The class then began talking, encouraged by Master Clearheart, about what even is the 'heart' of a Cultivator, what differentiates someone who uses an art based on it from someone who simply cultivates normally. The disciples discussed this animatedly, forming little groups of five, chosen by Clearheart.

Ren and the other touring prodigies were also directed into the groups, one group for each of them, to the disgruntlement of Xin Jing, whose group members looked cowed compared to the others.

But disregarding her troubles for now, Ren focused on the arguments and discussions of his own group, as he was in fact quite curious about heart cultivation, especially as Master Clearheart recounted the legend of the nameless man who became an immortal without even having cultivated spirit.

"Well, all of us already started on the foundational heart cultivation art of the division, and there is not a single mention of anyone ever skipping all stages to directly become immortal." An exasperated sounding girl, maybe fourteen years old, Ren wasn't at all sure, exclaimed, sitting down next to him. She wore the grey disciple robes rather loosely and fixed her brown eyes on all four of their impromptu group. Irate, she continued. "In my opinion, this is just nonsense. How can anyone advance any art without being able to command their spirit, at least to some extent?"

She looked at the others in their group with an expression of superiority upon her face, as if she just gave them an invaluable piece of wisdom, challenging them to contradict her, which one of them promptly did. He was obviously one of the oldest disciples present, with deep set eyes, a lean build, and multiple accessories hanging off his grey robe, all of a shining white colour.

"I for my part didn't see the point that you were trying to make, Sister Gao, and I rather thought that you missed the whole purpose of the legend, as well as the meaning of the 'heart'." He said, adressing the girl.

Sister Gao's smug smile was swiftly erased and replaced with an intense shade of red, Ren observed.

"If you know so much about it, then please do enlighten us, Brother Fei." She said, sarcasm and vitriol in her voice. The older boy looked unimpressed by her though.

"I was just about to, Sister Gao. Now as I was about to say, Heart cultivation, and arts based on the heart can be improved without needing to solely deepen your understanding of spirit and it's aspects, though I guess a point could be made about a Cultivator's heart also affecting his spirit, but regardless, Master Clearheart obviously doesn't expect us, or anyone else for that matter, to reach unheard heights of insight and break the bounds of this world just like in the legend." The boy called Fei said, keeping a neutral face while Sister Gao was silently fuming. Not knowing what to retort, she turned to Ren and the other two members of their little group, who didn't say anything till now.

After considering for a moment, she decided on who to confront first. "New boy, what do you think about Brother Fei's opinion of the legend's meaning? You came together with the young Mistress of our division apparently, and Master Clearheart seems to have quite the big opinion of her, so you should know a lot too, right?" And before Ren could answer her, she turned to the said boy, pointing her index finger at him. "And I haven't forgotten that you didn't say what you think the 'heart' even is, Brother Fei. Master Clearheart would surely want us to have at least some idea." She said, her face still a little red.

This time, Ren answered before Brother Fei could exchange his understanding of the heart with them. "Even though I travel together with Sister Xin I don't actually know all that much about what the 'heart' is, or how you would cultivate any type of art based on it, to be honest."

Ren told them honestly, as there were many mentions of this concept in both manuals and general cultivation advice that could be found in the library, as well as other disciples occasionally mentioning it in throwaway sentences like, 'your heart isn't in it', or 'you have to reflect on your heart more', but never anything concrete.

"Well, that is certainly a surprise, Brother..." Brother Fei said, though he didn't sound too perturbed, while Sister Gao looked at him like he grew a second head for some reason.

"Ren, is my name, Brother Fei." He responded, as the older boy had paused for a moment to let him interject his name.

"Brother Ren, then, do you by chance know what an Intent is?" He asked, crossing his arms expectantly, and as Ren knew this he answered as such.

"Yes, I know about Intents, but what do they have to do with the heart, Brother Fei?" Ren answered him.

"That is good. An Intent as you know works as somewhat of a cornerstone of your cultivation, it is what all your arts should build around, and the farther removed they are, the harder will it be to learn and apply them." The older boy said, his accessories clinking together.

Ren nodded, he had heard this explanation and even more detailed ones, going deeper into its relation with one's cultivation, which was also the reason why it would basically be impossible for him to ever learn and apply something that he could not integrate into a sword art.

"There are a few differing opinions on this, but what I think, and is most often taught, is that the 'heart' is more about your beliefs, your ideals and experiences, tastes and dislikes, how true to yourself you are, as well as how vast and rigorous your perspective is. It encompasses your whole being and works as a reflection of you. And this brings us directly to the heart cultivation arts. A cultivation art based on your heart will, as far as I know, always try to build up an inner sanctuary, a place of reflection and introspection that will slowly expand as your enlightenment of the world and yourself grows." Brother Fei said.

This was a bit too much for Ren to take in all at once. If the heart was a reflection of oneself, then why could not everyone cultivate these arts that erect an inner sanctuary. He suspected that this was also the reason why Xin Jing was so late to recognize Shen Junan wanting to wake her up. She was meditating to be sure, but if she reflected on herself while completely drawing herself into this inner world of hers, then it was obvious that she would not be able to react as dexterously.

Brother Fei continued his explanation. "This sanctuary will then, similar to an Intent, be used in different arts, empowering them in different ways based on the individual sanctuary."

"Have you already built this inner sanctuary, Brother Fei?" Ren interrupted, as he now could clearly see all the little things that made Xin Jing just a little stronger when it came to certain things, like the parcour back on the top of the mountain, even though Han Ting was sure he would be able to overcome it with ease.

Brother Fei smiled wryly and shook his head. "Like Sister Gao said, we just started on the introductory Cultivation art of the heart division, and have not yet even built a place to reflect more deeply and easily while we meditate. Your Sister Xin, the young Mistress of our division though, has surely already reached a point where her heart cultivation is comparable to an Adept's."