The next morning arrived quietly.
Dew still clung to the grass when Leo stepped into the courtyard, the air cool and calm. He took a slow breath and centered himself.
Today, his focus was clear.
The body.
Aurelius Ren stood nearby, leaning on his cane, eyes sharp despite his injuries. In his hand was a simple bamboo scroll.
"Body techniques are boring," the old swordmaster said plainly. "That's why most people fail at them."
He handed the scroll to Leo.
"This is the foundation method of our family," Aurelius continued. "No tricks. No shortcuts. Endure it."
Leo nodded and opened the scroll.
Iron Body Training
The technique was straightforward.
Stances held for hours.
Controlled breathing.
Circulation of energy through muscles, bones, and skin.
Pain was inevitable.
Leo began.
Sweat soaked his clothes as spiritual energy flowed through his limbs, grinding against his flesh like sandpaper. His muscles trembled. His bones hummed faintly.
Time passed.
Leo did not stop.
He adjusted his breathing, aligning it with the rhythm he had learned from Siyara's lullaby technique. The pain dulled—not gone, but controlled.
The energy sank deeper.
Then—
Something clicked.
A faint metallic sensation spread through his skin.
Not hardness.
Density.
Aurelius straightened slightly.
"…Iron Body," he muttered.
Leo opened his eyes.
His breathing was steady.
His body felt heavy—solid.
He clenched his fist and lightly punched the tree beside the courtyard.
BOOM.
The trunk exploded inward.
Wood splintered violently as a deep hole formed in the tree, bark and fragments scattering across the ground.
Leo stepped back, stunned.
He looked at his hand.
Not a scratch.
Aurelius stared at the ruined tree, then at Leo.
"You're only in the Second Phase of Body Refinement," the old man said slowly.
Then he exhaled.
"But your physical power…"
"…is comparable to the Fifth Phase."
Leo swallowed.
So this is what a proper foundation feels like…
Aurelius nodded grimly. "Do not get arrogant. Your body can handle this strength—but your mind must keep up."
Leo bowed deeply. "Thank you, Grandpa."
Returning to the Mother
Later that day, Leo sensed it.
No one nearby.
No aura watching.
No footsteps.
He turned and quietly walked toward the back of the house, where Siyara often sat in silence.
She was already there.
Waiting.
She looked at him and smiled faintly.
"So," she said, "you broke through."
Leo nodded.
"…Mother," he said carefully, "I want to learn your method."
She studied him for a long moment.
Then she sighed softly.
"I knew this day would come."
She gestured for him to sit.
"This technique," Siyara said, "is not cultivation as this world understands it."
She closed her eyes briefly.
"It is a mind path," she continued. "One that I discovered alone."
Leo listened without blinking.
"It is divided into five stages," she said. "Perhaps six. Maybe even seven."
She opened her eyes.
"But I only reached the fifth."
Leo's breath caught.
"In this world," she said quietly, "I am the only one who has ever practiced it."
She looked directly at him.
"And now… you will be the second."
The Five Stages of the Infinite Mind
Siyara raised one finger.
"First Stage: Clearing the Mind."
"At this stage," she explained, "your thoughts become clear like still water. Distractions lose weight. Your thinking speed becomes at least twice that of ordinary cultivators—often more."
Leo nodded slowly.
This explained his recent calm.
She raised a second finger.
"Second Stage: Mind Waves and Frequency."
"Your mind learns to vibrate," she said. "To resonate."
She tapped lightly on the air.
"At this stage, sound waves can be manipulated. More importantly—minds can be influenced."
Leo's pupils shrank.
Manipulating minds?
Siyara continued calmly.
"Third Stage: Body, Mind, and Sound as One."
"At this point, the body responds to thought instantly. Sound, mind, and flesh move together. Reaction becomes instinct."
Leo felt a chill.
This was terrifying.
She raised a fourth finger.
"Fourth Stage: Wave Sword of the Mind."
Siyara's gaze sharpened.
"At this level, the mind itself becomes a blade. No movement. No action."
She sliced the air lightly with two fingers.
"Yet it can cut."
Leo swallowed hard.
Then—
She raised her final finger.
"Fifth Stage: Infinite Mind."
Her voice lowered.
"At this stage, the mind has no fixed form. Any shape can be constructed. Infinite sound waves can be generated."
She paused.
"And even without reaching the Third Cultivation Realm…"
Her eyes met Leo's.
"One can walk through the void."
Silence followed.
Leo felt his chest tighten.
This was beyond cultivation.
Beyond logic.
Siyara leaned back slightly.
"You will not reach this stage soon," she said gently. "Perhaps not for many years."
She placed her finger on his forehead.
"But you will begin."
Entering Meditation
A gentle pulse spread through Leo's mind.
Not knowledge.
Alignment.
He closed his eyes.
Immediately—
He entered a deep meditative state.
His thoughts slowed.
Then clarified.
Then aligned.
Frequencies hummed faintly within his awareness, not sound—but vibration.
Siyara watched quietly.
Her expression was calm.
But deep inside—
For the first time in many years—
She felt anticipation.
Leo did not know it yet.
But his body had begun to exceed his realm.
And his mind—
Was stepping onto a path that even gods feared.