A year and a half has passed since the magnificent Fire Moon Festival, a decennial celebration commemorating the founding of Flame's Crest 222 years ago as one of the major cities under the Burning Sky Sect. As one of the city managers, Noctis had gone through the busiest period of his career.
"I can still remember how crowded the city was during the festival," Noctis muttered one afternoon, looking out at the city from the balcony of their home.
The festival had attracted dozens of small and medium-sized sects from all corners of the Verdant Lotus World. Cultivators flocked to Flame's Crest to participate in spiritual auctions, free markets, and various competitions between cultivators. The success of the event brought honor not only to the Burning Sky Sect but also to the city managers who organized it.
For their outstanding performance, the Elders and the City Lord, a rarely seen Core Forging cultivator, gave a special reward that each city manager could choose two resources to unlock a new Affinity Pillar.
"You chose the resources for Speed and Perception, right?" Lumina asked one night, as the two of them sat in the garden enjoying the quiet evening.
Noctis nodded. "With my increasing responsibilities, I need to increase my strength to protect myself and my small family... you know, I need Speed to handle many things at once, both in battle and as a means of escape if something bad happens, and Perception to read situations well so I don't get caught in bad situations."
Well... I agree with that, but what touched Lumina was the fact that during the festival, Noctis had secretly collected enough spirit crystals to buy his wife three rare resources: for Soul Pillar, Intelligence, and Perception.
"I know you are very talented in formation techniques and how important that is to you," said Noctis, gazing tenderly at his wife. "With the Soul and Intelligence Pillars, your abilities in Formation will increase dramatically and you can apply to become one of the city's formation teams."
Hmm... "I'll try to register when little Lux is at least 8 years old. In the early years, I want to be completely by his side, taking care of him and teaching him," said Lumina as she hugged her husband's hand.
Noctis nodded his head and said, "I agree with you. Perhaps with my increased strength, I will become busier. Well, at least you will be by the little one's side, which will put my mind at ease."
"At least always be prepared for the worst when you go out so that you can return home safely when you go out on missions," Lumina grumbled.
Yes... yes... I'll make a note of it now. Let's go inside. I want to rest early and start my cultivation early.
Now, a year and a half after the festival, the results were beginning to show. Noctis officially achieved Foundation Establishment with 5 Affinity Pillars: Fire, Sword, Wind, Speed, and Perception. This combination made him even more feared and respected, but with his increased power, his work as a manager also increased, such as leading resource teams to the main sect or going on missions to search for resources, which had been quite dangerous for the past 1.5 years.
Lumina was no less impressive. With the 4 Pillars of Affinity: Fire, Soul, Intelligence, and Perception, she began to improve her skills in the art of Formation. Their home was now protected by complex formations created by Lumina herself, at least formations that could withstand foundation level cultivators and detect them, something that was previously impossible for her to do.
"It's like you've rediscovered yourself," Noctis said one day, looking proudly as Lumina completed an advanced tier mortal grade protection formation in just a week.
"With the Soul Pillar, I can feel the flow of energy more clearly. With Intelligence, I can process complex formation information. And with Perception, I can see the flaws in the formations I create," Lumina explained excitedly.
Their improvement did not go unnoticed. Many cultivators in the city began to regard the Noctis family with greater respect. A family with two Foundation Establishment cultivators who possessed multiple Pillars was a valuable asset to the sect.
Amidst all of his parents' achievements, three-year-old Lux Noctis also showed remarkable progress, albeit in a different sense.
"Dad! Mom!" Those were the first words Lux deliberately uttered, pointing at his parents with a look of understanding.
What amazed Noctis and Lumina was not his words, but the way Lux communicated. At the age of three, Lux was already able to form simple sentences and understand complex concepts.
"Papa is sharpening his perception, right?" Lux asked one day, observing Noctis who was meditating. "The energy around Papa is moving faster today."
Noctis and Lumina looked at each other, both surprised. Lux's observational skills surpassed those of children his age, even surpassing some early stage cultivators.
His physical development was equally impressive. Lux could already run steadily, climb low trees in the garden, and even begin to imitate his father's basic swordplay movements.
"Look, Dad!" Lux exclaimed one morning, trying to imitate the basic sword movements he had seen Noctis perform. His tiny hands held a wooden stick, moving with surprising precision.
But what interested Lux the most was his parents' cultivation. He would often sit quietly for hours, just observing how the flow of Qi moved through their bodies.
