The fire crackled softly as the group sat in a circle. Stars glittered above, and the calm night held an air of quiet revelation.
Lily leaned forward, swinging her legs playfully. "What about people who follow both paths? They must be super strong!"
Harvis glanced at her, his expression calm. "Yes, people do follow both cultivation paths. But many give up. Only a rare few ever follow through."
Liz raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"
Harvis leaned back slightly, folding his arms. "Because it's difficult. But more importantly, before anyone even thinks of following both paths, they need to understand what cultivation really means."
Alex blinked. "You mean there's more to it than just picking a path and getting stronger?"
Harvis gave a small chuckle. "Much more. Let me explain."
He paused, the firelight flickering in his eyes.
Harvis: "Most people follow a path without questioning it. They pursue strength, fame, longevity—but they rarely ask what cultivation really is."
Lily: "Isn't it just getting stronger?"
Harvis: "On the surface, yes. But true cultivation… is transformation. Let me show you the flaws in what most people believe."
Alex sat forward, intrigued. "Flaws?"
Harvis: "Yes. Each path has weaknesses."
The Flaws of Conventional Cultivation
Harvis: "Let's start with the Path of Energy—the one most people take."
Liz: "You mean the one that focuses on energy and soul, right?"
Harvis: "Exactly. Now, what happens when you pour power into something fragile?"
Alex: "It breaks?"
Harvis: "Correct. Energy cultivators rely heavily on external forces. Their bodies grow weak, while their souls grow strong."
Lily: "So their bodies can't keep up?"
Harvis: "Right. At higher stages, their soul or energy becomes too much. The body, being underdeveloped, collapses. Implosion is a real risk."
Alex: "That's terrifying…"
Harvis: "Now, let's talk about the Body Path. It's the opposite."
Liz: "Strong body, weak soul?"
Harvis: "Precisely. A Body Path cultivator might punch through mountains, but if someone uses a soul technique or a spatial attack… they'll be defenseless."
Lily: "So each path is incomplete?"
Harvis nodded. "Exactly. Which brings us to the most ambitious path—both."
Alex: "Dual Path Cultivation."
Harvis: "Yes. But it has its own flaw—desynchronization."
Liz: "Desynchronization?"
Harvis: "If the soul grows faster than the body, or vice versa, the imbalance causes inner collapse. Imagine placing a divine soul into a fragile vessel. The result? Destruction from within."
Alex: "Like pouring a river into a cracked pot."
Harvis smiled. "Good metaphor."
Lily: "So how do you avoid that?"
Harvis looked at each of them. "By understanding the real principle of cultivation."
The Core Principle: Cultivate the Self, Not the Path
Harvis: "True cultivation is not about following—it's about becoming."
The words echoed in the silence.
Liz: "Becoming what?"
Harvis: "Your true self. Complete. Balanced."
Alex: "So you're saying… cultivation isn't about techniques or stages?"
Harvis: "Those are tools. But the core is harmony. Think of it like this…"
Harvis raised three fingers.
Harvis: "Energy is power. But without control—mind—and a vessel—body—it's just wildfire."
He raised another finger.
Harvis: "The body is the vessel. But without power and will, it's an empty shell."
Then the last.
Harvis: "The mind, the soul, is the will. But without a medium or fuel, it's a ghost."
Lily: "So we need all three?"
Harvis: "Exactly. The greatest experts didn't follow a path—they redefined it. They balanced all three."
Liz: "That sounds… difficult."
Harvis: "It is. But not impossible. Let me give you some advice."
Forging Your Own Way
Harvis: "First—study yourself."
Alex: "Study myself?"
Harvis: "Yes. Know your body's strengths and weaknesses. Feel your energy. Understand your spirit. Before choosing a path, understand who you are."
Liz nodded slowly. "Makes sense. A lot of people follow trends without understanding themselves."
Harvis: "Second—break your limits."
Lily's eyes lit up. "Like punching through walls?"
Harvis laughed. "Sure, eventually. But I mean mental limits. Emotional chains. Fear. Doubt. Those are the first things to break."
Alex: "And the third?"
Harvis: "Synchronize. Balance body, energy, and mind. Don't let one outrun the others."
Lily: "So if I train my body… I should also meditate and channel energy?"
Harvis: "Exactly. Think of it like a triangle. All three sides must be equal for it to stand."
Liz: "What happens if you mess up?"
Harvis: "Then your triangle collapses. Like many before you."
The fire popped, a spark flying upward like a tiny shooting star.
Alex stared at his hands. "So… how do I begin? How do I start cultivation?"
There was a pause. Harvis studied him carefully before answering.
Harvis: "That's the right question. Most don't even ask it."
Lily leaned forward, eyes shining. "So? What's the first step?"
Harvis stood slowly, stretching. "Tomorrow, we start training. Physical first. The body must be ready to carry the burden of energy and soul."
Alex nodded. "I'm ready."
Liz smiled slightly. "Then we begin together."
Lily raised a fist with a grin. "We'll become the strongest trio ever!"
Harvis laughed. "I like the spirit. But don't forget—this journey won't be easy."
Alex met his gaze, unwavering. "Nothing worth doing ever is."