Weeks passed quickly in the Green Sky Sect. Chen Xuwu's routine was now vastly different from his old life.
Every morning, he woke up with a refreshed body and a clear mind. He spent most of his time in the Jade Bamboo Pavilion, meditating and feeling the flow of Qi.
His cultivation progress was exceptionally fast, far exceeding the expectations of Lin Qianyu and even Elder Liu.
[Qi Connection increased: 85%.]
[Qi in Dantian: 60 units.]
[System: Congratulations! Your cultivation level has reached Beginner Stage Level 5 (Late Intermediate).]
Only in a few weeks, I've already reached Level 5 Beginner Stage? This is crazy. Before, I couldn't even finish a report in a week without caffeine. Now, I can feel energy flowing within me, getting stronger every day.
Chen Xuwu smiled faintly, feeling the new power pulsating in every cell. His control over Qi also felt more refined, as if Qi was an extension of his own body.
Lin Qianyu often came to visit him, guiding him in more complex breathing techniques and explaining profound cultivation theories.
She also took Chen Xuwu to various parts of the sect, introducing him to different types of spiritual plants and natural Qi formations.
"Remember, Chen Xuwu," Lin Qianyu said one afternoon, as they walked in the sect's herbal garden. "Nature cultivation isn't just about absorbing Qi.
It's about understanding, respecting, and interacting with nature. Every leaf, every stone, every stream of water has its own Qi."
Chen Xuwu nodded, his eyes scanning his surroundings. Thanks to his continuously developing 'Empathic Leaf Knot,' he could now "hear" the whispers from plants and even rocks around him more clearly. They spoke of their needs, of the Qi they absorbed, and of the changing seasons.
Before I only heard murmurs, now it feels like a clearer conversation.
"I can feel it, Lin Qianyu," Chen Xuwu replied. "It feels like... they're talking to me, telling me what they feel."
Lin Qianyu looked at him with a gentle smile. "That's your uniqueness. You are truly connected on an unimaginable level." She then pointed to a hidden area behind dense bushes.
"There's something interesting there. A rare spiritual flower we've been trying to cultivate, but it's very shy and difficult to bloom. We call it the Blue Night Flower."
They approached. Behind the bushes, hidden was a flower with dark blue petals tightly closed, emitting a very weak, almost imperceptible Qi.
SFX: (The rustle of hidden leaves, swish-swish, followed by a barely audible whisper of wind, hssst, as if the flower was hiding from the world)
"This is the Blue Night Flower," Lin Qianyu explained. "It only blooms at night, and only if it senses very pure and calm Qi. We've tried various methods, but it has never fully bloomed, even at night."
Blue Night Flower... it sounds sad, and very fragile. Chen Xuwu felt the flower's Qi pulsating weakly, as if yearning for something, desiring the right touch.
He extended his hand, carefully touching the closed petals. He closed his eyes, focusing 'Touch of Life' and 'Aura of Body Harmony'.
He channeled pure Qi from his Dantian, letting it flow gently into the flower.
SFX: (A gentle hum of Qi, hummmm, flowing from Chen Xuwu's hand, followed by the sound of petals slowly trembling, crackle-crackle, like a heart beginning to beat)
The Blue Night Flower trembled. Slowly, very slowly, its petals began to open, revealing a bright blue core that shone with a soft light, illuminating the hidden area.
A sweet aroma, never smelled before, filled the air, far stronger and more intoxicating than other flowers in the sect, as if the entire essence of the valley was gathered there.
SFX: (Sound of petals opening completely, pop!, followed by a rapidly spreading aroma, hmmm-hmmm, filling the entire area)
Lin Qianyu gasped, covering her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide with disbelief. "It... it bloomed! In broad daylight! And its Qi... it's much stronger than I've ever felt from any Blue Night Flower! This... this is a miracle!" She touched the petals with trembling fingers, as if afraid the flower would disappear.
"You truly made it bloom perfectly, Chen Xuwu. How is this possible?"
