The morning after his duel with Zhou Ming, Axel woke to find his reputation had spread even further than anticipated. As he made his way to the dining hall with Liu Feng, other disciples watched with undisguised interest, and several moved to block their path—not threateningly, but clearly intending to engage.
"Junior Brother Axel," a tall disciple with Foundation Establishment Mid cultivation performed a respectful bow. "I'm Han Wei. I witnessed your match with Senior Brother Zhou yesterday. Your Qi Strike technique was impressive—would you be willing to exchange pointers sometime?"
Before Axel could respond, another disciple interjected. "Junior Brother Axel, I'm organizing a study group for formation theory. Given your connection to Elder Shen, your insights would be invaluable—"
"He's clearly too busy for study groups," a third disciple interrupted. "Junior Brother Axel, I'm leading a mission to the Whispering Valley next week. We need someone with solid combat skills—"
Liu Feng intervened smoothly. "Junior Brother Axel just joined the sect yesterday. Perhaps give him time to settle in before recruiting him for everything?"
The disciples backed off reluctantly, though Axel could feel their spiritual senses tracking him as he and Liu Feng continued toward the dining hall. The attention was flattering and unnerving in equal measure.
"That's going to be your life for the next few weeks," Liu Feng observed. "Everyone wants to associate with the new talent, either to benefit from your capabilities or to keep you from joining rival groups. Get used to being recruited constantly."
The dining hall was crowded with morning cultivators breaking their fasts before training. Axel and Liu Feng found seats at a relatively quiet table, though they still drew glances from nearby disciples.
The food was better than Axel had expected—not luxurious, but nutritious and infused with minor spiritual energy that aided cultivation. Apparently even basic sect meals provided benefits beyond mere sustenance.
As they ate, a shadow fell across their table. Axel looked up to find a young woman standing there, her presence radiating the distinctive pressure of Foundation Establishment Peak. She was perhaps twenty years old, with sharp features and eyes that suggested considerable intelligence.
"May I sit?" she asked, her tone polite but carrying an undertone of command.
Liu Feng tensed slightly but nodded. The woman sat gracefully, setting down her own meal tray before fixing Axel with an appraising look.
"I'm Mei Lin," she introduced herself. "We've actually met before—I led the western team during the cave operation against the demonic cultivator."
Axel recognized her now—the Core Formation Mid inner disciple who'd commanded his team, who'd witnessed his final charge to destroy the last formation node. "Senior Sister Mei. I remember. Thank you for covering me during that operation."
"You're welcome. Though 'covering you' is generous—by the time I reacted, you'd already destroyed the node and were collapsing from Qi depletion." She smiled slightly. "I wanted to speak with you about what I observed that day and during your breakthrough."
Liu Feng started to excuse himself, but Mei Lin waved him back. "You can stay, Liu Feng. This isn't faction business, just honest assessment."
She turned her full attention back to Axel. "During the cave operation, you demonstrated Stage 5 power output from Stage 3 cultivation. I assumed it was some kind of explosive technique with severe costs—dangerous but useful in emergencies. But yesterday, you defeated Zhou Ming using what appeared to be more sustained power enhancement. That suggests your technique isn't just a one-time burst but something you can maintain."
Axel said nothing, waiting to see where she was going with this analysis.
"Then there's your breakthrough," Mei Lin continued. "Lightning tribulation for Foundation Establishment is extremely rare—I've only seen it twice in my eight years at the sect, and both times it indicated either a special physique or exceptional foundation quality. Elder Shen's personal intervention suggests he recognized something significant."
She leaned forward slightly. "I'm not trying to pry into your secrets. Every cultivator has techniques they keep hidden. But I am curious about your goals. Are you planning to compete seriously for inner disciple promotion? Aim for the Heavenly Ascension Trial selection? Or are you content to remain a competent outer disciple?"
"I plan to cultivate as far as my potential allows," Axel replied carefully. "I don't have specific timeline goals beyond continuing to improve."
"Diplomatic answer." Mei Lin nodded approvingly. "Smart, given that everyone's trying to recruit you right now. But let me give you some unasked advice from someone who's navigated these political waters successfully."
She gestured around the dining hall. "Most of these disciples will never make it past Foundation Establishment Peak. They'll cultivate for years, maybe decades, and eventually hit a wall they can't overcome. A few will break through to Core Formation and become inner disciples, gaining access to better resources and techniques. Of those, maybe one in ten will eventually reach Golden Core and become core disciples with real influence."
