Shi Yao and Li Rong walked side by side on the familiar dirt path leading back to their humble village. The silence that stretched between them felt weighty, each seemingly waiting for the other to break the quietude.
"So, brother…" Li Rong finally began, her voice a careful blend of curiosity and caution, "since when did you… start cultivating? I thought… I thought your meridians were permanently severed."
"Oh, that?" Shi Yao replied, waving a hand dismissively as if it were a trivial matter. "I just happened to stumble upon a rare herb in a cave near the ocean during my travels. Turns out, it had some… rather remarkable healing properties." His tone was deliberately casual, hoping to downplay the significance of his sudden change.
Li Rong narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze sharp and perceptive. "I don't know exactly what you're hiding from me, gege, but I know you. You're not the type to be reckless or careless, especially not now. Just… please make sure you're taking care of yourself." Her concern for his well-being was palpable.
Shi Yao fell silent, a whirlwind of thoughts stirring within the depths of his mind. I absolutely cannot let anyone, especially Rong'er, know the truth about the Heaven Devouring Pulse Art. I barely understand its origins or the full extent of its power myself. It's far too dangerous, far too… forbidden to ever reveal.
As the quiet moments continued to pass, the familiar sight of their village gate finally came into view. Stepping through the entrance, they were immediately struck by an atmosphere of unusual vibrancy. Torches burned brightly along the village walls, casting flickering shadows, and many of the houses had been freshly painted in bright, cheerful colors. Some villagers had even gone to the trouble of decorating their homes with crude but heartfelt paintings of Shi Yao's face, a testament to their pride.
Shi Yao stared ahead, his eyes wide with genuine confusion. "What in the world is going on here?"
Before Li Rong could offer an explanation, a young child's voice, filled with unrestrained excitement, rang out through the village. "Mom! Dad! Look! Shi Yao and Li Rong are back!"
Immediately, a woman's joyful shout echoed through the air. "What? Really? Everyone, come out! It's Shi Yao! He's finally home!"
A familiar man stepped forward from the welcoming crowd, his face beaming with pride and happiness. "Hey there, Shi Yao! We heard the incredible news! You won the Celestial Wind Sect entrance competition, and not only that, but you ranked first! The entire village has been buzzing with excitement. We decided to throw a grand feast tonight to properly celebrate your amazing achievement and show you just how much we all support you."
Shi Yao stood stunned, a wave of unexpected emotion washing over him. They… they did all of this… for me? A sense of unreality filled him. When I first came to this world, my mind was completely consumed with thoughts of finding a way to return home… about reaching the pinnacle of power in this strange land. But somewhere along the way, I think I might have forgotten what it truly feels like to be surrounded by people who genuinely care, who celebrate your successes as their own.
Before he could fully process the warmth of the village's welcome, Li Rong grabbed his arm and playfully tugged him forward, a wide smile lighting up her face. "Stop zoning out on us, gege! Come on, let's go and enjoy ourselves! You deserve a proper celebration!"
The entire village was alive with a palpable energy. Children ran around playing tag, their infectious laughter echoing through the air, and the tantalizing scent of grilled meat and freshly baked bread wafted from every corner, promising a night of joyous feasting.
"Chug! Chug! Chug!" a boisterous group of men roared, their voices thick with good-natured encouragement, as Shi Yao gamely downed a massive, overflowing mug of potent local beer. The liquid sloshed around his mouth before he slammed the empty mug down on the rough wooden table with a satisfied grin, earning a thunderous round of applause and cheers.
"Finished!" he declared triumphantly, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"That's not fair! There's absolutely no way he finished that whole mug in under ten seconds! He must have cheated!" shouted his flushed-faced opponent, a man known for his competitive spirit.
"Li Wei, calm yourself down," someone chuckled good-naturedly from the crowd. "It's just a friendly drinking game, no need to get all worked up over it. Besides, he's the village champion now, after all!"
