As the morning sun climbed higher, casting its warm, illuminating rays over Green Willow Village, Zhang Liwei set forth on a journey that marked a new chapter in his life. At just eleven years, his heart was a tumult of excitement and nostalgia. He paused at the village's edge, casting a lingering gaze backward. There stood his family—his father Zhang Jian, mother Liu Mei, and his dear sister Zhang Ning—still waving from the distance, their figures a portrait of love and longing.
Liwei raised his hand in a final wave, then turned, carrying the blessings and concerns of his family and fellow villagers with him. His first steps toward the northern mountain ranges were firm, emboldened by the purpose that swelled within him.
Yet, his path veered northwest towards the Tranquil Jade Forest, a place of mystery and past triumphs. Memories of his previous visit, where he had found the rare Earth Heart Ginseng, flooded his thoughts. Liwei puzzled over his success—unseen by many villagers who frequented the forest's edges. His unique resilience, a boon of his cultivation, allowed him to traverse deeper into the forest, beyond the reach of ordinary villagers.
Unfazed by the thorns and sharp grass that barred others, Liwei felt a thrill of anticipation. The forest, he knew, was home to ancient herbs, steeped in Qi and untouched for years. His success with the Earth Heart Ginseng bolstered his confidence. The journey to the forest was filled with a sense of expectation, each step a move towards potential discovery.
Crossing hills and plains, Liwei's journey mirrored his previous venture. He wore clothes newly made by his mother, their fabric soft and comfortable against his skin. But the memory of his last foray, where his clothes had been ruined, stayed with him. With a practical mindset, Liwei decided to remove them, stowing them carefully in his knapsack to prevent any damage.
Standing in the open wilderness, stripped of his clothing, a brief wave of embarrassment washed over Liwei. Yet, the practicality of his decision quickly overcame this modesty. The likelihood of encountering anyone in the depths of the forest was slim, and his focus remained fixed on his goal.
Deeper into the forest he ventured, past the peripheries where the villagers roamed. Here, the forest's heart beat with a wild, untamed rhythm, its secrets veiled under canopies of green and shadows deep. Liwei, a young cultivator of rare talent and resolve, stepped into this realm, his spirit alight with the promise of discovery and the allure of the unknown. The forest, with its ancient Qi-rich herbs, awaited him, ready to reveal its hidden treasures to those brave and steadfast enough to seek them.
Deeper within the heart of the Tranquil Jade Forest, Zhang Liwei moved with a grace and attentiveness that belied his young age. His eyes, sharpened by his cultivation prowess and innate intelligence, scanned the verdant undergrowth for the subtle signs of Spiritual Herbs.
As he delved further, Liwei stumbled upon a mysterious stream, its waters clear and serene. There, amidst the gentle flow, he spotted a fish, its scales shimmering like silver under the sunlight. It was a beautiful creature, about the size of his forearm. With a swift movement, he caught the fish, his actions guided by necessity rather than greed.
Liwei, though compassionate at heart, understood the pragmatic demands of survival. Working quickly and efficiently, he removed the fish's insides and then carefully secured it, planning on it for his next meal. Along his path, he also gathered wild fruits and berries, each handpicked with a sense of gratitude and respect for the life that the forest sustained.
Hours passed as Liwei immersed himself in the search for Spiritual Herbs. His efforts were not in vain; his keen senses and diligent exploration led him to discover several herbs and ingredients, each brimming with potent alchemical properties. With a reverent touch, he harvested them, mindful of their rarity and the sacredness of their existence. Liwei's heart swelled with a sense of accomplishment, yet he remained humble, recognizing his role as a mere custodian of these natural wonders.
Among the myriad of herbs, some emitted faint pulses of Qi, their energy palpable to Liwei's heightened senses. Despite their allure, he refrained from harvesting those he did not recognize from the Spiritual Herbs compendium. There was a cautious wisdom in his restraint, a desire not to waste what he could not utilize. He committed their appearances to memory, a mental note for future ventures, should he discover their names and uses.
As the sun began its descent, casting elongated shadows and bathing the forest in an amber glow, Liwei made the prudent decision to depart. The forest, though a trove of wonders by day, harbored unknown dangers after dark. His departure was marked by a respect for the untamed nature of the woods and an understanding of his own limits.
Emerging from the Tranquil Jade Forest, Liwei took a moment to dress himself, retrieving his garments that he had carefully stowed away in the knapsack to prevent them from being ruined by the dense underbrush.
Now fully clothed, Liwei set his sights northward. The journey ahead was long, and he moved with brisk, determined steps. His goal was to cover as much ground as possible before the veil of night descended. The terrain changed gradually, from the dense forest to open, rolling landscapes, each step taking him further from the familiar and deeper into the realm of adventure.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
As dusk painted the sky in hues of purple and gold, Liwei discovered a secluded valley. It was an ideal spot for camp, offering shelter and a strategic vantage point.
With a blend of hesitant efficiency and heightened alertness, he began to set up camp. Each action, from carefully collecting dry twigs and branches for the fire to meticulously testing the ground for flatness and comfort before laying down his sleeping mat, was approached with diligent effort and a touch of uncertainty, the steps unfolding like chapters in a newly opened wilderness manual.
