With the threat growing closer, Lola Sabel pushed Miguel to complete Body Cultivation in record time. They worked from dawn to dusk, focusing on the remaining five sub-levels.
"Sub-Level Six: the Elbow Node—governs precision and control," she said, as Miguel practiced striking targets with pinpoint accuracy. "Sub-Level Seven: the Ankle Node—allows for sudden shifts in direction, even mid-movement."
By the end of the first day, he'd awakened both. On the second day, they moved to Sub-Levels Eight and Nine.
"Sub-Level Eight: the Temple Node—connects physical form to sensory awareness," Amihan explained, blindfolding Miguel as he navigated a maze of obstacles. "Sub-Level Nine: the Hip Node—unlocks full control over transformative abilities."
Miguel shifted seamlessly between human, partial, and full Aswang form, even with his eyes covered. "I can feel everything around me—the wind, the trees, the energy of the land."
"Good," Lola Sabel said, holding up the Kristal ng Potensyal. "Now for Sub-Level Ten—the Crown Node of Body Cultivation. This connects all physical nodes into one unified system."
As Miguel focused, the final red node blazed to life above his head. The crystal pulsed brightly, revealing even more nodes waiting to be awakened in the next cultivation level.
"We need to start Energy Cultivation immediately," Lola Sabel said, her gaze toward the north. "Scouts report their main force is three days away."