"Mama, why does Mama's fire energy spin to the left when it goes in, but to the right when it comes out?" Lux asked one afternoon.
Lumina was surprised. Even she herself had taken years to be able to sense such details. "How did you know, dear?"
Lux could only smile. In his heart, he thought, Because I can "see" the distortion coefficient in your energy flow, Mom. Lux replied, "I can see the flow going in and out, swirling around you, Mom."
Lumina replied, "That's because everyone's meridian pathways are different, dear. A person's cultivation manual also influences that direction. Do you understand, little one?"
Lux nodded and thought to himself, "So we need to be careful in choosing a cultivation manual, and we also need to measure innate affinity. Unfortunately, according to what I heard from the city's mayor, they will conduct tests every year, but only children aged 8 are allowed to be tested. If they have a certain affinity, their parents can prepare their path before they start their cultivation path at the age of 10."
As he grew older, Lux became more aware of the uniqueness of his perception. He not only saw energy like other cultivators, but he could also "measure" how that energy could be distorted, altered, or manipulated.
"Worm, your attempts at experimentation are as clumsy as a blind infant trying to paint a masterpiece," Moebius' arrogant voice echoed in Lux's mind one night.
I have to start somewhere, Lux replied in his mind. And you never told me how.
Very well, Moebius sounded annoyed. "Since your primitive brain seems incapable of grasping the basics, I shall... simplify."
Suddenly, Lux's perception changed. He no longer saw the world as a collection of solid objects, but as a network of measurable parameters. Each object had a "coefficient of reality" value that determined how stable it was in reality.
Look at that glass of water, Moebius commanded. Its coefficient of reality is 0.998. Try "measuring" it.
Lux focused his attention on the glass on the table. In his mind, he saw the numbers fluctuating: 0.997... 0.998... 0.996... Like a measurement that was never stable.
Now, try changing it, Moebius instructed. Imagine the coefficient becoming 0.95.
Lux concentrated. His head immediately felt dizzy, and he felt the energy in his body being drained. But when he opened his eyes, the water in the glass... had changed. From clear to slightly cloudy, before returning to normal in an instant.
"Primitive, but adequate for a first attempt," Moebius commented. "Now you understand the cost."
Lux understood. Every distortion required energy, and his child's body had limited reserves. But this was a breakthrough. For the first time, he had deliberately distorted reality.
In the weeks that followed, Lux began experimenting with small distortions. He tried changing the temperature of his drinking water by just a few degrees, enough to make it feel cooler. He tried slowing the fall of leaves from a tree by just a fraction of a second, almost imperceptibly.
Each experiment exhausted him, but also gave him deeper understanding. He began to recognize patterns of distortion in inanimate objects more easily than in living creatures; distortion in physical properties more easily than in chemical properties.
"You're learning," Moebius said one day, and Lux could almost sense the hidden tone of praise. "But remember, every distortion leaves a trace. The more you change, the more the universe notices. There will always be a price, little worm."
The arrival of Elder Feng was always an important event at Flame's Crest. As an Elder and supervisor of the Burning Sky Sect and a Core Forging realm cultivator, his presence made everyone try to show their best.
"Elder Feng, welcome to our home," Noctis greeted respectfully when the Elder arrived for his routine inspection.
Lumina bowed deeply, holding Lux's hand. "We are honored by your visit, Elder."
Elder Feng, a gray-haired man with eyes that seemed to pierce the soul, nodded briefly. "Noctis. Lumina. Your achievements over the past few years have been quite impressive."
They sat in the living room, and the conversation flowed about the development of the city and the sect.
"As a Core Disciple back then, you always showed potential, Lumina," said Elder Feng, his eyes narrowing. "But with your four Pillars now, you could become a great Formation Master."
Lumina looked down shyly. "I'm just doing my best, Elder."
She's strong, thought Lux, observing Elder Feng from his mother's lap. Her energy... is incredibly dense. Like a compressed star.
Obviously, Moebius replied in his mind. *She's in the Core Forging Realm. Her soul and body have begun to merge with her energy core. Her reality coefficient is almost perfect at 0.99998. It's almost impossible for you to distort her at your current level... well, even though in my eyes she's still a tiny ant, ha...ha...ha...*
Noctis then explained the latest developments in the city, occasionally mentioning the sect's hierarchy.
"As a Core Member now, your responsibilities have indeed increased," Elder Feng said to Noctis. "But remember, above the Core there are still Elders watching over you, Grand Elders as pillars of defense, and Protectors of the sect who are ready to protect the sect's territory, so be confident."
