The dawn sun crested over the misty peaks surrounding the academy, casting a golden hue across the vast training grounds. Disciples gathered in neat rows, their robes fluttering in the gentle breeze, faces alight with the afterglow of their recent breakthroughs. The air hummed with spiritual energy, a palpable reminder of the progress made during the ten-day seclusion.
Fu Yang stood among the inner disciples, his expression calm amid the excited murmurs.
Cin Yan, flanked by Sha Tian and Shi Tian, exuded an aura of quiet dominance, while Mo Rian stole occasional glances at Fu Yang, her cheeks tinged with a subtle flush.
At the center of the grounds stood a raised platform, adorned with ancient banners bearing the academy's insignia—a soaring phoenix wreathed in flames.
Xiang Xi, the headmaster of the academy, ascended the steps with measured grace. His presence was commanding, his eyes—sharp as an eagle's talons—swept over the assembly. As a cultivator at the peak of the Flesh Forging Realm, his qi radiated with subtle pressure, instilling respect without overwhelming the disciples.
---
"Disciples of the Nian Academy," Xiang Xi's voice boomed, echoing across the grounds like thunder rolling through valleys. "Today marks a pivotal moment in your journey along the cultivation path. Your breakthroughs in the Skin Tempering Realm are commendable—proof of your diligence and the heavens' favor.
Each of you has tempered your flesh, absorbing the essence of beasts and spiritual plants, forging bodies resilient against the mortal world's frailties. I offer my congratulations. May your qi flow eternally, and your Dao hearts remain unyielding!"
The disciples bowed in unison, their voices rising in a chorus:
"Thank you, Headmaster Xiang!"
Pride swelled in their chests, but Xiang Xi raised a hand, silencing them. His expression turned solemn, the weight of a seasoned immortal settling over the crowd.
---
"Yet, celebration alone does not pave the path to ascension," he continued, his tone shifting to that of a stern mentor. "You stand at the Initial Stage of Skin Tempering, where your bodies have begun to shed mortal impurities. But true cultivation demands vigilance.
Impurities—born from the mortal coil, tainted qi, and unresolved karmic debts—linger like shadows in your veins. They weaken your foundation, hinder your progress, and invite heavenly tribulations if left unchecked."
He gestured to Master Shen and Master Wan, who stepped forward, each holding a jade wu etched with glowing runes.
"Allow me to enlighten you on the stages of this realm and the powers they bestow. The Skin Tempering Realm is divided into three stages: Initial, Intermediate, and Peak—often called the Breakthrough Stage, for it is the gateway to the next realm."
---
Xiang Xi paced slowly along the platform, his words weaving a tapestry of ancient wisdom.
"In the Skin Tempering Stage, where all of you now stand at the initial phase, your skin hardens like leather—resistant to blades and minor poisons. Your strength doubles that of a mortal, and your senses sharpen, allowing you to perceive faint traces of qi in the air.
But impurities manifest as black dust or foul odors during cultivation, sapping your efficiency."
The disciples absorbed his words—some nodding eagerly, others furrowing their brows in contemplation.
---
Master Shen activated the jade wu, and a beam of light fell on a disciple. The glow revealed dark patches spreading across his body like stains. The disciple gasped in shock as the onlookers murmured among themselves.
Master Shen explained calmly, "This is a type of wu that allows one to see internal organs. It is used for medical purposes—and also to detect impurities."
Everyone watched as the light faded, returning the disciple's body to normal.
---
"As you saw," Xiang Xi continued, his voice resonant, "these impurities exist within all of you. To remove them, you must follow the Three Pillars of Purification: Strength Training, Meditation, and Medicine."
"Strength Training tempers the body through rigorous exercise—sparring, weighted cultivation, and trials in the Beast Forest. Push your limits, and the sweat will carry away the filth, forging unbreakable resilience."
Master Wan stepped forward, his tone clear and instructive.
"Meditation refines the spirit. Sit in the lotus position, circulate your breath, and guide qi through the meridians. Visualize the impurities as smoke expelled with each breath. Techniques such as the Clear Heart Method will aid you."
Xiang Xi nodded approvingly. "And Medicine supports both. Elixirs such as the Impurity-Cleansing Pill, brewed from spiritual herbs like the Pure Dew Lotus or Jade Lotus Root, dissolve stubborn taints. But beware—overreliance breeds dependency. Balance is the key to the Dao."
---
The headmaster's eyes gleamed with a hint of challenge.
"In the coming weeks, you will undergo the Purification Trials. Face beasts in the outer wilds, meditate under the supervision of your masters, and compete for rare medicines in the academy's herb gardens.
Only the pure-hearted will advance swiftly. Remember, cultivation is not a race against others—but a war against your own weaknesses."
---
As the assembly dispersed, disciples buzzed with determination and nervous excitement. Fu Yang lingered at the edge of the grounds, his mind racing with silent thoughts.
But whispers of intrigue followed him—Li Wei, glaring from afar, clenched his fists, his grudge festering like an impurity of its own.
In the shadows of the academy's halls, Cin Yan gathered with her allies.
"The trials will separate the wheat from the chaff," she said coldly, her voice laced with ambition.
"Sha Tian, Shi Tian—secure the best herbs. Mo Rian… we can't let feelings get in our way."
Mo Rian hesitated, then nodded, her expression conflicted.
---
A month passed since Headmaster Xiang Xi's edict, and the academy thrummed with disciplined fervor.
The disciples, tempered by the Three Pillars of Purification—strength training, meditation, and medicine—had honed their newfound strength. Their qi now flowed smoother, their bodies purged of lingering impurities. The Initial Stage of Skin Tempering had become second nature to most.
---
It was now December, and a harsh winter had descended upon the Nian Village.
The sky hung heavy with gray-white clouds, swollen with the promise of snow. Villagers bustled through the frost-dusted streets, their breath misting as they gathered firewood and stockpiled provisions against the biting cold. The surrounding forests stood stark, their branches skeletal, the air sharp with the scent of pine and impending frost.
And within that cold wilderness, a little boy walked alone.
---
Fu Yang—now eleven years old—moved quietly through the forest, his thick black robe blending with the shadowed undergrowth. His height had increased; his frame was lean but wiry. Long black hair cascaded past his shoulders, catching the faint light filtering through the canopy. His skin, pale as snow and unmarred, seemed to faintly glow against the dark.
"Haah… looks like I still can't find even a boar beast today," he sighed, rubbing his chilled hands together. "I should return before the snow starts falling."
He turned back toward the village.
The Purification Trials had begun, and the first task was simple yet deadly: hunt a spirit beast of the Initial Stage and harvest its hide and flesh. Passing this trial would not only prove their strength—it would also provide valuable materials and food for the academy.
After walking for nearly an hour, Fu Yang finally saw the village from afar. He paused to rest beneath an old pine tree, watching as the first snowflakes drifted down from the heavens.
The snow thickened, veiling the world in quiet white. From where he sat, Fu Yang gazed at the village blanketed by the falling snow, a faint smile touching his lips.
"beautiful," he whispered.
Authors note( the scenery is something you should imagine, and cold days are also coming again in our lives )