The sun peeked through the scattered clouds as the trio stepped out of the Smoked Boar Inn, ready to continue their journey toward the Heavenly Cloud Sect. The air was fresh, carrying a faint scent of grass and dew, and the faint bustle of the village behind them added a lively backdrop to their departure. Mei Lan's enthusiasm was palpable as she began chattering about the sect they were heading toward.

"The Heavenly Cloud Sect has such a rich history," Mei Lan said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's not as grand as the first-class sects like Mount Hua or Wudang, but it's still impressive. Did you know it was founded nearly 400 years ago by an elder who mastered cloud manipulation techniques? They say he achieved enlightenment on a mountain peak surrounded by perpetual mist, which is why the sect's location is so remote."

Li Yun listened intently, trying to absorb the details. He wasn't sure how much of this was relevant to him, but Mei Lan's passion was contagious. Zhang Wei, walking a step ahead, chuckled and shook his head. "She does this every year. Every time new juniors join, Mei Lan makes it her mission to share every detail about the sect's history."

"It's important," Mei Lan said defensively, puffing her cheeks slightly. "How else will people appreciate what they're becoming a part of?"

"I'm not complaining," Zhang Wei replied with a grin. "It's just amusing to watch."

Li Yun smiled faintly at their banter. The thought of joining a place with such a long-standing legacy stirred something in him—a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

As they walked down the winding dirt path away from the village, the system chimed in Li Yun's mind:

"New Quest: Gather 15 Low-Grade Medicinal Wild Grass Ginseng. Reward: Inventory System Unlock."

Li Yun blinked at the notification, his eyes scanning the quest details. An inventory system? That sounded incredibly useful. As they continued along the path, his gaze darted toward the underbrush on either side of the road, searching for the distinctive glow the system usually highlighted for such items.

The first patch of Wild Grass Ginseng appeared not far ahead, its soft green glow catching his eye. Li Yun quickly veered off the path and plucked the herb, tucking it into the small pouch at his waist.

Zhang Wei and Mei Lan exchanged confused glances. "Brother Li," Zhang Wei called out, "what are you doing?"

Li Yun straightened, brushing his hands on his robe. "Just being cautious," he said. "Who knows if we'll run into another situation like the one with the wolves? It doesn't hurt to be prepared."

The pair nodded, seemingly convinced. Mei Lan added, "That's actually pretty smart. Spirit beasts can appear out of nowhere, especially in areas like this."

As they continued walking, Li Yun remained vigilant, collecting every piece of Wild Grass Ginseng he came across. Each time he picked one, the glowing number in his quest tracker increased, fueling his determination. Meanwhile, Mei Lan resumed her storytelling, this time diving into the sect's internal structure.

"The sect has three major peaks," she explained, gesturing animatedly with her hands. "Each peak specializes in different areas of cultivation. The Cloudveil Peak focuses on defensive techniques and spiritual formations. Mistshadow Peak trains assassins and scouts—their techniques are all about speed and precision. And then there's the Thundercrash Peak, which is known for their offensive arts. Their disciples are the ones sent to the frontlines in major battles."

"What about you and Zhang Wei?" Li Yun asked, genuinely curious.

"We're both from Cloudveil Peak," Mei Lan said proudly. "It's the largest of the three and the one responsible for teaching general cultivation techniques to new disciples."

Zhang Wei chuckled. "It's also the peak that gets all the paperwork dumped on it. Don't let her fool you into thinking it's all glorious."

As the trio shared a laugh, the conversation shifted. Mei Lan's cheerful voice filled the air, creating a light-hearted atmosphere that made the long walk feel shorter. Even Li Yun found himself relaxing, though he remained focused on his task. By the time they reached a shaded grove, he had collected 14 out of the 15 required herbs.

The quiet moment didn't last. Mei Lan suddenly turned to Li Yun, her gaze fixed on his right hand. "By the way, I've been meaning to ask... what's with that crescent mark on your palm?"

Li Yun's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively clenched his fist, hiding the mark. "It's nothing," he said quickly. When both Mei Lan and Zhang Wei continued to look at him expectantly, he sighed and forced a weak smile. "Fine. It's a scar. I got it wandering in the Demon Forest. A beast attacked me, and... I killed it."

The pair's expressions softened immediately. Mei Lan placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Brother Li. That must have been terrifying."

