The mind sea was now still and serene.
Now let's proceed to the next phase.
Shha!
Ashan's consciousness exited his mind sea.
There is no arduous process to enter or exit one's mind sea. The person simply has to enter cogitation. Now I must refine my root chakra with atmic energy.
Atmic is born from one's mind—the manas. The sea of mind represents one's manas.
Ashan performed the root mudra, touching the tip of his thumb to the tip of his ring finger while keeping his other fingers extended. He began speaking the mantra in the Asurain language. The foundation mantra of the Hidden State Path was like a serpent hidden in its cave, hoarding its treasures.
Atmic energy flowed from his mind and rushed toward his root chakra.
He regulated his breathing carefully. To achieve samyama, both vidyas had to be performed together. The time duration between them was very short. If one unlocked their root chakra using either vidya separately, then to pursue samyama vidya, they had to refine their root chakra by performing both simultaneously.
Hiss!
A blackish-white wisp emerged from his nostril.
He controlled his breathing, calmed his mind, and continued speaking the mantra without pause. The prana rushing from the central spine—the sushumna nadi—stirred as it branched upward to connect with his mind sea.
To achieve samyama—the union of body and mind—the sushumna nadi must connect with the mind sea. Well, it's more like a mystical connection.
Both prana and atmic spun chaotically around his root chakra.
Stabilize! The key is stability!
Ashan kept his breathing and mantra in a stable rhythm. The prana and atmic gradually calmed, spinning around his root chakra in harmony, refining it.
The process continued for an unknown duration.
Ashan didn't dare slack off. He maintained both body and mind in perfect calm, regulating his breathing and continuing the mantra.
Shh! Crack!
The explosive sound from his root chakra was more intense than before. It vibrated through his whole being—body and mind.
Haah!
He inhaled deeply, then slowly opened his eyes.
Now I am a proper Sadhaka.
I am no longer mortal!
Twitch! Shh!
His eyes flickered through different hues. A sharp pain stabbed through them.
Ouch! That hurts! What's happening? Is my siddhi about to fully awaken? Not good! If I don't control it, my secret will be exposed!
Tension coiled through Ashan's body, though he kept his face neutral.
Viksana!
He slowly muttered the word in his mind, forcing control over his eyes.
His vision changed.
The clear night sky. Smoke rising into the dark expanse, devoid of light. Flames hungrily devouring everything in their path. People running in panic, screaming in pain.
A hooded figure stood atop a building, watching the destruction with golden-amber eyes.
Krackh!
Like a mirror shattering, the scene broke into countless fragments.
****
Huff!
Ashan slowly exhaled.
That vision again. What does it symbolize?
He pushed the thought aside and checked his surroundings.
Many candidates had survived their first sadhana. All the members of Team 7 were fine, though they were slightly out of breath with lost expressions on their faces.
Some hadn't survived and had failed their sadhana. Aside from the candidates who mutated after performing Sharir Vidya sadhana, some hadn't survived their Atma Vidya sadhana. Some died on the spot. Others experienced eerie changes—their expressions twisted as they became malevolent apparitions.
Zarah, the purple owl-masked man, addressed them in a slightly cheerful tone.
"Congratulations to the 175 candidates who successfully passed their first sadhana. You are no longer mere mortals, but Sadhakas. You have all attained the rank of Bodnir. From this moment forward, you are Bodnir-ranked Sadhakas."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across their faces.
"Now you are all officially part of the Order of Arishadvarga—the House of Sins. Bodnir-ranked Sadhakas hold a rank known as 'Arashen' within the organization."
"This is a joyous moment for all of us. I am Zarah Eumai, Elder of the House of Gluttony, Owl faction." The elder gave a slight smile.
Creepy!
Ashan's mouth twitched lightly.
"Now you will all receive the formal uniform of your rank and supplies. We will also test which marga is compatible with each of you. Form a line." The elder gestured toward the testing area.
The candidates formed a line. Though it was lengthy, Ms. Vehl worked with surprising speed.
Soon, Ashan found himself standing before her.
"Place both hands on the stone." Her voice was emotionless.
Before her sat a medium-sized black stone on an elevated platform. Strange lines were etched across its surface.
Are those runes like I've seen in fantasy anime?
Ashan placed both hands on the black stone.
"This stone will determine whether you have the potential for sadhana in the sharir marga or atma marga. It has a mantra inscribed by the house leader of the House of Envy." She explained the stone's function with a hint of pride.
Is that why you're boasting about it? Because it's from your house? Ashan thought wryly.
The cold surface of the black stone pressed against his palms. The strange lines began to glow, and in the blink of an eye, they blazed with a deep, dark shade of golden light.
Ms. Vehl's expression shifted slightly.
'Every sin corresponds to a color.
The sin of envy is green. The sin of greed has gold. The black stone has a mantra inscribed upon it and shines in the color of the sin of whoever places their hand on it. Pale color symbolizes sharir marga, and faint pale symbolizes atma marga.
But if it shines in a deep, dark shade... Then it symbolizes samyama marga.
This child can perform sadhana of the union of both body and soul!'
Ms. Vehl quickly schooled her expression.
"After taking your supplies, stand on the other side. Don't go anywhere."
She swiftly ushered him away.
What the hell just happened?
Ashan didn't understand what was occurring, but he quietly did as instructed.
Soon, his team members joined him, all wearing confused expressions.
All other candidates had left the combat building after receiving their supplies. Today was their day off.
"What a coincidence, I must say. All candidates of the same team can perform sadhana of the Samyama Marga." Rees, the head instructor of combat, chuckled lightly.
"More like fate. What's more surprising is that they all have totem beasts from the main factions of the houses," Inria, the head instructor of classroom studies, replied coldly.
"We've gotten quite a fortune, then." Zarah measured Team 7 with his eyes.
Besides these three people, only Team 7 remained in the combat building. All other candidates and instructors were enjoying their day off.
"Team 7 candidates! Stand in a straight horizontal line before us," Rees commanded.
Ashan and his team hurriedly complied.
Numerous thoughts raced through his mind.
What happened? Did they discover my siddhi? If they did, how should I deal with it? I can't use it on them to glimpse information. Who knows what I might learn?
Tension radiated from all of them, confusion etched on their faces.
Ashan maintained a simple, confused, and appropriately tense expression.
Simplicity is the best answer. No need to overthink this. They're more cunning and dangerous than I am. There's no chance I could deceive them anyway.
Zarah stared at them coldly.
There's a high chance that the candidate who unlocked the anupamh siddhi is one of them. It's mere speculation, but the probability is high.
The candidate Ashan has shown rapid progress in classes. In combat, he's only slightly above average but improving steadily. In fights, he easily identifies his opponent's weak points.
The other candidates—Dris, Roderic, Ballio, Helma, Damara, and Imla—are also skilled, but each has their own shortcomings.
Dris is far stronger than the others, yet still follows Ashan's commands. Ashan uses both his brain and body efficiently. The chances of him possessing the anupamh siddhi are high.
Zarah's gaze locked onto Ashan.
What the hell? Did he just lock onto me? Just you wait, old man—I'm going to outlive you!
Ashan's heart skipped a beat.
"What a joyous occasion. Who would have thought we'd find seven candidates capable of walking the samyama marga?" Zarah chuckled lightly.
Samyama Marga? The union of body and mind. It sounds strong... and difficult.
Ashan and his team members were shocked by the elder's words.