back but though he obviously wanted to, when one of the other two boys put his arm over his shoulder he stayed silent.

'So that's how it is.'

As Shui got an understanding of the power structure between them, the boy that put his arm over Tin's shoulder spoke to him.

"So you're the one that stole his spirit gems. Tell you what, I'm in a good mood so just hand over all of your spirit gems and slap yourself a few times and we'll let you go."

The two boys seemed to be used to being bullies so they thought he would obediently listen to them. Instead of wasting his time, Shui looked away from them and then continued talking to Tin.

"Wow, you really came back with your helpers after losing the bet. What a sore loser."

Once again, Shui saw that Tin wanted to argue back but didn't dare to, confirming his guess. Since Shui was ignoring them, the smirks on the two boys' faces turned into frowns.

"Oi, you little brat-"

The boy with his arm over Tin's shoulder stretched his other arm over to grab Shui's collar but Shui gripped his wrist instead. Both of the boys were at the third level in the Mortal Realm, but Shui didn't fear them.

"Unless you want to bet your own spirit gems I'm not in the mood to play."

Shui let go of his wrist and was about to leave when the other boy got in his way, unable to see his friend holding his wrist in pain. He probably wouldn't believe that it was Shui who did it either. They could tell that Shui was at the first level in the Mortal Realm, but only Tin knew that he didn't have any cultivation when they fought.

"Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson."

The moment he saw the three, Shui knew he would have to use force to get his way so he had already spread his martial intent throughout his body. Now that he had begun cultivating, he could better sense the feeling of being in full control of his body. The boy's fist was much faster than he could normally react to, but in this state, he was able to knock away that fist with his left hand and jab at his nose with his right. He could think up a way to deal with him with less force, but his strength wouldn't be as much of a detterent.

Once the boy who got punched flopped to the ground, Shui looked back at the two who were left. His fist hurt but there was no injury so he could hide it from them.

"Do you still want to continue?"

Neither of them answered so after waiting for a short time, Shui left. When he did, the boy who had his wrist grabbed, punched Tin to the ground.

"Damn you, you tricked us into coming here, didn't you!? You wanted us to get beat by that monster. Are the two of you working together?"

He beat up Tin as he defenselessly lied on the ground as a way to relieve himself of the humiliation he just felt. Tin, however, looked at Shui in a new light. He remembered how the boy would always resist but get easily beaten, and thought of him as foolish for not submitting. But now, he won. He didn't how he got so strong, but it was the kind of strength he wanted.

After leaving the martial academy, Shui went straight home. Along the way, a little girl in front of him tripped and was falling to the ground so he held her by her waist and put her back to stability.

"Than..."

He thought he heard her say something but it didn't matter to him so he kept walking.