As Zhang Liwei returned to the familial abode of the Zhangs in Green Willow Village, the atmosphere was thick with a poignant silence, a stark contrast to the cheerful clamor of his sister's wedding just the day before. The house, usually brimming with warmth and chatter, now lay dormant, its lifeblood seemingly drained with Zhang Ning's departure.

"Little Sister..."

Liwei paused at the threshold of Ning's room, now empty, its walls echoing the memories of their shared childhood. The room, stripped of its vibrancy, seemed to mirror the melancholy that tugged at Liwei's heart.

His gaze wandered, lost in thought, and settled on a knapsack, neatly packed and resting in the corner of his room. This wasn't just a bag of essentials; it was a symbol of a profound transition. When he descended from Amethyst Heart Mountain, where he had honed his skills in solitude for seven long years, he knew there would be no swift return. The knapsack represented his readiness to step into the wider, unfathomable world of cultivation—a journey set to commence post his sister's nuptials.

With this realization firm in his mind, Liwei decided it was time to seek guidance from the one who had set him on this path—Master Yan. He needed his master's blessing to leave the village and, more importantly, his wisdom, which Liwei knew would be invaluable in the unpredictable world that awaited him.

The walk to Master Yan's residence was short but heavy with contemplation. Upon reaching the master's dwelling, Liwei stepped inside, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension. No sooner had his foot crossed the threshold than Master Yan's voice, calm and all-knowing, reached his ears from a distance within the house.

"Liwei, you've come at last," Master Yan spoke, his voice tinged with a sense of inevitability.

Master Yan had been waiting, fully aware that the time was ripe for his disciple to leave the confines of Green Willow Village and embrace his destiny. He knew that Liwei had reached a critical juncture in his cultivation journey—a bottleneck that demanded advanced techniques and insights to break through to the next major realm. Master Yan, a solitary cultivator of Wood Qi, regretted not having the right manuals for his disciple, an oversight from his years roaming the world.

Zhang Liwei was Master Yan's first and only disciple since his return to the village. Master Yan had watched Liwei grow from a curious child to the determined young man he was now, always focused, disciplined, and earnest in his cultivation. But the time had come to set him free, to let him soar beyond the village's boundaries and face the challenges of the cultivation world.

Yet, as any master would, Yan harbored worries for his disciple. The cultivation world was fraught with dangers and ruthless competition, a reality far removed from the sheltered life of Green Willow Village. These concerns weighed heavily on his heart as he prepared to impart his final words of wisdom to the young cultivator standing before him.

"Enter, Disciple," Master Yan intoned, his voice tinged with the weight of a thousand moons.

Liwei stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Master Yan. His gaze, clear and determined, met his master's. "Master," he said with a strong, earnest voice, "I'm close to reaching the next realm in my cultivation. I need your help to refine my Qi and break through this barrier. As I get ready to enter this new stage, can you share some advice for the challenges ahead?"

Liwei had reached the pinnacle of the Whispering Qi Initiation realm, the foundational stage of cultivation that marked the first step in transcending the confines of a mundane life and embarking on the pursuit of immortality.

Master Yan, with eyes reflecting his deep experience, addressed Zhang Liwei about his next monumental step in cultivation—the Radiant Foundation Nexus realm. "Liwei, you now stand before the threshold of the Radiant Foundation Nexus realm, a stage I myself reside in at its second level. This realm is where your cultivation journey deepens profoundly," he began, his voice steady. "In your current Whispering Qi Initiation realm, you've learned to harmonize your internal Qi with the natural world. However, advancing to the Radiant Foundation Nexus involves a qualitative transformation. The Qi within your Dantian solidifies, forming a core that radiates energy like a luminescent star in the night sky. This is not just a step but a leap in your path to transcendence."

Liwei closed his eyes, turning his focus inward to his Dantian. He visualized the swirling maelstrom of Earth Qi within, pulsing rhythmically like the heartbeat of the earth itself. "So this maelstrom must solidify into a mass of Qi for the breakthrough," he thought, intrigued by the profound transformation that awaited him.

"Picture a bamboo flute," Master Yan said, his voice soft yet firm. "In the Whispering Qi Initiation, your Qi is like air whistling through its hollow chambers. It's faint, fleeting, and hard to tame. But once you build a solid core, it's like carving a jade flute. The Qi becomes dense, focused, and responds to your touch with precision. Its melodies soar, no longer mere whispers."

The concept of shaping Qi like a tangible object fascinated Liwei. He envisioned the potential that lay in having such control over his Qi, the myriad ways it could be utilized in cultivation and combat.

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Master Yan concluded his explanation with a sobering truth about the life expectancy of cultivators within the Radiant Foundation Nexus realm. "Cultivators in this realm can live for two to three centuries," he stated, a hint of wistfulness in his tone. "I am now ninety-eight years old, and though I have many years ahead, I have come to accept that my journey may not see another breakthrough. The path of cultivation is endless, and each of us must find peace with the extent of our journey."

