Later, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, Tian Hao sought refuge in the quiet solitude of his hidden garden. The familiar scent of earth and blooming jasmine filled the air, a balm for his weary spirit.
He settled himself beneath the sprawling willow tree, its branches weeping gracefully towards the ground, creating a curtain of privacy. This spot had unexpectedly developed into his sanctuary, a place where he could escape the expectations of the sect. Here, hidden beneath the willow, he could let his guard down, if only for a little while.
He closed his eyes, letting the gentle breeze caress his face, the rustling of leaves a soothing whisper against the silence.
His thoughts drifted back to Jiuwei's words, her pronouncements echoing in the quiet chambers of his mind. "Pleasure with purpose...a tool for change, a catalyst for growth," she had said.
He'd initially dismissed her pronouncements mostly as the ramblings of a pompous spirit fox, but now, in the tranquility of the garden, her words resonated with a different clarity.
The PINA method, he was starting to realize, wasn’t just about indulging in food and drink; it was about finding joy in every aspect of life, about cultivating not just his spiritual energy but his capacity for appreciation, for connection.
He remembered the music at the feast, the haunting melody of the guqin wrapping around him like a warm embrace. Each note seemed to vibrate through his body, sending shivers down his spine, awakening something deep within him. It wasn't just a pleasant sound; it was as if the music itself carried a flow of energy, weaving into his own, enhancing his cultivation without conscious effort. He could still feel the way his spiritual energy had responded, rising and falling with the melody, resonating with each haunting chord.
A gust of wind swayed the willow boughs, as if they were dancing to the music of his memories.
He recalled the warmth of his bath, the way the fragrant steam and the soothing water had eased his aching muscles, not just as a physical comfort but as a balm for his soul. A quiet indulgence that had replenished his spirit.
He thought of Lin Mei’s laughter, the way her smile could chase away the shadows, the way her presence had been a comforting constant amidst the hardships of their mission. "I never realized how much she helps balance me," he thought, a warmth blooming in his chest.
Even the simple act of sharing a meal with Fatty Wu, the camaraderie and warmth they shared—all of it fueled his cultivation, enhanced his connection to the spiritual energy that flowed through him.
He was beginning to understand the true potential of the PINA method—a path not of mindless indulgence, but of mindful appreciation, of finding balance between pleasure and purpose.
It wasn't just about seeking out fleeting moments of joy; it was about cultivating a deeper awareness of the world around him, of the subtle energies that flowed through every experience.
With this growing awareness, however, came a new set of anxieties. He shifted his position slightly, running his fingers through the soft grass, trying to ground himself in the sensation. "Why does clarity always have to come with a side of doubt?" he mused.
How could he reconcile his hedonistic approach with the Skyward Lotus Sect’s rigid traditions? He knew his methods were unorthodox, that they challenged the very core of their beliefs. His methods, so different from their rigid traditions, were a constant source of friction.
"Do I always have to be the one going against the grain?" he thought, a sigh escaping him. "Why can't I just fit in, follow the rules, and earn their respect like Liang Chen?" But deep down, he knew the answer. That wasn't who he wanted to be anymore—and it never would be again.
He remembered Elder Hua’s disapproving gaze, her sharp words cutting through him like a blade. “You are a disgrace to your father, a burden to the sect,” she’d said, her voice laced with contempt. The words still stung, a reminder of the gap between his approach and their expectations.
Likewise, he recalled his father’s weary sighs, the unspoken disappointment that hung heavy in the air between them. "Every sigh felt like a reminder that I wasn't enough," Tian Hao thought, his chest tightening.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Then there was Liang Chen, the sect’s golden boy, whose effortless mastery of traditional cultivation techniques made Tian Hao feel like a clumsy imposter. He recalled the duel with Jin Bao, his own frantic, wine-fueled movements a stark contrast to Liang Chen’s graceful, controlled strikes.
Despite the disapproval, the doubts, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was on the right path. BSS’s playful encouragement, Jiuwei’s surprisingly insightful pronouncements, and the Entity’s promise of a path to power through pleasure — he believed he was on the right path.
"Jiuwei's words about balance and indulgence kept echoing in my mind," he recalled, "Discipline isn’t just about denying myself—it’s about knowing when and how to enjoy life."
"If beings like BSS and Jiuwei believe in my approach, then why should I doubt myself?" he thought. "Maybe it's not me who's wrong. Maybe it's the sect's outdated traditions that need to change."
