Sun Long walked through the dense forest, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty about his new journey. Wei Ying had left him in the forest with the instructions to find his way to a cultivation sect, where he could learn the ways of cultivation and hone his skills.
As he walked, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the beauty of the great Yan plane. The trees were tall and lush, and the air was filled with the scent of flowers and the chirping of birds. He could also feel a faint aura of energy emanating from the plants and animals around him, an energy that he couldn't quite understand but knew was important to his journey.
Despite the beauty of the forest, Sun Long couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in his gut since his conversation with Wei Ying. He still couldn't fully understand the purpose of the black ring or the will of Tian, and the threat of punishment weighed heavily on his mind.
As he walked, he came across a small stream and stopped to take a drink. As he knelt down to cup his hands in the cool water, he noticed a strange symbol etched into the ground next to the stream. It was a simple circle with a line drawn through it, but it seemed to radiate a sense of power and importance.
Sun Long reached out to touch the symbol, but as soon as his fingertips brushed against it, he was hit with a sudden surge of energy. The energy flowed through his body, filling him with warmth and strength. He couldn't believe what was happening.
As the energy flowed through him, Sun Long closed his eyes and focused on the sensation, trying to understand its source. After a few moments, he realized that the energy seemed to be coming from the black ring on his finger, because it was now radiating a mix of golden and black light.
He looked down at the ring, a sense of realization dawning on him. "The ring," he said to himself. "It's the source of the energy."
But what was this energy? Sun Long had no idea, but he knew it felt amazing. He vowed to himself to try to understand this energy and its purpose in his journey. With a renewed sense of determination, he set off once again to find a cultivation sect, eager to learn more about this mysterious energy and how to harness it.
Sun Long continued to walk aimlessly through the forest, his mind racing as he tried to understand the mysterious energy that flowed through him. He was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice when a figure descended from the sky, landing gracefully on the ground in front of him.
Startled, Sun Long looked up to see an old man with a long beard and piercing eyes. The man seemed to radiate an aura of power and authority.
"Who are you?" Sun Long asked, trying to mask his fear.
The old man gave him a sly smile. "I am just a wanderer who happened to feel the sudden surge of spiritual energy emanating from you," he replied. "Where did that large amount of energy come from?"
Sun Long hesitated, not sure how to answer. He had no idea what spiritual energy was, let alone where it came from.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about," he said, trying to deflect the question.
The old man narrowed his eyes, sensing Sun Long's evasion. "Do not lie to me, young man. I can feel the energy emanating from you, and I sense the presence of a powerful artifact on your person. Is it the black ring?"
Sun Long's hand instinctively went to the black ring on his finger, feeling a sense of protection wash over him as he touched it. "Yes, it's the black ring," he said, feeling a sense of determination to protect it.
The old man's eyes narrowed as he reached out to try and take the ring from Sun Long. But as soon as he touched it, a bright barrier appeared around the ring, protecting it from his grasp.
The old man harrumphed, his expression souring. "I see. The black ring has chosen you as its bearer. Very well, I will let you go because I respect his will. Because I dont want there to be any enmity between us please take this gift."
The conjured up a thick book out of thin air. The book was called "Steady Heart Manual".
"What is this book used for", Sun long asked.
"Hmph, you should know at least that if you posess the ring. It is a cultivation manual. Use it to start cultivating.", the man replied in a scolding but apathetic manner.
"But mark my words, young man, the path of cultivation is filled with danger and temptation. Be wary of those who seek to use you for their own gain and never let go of your principles. Remember, the power of the black ring comes with great responsibility. Use it wisely, and never let it control you."
With that, the old man disappeared into the sky, leaving Sun Long standing alone in the forest, feeling a mix of confusion and determination. He knew he had a lot to learn about the path of cultivation, but he was determined to find out the truth about the black ring and its power. He set off once again towards the cultivation sect, his mind racing with questions and uncertainties, but also a sense of purpose and resolve.