Chapter 257: Cultivating Dark Mana
The sacred grove lay deep within the forest, far from the palace grounds.
Ancient trees formed a natural circle around a clearing where another waterfall cascaded down moss-covered rocks into a pool that reflected the moonlight.
Grim arrived to find Húxiān already waiting, her divine presence making the very air shimmer.
"You came," she observed with obvious satisfaction. "I confess, I wasn’t entirely certain you would follow through."
"I gave my word," Grim replied, though he couldn’t entirely suppress his nervousness about what the training would involve.
"Indeed you did," Húxiān agreed. "And now we discover whether you have the strength to honor it."
"Sit," she instructed, indicating a rock in the pond. "We begin with assessment. I need to understand exactly how the dark mana has integrated with your natural flow."
Grim settled into a cross-legged position, immediately the natural energy arpund him. Mana flowed upward from the earth, not unpleasant but clearly designed to enhance and amplify whatever processes would follow.
"Close your eyes and circulate your mana normally," Húxiān instructed, moving to stand behind him. "Let me observe your natural patterns before we attempt any modifications."
Grim complied, drawing energy through his cultivation channels. The process felt different in this location—more intense, as if the sacred grove was designed to enhance spiritual activities.
"Fascinating," Húxiān murmured, her voice carrying professional interest. "The corruption hasn’t just mixed with your mana circuits—it’s become woven info every part of your body. Separating it will require more care than I initially anticipated."
"Is that problematic?" Grim asked, though he kept his eyes closed and his circulation steady.