He was starting to see himself not only as a rebellious disciple but as a pioneer, forging a new path to enlightenment, one that embraced joy rather than shunning it.
Tian Hao thought of his old life, back in the bustling city of his birth.
He saw flashes of himself in that faded uniform, scanning groceries, forcing a smile for customers who barely acknowledged his existence—the fluorescent lights of Heaven's Bargain Mart a stark contrast to the warm glow of the setting sun in his hidden garden. "I felt like a ghost back then," he thought, a pang of sadness washing over him. He remembered the frustration, the exhaustion, and the sense of being trapped, like an ant on a treadmill, endlessly running without ever reaching a destination. "All I wanted was a way out, a chance to feel alive, to be more than just another cog in the machine."
There, pleasure had been a fleeting escape—a stolen moment between shifts at Heaven’s Bargain Mart, a brief respite from the relentless demands of survival. He'd sougt solace in those few moments—a shared laugh with a coworker, a quiet cup of tea in the park, the comforting warmth of a bowl of instant noodles after a long day. Those small indulgences had been his anchors in a world that often felt cold and indifferent.
This new life, with its challenges and its indulgences, had shown him that true joy wasn't about escaping reality but about embracing it—finding pleasure not just in fleeting moments but in the very act of living.
A bird fluttered through the garden, its bright feathers catching the light as it moved between the branches, the sudden motion and flash of color bringing Tian Hao back to the present.
He took a deep breath, allowing the memories of his old life to fade, replaced by the realization of the challenges that lay ahead. The contrast between the simplicity of his past and the complexity of his present was stark.
Tian Hao knew that to truly master this path, he needed to navigate the sect’s political landscape more effectively. He couldn’t just rely on BSS’s interventions or Jiuwei’s… unique brand of assistance. "I need to understand how things work here," he thought, a sense of determination settling in. "The rules, the unspoken codes, all the subtle nuances of sect etiquette and diplomacy. If I want to succeed, I can't keep winging it. I have to be able to at least fake to to their faces!"
He thought about Lin Mei, her knowledge of sect etiquette, her understanding of the intricate web of alliances and rivalries. “She’d be the perfect teacher,” he murmured, picturing her sharp wit, her playful teasing, the way she seemed to effortlessly navigate the complexities of sect life. He thought about how Lin Mei had helped him set up the tent, how patient and kind she had been, despite his clear incompetence.
If anyone could teach him the art of navigating the sect's rigid expectations, it would be her.
As he reflected, Tian Hao felt a nagging emptiness—a sense that something crucial was missing. The gaps in his knowledge of cultivation and the world beyond the sect weighed heavily on him. "How can I truly grow if I don't even know what I'm missing?" he thought, frustration gnawing at him. The fragmented memories of the original Tian Hao were like torn pages of a book, leaving him with incomplete stories and unanswered questions. He could almost feel the pieces slipping through his fingers, the knowledge just out of reach, leaving him constantly at a disadvantage.
"If I want to forge my own path, I need to understand the bigger picture. I can't keep stumbling in the dark forever," he sighed.
He knew he needed to fill those gaps, but the idea of poring over ancient texts and spending hours in secluded study made his shoulders tense with frustration. Instead, he envisioned another path—one that suited him better.
He recalled the conversation with Wei Lo, the core disciple who had accompanied him to the Jade Serpent Outpost. They had mused about the concept of 'jūnzǐ bù qì' – a noble person is not a mere vessel. The phrase now resonated with Tian Hao, sparking a deeper understanding of the need for adaptability, for expanding his horizons beyond the narrow confines of his own experiences.
He would learn by watching others, by living through experiences, and by carefully choosing the right people to question at the right time. The world itself could be his teacher, each encounter a chance to gather the missing fragments.
The thought of the upcoming conclave now stirred within him a renewed sense of determination and growing anticipation. Skyveil City. A bustling metropolis filled with new sights, new tastes, new experiences—and new opportunities to learn and grow.
With that resolve firming within him, Tian Hao rose, the willow branches swaying gently as if in agreement. The Celestial Conclave was just two weeks away, and he would be ready.
He grinned, the weight of his doubts easing. "If I can charm Jiuwei into staying, Lin Mei into helping, and Fatty Wu into feeding me endlessly, surely I can handle a conclave full of pompous disciples and sect elders. What's the worst that could happen?"