Zhang Liwei stood in silent contemplation, absorbing the enormity of Master Yan's revelation. The thought that advancing to the Radiant Foundation Nexus realm could double his lifespan, extending it to two to three hundred years, was both astounding and daunting. A typical cultivator in the Whispering Qi Initiation realm, which he currently inhabited, might live for a century, perhaps stretching their lifespan to a hundred and fifty years. The prospect of living so long, witnessing the ebb and flow of centuries, filled him with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

His thoughts then shifted to the practicalities of his imminent journey. Having spent his entire life in the seclusion of Green Willow Village and Amethyst Heart Mountain, the outside world was an enigma to him. The possibilities of getting lost, wandering aimlessly through wilderness, or inadvertently trespassing into forbidden territories with potentially fatal consequences loomed large in his mind.

Master Yan, perceptive of his disciple's apprehensive thoughts, offered a reassuring smile and presented him with a small bag. Inside, Liwei found a collection of essential items: some medicinal pills, a map of the surrounding areas, and a few Spirit Crystals. These were not mere gifts but tools of survival and negotiation, carefully selected by Master Yan to equip his disciple for the journey ahead.

He picked up the pills, holding them up for Liwei to see. "Use these pills wisely in case of injury. They're not common, and finding such remedies on your journey might be challenging."

Then, he gently shook the bag, causing the Spirit Stones to clink softly. "And these Inferior-grade Spirit Stones, keep them safe and secure. They are valuable not only for trading with fellow cultivators but can also be a lifesaver in restoring your Qi during critical moments."

"Master, I cannot thank you enough for your foresight and benevolence," Liwei said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Master Yan, nodding in acknowledgment, replied, "Liwei, you must be well-prepared for what lies ahead. Now, look closely at this map." He unfurled the map, pointing to a specific area. "This is the Spirit Wind Bamboo Forest to the distant east of our village. Within its depths is the Silent Bamboo Sect, practitioners skilled in Wood Qi. Keep this location in mind; it might be pivotal for you."

Liwei peered at the map, memorizing the location. He looked up, curiosity evident in his eyes.

Master Yan, noticing his intrigue, added, "In that sect resides Fairy Jade Moon, a renowned cultivator of the Silent Bamboo Sect. Should you find yourself in a challenging situation, seek her out. Mention my name; she's an old friend and will offer you assistance."

"A Fairy, Master?" Liwei asked, a hint of wonder in his voice. He's seen Fairies in his storybooks that he read when he was still small. "A Fairy exists in this forest?"

"Yes," chuckled Master Yan. "In our world, 'Fairy' is a title of respect for female cultivators with significant achievements. Fairy Jade Moon and I were contemporaries in the Silent Bamboo Sect. She's trustworthy and wise. Don't hesitate to approach her if the need arises."

This piece of information was like a beacon in the vast unknown that lay before Liwei. Knowing he had a potential ally in the Silent Bamboo Sect brought a sense of comfort and security.

"Master, I cannot express how much your guidance has meant to me," Liwei said, his voice heavy with gratitude. "Your wisdom has been more than just teaching; it's been a guiding light."

Master Yan, acknowledging the depth of their bond, replied, "Liwei, your journey is about to begin. Spend today with your family in Green Willow Village. Treasure these moments. And remember, there's no need for a formal farewell tomorrow. Our bond goes beyond such formalities."

Liwei hesitated for a moment, then said, "Master, I have one more request. Could you... could you look after my parents while I'm away?"

Master Yan nodded, his expression kind. "Of course, Disciple. Your parents, and the village, will be under my care. Do not let worry cloud your journey."

Hearing this, Liwei bowed deeply, his forehead touching the ground. "Thank you, Master. I am eternally grateful," he said, his voice muffled by emotion.

Returning home, Liwei found his parents, Zhang Jian and Liu Mei, who had already braced themselves for his imminent departure. They had understood that Liwei's stay in the village was not just to attend his sister's wedding but also to bid them a temporary goodbye as he embarked on his journey.

Zhang Jian looked at his son with a blend of pride and nostalgia. "Liwei, you've brought such honor to our family. Your talents in cultivation... I believe our ancestors are looking down on you with immense pride. May their spirits guide and protect you at every step of your journey."

Liu Mei, her eyes shimmering with tears yet wearing a gentle smile, reached out to her son. "Liwei, don't worry about us. Always remember to take care of yourself first, your safety is the most important. And please, whenever you can, come back home. Share with us your stories, your adventures. We will always be here, waiting for you."

Liwei, deeply touched by their words, responded earnestly, "Father, Mother, I promise you both, I'll take care of myself. And no matter where my journey takes me, I'll find my way back to you. My heart and thoughts will always be with you, always."

The Zhang family spent the entire day together, cherishing each precious moment. They reminisced about the beautiful memories they had shared, each anecdote a testament to their strong familial bond. There was a conscious effort to make the most of this last day together in their home, as it would be a long while before they could enjoy such togetherness again.

As the day waned into evening, and the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, the realization that Liwei would leave the next day hung in the air, unspoken yet deeply felt. It was a day of mixed emotions—pride, love, sadness, and hope—all intermingling as the Zhang family held on to their time together, a precious interlude before Zhang Liwei stepped into a new chapter of his life.