The stone chamber was silent, save for the faint drip of water echoing from somewhere unseen. Tao sat cross legged on the cold floor, his back straight, his hands resting on his knees. The oppressive stillness weighed on him like a shroud, but it was nothing compared to the storm raging in his mind.

The fight with Wei played on a loop in his thoughts. The way Wei had sneered, the disbelief on the elders’ faces, and the cold judgment in their voices—each moment burned like a brand. Tao’s fists clenched involuntarily. He had been right, and yet he had been the one punished.

What burned within him even more fiercely was the knowledge that without the fiery edge of his anger, he would never have overcome Wei. His rage had seeped into the Raging Waves Sword Art, sharpening it, empowering each strike until the movements became instinctual, flowing as naturally as a storm unleashed upon the sea.

Focus.

The word cut through his anger, a whisper from the depths of his mind. Tao exhaled slowly, forcing his Qi to settle. The scroll lay before him, its faintly glowing characters seeming to pulse in time with the Jade Mountain within his dantian.

He unfolded it, his fingers brushing the ancient parchment. As he read, the words seemed to resonate within him, as though the scroll was speaking directly to his soul.

“Unyielding Mountain Spirit.”

The name sent a shiver through him. The cultivation method described a path of resilience and strength, of becoming a force that could weather any storm and crush any obstacle. The first stage, Anchoring the Roots, focused on stabilizing one’s foundation, fortifying the dantian like the base of a mighty peak.

Tao closed his eyes and began to channel his Qi, following the scroll’s instructions. The process was meticulous, requiring him to visualize his Qi as the roots of a mountain, sinking deep into the earth, unshakable and immovable.

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Time lost meaning. Hours, perhaps days, passed as Tao cultivated. The oppressive darkness of the chamber faded from his awareness, replaced by a growing sense of clarity.

As he worked, a faint pulse began to emanate from the Jade Mountain within his dantian. At first, it was subtle, like a heartbeat. But with each cycle of Qi, the pulse grew stronger, its rhythm aligning with the flow of the Unyielding Mountain Spirit.

Suddenly, a vision engulfed him.

He stood on the Spirit Mountain, the air thick with energy. The sky above churned with storm clouds, and the ground beneath his feet hummed with power. Before him loomed a massive stone gate, its surface carved with ancient runes that seemed to shift and shimmer.

The gate began to creak open, revealing a blinding light. Within the light, Tao could make out the faint outline of a winding path leading upward, its end obscured by mist. A voice echoed in his mind, deep and resonant.

“The mountain endures, but the peak is earned. Strive, and you may ascend.”

Tao reached for the gate, but the vision dissolved before he could take a step.

He opened his eyes, the cold chamber returning to him. His breathing was steady, his mind calm. He could feel the change within him. His Qi was more stable, his dantian fortified, and his connection to the Jade Mountain stronger than ever.

For the first time in days, Tao smiled.

Beyond the confines of the chamber, the sect buzzed with rumours. Some disciples whispered that Tao had been punished unfairly, a victim of Wei’s scheming. Others argued that Tao’s reckless behaviour had earned him his punishment.

Wei, meanwhile, seethed in private. His injuries were severe, his pride shattered. But his hatred for Tao burned brighter than ever. “This isn’t over,” he muttered, his voice venomous. “He’ll regret ever crossing me.”

Wei began to scheme, his humiliation fuelling a burning need for revenge. He approached Yun Fei, a senior disciple known for his cunning, hoping to secure his help. “Tao needs to be put in his place,” Wei said bitterly. “You and I can make sure he doesn’t overstep again.”

Yun Fei’s cold gaze lingered on him for a moment before he gave a faint nod. Wei smirked, satisfied that his plan was beginning to take shape.