Starting with arcane cultivation, Valerian circulated his energy according to the Manifold Elemental Incarnations hoping to complete his arcane baptism. Under his efforts, all the pores in his body began to open and close. His body began to expand and contract as well in accordance with their rhythm. It was like he was breathing with his entire body.

Anyone looking at his body in the essence spectrum would see world essence entering his pores whenever they opened. Moving in myriad ways under the compulsion of his cultivation method to transform his flesh into the perfect vessel for the accumulation and channelling of arcane energy. This was the true arcane baptism, only Valerian's was quite special.

Ordinary methods would create a differing number of channels for energy in the body or transform the skin to allow world essence to seep through but the Manifold Elemental Incarnations was different. It changed the entire body. Flesh, bones, blood vessels, organs, pretty much every part of the body became capable of absorbing and channelling arcane energy. That was the only reason Valerian was still at the arcane baptism stage.

He had not yet transformed his entire body. Never mind that his current self was far better than many could hope for. It was better than even Jonas' but he was supposed to keep practising this stage so as to gain the best transformation possible. Even with the method not everyone could achieve such a state. The elders hoped he would be able to completely transform his flesh, and Valerian would not disappoint.

After a couple of hours, he apprehensively switched to his qi cultivation method. Unlike his progress on the arcane path, his tellurian cultivation was at a complete standstill. He had kept it a secret but he had not improved even one bit since he started cultivating. This was very frustrating for Valerian who was used to being the best at everything he did.

He tried and tried but he was unable to make any progress. Unused to failure he became increasingly disturbed. So much so that it was beginning to seriously affect his confidence and cultivation as a whole. That was why he questioned his grandfather the way he did. He had hoped to be told that cultivation was unimportant so that he would feel better at failing to cultivate his qi. However confronted with its true importance, he couldn't afford to fail.

His prospective tests had shown his unparalleled potential as a tellurian. He had the full backing and resources of the clan and a high-tier cultivation method innately suited to him and his bloodline. There was no reason for him to fail. He would not let himself fail.

Previously no matter how he channelled the Great Monolithic art his qi refused to respond but this time he would make it respond. Calming his mind and focusing his will he forcefully grabbed hold of his qi and with willpower alone, he began to move it around his body in accordance with the monolithic art. Soon he was covered in sweat.

The force fought him the whole way. It completely refused to follow his commands and if he did not have such a strong hold over it would have slipped back to its special pool. Unwilling to lose he dragged it millimetre by millimetre along the route it should go. The process brought him immense pain but he ignored it in favour of his progress.

He reminded himself constantly of the stakes he was playing for. In a few circuits, he would finally be able to push his qi into his bones and begin bone transformation. That there was no gain without pain. He ignored the way his blood roiled and boiled. The way his body protested and the pain that wracked his form.

Anyone still watching at this point would be shocked and appalled at the changes in his appearance. Valerian's teeth were so clenched his gums bleed. His hands grasped his knees so tightly they looked bloodless. His body shuddered visibly as he tried to ignore the pain, and his clothes were completely drenched in sweat. If his eyes were open the watcher would see how bloodshot they were.

Too bad Valerian had never watched someone cultivating qi before. If he had he would know that what he was doing was more akin to self-torture than cultivation. Sadly, he didn't know so he continued with what he was doing. Sometimes he lost ground and the qi retreated yet still he preserved. There was no question that his willpower was incredible. Not even grown men would be able to endure what he was going through.

Valerian's mind was totally clear and focused. He wholly ignored the pain and protest his body was enduring and forcefully moved his qi. All his thoughts were turned towards the task at hand and he was succeeding. He was nearly there. His qi was about to make a full circuit. He would have smiled if he could however as soon as the circuit was accomplished his body twitched and despite himself, a sharp cry burst from his lips.

The painful, loud cry rent the air disturbing all the people in the household. Quickly locating the source the guards led by his grandmother and his uncle Richard broke down his door. However the moment their eyes met the sight that awaited them they couldn't help but recoil in horror. Clara gasped and covered her mouth whilst everyone else stood slack-jawed.

Valerian sat there on his mat still in a cultivating pose. Motionless, hands grasping his knees, wet with sweat and blood bubbling past his lips. She rushed to him screaming for help to find him unresponsive and unconscious.

It was only a week later that Valerian finally woke up. Raising his aching head from the pillow his eyes swept the unfamiliar room. A pure energy filled the place. He could feel it work on him, entering his body on its own volition and soothing his internal injuries. He traced the energies to several elaborate arrays that covered the floor, walls and ceiling. This was more than enough for him to deduce that he was in an infirmary of some kind. A high class one by the look of things.

"Young master, you're awake!" a voice exclaimed.

Slowly Valerian turned his head in its direction to see a young man in bright cream coloured robes. He tried to ask where he was but found his tongue to be heavy and unresponsive and his mouth dry.

"Don't try to speak, just wait! I'll bring Healer Brian shortly". The young man warned.

In less than a minute the previously empty room was filled with people. His grandparents were there as well as the three elders that often came around the manor and his uncles were leaning against one of the walls. However aside from the young man from earlier there were two additional people, one female and the other male both middle-aged. The man wore a monocle and cream robes in the same style as the young man only with a mantle over it. Clearly, he was Healer Brian.

Healer Brian was currently bent over him running hands glowing with a bright yellow light over his body. The light brought Valerian great comfort. It was warm and soothing and best of all it removed the dull pain that he felt in his insides. Once that was done he was made to drink a pale blue liquid from a crystal phial.

The moment the healer straightened up though, his grandfather's voice rang out.

"Is he going to be alright?"

"Yes! He will have to refrain from using any of his forces or cultivating for a day or two but aside from that and a little soreness and stiffness from being unconscious for so long, there's nothing to be concerned about. His meridians are fine and his internal injuries are nearly gone", the man answered. Then fixing his monocled eye on Valerian he continued.

"Our concern should be what caused his injuries in the first place. I confess to never having seen cultivation injuries like those before."

Everyone's attention was immediately caught. They were curious too. What could have so ravaged his insides and put him in such a state?

Somewhat anxious the magistrate couldn't help but ask rather loudly, "Valerian what did you do?"

"Nothing", he replied with a confused look on his face.

"Come on boy, nothing would not have wounded you like you were. I saw your injuries myself. We won't punish you we just want to know what caused it" Elder Foreson told him.

"Truly! I didn't do anything. I was just cultivating".

"Valerian, please! Just tell us. There is no way that just cultivating could injure you so", his grandfather pleaded.

"Wait!" Healer Brian called out. "Just how and what were you cultivating?"