Han Yang had to recuperate for a few days before he regained his colours. In the meantime, Han Xing did everything to take care of the old man. His filial piety moved the old man deeply but he still wanted to keep face. So on the 4th day, Han Yang was already able to stand up straight and act aloof and nonchalant as if he had completely healed.
Han Xing was not really convinced but he couldn't stop the old man from acting.
Han Yang went outside to get fresh air, and at the same time thought about his and his son's future. Han Xing had his body rebuilt and transformed, and had talent suitable to cultivate. Most importantly his soul was powerful compared to those of the same level.
It would be a waste for him to not cultivate. He wanted his son to have the strength to survive on his own after he was gone one day. Not to mention, other cultivators would view Han Xing as a transformed plant spirit given his transformed nature.
While inherently transformed plant spirits were not considered dangerous nor do cultivators have enmity with them like transformed demonic beasts; but he did not want his son to be bullied, worse, hunted and refined as medicine or be used as some sort of walking renewable spiritual plant material trapped in some sect garden. He had experienced countless rains and waves, so he knew how exactly they would treat Han Xing if they found out his body was that of the Sacred Heart Willow in its infancy.
He turned to look at Han Xing who sat casually on the workbench, working on an unfinished sculpted wooden table ordered by one of the townsfolk.
He walked to his side, watching him doing his work with deep focus. His hands steady with no haste. In his eyes, he only wanted to achieve perfection on the carvings he made on the surface of the wood.
Han Yang had a look of affirmation in his eyes seeing his son working attentively. The mindset he showed was that of a cultivator with a steady heart. Those that could remain steadfast in their pursuit would reach a long way.
"Son, do you want to cultivate?"
Han Xing's ears perked up. He looked up at his father, his eyes filled with surprise, but also curiosity. He had not thought about it before given his sickness and overall helplessness, and also part of him accepting how it was. But now…
He bit his lips for a second, before replying with certainty. He had seen how much his father sacrificed for him, how strong and powerful he was. He couldn't help but wanted to follow his path too. That way, he could repay his father for the favors he gave him.
"I do."
"Good. I have a suitable cultivation method for you. Inherently, your flesh is that of a plant spirit; Sacred Heart Willow embodied life essence. Their wood could nourish the soul, their heart could dispel evil thoughts and protect oneself from heart demons. Their golden leaves are like golden blades, containing extraordinary metal essence and able to cut through steel like paper. You naturally possess their inherent nature. Like all spiritual plants that breathe in Qi from heaven and earth, your body has been transformed to a similar being. Qi had been circulating inside of you from each of your breathing without you realising it."
Han Xing was a little surprised. He only thought the air felt a little better after he was transformed. He did not know he was already cultivating silently.
"But it would take you months to even reach the 1st level of body tempering at this rate. By analogy spiritual plants of varying levels need years if not hundreds of years of cultivation to show its nature. While thousands of years needed for them to form spirit. Another ten of thousands of years for them to undergo transformation. Heaven is fair; spiritual plants are immortal and would never wither or wilt as long as they remained where they were born. But as a cost they had no consciousness. We humans have had our spirit since the day we are born, but we are short lived and weak from birth and thus we cultivators seek immortality. We took from Heaven and Earth what we inherently lacked to break away from our shackles."
Han Xing nodded in understanding, listening attentively, not daring to miss a single word.
Seeing Han Xing had been listening without a single reply, Han Yang felt he talked too much and decided to just give him the manual he had selected from what he had on hand.
"This is the Verdant Path Sutra, a Saint level cultivation technique. Those who practice this technique could potentially reach the Saint realm, and those with exceptional talent and compatibility could cultivate and acquire the Verdant Wood body that had potential similar to that of a Sacred body at its mastery. Those that acquired the physique had twice or thrice the lifespan of cultivators at the same level, could regenerate their limbs and bones from a drop of blood, and are hard to kill. Compared to Immortal level techniques, Verdant Path Sutra required strict talent and compatibility to reach far. And even in the most compatible cultivator's hand, this technique could reach Quasi-Immortal level if one had a Divine level constitution."
Han Xing nodded and finally asked something.
"How strong is the Saint Realm? And which realm is the strongest?"
Han Yang moved his hands behind his back, trying to appear deep and mysterious before replying.
"Every living being starts from being a mortal. Human cultivators would undergo 9 stages of Body Tempering, then they would go through 9 stages of Qi Gathering before breaking through to form a Golden Core. Upon further advancement and breaking through one would form a Nascent Soul, then comes Spirit Transformation, Dao Integration, Saint, and Emperor. Even further is the Immortal realm, and those beings capable of destroying a country with a single thought, destroy the entire lower realm with a single hand. But the later stages are too far from you."
