Chapter 7: Testing Limits

  Leo sat cross legged on the stone pavilion, eyes closed as he focused on the gentle current flowing through his body. The morning sun warmed his back while a cool breeze brushed against his face. He had been there since dawn, just as he had been every day for the past week.

  The sensation of qi had grown from a whisper to a steady stream he could reliably track through his meridians. Each day, the pathways became clearer, like rivers carving deeper channels through soft earth. Each session left him more aware of his body than he had ever been on Earth.

  This makes those meditation apps back home seem like a bad joke, he thought with amusement.

  He drew in a deep breath, visualizing golden particles entering his lungs and spreading outward. The energy pooled in his core, then dispersed through pathways that were becoming increasingly familiar. With each cycle, he felt impurities being pushed outward through his pores, leaving his body lighter and cleaner.

  Both Second Sister and Altan had checked on him during the first few days, but seeing his dedication to cultivation, they mostly left him to practice independently on the pavilion. Selian had simply nodded with approval at his single-minded focus while Altan had given him a knowing wink before they continued with their own duties.

  When the sun reached its zenith, Leo finally opened his eyes. His legs should have been stiff after hours of immobility, but he unfolded himself with surprising ease. Standing, he stretched and looked out over the lake, admiring how the sunlight sparkled on its surface.

  For days, he had resisted the urge to test his newly purified body, focusing instead on perfecting his control of qi circulation. Second Sister had emphasized the importance of building a solid foundation, and Leo had taken her words to heart, dedicating himself completely to the basics.

  But today, he thought with a grin, I've earned a little experimentation.

  His heart raced with anticipation. Every fiber of his being itched to discover what changes had occurred beneath the surface. The theoretical knowledge and subtle sensations were fascinating, but he longed to test the physical enhancements in a more tangible way.

  Time to see what this purified body can actually do, he thought, excitement bubbling through him like a shaken soda. I've been patient long enough.

  Leo made his way across the Academy grounds, his steps quickening with each stride. For days, he had felt subtle changes in his body but had no real way to measure them. His muscles looked no different, perhaps even slightly leaner than before, yet he sensed new strength beneath his skin.

  I wonder if there's even a need for gyms in this world, he thought wryly, remembering early morning workout sessions with his college roommates. Missing those five AM protein shakes, though I'm not.

  He found one of the many open training areas scattered throughout the Academy. This one was nothing more than a flat expanse of packed earth, bordered by a few scattered trees. The simple, open space was perfect for his purpose.

  Leo began with basic movements, starting slow and gradually increasing his pace. He jumped, stretched, and extended his body, testing his limits with methodical curiosity. The changes weren't dramatic, but they were noticeable. His balance was marginally improved during movements that would have been awkward before. When he jumped, he gained perhaps an inch or two more height than he would have expected.

  After twenty minutes of continuous movement, Leo paused, noticing his breathing was somewhat less labored than it should have been. Back home, this intensity of exercise would have left him more winded, but the difference wasn't extraordinary.

  This is different from building muscle, he realized. It's more like my body is becoming slightly more efficient. I'm nowhere near completely purified, but even these small changes feel significant.

  Curious about his speed, Leo marked out a short distance and sprinted. The wind brushed past his face as his feet pounded against the packed earth. He ran across the training ground, noticing he was perhaps a second or two faster than his usual pace would have been on Earth.

  Grinning, he turned and ran back, adding jumps and changes in direction. His body responded with slightly improved coordination, the movements connecting a bit more smoothly than before.

  Leo formed a fist and threw a few punches into the air. Even though he still had no idea how to punch properly, it at least felt more like a real punch with the speed he was throwing it. The movement felt more natural, more controlled.

  Emboldened by this success, he decided to test his strength against a nearby tree. Drawing back his fist, he struck the trunk with what he hoped was impressive force.

  "Ow!" he yelped, shaking his hand. To his disappointment, his fist still hurt just as much as it would have before. The bark barely showed a mark.

  So much for superhuman strength, he thought ruefully, rubbing his knuckles. Clearly purification has its limits.

  This is encouraging overall though, he thought, a sense of progress filling him despite the sore hand. Just the beginning of what cultivators can eventually achieve, but tangible proof that it's working.

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  Leo continued his impromptu training, pushing himself with each exercise. He jumped to grab a low-hanging branch, then pulled himself up with both arms, finding it required less effort than he expected. He tried balancing on one foot, maintaining his position a few seconds longer than he could have before starting cultivation.

  Sweat soaked his robes as the afternoon wore on, but the fatigue felt different from normal exhaustion. It was a pleasant sensation, like his body celebrating its new capabilities rather than complaining about overuse.

  He finished with another sprint across the training ground, followed by a few experimental jumps. His chest heaved from exertion, and his muscles burned pleasantly, but a wide smile split his face.

  "Your dedication is admirable," a voice commented.

  Leo whirled around to find Renzo standing at the edge of the training ground, arms crossed over his chest. How long the Fifth Brother had been watching, Leo couldn't guess.

  "Fifth Brother," Leo bowed slightly, suddenly self conscious about his impromptu training session. "I was just testing some changes from Purification."

  To Leo's surprise, Renzo's normally stern expression softened into what might have been a smile. "I felt the same when I first began Purification. The desire to test new limits is natural."

  Leo wiped sweat from his brow. "It feels remarkable. Like my body is finally operating at its full potential."