"Yeah," Zhang Wei added. "We won't pry anymore. It's clearly a sensitive topic."

Li Yun nodded, grateful they hadn't pressed further. Internally, he felt a pang of guilt for lying but pushed the thought aside. To lighten the mood, he chuckled awkwardly. "It's fine. I'm still here, aren't I?"

The pair smiled, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics. Mei Lan began recounting humorous tales of past disciples who had gotten into trouble during their training, and Zhang Wei added his own anecdotes. The laughter that followed eased the tension, making the rest of the walk more enjoyable.

Finally, Li Yun spotted the last piece of Wild Grass Ginseng. He rushed forward to pluck it, and as his fingers closed around the plant, a loud ding echoed in his mind:

"Quest Complete: Inventory System Unlocked. Reward: Inventory Panel."

Li Yun jumped in the air, startling the pair. "Is something wrong?" Mei Lan asked, her stance shifting as though preparing for a fight.

"No, no!" Li Yun said quickly, waving his hands. "It's just a... bug. Got too close to my face." He laughed nervously, trying to mask his excitement.

The notification hovering in his vision caught his attention: Inventory Space: 25 Slots. Items can stack. Li Yun's lips twitched into a greedy grin, though he quickly hid it. He experimented briefly, imagining the herb disappearing into the panel. It vanished instantly, leaving him in awe of its utility.

As they continued, the system chimed again:

"Bloodline Quest: Slay the Crimson Saberfang Beast. Progress your bloodline to 65%. Reward: 1,200 EXP."

Li Yun's breath hitched. Before he could process the quest, the ground beneath them trembled. A guttural roar echoed through the forest, sending birds scattering into the sky. The trio froze, their eyes darting toward the source of the sound.

Emerging from the shadows was a massive beast, its crimson fur bristling and its fangs glinting like daggers. Blood dripped from its maw, and its glowing yellow eyes locked onto them with predatory intent.

"Crimson Saberfang," Zhang Wei said grimly, gripping his spear tightly. "This isn't going to be easy."

Li Yun summoned his Crescent Blade, the weapon materializing in his hand with a faint hum. The trio formed a loose triangle around the beast, each preparing for the inevitable clash.

The Crimson Saberfang lunged first, its massive claws raking through the air toward Mei Lan. She barely dodged, her body twisting as she summoned a protective barrier of faint golden light. Zhang Wei retaliated with a precise thrust of his spear, aiming for the beast's flank. The weapon struck true, but the Saberfang's thick hide absorbed much of the impact.

Li Yun moved instinctively, his Crescent Blade slicing downward in an arc. The energy-enhanced strike left a shallow gash along the beast's shoulder, and it howled in rage. The fight became a blur of coordinated strikes and desperate dodges as the trio struggled to keep up with the beast's ferocity.

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The ground became slick with blood—some from the Saberfang, but also from the trio's minor wounds. Despite their best efforts, the beast's overwhelming power began to take its toll. Mei Lan's qi barrier flickered weakly, and Zhang Wei's movements grew slower, his breath labored.

Just as despair threatened to overtake them, a sharp whistle cut through the chaos. A man clad in flowing green robes stepped into the fray, his long white hair billowing behind him. He moved with an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly, and his piercing gaze exuded confidence.

"Need a hand?" he asked, his tone smug yet playful. Without waiting for a response, he raised his hand, summoning a whirlwind of emerald energy. The wind coalesced into a massive tornado adorned with vibrant, serene flowers. The storm engulfed the Crimson Saberfang, the petals slicing through its hide like blades. The beast roared in agony, collapsing to the ground in a bloodied heap.

The man stepped forward, inspecting the dying beast with a satisfied smirk. "Well, that was fun. Everyone all right?"

Zhang Wei and Mei Lan bowed deeply. "Thank you for your assistance, Senior," Zhang Wei said respectfully.

The man waved them off, laughing. "No need for that. I'm Bai Xuesheng, second-class disciple of the Jade Flower Sect. I just happened to be passing by."

Li Yun followed the pair's lead, bowing politely. Bai Xuesheng's gaze lingered on him for a moment, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Interesting," he murmured before stepping back.

With the beast defeated, Li Yun's system chimed once more:

"Bloodline Progress: 65%. Congratulations! Reward: 1,200 EXP."

