As the first light of dawn painted the sky with strokes of gold and crimson, Zhang Liwei awoke from his slumber. The wilderness around him was alive with the symphony of nature—the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves danced on the crisp morning breeze. With a sense of purpose, he quickly packed up his camp, each movement a testament to his disciplined life as a cultivator. The air, fresh and invigorating, seemed to beckon him forward on his journey.

Resuming his northward trek, Liwei's steps were light yet determined, guided by an inner compass honed through his cultivation. The sun climbed higher, casting a warm glow over the lush landscape that had become his temporary realm. It was mid-morning when he encountered a challenge that halted his advance: a wide, raging river.

Liwei stood at the riverbank, his eyes widening at the sight. The water was vast and fierce, unlike anything he had seen before. The small streams of Green Willow Village paled in comparison. He felt a twinge of apprehension—his mastery of Earth Qi and the teachings of the Silent Mountain Doctrine offered little aid in crossing such a formidable barrier.

As he pondered his predicament, a memory surfaced—tales of people crafting rafts to traverse wide rivers. He had never built one, yet the necessity of the moment spurred him into action. Liwei scoured the riverbank, gathering sturdy branches about the thickness of his thighs. With deliberate care, he used the rope his parents had thoughtfully packed in his knapsack, binding the branches into a makeshift raft. He also selected a long, robust branch to serve as a pole for navigating the raft.

With the raft constructed, Liwei pushed it into the turbulent waters, quickly clambering on top. A thought crossed his mind, reminding him of his identity as an Earth Qi cultivator. Falling into the water could spell disaster, for his strengths lay in solidity, not in swimming.

Determined, Liwei steadied himself on the raft, employing his Slope Traverse Step technique. He focused intensely, channeling his Qi to root himself firmly, as unyielding as a boulder. His body became an extension of the raft, perfectly balanced and unwavering.

Once his stability was assured, Liwei extended the long branch into the river's depths, using it to push against the riverbed. The raft began to move, propelled by his careful, rhythmic thrusts. Despite this being his maiden voyage on such a craft, the combination of his cultivation technique and the raft's buoyancy proved surprisingly effective.

The river, a tumultuous path that had seemed an insurmountable obstacle, was slowly but steadily conquered by Liwei's resolve and ingenuity. His focus never wavered, his movements never faltered. And before long, the far bank of the river drew near. As the raft bumped gently against the opposite shore, Zhang Liwei allowed himself a small smile of triumph. He had faced the unknown and emerged victorious.

Having reached the far shore, Zhang Liwei leaped from the raft onto the welcoming embrace of solid ground. With a sense of accomplishment, he dragged the raft onto the land, systematically dismantling it. The branches were carefully set aside, and the rope, a valuable resource, was retrieved for future use.

As he coiled the rope, a realization dawned upon Liwei. His cultivation journey, particularly his mastery of the Slope Traverse Step, had always been confined to traversing rough terrains and maintaining balance during combat. Yet today, on a makeshift raft amidst a turbulent river, he had discovered a new application for his skills. This revelation stirred a sense of excitement within him. He envisioned the day when he would reach the pinnacle of the Slope Traverse Step, becoming as unmovable as a mountain, a testament to the depth and versatility of his cultivation.

With his belongings secured, Liwei resumed his journey, venturing further into the untamed wilderness that stretched endlessly to the north. The sun climbed higher, bathing the world in a warm, golden light. It was around noon when something unusual caught his eye—a small cave etched into the side of a rocky hill. Driven by an innate curiosity and the spirit of an explorer, he felt compelled to investigate.

Approaching the cave, Liwei's steps were cautious yet filled with a quiet excitement. The cave's mouth yawned wide, a gateway to the unknown. He entered, his eyes adjusting to the dim light, his senses alert for any sign of danger or wonder.

Inside the cave, Liwei's exploratory eagerness turned to solemn reverence. There, amidst the shadows and silence, lay the skeletal remains of an unknown traveler. The scene was a somber reminder of the perils that accompanied the life of an adventurer. Liwei felt a deep, resonant respect for the fallen soul. Carefully, he gathered the bones, each movement gentle and respectful. He dusted off the dirt with tender care, as if the act itself was a tribute to the traveler's memory.

With the remains cradled in his arms, Liwei emerged from the cave, seeking a resting place for the unknown soul. His eyes scanned the landscape, finally resting on a nearby hill bathed in sunlight. It seemed a fitting place to lay the traveler to rest—a spot touched by the warmth and light of the sun.

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Liwei set to work, digging a small grave with meticulous care. Every scoop of earth was a silent prayer, every movement a gesture of respect. Gently, he laid the remains in the grave, his actions imbued with a sense of solemn duty. This act of burial was not just a physical task, but a spiritual offering, honoring a fellow wanderer's journey, however abruptly it had ended.

In search of a suitable marker, Liwei found a flat stone nearby. He placed it as a monument at the head of the grave. The traveler's identity might forever remain a mystery, but in this quiet, sunlit hill, their journey would be acknowledged and respected. Liwei stood by the grave for a moment, a silent guardian paying homage to a life that once was, now part of the eternal cycle of nature.

