The streets of Dawnmara were alive with energy as Arav wandered aimlessly, taking in the vibrant life of the Arunthari capital.
Arav passed by a small gathering in the central square where an elder storyteller sat cross-legged, surrounded by an eager audience of children and travelers. His deep, gravelly voice cut through the noise as he recounted a tale of ancient times.
“Long ago, the first ruler of this land, Queen Nyima Lhamo, was led by a divine white tiger,” the elder said, gesturing dramatically. “This tiger guided her to the sacred land we now call Arunthara, where she planted a tree blessed by the spirits. This sacred tree still stands, its roots intertwined with the very essence of the tiger, protecting our land and people.”
Arav stopped, captivated by the story. The mention of a sacred tree piqued his curiosity. Approaching a bystander, he asked, “Is this tree real? Can it be visited?”
The man nodded with a warm smile. “Oh, it’s real, all right. You’ll find it outside the city, past the western gates. It’s said to be a place of immense spiritual energy, where cultivators often meditate to enhance their growth.”
Arav’s eyes lit up. “Thank you,” he said, already deciding to see the tree for himself.
After hours of walking, he finally emerged into a vast clearing, and the sight before him took his breath away.
The sacred banyan tree stood like a moutain, it has a enormous trunk.Its roots spread across the earth. The canopy stretched so wide that it seemed to touch the skies itself, casting a cool shade over the hundreds no, thousands of cultivators seated beneath it.
Some sat in deep meditation, their expressions serene. Others performed slow, deliberate movements, channeling their energy in rhythmic patterns. The air filled with Prana, an almost tangible force that seemed to radiate from the tree itself due to it absorbing so much light from the sun
He took a step forward, marveling at the sight.
“First time here?” a nearby cultivator asked, breaking the silence.
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Arav turned to see a middle-aged man with a calm, friendly face. “Yes. It’s... overwhelming,” he admitted.
The man chuckled softly. “You’ll get used to it. The energy here is unmatched. Many of us have made breakthroughs beneath this tree.”
Arav found a quiet spot quite far from the base of the tree because of the sheer number of cultivators and lowered himself onto the ground. Closing his eyes, he focused on his breathing, letting the hum of energy around him seep into his body. The Prana felt different here stronger, purer, and alive.
For hours, he meditated,he had no idea how much time had passed,his mind sinking deeper into the flow of prana. He felt the unfamiliar pressure building within him, the barrier that had held him back for so long. It pushed against him, growing stronger with each passing moment.
Suddenly, the barrier shattered.
A surge of power coursed through Arav’s body, unlocking his Root Chakra (Muladhara). His senses heightened, and he felt an unshakable connection to the earth beneath him.
“I’ve broken through ,” he muttered, a grin spreading across his face.
" Hahahahahhah" He burstes into small quite laughter out of sheer joy, his first breakthrough!
Arav opened his eyes, his body still buzzing with prana. Around him, the other cultivators were stirring from their meditations.
“You broke through, didn’t you?” a voice asked.
Arav looked up to see the middle-aged man from earlier standing nearby. “Yes,” he replied, nodding. “It felt... powerful.”
“It always does,” the man said, sitting down beside him. “Welcome to the Adept Realm. You’ve unlocked your Root Chakra, haven’t you?”
Arav nodded again. “What comes next?”
The man smiled knowingly. “The Adept Realm is about refining your control. There are fifteen stages in total. At each stage, you unlock more potential, strengthening your connection to the Sacral Chakra and Solar Plexus Chakra.”
“Fifteen stages?” Arav repeated, a note of disbelief in his voice.
“Don’t worry,” the man said with a chuckle. “No one masters them overnight. Take it one step at a time.”
A young woman nearby joined the conversation. “The tree helps a lot,” she said, gesturing toward the massive banyan. “But breakthroughs come from more than just meditating. You’ll have to face challenges, push your limits, and fight for your growth.”
“Fight?” Arav asked.
She nodded. “The path of cultivation isn’t easy. If you want to reach the higher realms, you’ll have to prove your worth.”
As the sun began to set, Arav rose to his feet and bowed deeply to the tree. “Thank you,” he whispered, feeling a profound sense of gratitude.