Li Yun's heart raced as he absorbed the notification. He was close to leveling up, and the thought filled him with renewed determination. Bai Xuesheng's presence, however, added a new layer of intrigue to his journey. As the group treated their wounds and exchanged lighthearted banter, the possibilities ahead seemed endless.

Bai Xuesheng, still observing the trio with a mix of curiosity and amusement, eventually gestured toward the Crimson Saberfang's corpse. "A rare beast to encounter in these parts. It's fortunate I came along when I did," he said, his tone laced with a playful arrogance. "You three are impressive for handling it as long as you did."

Mei Lan smiled weakly, brushing sweat from her brow. "We owe you a great deal, Senior Bai. Without your help, I don't know if we could've managed."

Bai Xuesheng shrugged, folding his arms across his chest. "Think nothing of it. Consider it a chance to repay the heavens for my fortune in cultivation." His gaze turned to Li Yun, who was still quietly marveling at the system's updates. "And you... You're an unusual one."

Li Yun tensed slightly, unsure how to respond. "Unusual?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

Bai Xuesheng chuckled, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Your energy. It's faint yet... vast. Like a still lake hiding unfathomable depths. Interesting."

Mei Lan and Zhang Wei exchanged glances, clearly intrigued by Bai Xuesheng's words. Li Yun, however, forced a laugh and waved his hand dismissively. "I think you're giving me too much credit, Senior Bai. I've only just started on my path."

"Perhaps," Bai Xuesheng said, a knowing smile playing at his lips. "But paths often have unexpected destinations." He clapped his hands, breaking the tension. "Well, I must be on my way. The Jade Flower Sect doesn't maintain itself, after all."

The trio bowed once more, thanking him profusely. As Bai Xuesheng walked away, his green robes trailing behind him like a flowing river.

Once the swordsman disappeared into the distance, Zhang Wei sighed in relief. "Well, that was... intense."

"Understatement of the year," Mei Lan muttered, wincing as she applied pressure to a shallow cut on her arm. "But at least we're alive."

Li Yun, feeling the weight of their ordeal, rummaged through his pouch and retrieved several pieces of the Wild Grass Ginseng he had collected earlier. "Here," he said, handing some to each of them. "This should help."

Zhang Wei stared at the herbs, then at Li Yun, his expression incredulous. "Are you psychic or something? Did you know we'd need this?"

Li Yun laughed nervously. "Just a lucky guess. Better safe than sorry, right?"

Mei Lan smiled, her expression softening as she accepted the herbs. "Lucky or not, it's appreciated."

While the pair began tending to their injuries, Li Yun watched them closely, mimicking their application techniques as best he could. Unlike the others, he couldn't channel qi to enhance the effects of the herbs. Instead, he carefully mashed the ginseng into a paste with a small stone and applied it to his wounds, following what he had observed from the others. The cool, soothing sensation eased the sting of his cuts, but the process felt clumsy and inefficient without qi to accelerate the healing.

With the beast defeated and Bai Xuesheng's imposing figure retreating into the distance, Li Yun felt both relief and a lingering sense of awe. Though his body ached and his qi reserves were nonexistent, he felt closer than ever to uncovering the potential that lay hidden within him.

As the trio gathered themselves, Zhang Wei leaned heavily on his spear, his face pale from exertion. Mei Lan sat on a nearby rock, clutching her arm where a shallow claw mark had torn through her sleeve. The tension in the air began to dissipate, but Li Yun's mind buzzed with questions. Bai Xuesheng's effortless display of power had been unlike anything he had ever seen, and it left a deep impression on him.

Before Bai could completely disappear into the forest, Li Yun called out, his voice trembling slightly. "Senior Bai please wait!"

The green-robed man stopped and turned, his silver hair catching the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Yes, young one?"

Li Yun hesitated, glancing at Mei Lan and Zhang Wei before stepping forward. "I... I haven't opened my dantian yet. Could you... could you help me?"

Bai Xuesheng raised an eyebrow, his amused expression deepening. "You've survived in the Demon Forest without even opening your dantian?" He let out a sharp laugh, folding his arms across his chest. "That's... unexpected. You must have scraped by on sheer luck. If you weren't so amusing, I'd call it reckless."

Li Yun flushed slightly but nodded. "Yes, Senior. Will you help me?"

