I didn't know exactly what Marcus had been through and honestly, now wasn't the time to push. I did think his reaction did hint that he also felt that pull toward the center of this place, like it was hiding something important. But whatever he'd seen had scarred him away.
"You tried?" I asked gently.
"Yes," he answered, simply.
"Well, let's head back up, unless there's anything else you want to do down here?" I offered. I caught the slight lift in his shoulders as he turned to me with a faint smile, probably grateful I didn't press the idea of trying again. Not yet.
"Nah, let's head up."
Of course, I had my own reasons for easing off. There was still a lot of recovery ahead. 'Ready to start building your foundation?' I asked.
Luna practically vibrated with excitement. 'Yes. I think I've got an idea for the reservoirs and the scars too.'
As Marcus picked up the pot, he revealed another panel tucked into the folds of the tree's bark, a hidden compartment large enough to hold the whole setup, along with several carved bowls.
We moved toward the elevator again. Despite how well it was made, the whole vine-lift contraption still made my nerves itch. One wrong snap…
At least there was a small bonus. Maybe from sharing food or just time, the bristling fur of Marcus' beasts occasionally brushed against me as we rode up. It was comforting in an odd, primal way.
As we rose back toward the treetop home, I turned to Marcus. "Mind if I go down to the storage room?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I'm planning to get some sleep. You should too. I need to stock back up on supplies, and I'd like your help."
I nodded and let myself into the storeroom. It was smaller than I expected, roughly the size of a large closet, maybe two if you were generous. You could cram in four or five people if they didn't mind becoming very close friends.
I immediately saw what Marcus meant. A decent stash of tubers was tucked against one wall, but beyond that? Nothing else. No dried fruit, no meat. Just roots.
Definitely concerning.
As for sleep… I wasn't even sure it was something I needed it anymore. Maybe people with advanced systems built up resistance to things like food and rest too, but cultivators definitely did. More and more, those things felt like optional luxuries instead of essential routines.
I sat down and made myself as comfortable as possible on the floor. Soft wasn't the right word to describe it, but it was at least not as unforgiving as stone.
'Ready, Luna?'
'Ready. I'll start with roots, then expand with a reservoir, and push a scar past it.' Her voice had a clear edge of excitement.
'Alright. If anything feels off, interrupt me right away.'
'Thanks.'
I closed my eyes, steadying my breath and calming my nerves. A familiar world returned to me through my passive perception, but something was different this time.
When my eyes were open, True Sight let me see the flow of World Force. The golden currents, blue, red, and various colored threads, swirling in natural streams. But with my eyes shut, that visual should've disappeared. I should've been limited to sensing the ambient flow of energy in a way that was less vivid and more abstract.
But now… something new had joined my awareness.
I could feel it. A new kind of sensation brushing against me, something smooth, cold, and still. It moved differently, not like wind through grass, but like water sliding over skin.
Is this the effect of the essence?
It had to be right? I hadn't noticed it before, even after that crystalline orb entered my body. No changes on the outside. But now... This was proof. Subtle, but undeniable proof that my trial had meaning.
Time for a little experimentation.
I exhaled slowly and tried to manipulate it the same way I usually channeled World Force… and was immediately disappointed. Nothing. I couldn't move it, couldn't absorb it. I hadn't tried earlier while moving around since I couldn't notice the difference, but yeah, no movement. Still, the presence itself was something. I could feel it now. That was undeniable progress.
I shelved the thought for later and turned my focus inward. The familiar, annoying leak of energy reminded me that repair came first.
I followed the routine I'd carved into muscle memory in order to recuperate. Circulate, absorb, breathe. Then, once my reserves started to rebuild, I forced myself through a round of push-ups, mixed exercises, and whatever else would trigger Perfect Conversion and refill my Grand Channel.
Thank god I had privacy.
Eventually, I sat back down, swiped the sweat from my brow, and got ready to try forming my first scar.
So… just overflow energy into a point until it burns, right? That somehow teaches the body to "understand" energy better? Yeeeah.
I chose my left palm. Didn't want to mess with my dominant hand until I could properly refine it.
I began gathering energy, activating my Precursor Sense to help guide the unrefined flow toward the center of my palm.
And right away, I noticed a problem.
When I performed Body Refinement before, it came with a creeping nausea... after gaining the Precursor Energy. But now, focusing on such a small, isolated spot?
It gave almost no feeling.
A little discomfort, sure, but it wasn't changing. There were no signals from my body telling me where the edge was. No warning. No threshold. Just pressure, like it was waiting for me to figure it out.
On the bright side, though maybe not, there was no more seductive violet energy to swoop in and hijack the whole process.
Still, this felt like one of those "you'll just know" moments, which, let's be honest, usually meant guessing until something hurt. I kept gathering energy into my palm. No visual changes. No internal cue.
But eventually… I was wrong.
I clenched my fist, keeping the stream steady, pouring in more than I thought was necessary. It hit.
It wasn't a stab or the feeling of a blade slicing through flesh. Trust me, I literally know the feeling.
It was a burn, sharp and invasive, like someone was scraping sandpaper across the inside of my skin. My palm twitched, but I didn't stop. Couldn't. The pain had to mean something was working.
I remembered the reservoirs, there was an eventual settling when it was complete. A 'click'.
My teeth clenched on instinct as the tension built, the burning deepening to a near-unbearable level. I actually started worrying Luna might have to regrow another limb at this rate. At that point, I'd be more tree than person.
Then a snap. A sudden, ringing sensation shot through my arm, traveling like lightning down to my Nexus. It looped through, spun with the red drake in the fire, then anchored itself into the current before vanishing.
Nothing visibly changed, but for a breath, the world felt… sharper. Could've been placebo, but still...
Next up, the connections.
I mimicked the technique I'd seen from that avatar I'd once inhabited, weaving intricate threads of energy through the damaged Grand Channel, braiding the lines like cables toward the scar. A point I couldn't see, but could definitely feel.
It was like hooking wires onto an invisible anchor, pulsing quietly in my palm.
Aaand. That was it, I finished. Still plenty of leaks, plenty of scars to make, but the first was at least completed.
'Any problems Luna?' I sent my spiritual presence into her, but saw nothing wrong. A sudden thought did hit me, although not Body Refinement, the scar formation was similar to it, so would she face any danger?
But with my sense, I could see she had started growing roots only with her power. Considering the lack of response, she must have needed concentration despite her bragging on knowing how to grow roots. Maybe it was just harder than I thought.
I didn't continue my own cultivation though, the thought of her accidentally taking herself out from the scar formation was my new concern.
I waited patiently, my energy slowly leaking from my still very damaged channel, but it wasn't fast. At least I was on the path of repair.
I also debated on whether or not I should start purification of my new body parts, but ultimately decided that even with my experience, the shift in focus could cause me to miss Luna's return.
'Peter?' Luna suddenly spoke lightly, startling me.
'How's it going?' I asked.
'Goo–oooh no.' Luna interrupted herself with what I could tell was definitely near-terror.
"What? What's wrong? Are you ok?"
'No. No. No. Where is it?' she continued without explaining.
"LUNA. Are. You. Ok?" I tried more forcefully, hopefully interrupting her panic.
'Peter search your body. NOW!' She commanded. 'I'm sorry, I was too focused. I can't find it.'
My heart jumped, catching her meaning entirely. I immediately headed her call, searching inward finding the spot where Luna's roots once held my uninvited guest.
And yep.
It was gone.