Chapter 16: Bonds , eating firey cherry fruit

The secluded waterfall roared, its thunderous sound masking all other noises. Behind the shimmering curtain of water, Ye Tian climbed up to his hidden cave—a place he had painstakingly prepared for his cultivation. The cave, concealed by nature’s grandeur, was modest but sufficient. Large enough for two people to reside comfortably, it offered peace and solitude, qualities Ye Tian cherished.

As he entered, he laid down the herbs he had just purchased. His gaze lingered on the collection, each herb a small step toward strengthening his frail constitution.

"Pain is temporary; improvement is eternal," Ye Tian muttered to himself, determination flickering in his eyes like a candle against the wind.

He began refining the herbs one by one, carefully extracting their essence and guiding it through his meridians. The process was grueling—his body trembled, and sharp pains wracked him at intervals. At one point, a cry escaped his lips, echoing faintly through the cave. But he clenched his teeth and endured. The heat inside him surged, his skin glowing faintly as impurities burned away. It was as though he were being tempered like a blade, hammered by the fire of resolve.

Hours passed—fifteen in total—before Ye Tian finally opened his eyes. A sense of lightness enveloped him, and as he clenched his fists, he felt his body became much lighter.

“So this is what feels to have a good Constitution, I envy others to have good Constitution,” Ye Tian murmured. “Now, even Core Formation cultivators at the second stage won't trouble me.”

But his moment of triumph was interrupted. He sensed a presence outside the waterfall, a faint yet familiar aura. Curious, he walked to the entrance of the cave, peering down through the veil of cascading water.

There, standing near the waterfall, was Su Ling.

The girl stood alone, her figure blending seamlessly with the mystical surroundings. Her long black hair cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall of its own, and her eyes held a light that seemed to pierce through the misty veil. As she stood there, gazing at the scenery, her presence seemed almost magical, as though she belonged to this ethereal place. She was like a delicate flower blooming in a hidden garden, waiting to be discovered. Despite her fragile appearance, she radiated quiet strength.

Time seemed to bend around this moment, as if reality itself had been woven around the girl and the one she awaited. The air vibrated with anticipation, like a whispered promise of possibilities.

And then, as the mist swirled, and the waterfall thundered on, she sensed it – a presence, a disturbance in the balance, a promise of arrival...

The roaring of the waterfall couldn’t mask the ancient energy that hummed in the air, weaving an unspoken connection between her and the one she awaited.

Ye Tian smiled faintly as he watched her. "A lone flower blooming in the wilderness, unaware of the beauty she bestows upon the world," he thought, the corners of his lips curling upward.

He descended from his hidden cave, his movements quiet but purposeful. Su Ling turned, sensing his approach before seeing him. Her face lit up with a radiant smile, one that could make the full moon shy away in envy.

“Junior Brother Tian,” she said, her voice as warm and melodic as a spring breeze. “You’ve finally decided to show yourself?”

“Senior Sister Su,” Ye Tian greeted, cupping his hands in respect. “It’s been a while.”

“A while?” Su Ling raised an eyebrow, her smile fading into a playful pout. “You didn’t even look for me. Do you know how busy I’ve been with sect missions? And yet, I had to come find you instead of the other way around.”

Ye Tian scratched the back of his head, chuckling nervously. “I didn’t mean to neglect you, Senior Sister. I’ve been…occupied.”

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“Occupied?” Su Ling’s eyes narrowed, though amusement danced within them. “Don’t tell me you’ve been hiding here all this time, training without sparing a thought for your Senior Sister. Honestly, I should punish you for your insolence.”

Ye Tian smiled faintly. “How should I make amends then, Senior Sister?”

Su Ling folded her arms, tilting her head slightly as if deep in thought. “Hmm…perhaps you should call me ‘Elder Sister Su Ling’ for the rest of the day. That might suffice.”

Ye Tian’s lips twitched. “Wouldn’t that make it sound like you’re far older than me?”

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she smacked his shoulder lightly. “You’re incorrigible! No wonder I have to keep an eye on you.”

Their laughter mingled with the sounds of the waterfall, filling the air with a rare lightheartedness. As the conversation ebbed, Su Ling’s expression softened.

