Subtle Difference

Both Lem and his simulated self immediately noticed the difference.

The sensation of power within his body had changed. It felt like his muscles were crawling with ants, and yet it was a feeling of utter comfort. 

All at once, many tiny nodes separated from his vague perception of his body. It was slight, but noticeable.

The spiritual energy was everywhere!

Somehow, the new visualization of the mountain had completely altered the effect of the breathing method. His internal perspective was much clearer.

Lem held onto the image of the living mountain in his head. The characteristics that formed the vivid impression had wavered slightly due to his emotions.

Lem's simulated self continued to perform the breathing movements. 

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

The spiritual energy stirred.

Breathe in.

Breath out.

The spiritual energy stirred.

Breathe in. The spiritual energy stirred.

Breathe out. It stirred again.

It was becoming surprisingly easy, as he became more and more attuned to the spiritual energy.

Lem knew that when the breathing method was performed correctly, the spiritual energy would circulate throughout his body in a specific pattern and begin to attract the ambient energy in the environment.

Once he reached the point where he could circulate the spiritual energy reliably, he would be ready to receive the Second Chapter, which was focused on improving specific aspects of the circulation and opening his pores to receive the spiritual energy.

Lem's simulated self continued to perform the breathing method.

Breathe in. The spiritual energy stirred…

Lem kept the image of the mountain in his head. He noticed that his simulated self had shifted his focus from visualizing the inside of his body to visualizing the spiritual energy in his surroundings.

Breathe in…

Unfortunately, he could not stir the spiritual energy outside of his body, nor could he differentiate it from his other sensations. Lem's simulated self quickly ended the attempt and turned his focus back inside his body, where he had found success before.

Breathe in. The spiritual energy stirred. Breathe out…

As the minutes passed, Lem could feel a subtle difference in his perception of the world. He felt at peace, like he had been accepted by the world.

Eventually, Lem's simulated self stopped performing the breathing method and opened his eyes.

[You take the martial elder's advice, and try to cultivate again. This time, when you focus on imagining the mountain, you are able to sense the spiritual energy within your body and even move it slightly. Even though you are far from being able to circulate it, you feel happy with your progress…]

As Lem saw the forest around him and Master Brightflame sitting on the rock, nothing had changed. It was just as it had been before he closed his eyes.

And yet, everything felt different, improved, like the world had come into focus. Even in the darkness, the colors of the leaves, the bark, the rocks, all felt deeper. The interplay of shadow and light was enriched.

"Did you imagine the mountain?"

"Yes."

"Good. Did you sense the spiritual energy?"

"I did," Lem's simulated self said. In his slightly altered state, he had even forgotten his fear of the martial elder.

Master Brightflame smiled approvingly.

"You managed to open your eyes quicker than many of the other disciples. By the standard of our martial school, you would be considered above average. What is the extent of your success?"

"I can barely nudge the spiritual energy," Lem's simulated self confessed.

"And how does it feel now?"

"Everything is…heightened. As though the world is closer to me."

"Good, good. You are beginning to cultivate mountain intent. Now try once more."