As the first light of dawn pierced the horizon, Zhang Liwei, the young cultivator from Green Willow Village, roused from his slumber on a simple mat laid in a secluded grotto. Two days had passed since he bid farewell to the familiar embrace of his village, embarking on a journey into the vast wilderness. Lingering thoughts of that poignant departure flooded his mind—the tearful eyes of his parents, the supportive smiles of his fellow villagers, all gathered at the village gate to see him off. A heavy pang of longing tugged at his heart, as he imagined his parents, now far away, missing him in the quiet of their home.

Pushing aside these thoughts, Liwei rose with the discipline of a dedicated cultivator. He began his morning ritual, a solemn practice of Qi refinement. Seated in a meditative posture, he focused on the Mountain Echo Breathing technique. With each breath, he drew in the energy of the surrounding earth, feeling it meld with his own Qi, strengthening his Dantian.

After a time, he gently opened his eyes, the serene energy of his surroundings still lingering within him. Swiftly, he gathered his belongings, his movements practiced and efficient. Stepping out of the grotto, he found himself back on the rugged dirt road, a path tread by occasional travelers and traders, the lifeblood of the remote villages like his own.

His journey was destined for the Celestial Bloom City, the nearest major city to Green Willow Village, lying to the east. Liwei's heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and apprehension at the thought of the bustling city, so different from his rustic upbringing. He dreamed of the vibrant streets, the throngs of people, and the myriad of opportunities that such a place promised. It was a stark contrast to the tranquility of his village, nestled on the western fringes of the Azure Dragon Continent.

As he journeyed, Liwei contemplated a detour to the Spirit Wind Bamboo Forest, a place Master Yan had suggested for critical situations. This mystical forest, nestled to the east, could be a brief diversion on his way to the city. His mind danced with thoughts of this legendary and enigmatic woodland, a haven of secrets and ancient wisdom. However, realizing the lack of immediate peril or necessity, he decided against the detour and continued on his original path.

Liwei's journey was daunting, even with his mastery of the Slope Traverse Step. This technique, embodying the unyielding stability of a mountain, offered balance and steadfastness but was not designed for speed. Despite moving significantly faster than an ordinary person, the vast distance to Celestial Bloom City remained a formidable challenge. As he walked, his gaze swept over the endless plains and distant mountains, a vast canvas of nature's grandeur.

For the past two days, Liwei had traveled the wilderness, sourcing food and sheltering in makeshift refuges. The road ahead promised more of the same, a solitary trek marked by the rhythm of survival and cultivation. Yet, within him burned a steady flame of determination, fueled by the dreams and teachings of his village, his family, and Master Yan. Each step he took on this endless road was a step towards greater understanding, strength, and a destiny that awaited him in the vast world of cultivation.

On the eighth day of his arduous journey, Zhang Liwei found himself navigating through a dense forest, the canopy above a mesh of interwoven branches and leaves. Suddenly, his senses, honed by years of cultivation, snapped to alert. The rustling of leaves was not just the wind's play; there was a disturbance in the Qi of the forest, a ripple of danger that pricked at his instincts.

Moving with caution, Liwei advanced, his body tensed and ready for any threat. Peering through the dense undergrowth, he caught sight of a harrowing scene—a cultivator, dressed in rugged attire, locked in a fierce battle with a majestic yet terrifying beast. The creature, a massive tiger with striking golden-orange fur and three ominous red eyes, moved with a predator's grace and fury. As Liwei watched, the beast lunged, its massive claw arcing towards the cultivator's face. In a frantic move, the cultivator raised his black sword in defense.

"Yield, foul beast!" the cultivator shouted, his voice a mix of defiance and desperation.

The clash echoed through the forest as the sword was knocked aside, leaving the cultivator defenseless.

Sensing the impending danger, Liwei acted on instinct. Without a moment's hesitation, he leaped into the fray. Qi surged through his body, a torrent of energy channeled into his clenched fist.

"Stay back!" he yelled, as much a warning to the beast as a declaration of his intent.

He struck out at the tiger's claw, aiming to deflect its deadly trajectory. His intervention was timely; the claw missed its mark, sparing the cultivator a gruesome fate.

"You have my thanks, stranger!" the cultivator gasped, regaining his footing.

Liwei, focused and alert, replied without taking his eyes off the beast, "Steady yourself, friend!"

The cultivator, now unarmed and vulnerable, nodded in gratitude and stepped back, allowing Liwei to take the forefront. "Be careful," he cautioned, his voice tense with concern.

