As he strolled through the dense forest, Tyler slipped his hands into his pockets, a habit ingrained in him since his early days in the military. It had started as a small act of rebellion, one that had persisted over the years despite the trouble it often landed him in.
Even his bosses had eventually given up on trying to discipline him for it. To make matters more amusing, he had learned that one year, his unit's chief had actually included a note in his handover, explicitly stating that there was no need to bother disciplining Tyler for this particular quirk – the man simply couldn't care less about the extra duties.
With a sense of ease, Tyler closed his eyes, immersing himself in the natural ambiance of the forest. He extended his divine sense, allowing it to take over where his sight left off. This reliance on his divine sense heightened all his other senses, which he had never used to walk around in such rugged terrain.
Moving through the forest blindfolded, so to speak, Tyler honed his focus, attuning himself to the subtle nuances of the environment around him. Each step was guided by a symphony of sounds, scents, and the faintest vibrations of the earth under his feet, painting a vivid picture of his surroundings in his mind's eye.
This practice was more than just a display of his abilities; it was a form of meditation in motion, a way for Tyler to connect deeply with the world around him and extend his divine sense further than usually possible. As he continued on his path, guided by this sensory awareness, Tyler remained alert and prepared for whatever the forest might reveal.
Tyler walked like this all day, eventually stopping at the Lumberjack camp for the night, where he met a bunch of mortals whom he treated to some delicious wolf meat and local beer he bought a few days ago.
***
Tanaka Sakura was immersed in her studies at the most prestigious Academy in the Veridian Peaks. Her current class focused on an intriguing and valuable subject – the art of growing and maintaining spiritual herbs. This specialized branch of herbalism dealt not just with the biological aspects of plants but also with their spiritual properties and the unique care they required.
Sakura's passion for herbalism was rooted in deep familial affection and practicality. Her eagerness to learn about spiritual plants was primarily inspired by the joy of gifting her grandfather with homemade tea leaves, a tradition that symbolized her love and gratitude towards him. This annual ritual was more than just a gift; it was a heartfelt expression of their bond.
Beyond the sentimental value, her knowledge of spiritual plants also had practical benefits. By cultivating these herbs and plants herself, Sakura had access to various medicinal pills and potions, essentially at no cost. This self-sufficiency was a significant advantage, allowing her to use tons of materials to enhance her cultivation.
Sakura's achievements in cultivation were remarkable, especially for someone her age. Her success was not merely a result of being Master Tanaka's granddaughter; it was clear that she possessed both the talent and the dedication to excel independently.
Sakura's herbalism proficiency and impressive cultivation talent collectively formed the foundation of a promising future. She was poised for a long and prosperous cultivation path as a young and talented individual. Her journey, seamlessly interweaving her deep familial bonds with her own personal development and independence, was molding her into a remarkably capable and versatile individual.
In addition to all that, Sakura excelled above all else in martial arts, an aspect that set her apart even further. Under the guidance of her grandfather, Master Tanaka, she had honed her martial skills to an exceptional level. Master Tanaka was certain of one thing – he believed no other 14-year-old on the mountain could rival his granddaughter in pure martial arts.
This confidence in Sakura's martial abilities was not unfounded. Her training under such a skilled master had equipped her with advanced techniques and a deep understanding of combat. Her agility, strength, and tactical acumen in martial arts, herbalism knowledge, and cultivation talent made her a uniquely well-rounded individual.
Her dedication to every aspect of her life was apparent in class and the dojo. Sakura's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and curiosity as she absorbed every piece of information. She took meticulous notes, ensuring she didn’t miss any details that could help her in her endeavor to create the perfect tea leaves for her grandpa and get her the ability to understand and maintain the tier 2 herbs needed for the last pill she required.
After her herbalism class was over, Sakura also ventured into the field of alchemy, although she found this area more challenging. Her proficiency in alchemy didn't match the level she had achieved in herbalism and martial arts. She managed to craft tier-1 pills, but her skill in this discipline was relatively basic, and she considered herself mediocre at best.
Sakura's self-awareness about her alchemical skills was practical and grounded. She recognized that the quality of the herbs she cultivated far exceeded her current ability to transform them into high-quality pills or potions. This discrepancy led her to refrain from using her superior herbs for alchemical purposes and sell them to more proficient alchemists.
