Soft morning light crept through the window.
Lin Hao sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes. The air was still cool, carrying the faint scent of herbs from the pot his mother had likely prepared before dawn. He dressed quickly, tied his hair, and stepped outside.
His father was already stretching in the courtyard, shirtless, his frame leaner but growing stronger by the day. They exchanged a silent nod.
Then the training began.
Push-ups. Stances. Breathing. Movements etched in Lin Hao's memory from both his current youth and a life long gone.
They trained until the sun hovered above the rooftops. Their bodies drenched in sweat.
Afterward, both submerged themselves in the herbal baths. The heat stung, especially around the muscles, but Lin Hao endured. He watched his father grit his teeth through the pain and smiled faintly.
Progress. Little by little.
Once dressed, Lin Hao informed his mother he'd be heading to visit Master Yuan again.
She nodded, wiping her hands on a cloth. "Don't forget to thank him properly."
"I won't."
Villa Dragon's streets were quiet in the morning. The scent of incense drifted from courtyards, and faint chants from cultivator homes echoed in the wind.
When Lin Hao arrived at the Yuan residence, the gates opened before he could knock. The same elderly steward greeted him with a slight bow.
"Master Yuan is waiting. The young lady has already arrived."
He was led to the same training hall as before. As he stepped inside, his eyes met Qingyue's.
She looked at him for a second—then turned her head sharply, arms crossed, a faint pink hue touching her cheeks.
Lin Hao blinked. Still upset?
He gave a small sigh and walked toward Master Yuan, who stood near a set of cushions laid out on the floor.
"Come. Sit," the old man said, gesturing for both of them to kneel.
They obeyed.
"Now that you both have awakened your Mind Cores," he began, "you can begin the long path of cultivation. The road ahead is not simple, but you already possess a foundation many dream of."
He raised a hand, and a scroll unfurled behind him, suspended in the air by spiritual threads. On it, a diagram of a human silhouette, with points marked from head to navel.
"There are seven main stages in the mental cultivation path," Yuan said, tapping the top of the scroll. "Each one reflects a different level of awareness, control, and depth."
He looked at both of them.
"Listen closely."
1. Mind Sense StageThe cultivator gains basic sensitivity to Qi flows and spiritual fields. Thoughts become clearer, and distractions lose their grip.
2. Thought Control StageHere, one learns to shape and discipline inner thoughts. It allows focus to sharpen like a blade. Illusions, mental attacks, and confusion techniques lose effect.
3. Inner Echo StageThe mind forms a resonant field. Cultivators can sense other minds, communicate telepathically at short range, and begin forming a spiritual presence.
4. Will Projection StageThe mental force can be projected outward. With training, this stage allows the use of forceful intent to pressure enemies, resist mental intrusions, or even move objects slightly.
5. Soul Root StageAt this point, the cultivator connects to the true essence of their mind. Dreamwalking, memory retention, and full mental clarity become possible. Mistakes become harder. Lies harder to believe.
6. Spirit Domain StageA personal mental domain is created—a landscape shaped by the cultivator's soul. Within it, they are gods. Outside of it, they can influence weaker minds.
7. True Mind Ascendance StageVery few reach this. The cultivator merges with their core. Their thoughts can touch truth directly. They can understand languages by hearing, feel emotions behind words, and alter their presence through thought alone.
Master Yuan rolled the scroll back with a flick of his sleeve.
"You are both at the beginning of the first stage," he said. "What determines your pace... is discipline, understanding, and focus."
He handed each of them a slim booklet.
"Inside is a basic breathing method. Use it to still your mind and focus your awareness. Practice twice daily."
Lin Hao accepted the book with both hands. Qingyue did the same.
"But remember," Yuan added, his gaze narrowing slightly, "the Mind Core is more fragile than the body. Overexertion will not make it stronger. Clarity, not pressure, leads to growth."
Lin Hao nodded.
As they prepared to begin the first breathing exercise, he glanced at Qingyue again.
This time, she didn't turn away—but she didn't smile either.
Still… it was progress.