Mirror Dream Tree

The next day, as the sun rises above the horizon, Merin steps out of his house and walks toward the lake, gazing at the glowing cocoon as he senses its imminent birth.

He knows a new Ancestral Realm cultivator will soon emerge, one who belongs to the human race.

Afterwards, he moves to his practice ground and begins casting his spells, each one sharper and more potent than those he'd wielded back in the main world.

This surprises him; the spells seem far stronger than they should be.

He reflects that this must be tied to vitality, especially since his vitality is only half of what it was in the main world, something he hadn't noticed until now.

In the past, though he was a Great Samurai, he was also a Spiritual Core Realm spiritualist and relied mostly on the world's natural energy during combat, making his spells feel even more powerful than what his own mana could produce.

That was why this disparity had gone unnoticed before.

But here, while using his own mana exclusively, the difference is obvious.

He dismisses these thoughts for now and continues practising his spells, reacquainting himself with his mana and refining his control.

When he finally stops, a small crowd has gathered nearby.

They gather around him as he catches his breath, eager to understand the source of his power.

They're especially curious about the distinct feel of his mana and why his spells seem even weaker when fueled by natural energy rather than his own reserves.

He patiently explains the reason, assuring them that they would not lose the ability to use spells without drawing on the world's natural energy.

To illustrate, he casts several spells fueled purely by natural energy.

Each is more powerful than what most in his realm could produce.

That, he tells them, is due to the heightened control he gained over the ambient energy around him after advancing to the Spiritual Core Realm.

Excitement spreads through the crowd as they realise they could follow his path.

He reminds them that the transition would be straightforward for those who already cultivate inner energy — especially those who have progressed as far as true energy.

With their mental strength, they could, in a short time, though not as fast as he could. 

But they would transform their spiritual machine into a new one, transmute their energy into mana, and merge it into their spiritual core.

The only complication, he notes, would concern True Core Realm spiritualists who have engraved magic power into their spiritual cores.

He shares all of this openly and takes his time answering every question they have.

Some of them require deep thought, and he often falls silent for a few minutes to find the most accurate response.

Each question, in turn, deepens his understanding of the cultivation method he created.

The next day, after returning from his spell training, he reflects on his progress.

All of his spells were originally crafted when he was still at the Spiritual Core Realm, but now that he stands as a True Core spiritualist, his perception of the world has expanded.

While training, he considered how to draw more power into his spellwork.

When he finishes his practice, he heads toward the lake and settles by its shore, sensing the lake's deep red water with his mental energy.

He hopes to detect an artistic conception of vitality within this lake, where the water rule is gradually merging with the rule of blood.

After some time, he senses exactly what he's looking for and spends the remainder of the day in meditation, studying the lake's vitality.

He doesn't stop at sunset because of the fading light, but because he has already comprehended the concept.

He's able to do this quickly because he's already fully grasped the artistic conception of vitality under both water and blood.

And since the lake's vitality is simply the synthesis of those two concepts, he has no difficulty understanding it.

As he rises to leave, he notices Minami waiting for him nearby.

She's been standing there quietly, holding a sheaf of papers containing her notes on the artistic conception of transformation.

He follows her to her home, takes the papers, and returns to his room.

Once inside, he bathes—not because he needs to, as dust cannot touch him and he no longer even sweats—but because it's part of an old habit he's reluctant to abandon.

He suspects that soon he'll stop this too, just as he did with food, indulging only when the desire to taste something arises or when time allows.

After washing, he settles comfortably on his bed and begins to read Minami's papers.

When he finishes, he lies back, extinguishes the light overhead with a thought, and lets his eyes close as he reflects on what he's learned.

He was right — her insights into the artistic conception of transformation would help him.

A new idea begins to take shape in his mind, a method that could improve his body at a much faster rate.

Though the method is still just a concept, the path forward is clear.

And more than that, he even discovers a way to help Minami advance to the Spirit Master realm.

He will tell her tomorrow.

With that thought, he drifts into meditation, feeling his vitality slowly rising as he refines his concept further.