"Fine, whatever," Li Wei grumbled good-naturedly, though a hint of suspicion still lingered in his eyes. "Just know in your heart that he totally cheated." With a theatrical stomp of his foot, he turned and walked away, muttering under his breath.
An older man, his hair as white as fresh snow and his simple robes flowing gently in the evening breeze, stepped forward from the crowd. He wore a pair of well-worn high boots, and deep wrinkles lined his weathered face, each one telling a story of a life lived fully. "Pay him no mind, young lad," he said kindly, his voice gentle but carrying a quiet authority. "Li Wei's always been a bit… enthusiastic in his competitions. Cold on the outside, perhaps, but he's got a good heart, that one. One of the finest people you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting."
Shi Yao nodded respectfully. "If you say so, Uncle Ming."
Uncle Ming chuckled and patted Shi Yao's head with a warm smile. "I heard you'll be leaving for the Celestial Wind Sect bright and early tomorrow morning. It's getting rather late now you should probably head home and get some well-deserved sleep, young champion. You'll need your rest for your journey."
Later that night, after the joyous feast had wound down and the village had finally settled into a peaceful slumber, Shi Yao sat cross-legged on his bed in the quiet stillness of his room, carefully examining a small, exquisitely crafted Foundation Establishment Pill that rested in the palm of his hand. The tiny pearl glimmered with an internal light under the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through his window. "So, this is it…" he murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "
After refining this, I'll finally be able to form my Inner Sea and fully step into the Foundation Establishment Stage."
To fully understand how this valuable pill had come into his possession, we must briefly return to the immediate aftermath of his unexpected victory in the Celestial Wind Sect entrance competition against the arrogant Hao Tian.
"Shi Yao, step forward," a stern-faced sect elder had called out, his long, flowing white beard fluttering gently in the light breeze that swept across the training grounds. Shi Yao approached the elder respectfully. The elder studied him carefully, his gaze piercing, but there was a clear look of impressed appraisal in his eyes. "
As the undeniable winner of this year's Outer Sect entrance competition, you shall receive the rewards that were promised to all who participated," the elder announced, his voice carrying a weight of authority. "First and foremost, you are awarded this Foundation Establishment Pill a crucial item that will greatly assist you in breaking through to the next stage of your cultivation journey. Second, you shall receive your official Outer Sect disciple garments, signifying your new status within our sect. And third, tomorrow morning, a senior disciple will personally escort you to our sect's library, where you will be granted the privilege of selecting a martial art from the extensive collection on the first floor."
Now back in the quiet solitude of his village home, Shi Yao stared intently at the small, luminous pill in his hand. "So, this is a genuine Foundation Pill…" he mused, a slight frown creasing his brow. "I must admit, I was expecting something… more impressive looking. It just reminds me of those colorful sugar pearls we used to get back on Earth when I was a kid." He shrugged, deciding not to dwell on its unimpressive appearance. With a sudden decision, he tossed the pill into his mouth and swallowed it whole, a faint, sugary taste lingering on his tongue. He waited for a moment, expecting a rush of power or some other dramatic sensation. "Strange… I don't feel anyth—"
Before he could even finish the thought, a violent and overwhelming surge of raw energy erupted from deep within him, originating in his dantian, the energy center of his body. The power was immense, and it felt as if his internal organs were being squeezed and crushed by an invisible force. He instinctively tried to control the rampant energy, to guide it and channel it, but it was like trying to tame a raging storm with nothing but his bare hands.
Within him, a chaotic sea of untamed Qi began to form, swirling and churning with incredible intensity. His veins bulged visibly beneath his skin, throbbing with the sheer pressure, threatening to burst at any moment. A trickle of bright red blood spattered from his lips, but he gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening in the face of the agonizing experience.
I have to endure this, he told himself fiercely. I absolutely cannot give up here. I have people to protect in this world… and I still haven't given up on finding a way back home to Earth! Agonizing hours slowly passed, each moment stretching into an eternity of pain. He could feel his bones cracking, breaking, and then miraculously healing themselves, reshaping and refining under the immense pressure.