"The ones who succeed aren't always the most talented," Mei Lin continued. "Talent helps, obviously. But what really matters is being smart about resources, building the right connections, and knowing when to reveal power versus when to conceal it. You've done well so far—defeating Zhou Ming was necessary to establish yourself, but you didn't humiliate him so badly that he'll dedicate his life to destroying you."
"What should I be doing differently?" Axel asked, genuinely curious about her perspective.
"Nothing immediately. You're playing it correctly—demonstrating capability without full revelation, staying nominally independent while being polite to all factions, building connections with disciples at various levels." Mei Lin paused. "But in about two weeks, you'll need to make some choices. The Heavenly Ascension Trial selection is in six months. Only thirty outer disciples will be chosen, and the selection is based on the accumulated results of monthly evaluations between now and then."
"If you want to be selected—and trust me, you do want that; the trial can advance your cultivation by years—you'll need to place highly in the evaluations. That means demonstrating skills beyond just combat. Formation knowledge, alchemy, inscription, strategic thinking, leadership capability. The sect wants well-rounded disciples, not just talented fighters."
It was valuable information, delivered without apparent strings attached. Axel found himself appreciating Mei Lin's straightforward approach.
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked directly.
"Because you remind me of myself five years ago—talented, independent, navigating sect politics without a map. Someone gave me similar advice when I was an outer disciple, and it made the difference between success and mediocrity." Mei Lin stood, picking up her tray. "Also, selfishly, having more competent cultivators at the sect benefits everyone. The cultivation world needs people who are strong and intelligent, not just strong."
She paused before leaving. "One more thing. Elder Shen requested to see you tomorrow at dawn. Don't be late, and come prepared to demonstrate your understanding of formation theory. He doesn't like teaching disciples who haven't done at least basic preparation."
With that, she departed, leaving Axel and Liu Feng to process the conversation.
"She's right about everything," Liu Feng said quietly. "Mei Lin is one of the few inner disciples who achieved her position through pure merit rather than family connections or political maneuvering. If she's offering advice, you should take it seriously."
Axel nodded slowly, his mind already working on how to prepare for tomorrow's meeting with Elder Shen. Formation theory wasn't something his basic cultivation manual had covered in detail—he knew the absolute basics but nothing that would impress a Formation Master.
"Where can I learn about formation theory quickly?" he asked Liu Feng.
"Outer disciple library. There are several basic texts on formation principles. Won't make you an expert overnight, but at least you'll understand enough to follow Elder Shen's explanations." Liu Feng finished his meal. "I have technique practice this afternoon, but I can show you where the library is first."
They spent the rest of the morning at the library, a massive three-story building that housed thousands of jade slips and physical texts covering every aspect of cultivation. The outer disciple section was limited compared to what inner disciples could access, but it still contained more knowledge than Axel could absorb in months.
Liu Feng helped him find the basic formation texts, then departed for his own training, leaving Axel surrounded by jade slips glowing with stored information.
Axel selected three texts that seemed most relevant: "Fundamentals of Formation Theory," "Basic Array Construction," and "Qi Flow Patterns in Spatial Formations." He found a quiet corner and began absorbing the information, channeling Qi into each slip to receive the knowledge transfer.
The process was fascinating. Formations were essentially crystallized intent—using materials, geometry, and Qi circulation to create effects that mimicked or enhanced natural laws. A defensive formation wasn't just a barrier; it was a statement to reality itself that this space should be harder to penetrate. An acceleration formation told the universe that time should flow differently within its bounds.
The complexity increased rapidly. Basic formations used simple geometric patterns and common materials. Advanced formations required rare resources, precise angles calculated to astronomical precision, and cultivation levels high enough to provide the necessary Qi to power them.
But the principles underlying all formations were consistent—pattern, power, and purpose. Every formation had a geometric structure that defined its function, required Qi to operate, and served a specific purpose that determined its effectiveness.
Axel found himself drawn into the theory with genuine interest. This was cultivation as engineering, as mathematics made manifest. His Earth-trained analytical mind grasped the concepts more readily than he'd expected, seeing parallels to physics and systems design that made the alien concepts feel almost familiar.
The system interface flickered into view, apparently triggered by his study:
[FORMATION COMPREHENSION DETECTED]
[ANALYZING LEARNING EFFICIENCY...]
[RESULT: ENHANCED COMPREHENSION ACTIVE]
[FORMATION THEORY MASTERY: 8% → 23%]
[HONGMENG BLOODLINE RESONANCE WITH SPATIAL CONCEPTS]
[RECOMMENDATION: FOCUS ON SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL FORMATIONS]
[BLOODLINE AFFINITY DETECTED IN THESE AREAS]
Bloodline affinity for spatial and temporal formations? That was new information. The Hongmeng Bloodline apparently had specific strengths beyond just general cultivation enhancement.