Her experience in alchemy, although not as good as her ventures in herbalism or martial arts, played an essential role in her overall development. Her less-than-stellar success in this area did not discourage her. Instead, it offered her valuable insights into her capabilities and potential growth areas.
This journey highlighted the true value of the herbs she cultivated with such care and expertise. It made her more cognizant of how these herbs should be utilized, emphasizing their worth and encouraging her to consider their application more thoughtfully. This understanding deepened her appreciation for the herbs and reinforced the need to use them judiciously, ensuring they were employed in ways that maximize their potential.
In a broader sense, her foray into alchemy underscored the importance of balance in her skill set. It reminded her that mastery in one area doesn't automatically translate to proficiency in all fields. This realization was an extremely valuable experience for a teenager, fostering a mindset focused on continuous learning and improvement, even if she did not possess the natural talent for it.
Therefore, Sakura's approach to her alchemical studies was not just about acquiring a new skill; it was about gaining a deeper understanding of her strengths, appreciating the resources at her disposal, and recognizing the importance of continual self-improvement.
It was part of her martial arts.
After a day filled with studies and her routine cultivation practice at home, Sakura's evening took a poignant turn. That evening, Sakura's father presented her with a pill he had made himself – a Tier 1 Heaven-Grade Mortal Shedding pill. The pill gift from Sakura's father, Tanaka Kenshiro, was laden with layers of emotion and significance.
Kenshiro was a man whose cultivation journey had stalled in the late stages of Qi Transformation. When his wife died, his heart also died. For the longest time, he resented his daughter for causing his wife’s death when she was born. Recently, however, he found renewed purpose through his daughter. Sakura, resembling her late mother, had become the beacon of hope and joy in his life.
The effort Kenshiro put into crafting this pill was a monumental task for him, both emotionally and physically. To successfully concoct the pill, he had to channel his entire cultivation base, using numerous silver condensates to replenish his strength.
This out-of-character surge of stubborn determination was more than just creating a medicinal pill; it was a testament to a father's love and desire to see his daughter excel and achieve heights beyond his reach. A hope that his wife's soul would somehow live on through their daughter.
For Kenshiro, this endeavor rekindled a flame that had been dormant for 14 years. In pouring his heart and energy into making the pill, he rediscovered a part of himself that he thought was lost forever. It was an act that reignited his passion for cultivation, driven by his immense love for his wife and, by extension, his daughter. Above all, the desire to contribute to her future success. If he didn’t do so, he wouldn’t be able to face his wife in the afterlife.
But most of all, he was driven by the fear of being unable to protect her one day. Sure, Ryuji wouldn't allow anything to happen to her, but that wasn't enough for a father. Nothing felt worse than being powerless to protect your own child, and he feared this day more and more.
For Sakura, receiving this pill crafted from her own herbs and made by her father, who had long since stepped back from the world of cultivation, was profoundly moving. It was a powerful affirmation of her father's love and support and a recognition of her talents and hard work.
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This exchange created an unbreakable bond between them, bridging their past and present and laying a foundation for their futures. No words were exchanged, a silent acknowledgment typical of the Tanaka household.
This moment instilled Sakura with a profound sense of pride, purpose, and connection to her roots. It was a poignant reminder of her journey, the sacrifices made along the way, and the unwavering support of her family, fueling her determination to continue pushing forward on her path.
Later that night, after a few hours of excruciating pain, Tanaka Sakura rose from the cultivation room in the small Tanaka estate near the Radiant Fist Dojo. She stared at her status window with a wide smile.
Tanaka Sakura
Level 8, 0/250 Acupoints.
Titles: [Martial Marvel], [Mortal Purity]
Cultivation Methods:
Radiant Wave Illumination Method (Celestial Grade)
Techniques:
Radiant Wave Stance (Qi Transformation)
* Wandering Waves Fist (Forming)
* Surging Palm (Discerning)
* Soaring Tides Kick (Discerning)
* Flowing Waterfall Sweep (Discerning)
* Flowing Tides Blow (Discerning)
* Dam-Breaking Strike (Discerning)
Mirage Step (Precise)
Quests:
Qi Gathering (8), Budding Herbalist (2), Martial Path (5).
...
...
Tanaka Sakura's status window, which reflected her extraordinary accomplishments at the age of 14, indicated her exceptional potential and achievements. The mere fact that she had reached Mortal Purity was astonishing for someone her age, as this was a feat that many cultivators struggled to achieve.
