It took another week for Sylra and Marina to reach the peak of Ascendance.
Without Lucien rejoining the cultivation circle midway through those final days, it likely would have taken longer.
When they finally woke from meditation, their auras were no longer merely strong.
They were complete.
Lucien did not waste time.
He gathered the four of them and explained the method in full.
The Empty Vessel. The synchronized reflection. The first tempering through the Abyssal Pool.
Then the second stage, where their true bodies would have to enter and be acknowledged by that blackness directly.
The more he explained, the brighter their eyes became.
Marie leaned forward first.
"So if this works…" she said, almost grinning, "our Celestial bodies won't just be strong. They'll be absurd."
Kaia crossed her arms, looking far too pleased with that thought.
"Good. I was already offended by the ordinary methods."
Marina clasped both hands near her chest.
