The evening descended, bringing with it a crisp, cool breeze. Leaves rustled and danced, carried hither and thither by the gentle currents of air.
Deep within the heart of a sprawling, ancient forest, a lone figure journeyed. A wide-brimmed hat obscured their face, casting a shadow that made it impossible to discern any features clearly.
The only hint of their identity was a certain determined stride, a silent testament to a hidden purpose.
Suddenly, without warning, the weather shifted dramatically. The sky, once a soft twilight canvas, rapidly darkened as ominous black clouds began to gather, swirling and pressing in from all directions. A low, rumbling growl echoed through the vast expanse of the forest as thunder began to reverberate, growing louder with each passing moment.
Soon, delicate droplets of rain began to fall, pattering softly on the thick canopy of leaves overhead.
The lone traveler, caught in the heart of the wilderness, considered their predicament. "It looks like this rain will last for a long time," they mused inwardly, their voice a silent thought against the growing clamor of the storm. "I won't reach my home anytime soon at this rate. I need to find shelter, and fast."
The urgency in their thoughts was palpable, a growing awareness of the deepening twilight and the escalating storm.
They cast their gaze around, searching frantically for any sign of refuge. The dense foliage offered little in the way of immediate protection, and the rain, which had started as a gentle drizzle, was now intensifying, transforming into a steady downpour.
Just as despair threatened to set in, a glimmer of hope appeared in the distance. Through the curtain of rain, they spotted a colossal tree, its trunk massive and ancient, offering a potential haven. With newfound vigor, they sprinted towards it, seeking shelter from the relentless torrent.
The ancient tree indeed proved to be a sanctuary. Its immense trunk boasted a sizable hollow, a cavernous opening that seemed specifically carved out by nature for some forest dwelling creature. Without a moment's hesitation, the traveler plunged inside, eager to escape the lashing rain and the growing chill.
The instant they stepped within the hollow, an oppressive darkness enveloped them. Not a single ray of light penetrated the thick wood, and the traveler found themselves completely blind in the Stygian gloom.
Then, from a small pouch, they retrieved an object. As it emerged, a brilliant, dazzling light erupted, illuminating the entire interior of the tree hollow. The sudden surge of radiance pushed back the suffocating darkness, revealing the traveler's face.
It was none other than Wang Zifan. His features, now visible, were etched with a blend of determination and a hint of trepidation.
In his hand, Wang Zifan held the Death Herb, its unique properties radiating a faint, almost ethereal glow. He gazed at it, his mind lost in contemplation. "I finally have the Death Herb," he thought, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"But I still don't know how to use it to unblock my spiritual root." The question hung heavy in the air, a profound puzzle he desperately needed to solve. The path to his true potential lay veiled, dependent on understanding this mysterious herb.
As he pondered, a golden paper spontaneously emerged from within him, shimmering with an otherworldly luminescence.
Before Wang Zifan could even react, the paper flew towards the Death Herb in his hand and, with an astonishing swiftness, completely absorbed it. The herb vanished, leaving behind only the radiant golden paper.
Before Wang Zifan could fully process what had just occurred, he found himself transported to his inner body.
He observed the golden paper, now glowing with an even brighter intensity, attempting to merge with his spiritual root. A wave of confusion washed over him.
"What is happening?" Wang Zifan exclaimed, his voice echoing in the ethereal space of his inner self. "I brought the Death Herb to unblock my spiritual root, but what is this now?" His perplexity was evident, as the situation had deviated drastically from his expectations. The suddenness and inexplicable nature of the event left him bewildered.
In that very moment, the golden paper successfully merged with his spiritual root. A powerful, brilliant light burst forth from the spiritual root, so intense that it seemed to pulse with raw energy.
In a single, decisive surge, all the chains that had bound his spiritual root shattered into countless fragments, dissolving into nothingness. Simultaneously, Wang Zifan's eyes snapped open in his real body, a gasp escaping his lips.
"Has my spiritual root truly been unblocked?" Wang Zifan whispered, the words barely audible. A mixture of disbelief and immense hope filled his voice.
He recalled the ancient book his father had given him, a tome filled with profound knowledge, including detailed instructions on cultivation. The path ahead, though daunting, was now clearer than ever.
"First, I must calm my mind," he instructed himself, his voice firm and resolute. "Then, I must perceive nature as an extension of my own body." These were the fundamental steps, the initial foundations upon which his cultivation journey would be built.
The teachings of the ancient book resonated within him, guiding his every thought.
Next, he began the arduous process of gradually absorbing spiritual energy into his body. This energy, once absorbed, would be used to forge a foundation within his being, a core of power that would serve as the bedrock of his cultivation.
As Wang Zifan attempted to draw in the spiritual energy, an agonizing pain coursed through his entire body. It was a searing, intense discomfort that threatened to overwhelm him.
His muscles tensed, and his breath hitched in his throat.
"I didn't realize cultivation would be this painful," Wang Zifan grit out, his voice strained. Despite the immense suffering, a fierce determination burned in his eyes. "But I've come this far. I cannot give up now." His resolve was unwavering, a testament to his innate strength.
With that declaration, he let out a powerful, guttural cry, a sound that seemed to tear through the very fabric of the air. From his body, a brilliant golden light erupted, piercing the dark, stormy clouds in the sky, soaring upwards like a beacon.
The sheer force of this energy was so immense that the very tree he had sought shelter under shattered, its ancient wood splintering outwards in a violent explosion. When the golden energy struck the storm clouds above, they scattered, dissipating as if by an unseen hand, and the relentless rain ceased instantly.
With this astonishing display of power, Wang Zifan had achieved his first breakthrough, entering the initial stage of cultivation.
"Finally, I've reached the first level of the Qi Refining stage!" Wang Zifan exclaimed, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. "Now, I too can become incredibly strong!" A profound sense of joy and accomplishment washed over him, filling him with an exhilarating new purpose.
The journey had just begun, but the taste of newfound power was intoxicating.
Miles away, Bai Lin observed the entire spectacle. His eyes, typically calm and composed, held a flicker of intrigue. "Interesting," he murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You have finally achieved a breakthrough." His voice was low, yet carried an undeniable weight of ancient wisdom.
With those words, he began to depart, his form shimmering and fading. As he vanished, a final thought, almost a whisper carried on the wind, reached the now calm forest. "Child, your future is vast and full of potential.
Who knows, perhaps in time, you will be able to stand by my side." And then, he was gone, leaving behind only the lingering echoes of his presence and the transformed landscape where Wang Zifan had taken his first true step on the path of cultivation.