Chapter no.18 Heavenward Soul and Earthen Body

The faint murmur of dawn whispered through the slightly ajar window, gentle tendrils of light gently caressing the room, enveloping everything in a soft, delicate glow. My fingers, almost reverently, traced over the weathered pages of the scrolls and journals scattered haphazardly across the wooden table in Alexander's lab. The air was tinged with the musky scent of age-old parchment and ink, mingling with the faint freshness of the nascent morning. I, encased in a cocoon of trepidation and curiosity, my eyes devoured the words before me, each letter a drop of knowledge from a time and mind now forever silenced. Alexander's journal, an object of seemingly infinite wisdom and dark machinations, lay open before me, its words weaving a tantalizing tapestry of forbidden knowledge and imminent destiny. My heart, thundering softly within its cage, echoed in the silent stillness as I read of futures unwritten yet eerily predestined, my very being intertwined with the arcane secrets held within these ancient writings. My fingers trembled slightly, hovering over words that spoke of fate, betrayal, and a terrifyingly dark path that lay ahead. As the light gently percolated through the room, illuminating the dust motes that danced whimsically in the air, I was arrested by a chilling passage. Alexander, with a penmanship that bespoke of a calm and calculated demeanor, detailed a nefarious act where he had killed some of his fellow prisoners and had sold their bodies to some kind of mythical creature known as Kunlan. Has Alexander gone insane or something? I wondered as I turned the page where a passage caught my eye. [ Dear Journal, Today, my thoughts linger on the intricate nature of the Spiritual Roots. The question arises what are spiritual roots? In the realm of Murim, an individual's talent is highly esteemed, and their spiritual root rank serves as a strong indicator of their potential. Spiritual roots are essentially channels within a person's soul that enable them to detect and harness spiritual energy, or Qi. Various ranks of spiritual roots exist, each signifying the prowess and potential of a cultivator. The most coveted rank is the "Divine/Supreme Spiritual Root," an incredibly rare and sought-after classification. Those possessing a Divine Spiritual Root have an innate capacity to detect and cultivate Qi at an exceptional level, making it much simpler for them to advance through the stages of cultivation. Following in rank is the "Heavenly/High Spiritual Root," which remains relatively scarce, as only one in ten thousand possesses it. Individuals with a Heavenly/High Spiritual Root can detect and cultivate Qi with remarkable ease, exhibiting faster cultivation speeds than those with lower-ranked roots. The "Earthly/Common Spiritual Root" is the most prevalent of the spiritual roots, yet still regarded as a respectable root. Cultivators with an Earthly Spiritual Root have a fair ability to detect and cultivate Qi. Although their cultivation speeds may not match those with higher-ranked roots, they can still attain substantial power and success in cultivation. The lowest rank of Spiritual Root is the "Ordinary/Low Spiritual Root." These roots are considered feeble, making it difficult for cultivators to detect and cultivate Qi. However, individuals with an Ordinary Spiritual Root can still progress in cultivation if they demonstrate ample determination and perseverance. As the saying goes for those with low-grade spiritual roots: "While others take one step, you will have to take a hundred steps to be considered on par with them." ] ••••••••••••••••••••••••• Yue Fei strolled through the neatly arranged rows of children, each sitting in a lotus position, their eyes closed, and their expressions serene. They were deeply engrossed in their meditation, their concentration unwavering. The morning sun was just beginning to ascend over the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue over the verdant landscape that enveloped the training grounds. The dew-kissed grass glistened under the early light, and the scent of damp earth filled the air. The children were dressed in simple, loose-fitting robes of muted colors, their hair tied back in tight ponytails that swayed gently in the morning breeze. Each bore the emblem of their sect, a symbol of the path they had chosen to walk. As Yue Fei paced, his steps almost soundless on the soft ground, he spoke in a clear, powerful voice that resonated through the peaceful atmosphere. "Ignite the soul to reforge the heavens, govern the body to dictate the Earth. This is the mantra of Heavenward Soul and Earthen Body. It is a technique to help you sense the Spiritual Qi in the air." Everyone listened intently, their breathing slow and steady as they repeated the mantra in their minds. The rustling of leaves, the distant chirping of birds, and the soft murmur of a nearby stream provided a soothing backdrop to their meditation. "Focus on the words of the mantra and envision a flame in the palm of your hands," Yue Fei continued, his tone authoritative yet gentle. "The words and the visualization will aid you in sensing Spiritual Qi. When you can sense it, imagine the flames growing larger and drawing the Spiritual