The discovery of the bronze disc, which Li Wei had dubbed the "Spirit Seal," had infused his cultivation with fresh momentum, its faint warmth seeming to resonate with the pulsing energy of his nascent Golden Core. The hidden valley, with its shimmering pool, ancient tree, and glowing blossoms, continued to hum with a mystical aura that amplified his qi, reinforcing his belief that he was on the path to immortality. Azure Dragon, his scruffy spirit beast, remained a steadfast companion, curled by the stone altar as Li Wei pored over the scroll, its worn bamboo slats a sacred guide through his trials. The scroll's latest passage unveiled a new challenge: "Confront the Elder, whose wisdom tests the cultivator's heart. Prove your resolve, for only the steadfast may ascend."
In the cultivation novels Li Wei had devoured in Beijing, elders were revered figures—wise masters or ancient guardians who challenged disciples with riddles, combat, or spiritual trials. The scroll's description was less dramatic but equally compelling: "Seek the one who holds the keys to the Dao, and through discourse or deed, affirm your path." Li Wei, tempered by lightning, betrayal, and the void, saw this as a test of his conviction, a chance to prove his worth against a figure of authority. His body, weakened by hunger, alchemical mishaps, and infected wounds from digging, protested, but his spirit burned with determination. The valley was his sanctuary, but the scroll urged him to seek this elder beyond its confines.
Li Wei's thoughts turned to Old Chen, the gruff farmer in the village at the foot of Mount Tai. Chen had taught him to "feel the earth's rhythm" while tending fields, a lesson Li Wei had reframed as "earth qi manipulation." Though Chen scoffed at his talk of immortality, his weathered face and sharp eyes hinted at a deeper wisdom, perhaps that of an elder disguised as a mortal. Li Wei resolved to confront him, to prove his cultivation through debate or demonstration. He packed his tattered backpack with the scroll, jade slip, Spirit Seal, and notebook, leaving the valley with Azure Dragon limping at his side, the dog's tail wagging despite the long trek ahead.
The village was quiet as Li Wei arrived, its stone houses bathed in the golden light of late afternoon. Old Chen was at his teahouse, sweeping the porch, his wispy beard fluttering in the breeze. He glanced at Li Wei's disheveled appearance—wild hair, tattered clothes, and a feverish glint in his eyes—and chuckled. "Back again, hermit boy? Still chasing your fairy tales?" Li Wei, clutching the scroll, squared his shoulders. "I'm here to confront you, Elder Chen," he said, his voice steady despite his nerves. "The scroll says I must prove my path to one who holds wisdom. That's you."
Chen raised an eyebrow, leaning on his broom. "Elder, eh? I'm just a farmer who pours tea. What's this nonsense about proving yourself?" Li Wei unrolled the scroll, pointing to the passage about the elder. "I've faced tribulations—lightning, demons, betrayal. My qi is real, my Golden Core formed. Debate me, or test me, but I won't falter." The old man's eyes narrowed, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his usual skepticism. "Alright, boy. Let's talk. What's this Dao you're chasing?"
The confrontation unfolded on the teahouse porch, a small crowd of villagers gathering, drawn by Li Wei's fervent tone. He spoke passionately of his trials—the storm that tempered his body, the void that tested his soul, the phoenix flames that reborn his spirit. He described the warmth in his dantian, the visions of his Nascent Soul, and the artifacts he'd claimed. Chen listened, his face unreadable, then countered with grounded logic. "You're starving yourself, seeing things from hunger and fever," he said. "The earth's wisdom is in planting seeds, not chasing stars. Your 'qi' is just your stubborn heart keeping you alive."
Li Wei bristled, but the scroll had prepared him for such doubts. He drew the Star Blade from his belt, its sharpened branch gleaming in the sunlight, and performed a series of Heavenly Sword Art forms, his movements fluid despite his weakness. "This is my qi!" he declared, visualizing sparks trailing the blade. The villagers gasped, some amused, others intrigued, but Chen remained unmoved. "Fancy dancing," he grunted. "Show me something real." Li Wei, desperate to prove himself, focused on his dantian, channeling his qi into a shout, a burst of intent he'd practiced in the valley. The air seemed to hum, and a few villagers stepped back, startled.
Chen's eyes softened, though his voice stayed gruff. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that. But wisdom isn't in scrolls or shouting—it's in living, not dreaming." He turned away, ending the debate, but Li Wei felt a surge of triumph. He had faced the elder and held his ground, his qi unshaken. Back in the valley, he scribbled in his notebook: "Elder Chen confronted. Debate won through qi and resolve. Path affirmed." Azure Dragon nudged his hand, as if in approval.
During the next video call with the Order of the Jade Dawn, Li Wei shared the encounter, framing Chen as a skeptical but wise elder. Zhang Wei cheered his boldness, while Liu Mei cautioned against pride. Chen Xiu and Zhao Feng, inspired, suggested seeking other elders for guidance. The sect's support bolstered Li Wei, though he hid the growing pain in his body, the fever returning like a persistent shadow. Under the valley's starry sky, he meditated by the altar, the jade slip and Spirit Seal warm in his hands. The scroll promised greater trials, but Li Wei, with his sect and Azure Dragon, felt ready, his Golden Core pulsing as he strode toward immortality.