Inside the house, Lorian Vale continued to educate Evan Reed about the world of cultivation.
"Cultivation is divided into five realms, each typically split into three stages—except for the Immortal Platform Realm, which has only two. This structure is often referred to as the Five Realms and Fourteen Stages. Take the Spirit Platform Realm, for example: it includes the Spirit Spring, Spirit Lake, and Spirit Sea stages, which measure the amount of spiritual energy accumulated in the body. Since cultivators refine spiritual energy, the first realm focuses on absorbing and harnessing it. In the Spirit Platform Realm, you breathe in spiritual energy to enhance your physique and build up your reserves. That's why it's also called the Breathing Stage or Qi Cultivation Stage."
"At this point, cultivators remain physically mortal, not yet transformed. They can learn techniques, but casting them requires expending their own spiritual energy, limiting their power. For this reason, cultivators in this stage are known as Spirit Apprentices, and their spells are called 'techniques' rather than 'arts.' It's only upon reaching the Transcendent Mortal Realm that they can channel their internal energy to manipulate the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, enabling them to use true 'arts.' This is also when cultivators shed their mortal bodies and form spiritual ones, which is why it's called the Transcendent Mortal Realm. Since constructing a spiritual body and breaking free of mortality is the foundation of cultivation, it's often referred to as the Foundation Establishment Stage or Spiritual Body Stage. Do you follow?"
"Big Brother Lorian, you've explained it so clearly—I understand. In simple terms, realms are about qualitative leaps, while stages are about quantitative growth, right?" Evan replied.
Lorian smiled and nodded. "That's a fresh and interesting way to put it. It's not entirely precise, but it's close enough."
Even within the same realm, the effects of different cultivation methods varied widely. Lorian explained that the human body consisted of meridians, qi and blood, muscles and bones, organs, and more—each with distinct roles. Different techniques brought different changes, resulting in unique strengths. Even basic spells like Wind Blade, Frost Sword, Fireball, or Lightning Chain could differ in form and power depending on the cultivator's method.
Seasoned cultivators could often identify a person's training and origins just by observing their techniques.
Moreover, not all cultivation methods were compatible. Some clashed outright. For example, the Heavenly Fire Scripture focused on the Hand Lesser Yang Triple Burner Meridian, dispersing energy through the heart and liver—organs tied to fire and transformation—yielding immense fiery power. In contrast, the Water Condensation Scripture targeted the Foot Lesser Yin Kidney Meridian, linking the spleen and kidneys—organs tied to water and essence—producing vast, ocean-like energy. These two methods were separate and incompatible. Worse still, some techniques directly contradicted each other, and practicing them together could halve one's progress.
Thus, cultivation wasn't about amassing techniques but finding harmony and synergy.
"That's another reason I hesitate to teach you the Vale family's methods," Lorian said. "Our Void-Piercing Scripture targets the Hand Greater Yang Small Intestine Meridian, emphasizing the eyes to pierce illusions and see through falsehoods. The Moon-Washing Sect, however, focuses on the Hand Lesser Yin Heart Meridian, which governs the heart. Neither is inherently superior, but the heart rules the organs like a king. From a foundational perspective, the Moon-Washing Sect's Purple Jade Heart Method and Divine Firmament Sword Codex are a better starting point."
"So, if I learn the Purple Jade Heart Method and Divine Firmament Sword Codex, I could still study the Void-Piercing Scripture later. But if I start with the Void-Piercing Scripture, it might hinder my progress with the Purple Jade Heart Method, right?" Evan asked.
"Exactly. The Moon-Washing Sect is a grand institution with profound, inclusive techniques. Starting there opens limitless possibilities for your future."
"I get it. It's like using the ocean to hold a lake—vast and accommodating. But trying to fit the ocean into a lake would cause it to overflow," Evan said.
"Precisely," Lorian agreed with a smile.
Evan's sharp mind delighted Lorian. Though he wouldn't formally take Evan as a disciple, he already treated him as one.
"Does that mean practicing the Hidden Form Sutra is useless for me now?" Evan asked.