Bai Xuesheng sighed theatrically, running a hand through his gleaming hair. "Fine. I suppose I'll stoop to assisting you. Not that I expect you to grasp the enormity of the favor I'm granting. Sit down. Cross your legs. Try not to faint."

Zhang Wei and Mei Lan exchanged glances, their eyes widening as they realized what was about to happen. "This is a rare opportunity, Brother Li," Mei Lan whispered encouragingly.

Li Yun nodded and quickly obeyed Bai's instructions, settling into a lotus position on the blood-streaked ground. His heart pounded in anticipation as Bai Xuesheng stepped closer, his green robes fluttering gently in the breeze. Bai knelt behind him and placed a hand on his back, the warmth of his palm immediately noticeable.

"Opening your dantian requires precision and control," Bai said, his tone dripping with superiority. "It's fortunate for you that someone of my caliber is here. If you had relied on amateurs, your meridians would be a tangled mess by now." He glanced toward Zhang Wei and Mei Lan, smirking slightly. "No offense."

The pair stiffened but wisely kept silent, exchanging a quick glance that spoke volumes.

Li Yun, meanwhile, focused on Bai's instructions, pushing down his nervousness. "I'll remain still, Senior. Please proceed."

Bai Xuesheng nodded, his expression shifting to one of practiced seriousness. A faint green aura began to emanate from him as he closed his eyes, and the qi flowed through his hand into Li Yun's body. It was warm and pulsing, an exhilarating sensation that felt both foreign and natural.

"This is going to hurt," Bai Xuesheng remarked casually, as though commenting on the weather. "Try not to scream. It's... distracting."

The process began in earnest as Bai's qi traveled through Li Yun's meridians, searching for the dormant dantian at his core. As the energy coursed through him, Li Yun felt a sharp, tearing sensation deep within his abdomen. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his hands clenched into fists, but he gritted his teeth and kept his breathing steady, following Bai's instructions.

"There it is," Bai murmured, his voice both amused and impressed. "Your dantian is larger than most. I'm not surprised. Someone like you is bound to need more space for all the trouble you'll attract."

Zhang Wei and Mei Lan watched in awe as Bai's green aura intensified, the surrounding air rippling faintly with the force of his qi. Time seemed to slow as Bai concentrated, his brow furrowing slightly. Finally, with a confident flourish of his hand and a surge of energy, a deep, resonating hum filled the air. Li Yun gasped as a sudden warmth blossomed within him, spreading outward like ripples in a pond.

"It's done," Bai said, stepping back and exhaling dramatically. He looked slightly drained but satisfied. "Your dantian is now open. You should feel the flow of qi around you. Not bad for a beginner."

Li Yun opened his eyes, his vision sharper and colours more vivid than before. He could feel it—the energy of the world around him, subtle but constant, like a gentle breeze brushing against his skin. His heart swelled with a mixture of gratitude and excitement.

"Thank you, Senior Bai," he said, bowing deeply. "I don't know how to repay you."

Bai waved a hand dismissively, a smug smile playing at his lips. "There's no need for repayment. Watching you flail about and attempt to live up to this potential will be repayment enough. Don't embarrass me."

Zhang Wei stepped forward, clapping Li Yun on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Brother Li! With your dantian open, you're one step closer to becoming a true cultivator."

"Indeed," Mei Lan added, her smile warm despite the exhaustion on her face. "Now we can teach you a basic qi-gathering technique to help you start cultivating."

As Zhang Wei and Mei Lan began explaining the fundamentals of qi gathering, the system chimed in Li Yun's mind:

"Congratulations! Dantian unlocked. Basic Qi-Gathering Technique acquired. Reward: 10 Starlight Shards and 300 EXP."

Li Yun's lips twitched into a small smile as the notification faded. The road ahead was still uncertain, but with his dantian now open and new allies by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges awaited him.

Bai Xuesheng turned to leave once more, his green robes flowing elegantly as he moved. Before disappearing into the forest, he glanced back and said, "Remember, the path of cultivation is long and arduous. But with determination, even the smallest ember can ignite a blazing fire. Don't squander this chance. I'd hate to waste my time on someone without ambition."

Li Yun nodded, his resolve solidifying. As Bai's figure vanished into the trees, he turned to Zhang Wei and Mei Lan, his expression one of quiet determination. "Let's keep moving. The Heavenly Cloud Sect is waiting."