From that day on, Xu Yao's life changed.
Each sunrise, he would practice breathing and circulation.
Each sunset, he would hunt in the forests outside the sect.
And always, on his shoulder or in his consciousness, the Emerald Worm guided him.
The worm's voice was soft but clear:
> "Host, do not rush. Your meridians are fragile.
Take in only a small amount of low-level spirit beast essence at a time."
Xu Yao nodded each time, never complaining.
Even when the process hurt.
Because devouring spirit beast essence was not easy.
When a spirit beast was defeated, Xu Yao collected a tiny shimmering Essence Pearl — small globes of life force found near the beast's heart.
The worm refined them.
Xu Yao absorbed them.
And the pain came.
𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻
The essence flowed like fire into his veins.
His bones creaked.
His blood boiled.
His vision blurred.
He bit his sleeve to stop himself from screaming.
> "Good, host. Endure. Just a little more."
The worm's tone wasn't mocking — it was calm, reassuring, firm.
Xu Yao's entire body trembled, sweat dripping down his chin.
But he did not stop.
Because he remembered:
One year.
Three levels.
Inner Disciple Tournament.
His promise.
His pride.
His dream.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀
The days turned into weeks.
The boy who once could barely lift a wooden training sword
now could swing a metal blade repeatedly without collapsing.
His breath grew deeper.
His meridians became clearer.
His dantian brighter.
The worm was proud, though it tried not to show it.
> "Hmph! You should be grateful you have a spirit as wise and mighty as myself!"
Xu Yao smiled faintly.
> "Yes, yes. Mighty worm spirit. My great master."
The worm puffed up.
> "One day you'll regret your sarcasm when I evolve into a Celestial Dragon!"
Xu Yao only chuckled.
Somehow…
The worm became his companion.
His teacher.
His only friend.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗱
"Isn't that Xu Yao? He still hasn't given up?"
"He hunts spirit beasts every day now… Did he go crazy?"
"He doesn't have talent. What's the point?"
But they did not know.
While others cultivated comfortable techniques, safe and easy —
Xu Yao was rebuilding his body from nothing.
Painful. Slow. Real.
A foundation that would never crack.
𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
One stormy night, Xu Yao sat on the valley rock, jade pendant glowing faintly.
The worm whispered:
> "Host… breathe slowly. Guide the essence to your dantian. This is the final step."
Lightning flashed in the sky.
Wind howled through the trees.
Xu Yao closed his eyes.
His heart beat.
Boom.
His dantian shook.
Boom.
His meridians vibrated.
Then—
A surge of warm, pure energy burst inside him.
The world became clearer.
His breath became lighter.
His spirit expanded like the first dawn spreading over mountains.
He broke through.
Mortal Foundation Stage — Level 1
The worm spoke softly:
> "Good job… Xu Yao."
Xu Yao opened his eyes.
For the first time in his life—
He felt strong.
Not strong compared to others.
But strong compared to who he used to be.
And that was everything.