The flickering light of the campfire cast long shadows across the clearing. Harvis leaned back against a tree, arms crossed, watching the flames dance. Alex sat opposite him, his brows furrowed in thought. Liz, as usual, stood nearby, silent but attentive. Lily, wrapped in a blanket, dozed lightly beside Alex, her tiny hands clutching the fabric.
After a long pause, Harvis finally spoke again.
"That's not the whole truth. There is another cultivation method," he said, his voice steady. "One that focuses solely on the body. It's called the Body Path."
Alex's head snapped up. "Body Path? I've never heard of that before. Isn't cultivation about refining energy, sensing the soul, and mastering the laws of the universe?"
Harvis smirked. "For most, yes. But for a rare few, the path lies in forging the flesh, bones, and blood into indestructible weapons. The Body Path is about transcending mortal limits, not through external energy but through relentless tempering of one's own body."
Liz's silver eyes narrowed. "If it's so powerful, why don't more people follow it?"
"Because it's brutal," Harvis admitted. "It's a path filled with pain, suffering, and constant struggle. There are no shortcuts, no spirit stones to absorb, no formations to ease the process. It's a lonely road, one few dare to tread."
Alex leaned forward, intrigued. "Tell me more. How does it work? What are the stages?"
Harvis glanced at Liz, who sighed but remained silent. Then, he turned back to Alex and began explaining.
"Body Path Cultivation: The Art of Physical Ascension. It runs parallel to traditional cultivation, sometimes even complementing it. While others refine their essence, Body Path cultivators temper their physical form, becoming living weapons. The process is divided into stages, each harder than the last."
He took a breath before continuing.
"Unlike energy-based cultivation, which depends on absorbing external energy to strengthen the soul and spirit, Body Path cultivation revolves around the self. The cultivator must endure excruciating pain to break their mortal limitations, reforging their flesh, bones, and blood into something greater. This path offers unmatched resilience, raw power, and independence from external resources, but it demands an unyielding will and an almost inhuman tolerance for suffering."
Alex frowned. "So, it's just strengthening the body? How is that different from a warrior who trains his muscles?"
Harvis chuckled. "A warrior can train for a hundred years and still be bound by mortal limits. A Body Path cultivator, however, transcends those limits, forging a body capable of defying the heavens themselves. At the highest levels, they can endure cosmic forces, regenerate from nothing, and even challenge soul-based cultivators without needing a soul form of their own."
Liz raised an eyebrow. "So what are the stages?"
Harvis continued, his tone growing more serious.
"Flesh Tempering – The skin and muscles harden, able to resist blades and blunt force."
"At the peak?" Alex asked.
"You can ignore arrows and smash stone bare-handed."
Alex's eyes widened, but Harvis went on.
" Bone Forging – Bones become denser, unbreakable. Each strike carries immense force."
Liz crossed her arms. "So, at the peak of this stage…?"
"You could shatter boulders with a kick or survive falls from mountain peaks," Harvis answered smoothly.
Alex exhaled. "That's insane. And that's just the second stage?"
Harvis nodded. " Meridian Tempering – The body forms a secondary energy network. At its peak, poisons and venom become harmless, and internal energy attacks are nullified."
"That's… useful," Liz murmured, eyes thoughtful.
Harvis continued. "Organ Refinement – The internal organs evolve to endure extreme conditions. Starvation, toxins, even the vacuum of space become survivable."
Alex blinked. "What? That's ridiculous. How does someone even…?"
"It's not easy," Harvis said with a chuckle. "But the peak of this stage allows one to control their heartbeat at will, or even survive without air for days."
Liz tilted her head. "That means no one could kill you by suffocation."
"Exactly."
There was a brief silence before Harvis moved on.
"Blood Evolution – The blood transforms, gaining regenerative properties."
Alex rubbed his arm. "You mean, like healing?"
"More than that. At the highest level, a single drop of blood could regrow a limb. Some say it can even become corrosive or purifying, depending on the cultivator."
"So… almost immortal?" Alex muttered.
"Not yet. But close. Next is Celestial Marrow – The bone marrow produces divine essence, amplifying strength beyond mortal limits."
"And at its peak?" Liz asked, now completely invested.
"You could lift mountains," Harvis said simply. "And your bones would glow with divine light, repelling evil."
Alex swallowed hard. "You're telling me there are people like this in the world?"
"Few," Harvis admitted. "But they exist. Moving on—Divine Physique. The body becomes semi-divine, capable of resisting spatial tears and even soul attacks."
Liz's fingers twitched. "Meaning they could fight spirit-based cultivators without needing a soul form?"
Harvis nodded. "Exactly. Then comes Law Embodiment – The flesh integrates cosmic laws. A cultivator at this level could walk through lava unscathed or defy gravity at will."
Alex exhaled sharply. "That's just… breaking reality."
"It gets worse," Harvis said with a small grin. "World Body – At this level, each cell becomes a microcosm. The cultivator's mere presence can crush weaker beings. Their body weight rivals continents."
Alex couldn't even speak. Liz remained silent, but her eyes held a deep glimmer of contemplation.
"And finally, Unity of Flesh and Dao – The ultimate level. The body merges with universal truth, making the cultivator indestructible, eternal, and beyond the limits of physics."
There was silence. Only the crackling fire remained.
Alex finally found his voice. "So… who follows this path?"
Harvis stared into the flames. "Few. It's painful, demanding, and terrifying. Energy cultivation is more convenient. But those who walk the Body Path… they are monsters among men."
Liz took a deep breath. "And you?"
Harvis smirked. "Me? I'm just a cook."
Neither Alex nor Liz believed him.
The fire crackled, and the night stretched on.