Liwei, instinct guiding his steps, placed himself squarely between the beast and the cultivator. His stance was a testament to his training and resolve, as he prepared to engage in a battle where every move could mean the difference between life and death.

Unleashing a series of Boulder Bash Fists, Liwei relentlessly drove the tiger back. Each strike echoed through the clearing, but the beast, undaunted, absorbed the blows with its robust physique.

"Get lost, creature!" Liwei shouted, his voice a mix of challenge and focus.

The Boulder Bash Fist, potent as it was, served more as a technique of control against such a mighty foe.

The tiger, responding with a defiant roar, crouched low. Its muscles tensed, ready to pounce. "Watch out!" yelled the mysterious cultivator, his voice laced with alarm.

Liwei, sensing the imminent danger, prepared for the beast's next move. As the tiger launched itself towards him, aiming for his neck, Liwei channeled his Qi to its limit, invoking the Stone Body.

"I won't let you win!" Liwei declared, his voice resounding with determination.

His body transformed, adopting the hardness of rock. The tiger's jaws snapped shut, but Liwei, with remarkable strength, thrust his hands inside, holding the maw open.

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"Is that all you've got?" Liwei taunted, his voice strained under the effort.

The tiger, enraged, swiped at him with its claws. "Careful!" the cultivator shouted from the sidelines. Each claw strike left red welts on Liwei's skin, but his Stone Body held firm.

In the thick of the fierce struggle, the mysterious cultivator called out to Zhang Liwei. "Hold on just a moment longer!" he yelled, urgency in his voice as he vanished into the underbrush. Liwei, his mind whirling with questions, barely had time to ponder the meaning of these words. His entire focus was on the battle at hand, channeling all his Qi according to the Stone Body Method to fend off the lethal strikes of the tiger.

As the confrontation intensified, Liwei felt his Qi reserves depleting rapidly. The golden glow that signified the activation of his Stone Body started to fade, a clear indicator of his dwindling energy.

"Can I endure this?" Liwei questioned himself, a mix of doubt and determination in his voice. The reminder of his parents' words, urging him to prioritize his safety, echoed in his mind.

Just as he neared the brink of exhaustion, a distinct, cooler Qi resonated from behind him, contrasting sharply with the energy in his Dantian. Liwei, sensing this new presence, braced himself for what was to come.

Without warning, an dark streak whooshed past him, a blur of color and motion. "Strike!" shouted the mysterious cultivator from a distance. The projectile, a dagger or a sword perhaps, struck true, embedding itself in the tiger's third eye.

The beast roared in agony, its body convulsing as it fell to the ground, still caught in Liwei's unyielding grip. "Is it over?" Liwei gasped, his voice tinged with relief and exhaustion.

The cultivator re-emerged from the underbrush, a look of triumph on his face. "Well done, my friend!" he exclaimed, breathing heavily from the effort of his last-minute save.

Turning around, Liwei saw the mysterious cultivator, now reappearing with a triumphant smile. The two, panting and covered in sweat, exchanged a look of mutual respect. The cultivator then performed a traditional gesture of respect among cultivators, placing his fist against his open palm and bowing slightly. "I'm Feng Hao," he introduced himself, his voice rough but filled with genuine gratitude. "I didn't expect to find an ally in these parts," he added.

Liwei, wiping the sweat from his brow, clumsily replicated the fist-palm salute. Despite not being well-versed in the formalities of the cultivation world, he understood the significance of the gesture. "I'm Zhang Liwei. In the path of cultivation, one's journey is rarely a solitary one," he replied with a modest smile, acknowledging their shared bond as cultivators.

Feng Hao, sheathing his black sword, turned to Liwei with an apologetic tone. "Sorry for the delay," he said, slightly out of breath. "My sword was thrown far off during the initial scuffle. Took me a while to fetch it for that final strike."

Liwei, still catching his breath, looked at him with admiration. "Your swordplay is impressive, Feng Hao. It's both beautiful and deadly," he complimented.

Feng Hao merely nodded, a hint of pride in his smile, as they approached the fallen three-eyed tiger. "Let me handle this," Feng Hao said, beginning to attend to the carcass.

Liwei watched curiously, a blend of fascination and respect in his eyes. As Feng Hao skillfully removed the skin, claws, and fangs, he noticed Liwei's interest. "You seem intrigued. This beast," he began, gesturing to the carcass, "is a Demonic Beast. It's known for its ferocity towards humans. Its parts are valuable resources for us cultivators."