What truly distinguished her, however, was her advanced level in both her cultivation technique and martial arts. Her progress was so remarkable that it would undoubtedly impress even the Sword King, should he ever turn his attention to her.
Her title, "Martial Marvel," was a testament to her exceptional mastery in martial arts, a recognition so rare that only a few on the mountain were even aware of its existence. This title was part of a prestigious series aimed at talented youths progressing through the Martial Path quests.
The "Martial Marvel" title required an in-depth understanding and advancement of a comprehensive set of martial arts techniques, such as Sakura's Radiant Wave Stance. Achieving this title brought prestige and significant enhancements in power.
Above "Martial Marvel" was an elusive title that had remained unattained for over 10,000 years in this newly integrated realm. That title required creating a Qi-Transformation set of techniques while still in the early stages of Qi Gathering, a feat so challenging that no one had come close to achieving it.
Well, that's not true. There was one. Tanaka Ryuji. Had he known how close he was to becoming a Martial God, he would've repressed his cultivation as much as he could in his youth.
Only a handful of people had even seen the 5th level of the Martial Path quest on this planet. Its content is just as mysterious as the previous tiers of the quest.
Martial Path (5) - Reach beyond mere mortals' boundaries and overcome a Martial Marvel's limits.
As Sakura reviewed her status, she contemplated her next goal: completing the opening of her acupoints in preparation for the Sword Sect admissions. In just four months, she aimed to secure her place within the Sect, a step that would propel her further along her path of cultivation and martial prowess. Her journey was just beginning, marked by remarkable achievements and an unyielding spirit.
***
Tyler's overnight stay at the lumberjack camp turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant and heartwarming experience for everyone present. The camp was home to a group of mortal lumberjacks and their late Qi Transformation guard, who was reluctant to let him stay at first. However, His departure was almost at a level typically reserved for royalty.
The reverence he received from the loggers wasn't due to any knowledge of his identity or his connections with the Sword King. Instead, it stemmed from the sheer novelty and awe they felt in the presence of a cultivator like him. For many of them, Tyler was the first cultivator they had interacted with such a casual and generous demeanor, making his visit a memorable and extraordinary event.
After being allowed to spend the night, Tyler shared quality food and drinks with the lumberjacks, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and goodwill. Additionally, the generous gesture of gifting them a few tier 1 healing pills was seen as miraculous. Tyler was akin to an angelic figure in the eyes of the mortal lumberjacks, gracing them with blessings from the heavens.
Even the Qi Transformation cultivator had received two gifts from Tyler as he genuinely had no use for the few tier 2 swords in his inner world. He gave one out after seeing the state of the man's weapon and a storage ring he had taken off Hung Jeok.
As he departed the following day, the lumberjacks' smiles and expressions of gratitude left Tyler with a sense of satisfaction and joy. His simple yet profound interactions with them reminded him of the positive impact he could have on the lives of others, regardless of their status or background. Especially if all that it cost him was a few useless pills and a single sword.
It sure was better than his interactions with the Sword Sect recently.
At that moment, he was reminded of John and Esme, whom he had met on the beach at the same time as that young cultivator from yesterday, and vowed to visit them once he was back to Edge City.
Throughout his journey in the forest, Tyler's keen eye caught sight of various herbs and plants radiating high energy densities. Remembering the techniques Luo Pang had used, including the precise True Essence manipulation required for harvesting, Tyler attempted to replicate these methods.
He understood the value of these plants, not just for their medicinal properties but also as a means to enhance his cultivation and knowledge.
However, the task proved to be more challenging than he anticipated. Despite his best efforts and the vivid memory of Luo Pang's techniques, Tyler's attempts to harvest the plants were unsuccessful. Each effort ended with the plants being destroyed and unusable, a clear sign that his skills in this area needed significant improvement.
Yet, Tyler was not disheartened by these failures. He recognized them as part of the learning process. With a patient and determined mindset, he acknowledged that mastering anything in this world takes time and practice.
As the day drew to a close, marked by Tyler's eight fruitless attempts at herb harvesting, his journey took an intriguing turn. His ever-vigilant and far-reaching divine sense detected an anomaly within the forest—a dense fog, approximately one kilometer away, enveloping the area in its thick shroud. However, this was no ordinary fog; it was True Essence or, more precisely, Mist True Essence.
