According to Li, cultivation works by taking in or absorbing qi from heaven and earth into the body, storing the collected qi inside the practitioner's dantians. His world was a backyard planet among the stars in the universe, and so cultivation methods there were often crude and not of the best techniques, only few of the major sects had good cultivation techniques handed to them by their parent sect located in a higher cultivation planet.
The demonic sect was one of these privileged sects, but as it should be, only the most talented inner disciples are thought, some elders don't even dare learn this cultivation technique.
As it was, each of these sects with good cultivation techniques treasured them as their sect's inherited techniques that are thought only to the best talents within the inner sect disciples. Being an outer sect disciple, Li never saw light of this wonderful technique, so all he could teach Aaron was the basic foundation building, the best he knew, and the best cultivation method he came across later in life while searching through the library books, when he had already gone far with the one he was thought as an outer sect disciple.
To learn this specificj one, he had to destroy his years of practice and start all over again. The fact that his talent was bad was enough to discourage him, luckily, he possesses a good memory, so he can remember the technique.
"Mmm. Li, I'm ready to begin. Let's waste no time." Aaron said to the Li with such enthusiasm, it made Li happy that he could be a teacher to someone. Back in his world, nobody would even dream to learn from trash like him.
"Alright, let's begin."
After some light stretches, Aaron was instructed to sit on the ground with his legs crossed. This part only, proved to be difficult, as Aaron was not one that crossed his legs when sitting, neither was he particularly flexible in any way. After a while, he finally managed to set himself in the posture, using his coat to support himself behind.
Li explained the technique once again, how it works, the structure, and how one would know if it was working. Using that information, Aaron begun cultivating.
Firstly, he needed to figure out how to substitute mana for qi, which sounded easy in theory but was quite difficult in practical. A few solid hours passed and he could neither feel nor absorb mana, his legs already felt dead due to lack of blood flow, his body still wasn't used to this sitting position.
While in his thoughts he wondered why it wasn't working. 'It could be that mana cannot be substituted for qi at all, or maybe the laws of the universe just doesn't allow a person utilize techniques from other worlds. Hmm..,' As he kept on thinking, a sudden thought entered his mind, which made him feel dumb, this would be the dumbest he has been since birth. 'How could I have forgotten the effect of the tattooed artefact, since it blocks mana from reaching my body, it's only natural that I won't be able to absorb it. Eh, I feel so dumb.'
"I've figured out the problem Li."
"Oh, you have?"
"Yes, I have an artefact that is tattooed to my back. It blocks out mana from reaching me, that's how I've been able to survive in this forest, it's also the reason why I can't absorb the mana around me since it can't even reach me."
"Oh, that's great. I was starting to question my knowledge for a second there, this is relieving. So there are things like that here also, interesting." Li's ghostly form seemed more relaxed after hearing the good news. Aaron deactivated his artefact, as soon as he did, he felt painful pricking sensation all over his skin.
"Damn! This place really is amazing. Urgh! Even with the protection of the array, the purity and intensity of the mana is no joke. I have to be careful taking in this mana." As Aaron cried out in pain while readying himself in the position Li taught him, he noticed something strange, Li's words were no longer understandable.
He could tell that Li was speaking to him, but he couldn't understand a word of what he was saying. Without wasting time, he reactivated the artefact. The pain in his body subsided gradually as he took in a big inhale before exhaling. The pain was so sudden and unprepared for, it took him totally by surprise. "Hey Li, for a moment there I couldn't understand your words, almost as if you were speaking a different language."
"Really?" Li looking confused, responded with his thoughts aloud, "I also thought about he fact that we could understand each other perfectly, but didn't think much of it. Hmm."
"It must be my artefact, wow, it really is a treasure of the gods. I still wonder why it was abandoned as an incomplete piece."
"Probably because the gods don't need such basic abilities as speech translation and some of the things it provides. Back in my world, Immortals have no problem staying in space for extended periods of time, but a cultivator who has not reached that level yet might need magical treasures for that to be possible, or they might have to learn techniques that make that possible."
"Mm, true."
"In the mean time, you should stabilize yourself and take it slow, don't focus on fighting the pain more than doing the technique right. Getting it wrong might end up damaging your body for life, so be careful."
With this both men readied themselves as when Aaron starts, they won't be able to communicate with each other, so they said everything that had to be said before he started.
Deactivating the artefact again, this time he was ready for the pain, Aaron was already sitting down in position. As soon as he felt the mana pricking his skin, he began the cultivation technique. After about five days, Aaron opened his eyes, "It was a success." He said in a calm voice, sounding not too sure. He looked towards Li to get an affirmation, as he received a nod. "Phew, how long have I been cultivating?"
"Hmm, about five or six days now."
"Really?! That's crazy, it feels like mere moments. To think it has been that long. I even feel more relaxed than before, this is impressive."
"Why don't you try moving around a bit."