The Dawning Numen Stage

Some time after Theodore's group had settled down, Xie Mei and Han Junqiao finally made it to the Divine Gate and gathered at his side once more. They were ready to learn about the–most likely–last stage of cultivation that they would be delving into during the first round.

"The Dawning Numen Stage is very different from all other ones that you've already experienced. It marks a far more qualitative change in those who manage to tread all the way to its pinnacle than all the stages prior to it. The 'Numen' refers to the 'Divine Will'–or in other words, the ability to affect the outside world with one's own will alone, to make it bend to one's will. Admittedly, until much later, manipulating Energy to achieve one's goals will be significantly more efficient and powerful, yet the Numen's potential is far greater."

After waiting a little for the two of them to digest what he had said, he continued.

"Naturally, it is best to combine both, which is also the only way to eventually withstand one's transformation into 'the divine'. Overall, the sole goal of the Dawning Numen Stage is to convert one's regular will into the Divine Will. As for its realms, there are six–as always: Tenacity, Resolve, Dedication, Deific Ordinance, Will Sublimation and Divine Will."

Upon pondering about how exactly to explain all of these, his smile turned a little helpless. In truth, when it came to one's own will, further improving it was a deeply personal matter, which could border on the cryptic or even occult from time to time. Every being's mind was different, and therefore a standardized path forward could not exist. Rather, it was necessary to carefully explore how to continue onwards oneself. All that the Dawning Numen Stages' cultivation realms could do was to give a guideline of which general steps to take–not how to take them.

"First of all, there's the Tenacity Realm. It focuses on one's patience and persistence, aiming to increase them as far as possible to lay down a solid foundation for the next realms. After all, when it comes to one's will, nothing else is more important or difficult to do than to soldier on for all of time, and to persevere in the face of even extreme boredom."

Admittedly, due to a lack of experience on their side, Theodore didn't think Xie Mei and Han Junqiao could progress nearly as quickly from here on out as they did before. Worst of all was that they would have to figure out how exactly to strengthen their will themselves–no Technique could help them.

"Previously, you have been guided by your Talent-given instincts, but during this stage, they will mostly be entirely absent. Therefore, it falls to you to personally figure out the best way forward–nobody else can help you. And that brings me to the second realm of the Dawning Numen Stage: Resolve. Exactly like the Tenacity Realm before it, its sole focus is on further refining a part of one's will. This time, it's determination and resolution. To be fair, the difference between the two realms can appear vague at first, but the former is more about persistent, constant, enduring effort, whilst the latter is about braving what one might perceive as insurmountable obstacles without flinching. They complement each other very well."

Seeing the confusion on the two girls' faces, he knew that he would have to explain parts of this again once they made it to this point–but that was a matter for the future.

"The Dedication Realm is very similar to the two before it. This time, the goal is to refine one's commitment and single-mindedness. If you can wholeheartedly devote yourself to the path that you've chosen, never wavering no matter what, then you will have reached this realm's peak. And next..."

A small smirk played across his lips all of a sudden and his eyes narrowed in amusement. What he was about to tell them already sounded ridiculous in his own head, yet he knew it to be the absurd yet undeniable truth.

"For the Deific Ordinance Realm, all you'll need to do is to firmly believe your will to be the decree of the heavens, and that all of creation should follow your whims. Naturally, that won't yet be the case, so all you're doing is to deceive yourself into being completely convinced of it. Only once your delusion has fully taken hold will you be able to proceed. And yes, during this realm, it is not uncommon for many to develop an entirely unfounded arrogance, as that is exactly what they need to do."

Chuckling to himself, he shook his head. Even the most sensible people tended to go a bit crazy during this one realm, so the embarrassing or outrageous stories that were likely to take place in that period of time were often amusing to look back on.

"But don't worry, that overinflated ego will not be around any longer once you've successfully made it to the peak of the next realm: Will Sublimation. To evolve from a regular lifeform into a higher, 'divine' one is as difficult as to ascend on the spot–because in essence, that is exactly what is happening here. Naturally, this realm is merely a tiny, insignificant part of the whole process. Once your delusion has reached the absolute peak, something strange will happen: Your ordinary will is going to begin transforming into a divine one all on its own! However, once this process has started, it is both irreversible and cannot be allowed to be interrupted."

With his expression growing stern, he looked deep into the eyes of his two lovers, hoping that they would take the coming advice to heart.

"In other words, you will need to seclude yourself for an indeterminable amount of time. No matter what."

Only after the two of them had resolutely nodded did he proceed again.

"As for why that sublimation takes place to begin with... it's a 'fake it until you make it'-kind of situation. Once a fake becomes indistinguishable from the real thing, from the perspective of existence itself, both will be treated the same. As a result, the fake will become real. It wouldn't be wrong to call the Dawning Numen Stage the most brazen deception on the path of cultivation. That is also why it is so absurdly difficult."

