"Hmm had your growth not been so rapid beforehand I would have assumed that the two of you had discovered some dual cultivation technique," Fal commented with a wry smile across his lips as he paced around Silva held still in the very last movement of the kata, "Reaching your first bottle neck in only a half months, it's unheard of."
While Silva appeared no different to the naked eye, every last fiber of his musculature was saturated with Qi, and his dantian was near bursting, causing Silva considerable discomfort.
His body felt heavy and stretched thin, as if the slightest flex of his muscles would tear his skin apart at the seams.
The sensation had been steadily growing to the point where Silva could now hardly tolerate it. Had he wished, Silva could have rushed through the remainder of his training by absorbing more Qi from Fal's seemingly endless supply of essence crystals. But that would have only harmed his gains in the long run.
In order to break through to the next stage, Silva would have to flood his dantian with more Qi than it could hold, forcing a moment of immense growth and change from the stress.
There was no need to wait until the muscles were completely saturated with Qi, in fact, many could not, as their dantian would reach its limit before their bodies.
However, the more Qi present in the muscles, the better, as they would experience far greater growth during and after the breakthrough.
The difference was so pronounced that many held off on initiating their ascension until the very last possible moment to reap the most benefits.
But as Silva completed the last movement of the kata and came to a rest a sharp pain tore through his spirit while his body started to tremble uncontrollably.
"Uncle." Silva conveyed everything he needed to Fal in a single word as he desperately fought the urge to cultivate, like holding in his breath underwater.
A serious look passed over Fal's face as he waved his hand, producing a large wooden tub with a raised seat in the middle and several incense sticks that he lit immediately.
With urgency, Silva stripped off his robes, climbed into the tub, sat on the seat, and after a second let the tiniest trickle of qi into his dantian.
The reaction was instant as Silva felt something inside him burst, followed by an expulsion and an immense feeling of relief. But that relief only lasted for a moment before the most horrible stench Silva had ever experienced burned his nostrils and made his eyes water.
The release Silva had experienced was his dantian shattering, causing all the stored qi within to flood through his spirit and body, dislodging all the hidden impurities that had accumulated over his lifespan.
Impurities were the universal term for the various harmful substances that managed to infiltrate the body and spirit. Many scholars theorized that the hidden toxins acted as a polarizing force, seeking to corrupt and fester wherever possible, while Qi sought to create and nurture.
Without the assistance of specially brewed potions and skillful healers, cultivation was the only way to reliably remove impurities, which is why those who successfully pursued the heavens could live inordinate amounts of time while maintaining their relatively youthful appearances and achieving a level of beauty that defied mortal sensibilities.
To achieve those great benefits, however, there was an unfortunate price to pay.
With a forceful pressure, the impurities in Silva's body and spirit escaped through his pores as a thick black sludge that clung to his skin and left behind a waxy film. The sensation of being covered in the gunk from head to toe was nearly as off-putting as the putrid smell.
Like a mudslide, the impurities streamed out of Silva's body, sloughing off in thick clumps that dropped into the tub beneath him with a series of wet slaps. The entire time, Silva had to focus on not voiding his stomach, as every one of his senses recoiled from the horrific experience.
When the deluge finally ended, a wave of intense relief swept through Silva before he was nearly knocked off his seat by a waterfall of frigid water, crashing on top of his head.
"I figured you would have more impurities given your age, but this much is almost inexcusable," Fal muttered as he finished emptying the massive clay pot of water over his nephew before tossing him a pumice stone, a bar of heavily scented soap, and setting down several more pots of water. "Better finish cleaning before the incense burns out. I know it may seem impossible, but without them, the smell will be far worse. Come find me when you're finished."
With those final words of wisdom, Fal vanished from the room, leaving Silva to suffer in solitude as he started to lather his body with soap before using the stone to scrape away the thick film that clung to his skin. It took multiple rounds of washing before Silva felt the film begin to break apart, revealing skin that now looked like polished slate.
Staring at his darkened hue, Silva couldn't help but be a bit curious about the rest of his appearance and quickly pulled out a mirror from his storage ring. Holding the polished glass up to his face, Silva stared at his visage and found that there had been a notable change.
Overall, his facial features had become sharper and more pronounced, with his cheeks, chin, and brow being the most notable. It was a striking contrast with his hair, which had experienced a sudden surge in growth. The loose golden coils grew out around his head in a thick halo, forming a complete sphere that nearly spilled down across his eyes.
Silva switched the mirror in his hand for a wide-toothed comb that he stuck between his teeth as he grabbed the last pot of water and poured it over his head. Silva then thoroughly combed out his hair until it was long enough that he could tie it back into a bun with a length of silk he produced from his storage ring.
Letting his arms drop, Silva sighed through his nose before he slowly stood up, gritting his teeth as he felt the vulnerable state of his body. It would take several days before Silva could begin training or cultivating again. It was a much-needed reprieve from the hellish schedule that Silva had immersed himself in, training before the sun rose and after it set.
Leaving the training, Silva barely managed to keep his back straight as he walked down the hall. The only thought in Silva's mind was of rest, when a pleasant smell stopped him in his tracks. Following his nose, Silva found his uncle sitting on a cushioned mat with a small feast spread out on the table in front of him.
Looking up at Silva, Fal smiled, "I know you're exhausted, but there are some things we need to speak about. I figured the least I could do was compensate your patience with a meal."
"Very well then," Silva replied with a tired smile as he entered the room and sat across from his uncle, who gestured at the food, "Please eat, don't wait on my behalf."
Silva wordlessly dipped his head in acknowledgement before he picked up a bowl and chopsticks to serve himself, unable to suppress his hunger for a moment longer.
Fal smiled, watching Silva lose the strict formalities he usually carried himself with, "You may be tired of me saying this, but your growth has truly exceeded all of my expectations. Even with the increased challenge of breaking through the subsequent stages, I do not doubt that at most it will only take you a year or two to reach the next Realm."
Silva glanced at his uncle, opening his mouth to speak when Fal beat him to the punch, "I do not plan to renege on our original agreement; it simply means I have less time to prepare you for what will transpire once your ascension becomes public knowledge."
Fal looked at his nephew, but when Silva didn't speak up, he continued, "You, Little Vine, have been blessed by the heavens; unfortunately, nothing is bestowed without an extra burden. Those within the clan will see your potential either as a tool to leverage or a threat to eliminate."
"Yes, you've mentioned my step-mothers before," Silva commented, only for Fal to let out a disgruntled sigh, "I wish they were your only obstacle, but the truth often is that for most clans, those in positions of power will prioritize their own well-being and prosperity over that of the family. And ours is no different. With your father entering his final seclusion, faction lines are being drawn in anticipation of what is to come next."
Silva frowned as his uncle's tone darkened, "What comes next?"
Fal's piercing gaze stared into Silva's eyes, "If your father fails to consolidate his Law, it will signal that he has reached the limit of his potential, and those in the Clan will begin considering who among his progeny is worthy of taking up the mantle of Patriarch and leading the family."