Aiden tried to open his eyes, but it was harder than he expected. His vision remained shrouded in darkness, and he knew it would take a few minutes to adjust. For now, he was blind, but his other senses kicked in. Around him, the chaotic voices of other children filled the air.
"I can't see!"
"I'm blind!"
Aiden clenched his fists. We must've been teleported somewhere, he thought, realizing that, like him, the other children were also disoriented.
As he focused on his surroundings, he noticed something alarming—the temperature had skyrocketed. The air was stiflingly hot, so much so that if he continued breathing deeply, it felt like his lungs might melt. His pulse quickened, but he forced himself to remain calm. This must be the place where the awakening ritual is held.
The cries around him started to fade as the other children, too, began to regain their composure. Just as Aiden was steadying himself, a loud voice cut through the heat.
"Sit down and start cultivating the Qi Harmony cultivation technique!"
There was no hesitation. Aiden instantly recognized the voice as that of the elder who had initiated the awakening ritual. Without a second thought, he followed the instruction, crossing his legs and focusing inward.
The Qi Harmony technique was a basic cultivation method practiced by beginners at the Initiation Stage—the first step in the long path of cultivation. Beyond the Initiation Stage lay the Physique Awakening, followed by Physique Foundation, Physique Core, Physique Master, and beyond. Each stage held its own trials and transformations.
Aiden was at the peak of the Initiation Stage, a level he had inherited from the body's previous owner. The original Aiden had pushed himself to his very limit, exhausting his body in a desperate attempt to reach the peak of Initiation—and in doing so, he had died. When the current Aiden had awakened in this world, he was overwhelmed by the sheer exhaustion coursing through him. It was only later, through careful research, that he uncovered the tragic reason behind the original Aiden's demise.
Aiden focused on cultivating. As he began, he immediately sensed an overwhelming surge of Vigor Qi rushing toward him. In this world, Vigor Qi was the lifeblood of cultivation, the energy that tempered the body at the Initiation Stage. It was this process of strengthening and refinement that prepared cultivators to undergo the Awakening Ritual at the peak of the stage.
Although Aiden was already at the Peak of the Initiation Stage, he could feel the surrounding Vigor Qi working wonders on his body. The lingering injuries caused by the intense overexertion of the body's previous owner began to fade. The warm, invigorating flow of Qi gradually erased the exhaustion he had carried since transmigrating into this world, leaving him in peak condition for the first time.
Fifteen minutes of cultivation was all it took. Aiden opened his eyes, slowly this time, as his vision adjusted to the light. What greeted him left him stunned.
Towering before him was a massive mountain, easily 20 to 25 feet tall. At its summit was a grand stage where the clan's elders stood, gazing down at the group of children. Below the mountain's base was a vast, serene lake. Its waters shimmered faintly, reflecting the glow of Qi in the air. At the lake's very center stood a colossal cauldron, exuding an aura of intense heat and mystique.
Four figures surrounded the cauldron. Three of them moved with purpose, adding unknown ingredients under the direction of a fourth figure floating above them. This floating individual exuded a commanding presence, their robes billowing as they issued instructions to the others. Although Aiden couldn't make out what was being added to the cauldron, he knew instinctively that this was the preparation for the Awakening Ritual.
Shifting his gaze, Aiden noticed his fellow clan members—all seated cross-legged, cultivating quietly. The air was thick with anticipation. One by one, the children began to rise from their cultivation. Fifteen minutes later, none were left seated. Everyone now stood, their eyes fixed on the lake's centre.
Moments later, the elder floating above the cauldron finished their task. The cauldron emitted a low, resonant hum as if coming alive. Without a word, the elder gracefully descended from the sky, floating toward the group of children with an aura of authority that demanded attention.
"My name is Elder John," the elder began, his voice steady and commanding as he stepped forward. "Today, I will oversee your awakening ritual. Before we begin, there are a few things you need to know."
He gestured behind him to a shimmering lake, its surface rippling faintly with an eerie, crimson glow. "Do you see the lake behind me? This is the Lake of Embers, where your awakening will take place. Once you step into the lake, you'll begin to feel a burning sensation across your body. This is the first sign that your physique is being activated."