Lux listened carefully, trying to understand the power structure within the sect:
Disciple Levels: Outer → Inner → Core → Direct (maximum 4) → Young Sect Master (only 1) → Sect Master
Member Levels: Outer → Inner → Core → Elder → Grand Elder → Protector
"The hierarchy corresponds to cultivation levels," Elder Feng continued. "Bone Forging to Foundation Establishment for disciples and ordinary members. Core Forging for Core Members and young Elders. Nascent Soul for senior Elders, Grand Elders, and Protectors."
This conversation then turned to talk about Lux's future.
"And this is your successor candidate?" asked Elder Feng, his eyes now fixed on Lux. "Let's me see his talent."
Before Lux could react, Elder Feng had already reached out his hand. A subtle but very powerful energy enveloped Lux, trying to sense his talent and potential.
He's scanning you! Mobius shouted in Lux's mind. Don't let him see me!
Instinctively, Lux did something he had never tried before he attempted to distort his own Qi signature. In a panic, he imagined the coefficient of reality of his energy identity changing, fluctuating, becoming something unrecognizable.
Elder Feng suddenly withdrew his hand, his eyes wide. "This... is impossible!"
Noctis and Lumina immediately tensed up. "What's wrong, Elder Feng?" Noctis asked worriedly.
"His Qi signature... is changing," Elder Feng muttered, still shocked. "One moment it feels like pure fire, the next like wind, then like something... I can't recognize."
Lumina hugged Lux tighter. "Is something wrong with our child, Elder?"
Elder Feng shook his head, then suddenly laughed. "Wrong? Quite the opposite! This is a rare talent! A chameleon Qi can naturally hide or change the nature of its energy!"
He looked at Lux with great interest. "With a talent like this, he could be a great spy or diplomat. Or maybe... something more."
Noctis and Lumina looked relieved, even proud, and also worry. But in Lux's mind, he heard Mobius anger.
FOOL! Moebius snapped. You almost let him sense me! If he knew there was an entity like me in your soul...
Calm down, I doubt he could even sense you, and I also had no choice! Lux replied frantically.
Let me tell you... "Even though the worms in this lower world don't know about me, it's still dangerous to leave even the slightest trace of information about me. The existence of a primordial artifact like me would make every cultivator in the entire world hunt you down! Even to know of my existence requires a high level of cultivation. Knowing even a little about me will cause lower beings to be destroyed by karmic retribution."
Lux felt terrified. For the first time, he realized how dangerous his secret was, then Lux asked Mobius, "So why am I okay?"
Mobius replied, "You're lucky, little worm. The universe itself has marked you as my glorious self, so you can remain safe knowing about me. And of course, there are limits to the information I can give you, so hurry up and become strong so you can bear with that burden."
That night, after Elder Feng left and his parents fell asleep, Lux sat on his bed with mixed feelings.
Are you happy? Mobius snapped. You almost fucked up.
"I'm sorry," Lux said sincerely. "But I didn't know what to do."
"Then it's time you understand the RULES," Mobius said seriously. "First: Reality Backlash. Every time you distort reality, the universe 'pushes back'. Small distortion, small push. Big distortion
can fuck you up," Mobius finished his sentence.
Second, Mobius continued, every distortion leaves a trace. High realm cultivators who transcend the mortal realm can sense it if they search hard enough. "Well... even though there are no such beings in this lesser world, it's better to leave less information behind," thought Mobius.
Third, and most importantly: you're still a baby. Your soul and body haven't developed yet. Too much distortion can... damage your foundation.
Lux felt a chill envelop his body. What do you mean?
You could lose your ability to cultivate altogether, Mobius replied coldly. Or worse, your soul and body could become separated and distorted forever.
Silent for a moment, Mobius then said, Therefore, we need a training regimen. Starting tomorrow, you will train under my supervision.
What kind of training?
First, learn to measure without distorting. Second, learn to distort small things without being noticed. Third... Mobius sounded almost excited, learn to hide my existence.
But Elder Feng is gone.
He's not the only one who will transfer you, worm. Believe me, this is just the beginning.
Lux took a deep breath. The world that once seemed full of wonder now felt dangerous. But behind that fear, there was a burning determination. He would learn. He would become strong. And one day, he would try to find his friends and the truth behind all of this.
With Mobius as his arrogant, dangerous, but highly knowledgeable mentor, the true journey now begins.