Han Xing felt his heart shaken hearing an Immortal could destroy the entire realm with a single hand. If that said Immortal just casually swipe his hand, his life and his dad's life would have been over without them knowing it won't they. He realised just how small he was compared to the vast world outside of him. As if he was a speck of dust amidst the vast endless sea.
Seeing Han Xing's contemplative look, Han Yang gave him time to digest the wider world before continuing where he left.
"Coming back to your cultivation technique, the Green Saint that created the technique never managed to break through the shackle and passed away in the long river of time. But if it is you, your body is not just compatible, but is made to cultivate the way inscribed by the Verdant Path Sutra. The cultivation technique inside is created based on the cultivation of spiritual plants that are immortal - thus achieving immortality through a similar path. But humans are inherently different from spiritual plants."
Han Xing nodded. His eyes filled with awe, wonder, and interest at the explanations and the lore behind the technique and how much he did not know about the world.
Han Yang realised he had been rambling again. He could not help it when his son was listening so attentively. Recalling the time he had in his sect in the Upper Realm, most initiated disciples would have been impatient and just wanted to get started already.
"Cough. Now, take it and try to comprehend them. In fact, you already achieved the Introduction to the technique without you realising. Feel your body carefully, and you would understand the further explanation of the technique and enlighten your path to guide Qi consciously. Go forth."
Han Xing excitedly took the manual. His first thought was that the book smells kind of pleasant, like a rustic old book.
But before he went ahead, he looked down at the unfinished wooden sculpted table. He was never the type of person to leave an unfinished work halfway and leave it to someone else to finish them. Despite how excited he was to cultivate, he wanted to finish his work first.
"Dad, I will complete this table first. She will take it tomorrow so I don't want to delay."
Han Yang's eyes widened in surprise. He wanted to say to leave it to him and he should focus on cultivating, but Han Xing already got to work. His arms steady, his eyes careful; having no rush whatsoever as he got into focus.
His thoughts were only to complete the unfinished product, meticulously carving designs and clean edges over the wood.
Han Yang nodded inwardly after his initial surprise and did not disturb him. His son had a Clear Heart, and his cultivation would definitely be smooth later. Han Yang began to search for other techniques in his spatial ring that may be suitable for Han Xing, already planning for the path forward for him and preparing lecture points for him.
After 3 hours straight, Han Xing gave the carved table a finishing touch, sanding them carefully, even attentive to the small edges of the carvings, and applying even layer varnish.
Han Xing took a few steps back to look at his own design and creation, and a small arc appeared on his lips.
"Dad, I will go in and read the manual now."
Han Yang nodded. "Good. Come to me if you have any questions. But read the entire introductory chapter first, try to comprehend them yourself, and note down all your confusions and only then come to me."
"Okay, dad." Han Xing nodded and rushed into the house and to his room, eager to start cultivating.
Han Yang smiled seeing the boy go. He continued reading the different manuals and jade slips he had in his spatial rings, filtering through them and categorizing them for different cultivation levels.
Han Xing sat crossed legged on his bed and opened the rusty book to read the introduction.
As the seed seeks the soil, the root craves the nourishment of the earth, and the vine reaches toward the heavens, so too must the body, the soul, and the spirit seek their own path to growth. The immortal soul is not a product of strength or will alone; it is birthed through harmony with the great currents of the world. To walk the Verdant Path is to understand that true immortality does not lie in the subjugation of death, but in the acceptance of life in all its forms, its trials, and its transformations.
Han Xing just turned the page, not quite sure what to understand from it. He read through them fast trying to find the point where the Qi Guiding method would be taught.
"Harmonic Qi Circulation method…" Han Xing stopped at the word on the second page.
To guide Qi into the body, one must first be aware of their existence. The book describes how to see through meditating oneself amongst places with abundant natural Qi of Heaven and Earth.
Han Xing was not sure if this house was an acceptable place but he still went ahead to sit still and closed his eyes. He let out his breath, his breathing slowing down as he came into a meditative state. In his mind, there was only clarity and a clear heart.
As he breathed in, he felt the 'fresh air' clearly entering his lungs, and the imperceptible feeling of 'energy' entering his body and circulating around his organs and tissue, nourishing them.
"I see… is it this feeling?" Han Xing focused more on the feeling of the mysterious substance that made the air felt 'fresh' and energising a little. The more he felt it, the more he became aware of this mysterious energy around him. It was thinly spread out around him in the air, traces of them found in woods and stones and the earth, and further contemplation let him find them even in grass and trees outside, even in the smallest of ants.
"Qi exists in all things..." Han Xing muttered in understanding. He turned to the next page and read how the Verdant Path Sutra guides and integrates Qi into the body. There was also a note on how it was different from usual cultivation.