Qi towards themselves. The speed at which you can detect and accumulate spiritual Qi will signify the strength of your spiritual roots and the potential you possess for the path of cultivation." Yue Fei paused, his gaze sweeping over the children as he observed their progress. His eyes came to rest upon Chun Jiao and Lee Min, both of whom seemed to have already begun to accumulate a significant amount of Spiritual Qi. A faint smile played on his lips as he thought to himself, "Incredible, two Divine/Supreme grade spiritual roots here. Should I report this discovery and have these two spared from the great cleansing?" Yue Fei's brow furrowed as he sensed that the Spiritual Qi around the boy remained stagnant, despite his instruction and guidance. The redhaired boy's face was scrunched up in concentration, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Yue Fei approached the struggling boy, his voice gentle but firm. "Remember to breathe deeply and calm your mind. Allow the mantra to guide you. Do not force it; let it come naturally." The boy nodded, his determination unwavering as he took a deep breath and continued to recite the mantra, hoping to grasp the elusive Spiritual Qi that seemed to elude him. ..... As the hours passed, several had gradually sensed the Spiritual Qi and departed, leaving behind only a handful who still struggled to perceive anything. I was among those who remained, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of Alexander's journal. A myriad of questions had surfaced in my mind, and I found it impossible to put them to rest. My paranoia prevented me from reading the journal, as I feared Xu Wen'an might discover it and react unfavorably. Her response to Alexander's inquiries about the amulet had been alarming even when she was drunk, and I dreaded to think of what she might do if she found the journal. Despite the torrent of thoughts swirling through my mind, I endeavored to concentrate on sensing the Spiritual Qi. It's weird for me, I can utilise Qi pretty easily considering that was all I had done inside prison yet sensing Qi was so hard. Did that mean I had a lower grade spiritual root than the rest ? I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, attempting to alleviate the tension and anxiety that had built up within me. I visualized the same feeling I had when Khadija was killed, when Aisha was killed. I remembered that anger and I visualised my anger in the form of a flame situated between my palms. A heat began to permeate my body as I imagined myself seated upon the surface of a dark pond, encircled by ethereal, blueish wisps of Ignis fatuus. Gradually, the Spiritual Qi coalesced within the palms of my hands. An all-encompassing stillness enveloped me, and I couldn't resist opening my eyes. I observed that almost everyone had dispersed, leaving only a small group of us who continued to grapple with sensing the Qi. Yue Fei towered over me, a smug expression etched upon his face. "Congratulations! You are among the last to sense it," he declared, his voice laden with sarcasm. "I can confidently state that your spiritual roots are well below average in every regard. A shape for someone as physically strong as you." "My apologies, Sir," I said. " What are you apologizing for ?" " For having disappointed your expectations." Yue Fei let out a bellowing laughter as he slapped the red haired boy's back as he expected the boy to fall over but he didn't seem to fall over. 'Hmm, did I put too little strength?' Yue Fei thought as he struck the boy's back with more force as the boy was slammed onto the ground. "I don't need an ass kisser, boy, so start running," he commanded, gesturing towards the vast, open field. "Yes, Sir!" I rose to my feet, glancing at the few children who still sat in meditation. Among them, I recognized only one—the androgynous boy who was always at Chun Jiao's side, Xie Dongyi. I took one final, deep breath before breaking into a run, the sound of my footsteps and the wind rushing past my ears serving as a constant reminder to clear my mind and focus on the task before me. As I traversed the field, my body grew warm, and my limbs loosened up, casting aside the last remnants of fatigue that clung to my muscles. The world around me seemed to blur, the landscape melding into a wash of colors as I lost myself in the rhythm of my stride. ..... As I closed the door to my room, a sigh of exhaustion escaped my lips. My body was drenched in sweat, causing my clothes to cling to my skin. My bed beckoned me enticingly, but my mind continued to race from the rigorous training session with Yue Fei. (~ Thump ~) The sound of a knock on the door captured my attention, and I turned to see who it was. To my astonishment, Chun Jiao and Lee Min stood outside, both clad in their simple training robes. "Hi!" Chun Jiao greeted me, her friendly smile lighting up her face, her bright eyes sparkling with curiosity. Even so, I couldn't help but detect the underlying arrogance and entitlement she exuded, a talent I had honed during my life on the streets. I couldn't help but feel somewhat taken aback by their unexpected visit. My exhaustion was overwhelming, but I managed to ask, "What brings you here?"

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