During the cultivation period for the Soul Refinement Realm, a cultivator must remain in complete isolation, focusing solely on meditation and cultivation.
This is because once the soul is deconstructed, it must be reconstructed swiftly any delay could result in death.
The soul, being the Qi container, is formed from life force itself.
To prepare, three-year-old Luke gathered enough dry food to last ten years. Normally, a green-tier talent would take around three years to complete this stage.
But Luke aimed to achieve the unimaginable deconstructing and reconstructing his soul 100 times.
He informed his parents that he might remain secluded for a long time, though he didn't disclose the full reason behind it.
Wilson and Sarah, though a little worried, agreed to his request.
They could sense a strange maturity in their son something far beyond his tender age.
He knew the path he was about to walk was beyond dangerous something no child had ever attempted in the history of Eldia.
But to him, it was necessary.
In his mind, he repeated his goal like a mantra: "A hundred refinements. A soul vast and indestructible."
He didn't know where he had heard or learned it—whether in this world or the last—but he knew it was important, like advice or guidance meant just for him, something to follow no matter what.
Luke looked around the room he had prepared for his long seclusion—a place he would call home for the next several years.
His eyes fell upon a black stage in the center, simple in design but radiating a faint, calming energy.
As he stepped closer, he see and sense it—the gentle but steady presence of Qi flowing from it.
"Qi Stone..." he whispered to himself.
He had only read about it in cultivation books.
A rare and expensive material, abundant in natural Qi, often used by elite cultivators to replenish their energy rapidly.
Without this resource, each loop of soul refinement would take far longer complete the full process. With it, he could recover quickly and push forward.
Next to the stage was a large basin he had personally requested to be placed before his retreat.
It held neatly packed, high-nutrition dry food—rations sufficient to sustain a person for ten years.
A simple bed stood near the far wall, but its mattress wasn't ordinary.
It was infused with mild medicinal properties, specially crafted to soothe and stabilize the soul during difficult cultivation.
Even a minor comfort could become vital during the agonizing cycles of soul destruction and reconstruction.
Near it, a clean bathroom with flowing water—another small luxury—ensured he wouldn't need to step outside for anything.
Finally, his eyes rested on the table in the corner of the room, where a thick, ancient book lay.
It was a manual—a step-by-step guide to breaking through to the Soul Refinement Realm.
He walked over slowly, placed his hand gently on the cover, and cast one last glance at the door.
Outside, Wilson and Sarah stood silently, watching their son with pride and concern.
Luke walked to them and gave each a tight hug.
"I'll be fine. I might stay inside for long… but I'll come back stronger," he said with a faint smile.
His parents nodded. Wilson tried to hide his emotions, but Sarah's eyes shimmered.
"Be safe, Luke. We'll be waiting."
With that, he stepped back inside and shut the door.
A heavy locking sound echoed one that only unlocked from the inside.
A safeguard, to ensure no one with good or ill intentions would disturb him in the middle of cultivation.
Even a slight interruption could mean death at this stage.
Alone now, Luke took a deep breath and muttered to himself,
"Let's begin."