Axel focused his remaining study time on the spatial formation sections, absorbing information about teleportation arrays, storage formation, and dimensional folding techniques. The knowledge seemed to stick more readily than the other material, as if his mind had been pre-structured to understand these specific concepts.
By evening, Axel had absorbed the basics of formation theory and several intermediate concepts. He wasn't an expert—far from it—but he at least understood enough to follow technical discussions and ask intelligent questions.
He returned to his quarters to find Liu Feng already there, practicing sword forms with slow precision.
"Learn anything useful?" his roommate asked, completing a thrust before lowering his blade.
"More than I expected. Formation theory is actually fascinating—it's like mathematics applied to reality manipulation."
"That's essentially what it is. Senior disciples say that at high enough realms, formations become unnecessary because you can just manipulate reality directly. But for those of us still climbing the mountain, formations are invaluable tools." Liu Feng sheathed his sword. "You ready for tomorrow's meeting with Elder Shen?"
"As ready as I can be with one day of study," Axel replied. "I'll just have to hope enthusiasm and basic comprehension is enough."
That night, Axel's cultivation session brought unexpected developments. As he sat in meditation, drawing in ambient Qi and circulating it through his enhanced meridians, he felt something shift in his dantian.
The nine Primordial Pillars were pulsing with a new rhythm, slightly faster than before. The Qi flowing through his system began moving in patterns he hadn't consciously initiated—complex spirals and loops that seemed to be optimizing his energy circulation beyond what he'd achieved manually.
It felt like his cultivation base was... evolving. Adapting. Learning to operate more efficiently without conscious direction.
The system interface appeared, confirming his observation:
[FOUNDATION EVOLUTION DETECTED]
[PRIMORDIAL PILLARS ENTERING ADAPTIVE STATE]
[DANTIAN QI CAPACITY INCREASING: +15%]
[MERIDIAN EFFICIENCY IMPROVING: +12%]
[CORE AWAKENING STAGE INITIATED]
[ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETION: 72 HOURS]
[WARNING: INCREASED QI CONSUMPTION DURING EVOLUTION]
[RECOMMENDATION: MAINTAIN STEADY CULTIVATION]
Core Awakening? That wasn't a stage Axel recognized from his basic cultivation knowledge. Foundation Establishment was supposed to have four sub-stages—Early, Mid, Late, and Peak. There was no mention of a "Core Awakening" phase.
But then again, his foundation was Mythical-grade. Perhaps it operated on different principles than normal cultivation methods.
The Qi consumption was immediately noticeable. His cultivation rate had increased dramatically—he was absorbing ambient energy at perhaps double his previous speed. The Primordial Pillars were hungry, demanding more power to fuel whatever transformation they were undergoing.
Axel maintained his meditation through the night, feeding his foundation the Qi it demanded. By morning, he could feel definite changes. His dantian felt larger, more spacious, capable of holding significantly more energy. The Qi flowing through his meridians moved with less resistance, like water flowing through wider pipes.
Most remarkably, he could sense a new quality to his power. The Qi wasn't just circulating—it was being refined continuously, impurities being filtered out automatically by the Primordial Pillars. The energy that reached his dantian was purer than what he'd absorbed, concentrated and potent.
Dawn arrived too quickly. Axel had barely an hour to wash, eat a quick meal, and prepare himself mentally before needing to depart for Elder Shen's workshop.
The Formation Research Pavilion was located in the middle tier of the sect, significantly higher up the mountain than the outer disciple areas. The ambient Qi here was noticeably denser, and the formations protecting the buildings were visibly more complex.
Elder Shen's workshop was a modest building compared to some of the grand structures nearby, but it radiated spiritual pressure that suggested its interior was far more expansive than its external dimensions. Spatial expansion formations, Axel recognized—making the inside larger than the outside through dimensional folding.
He knocked on the door precisely at dawn, as instructed.
"Enter," Elder Shen's voice called from within.
Axel pushed the door open and stepped inside, immediately struck by the sight. The workshop was massive—easily a hundred times larger than the building's exterior suggested. Formations covered every surface—walls, floor, ceiling—glowing with various colors as they performed different functions. Dozens of projects were in various states of completion, from simple arrays drawn on paper to complex three-dimensional structures floating in mid-air.
