Jian Li wandered, not aimlessly, but with a purpose veiled in nonchalance. He wasn't searching, merely…observing. The official training grounds buzzed with activity, a chaotic symphony of grunts, shouts, and the rhythmic clang of metal on metal. He gave it a wide berth. Too much…exertion.
He ambled past the herb gardens, the air thick with earthy scents. Novice disciples diligently tended to the plants, their brows furrowed in concentration. He considered feigning interest, perhaps inquiring about the most…relaxing herbs. But the sun beat down, and the thought of engaging in conversation felt exhausting.
He continued his leisurely stroll, drawn by an almost imperceptible shift in the air. A coolness, a stillness that promised respite. He found himself on a less-traveled path, the flagstones cracked and overgrown with moss. The trees here were older, taller, their branches intertwined to form a verdant canopy.
A sign, weathered and almost illegible, hung askew on a gnarled trunk. He squinted. "Spiritwood: Restricted Area."
Jian Li smiled faintly. Restrictions were merely suggestions, weren't they? He stepped past the sign, the air immediately growing cooler, richer. The scent of pine and damp earth filled his lungs. This…this was promising.
The Spiritwood was a small grove, perhaps only a hundred meters across. Ancient trees, their bark shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow, dominated the space. Sunlight filtered through the leaves in dappled patterns, illuminating patches of vibrant moss and delicate wildflowers. A palpable energy permeated the air, a subtle hum that resonated deep within his bones.
He wasn't the only one who had disregarded the warning sign.
A figure stood near the largest tree, her back to him. Long, black hair cascaded down her back, almost reaching her waist. She wore the standard sect robes, but they were impeccably clean, crisply pressed. Even from a distance, he could sense the intensity radiating from her.
Mei Lin. He recognized her immediately. She was one of the most promising disciples in their cohort, renowned for her diligence and unwavering focus. She was also, he suspected, utterly humorless.
He considered turning back. An encounter with Mei Lin was hardly conducive to relaxation. But the spiritual energy of the Spiritwood was too enticing. He pressed on, his footsteps deliberately light.
She turned as he approached, her dark eyes narrowing. "Jian Li," she said, her voice cool and sharp. "What are you doing here? This is a restricted area."
"Just…admiring the scenery," he replied, shrugging nonchalantly. He leaned against a nearby tree, feigning casual interest.
Her eyes narrowed further. "Don't play coy. Everyone knows about your…unorthodox cultivation methods. You think you can find some shortcut here?"
"Shortcuts?" He feigned offense. "I'm simply appreciating the beauty of nature. Is that a crime?"
"Don't insult my intelligence," she snapped. "You're lazy. You sleep through training sessions. You think you can surpass those who actually work hard by…napping in a spiritually rich environment?"
He sighed inwardly. So much for peaceful contemplation. "Is it working for you?" he asked mildly, gesturing to the tree she was standing near. "You look rather…tense."
She glared at him. "I am cultivating. Something you clearly know nothing about." She turned back to the tree, ignoring him.
Jian Li suppressed a smile. He had clearly ruffled her feathers. He glanced around, searching for a suitable…resting spot. A patch of moss-covered ground beneath a particularly luminous tree caught his eye.
As he moved towards it, another figure emerged from the shadows. He was shorter than Jian Li, with a thin frame and perpetually worried expression. His robes were rumpled, and his hair was disheveled. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.
"Thomas?" Jian Li asked, surprised.
The other disciple jumped, startled. "Jian Li! I…I didn't see you there." Thomas Blake was, by all accounts, a terrible cultivator. He tried his best, but he lacked talent, and his anxiety often got the better of him.
"What are you doing here?" Jian Li asked.
Thomas hesitated. "I…I heard rumors about this place. About the spiritual energy. I thought…maybe it could help me."
"Help you what?" Mei Lin interjected, turning to face them both. "Waste your time? This place is no different than anywhere else. Hard work and dedication are the only paths to improvement."
Thomas flinched at her words. "I…I know," he stammered. "But…I'm trying."
Jian Li felt a pang of sympathy for the struggling disciple. "Ignore her, Thomas," he said. "She's just jealous."
Mei Lin scoffed. "Jealous? Of what? Your laziness?"
"Of my superior relaxation skills," Jian Li retorted, grinning. He settled down on the mossy patch, ignoring Mei Lin's withering glare. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and focused on the subtle hum of the Spiritwood.
The energy was indeed potent. He could feel it tingling against his skin, seeping into his pores. It was…pleasant. He allowed himself to relax, to sink into the embrace of the Spiritwood.
Thomas watched him with a mixture of curiosity and envy. "How…how do you do that?" he asked hesitantly. "How do you just…relax?"
Jian Li opened one eye. "Practice," he said, winking. "Lots and lots of practice." He closed his eye again, dismissing Thomas's question.
Mei Lin continued to cultivate near the tree, her movements precise and deliberate. She ignored Jian Li and Thomas, focusing all her energy on absorbing the spiritual energy. But Jian Li could feel her frustration, her barely suppressed anger.
He smiled inwardly. He was disrupting her carefully constructed world, challenging her belief in the power of hard work and discipline. And he was doing it all by…napping.
He drifted off, the hum of the Spiritwood lulling him into a peaceful slumber. He dreamt of floating clouds, gentle breezes, and endless fields of blooming flowers. It was, without a doubt, the most productive nap he had taken in weeks.
Thomas, meanwhile, remained standing, his eyes darting nervously between Jian Li and Mei Lin. He wanted to cultivate, to absorb the spiritual energy, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was doing something wrong. He glanced at Jian Li, who was now snoring softly. He glanced at Mei Lin, who was glaring at Jian Li with barely concealed fury.
He sighed. Perhaps he should just go back to the training grounds. At least there, he knew what he was supposed to be doing. But the allure of the Spiritwood, the promise of a shortcut, was too strong to resist. He took a tentative step towards the nearest tree, his hand outstretched.
He hesitated. Was this really the right way? Was he just wasting his time? He looked back at Jian Li, who was still sleeping peacefully.
Maybe, just maybe, there was something to this…lazy cultivation. He took another step, his resolve hardening. He wouldn't give up. He would find a way to improve, even if it meant defying the expectations of others.
He reached out and touched the tree, closing his eyes. He focused on his breathing, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He tried to feel the spiritual energy, to absorb it into his body.
It was difficult. His mind kept wandering, filled with doubts and anxieties. He couldn't seem to quiet the inner voice that told him he was a failure.
He opened his eyes, defeated. He was about to give up when he noticed something.
Jian Li was glowing.
Not literally, of course. But there was a faint, almost imperceptible aura surrounding him, a shimmering light that seemed to emanate from his very being.
Thomas stared in disbelief. Was this…Qi? Was Jian Li actually cultivating while he slept?
He looked at Mei Lin, who had also noticed the phenomenon. Her eyes were wide with shock and disbelief. Her face was a mask of barely controlled rage.
Thomas felt a surge of hope. If Jian Li could do it, then maybe, just maybe, he could too. He closed his eyes again, his determination renewed. He focused on the feeling of the tree beneath his hand, on the subtle hum of the Spiritwood.
He would not give up. He would find his own path, even if it meant following in the footsteps of a lazy genius.