The moon hung high and serene, casting its gentle aura on the assembled group by Echo Lake.
At that moment, Seraphina opened her eyes, her expression tinted with confusion.
"Seraphina, did you feel the energy of heaven and earth?" Lyralei asked, tone both expectant and gentle.
Seraphina shook her head.
"Other than the spiritual energy that's always present, I can't sense any other types of energy." Her fingers tightened slightly in her lap.
Lyralei's brows furrowed for a heartbeat. Then her face relaxed into a soft smile.
"That's perfectly normal. You don't need to be discouraged. Opportunities like this are rare and unpredictable—I just wanted you to try."
She continued, reassuring, "The real transformation happens after reaching the body integration realm, when a cultivator's mental strength undergoes a qualitative leap. Only then does the perception of heaven and earth energy become possible. It's not unusual that you can't sense it right now."