Elder Shen stood at a central workbench, his attention focused on a formation array that shifted and rotated as he made minute adjustments with tools that glowed with concentrated Qi.
"Punctual. Good." The elder continued working for another minute before setting down his tools and turning to face Axel. His spiritual senses swept over Axel with casual thoroughness, and his eyebrows rose slightly. "Your foundation has begun awakening. Interesting. That usually doesn't happen until Peak, and even then only for exceptional foundations."
"Awakening, Elder?" Axel asked, hoping for clarification.
"The Primordial Pillars—yes, I can see the structure clearly now that we're in a controlled environment—are entering an evolutionary phase. They're optimizing themselves, adapting to your personal Qi signature and cultivation style." Elder Shen gestured to a chair. "Sit. We have much to discuss."
Axel sat, feeling the chair's formations activate automatically to support proper meditation posture.
"I brought you here for two reasons," Elder Shen began, settling into his own chair. "First, to properly assess your capabilities. Second, to determine if you have any talent for formation work. I don't take students often, but your breakthrough was so unusual that I'm curious about your potential."
He waved his hand, and several jade slips floated over from a nearby shelf. "These contain intermediate formation knowledge—significantly more advanced than what the outer disciple library offers. I want you to study them for the next hour while I continue my own work. Afterward, we'll discuss what you've learned."
The jade slips settled on the small table beside Axel's chair. He picked up the first one and channeled Qi into it, immediately feeling the rush of complex information flowing into his mind.
The knowledge was indeed far more advanced than what he'd studied yesterday. Where the basic texts had covered simple patterns and common materials, these intermediate slips delved into energy resonance theory, multi-layered array construction, and the mathematics of dimensional folding.
It should have been overwhelming. A normal outer disciple would probably need weeks to absorb this information properly.
But Axel's Technique Comprehension, enhanced by his Mythical-grade foundation and apparently boosted further by his bloodline affinity for spatial concepts, made the learning process almost effortless. The patterns made sense. The mathematics were complex but followable. The principles underlying advanced formations felt intuitive rather than alien.
The system interface appeared briefly:
[FORMATION THEORY MASTERY: 23% → 47%]
[SPATIAL FORMATION AFFINITY: HIGH]
[TEMPORAL FORMATION AFFINITY: MODERATE]
[DEFENSIVE FORMATION AFFINITY: LOW]
[OFFENSIVE FORMATION AFFINITY: MODERATE]
[RECOMMENDATION: SPECIALIZE IN SPATIAL TECHNIQUES]
An hour passed quickly. Axel absorbed the contents of all five jade slips, his mind processing and organizing the information with surprising efficiency. By the time Elder Shen set aside his own work and turned attention back to his guest, Axel felt he had a reasonable grasp of intermediate formation theory.
"So," Elder Shen said, his spiritual senses sweeping over Axel again. "What did you learn?"
"Formations are essentially externalized cultivation techniques," Axel replied, organizing his thoughts. "Where a cultivator uses their meridians and dantian to circulate and manipulate Qi internally, formations use physical materials and geometric patterns to achieve similar effects externally. The core principles are the same—pattern defines function, power sustains operation, purpose determines effectiveness."
"Go on," Elder Shen encouraged.
"The complexity increases with the number of layers involved. A single-layer formation executes one function. Multi-layer formations stack effects, but they require precise synchronization to avoid interference. The mathematics governing how layers interact determines whether they enhance, cancel, or destabilize each other."
Axel pulled up examples from the knowledge he'd absorbed. "Spatial formations are particularly interesting because they manipulate dimensional properties directly. Instead of working within conventional three-dimensional space, they create localized distortions that effectively add or subtract dimensions. Your workshop, for example, uses dimensional folding to make the interior far larger than the exterior—probably a seven-layer spatial expansion formation with temporal stabilization to prevent paradox collapses."
Elder Shen's expression shifted from polite interest to genuine surprise. "You analyzed the workshop's formation structure just from being inside it for an hour?"
"The Qi flow patterns are distinctive," Axel explained. "Spatial formations have a specific resonance frequency that creates subtle pressure differentials. Once you recognize the signature, you can trace it back to the formation's structure."
"Most disciples study formations for years before developing that kind of spatial awareness." Elder Shen leaned back in his chair, reassessing his guest. "You have natural talent for this work. Significant talent. The kind I haven't seen in decades."
He stood and gestured for Axel to follow. They approached one of the incomplete formations floating in the workshop's center—a complex three-dimensional array of interlocking geometric shapes.
