In the Whispering Bamboo City, the night air was heavy with unseen streams of power.
They drifted across the streets, through the forests, and into the very walls of the Han Family's estate.
To ordinary eyes the world seemed still, but to those who could sense deeper layers of existence, the faint shimmer of spiritual energy pulsed like breathing veins of light.
Inside the west wing of the Han estate, Wei Ji sat cross-legged. His body was the still point of a storm.
Around him, the talismans he had painstakingly inscribed hours before began to ignite.
One by one, their seals unraveled, releasing streams of force that twisted and coiled like serpents before plunging into him. His lips moved, muttering quietly, "First, refine the body. If the vessel is weak, Qi will spill like water through broken cracks. My foundation must be firm."
The talismans obeyed his command.
They absorbed fragments of heaven and earth's Qi from every corner, weaving them together into multi-colored strands of energy.
Then—boom, boom, boom!—they slammed into him. His body shook under the endless barrage, each strike forcing his muscles, bones, and organs to harden and repair themselves under the strain.
Wei Ji's face remained calm, though his throat was dry.
He swallowed hard, forcing the pain down, refusing to cough blood no matter how his insides roared in deep pain. His skin flushed red, then paled, then steadied again. Hours dragged by in silence except for the dull thunder of spiritual bombardment.
Finally, the storm passed.
The talismans dulled, crumbling into ashes that vanished before hitting the ground. Wei Ji opened his eyes, exhaling a long breath. "Third stage Body Infusion," he said under his breath. "This city is starved of true energy… it's a wonder I've pushed this far. If this place were richer, I'd already have broken past this point."
He flexed his hands slowly. His joints popped like snapping bamboo. "Now… Qi cultivation."
Wei Ji lifted his gaze to the beams of his room, to the walls of polished wood. Bamboo stalks and trees were everywhere in this city, and even here in his chambers, the entire structure resonated faintly with life.
A faint smile touched his lips. "Good. The plant root fits this place. Fifth stage… I will reach it."
Fresh talismans shimmered into the air around him, floating like a crown of leaves.
Their glow shifted into pure green, filling the chamber with the breath of living forests. Wei Ji closed his eyes, muttering, "Perfect."
The roots of his spiritual core opened, and the green currents surged inside.
Unlike the harsh barrage of earlier, this time the energy flowed smooth and gentle, slipping into him like streams of warm water. His body drank it in, some of the energy vanishing entirely into his marrow, while the rest lingered, softening and reshaping his Qi channels.
His cultivation base began to climb. From the fragile flicker of the first stage, it swelled, solidifying into the stable aura of the second stage.
A faint explosion of power burst within him, yet his face remained serene. His breath came steady, his posture unwavering.
But he did not stop.
Wei Ji's focus narrowed, and he pulled harder. The green currents grew thicker, each wisp shrinking as they entered his body, but still they came, a flood without end. Hours blurred. His cultivation surged up to the third stage, then edged toward its peak. His forehead beaded with sweat, but his lips curved faintly in satisfaction.
Then—
BOOM!
A massive shockwave slammed through the estate, rattling the walls.
Wei Ji's eyes snapped open as several of his talismans shattered violently, the backlash throwing him off balance.
He caught himself against the floor, eyes flashing with alarm.
"What—" he began, then froze. A tide of dark energy, thick and suffocating, pressed against his senses. It was familiar. Too familiar.
"Damn it," he hissed. "The Celestial Demon Empress… she's breaking through!"
The floor beneath him cracked as he launched forward. His body blurred into motion, shattering the door as he sprinted out.
Night had already fallen, and the cold moonlight revealed the shimmering waves of demonic Qi spreading through the air like ink in water.
"Not good," Wei Ji muttered, his jaw tight.
---
Elsewhere in the Han Family main mansion, the grand hall was ablaze with lantern light. Servants moved swiftly, carrying trays of fine dishes and pouring wine.
At the head of the table, the Han Family leader raised his cup with both hands, his voice warm and respectful.
"To the honored envoy of the Four Element Sect, we give our thanks for blessing our humble home. The Han Family is honored beyond words."
The envoy—a young man dressed in flowing robes of deep blue embroidered with crimson and gold patterns—smiled faintly. His eyes, however, carried the weight of someone accustomed to commanding others. He raised his own cup in reply.
"The Lavender Spirit Kingdom belongs under our sect's protection," the man said evenly. "Your Han Family serves the Kingdom, the Kingdom serves the Empire under us, and so you serve us. It is only natural that I am here."
The patriarch bowed his head deeply, almost trembling with excitement. "Yes, yes! But still, it is a glory for us to receive you here. The Han Family has long served the kingdom faithfully, but to have one of the Immortals of the Four Element Sect step foot within our home… we are truly blessed!"
The younger members of the Han Family beamed, pride swelling in their chests. The elders nodded eagerly, their wrinkled faces flushed with wine and delight.
"Please," the patriarch continued, waving toward the spread of food. "Enjoy our hospitality. Tonight, we celebrate the honor of your visit! Our family has awaited a chance like this for generations."
He poured his heart into his words, going on at length about the family's loyalty to the Empire, their deep respect for the sect, and their belief that only under the guidance of the Four Elements could true order exist in the mortal realm. He spoke of ancestors who dreamed of seeing their descendants chosen by immortals, and of the countless sacrifices the Han family had made in service.
"And now," the patriarch said at last, his voice thick with emotion, "that dream may not be so far away. Our family has one who is… remarkable. We dare to hope he might be seen by your sect. If he could enter your ranks, then our bloodline would never again fall into obscurity."
The envoy tilted his cup, watching the wine ripple. "We are indeed here to test talent. The sect requires fresh disciples, and it is said this region has many gifted seeds. We shall see who is worthy."
The patriarch bowed again, nearly spilling his drink. "For this, we are eternally grateful!"
The night rolled on with laughter and feasting. Yet beneath the merriment, every Han clansman sat straighter, their eyes burning with ambition. To be chosen by the sect was to touch heaven itself.
At last, the envoy set his cup down. His tone cooled, growing sharper. "Before we speak further of candidates, I must know—tell me of these strange beasts. One of my fellow disciples has already suffered an attack, his arm torn away. These are no ordinary spiritual beasts. What do you know of them?"
The patriarch sobered instantly, signaling for silence. "Indeed, there have been… rumors. Beasts that walk like shadows, bodies twisted beyond recognition. But the city has not seen them clearly."
The envoy leaned forward, eyes narrowing. He opened his mouth to press for more—
And then he froze.
A wave of energy crashed through the hall, rattling the lanterns, making the wine in the cups tremble. The envoy's expression hardened, his eyes flicking toward the west wing of the estate.
"…What was that?" he muttered, his brow furrowing. "This aura…?"
Around him, the Han Family looked at one another in alarm, whispers spreading like sparks.
The envoy rose slowly. Stunned and thinking "Someone is breaking through. There's an immortal cultivator hiding in the Han Family?"