The wind that morning was dry. No frost yet, but close. Yuhao stood beneath the tall pine tree behind their home, brushing frost-hardened leaves into a pile. His cloak was thinner than before—intentional. Resistance built best with light exposure.
> [Body Temperature: Stable]
[Cold Qi Tolerance: 1.7% → 1.9% (natural exposure)]
[Note: Consistent exposure increasing baseline tolerance.]
He finished sweeping and set the leaves aside. The sun hadn't fully risen, but its violet fringe had begun peeking through.
Time to cultivate.
---
He slipped into the second stance of his morning practice—arms half-lowered, weight evenly distributed on both feet. Today, he changed the breathing pattern. Slower intake. Deeper exhale.
He didn't look toward the sun. Just listened—to the breeze, the breath, the sound of blood and qi circulating through flesh.
Every muscle was relaxed.
But every nerve was awake.
> [Purple Qi Absorption Rate: 3.2% Efficiency]
[Marrow Refinement: 2.7% → 3.3%]
[System Note: Estimated Time to Reach 10% Body Base Cultivation – 16 Days]
Still slow.
Still steady.
He exhaled. Let the rhythm carry itself. No ambition. No ego. Just breath, light, and time.
---
By midmorning, Yun'er had finished adjusting his inner cloak lining. Her hands, still fragile, moved slowly, but her stitches were tight and even.
"Try it on," she said, offering the cloak.
Yuhao took it and nodded. "Fits."
"You'll need it for your trip."
"I haven't left yet."
"You will."
He gave a soft sound of agreement.
"I've been thinking," she said as she set the needle down. "You should get an aditional herbalist license."
He raised a brow.
"You've been collecting roots and brewing better than the town healer. If anything happens while you're away, I can manage better with proper supplies."
Yuhao paused.
That was her way of saying she didn't want to be helpless again.
"Alright," he said. "I'll apply next month."
---
That afternoon, Yuhao sat alone in the back room with a thin wood tablet in his hand.
On it were two words:
Tianmeng Model.
It wasn't the real spirit. Just a projection—an imitation created through the system's Projection and Analysis function. Not alive. Not dangerous. But useful.
He activated it.
A shimmering illusion flickered into place before him—a blurry, translucent silhouette of the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm. It floated silently, surrounded by faint, swirling pressure.
> [Simulation Parameters: 3% Pressure Intensity / 1% Spiritual Emission Range / 1% Cold Field Projection]
[Training Objective: Acclimate to Presence – Do Not Engage]
[Timer: 30 Minutes]
He sat down.
And began.
---
The moment the pressure touched his skin, Yuhao's chest tightened. Not from pain—just weight. The same kind you feel in deep snow. That crushing stillness.
He didn't resist.
He adjusted his breath, mind, and inner channels to absorb the pressure. As if letting a cold river flow through him without trying to dam it.
Minute after minute passed.
His vision blurred once.
He let it.
> [Mental Pressure Adaptation: +0.4%]
[Cold Aura Resistance: +0.3%]
[Spiritual Synchronization Range: Expanded 5 Meters]
He opened his eyes.
The projection was still hovering.
He stayed where he was.
And kept breathing.
---
That night, Yuhao added notes to his internal log.
> [Progress Summary – Week 3]
Purple Qi Absorption Rate Consistent
Cold Resistance Developing Naturally
Mental Simulation of Tianmeng: Low-Intensity Stable
Huo Yun'er Health Status: 76% Recovery
Internal Spirit Sea Expansion: 1.4%
[Note: Ideal Departure Window Estimate – 35 to 40 Days]
He read the last line again.
Still too early.
But not far off.
He turned the page and began copying diagrams of cold-type herbs from memory.
---
In the kitchen, Yun'er was preparing ginger tea.
She glanced over. "Still copying?"
He nodded.
"You work too hard."
"So do you."
She shrugged. "I'm older. You should be resting more."
"I'm young. I recover faster."
She huffed, mock-annoyed. "You always have an answer."
He didn't reply. Just poured the water and set her cup on the table.
She took it, sipped slowly, then looked at him. "When you do go… leave me a map."
"You won't need it."
"Still."
He nodded.
"I'll leave it by the shelf."
---
Outside, the wind picked up again.
Yuhao stood at the window.
Watching the stars, quiet.
Not longing.
Not hoping.
Just… readying