"This is a spatial compression formation I've been developing," Elder Shen explained. "The goal is to create a training chamber where time flows faster inside than outside—ten to one ratio, ideally. One day inside equals one day outside, but subjectively the occupant experiences ten days of training time."
Axel studied the formation carefully, his enhanced perception tracing the flow of Qi through its structure. He could see where the formation was incomplete—several connection points that needed to be established to complete the array.
But he could also see problems. Structural weaknesses where the temporal acceleration would create stress fractures. Resonance points where the folded dimensions would interfere with each other. Energy distribution issues that would cause the formation to drain power faster than it could be sustained.
"The temporal acceleration layer is fighting with the spatial stability framework," Axel observed. "The faster time flows inside, the more stress it puts on the dimensional boundaries. Eventually the formation would either collapse or create a temporal paradox that could damage anyone inside."
Elder Shen's eyes gleamed with interest. "You see the fundamental problem. How would you solve it?"
Axel studied the formation more carefully, his mind working through possibilities. The Hongmeng Bloodline affinity for spatial concepts seemed to provide intuitive understanding beyond what the jade slips had taught him.
"Add a buffer layer," he suggested. "Between the temporal acceleration and spatial stability frameworks, insert a dimensional dampening array that absorbs the stress. It would reduce your maximum time ratio—maybe eight to one instead of ten to one—but it would make the formation stable and sustainable."
Elder Shen was silent for a long moment, his spiritual senses examining the formation with new perspective. "That... could work. The mathematics would be complex, but theoretically sound. You just solved a problem I've been working on for three months, based on one hour of study and five minutes of observation."
He turned to face Axel directly. "I'm going to be blunt. You have exceptional talent for formation work, possibly greater than anyone else in the sect below Golden Core. That kind of talent shouldn't be wasted on standard outer disciple training."
"I'm offering to take you as a personal student," Elder Shen continued. "You would maintain your outer disciple status and responsibilities, but you'd also have access to my workshop, my personal library, and my instruction on formation theory. In exchange, I'd expect you to assist with my research and to apply yourself seriously to mastering this discipline."
It was an incredible opportunity. Personal instruction from an elder was something most disciples only dreamed of achieving. Access to advanced knowledge and resources that could accelerate his development by years.
But it would also tie him closely to Elder Shen, associating him with a politically neutral elder in a sect where faction politics apparently mattered significantly. And it would take time away from other cultivation activities.
"May I think about it for a day?" Axel asked carefully.
"You may think about it for a week," Elder Shen replied. "This isn't a decision to make lightly. Consider the implications, the benefits, and the costs. Then return here and give me your answer."
He handed Axel three more jade slips. "Regardless of your decision, these are yours. They contain formation knowledge I believe you can benefit from. Study them. Practice the basic exercises. See if formation work genuinely interests you or if you just happen to have natural talent."
Axel accepted the slips gratefully. "Thank you, Elder Shen. For the opportunity and for your patience with my deliberation."
"Patience is easy when the potential reward is high," the elder replied. "Now go. Your foundation is still awakening, and you should be cultivating rather than standing in my workshop. We'll speak again when you've made your decision."
Axel left the Formation Research Pavilion with his mind spinning. The meeting had revealed new aspects of his capabilities—the spatial formation affinity apparently provided by his bloodline, the unusual speed of his formation comprehension, and the fact that his Primordial Pillars were undergoing some kind of evolutionary process.
Elder Shen's offer was tempting. But accepting would commit him to a path that might limit other opportunities. He needed advice from people he trusted.
As he made his way back toward the outer disciple areas, Axel felt the pulse of his awakening foundation growing stronger. The Core Awakening process was accelerating, demanding more Qi, transforming his cultivation base in ways he didn't fully understand.
Whatever was happening, it felt significant. Like crossing another threshold, entering another stage of power that would fundamentally change his capabilities.
The Primordial Pillars hummed with contained energy, reshaping themselves, optimizing their structure, preparing for something greater.
Axel returned to his quarters to find Liu Feng waiting with an urgent expression.
"We need to talk," his roommate said immediately. "Zhou Ming has formally challenged you to a ranked duel in three days. If you win, you take his seventh-place ranking. If you lose..."
"I lose what?" Axel asked, though he suspected he already knew the answer.
"Ranked duels require stakes. Zhou Ming is wagering his ranking position. You'll need to wager something of equivalent value—spirit stones, resources, or your right to participate in the monthly evaluation."
The politics of sect life had just become significantly more complicated.
Get access to 10+ chapters on my patreon at https://patreon.com/SonOfMan