The next morning, after his spell practice, he walks to Minami's house and knocks on her door.

When she opens it, anticipation shines on her face.

"How?" she asks eagerly.

Merin replies, "You probably already know that if you can successfully transform into a Dharma-realm beast, you'll advance to the Spirit Master realm."

Minami's face fell at his words.

"I already know that, Master Kanoru," she says. "Is there anything new? Capturing a Dharma-realm beast is impossible."

Merin nods, fully aware of her concern.

It isn't just difficult — it's nearly impossible.

When cornered, a Dharma-realm beast will self-destruct to preserve its soul, hoping to possess a new body.

That's why capturing one is virtually unheard of; killing one is easier than capturing one.

Merin looks at Minami.

"If you cannot obtain a Dharma-realm beast," he says, "then choose a different beast as your transformation target. Transform into that beast so perfectly that no one will ever suspect you're not that beast."

Minami tilts her head in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Merin continues, his voice steady.

"I've divided your transformation technique into four stages."

He holds up a finger.

"First stage — superficial transformation. Only your appearance changes."

He raises a second finger.

"Second stage — master transformation. Your entire physical body changes into that beast's form, and you gain a weaker version of its abilities."

Minami listens closely, nodding as her eyes light up.

That's the stage she's at.

And if Merin is right, what lies ahead could help her break through.

She looks at him with anticipation, silently urging him to go on.

Merin raises a third finger.

"Third stage — origin transformation. You transform your cells into that beast's, perfectly mimicking its existence and obtaining every one of its abilities."

Then a fourth.

"And finally, the fourth stage — human transformation. Just like beasts who evolve into yao beasts and retain all their abilities in a humanoid form, you, too, can return to your human appearance after the transformation is complete, with all the strength and capabilities intact."

Minami falls silent and closes her eyes, lost in thought.

Merin waits, studying her calmly.

He knows she's carefully turning over his words—the last two stages of the transformation technique are daring but feasible.

That was exactly the insight he'd uncovered last night: a path to quickly increase his vitality and push himself toward rank five.

Humans hit their natural limit at vitality rank three.

He can feel his vitality rising steadily and suspects reaching rank four as a human might still be possible—but rank five? Impossible.

And so, to reach that level of vitality, he must embrace something other than humanity itself.

That's what this transformation method offers him, too.

Minami finally opens her eyes and says, "The third stage of transformation might be achievable, but I'm not sure about the fourth."

Merin replies evenly, "To master the fourth stage, you'd have to research clans like yao and great beasts—and my theory will hold."

Minami nods slowly. "Your theory is sound, but putting it into practice is another matter."

"That's true," Merin agrees. "And I've shown you the path. Whether you take it or not is up to you."

Minami's gaze sharpens with resolve. "I will do it. But even if I succeed and reach the fourth stage, I don't see how that would advance me into the Spirit Master realm."

Merin smiles faintly. "Once you complete your first beast transformation and gain its abilities, you'll continue transforming into other beasts and gain abilities like the first. With each new similar ability you merge, you'll eventually possess power comparable to that of a Dharma-realm beast."

Minami's eyes widen as realisation dawns.

"Yes," Merin continues, "and Dharma-realm abilities originate from the world's rules. Once you possess a full set of abilities like a Dharma-realm beast, those powers will naturally evolve into a rule-based ability. That will be your breakthrough into the Spirit Master realm."

After Merin finishes, Minami thanks him with a short bow and then quietly closes her door.

She is clearly determined to advance to the Spirit Master realm as soon as possible.

Merin watches the door shut and doesn't take offence.

He hopes she advances quickly with his method—it would prove his theory correct.

But Merin himself will not wait for Minami to reach the Spirit Master realm before starting his own practice.

Regardless of whether the transformation technique advances his vitality, it will at least enhance his strength.

As Merin walks toward his house, contemplating which beast he will choose for his transformation, a voice from behind startles him.

"Master Kanoru, are you aware of what will happen if Minami succeeds in advancing with your transformation technique?"