His muscles tore apart and reformed, becoming stronger and more resilient with every excruciating wave of energy. Finally, with a deafening roar that seemed to tear through the very fabric of the night, a powerful burst of wind exploded outwards from his body, shaking the windows of his small house and echoing throughout the silent village, startling the sleeping inhabitants.
Shi Yao slowly exhaled, his breath ragged but steady. He finally opened his eyes, his vision clearer than ever before. The bulging veins beneath his skin gradually receded, and his breathing began to return to a more normal rhythm. "So," he murmured, a mixture of awe and relief in his voice, "this is the legendary Foundation Establishment Stage… I've heard it described as having your bones completely reshaped and refined, your very essence transformed.
They certainly weren't exaggerating. That was pure hell, an experience I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. But…" a small, satisfied smile touched his lips, "it was definitely worth it." Shi Yao began to focus his inner energy, carefully and methodically stabilizing his newly acquired cultivation, feeling the raw power settling within him.
Now I'm one significant step closer to achieving my goals to protecting the people I've come to care about in this strange world, and to finding a way, any way, to eventually return to my home on Earth. Utterly drained and fatigued by the ordeal, he collapsed back onto his bed, the overwhelming exhaustion finally overtaking him. His eyelids fluttered shut, and soon, a deep, dreamless sleep claimed him, allowing his body and spirit to begin the long process of recovery.
The next morning dawned bright and clear, sunlight filtering through the small window and gently waking Shi Yao from his deep slumber. At the village gate, the entire community had once again gathered, this time to bid him farewell as he embarked on his journey to the Celestial Wind Sect. Li Rong hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clung to him, her small body trembling with a mixture of sadness and pride.
"I'll miss you so much, brother," she whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears. "Don't worry, Rong'er," he replied, gently stroking her hair in a reassuring gesture. "I promise I'll come back to visit during the holidays and I'll be sure to bring you all your favorite sweets from the city. You just wait and see." Li Rong wiped her tears with the back of her hand and nodded bravely, though her eyes still glistened. "You better not be lying to me about those sweets, shi Yao," she said, a hint of a smile finally breaking through her sadness.
As Shi Yao turned to walk away, he paused for one last look at the faces of the villagers, his heart swelling with a warmth he hadn't expected to feel in this unfamiliar world. The entire community had come to see him off, their expressions a mix of heartfelt sadness and genuine pride in his accomplishments. He returned their smiles with a grateful nod and waved a final goodbye before turning and continuing on his journey, the path ahead leading towards a future he could only begin to imagine.
As much as a part of me doesn't want to leave this place and these people, he thought, a pang of longing hitting him, I know that I need to become stronger to truly protect them from whatever dangers this world might hold. He adjusted the small sack containing his few changes of clothes over his shoulder and continued along the road, his steps now lighter with a renewed sense of purpose.
Standing before the towering and majestic gates of the Celestial Wind Sect, located in the bustling heart of Yang City, Shi Yao couldn't help but admire the sheer scale and grandeur of the structure. The massive gates, crafted from gleaming white jade, were intricately carved with depictions of powerful mythical creatures and elegant celestial patterns, the smooth surface radiating a soft, ethereal light.
Inscribed in ancient characters above the grand archway was the name of the sect, emanating an aura of ancient power and profound history. He approached the registration desk, where the same middle-aged clerk he had encountered the previous day was once again openly dozing behind a precarious stack of official-looking documents.
Shi Yao gently shook the clerk's shoulder to rouse him. "Excuse me," he said politely. "I'm here to formally register as a new disciple. I was instructed to report here today." The clerk groaned, opening one eye and squinting groggily at Shi Yao before scoffing dismissively. "Another fresh-faced kid showing up late? Didn't your mother ever teach you not to disturb your elders when they're finally getting a bit of much-needed rest? Just give me your name, boy.