“Junior Brother, it’s good to see you’re progressing so quickly,” she said sincerely. “I always believed you had potential. You just needed the right push.”

Ye Tian nodded. “Your encouragement means a lot, Senior Sister. Without your help, I wouldn’t have made it this far.”

Su Ling waved her hand dismissively, though her eyes betrayed her delight at his words. “Don’t flatter me too much. You’re the one putting in the effort. I’m just here to ensure you don’t slack off.”

As the sun reached its zenith, Su Ling finally sighed. “I should be going. There’s much to do. Being a core disciple isn’t just a title, you know—it comes with responsibilities.”

“Take care, Senior Sister,” Ye Tian said, bowing slightly.

She turned to leave but paused, glancing over her shoulder. “Oh, and Junior Brother…don’t forget to think of me once in a while. Or I might really punish you next time.”

With that, she disappeared into the forest, her figure vanishing like a dream fading with the morning light.

Ye Tian watched her go, his expression thoughtful. “She’s like a steady flame, illuminating the path ahead,” he murmured to himself. “I must not let her down.”

“The mountains may rise high, but the sky above them is boundless,” he thought, his eyes shining with resolve.

As Ye Tian turned toward his hidden cave, his steps faltered. A sudden thought crossed his mind, drawing his gaze toward the tree he had planted months ago. The tree now stood tall and majestic, its leaves shimmering in the golden sunlight filtering through the waterfall’s mist.

He approached it, a mixture of curiosity and amusement dancing in his eyes. "This world truly defies logic," he muttered, shaking his head. "The growth speed of plants here is utterly ridiculous."

The tree, which should have taken years to mature, was already bearing fruit. A single, vibrant fruit hung from its branch, glowing faintly with an otherworldly hue.

Ye Tian reached out to touch the fruit, his fingertips brushing against its smooth surface. He chuckled to himself.

He leaned closer, inspecting it with a mix of reverence and hunger. “I knew planting this tree was a good idea,” he murmured, his lips curling into a small smile. “It’s about time I enjoyed the literal fruits of my labor what's it called again! Firey Cherry fruit I guess!?.”

But as he prepared to pluck it, he hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. "What if this fruit is poisonous?" he muttered, narrowing his eyes. "No, that’s unlikely. If it’s poisonous, then why does it look so appetizing?"

He stepped back, crossing his arms and tilting his head as he studied the tree. "Still, in cultivation, appearances can be deceiving. A beautiful flower often hides deadly thorns."

Despite his musings, his resolve didn’t waver. His eyes gleamed with determination as he spoke to himself, "If I don’t take risks, how will I progress? A ship is safest in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for."

Reaching up, he plucked the fruit from the branch. The faint glow intensified as if the fruit acknowledged his decision. He held it in his hand, weighing it thoughtfully.

“Alright, you strange little fruit,” he said with a wry smile, “let’s see if you’re a gift from the heavens or a test of my endurance.”

Ye Tian bit into the fruit cautiously. The moment the juice touched his tongue, his eyes widened in surprise. It was unlike anything he had ever tasted—a burst of sweetness, followed by a tangy undertone that seemed to invigorate his senses.

“This… this is amazing!” he exclaimed, his expression lighting up like a child discovering a hidden treasure. He quickly took another bite, savoring every morsel.

As he ate, he felt a warm energy spreading through his body, seeping into his meridians like a gentle stream. His skin glowed faintly, and his dantian seemed to hum in harmony with the energy.

“Not only is it delicious,” he said, his tone filled with excitement, “but it’s also enhancing my cultivation. This fruit is worth more than gold!”

He sat down beneath the tree, leaning against its sturdy trunk as he finished the fruit. The peaceful atmosphere of the waterfall and the gentle rustling of leaves seemed to embrace him, offering a rare moment of tranquility.

As he closed his eyes to absorb the energy, he murmured to himself, "Life is like this fruit—unexpected, vibrant, and sometimes a little risky. But those who dare to taste it are the ones who truly live."

The warm energy continued to course through him, and Ye Tian felt his connection to the elemental sphere deepen. He came to an unexpected realization as if the elements telling him to try to control them and this time he was like confident he could make and control at least two elemental sphere other than the fire one.

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