He scoured the ground, gathering brittle twigs and dried branches into a shaky nest. His hands, unfamiliar with the task, fumbled with the flint and dagger, coaxing sparks in fits and starts. Finally, a wavering flame licked at the tinder, then another, until a small fire sputtered to life, casting playful shadows against the encroaching darkness.
Liwei then prepared his dinner with the same meticulous care that marked his approach to cultivation. He skewered the silver fish he had caught earlier, placing it over the fire to cook, its skin glistening in the firelight. Beside him, he arranged the wild berries and fruits he had gathered on clean leaves, a simple yet nourishing feast born of the forest's bounty.
With his meal underway, Liwei turned his attention to the day's spoils. He carefully laid out the herbs he had harvested, inspecting them one by one. His eyes lingered on the few stalks of Jade Grass, a valuable find. He knew from his studies that when refined, they could be transformed into Jade Bone Pills, renowned for strengthening muscles and bones. Such refinement would greatly aid in his body tempering, allowing resilience to permeate deeper than mere skin.
Next, he examined the half bottle of Sunfire Lotus Nectar. This rare ingredient, once refined into the Clear Meridian Elixir, would cleanse and unclog minor blockages in meridians, ensuring a smoother flow of Qi. Liwei felt a sense of accomplishment; these finds were significant for a cultivator of his level.
Finally, Liwei's gaze fell upon the assortment of less renowned, yet essential herbs he had collected. These were the unsung heroes in the realm of alchemy, acting as supporting elements in the refinement of Spiritual Medicines.
The allure of the Jade Grass and Sunfire Lotus Nectar tugged at him, yet fear gnawed at Liwei. What if his hand slipped, what if his fire flared too high? These treasures deserved respect, not a novice's fumbling attempt. He swallowed the impatience, the thirst for results.
Instead, he planned to practice more, using similar ingredients to hone his dexterity. Each step had to become muscle memory before he dared to use these precious components. The journey of cultivation was as much about patience and precision as it was about discovery and strength.
He wrapped the herbs and ingredients in a clean cloth, ensuring their safety during his journey to the mountain. With his treasures secured, Liwei finally sat down to enjoy his dinner. The cooked fish, its flesh tender and flavorful, blended harmoniously with the sweetness of the berries and fruits. It was a simple meal, yet it held the essence of the wilderness and the reward of a day spent in harmony with nature.
As he ate, Liwei's thoughts drifted to the day's events. Each moment in the forest, each herb gathered, was a step forward in his cultivation journey. The valley, with its tranquil ambiance, offered a moment of peace and reflection, a necessary pause in the life of a cultivator where the experiences of the day could be absorbed and internalized.
The night had fully embraced the valley as Zhang Liwei finished his dinner. He began preparing for sleep, his actions deliberate and mindful. Knowing well the dangers that lurked in the wilderness at night, he added more logs to the fire pit, arranging them to ensure the flames would endure through the darkness. The fire, a beacon of safety, kept away insects and possibly, the wild beasts of the forest.
Liwei then inched his sleeping mat closer to the fire, seeking warmth from its glow. He wrapped himself in warm garments, cocooning against the night's chill. The comfort of the fire and the weariness from the day's adventures coaxed his body towards rest.
However, just as sleep was about to claim him, a pair of glowing amber orbs caught his attention in the darkness. They were a distance away, yet their luminescence was unmistakable. Liwei's heart quickened. Channeling Qi to his eyes for heightened vision, he focused on the mysterious eyes, discerning more details with each passing second. His breath caught as he realized the form before him was an animal of considerable size, akin to a cow.
Driven by curiosity and caution, Liwei edged away from the fire to gain a clearer view. The dark silhouette became more defined, revealing the shape of a massive wolf, its eyes burning like molten amber in the night. A chill ran down his spine, not from fear, but from the realization of the challenge that faced him.
Liwei's mind raced with options. Should he scare the beast away? Should he remain still? His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a drum of wariness and anticipation. Then, memories of his courageous battle against the strange green python surged forward, along with the knowledge of his ever-growing mastery of the Mountaintop Strike.
With a surge of resolve, "This valley," Liwei bellowed into the night, "holds no bounty for your hunger. Turn back, beast, before your teeth find only stone!" His voice echoed across the valley, a declaration of his unyielding spirit. He lowered his body into a stance of readiness, a balance of offense and defense, prepared to react at the slightest provocation from the wolf.
Time seemed to stand still, the only sound being the crackling of the fire and the occasional rustle of the forest. The wolf and the cultivator remained in a silent standoff, each assessing the other. Then, as unexpectedly as it appeared, the wolf let out a howl that resonated with the night and slowly turned away, disappearing into the depths of the forest.
In the aftermath, Liwei's heart continued to race, but there was a newfound steeliness in his gaze. This encounter, a test of his courage and resolve, had further tempered his spirit. He had faced the embodiment of the wilderness, a creature as formidable as the path of cultivation he walked.
With a heart fortified by this encounter, Liwei settled back near the fire, the flames a comforting presence in the vast and unpredictable night. The valley, once a mere stop in his journey, had now become a crucible in which his resolve and courage were further forged.