"Not at all. The Hidden Form Sutra is mainly a method for breaking through the Jade Gate and cleansing the meridians. It doesn't focus on any specific meridian, so it won't conflict with other techniques. Plus, it was created by the Warlord himself—I suspect it's more than it seems. If you keep practicing, you might uncover hidden benefits. My meridians are already fixed, so cleansing them doesn't help me much," Lorian said with a sigh.
Cleansing the meridians meant refining and widening them. After opening the Jade Gate, spiritual energy flowed through the meridians, with different circulation patterns defining different techniques. Cleansing expanded these pathways, allowing more energy to flow and increasing their resilience.
If the body were a kingdom, the meridians were its roads, and the acupoints its stations. Wider roads meant smoother traffic and greater energy flow, resulting in stronger techniques.
As the saying goes, "To get rich, build roads first." In cultivation, it's "To cultivate immortality, cleanse the meridians first."
Beyond cleansing, beginners also needed to open their Spirit Eye—the storage site for spiritual energy. Only then could they retain and expand their energy, forming the basis for casting spells. However, different methods opened the Spirit Eye in different ways and locations. Thus, Lorian didn't teach Evan this step—Evan was destined for the Moon-Washing Sect, where he'd learn superior techniques.
Until he opened his Spirit Eye, Evan couldn't be considered a true cultivation apprentice.
"Does that mean I have to wait until I join the Moon-Washing Academy to start formal cultivation?" Evan asked.
"Feeling impatient?" Lorian teased.
Evan blushed but didn't deny it. "Just eager."
"I understand," Lorian said with a smile. "But cultivation isn't a quick process. A strong foundation makes everything easier later. Many young cultivators, lured by powerful techniques, rush through the basics. Countless prodigies endure the painful Jade Gate breakthrough only to stumble at meridian cleansing, capping their potential."
His tone was solemn, and Evan took it to heart. "I see. Patience is the key to success, no matter the path."
"Well said!" Lorian clapped. "Don't worry. Meridian cleansing has its limits—usually a year or so. After that, you can begin formal cultivation. By then, I'll get you into the Moon-Washing Sect. As a master of arrays, I should have no trouble."
He emphasized his skill as an array craftsman over his status as a Heavenly Heart True Master, revealing his pride in his craft.
From that day, Evan practiced the Hidden Form Sutra daily to cleanse his meridians. Though young, his adult soul gave him discipline beyond his years. After one bout of impatience, he never faltered again, impressing Lorian with his maturity.
"Cunning yet composed beyond his age—hard to figure out," Lorian mused. Evan's cultivation talent wasn't exceptional, but his worldly wisdom far exceeded a child's.
Despite his practice, Evan still tended to Lorian's needs—sweeping the courtyard, working in the city for money, and cooking. Lorian, meanwhile, focused on healing, occasionally practicing martial forms to limber up as his strength returned.
One day, while strolling through the courtyard, Lorian noticed the rock garden, pavilion, stone table, and surrounding plants subtly aligned with natural principles. With slight tweaks, it could become an array. Intrigued, he began experimenting.
Array crafting was his passion—he'd even abandoned his family's leadership for it. Now, nearly recovered, he indulged in his beloved craft.
With a wave, array patterns flowed from his feet, linking the rock garden and pavilion, glowing brilliantly. Moments later, a small array formed.
"Conceal!" Lorian commanded, and the patterns faded, invisible to the untrained eye.
"Excellent!" he nodded, satisfied. The process sparked new ideas, and he rushed inside to record them, writing feverishly.
When he finished, night had fallen. The Void-Piercing Scripture's eye-enhancing abilities let him see in the dark, so he hadn't noticed the time.
"Odd—why hasn't the boy brought dinner?" Lorian muttered. Evan usually returned by now with food.
Then it hit him. "Oh no!"
He dashed outside to find Evan stumbling in circles, eyes dazed, calling, "Big Brother Lorian!" His voice, trapped in the array, hadn't reached Lorian.
Seeing Evan trapped for hours, Lorian wiped cold sweat from his brow. "Thank goodness it was just an illusion array." A killing array would have been fatal.