Two days later.
Dadangar five-kingdom subcontinent.
Aksai’s farm. Lakir estate.
Amid the vibrant Spirit field, surrounded by lush plants and crops, Aksai stood with a serene focus, ready to embark on his daily practice routine.
With the warm sun casting its golden rays upon him, he began his ritualistic practice of the Harmony Fist and Palm, a martial art form he had honed over years of dedicated training.
As he assumed the first stance of the Harmony Fist, his movements were fluid and graceful, blending seamlessly with the rhythm of nature around him.
Each motion was deliberate, and executed with precision and intention. With each strike and block, Aksai synchronized his breath, drawing in the surrounding qi and channeling it through his body.
With every movement, he felt the energy coursing through his veins, awakening every fiber of his being. The gentle morning breeze invigorated his spirit, guiding his movements and enhancing his connection with the essence of the world.
Simultaneously, Aksai delved into the Qi Fusion Arts, aligning his inner energy centers and harmonizing his Qi with the natural flow of the surroundings. With each inhalation, he drew in the essence of the Spirit field, allowing it to infuse every cell of his being with vitality and strength.
[ Automated Spirit Essence Channeling of the Basic Greenwood Tantra activated ]
As he moved from one stance to another, Aksai’s presence in the Spirit field seemed to resonate with the pulse of life itself. His movements became an intricate dance, a symphony of martial prowess and Spirit cultivation.
With every strike and gesture, he felt a deep sense of connection with the earth beneath his feet and the sky above.
In this harmonious union of body and spirit, Aksai found solace and purpose.
‘I don’t know how you will live, my son. But don’t die like me.’ his father’s words kept buzzing inside his mind as he kept practicing. However, these words did not disturb his practice. Rather, they motivated him to go the extra mile in his practice.
As he continued his practice amidst the verdant beauty of the Spirit field, Aksai realized that he was not just a Spirit farmer anymore but also a cultivator steadfast in his cultivation. Aksai had improved a lot in the past two years. However, it was only at this point that he accepted his other identity as a cultivator of two distinct paths.
Aksai was drenched in sweat due to the extended practice of the Martial Arts and body cultivation technique. However, instead of feeling tired, he felt energized. He felt that he had the energy to do a lot more than his previous self.
“I…. I’m just getting started,” Aksai thought to himself and chuckled.
Aksai moved with purpose, his actions completely in sync with the regulations of the Qi Fusion Arts and Harmony Palm.
With each step, he embraced the art of Spirit farming, foregoing the conveniences of Spirit spells to cultivate the land with his own hands.
As he treaded through the rows of crops, he began his work, manually prepping the soil with a sturdy hoe, breaking up clumps, and smoothing the earth with practiced precision. His muscles flexed with each movement, his body a vessel of strength and endurance.
With the sun beating down upon him, Aksai knelt in the freshly turned soil, his fingers digging deep into the earth as he planted each seed with care. There was no need for the Earth Control Spell. He trusted in the wisdom of his own touch, the connection between man and land.
As he worked while practicing the Martial Arts, sweat glistened upon his brow. Because he had not used any Spirit Spells for the farming tasks, he was no different from a mortal farmer.
Aksai moved with fluid grace, seamlessly integrating the movements of his Martial Arts stances into his farming tasks. He would use the moistened earth as a punching bag. He would then use the piercing and chopping moves to plant the seeds. With each strike and block, he found a rhythm, a harmony between body and earth.
When it came time to water the crops, Aksai didn’t reach for the Light Spirit Rain spell.
Instead, he dipped a bucket into a nearby well, drawing forth water with steady determination. He used the water buckets made out of pure stones and used them as weights for his rigorous strength training. With each pour, he nourished the soil, quenching the thirst of the tender seedlings with his own hands.
Despite the physical exertion, Aksai’s spirit remained undaunted. He embraced the challenge before him, finding strength in the simplicity of manual labor.
In this humble act of farming, he discovered a profound connection to the land and a deeper understanding of his inner power. He felt as if his qi was also getting tempered by his emotions and his acts, faintly gaining the properties of the earth.
***
“Aksai? What are you doing?”
Suddenly, a curious voice emanated from behind Aksai. He turned to find Aunt Reta standing there, wearing a puzzled expression.
“I’m simply farming,” Aksai replied, offering Aunt Reta a smile. However, her frown deepened as she took in his drenched appearance and the labor he was exerting.
“I mean, why aren’t you using your Spirit spells? Why are you acting like a mortal farmer?” she questioned, clearly disapproving of his decision to abstain from his Spirit Refining powers for manual labor.
“Ah,” Aksai scratched the back of his head, considering his response. “I just decided to do something different for a change,” he explained, wiping the sweat from his face with the back of his hand. Unbeknownst to him, the action only served to smear more grime across his face.
“Well, we can’t have you looking like that when Jasmine’s father arrives,” Aunt Reta remarked, giving Aksai a critical once-over. “Go get changed into a nice set of clothes, dear. Reman Linoyi will be here in a few minutes.”
Aksai raised an eyebrow at the revelation of Aunt Reta’s true purpose for visiting. It seemed she was quite intent on arranging a marriage between him and Jasmine.
Though he was tempted to voice his objections, Aunt Reta’s stern expression dissuaded him. Reluctantly, he acquiesced and headed off to freshen up.
Aksai could always practice his Martial Arts later. As for the marriage proposal, he decided to hear Reman out first before making any decisions.
It was important to handle the situation delicately to avoid causing Aunt Reta any embarrassment, though he was unaware of the challenges that awaited her in her conversation with Jasmine’s father.