Liwei leaned in closer, absorbing every word. Feng Hao continued, slicing the tiger’s chest open. "We're looking for a Beast Core, but..." His voice trailed off as he clicked his tongue in disappointment, finding the heart empty of the coveted core. "Beast Cores are found in Demonic Beasts of an advanced cultivation level. They're precious resources for us. But this one," he sighed, "wasn't strong enough to have one."

Liwei nodded in understanding, the concept of Beast Cores new to him. "So, no core means it was less powerful than we feared," he mused aloud.

"Exactly," Feng Hao replied, standing up. "If it had a core, we might not have been so lucky." He looked around the forest. "We should find a place to rest and split what we've gathered. Let's move out of the forest."

Liwei agreed, and they began making their way through the dense foliage. After a while, they reached a wide clearing. Feng Hao, visibly spent from the fight and the Qi exertion, slumped against a tree. "This should be far enough," he said, his exhaustion evident in his voice.

Liwei, looking around the clearing, nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of camaraderie and shared exhaustion with Feng Hao.

Having settled in the clearing, Feng Hao looked at Liwei with sincere gratitude. "I owe you my life, Liwei. A moment later, and I would have been that tiger's meal," he said, his voice tinged with relief and fatigue.

Liwei, sitting across from him, nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of their shared ordeal. Feng Hao, observing Liwei more closely, asked, "Your resilience in the fight was remarkable. Are you, by chance, an Earth Qi cultivator? You have the toughness they're famous for."

"Yes, I've been training in the Earth Qi techniques," Liwei confirmed, a sense of pride evident in his voice.

Feng Hao, intrigued, leaned forward. "Is this your first journey out into the world?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Liwei smiled slightly, a mix of pride and nostalgia coloring his tone. "Indeed, it is. I've been under the tutelage of a master in a remote village until now," he shared, his voice reflecting his respect for his mentor.

"That's impressive," Feng Hao remarked, impressed by Liwei's skill despite his sheltered upbringing. "As for me, I chose the path of a lone wanderer. I roam the vast world, seeking challenges and experiences to enhance my cultivation. It's a life of freedom and constant discovery," he said, his eyes reflecting his passion for adventure.

Liwei listened intently, his eyes alight with interest. "Your journey sounds incredible. It must be filled with endless adventures and challenges," he said, the idea resonating with his own aspirations.

Feng Hao nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "It is. And every day brings something new. That's the beauty of the cultivator's path," he concluded, his gaze drifting to the sky above, reflecting on the endless possibilities that lay ahead for them both.

As they conversed, Feng Hao asked about Liwei's destination. Upon learning that Liwei was headed towards Celestial Bloom City, Feng Hao proposed the idea of traveling together. “Traveling alone has its merits, but there's strength in numbers, especially in these unpredictable lands,” he remarked, his gaze drifting towards the path that lay ahead.

Liwei pondered Feng Hao's proposal. The prospect of companionship on his journey, particularly with someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Feng Hao, was appealing. Such an alliance would offer not only safety but also an opportunity for mutual learning and growth.

After a moment of contemplation, Liwei replied, “Your proposal makes sense, Feng Hao. I believe our combined strengths and insights would serve us well on the road to Celestial Bloom City.” His voice carried a note of excitement at the idea of sharing the journey with a fellow cultivator.

Feng Hao's face lit up with a grin, pleased with Liwei's agreement. “Then it's settled. Let's journey together, share our knowledge, and face whatever this land throws at us as comrades,” he said, extending his hand in a gesture of partnership.

The two cultivators spent some time discussing their plans and strategies for the journey. They talked about the routes they would take, the potential dangers they might encounter, and the goals they hoped to achieve in Celestial Bloom City.

As they packed up their belongings and set off, the atmosphere between them was charged with camaraderie and anticipation. Walking side by side, they exchanged stories of their past experiences, cultivation techniques, and aspirations for the future.

Liwei felt a growing sense of kinship with Feng Hao. Despite their different backgrounds, they shared a common passion for cultivation and adventure. This newfound friendship represented not just a strategic alliance but also a source of moral support and companionship, a bond forged in the shared pursuit of their cultivation path, and a testament to the unspoken bonds that often form between those on the same arduous path of cultivation.

Together, they moved forward, two souls united by a shared destiny, ready to face the myriad challenges and wonders of the cultivation world. The road to Celestial Bloom City beckoned, promising not just challenges but also opportunities for growth, discovery, and the forging of a destiny that was his to shape.