Standing solemnly by the grave, Zhang Liwei felt a profound sense of peace washing over him, as if the heavens themselves were nodding in silent approval. It was an ethereal feeling, one that spoke to the depths of his soul, affirming his actions as righteous, in harmony with some greater cosmic balance. It was as though his small act of respect and kindness had resonated with the very essence of the universe.

Unbeknownst to Liwei, the heavens indeed kept a vigilant watch over the actions of mortals, recording the deeds that contributed to their karma. This cosmic ledger, unseen and omnipresent, balanced the scales of positive and negative karma. Positive deeds, such as the compassion Liwei had shown, could lead to blessings like enhanced cultivation progress, fortuitous encounters, and profound spiritual insights. Conversely, negative actions might bring obstacles, misfortune, or impede one's path to enlightenment.

Within the strict hierarchy of the cultivation world, where innate talent often determined one's potential, the accumulation of positive karma held a unique significance. For someone like Liwei, whose talent was considered average, the continuous accumulation of good deeds could very well tip the scales in his favor, propelling him to heights that would have otherwise been unreachable.

After paying his respects, Liwei resumed his journey, his heart filled with a renewed sense of purpose and tranquility. The path ahead led him to a dense, ancient forest, a relic of a world untouched by the relentless march of time. The trees stood tall and proud, their canopies weaving a tapestry of green that filtered the sun's rays into a kaleidoscope of light and shadow.

Liwei, guided by his cultivation instincts and the skills honed under Master Yan's tutelage, moved with fluid grace through the forest. The Slope Traverse Step, a technique he had mastered to such a degree that it had become second nature, allowed him to navigate the uneven terrain with ease.

The forest, though dense and teeming with life, presented no challenge to Liwei. His heightened senses, a result of his cultivation, enabled him to detect and avoid natural hazards effortlessly. He moved in harmony with the forest's rhythm, like a leaf riding the currents of the wind. His connection with Earth Qi guided him, his movements a dance of balance and precision.

Despite the beauty and the ancient allure of the forest, it held nothing of immediate use to Liwei. His keen eyes searched for spiritual herbs or hidden paths, but finding none, he focused on crossing the forest swiftly.

As he emerged from the other side of the forest, the canopy opened up to reveal the sky above, now tinged with the hues of late afternoon. Liwei took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air and the sense of accomplishment that came with having traversed the ancient woodland.

As the evening began to weave its quiet magic over the land, Zhang Liwei arrived at a meadow, a hidden gem amidst the wilderness. It was a canvas of vibrant colors, adorned with wild flowery plants of various breeds. Each flower, unique in its beauty, contributed to an exquisite scenery that captured Liwei's heart. The sight was a serene contrast to the day's earlier challenges, a reminder of the gentle beauty that the world held.

Deciding to make camp in this picturesque setting, Liwei found a small clearing amidst the flowers. He carefully laid down his knapsack, taking care not to disturb the natural splendor around him. He worked faster now, gathering wood from the surrounding area, each piece a testament to the meadow's abundance. Returning to the clearing, he started a fire, its warm glow a comforting presence in the cooling evening.

Having not come across any game or edible plants during his journey, Liwei retrieved the dried ration his parents had prepared for him. Unwrapping it, he revealed a simple yet nourishing meal—dried strips of seasoned meat, coupled with a mix of nuts and grains.

With each mouthful, warmth bloomed in his chest, the food's melody a chorus of familiar herbs and spices, each note echoing a memory of home and loved ones.He savored it slowly, allowing the taste to fill his senses, a small comfort in the solitude of his journey.

The twilight bled into the sky, staining it with deep blues and purples like spilled ink, the fire's glow the only light in the encroaching darkness. It was then that a mesmerizing spectacle unfolded. In the distance, a cascade of luminous insects emerged, lighting up sections of the wildflower meadow. Their light danced and flickered, creating an enchanting display that captivated Liwei. The scene was surreal, a magical interplay of light and nature that seemed to transcend the mundane world.

Time seemed to stand still as Liwei watched the spectacle, lost in the beauty and wonder of the moment. The light show, a rare and spontaneous gift from nature, was a reminder of the world's hidden marvels, often overlooked in the pursuit of cultivation and power.

But as the display gradually faded, a pang of longing tugged at Liwei's heart. He wished his family could have shared this moment with him, experiencing the magic and beauty of the world together. Memories of home flooded his mind—the laughter, the warmth, the love. He imagined his parents and his sister, perhaps thinking of him at that very moment, their hearts intertwined with his despite the distance.

Sitting by the fire, the remnants of the light show lingering in his mind, Liwei felt a deep sense of yearning. The journey of a cultivator was often a solitary one, but moments like these highlighted the precious connections that made life meaningful. As he prepared to rest for the night, his thoughts were with his family, their love a guiding light in his heart, illuminating his path forward.