Chapter 18: The Morning Bell

A new day had dawned over the Northern Region. As the soft light of morning spread across the Evernight Sect's grounds, a clear, resonant bell rang from the center of the courtyard—a signal for all disciples to gather for training.

Adrian, already dressed in his pristine white sect robe, stepped out of his modest room. In a passing reflective surface, one might have seen the image of a boy with jet-black hair, a well-toned build, and an air of quiet confidence—like a true prince. Yet Adrian paid little mind to his reflection, his thoughts fixed firmly on the day ahead.

Without delay, he gathered his belongings: he carefully picked up the training manual and secured his jade slip, then joined the flow of disciples in the outer corridor. As he walked, he noticed a few young girls who were also heading toward the courtyard. They caught his eye, and when he looked back, their expressions quickly turned shy.

Although he understood these looks—having seen similar moments in his past trail lives—he reminded himself that such matters could wait. If, in the future, he reached a higher level and found someone truly equal to him, someone who could keep pace with his journey and truly accompany him, then he might consider such feelings. For now, his focus remained firmly on cultivation.

With steady steps, Adrian continued toward the training area. The sound of the morning bell and the orderly rhythm of the disciples filled him with a sense of purpose. Today marked the beginning of his formal training, a step forward on a long and challenging path.

Adrian made his way toward the gathering place. He entered a large hall where the elder Elder Li Tian sat on a high platform, addressing the assembled disciples. Along the edges of the hall, comfortable seating arrangements—small futons—were arranged for the disciples to sit during the session.

Adrian arrived a little early, and with only a few disciples present, he had a choice of where to sit. Not wanting to draw unnecessary attention by sitting in the center, he opted for a spot on the right side of the starting rows. This position was ideal: it allowed him to hear the instructions clearly while keeping him out of the direct spotlight. Satisfied with his choice, he settled into the futon and waited for the assembly to begin.

After a few minutes, every disciple had arrived. Elder Li Tian noted the punctuality of most, but a few stragglers were already marked by their lateness—a mistake that, in cultivation, could cost precious time. With a measured glance, Elder Li Tian began the session.

"New disciples," he announced, his voice carrying clearly over the hall, "time is of the essence in cultivation. If you are late, it is your own fault—every second counts."

He continued, "I am aware that many of you have already begun reading the training manual, despite explicit instructions not to start cultivating on your own. This year, we have already lost three students in their courtyards due to premature cultivation. Let that serve as a lesson. We could have withheld the manual to prevent these tragedies, but we provided it so that you might learn the importance of patience and caution."

Elder Li Tian's tone grew stern as he addressed the assembly. "You must know when to be patient and when to retreat. Cultivation is not a race; it is a disciplined journey. If you do not understand these principles, then you might as well not cultivate at all."

The hall fell silent as his words sank in. The weight of his warning was clear: only through careful, measured progress could a true cultivator survive—and thrive—in this path.

Adrian was stunned by Elder Li Tian's harsh words. In that moment, he remembered the few rooms he had seen earlier—doors that remained closed, as if their occupants had never left. A chilling thought crossed his mind: perhaps those were the disciples who had perished from premature cultivation. This realization served as a stark warning. Determined not to be swept away by impatience, Adrian resolved to proceed with caution, aware that every moment on this journey was precious and that his path must be tread with care.

Elder Li Tian raised his voice so that all the new disciples could hear. "Assume that some of you have already read the manual. For those who haven't, let me explain the first step on our cultivation path—the Ember Awakening Realm.

"In this realm, you must establish a connection with Qi—the vital energy that flows throughout the world. Here, you learn to sense Qi as it washes over your body, strengthening your muscles and internal organs which in return enhances your physical power. This initial connection is the foundation of all that follows.

"Talent is crucial in this process. Those with natural ability can sense Qi quickly and clearly, while others without such talent may struggle to perceive it at all. That is why, during our assessments, we separated you: low-level talents have been assigned to the affiliated branches, where they can develop at a slower pace, while mid-level and high-level talents remain here in the main branch for advanced training.

"Time is precious in cultivation. A disciple with medium talent might take as long as five months to progress into the next realm, while someone with high-level talent could advance in just three months. This is why diligence and precise practice are essential.

Elder Li Tian continued by sharing more key points that many people world neglect and also mentions the common mistakes not to be made.

Adrian listened intently, mentally noting every word. He was grateful that he had not rushed into cultivation earlier—now, he understood the importance of following these instructions carefully.

"Now," Elder Li Tian said, "once you have connected with Qi, you must move on to the second realm: Flowing Veins. Here, you channel Qi into your internal organs, reinforcing them and enhancing their ability to heal. This stage is vital because, while Ember Awakening boosts your external and internal strength, Flowing Veins repairs and strengthens your inner body. In fact, with proper training, the healing of injuries becomes significantly faster and more effective."

The elder explained further, "Consider this: in the first realm, your body becomes twice as strong as that of a normal human. In the second realm, not only do you improve your internal healing, but your overall power nearly increase's once again. This is why these two realms form the foundation of your cultivation—they prepare your body for the advanced stages to come. Many cultivators fail to progress because they damage their internal structure. Techniques for inner healing are rare, even among high-level sects.That is why you must be cautious and not get damaged internally."

Adrian quietly absorbed every detail, mentally recording the importance of each stage. He realized that his progress depended on both strengthening his body and ensuring that his internal systems remained robust.

Elder Li Tian spoke clearly, "The next stage on your path is called Tempered Meridian." He paused, letting his words settle among the gathered disciples before continuing.

"In the Tempered Meridian realm, you focus on refining your internal meridians—the channels through which Qi flows. While Ember Awakening and Flowing Veins have allowed you to connect with and circulate Qi to strengthen your muscles and heal your organs, they did not fully develop the pathways needed for advanced control.

"To progress in this realm, you must connect a network of 36 vital meridians. These 36 channels form an intricate system that enables you to direct Qi with precision. By forcing Qi through these meridians under high pressure, as detailed in your manual, you will strengthen them and make them more efficient.

"This rigorous training not only enhances your healing and resilience but also allows you to channel Qi outward—be it to imbue a weapon with energy or to unleash powerful bursts of force. Remember, if you fail to properly connect these 36 meridians, you will not be able to advance further."

"These are the realms where you have to establish your foundation. If you have any questions during your progress feel free to come to this hall as I will be present here."

Adrian listened intently, committing every word to memory. The explanation filled him with determination. He understood that mastering these 36 meridians was a crucial step toward unlocking greater power and that every moment of disciplined practice would bring him closer to his true potential.

After Elder Li Tian finished his instructions and dismissed the assembly, a hush fell over the hall as the disciples began to file out toward their rooms. Yet, Adrian lingered a moment longer, his mind alive with questions that set him apart from his peers.

He thought quietly, Is there a subtle essence in Qi that determines whether it truly strengthens my body or simply passes by unnoticed? Can the process of Qi enhancing our healing capabilities ever reach its limit, or can it be perfected with enough practice? Is there some secret within ourselves that we have yet to discover? And why must we connect only 36 meridians—wouldn't more channels unlock even greater potential?

These questions swirled in his mind, fueling a sense of determination and curiosity. Though the elder had laid out the steps clearly, Adrian felt that there was more to learn—mysteries that only his own path could reveal. He knew that every second in cultivation counted, and these questions were his silent promise to himself to search deeper, to practice carefully, and to never settle for simple answers.

With the elder's warning still echoing—reminding all to be cautious and mindful as they returned to their rooms—Adrian finally rose. He walked out of the hall with a thoughtful expression, carrying these questions like a private map of his future journey, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

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