Taking a sip of water, he once more gave them time to absorb all of the information that they had been bombarded with until now.

"Lastly, there is the Divine Will Realm. After the previous transformation has concluded, one will automatically break through to it. It's all about further refining one's newly acquired Divine Will and learning how to make good use of it. As for what comes next... that is far too far away for you to worry about it now. And I truly mean it this time."

Sighing to himself, he reluctantly but resolutely chose to pour cold water on the two's hopes and dreams.

"Even for experienced Named Family descendants, it is not unusual to take many years to eventually make it to the Dawning Numen Stage's pinnacle. Every single realm within can take between a few months to decades. The two of you are highly disadvantaged here, and your cultivation-related Talents will be of no help to you. Therefore, if you can make it to the peak of the Divine Will Realm within the first round, I'll already be exceptionally impressed!"

Narrowing her eyes a little, Han Junqiao couldn't help but furrow her brows. She had already been held back by her comparatively 'weak' cultivation aptitude, so hearing that she would be stuck in a singular stage for this long wasn't exactly fantastic news. Still, she managed to pick up on something else.

"Excuse me, but doesn't this mean that the Dawning Numen Stage will enable those with worse Talents to catch up? It's all about one's will, after all. And won't the ones who have struggled harder from the very beginning have it easier here compared to those who've always experienced a smooth-sailing journey?"

Smirking a little, Theodore first nodded, then shook his head, his mixed signals causing the two girls to feel puzzled until he spoke up to dispel their confusion.

"You're correct. However, those from impressive backgrounds or families are usually forced to endure innumerable illusory lives before ever being allowed to cultivate in reality. As a result, they won't have struggled any less than those who have clawed their way to this point in spite of their far worse Talents. In fact, they will still have a significant advantage. But despite that, it will take them multiple decades to make it through this stage. Even I will likely be stuck on it for a few years, as well. I'm not looking down on you two–rather, I have high hopes for you! Taking a century would still be considered an average performance even for someone who has undergone those illusory lives. And for you two, it would be outright astonishing!"

Turning speechless at this revelation, Han Junqiao fell into deep thought for a while, considering it all carefully. Yet, at the end of the day, she didn't feel happy about this realistic estimate. Exchanging a glance with her sister, the two of them nodded determinedly.

"Just you wait, Theo! We will definitely be faster than you expect! Mark my words, your next cultivation stage explanation will be ours!"

Waving her fist in playful exaggeration, Xie Mei's gaze was firm and unflinching. Her words might have been said in a jesting tone, but she was nonetheless serious about this proclamation–and so was Han Junqiao.

"Exactly! You better prepare for it in advance, else we might catch you by surprise. Also, if you don't hurry up yourself, who says we won't make it to the Dawning Numen Stage's pinnacle before you do?"

It was rare for her to speak provocatively like this, so Theodore couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in surprise. From the very beginning, he had aimed to ignite their competitive spirit, therefore seeing it all work out brought a small smile to his lips. Soon, it turned a little more mischievous.

"Oh? You really think you can keep up? Then you'll best redouble your cultivation efforts. It won't take me longer than a day to breeze through the Energy Refinement and Core Formation Stages once I get to them. But to be fair, those two are mere formalities."

Feeling the self-imposed pressure on them increase heavily at this moment, Xie Mei and Han Junqiao exchanged another glance, before both turning towards him again. The determination on their faces hadn't faded–rather, it had intensified.

"We'll prove it to you! Come, Qiao'er. Let's go back and cultivate! Whoever breaks through to the Tenacity Realm first will get Theo all to herself for a night!"

The price Xie Mei unilaterally decided for them caused a slight blush to creep on Han Junqiao's cheeks, yet she wasn't deterred. With even more renewed vigor, she shot to her feet and waved him goodbye, before rushing towards a secluded cultivation chamber with her sister hot on her heels.

'... all according to plan.'

Seeing it all develop exactly as he had intended, Theodore's expression relaxed. Taking another sip of water, he recalled the first time that he had attempted to make it through the Dawning Numen Stage in an illusory life.

Back then, because he had been stripped of all of his Talents, he had already been many thousand years old when he finally arrived at the Tenacity Realm. It had 'only' taken him a century to make it all the way until the Divine Will Realm's pinnacle–far faster than the stages before it. Yet, when compared to the final time he had made it through the Dawning Numen Stage, it was still twenty times slower. A mind repeatedly refined by experience truly mattered here.

'As long as I can cut it down to less than five years, I'll have improved. If Mei'er and Qiao'er make it to the Resolve Realm by then, it'll already be incredible.'

Smiling to himself, he finished his glass of water and got up as well. There was still another important matter to take care of today. Having grown accustomed to the Chulong World and with everything currently being stable, it was time for Kjartan to get put to work.