Chapter 17: Tools of Initiation

The Spirit Vessel had finally reached its destination. It had departed at dawn, and six hours later, by mid-afternoon, the ramp lowered. The newly recruited disciples stepped out onto a broad landing, where the vast grounds of the Evernight Sect spread across the Northern Region—towering mountains shrouded in gentle mist and lush valleys that spoke of ancient strength and beauty.

Guided by an elder who had accompanied them on the vessel, the group was led along a short corridor into the outer courtyard. There, waiting patiently, was another elder—a guardian for the main branch. With a respectful nod, the elder from the vessel quickly departed with those assigned to the affiliated branches, leaving the main branch disciples in the care of Elder Li Tian.

Elder Li Tian stepped forward and addressed the assembly in a clear, authoritative tone.

"Greetings, new disciples. I am Elder Li Tian, and I will be your guide during these early days at the Evernight Sect. In this outer courtyard, you will begin your journey as main branch disciples.

Each of you will find in your room a storage box containing your sect robe, a jade slip engraved with your name and in the pill bag you will find pills with prescription. The jade slip is enchanted to provide you with one cubic meter of storage space—it will only activate when you first enter the Cultivation Realm. Until then, keep it safe, for it also holds the resources you need for your initial training in the first realm.

In your room you will also find a copy of our basic technique manual. Since it is mid-afternoon now, do not study or practice with it yet—simply take it with you. Tomorrow morning, you will be taught how to begin your training and lay the foundation for your journey."

Elder Li Tian continued, "Those assigned to an affiliated branch have already been taken to a separate area, where they will receive instructions specific to their path. For the rest of you in the main branch, remember that the Evernight Sect values strength and potential. Use these tools wisely and follow our rules as you begin your training."

He concluded, "That is all for now. Return to your assigned rooms and settle in. Rest well, for tomorrow you will begin your formal training and be informed when the next phase of your journey starts."

After Elder Li Tian finished his instructions, Adrian made his way directly to his assigned dwelling. As he approached, he saw a small house with a modest courtyard. A neatly carved sign bearing his name hung above the entrance, confirming that this was his new home. Though simple, the structure was built with quality and care.

In his room, Adrian surveyed his new belongings. Remembering the Elder's words, he first ignored the robe, a small bag with the size of a pouch and directly reached for the jade slip. He held it in his hand and attempted to activate it in a small way, but, as the Elder had explained, nothing happened without entering the Cultivation Realm. It felt smooth and cool—just a normal piece of jade, inert for now.

Satisfied that it behaved as expected, Adrian then retrieved the robe from the storage box. The robe, a pristine white garment styled in the classic fashion of cultivation tales, carried subtle embroidery that marked it as a symbol of the Evernight Sect.

Adrian set the robe aside and turned his attention to the pill bag. He noticed a small slip of paper attached to it, covered in neat writing. Curious, he pulled it free and began to read.

It was a prescription describing a special pill. According to the note, a single pill could keep a person from feeling hungry for an entire day. It also warned that taking too many at once could harm the body. Adrian's eyes lit up in amazement.

"How can something so small have such a big effect?" he asked, turning to Cosmo. "Is this the work of cultivation?"

Cosmo's voice resonated calmly in Adrian's mind. "This is the wonder of alchemy. Through the right techniques and ingredients, a cultivator can refine pills that help with hunger, healing, or even improving one's strength. Alchemy is a powerful tool on the path of cultivation."

Adrian ran his fingers over the pill bag, thinking about the skill and knowledge it took to create something so impressive. "Alchemy sounds incredible," he said, "but I'm guessing it takes a lot of study and practice?"

"Indeed," Cosmo replied. "For now, focus on your cultivation. Once you grow stronger and have a solid foundation, you can learn the arts of alchemy if you wish."

Adrian nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. He could already imagine the possibilities. "I'll do just that," he said. "After I advance in my cultivation, I want to explore alchemy and see how far I can go."

With that resolve in mind, he carefully tucked the pill bag away, feeling a surge of excitement for the path ahead.