While most cultivation manual sees Qi that was circulated out of the body as a form of waste and try to keep them, hold the Qi inside the dantian and let them nourish the body afterwards, the Verdant Path Sutra Qi guiding method saw that circulating them freely, letting them follow their nature was as their main core teaching.
"The body is a guide…" Han Xing read the line in thought. "...as though the body itself is a root, a trunk, and a canopy in harmony with the energy of Heaven and Earth. Blood is akin to the saps. The flesh is akin to the bark. The senses and the power possessed were the leaves."
"To cultivate, one must first form a 'seed' in one dantian that serves as the foundation. One would temper the seed, rooting them in place while nourishing the body through Qi throughout the 9 stages of Body Tempering. On maturity, the seed would bloom, and each leaf represents each stage of Foundation Building."
Han Xing read the method to form the seed. He understood this 'seed' was not in the literal sense, but in a spiritual sense. That one must meditate and follow the path of nature amidst the grasses and trees to feel and guide Wood and Life essence to form the seed.
Han Xing rubbed his chin, thinking that his body was already some sort of plant being. He closed his eyes and just did as the manual said.
He breathes in surrounding Qi, guiding them each circulation into his body, letting the excess escape without hindrance. After ten cycles, the Qi circulating through the air increased slightly, as if finding a vacuum or a pressure from the cultivation and Qi from hundreds of miles away moved towards Han Xing.
Parts of his skin turned to their true form; into that of a white ethereal bark as the Qi entered his meridians, through his dantian, and passed through the flesh and returned to the cycle. His silvery hair fluttered lightly as he entered a deep cultivation state, his breathing turned deep and slow, as if he was having a peaceful deep sleep, akin to a steady tree that was not disturbed by storm nor wind.
Han Yang noticed the current of Qi in the surroundings, his eyes contracted in shock.
"In half an hour, he already comprehended the guiding method completely? And to already create a Qi current from cultivating at mere Body Tempering stage… his talent is extraordinary! The body of Sacred Heart Willow, coupled with Verdant Heart Sutra, achieves perfect compatibility!" Han Yang estimated his talent might be comparable to those geniuses in the upper realm and comparable to a Holy Body!
"To reach the Saint realm is a certainty…" Han Yang muttered in astonishment.
He swept his spiritual sense to observe Han Xing's deep cultivation. His face was peaceful, as if he was merely asleep and did not have to focus or try hard to guide the Qi.
"Is this the inherent advantage of the Verdant Path Sutra, or is it because it is Han Xing practicing it, with his body?" Han Yang muttered in guesses.
He let the boy cultivate silently and keep an eye out from time to time.
Meanwhile, Han Hing would guide some of the Qi to his dantian, where the husk of the seed once used to fuse him with the Sacred Heart Willow had been transformed to form the shell of his dantian. He envisioned the seed in his mind, and gathered Qi into them steadily, little by little with no haste. Even if most of the Qi returned to circulation of his body and escaped he let it flow naturally.
In half a day, the seed is established, and the first sign of root appeared and rooted in his dantian.
Han Xing opened his eyes, smiling as he looked inwardly. Cultivating felt like a rest for the mind for him, and he forgot the passing of time. He looked at the clock and was surprised that so much time had passed. He thought it had been half an hour at most.
He got out of bed and went to his father. He knocked on the door to his room, excited to tell him the news.
"Come in." Han Yang opened his eyes, waking up from his state of cultivation.
Han Xing went in and immediately told him.
"Dad, I managed to initiate the cultivation technique and form a seed in my dantian like the manual says."
Han Yang nodded. "Good. You have the patience and the talent. Do you have any questions about your cultivation?"
"So far, no, I think?" Han Xing was not so sure if he did it perfectly.
Han Yang nodded. "Good. Your comprehension is extraordinary. I have sensed you entered cultivation impeccably. Continue what you are doing." He smiled slightly, feeling happy for his son's success.
"Okay, dad." Han Xing smiled and left to continue cultivating.
The days passed peacefully. During the day, Han Xing would help with the workshop and in the evening cultivate in his free time. Though Han Yang observed Han Xing was particularly fond of doing the job.
Despite telling him he should focus on cultivating, Han Xing insisted on working each day.
"I actually like making this…" Han Xing carved onto the block of wood with care, knocking the small hammer onto the chisel. It had become something that comforted him somehow.
Maybe because he was used to it. When he was just a helpless child, unable to move and can only lay silently; the sound of the wood being scraped and cut became a reassuring feeling that his father was there. He was afraid of being abandoned back then. The scent too became a sense of comfort. And when he started to help with sculpting things, he could let himself rest from the dark thoughts and distract himself.
And at the end, he found himself loving doing these.