[Bonus Mission: Make the Blue Night Flower Bloom Perfectly. +350 Exp. Skill 'Touch of Life' leveled up to Lv.3. Additional reward: Blue Night Flower Essence (can be used for elixirs or cultivation).]
Chen Xuwu smiled. It's happy. I can feel it. And I also feel happy to have helped it. The flower seemed to thank him, emitting a warm wave of grateful Qi.
As they returned from the herbal garden, they passed by the new disciples' training area.
Several female disciples were resting under a tree, chatting and laughing. When Chen Xuwu and Lin Qianyu passed by, whispers were heard again, this time more clearly.
"That's Chen Xuwu, the Special Disciple!"
"His aura... is so comforting. I feel calm and refreshed near him."
"Look! The flowers near me became brighter when he passed by! It must be because of him!"
Chen Xuwu heard the whispers, and he saw some female disciples inadvertently avert their gaze with blushing cheeks, or even look at him with deep curiosity, some even appearing slightly flushed.
This 'Aura of Body Harmony' effect is getting stronger. I need to be more careful not to make them too awkward. He felt a slight amusement mixed with awkwardness.
Lin Qianyu, walking beside him, frowned. She noticed the reactions of the female disciples.
Why are they all reacting like that to Chen Xuwu? Is his aura that attractive? I also feel... more comfortable when I'm near him. But this is different. A strange, slightly uncomfortable feeling, appeared in her chest.
She glanced at Chen Xuwu, who seemed largely unaware, too focused on the whispers of nature.
He is unique. But... why do I feel a little... strange when I see them react like that to him? This makes no sense. I'm just his guide. I shouldn't feel this way.
Lin Qianyu tried to ignore the feeling, but her heart thumped slightly, and she felt her cheeks warm a little.
In the afternoon, Elder Liu summoned Chen Xuwu to his pavilion again.
SFX: (Sound of Chen Xuwu's calm footsteps on the wooden floor, tap-tap-tap, accompanied by the sound of wind entering through the pavilion windows)
"Young man Chen," Elder Liu greeted him with a wise smile, his eyes radiating satisfaction. "I hear you managed to make the Blue Night Flower bloom perfectly.
That is an extraordinary achievement. Even our Herbal Guardian Elder had given up on that flower for years."
"Thank you, Elder," Chen Xuwu replied. "I merely... followed my feelings and channeled Qi."
Elder Liu nodded. "That is the essence of the Dao of Nature. Listening to nature, not forcing it. Your abilities are indeed blessed. I have a small mission for you. On the outskirts of the northern forest, there is a spiritual spring whose Qi has begun to weaken. Some spiritual plants around it are also withered, and there are reports of aggressive beasts in that area."
Mission? This is like a real game mission, but with real consequences! And aggressive beasts again. Chen Xuwu felt excited yet slightly wary.
"I am ready, Elder. I will investigate and try to restore it."
"Good. Lin Qianyu will accompany you. That area might have some stray or even contaminated spiritual beasts," Elder Liu said, his gaze shifting to Lin Qianyu who stood beside Chen Xuwu.
"This will be a good experience for both of you, and an opportunity to test your abilities in the field."
Chen Xuwu bowed. "I will do my best."
As he left Elder Liu's pavilion, Lin Qianyu was already waiting for him with a curious expression.
"Elder Liu summoned you? What happened?"
"We have a mission," Chen Xuwu said, a wide smile on his face.
"The spiritual spring in the northern forest is weakening, and there are reports of aggressive beasts. We need to investigate and restore it."
Lin Qianyu's eyes sparkled.
"A mission! Good! I'm tired of just teaching you theory. This will be a great opportunity to see your abilities in the field, Chen Xuwu!"
SFX: (A stronger gust of wind, whoosh, as if hinting at the coming adventure, followed by the rustling of leaves full of anticipation)
The first adventure in this new world. I can't wait. This is the life he dreamed of, far from deadlines and pressure. This is life as a Nature Guardian.
Chen Xuwu looked towards the northern forest, feeling a new spirit burning in his chest.
He stepped forward, ready to face whatever awaited him on this journey.