Proceeding with caution, Tyler approached the fog-shrouded area. As he drew nearer, he noticed a conspicuous absence of wildlife. There were no animals, not even the tier 2 beasts that were commonly found in this forest. This observation hinted at the extraordinary nature of the fog; it was either inherently dangerous or emitted an aura that repelled even the mighty creatures from venturing near it.
Tyler knew that exploring such anomalies could yield valuable discoveries, but it also posed potential dangers, as he had learned a few days ago in the Twelve Ghosts Ridge. This journey had already proven to be filled with mysteries and challenges, and the fog was another testament to the wonders of his new world.
Recognizing the importance of cautiously approaching his solo exploration, Tyler decided to pause his journey for the night. Although his divine sense allowed him to navigate effectively regardless of the time of day, he chose to rest. He had foregone his usual morning cultivation routine to avoid disturbing the mortals at the lumberjack camp. Around 500 meters from the fog wall, he settled in and spent a couple of hours cultivating until he was physically drained.
The constant use of his divine sense, especially when pushing its limits throughout the day, had also taken a toll on him mentally. Additionally, hunger had begun to gnaw at him as he hadn't eaten anything all day.
Setting up camp atop a nearby tree, Tyler took the opportunity to read one of the new technique books he had acquired right after eating and then drifted into a peaceful slumber, awaiting the morning to continue his exploration.
The night was peaceful and uneventful, providing him with the undisturbed rest he needed. Upon waking, he felt rejuvenated, his energy reserves fully restored. He began his day by adhering to his routine.
First, he took care of his physical needs by eating and washing himself, ensuring his body was well-nourished and taken care of for the day ahead. Then, he dedicated time to his cultivation and reading, just like the night before.
As Tyler sat peacefully on the tree, his divine sense locked onto the mist of True Essence, and his thoughts plunged into deep contemplation. In the recesses of his mind, he sensed a flicker of insight tantalizingly close, akin to the sensation of knowing a word on the tip of your tongue but being unable to recall it.
Every instance of True Essence I've felt since developing my divine sense has always felt distinct from one another. Tyler thought to himself. This mist is no different. There's always the obviously extremely potent and overwhelming energies, but there's also that.. subtlety...
This realization propelled him into a deeper analysis. He extended his divine sense further into the mist, carefully probing and analyzing its composition.
He was searching for clues, trying to unravel the nuances of its energies.
As he immersed himself in this exploration, time seemed to stand still. An entire day passed as Tyler meticulously examined every facet of the mist's energy. Still, he came short and went to sleep, only to repeat this repeatedly until he completely lost track of time.
Gradually, the pieces began to fall into place. Tyler came to understand that this Mist of True Essence was not just a random concentration of energy; it was a pure manifestation of the laws of the mist. This mist was a physical embodiment of those laws, a tangible expression of the fundamental principles that governed its existence and behavior.
Tyler's mind exploded with enlightenment, enough that he wanted just to yell "EUREKA!". This insight prompted him to retrospectively analyze every cultivator's True Essence, viewing their unique energies through a new lens of understanding.
Ancestor Fang's True Essence was a vivid recent example. Tyler now understood that Fang Mo's mastery over time and space, along with elements of the laws of the blade, wasn't just a skill but a personal embodiment of these laws. Fang had managed to capture these natural energies and weave them into his own Qi, creating his own unique True Essence, making them an intrinsic part of his cultivation and identity.
This perspective broadened as Tyler thought of other notable cultivators he had met. Gregory, Master Tanaka, the Sword King, Lo Shen – each had a unique True Essence.
Tyler realized that these weren't just signatures; they were reflections of each individual's entire cultivation journey, personality, and abilities. Their True Essence was a personal and unique amalgamation of the laws they had mastered and the paths they had walked in their cultivation journey.
With this newfound understanding and perspective on True Essence, Tyler felt renewed confidence and curiosity. This mist's once intimidating and overwhelming nature had transformed in his mind. It was no longer a daunting force but rather a fascinating aspect of cultivation that he was eager to explore and comprehend more deeply.
With this shift in perception, Tyler made a decisive move. He leaped down from his tree, a physical action that mirrored his mental leap toward embracing the mysteries of True Essence. He set his sights on the mist, ready to confront and interact with it firsthand.