Not that it'll likely amount to much in the long run." "Shi Yao," he replied calmly, refusing to be drawn into the clerk's grumpy demeanor. "Will there be anything else that you require from me?" The clerk suddenly froze, his one open eye widening in stunned recognition. "Wait a minute… Shi Yao? As in… the Shi Yao who utterly dominated the sect entrance competition and claimed the top rank?!" He stood up abruptly, knocking the stack of papers onto the floor in his haste, and bowed deeply, his earlier rudeness completely forgotten.
"Forgive me, esteemed Senior Disciple! Please, I sincerely apologize for my earlier disrespect! I had absolutely no idea that it was you!" Shi Yao chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in his voice. "It's quite alright," he said, waving off the clerk's profuse apologies. "I've actually gotten rather used to people underestimating me.
Just please, if you would, go ahead and officially register my arrival." The flustered clerk quickly and efficiently entered Shi Yao's details into the sect's official records, then handed him a smooth, cool green jade token. "Please accept this, esteemed Senior Disciple. It serves as official proof of your identity as a disciple of the Celestial Wind Sect.
Every sect has its own unique identification token, so please, for your own safety and convenience, be sure not to lose it." A young and eager-looking servant, his robes bearing the distinctive emblem of the Celestial Wind Sect, soon arrived to escort Shi Yao to his designated residence within the sect's vast and impressive grounds. As they soared through the air on a large, gleaming sword, the wind rushing past them, Shi Yao couldn't help but notice the peculiar layout of the floating mountain upon which the sect was built.
Houses were nestled at various heights along the mountainside the ones situated lower down appeared somewhat worn and neglected, the surrounding air feeling thin and lacking in spiritual energy, while the residences located higher up the mountain radiated an aura of pristine quality and were clearly enveloped in a much denser concentration of vibrant spiritual energy.
He couldn't contain his curiosity and asked the servant, "Excuse me, but why exactly are the living quarters arranged in this… vertical manner?" The servant replied with a polite and respectful smile, "Ah, that's a well-known arrangement within our sect, Senior Disciple. The higher your rank achieved in the entrance competition, the higher your allocated residence and consequently, the significantly better the quality and density of the surrounding spiritual Qi.
Since you achieved the unprecedented first-place ranking, your personal courtyard is located at the very peak of the outer sect housing area." As they ascended rapidly, the sprawling city far below shrinking to the size of scattered pebbles, Shi Yao instinctively clung tightly to the servant's leg, his knuckles turning white as a sudden wave of vertigo washed over him. "H-hey now," he stammered nervously, his voice betraying a clear hint of unease.
"How about we slow down just a little bit? There's really no need to rush to the top, is there?"
When they finally landed gently on a spacious and meticulously maintained courtyard bathed in warm sunlight, Shi Yao practically leaped off the flying sword and embraced the solid ground with a visible sigh of profound relief. "Hah! Wouldn't have pegged the number one entrant to the Celestial Wind Sect as someone who's particularly scared of heights," the servant teased good-naturedly before offering a final respectful bow and then gracefully flying off on his sword to attend to other pressing duties.
Shi Yao dusted himself off, a sheepish grin on his face, and eagerly entered his new home. Inside, he quickly changed out of his travel-stained clothes and into the official sect robes that had been provided a striking combination of golden-yellow and deep black, adorned with practical and stylish wrist guards, a sturdy and intricately designed belt, comfortable and well-fitting boots, a protective shoulder guard bearing the sect's emblem, and a flowing cloak that added a touch of dramatic flair.
Finally, he neatly tied his long hair back into a sleek ponytail and fastened it securely with an elegant jade hairpin he had discovered amongst the provided accessories. "Wow…" he murmured to himself, admiring his reflection in a polished wooden surface. "I must say, I genuinely didn't expect sect attire to look this good. Guess they've got a surprisingly solid fashion sense around here too."