Chapter 19 The Ancient Cultivator Part 1

As the last rays of the setting sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, Alexa emerged from Jasper's private bathing room. She made her way towards the young boy, who was waiting anxiously.

"The bathwater is ready, Young Master," Alexa informed him, her voice soft yet clear in the quiet of the evening.

With a nod of acknowledgment, Jasper made his way towards the bathing room. It was a spacious chamber, adorned with fine, patterned tiles that radiated an air of serene elegance. The centerpiece was a large, stone bathtub, filled with steaming water that was now gently rippling from the heat. The air was scented with a subtle, calming fragrance of the medicinal herbs Alexa had prepared earlier.

Carefully, Jasper produced the vial Grant had given him earlier. Following the instructions he had received, he began to add an array of medicinal concoctions into the bath. Each ingredient had a specific purpose - some were meant to ease his body, to prepare it for the absorption of the beast blood, while others were designed to enhance the effects of the blood itself.

With each addition, the water's color deepened, the steam rising from it taking on an ethereal quality. He uncorked the vial, the crimson beast blood adding a vibrant swirl of color into the concoction.

With a determined gleam in his eyes, Jasper carefully stepped into the bath. The warm, medicinal water immediately enveloped him, rising up to his neck, leaving only his head poking out above the surface. To any observer, the scene might have been comical - a small boy, engulfed in a large bathtub filled with mysterious, colorful water.

Once he had settled in, Jasper closed his eyes, his small face contorting in concentration. He began to recall the meditation technique he had diligently practiced under Grant's supervision. His breathing slowed, becoming deeper and more measured as he focused inward. The air around him seemed to throb with energy, the medicinal water reacting to his aura and beginning to shimmer slightly.

As he continued his focused meditation, the unique properties of the beast blood began to interact with his body. His pores, now opened and receptive due to the medicinal concoctions, greedily absorbed the dense and potent blood. Simultaneously, his circulating aura lapped up the intruding beast blood, sparking a transformation within his body.

Despite his stillness, chaos reigned beneath the surface of his skin. His aura, normally calm and regulated, began to swirl and churn, its flow accelerated by the powerful energy of the beast blood. This caused Jasper's complexion to pale significantly, yet he remained undeterred. Grant had already warned him about this, and so he steeled himself, determined to endure.

Remembering the circulation pattern of the Martial Hall's Initiate technique, he mentally guided his turbulent aura, taming it back into a controlled rhythm. His body's memory of the technique acted as a guide, ensuring that the newfound power was properly harnessed and directed.

The denser, more powerful aura continued to absorb the beast blood, becoming ever more potent. It wasn't long before visible wisps of aura began to escape through his pores and mouth, a testament to the immense energy he was now commanding.

The once peaceful bath now seemed to vibrate with energy, the water reacting to the powerful aura emanating from Jasper. The transformation process was well underway, each passing moment bringing him closer to a new level of power and understanding. Despite the challenges and discomfort, Jasper embraced it wholeheartedly, his resolve unwavering as he navigated the stormy seas of his own aura.

The transformative process continued, a loop of absorption, transformation, and stabilization. Jasper could feel the beast blood in the bath start to thin, its vibrant color gradually fading into the etheric hue of the medicinal water. His once turbulent aura began to slow, its movements becoming languid as the growth in power tapered off.

Despite the decline, Jasper remained focused, working diligently to stabilize his aura. He strived to retain as much of the newfound power within his body as possible, preventing the aura wisps from escaping. His face, though still pale, bore an expression of concentration.

Having achieved a semblance of control over his heightened aura, Jasper let the few wisps that he could not retain freely flow out of his body. With the major part of the transformation process complete, he called for Alexa to assist him out of the bath.

As Alexa entered the bathing room, she was immediately met with a palpable force in the air, as if an unseen weight was pressing down upon her. Breathing became noticeably harder as she moved closer to Jasper, the atmosphere thick with his powerful aura. However, she steeled herself, quickly helping Jasper out of the bath and drying him off before helping him into a fresh set of clothes.

Observing the noticeable exhaustion on Jasper's face, Alexa took the initiative to guide him back to his bedroom. She gently helped him onto his bed, tucking him in with a care that reflected their bond. Having ensured her Young Master's comfort, she offered him a respectful bow before quietly taking her leave.

The transformation session had been intense for both of them. Jasper, now resting in his bed, was a significant step closer to achieving his goal of becoming a distinguished martial artist. As he lay there in the soft embrace of his bed, Cline's words echoed in Jasper's mind. The Martial Hall! The very thought stirred a surge of anticipation within him. It was a symbol of prestige, a beacon for all aspiring martial artists, and soon he would be stepping into that esteemed realm, earning his place amongst the ranks.

Despite his exhaustion, a wave of excitement washed over him. He would officially be a martial artist, tested and ranked, his potential measured and acknowledged. It was a milestone he had yearned for, a moment that would mark the beginning of his true journey.

With these thoughts fluttering in his mind, a sense of peace gradually settled over him. The soft hum of the night, the gentle rustling of the leaves outside his window, everything seemed to lull him into a tranquil sleep. His body, weary from the day's rigors, gave in to the lure of rest. As he drifted off, his last thought was of the challenges that awaited him at the Martial Hall. As a martial artist in the making, he could hardly wait to face them, and with that, sleep claimed him.