A month back in their original village whizzed by, leaving a trail of hearty laughter and merry exploits. The boys' return had sparked a wave of exuberant celebration that lasted for days, and their tales from the temple and the neighboring village brought joy and fascination to the villagers. Handing out the Harmony shards to the villagers had been an experience in itself, watching the surprise and gratitude dawn on their faces was a memory the boys would hold dear.

The days slipped by in a comfortable rhythm, filled with training, banter, and the occasional culinary experiment - courtesy of Han's newfound adventurous spirit in the kitchen. Bao's starry-eyed tales of Ling'er, despite her being miles away, kept them all entertained, often leading to hilarious, light-hearted teasing. Jin found himself in the thrill of cultivation training and assisting the village with hunting tasks, a demanding but rewarding schedule.

A familiar presence caught the boys' attention while they were engrossed in their training. Turning, they saw the familiar figure of Elder Zhang striding towards them, his hands carrying what looked like another scroll. The boys instantly perked up, rushing over to greet their older friend with excited greetings and wide smiles.

"Zhang!" Han called, leading the way, his face aglow with delight. Ying was quick to follow, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, "What brings you here?" he questioned.

Their elder friend chuckled, a warm sound that made the morning air hum with its vibrancy. "I found something that might help you out, Jin," he said, producing the scroll with a flourish, "A basic formation scroll. Figured it would aid in your study."

Jin's eyes widened, gratitude washing over him. "Thank you, Zhang," he responded sincerely, carefully taking the offered scroll.

"And," Zhang continued, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "I've also grown tired of the city's hustle and bustle. A little training in a quieter place seemed like a welcome change."

Master Li, having noticed the arrival of Zhang from afar, meandered over to join them. His seasoned gaze carried a welcoming warmth as he acknowledged his guest. "Zhang, it's good to see you. You're always welcome here. Together we can guide these youngsters on their path," he stated, a hint of fondness lacing his tone as he glanced over his pupils.

Zhang returned the greeting with a respectful bow, his face shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Master Li. I look forward to working with all of you."

Each day, as soon as the rooster crowed announcing the crack of dawn, Zhang, Jin, Ying, Han, and Bao were to be found already at the training fields. Under the pastel-hued dawn sky, they would commence their routines. Stretching exercises, quick laps around the field, their breaths turning into puffs of mist in the cool morning air, each with a determination that even the relentless morning chill couldn't daunt.

Qi training was an intense affair. Seated in a circle, the boys would concentrate, their faces reflecting the internal struggle as they tried to refine their qi. Zhang, ever so patient, would stride among them, providing tips, sharing anecdotes, and correcting postures. His voice became the rhythmic chant guiding them through the complex labyrinth of their internal energy flow. His words, laced with a blend of firmness and compassion, etched deeper understanding into their young minds.

On one occasion, Han misjudged his qi control and a bolt of energy zapped out, singeing the edge of Ying's hair. A moment of shocked silence was broken by Zhang's hearty laugh echoing around the field, soon joined by the others as Ying ran around, patting down the smoky remains of his hair. From that day forward, Ying wore a hat during qi training, a comical sight that never failed to start the day on a lighter note.

Each day, post the morning training session, Jin found himself nestled under the verdant umbrella of the old oak tree. The formation scroll spread open in front of him, a seemingly chaotic mass of symbols and lines. It felt a little like programming, he'd mused early on. There were patterns, structures, logic sequences — much like the code he'd used to write. But there were other elements, more abstract and elusive, that made it uniquely challenging and fascinating.

His gaze would flicker from the scroll to the small stones he'd set up in the dust, trying to mimic the patterns, to form a tangible, three-dimensional model of the abstract lines. Often, his furrowed brows would knot even tighter, a small growl escaping him as the stones refused to echo the elegant and powerful form depicted on the parchment. The others, training nearby, often cast curious glances his way, occasionally venturing over to join in the head-scratching exercise.

At times, frustration would well up inside him, the mysteries of the formations feeling as distant as ever. He could almost touch the edges of understanding only for it to slip away like water through his fingers. In those moments, he'd sit back, taking slow, calming breaths, and remind himself — this was not a program, not a simple puzzle to be solved. It was a piece of a larger universe, and like the universe, it held its secrets closely.

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Zhang, with his easygoing charisma and wealth of experience, would often wander over, squatting beside Jin, peering at the symbols with a thoughtful squint. He couldn't provide answers to Jin's formation puzzles — those were a journey Jin had to walk himself. But he had a way of shifting perspectives, asking questions that nudged Jin's thoughts down new paths. An observation about a symbol's resemblance to a leaf, a quip about the nature of power flows, or sometimes, just a shared silence as they both pondered over the ancient wisdom etched on the scroll.

