Mukhalis: Hero of Bentala
17. Spiritual World

Sitting cross-legged, both palms are placed directly above the knees by closing the eyes. The sound of the water flow was noisy to disrupt the concentration of Sulah, inevitably having to be able to overcome it. This is the challenge that must be conquered, sharpen the senses to be more centered in the mind.

Being on a not-so-big rock in the middle of the river, the water almost touched his feet. This sad time is not as scary as it used to be because according to Guru Mahendra, feeling Prana does take time. The average child his age just realized the element in a week more, the longest even for months.

This time he was alone, Master Mahendra not long ago returned to the store just to take something. The one thing that Suluh needed to focus on for now was to open his soul, empty his mind, clear the troubled heart. Trying to be indifferent to other matters.

He took a strong breath, exhaling periodically. Every time he did that, his face turned radiant, calm and serene. His heart felt the pleasure of peace that everyone sought. The chirping of birds perched on the branches of trees increasingly gives obstacles to him, although in fact that is what makes the situation there more colorful.

The scorching sun gradually roasted the skin but somehow Suluh did not feel the radiation. Perhaps because the river is flanked by two lush forests rich in oxygen and the swift fresh water. So clear, the foundations of the river until it is seen. Small fish are busy looking for food. It is a pity that Suluh had to put aside that temptation for one purpose.

Increasingly immersed in thought, Suluh slowly felt a significant impact. His hearing began to weaken, voices faded, he was suddenly deaf. At first he was panicked and confused, but he couldn't stop there. He must continue. For some reason, Suluh began to feel the atmosphere again. A hot air that made his chest pound.

Even though those eyes were closed, Sulah could see something before her. Something very terrible. The figure again appeared. A black silhouette with a blaze of flames was swirling around him. A gigantic fireball formed, hurtling very quickly towards him. The torch carried away, suddenly taking refuge behind both hands. The moment when the red man whipped him, Suluh gasped from meditation until he fell into the river.

"Fear is a mind-destroying thing" the voice came from Mahendra's grandfather who had been standing by the river since when. "He's gonna manipulate you to the point that you're helpless."

Suluh immediately rushed to his feet, fixing himself by wagging the loose trousers that were completely wet. "I'm sorry, Master! I'm too negligent in reacting."

"You must be able to face your fears" exclaimed Master Mahendra who placed both hands behind his back. "In that way, there's no more barrier preventing you."

"Good, Teacher!" yells a full of confidence. "I will try as much as possible."

The grandfather turned around, walking away from him. "Let's take a break, it's time."

Red frowned, was made a crime. "Guru, is it lunchtime?"

"Yes" he stopped, turning to the boy. "Didn't you notice?"

He could not respond to anything, completely made up in the fog. Though Suluh began to meditate when it was still morning, the sun was even new upward. However, the shadow he saw earlier, as well as the ears that were suddenly unable to hear, seemed to take hours. This was proven when the sun was perched on top of the head that seemed to have slipped to the West.

Master Mahendra sat under a shady tree, accompanied by Suluh greedily eating the food that had been brought by the grandfather's assistant. When viewed further, the assistant teachers in Cenderawasih are also not just anyone. At least they were already very proficient in martial arts as well as Pranic control, at least in the Raga Level stages. Suluh knew this when she had four eyes with him, senior Indira.

"Feeling Prana is certainly not an easy thing," said the woman saw Guru Mahendra who made a movement in front of her. Indira is white, as pure as milk when the light hits. The short, shoulder-length black hair curled up following the gust of wind, occasionally his tanned lentic iris glanced towards Sulah. "I used to be almost a month old. Not to mention how to accept them into the body."

"Didn't all bad things absolutely have to be done away with in the heart of the heart?" The woman turned her head, smiling broadly to encourage Suluh. "You can do it."

"Thank you senior Indira," Suluh said after finishing the meal in the bowl. "I'm actually just like you."

Indira squinted slightly, letting Suluh continue, "I was too worried that if not accepted by Prana, afraid that I would not be able to cultivate. Because of my physical limitations, I'm getting pessimistic and desperate."

"However, thanks to those who trusted me, including the access of knowledge from Master Mahendra and yourself," Sulah joined in to reveal the corners of her lips. "I'm getting excited and confident about myself."

"Good, lest you lose it" said Indira, her aura exuding an irresistible sense of positivity. "Confidence is important!"

Shortly after, Master Mahendra exclaimed, "Ten, come here."

Suddenly Suluh stood up, giving a signal to Indira who was met with a small nod from the woman. The boy ran as fast as he could, immediately behind the grandfather who was doing a dance. True, Master Mahendra's movements are like a dance that flows just like that, in sync with each other. The thing that Suluh realized was the flow of water, as if following every body chant from Guru Mahendra.

"Prana is peace" said the grandfather with full concentration and seemed calm. "If you don't have that peace, you can't feel them."

As both hands extended upwards, the water wave was sticking out mimicking such a short duration, spitting out splashes of water in the air. Suluh gawked in amazement, as did Indira from a distance. During his years as his assistant, only this time Indira witnessed firsthand Master Mahendra demonstrating his abilities in the Natural Level, controlling the water element.

At that time, Suluh was motivated. Day after day passed, forging martial skills followed by meditating practice, Suluh grew into a highly valued disciple. It was not just that dedication and persistence that made Savian empathize, the fact that it was with the body that impressed the red-haired boy. According to him, the frills of special children pinned to him are not mere figments.

Even sixteen days passed, Suluh was again in the same place. This time he was in full preparation with a fit body, trying to open up the tribe to feel the presence of Prana. It didn't take as long as she had, she lost her sense of hearing, all started to quiet down and the same events haunted her. The blazing fire destroyed everything along with the figure of Mukhalis who was about to hit him.

However, instead of retreating, Suluh stepped closer to the fireball before his eyes. He deftly took cover behind both hands, pushing with all his might through the heat that felt real. Even his artificial hand was gradually turning black to withstand the sting of extreme temperatures. However, the burning confidence in Suluh is much stronger to defeat.

He desperately broke down his fear, with great effort raining down the fire and in the blink of an eye, everything was gone. The red man disappeared as if split apart, glowing into dust grains scattered in the air. Over time each point gives off light, Suluh realized that their number is many. Hundreds, thousands, billions. No, infinity. Suluh felt the presence of Prana, surrounding the child who was still meditating on the rock.

At that moment, he was cultivating.

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