  Renzo studied Leo for a moment, then without warning, he flicked his wrist. A gleaming sword appeared in his hand, seemingly from nowhere.

  Leo's eyes widened. "Where did that come from?"

  "Storage ring," Renzo answered briefly, gesturing to a plain metal band on his finger. "A basic spatial artifact."

  He tossed the weapon to Leo, who caught it reflexively. "Would you like to try to hit me?" Renzo asked, something resembling playfulness flickering across his usually serious face. "For training purposes."

  Leo blinked in surprise. "Now? With a real sword?"

  "It's merely a practice blade," Renzo replied, his stance relaxed. "The edge is dull. Even if you somehow managed to strike me, which you won't, it would cause minimal damage."

  Is this a test or just some weird cultivator game? Leo wondered. But the challenge intrigued him, and despite his exhaustion, he found himself grinning.

  Every boy dreams of swinging around a sword anyway, right? Leo adjusted his grip on the weapon, feeling its weight. The metal felt cool against his palm, the hilt wrapped in leather that provided a comfortable grip.

  "Alright," he said, raising the blade. "Though I should warn you, I once won a plastic lightsaber duel at a sci fi convention."

  Renzo's expression remained impassive. "Begin whenever you're ready."

  Leo lunged forward, swinging the sword in what he hoped was a reasonable approximation of swordsmanship. Renzo sidestepped the attack with minimal movement, as if Leo were moving in slow motion.

  Undeterred, Leo pressed forward, trying different angles and approaches. Slash after slash met nothing but air as Renzo moved with effortless grace, always just beyond the reach of Leo's blade. It was like trying to hit a shadow.

  After several minutes of increasingly creative attempts, Leo paused, breathing hard. Renzo hadn't even broken a sweat.

  "This is impossible," Leo complained good naturedly. "You're not even trying."

  "True," Renzo acknowledged without a hint of boasting. "I'm three cultivation realms above you. The outcome was never in question."

  Despite his matter of fact response, Leo noticed something unusual in Fifth Brother's demeanor. A slight relaxation around his eyes, an almost imperceptible upward tilt at the corner of his mouth. The normally intense cultivator appeared to be enjoying himself.

  "Are you a sword master then?" Leo asked, attempting another series of attacks that Renzo effortlessly avoided.

  Renzo actually laughed at this, a short but genuine sound that transformed his usually serious face. "No. The sword is not my primary weapon."

  Leo lowered his weapon, curiosity overtaking his competitive spirit. "You cultivate fire and ice, right? I remember seeing you practice with both elements that first day."

  "Correct," Renzo replied with a nod, maintaining his defensive stance.

  Leo resumed his efforts, swinging the sword with renewed determination while trying a different tactic. "What were your personal insights into combining such opposite forces? Everyone says cultivation is about unique understanding."

  Maybe I can distract him enough to land just one hit, Leo thought as he suddenly changed direction mid-swing.

  Instead of answering, Renzo demonstrated. He raised his hand casually, and a small flame burst into existence above his palm. As Leo lunged forward, hoping to take advantage of the apparent distraction, Renzo flicked his fingers toward him.

  Leo flinched instinctively as the fire shot in his direction. In the corner of his eye, he watched in amazement as the flame transformed mid-air, particles of fire changing into crystalline ice. Before he could react, the ice struck his sword, encasing the blade in a thin layer of frost.

  "How did you do that?" Leo asked, staring at his frozen sword with wide eyes. The ice was already melting in the evening warmth, droplets of water running down the metal.

  "It doesn't matter," Renzo stated matter-of-factly. "You won't go down my path. Each cultivator must discover their own insights."

  He paused, then surprisingly decided to share anyway. "But since you asked... I discovered that opposites are not truly separate. Fire and ice appear contradictory, but both represent extreme states of energy. The transformation between them reveals their shared essence."

  "Did First Brother help you discover this?" Leo asked, genuinely interested.

  "He asked the right questions," Renzo replied. "He never gave answers directly. That is not the way of our Academy."

  Leo attempted a few more strikes, each easily avoided by Renzo. After just a few minutes, Leo lowered the sword, surprised by how quickly his arms had tired.

  "I should return to my training," Renzo said, glancing at the sun still high in the afternoon sky. "Keep the practice sword. It may serve you well."

  Leo blinked in surprise. "You're giving it to me?"

  "It is merely a practice sword," Renzo stated. "Your interest in combat training is appropriate. Continue."

  With a respectful bow, Renzo turned and walked toward his usual training area, his posture perfect as always.

  Leo watched him go, a bemused smile spreading across his face. Why had Fifth Brother just sought him out? The thought of the serious, intense Renzo wanting a training partner was oddly endearing. Or maybe he wanted to show off, Leo wasn’t sure.

  As Leo made his way back toward the main buildings, muscles pleasantly aching from his day's exertions, he pondered the brief interaction. Perhaps beneath Renzo's disciplined exterior lurked a young man who sometimes simply wanted company, someone to practice with outside the pressure of his rigorous training regime.

  The sword felt good in his hand. Leo reflexively swung it around a few times by the hilt like swinging a baseball bat. I wonder if I should practice using this, he thought. I’ll ask Altan or Second Sister next time I see them.”

  Leo suddenly realized the irony of his thoughts. Just days ago, he had inwardly mocked Renzo for his intense training schedule of fourteen hours daily, thinking it psychotic. And now here I am, planning to spend every waking hour cultivating or practicing. Maybe we're not so different after all.