Chapter Sixteen: Igniting the Standard

Another two months passed.

Owen stopped tossing stones and addressed Yin Seventeen seriously, “You have now begun to adapt to using all six senses at once, but it will take a long time to further refine this skill, so that the use of your core sense and your five senses can operate perfectly in tandem.”

“During this lengthy process, you can also strengthen your physique, hone your combat techniques, and enhance your practical fighting abilities.”

“When your core sense has grown to a sufficient level, you can consider attempting to ignite your microcosm.”

Yin Seventeen shook his head with a wry smile, “Igniting the microcosm is still far beyond my reach. I probably won’t even consider it for several years yet.”

Ignorance is often fearless.

Though he had heard from Moses and Owen, even before embarking on his path of cultivation, that igniting the microcosm was exceedingly difficult, those were only rumors. He had never experienced it himself, and his understanding of how hard it was remained vague.

Until a few months ago, once he could independently use his core sense, he eagerly probed within himself to seek out his microcosm.

At last, he ‘saw’ the legendary microcosm.

It was a small sea of stars, hidden within his body, composed of innumerable celestial bodies.

Though the star sea was small, barely enveloped by his physical form, when he ventured deeper with his core sense, he could see no boundaries, almost losing himself within it.

Just as its name suggested, it was truly an infinite universe.

To ignite the microcosm is to use one’s limited sixth sense to guide the boundless cosmos within, and to draw it under one’s control—a task that seemed utterly impossible to Yin Seventeen.

Only then did he finally understand how difficult it truly was to ignite the microcosm.

And those Saints who had crossed this inhuman threshold, possessing such extraordinary power, were no longer incomprehensible.

Owen approached slowly, patting Yin Seventeen’s shoulder in encouragement. “Don’t lose heart. Keep training. One day, you will reach that step.”

“Let’s hope so,” Yin Seventeen sighed softly.

Turning his gaze toward the distant sacred mountain, Owen continued, “You’ve been at the training camp for a year now. Your cultivation is on track, and you’re capable of living independently.”

“As your guide, my mission is fulfilled. The path ahead must be walked by you alone.”

“Thank you for your guidance, senior,” Yin Seventeen bowed in thanks.

“No need to thank me. As an apprentice Saint, this is the only contribution I can make to Lady Athena.”

Owen shook his head, then added, “Three days from now, I will attempt to ignite my microcosm here. If you’re interested, you may come and observe.”

“Perhaps it will help you gain some experience.”

Hearing this, Yin Seventeen hurriedly tried to dissuade him, “Senior, your sixth sense is still far from being able to control the microcosm. Attempting to ignite it now is almost certain death!”

Over his year at the training camp, having attended countless lectures by Saints and received Owen’s guidance, he knew well the standards for igniting the microcosm.

A Saint who possesses microcosmic power can easily reach, or even surpass, the speed of sound.

In other words, even the weakest Saint meets the sonic threshold.

Yet for apprentice Saints unable to use the microcosm, the speed of sound is an insurmountable barrier.

Without the microcosm’s protection, flesh would fall apart the instant it reached sonic speeds.

Such strength is not for ordinary humans.

Furthermore, after centuries of data analysis from countless apprentices, the Sanctuary concluded: the closer an apprentice approaches the speed of sound, the higher their chance of igniting the microcosm.

Of course, in this context, ‘speed of sound’ does not simply refer to achieving that velocity.

It means that, at the sonic threshold, an apprentice’s sixth sense and physical body must both possess sufficient strength.

Only a strong sixth sense can guide the microcosm’s power, and only a robust body can withstand the surges when it ignites.

Because there are no suitable units to measure the strength of the sixth sense or the body, speed serves as a concrete, intuitive standard for judging the ignition of the microcosm.

So, merely increasing speed, while hoping to ignite the microcosm, is a misconception.

Owen had once told him that if a boxer’s punch speed is ten meters per second, then Owen’s own was about twenty-five times faster.

Yet even at such speed, it still falls far short of the three hundred forty meters per second required for sonic velocity.

Clearly, Owen’s sixth sense and physical strength were not ideal, and the odds of success were obvious.

“A mere attempt still offers a one-in-ten-thousand chance; giving up guarantees eternal failure,” Owen gazed at the sacred mountain, undisguised longing on his face.

Barring extraordinary circumstances, an apprentice like him could never set foot on the sacred mountain or approach the goddess’s throne.

Only true Saints had the right to enter there.

Even though Lady Athena was no longer present, if he could become the goddess’s Saint and ascend that mountain, it would be enough for him.

“But, if you leave the Sanctuary, you could live comfortably in the mundane world. There’s no need to risk that one-in-ten-thousand chance,” Yin Seventeen urged again.

Owen’s likelihood of igniting the microcosm was so low as to be nearly nonexistent; it was little different from courting death.

Even if Yin Seventeen longed to change his ordinary life, he would never gamble on such a tiny probability.

Owen turned back, again patted Yin Seventeen’s shoulder, and smiled, “I came to the Sanctuary to one day become Lady Athena’s Saint, not for the paltry riches of the mortal world.”

“If I fail and die here, so be it.”

“There’s no finer resting place than this.”

He asked for little; to be buried in the Sanctuary and guard Lady Athena as a heroic spirit would suffice.

Hearing Owen’s resolve, Yin Seventeen ceased trying to persuade him.

Everyone has their own path; no matter what others think, if one believes it worthwhile, that is enough.

“Then I won’t disturb you as you prepare yourself,” Yin Seventeen said, then took his leave.

Over the past year, Owen had accompanied him in cultivation, while he himself spent little time training.

Since Owen was determined to ignite the microcosm, he would need to adjust his sixth sense and his physical state to the best possible condition.

It would be best for Yin Seventeen not to disturb him over the next three days.

Without Owen’s help, Yin Seventeen began to compete for food on his own.

Unfortunately, he had only been in the training camp for a year, and was only somewhat stronger than newcomers who hadn’t mastered the sixth sense, placing him at the very bottom.

With little combat experience, he couldn’t fight his way to the front.

His first attempt at food competition ended predictably: he only managed to grab some leftovers.

Still, he used those scraps as bait and caught a few fish, so he did not go hungry.