On this day, Old Blue arrived together with another of Julian's personal guards.
In addition to checking on the progress at Mining Station 12 and overseeing the shipment of newly extracted Skybolt Crystals, he also delivered Cedric's cultivation supplies for the new month.
"Young Master was extremely pleased to hear that you advanced to the Awakening Realm. Other than the monthly resources allocated to you, he has also rewarded you with 100 True Crystals."
As he spoke, Old Blue passed Cedric a storage ring.
"True Crystals? Thank you, Old Blue!"
Gratitude appeared on Cedric's face, though inwardly he was already wondering what kind of reward the System might return if he gifted the True Crystals.
A True Crystal contains a large amount of Cosmic Energy, which can be absorbed by a warrior to strengthen or increase their cultivation. Most importantly, True Crystals are resources that can only be used by warriors at or above the Awakening Realm.
"I'll be heading back. Make sure you keep a tight watch over Mining Station 12. The Skybolt Crystal output is of utmost importance to Young Master Julian."
After repeating the warning with a serious expression, Old Blue departed swiftly, taking the month's harvest from Mining Station 12 with him.
Once Old Blue departed, Cedric immediately summoned Lior to his room.
"Leader," Lior greeted him respectfully.
Cedric noticed at a glance that Lior's cultivation had advanced from Five Stars to Six Stars. It was clearly the result of the Awakening Liquid Cedric had given him the previous month.
Initially, Cedric had planned to use the newly obtained True Crystal as his next offering for the system's return. However, after reconsidering for a moment, he decided against it.
When the system was bound with him, it clearly stated that the more Cedric bestowed gifts upon those bound to him through the system, the greater the system's feedback would be. Ordinary gifts could yield returns ranging from one to a hundred times their value. Yet, if he managed to give someone exactly what they needed most, or something deeply significant to them, the return rate would soar dramatically, reaching anywhere from a hundred to a thousand times.
True Crystals are a resource that can only be used by Awakening Realm warriors or above. If Cedric chose to gift these crystals to Lior, the return would be ordinary. But if he gifted Lior what he needed most right now, the return would become far more extraordinary.
After thinking it over, Cedric refrained from taking out the True Crystals he had just obtained. Instead, he asked calmly: "How has your cultivation been progressing lately? Have you run into any problems?"
Lior thought for a few seconds before answering, "I have been cultivating my cultivation method alone for many years. I have several doubts, but no one to clear them. Since you have asked, leader, I wish to clear my doubts."
"Good. Speak freely. I happen to have time today, and I'll clarify them for you." Cedric nodded lightly.
Lior hesitated for a moment before asking: "When I circulate my cultivation method to absorb Cosmic Energy, by the time it reaches the third cycle, the flow becomes sluggish near my chest. If I force it, the energy scatters, and I feel a faint pressure. Am I doing something wrong?"
Cedric listened quietly, then smiled faintly.
"You're not wrong. It's just that you are rushing."
He pointed to his own chest.
"That point is a natural bottleneck. The cultivation method requires the energy to compress slightly there before it passes through. Instead of pushing harder, slow the circulation by half, and guide the energy in smaller streams. Let it rotate three times before advancing. When the pressure lightens on its own, only then allow it to continue."
Lior's eyes widened.
"So that resistance wasn't a mistake?"
"It's training," Cedric replied. "Endure it properly, and your foundation will become sturdier. Force it, and you'll damage your meridians."
Understanding dawned across Lior's face immediately.
Cedric already knew what cultivation technique Lior was cultivating. Truth be told, that cultivation technique is truly ordinary. So, he didn't find it hard to answer Lior and clear his doubts.
After clearing up the circulation issue, Lior asked again.
"There is something else. When I practice combat forms, my energy always lags behind my movements. By the time the strike lands, the power hasn't fully gathered. How do I synchronize them?"
Cedric thought for a few seconds before answering.
"That happens because you're moving first and thinking later. Reverse the rhythm. Form the intent, guide the energy half a breath ahead, and then move. Imagine the energy as a wave and your body is the surfboard riding it, not the other way around."
He demonstrated slowly, lifting his arm only after he had already gathered a thread of cosmic energy.
"When mind, energy, and movement align, your strike will naturally become sharper. Don't rush. Practice slowly until they move as one."
Realization dawned in Lior's eyes.
As time flowed, Lior brought up the various cultivation issues that had troubled him for a long time, asking them one after another.
Cedric answered each question patiently, explaining in as much detail as he could while mixing in his own understanding and experience.
During these exchanges, Cedric gradually realized that this seemingly ordinary tribesman actually possessed an unusually firm foundation.
Though his cultivation realm wasn't high, his comprehension of movement techniques and combat concepts was remarkably deep. From time to time, some of Lior's thoughts even gave Cedric unexpected inspiration.
In this way, they continued their conversations. Without either of them noticing, night slipped by and sunlight welcomed them again.
When Cedric sensed that Lior had no more truly meaningful questions to ask, he decided it was time to bring the teaching session to a close.
"Let's end it here for now. Go back and keep cultivating."
Although Lior still felt reluctant, he didn't waste Cedric's time any further. He bowed respectfully and prepared to leave.
"Oh, right. Take this."
Before Lior stepped out, Cedric threw the half-filled vial of Awakening Liquid that he had kept all this time with him.
"Many thanks. If given an opportunity, I will definitely repay your kindness in the future!"
After expressing his gratitude, Lior carefully took the vial and departed.
At the same time, a series of familiar notifications rang in his mind.
[Successfully imparted cultivation experience to the bound person!]
[Base return multiplier: 10x.]
[Processing return…]
[Detecting that the imparted content greatly touched the recipient and cleared many confusions and misunderstandings. A 60x critical reward has been triggered. The final return multiplier is 600x!]
[Please choose between three options...]