52 Foundation Stage (1/2)

As the argument happens in the Harlyn clan's domain, a change occurs in Anna. She's broken through to foundation stage. John noticed it in the morning as he looked out over the village. The stagnant energy inside her has begun to flow.

Elanor seldom used energy vision for no reason, so she hasn't noticed yet. Foundation stage is such a minor accomplishment that most wouldn't pay it any mind. From their perspective, these people are still average. In clans and sects, children are expected to manage this feat by the age of five. Of course, they use external medicines and well-tread cultivation manuals to accomplish this.

Before the foundation stage, the dantian and meridians are like a pond with no flowing water murky and fettered. The state of the dantian makes it dangerous to the average person. When a mother lifts a laden cart to save a baby, they do this by drinking from the forbidden pool. A healthy person will notice strained muscles and minor distress. However, a sick or old person may drop dead from the ordeal.

When one enters the foundation stage, a stream starts flowing into the stagnant pond slowly clearing away the toxins of mortal life and purifying the body. Anna, unfortunately, had used her bloodline to force the putrid water to move. By using the secret phrase and stimulating her blood, she caused the dam to break. The energy smashed through her meridians and dantian clogging them and damaging them beyond recognition.

Even if a doctor were able to reset Anna's arm, she would have had many complications in the future. She would have to live with a weak constitution for the rest of her life. Suffering from old age sooner then she should her life would have been a slow walk to death.

John isn't a doctor, and Elanor comes from a family that modifies the human body as a kid plays with clay, so they didn't understand the miracle that happened back then. Catherine Lighthands rebuilding Anna's body was like a complete rebirth for the young mother. If the two other disciples were there, they would have fallen to their knees and once again pledged loyalty to their master.

Catherine Lighthands could only create a miracle of this magnitude by reaching the height of a hero that could just be killed by destroying the brain. An individual that would never deteriorate from old age she's passed into the upper twelve stages of cultivation while leaving her humanity behind in the lower twelve stages. The master of the Sunny Spring sect wouldn't be able to lift his head from the ground if he knew the power Catherine held. Catherine thankfully was a unique cultivator that preferred research and a calm atmosphere. She'd chosen the small sect for its soothing spring and out of the way location.

Even Anna herself hadn't noticed a difference. She does feel more energetic but not to an extreme degree. Foundation stage is easy to fall into. Soldiers often find themselves in the foundation stage without even knowing it. A handful of men hold a pass for days against untold odds or a heroic slaying of an unkillable monster. Feats like those turn into heroic tails and demigods.

John sends his voice to Anna as she leaves with her family to get dinner, ”Congratulations!”

Anna pauses her step and looks over at the hill. ”For what?” she asks confused.

Franklin and Arron look at notice Anna's pace slow and look at her. Franklin asks ”Is John talking to you? What did he say?”

”Congratulations,” Anna replies to her son.

”You've reached Foundation stage. You're the first to do so in the village,” John informs brightly.

Anna lifts her hands in front of her face and squeezes them a few times. Arron and Franklin give her an odd expression.

Arron asks worriedly, ”is everything alright.”

”I think so. I guess I entered the foundation stage,” Anna unsurely states.

Franklin grabs his mom's arm with excitement. He feels her arm trying to find some change or discover the secret to foundation stage. ”Wow, that's amazing mom!”

”Congratulations,” Arron says as he wraps his arm around Anna's waste for a side hug.

Anna, however, is distracted by John speaking in her head, ”Don't you think it's a good time to talk to Elanor. She doesn't seem like the type to stay in one spot.”

After hearing John's console, Anna becomes aware of the commotion around her. ”Um yeah thanks,” she says offhandedly. ”You guys go on without me. I want to talk to Elanor for a bit,” She says giving a mild smile to the two. She taps Arron's hand which he retreats. Then she gently pushes Franklin from her arm.

”Ok, mom,” Franklin says as his shoulders dejectedly drooping.