He ran his fingers over the figurine of a wooden phoenix he made. Moving his chisel to cut the smallest of dent just to make it more pleasing to his eyes, yet with the smallest of improvement, the phoenix turned almost lifelike.
"I see…" Han Yang's eyes softened seeing Han Xing was so into it. Han Xing's vision for sculpting definitely surpassed Han Yang's, given he was just doing it as a hobby and had not put too much thought into it. He figured Han Xing may be able to learn the auxiliary paths in the future given his meticulous hands and focused mind.
"Han Xing, do you want to give life to your figurines?" Han Yang asked with a hint of teasing.
"Give life? You mean…?" Han Xing's eyes widened in surprise, then deep excitement.
"I have a technique to give life to creations, through intent and will. It's an obscure art of Puppetry. Compared to alchemy, forging, talisman making, or arts of formations; puppetry is an even more obscure art. But if you want, you can try learning it. But remember, cultivation is always the backbone, the arts are only a tool for strength and to help on your journey."
Han Xing nodded excitedly. He looked at the phoenix sculpture in his hand, then back at Han Yang. His brain conjured an amazing image, of him riding a giant phoenix mechazord, and his body could not help but tremble in excitement.
"Can I create a mecha with it?" He blurted the question from his lips.
"Mecha? What is that?" Han Yang was taken aback.
"It's a giant puppet, thousands of feet tall!"
"A thousand feet tall?!" Han Yang looked up at the sky, imagining what monstrous puppet was made to be that tall.
Not to mention the jarring weakness of having so many sides exposed, and a puppet body could not surpass a normal cultivator's body without precious materials and profound craftsmanship. And the cost of materials would be so enormous it would drain even him dry. Why would one make such a giant puppet?? He was bewildered, and couldn't understand what went through the brain of son of his.
He wanted to tell Han Xing he shouldn't waste materials and time to create such a gigantic thing, and that strength did not rely on sheer size alone. But seeing Han Xing's bright round eyes, his golden pupils shining brilliantly, Han Yang's voice choked.
"Yes… of course, you can…" Han Yang said the opposite thing instead. His heart couldn't bear the guilt of letting his son down.
"I want to learn!" Han Xing looked at Han Yang with eyes so bright Han Yang could not refuse.
"Sigh. Okay." Han Yang felt he might have made a mistake of suggesting this. What if his son stopped cultivating and focused his effort on something else?
He still took the ancient looking jade slip out.
"It's an incomplete inheritance I found in a secret realm before, and I created enemies due to it too." Han Yang's eyes filled with memories of the past as he looked at the jade slip that looked ancient with some engravings on it already fading.
"Press it against your forehead and input spiritual energy into it. You will see the content."
Han Xing took the jade slip. He felt the texture and took it close to his nose to smell it first. Do not ask why, he was just curious since it looked ancient. But it had no smell whatsoever.
Without further delay, he placed the jade slip on his forehead and began reading its content.
"Living Marionette technique…" Han Xing read them with contemplation and seriousness in his eyes.
"A master that reached the peak of Dao through Puppetry could create Immortal through mortal soil, wood and iron, breathe life and spirits to the nonliving, and control the threads of fate and time, subduing all under Heaven and Earth with their strings…"
Holy cow? So exaggerated!
He read through them, and found there were indeed gaps in the manuals, especially on the later parts. A lot of illustrations were distorted in his mind, the 3D images that were meant to help in understanding too were half broken, corroded by time.
He returned his consciousness to read the introductory part. To build the foundation of a Puppet Master, one must carve on mortal wood. To perfect recreation from the image of the mind into that of the physical.
Han Xing was not so sure about it and asked his dad what it meant.
"It means… Just keep practicing with these woods. You would not be able to give life to them without reaching the Qi Gathering stage to begin with. Only then could you mobilize Qi to use the most basic of spells." Han Yang forgot that Han Xing could not practice the technique without reaching at least the Qi Gathering stage.
"What? So I need to complete my body tempering first?" Han Xing had his mouth wide open hearing the later part.
"Cough. Yes, son. But- the techniques described in the jade slip to carve on mortal wood are indeed very exquisite. This would become your foundation, do not be discouraged."
"I understand. I will try to break through faster then." Han Xing was fired up, the image of piloting mechazord in his mind appeared once more fueling his spirit.
Han Yang nodded. "But do not rush. Remember, a steady heart would lead to a smoother road."
"Okay dad, I will study the manual first!" Han Xing grabbed the almost finished phoenix figurine, grabbed a large block of wood as a test subject and headed to his room for study.
Han Yang shook his head, a smile never left his lips. He felt happy his son showed so much excitement. He never saw that expression on him before. He had high expectations of him, and could not wait to see what his son would bring later.