With these items now in place, Adrian carefully placed the jade slip on the table, and set the robe neatly aside, before picking up the training manual and started reading it silently in his and was lost in his thoughts.

Adrian closed the training manual and sat quietly on his bed, lost in thought. He recalled that the first step on the cultivation path was called Ember Awakening. In this realm, a cultivator must establish a connection with a vital energy known as Qi, a force that exists everywhere in the world yet remains unseen and unfelt by ordinary people.

Not everyone can sense this energy—that's why talent is necessary. If a cultivator lacks talent, they will never be able to perceive Qi, no matter how hard they try. It is the first and most crucial barrier that separates ordinary people from those who can step onto the path of cultivation.

Even for those with talent, Qi does not simply flow into their bodies on its own. That is why even if they have talent they can't just sense it. They must follow a specific breathing technique—one designed to calm the mind, relax the body, and gradually attune their senses to the presence of Qi. By doing so, they create the initial spark of connection, allowing Qi to flow through them for the first time.

Once this connection is established, the benefits are immediate. Because that energy sublimates your body, it refines and strengthens you from within. Your physical strength quickly surpasses normal human levels, your reflexes sharpen, and your body becomes more resilient. In addition, you gain the ability to harness raw energy in small, controlled bursts. These improvements form the very foundation for all future cultivation, making Ember Awakening a critical first step on every cultivator's journey.

After establishing a connection with Qi in the first realm, the manual explained that this initial step—called Ember Awakening—only allowed the energy to wash over the body, nourishing it externally and internally. This process enhanced physical strength and reflexes beyond normal human limits.

In the second realm, known as Flowing Veins, the focus shifts to directing Qi through the internal pathways. Here, a cultivator learns to channel Qi steadily through their veins—reaching the heart, lungs, and other vital organs. By guiding the Qi internally, a strong foundation is built, enhancing energy control and capacity. This method not only helps in strengthening the internal structure but also aids in healing. When the body sustains damage, the natural recovery of internal organs is slow; however, by harnessing Qi in this way, even the internal tissues begin to repair themselves over time, providing a gradual but significant boost to overall resilience.

In essence, while Ember Awakening provides the initial spark by connecting with Qi, Flowing Veins teaches the cultivator to use that energy to heal and strengthen from within—a crucial step in the path of cultivation.

Following this, in the Flowing Veins stage, the focus shifted inward. Now that Qi was accessible, cultivators learned to channel it steadily through their internal organs, promoting healing and reinforcing the body's internal structure. These first two realms together laid a strong foundation by nourishing both the exterior and interior, but they did not fully develop the channels needed for advanced cultivation.

That challenge came in the Tempered Meridian realm. Here, the true transformation began. In this stage, the cultivator must train the meridians—the internal pathways through which Qi flows—by forcing Qi through them at high pressure. Using specialized techniques, the cultivator repeatedly stresses these channels, gradually refining and toughening them so they can efficiently conduct Qi.

This rigorous training transforms the meridians from simple conduits into finely tuned channels capable of directing Qi with precision. A well-tempered meridian network not only boosts the body's natural healing and physical prowess but also enables the cultivator to channel Qi outward. With such refined control, Qi can be attached to weapons, form protective barriers, or be released in powerful, focused bursts.

In essence, while Ember Awakening and Flowing Veins prepare the body by introducing and circulating Qi, the Tempered Meridian stage is where raw energy is transformed into a focused, versatile force—paving the way for all higher-level cultivation.

Adrian felt a surge of eagerness as he read these words, his curiosity tempered by the knowledge that mastering these initial stages was essential. Yet, he also understood the importance of caution. Despite his burning desire to start practicing immediately, he knew that he must wait for proper guidance before proceeding.

With a deep breath, Adrian resolved to trust the process. He carefully placed the manual on the table and secured his jade slip and sect robe. Though he was excited to learn and grow stronger, he also maintained his patience, understanding that true progress would come with careful, step-by-step instruction.

As the afternoon light slowly faded, Adrian settled into a quiet vigilance, ready to face the challenges of the next day. 

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