Elder John paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "Let me warn you: the deeper you go into the lake, the higher the chances of awakening a greater physique. However, this path is fraught with danger. If you push too far—without the talent, preparation, or sufficient tempering of your body—your physique could fail to withstand the strain, and you will burst into flames. You will die."
The children gathered before him exchanged nervous glances, the gravity of the ritual settling heavily upon them. Aiden stood among them;/, his fists clenched as he listened intently.
Elder John's voice softened slightly, though it retained its firmness. "Do not rush toward the center recklessly. The lake itself will guide you. If you feel overwhelming pressure as you move forward, stop. That pressure is your limit, and you must attempt to awaken your physique from that spot. Pushing beyond it will only lead to your destruction."
He raised a hand, silencing the murmurs that had begun to rise. "If at any point the pain becomes unbearable or you fear for your life, shout. An elder will pull you out of the lake. However..." His eyes narrowed, scanning the group, "...you must understand this: you only get one chance. If you're pulled out, you will have failed to awaken your physique, and you will never be able to cultivate."
A tense silence fell over the group as his words hung in the air. The consequences of failure were clear—there would be no second chances.
Elder John straightened, his expression resolute. "Now, step forward. The Awakening Ritual begins!"
Aiden was stunned. He had anticipated challenges in awakening his physique, but he hadn't expected the ritual to carry such deadly risks. Although he knew that the process was arduous, the possibility of dying during the awakening had never crossed his mind. Determined not to push himself recklessly, he made a decision: the moment he felt unbearable pressure in the lake, he would stop advancing and attempt his awakening on the spot. He understood his limits and believed in his own preparation. His physique was far more tempered than that of his peers, and he trusted that he could endure longer than most.
His attention was drawn back to the lake as he observed the colossal cauldron, which had now sunk beneath its surface. The materials added earlier had completely infused into the water, transforming the lake into a powerful medium for the awakening ritual. Aiden reasoned that while moving closer to the lake's center would increase his chances of awakening a higher-grade physique, the process had become dangerous. He resolved to balance ambition with caution.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, his fellow clan members began entering the lake one by one. Some hesitated, their nerves evident, while others pushed forward eagerly. Aiden's focus was interrupted by sharp cries from a few who couldn't withstand the lake's searing heat. The air filled with tension as an elder descended swiftly, pulling those unable to endure back to safety.
Watching this, Aiden's nerves tightened. But he clenched his fists, steadied his resolve, and moved forward. There was no turning back now.
The instant he entered the lake, an intense wave of heat enveloped him, searing his skin and forcing him to grit his teeth. Yet, instead of panicking, Aiden welcomed the sensation—it meant the awakening process had begun. He knew the key was to endure as much of the lake's heat as possible; the greater the heat he absorbed, the higher the grade of physique he could awaken.
The initial heat was manageable, and Aiden pressed forward. As he advanced, he noticed several clan members halting after a few steps. Their bodies trembled, unable to bear the increasing intensity, forcing them to stop. Aiden passed them without hesitation, his confidence unwavering.
But after traversing about five meters from the shore, he felt it—pressure. The air seemed to weigh down on him, and the heat seared deeper into his body. Yet, he knew this wasn't his limit. Gritting his teeth, he pushed forward, step by painstaking step.
The center of the lake was still a daunting fifty meters away, but Aiden pressed on. Each step became harder, his movements slowing as the oppressive heat engulfed him. His skin flushed an angry red, and a flicker of fire began to dance in his eyes. If anyone saw him, they would recognize these as unmistakable signs of physique awakening.
Despite his resolve, Aiden could only manage ten more meters before his body screamed in protest. He knew instantly that he had reached his limit. Any further, and he risked losing control or even dying. Without hesitation, he stopped and sank into a seated position, closing his eyes to begin cultivating.
The heat around him surged, drawn into his body as he began the critical process of awakening his physique. Every ounce of pain and pressure now fueled his transformation. Aiden could only hope that his effort would be enough to grant him the powerful physique he so desperately desired.