Secrets of the Universe

Chapter 182: What is Beauty?

Fifteen minutes later.

The two had managed to figure out the herbs needed and now, it was Jake's turn to introduce her to the world.

"A long time ago, cultivation was the utmost practice on all lands. In this current time, it is still the same, however, it has been reformed and no longer regarded as cultivation," explained Jake as he walked on a stony road in the forest.

"So, you mean it has been abolished?" asked Kalyex, who walked side by side.

"Yes."

He looked at his front as he told the beautiful tale, "Cultivation was the only path to power. However, it was too rigid. After being refined, it could not be called that anymore. It became part of a larger practice that had no name."

"This new practice is divided into four levels. The first one is the warrior stage. The second is the legend stage. The fourth is the mythic stage. While the last is the deities stage," divulged Jake.

It was only after rummaging through the books he got from the library did he find this piece of information.

This would explain why things felt more advanced despite not looking it.

Moving on, Jake explained to Kaleyx what the four stages were for.

He told her of how each stage was further divided into sub realms, which are dubbed as the realms of cultivation.

Each stage had three realms that align with the realms of cultivation.

Hence, if Jake advances to [Realm 4], he would be called a legend, in the same league as Legend Caelin.

"......However, that is not all. Cultivation is merely the manipulation of energy. It is just one of the branches of the power practice. It is just a path!" sighed Jake.

He went on, "There are other paths to take, but the essential one is the [Cultivation Path] as it granted one direct power. Tied to it is the [Elemental Path], granting one power over their innate element. It is quite an interesting one."

As he strode on the stony road, Jake brought up his pinky finger and ignite a flame on it, "Like I said innate element. Everyone is born with different capabilities, different talents. It is this innate affinity to elemental forces that guides one on their [Elemental Path]."

The small ball of fire at the tip of his hand was weak, too weak. He shot it out to a nearby tree, but it could barely do anything, except burning a few leaves before it got extinguished by the wind.

"One cannot excel on the path they don't have an affinity to. Likewise, I cannot deal any real damage with the [Fire Element], but..."

With a single thought, an ice crystal appeared on Jake's fingertip. On his second finger, a streak of lightning snaked around it.

Jake pointed both fingers to two trees respectively, blasting them out.

Upon contact, one tree got totally frozen, while the other got burnt to charcoal, all the leaves had disintegrated.

"With my element, I'm at my strongest," explained Jake.

From the abilities she displayed, he was sure that she probably understood it prior to their encounter, but Jake was just making sure.

"Another important path is the [Weapon Path]. On this path, man and weapon work together to bring out the strongest power," divulged Jake.

After a few more minutes on this topic, he moved on to another one.

"The last important path is the [Auxiliary Paths], a sort of profession or hobby one would like. There are a lot of auxiliary paths; healer path, alchemist path, array path, blacksmith path, artificer path, and many more."

Kaleyx asked, "So, that is what you meant that time?"

"Yes,  the healer path seemed to be good for you. U have knowledge of how to find good herbs and you have listened to your mother's rant about exclusive healing knowledge. You are probably already on the first level of the [Healing Path]," replied Jake.

He had seen the abilities of another healer. So, he could measure Kaleyx's ability. Just her body scan ability alone makes her meant for the path.

"Oh, I can tell you desperately want a healer," mused Kaleyx.

She wouldn't fall for Jake's indirect persuasion, but she quite liked the [Healer Path].

"So, do you have books on the path?" asked Kaleyx.

"Not much. I will give you after you help me with my mental deterioration," offered Jake.

He was telling her everything due to not wanting a half-ass ally. She had already proven that, if given sufficient information, she can operate at maximum. Hence, he gave her all he needed to know.

However, he kept the most important part. He would only reveal it after she had treated him. 

"Ok," She faked a smile at him, "As long as you find somewhere you are coming at, we will start right away. We already have everything we need."

"Hmm." Jake went silent.

'We are close,' he thought.

This was the same part his bounty team used to get to the grassy plain. He knew a place where he would feel at peace.

Leading her out of the stony road, Jake went deep into the forest. 

It didn't take long for him to find a clear lake that perfectly reflected the light from the night sky.

Sometimes, moonlight particles fell on it, making sounds that only they could hear. A soothing melodious sound that gave the illusion of a fairy dancing on the lake.

"This is the place," said Jake.

He sat on a nearby boulder, along with Kaleyx, as they admired the beautiful scenery.

"A man was on a search to understand what beauty was. 

He asked a loyal husband. The husband said his wife was the symbol of beauty. 

He asked a carpenter. The carpenter said his works were the perfect image of beauty.

He asked a goddess. She said the word beauty was directly coined in her image.

After receiving other various answers, the man got frustrated and tired. He sat by a riverside to catch fishes, and as the moon hung over the sky, he got his epiphany.

The fishes jumped like they were about to ascend. The wolf howled melodiously, accompanying by the rustled winds. The other animals roared triumphantly. And the man sat listening to everything. He suddenly understood what beauty was.

It was nature!" hummed Kaleyx.

She got Jake gazing at her, "It is one of my mother's favorite verses."

Jake had to agree on the content of the verse. Utmost beauty was nature!