Chapter 23: Baptism of Body and Energy

Chapter 23: Baptism of Body and Energy

The evening breeze rustled the leaves outside the clearing, where a small campfire crackled. The warm glow flickered against the worn faces of the four travelers. After a long day in the Forest of Dawn, Alex and Lily finally returned with bags full of herbs, their expressions a mix of fatigue and anticipation.

As Liz stirred the pot over the fire, a delicious aroma wafted through the clearing. Harvis sat nearby, polishing a set of silver instruments, while Alex approached him, holding the pouch tightly.

"Now that we've collected the herbs, what's next?" Alex asked, his tone steady, but eager.

Harvis glanced up and gave a slight nod. "We're going to concoct a medicine," he said simply.

Alex blinked. "A potion?"

"A special one," Harvis clarified, rising to his feet and brushing off the dirt from his trousers. "This is not just something to drink. It's a body-tempering solution. It will help your body become more attuned to your elemental affinity. But be warned—it won't be pleasant."

Alex nodded. "Got it."

After dinner—prepared expertly by Liz as always—the camp settled down. Lily curled up by the fire, exhausted from the day's work. Liz finished cleaning up and turned in for the night, leaving Harvis awake and watchful as always.

He perched on a tree branch, blindfold still wrapped around his eyes, staring into the moonlight.

He never slept.

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Morning came, golden sunlight slipping between the trees. Harvis was already at work. From the storage in his silver bracelet, he summoned a large black cauldron, placing it over the fire pit. With practiced precision, he laid out the herbs Alex and Lily had gathered.

Each herb had a purpose, chosen for its alignment with body cultivation and elemental resonance:

Ironroot Grass to strengthen the bones.

Red Vein Lotus to invigorate blood flow and qi.

Earthpine Resin to reinforce the skin.

Windleaf Fern to increase sensitivity to energy.

Stoneblossom Petals for internal organ support.

Bitter Flame Moss to ignite body qi circulation and detoxify.

Harvis sorted the ingredients with care, layering them in a specific order within the cauldron. He added purified spring water from a silver flask and began heating the mixture with a faintly glowing rune he traced in the air.

As steam began to rise, Alex and Lily sat nearby in meditation, their breaths even and steady, preparing themselves.

Hours passed.

A pungent, earthy aroma filled the camp. The water darkened to a deep violet hue, and faint sparks of energy danced across the surface. The concoction shimmered as if infused with starlight and moonlight both.

Finally, Harvis leaned back and exhaled. "It's ready."

Alex stepped closer, frowning at the bubbling potion. "Is it... supposed to look like that? It's glowing."

Harvis smirked. "You should worry more about what it'll feel like."

Lily opened one eye, visibly hesitant. "This isn't going to kill us, right?"

Harvis raised an eyebrow. "No. But it'll feel like it might."

That didn't help much.

As night fell again, stars slowly blinked to life above, and the moon bathed the forest in a silvery glow.

Harvis had prepared two wide, open tubs—one for Alex and one for Lily. With precise control, he divided the glowing solution between the two.

"Strip down to your underclothes and get in," he instructed. "The potion will do the work, but you need to cultivate while immersed. Direct the flow through your meridians, and don't resist the pain. Let it guide your growth."

Lily gulped but nodded. Alex, though clearly nervous, said nothing and followed instructions.

As soon as their bodies submerged into the warm liquid, their eyes widened in shock.

The pain struck almost instantly.

It wasn't a burning pain. It was deeper—like invisible needles threading through their muscles, bones, and skin, rearranging something fundamental. The herbs worked fast, drawing energy from the surroundings and infusing it into their bodies.

Both gritted their teeth, their faces contorting with the effort to remain still. Their bodies trembled, but neither screamed.

Harvis sat beside the tubs, calmly observing.

Inside their bodies, change was underway.

The synergy between the potion's raw natural energy and their elemental affinities brought a transformation no normal training could replicate.

Lily's small frame glowed faintly under the moonlight. Her affinity with lunar energy grew stronger. The energy flowed through her body like a tide, gentle yet powerful. Her skin began to shimmer subtly, like moonlight reflecting on still water.

The potion seeped into her muscles, strengthening them without bulk, reinforcing her body for the smooth, elusive nature of lunar techniques. Her internal flow adapted, her meridians growing clearer and wider to channel the cold, ethereal force she had bonded with.

For Alex, it was different.

The starlight above seemed to pulse in response to the changes in his body. Celestial energy resonated with the potion, descending like unseen threads into him. It was not as smooth as Lily's—it was intense, vast, and unyielding.

Inside, his body changed. His muscles tightened and bones grew denser. A faint silver hue danced beneath his skin. Each pulse of celestial energy burned, but also purified. His meridians stretched painfully, accommodating the powerful force of starlight and space-bound energy. It wasn't just his body that changed—it was the way he perceived the world.

His mind grew clearer, his senses sharper.

Both of them remained in the tubs long into the night. The pain never ceased, but neither gave up.

By the time dawn arrived, the transformation was complete.

Harvis stood as the potion's glow faded. The water had turned clear again, the herbs fully absorbed.

"Come out," he said simply.

Lily was the first to rise, her body trembling slightly but her expression triumphant. Her black hair shimmered faintly in the morning light, and her eyes seemed to reflect the moon even in daylight.

Alex followed, breathing heavily, steam rising from his skin.

Harvis handed them both towels, then stood back, studying them.

"Good," he said, satisfaction in his tone. "Your bodies have adapted. This was only the beginning, but it's an important milestone."

Lily looked at her hands, flexing her fingers. "I feel... lighter. Like I could float."

"That's your affinity responding," Harvis nodded. "Lunar energy doesn't just deal in illusions and cool light—it's evasive, reflective, and healing."

Alex clenched his fists, marveling at the power coursing through him. "I feel like… I could lift a mountain."

Harvis chuckled. "You'll need a few more breakthroughs before that. But yes—your celestial energy is becoming one with your body. With time, you'll learn to harness aspects of stars, space, even time."

Liz approached from the trees, arms crossed. "They look different."

Harvis nodded. "They are different. The potion sped up what would've taken them a year or more to achieve naturally. Their foundation is solid."

Alex wiped sweat from his brow. "So… what's next?"

Harvis gave them a sharp look. "Now? You solidify your gains. Your body may be attuned to your element now, but you still need to train—refine your control, push your limits."

Lily smiled. "Then we'll keep going."

Harvis turned away, hiding the small grin on his face.

In that quiet forest clearing, under the light of a new dawn, the journey of two young cultivators entered a new phase.