The interactions were far from one-sided. Jin found himself explaining his observations and theories, articulating his thoughts helped bring a clarity to them. In the crisscrossing threads of their discussions, amid laughter, frustration, and epiphanies, Jin saw the scroll not as an obstacle to be conquered, but as a teacher, cryptic yet profound, leading him further into the depths of the cultivation world.

As the weeks flew by, the playful competition among the boys escalated. Zhang often initiated mock combat sessions, utilizing the wide training grounds. The exhilarating thump of pulses, the electrifying zing of qi manipulations, and the triumphant cheers painted the arena with shades of fervor and resolve. Zhang, always the undefeated champion, met each challenge with a grin, his prowess a benchmark the boys aspired to reach.

The days of training were interspersed with hunting trips into the nearby forests. Zhang was a seasoned hunter, his expertise stemming from his time in the city where hunting was more of an art. He taught them new trapping techniques, showed them how to track the elusive shadow deer, and instructed them on the finer points of qi usage while hunting.

The large oak tree provided a backdrop to a scene of quiet awe. Seated cross-legged, Jin's aura cascaded around him like a vibrant waterfall of energy. His brow furrowed in concentration, he was seemingly oblivious to the world around him. His entire being was focused on one thing: breaking through to the late Qi Gathering realm.

Bao, having already reached the late Qi Gathering stage, was not surprised by the intense energy Jin was exuding. But the spectacle was nonetheless fascinating to him, a powerful reminder of his own breakthrough. The other boys, not yet at that stage, watched wide-eyed and entranced. The swirling energy around Jin was something they could aspire to, an emblem of the dedication they would need to emulate.

Master Li stood at the edge of the training field, his eyes following the swirl of energy around his student. A broad smile stretched across his face, pride glowing in his eyes. Jin was his student, his prodigy, and witnessing his journey towards this pivotal breakthrough filled him with a sense of fulfillment.

Turning towards his awestruck pupils, he cleared his throat. "See this," he began, sweeping a hand towards Jin, "as a motivation, not as a daunting challenge. Jin's diligence and focus are the driving forces behind this breakthrough. Learn from him. Each one of you has the potential to achieve this and even surpass it. Dedicate yourself to your cultivation, and you too can scale these heights."

Han and Lei shared a glance, their expressions a mix of admiration and resignation. The sight of Jin breaking through, while awe-inspiring, also underscored a reality they had long accepted. They weren’t ones to chase lofty goals or compete with their peers; they had always been the laid-back spirits of the group, content to meander along the path of cultivation at their own relaxed pace.

“Not too shabby, Jin,” Han called out, lazily sprawled on the grass, a teasing smirk on his face. “Remember us when you become an Elder one day, alright?”

Lei echoed the sentiment, laughing as he reclined against the oak tree, idly spinning a small stone between his fingers. “Yeah, and don’t forget the little people who knew you before you got all high and mighty.”

Meanwhile, Ying's reaction was starkly different. He stood at the edge of the clearing, his gaze fixed on Jin. His fists clenched at his sides as a storm of emotions churned within him. He'd always assumed his slower progress was due to his younger age, but now Jin, his elder by only a year, had surged ahead.

"Enough being the weakest," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. There was a new resolve in his voice, a flame kindling in his eyes. "This is my path too. I need to forge ahead." His gaze shifted to the horizon, an unspoken vow hanging in the air. Jin's breakthrough, while a cause for celebration, had also become the catalyst for his own ignited determination.

True to his silent vow, Ying soared through the ranks of cultivation, hitting the late Qi gathering stage within a fortnight of Jin's breakthrough. His Master watched the scene unfold, nodding approvingly as he perceived the budding strength within his young charge. It was the result he had been hoping for, a testament to the power of camaraderie and shared purpose that had been kindled by Jin and Ying's hunting team-ups.

That evening, they celebrated around the fire, the smell of roasted meat mingling with the warm chatter that filled the cool night air. A congratulatory feast had been laid out, the usual simple fare elevated by the sense of shared achievement.

Over dinner, Zhang broached the topic of the tournament. "You know, now that you boys have reached the late Qi gathering realm," he began, his eyes twinkling in the firelight, "you might consider participating in the tournament. Mid realm gatherers probably won't stand much of a chance, but you two…" He paused, a grin splitting his face, "you could put up a good fight."

Jin's response was immediate, an excited glint in his eyes as he nodded fervently. "I'd like that. Count me in, Elder Zhang."

Ying, too, found himself drawn to the idea. The prospect of testing their skills, of experiencing the thrill of competition — it was an opportunity he didn't want to miss. "I'm in, too," he confirmed, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic determination.

Bao, however, seemed lost in thought. He chewed on a piece of meat, his eyes distant. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft but resolute. "I think I'll pass on this one," he said, offering them an apologetic smile. "But I'll make sure to escort Han, Lei, and… well, my lady, to the city so they can cheer you on." The mention of his sweetheart brought a faint blush to his cheeks, a shy smile creeping onto his face. It was clear where his heart truly lay.