Old Thomas looked at the trio, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Ah, there you are, Evan. We were just discussing plans for the day. I hope you're ready for some heavy lifting."
"I've got my tools and some sacks," Evan said, showing his prepared gear. "I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"That's the spirit," Old Thomas grinned. "But before we start, there's something you all should know. Village Head Elden has given me a special task—apart from our usual harvesting, I am to keep an eye out for any signs or anomalies in the forest. Strange markings, unusual fauna, anything that could give us an idea about what's going on. Considering what you kids found, he's especially interested."
Cara looked puzzled. "You mean like that enormous footprint we found? Should we go back there and investigate?"
"Perhaps," Old Thomas mused. "But we need to prioritize the Ironbark for now. These new bows and arrows won't make themselves, and if what people are saying about increasing our physical training and forming Qi Pools is true, we'll need every advantage we can get."
Evan felt a shiver run down his spine, thinking about the conversations he'd overheard on his way here. The atmosphere in the village had changed, become more focused. And now this task from Village Head Elden—it was as if they were on the cusp of some vital transformation.
"I understand," Benny finally said, breaking the silence. "We'll keep our eyes open, look out for anything unusual while we go about our harvesting."
"Good," Old Thomas said, visibly relieved. "We'll follow the markers Evan set up last time to find the Ironbark trees. And remember, we're a team. We look out for each other.
Evan felt his cheeks grow warm at the compliment. "I'll do my best," he said softly, humbled but also excited. With these new abilities of his, he felt an invigorating mix of uncertainty and potential, as if he'd touched on something far larger than himself.
With a nod from Old Thomas, they set off, their footfalls in sync as they entered the forest. Unseen by them, the ancient trees seemed to quiver ever so slightly, as if whispering secrets to one another, their leaves shivering in the wind.
Today was not just another day. It was a step into the unknown, a quest for answers that could change the fate of Eiralia and everyone in it. And as Evan walked alongside his friends and the seasoned Old Thomas, he couldn't shake off the feeling that whatever they were about to discover would link back to the strange myths and new realities that were surfacing in their once-peaceful village.
As they walked deeper into the forest, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the thick layer of leaves and pine needles on the ground, Evan felt a sense of anticipation build within him. This was a day of dual purposes: to harvest Ironbark for stronger weapons and to explore more of the forest's mysteries, especially after the ominous footprint they found on their last outing.
However, Evan had a lot on his mind, mostly questions about the increasing talk around the village concerning cultivation and qi. Taking advantage of Old Thomas's presence, he finally mustered the courage to ask, "Old Thomas, I've been hearing a lot about cultivation, Qi Pools, and Qi Seedling stages lately. Can you tell me more about them?"
Old Thomas paused, looking at Evan with a sense of surprise and then, slowly, a knowing smile appeared on his face. "Ah, so you've heard the elders talk. Good. Understanding these concepts is essential if you're going to make progress, not just as a hunter but as a person in this changing world."
Evan and his friends listened intently, their focus now divided between their task and the words that were about to come from the old man's mouth.
"You see," Old Thomas began, "cultivation isn't just some mumbo jumbo; it's the way to unlock your full potential—physically, mentally, and spiritually. In simple terms, it's about refining your life force, known as 'qi', to move through the various stages of power."
"Stages of power?" Benny interrupted, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Yes, stages," Old Thomas nodded. "In our village, most don't progress beyond the Mortal Realm, which includes the Qi Seedling Stage and forming a Qi Pool. I'm guessing you kids are most interested in these initial stages, correct?"
The trio nodded in unison.
"Alright, let's start with the Qi Seedling Stage. Think of it as planting a seed in a field, a seed that will grow and become a strong tree. Similarly, at this stage, you'll plant the seed of 'qi' in your body. It's usually formed at the base of the spine, also known as the 'dantian.' You activate it through special breathing exercises, focus, and sometimes, medicinal herbs. Once the seed is planted, you need to cultivate it—grow it by absorbing qi from the environment, from the food you eat, from the exercises you do."
"That's fascinating," Cara said, her eyes widening. "So that's the Qi Seedling stage. What about the Qi Pool?"
Old Thomas chuckled. "Ah, the Qi Pool—now, that's the tricky part. Once your Qi Seedling has been nurtured to a certain level, you start expanding it into a pool. Imagine your dantian as a small pond that gradually grows to become a lake and then an ocean. The larger the pool, the more 'qi' you can store, and the stronger you become. Each level in the Mortal Realm requires enlarging and refining your Qi Pool."
"Refining?" Evan asked.
"Yes, purification and enhancement of the 'qi' you collect. Just having a large Qi Pool isn't enough; the quality of your 'qi' matters too. Advanced cultivators can even transmute their basic 'qi' into higher forms of energy."
"But how did you form your Qi Pool, Old Thomas?" Evan asked, wanting to get a personal account.
Old Thomas paused, his eyes clouding over with distant memories. "It was a long and arduous journey. I spent years under the guidance of an old master who lived in the outskirts of Eiralia. Through rigorous physical training, meditation, and incantations, I managed to plant my Qi Seedling. Nurturing it was even harder—required intense concentration and dedication. But once I formed my Qi Pool, I knew I had crossed a threshold. I was no longer just a villager; I was a cultivator, with abilities and potentials beyond what I had imagined."
Evan felt a thrill at the thought, his own nascent abilities resonating with Old Thomas's words. Somehow, he knew this was just the beginning, and the path ahead was long and uncertain. But the excitement of unknown possibilities made the journey worth embarking upon.
Sensing that he had filled the young minds with enough to ponder for the day, Old Thomas nodded to himself. "Well, that's enough talking. We have Ironbark to find."
As they resumed their trek, Evan's mind raced. He was not just walking through a forest; he was stepping into a wider world, filled with untapped potential and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. And with every step he took, he knew he was drawing closer to both.
As they continued their trek toward the site of the Ironbark trees, Evan couldn't help but notice something peculiar. The forest, always a place of wild freedom and untamed life, seemed different today. The traces and tracks of animals, the subtle signs that usually told a rich tale of the forest's inhabitants, were off.
Old Thomas seemed to notice it too, his brows furrowed as he looked at the broken twigs, the hastily dug earth, and the erratic animal tracks that crisscrossed their path.
"Something's wrong," Old Thomas muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
"What do you mean?" Cara asked, her eyes scanning the surroundings as if expecting to see a hidden threat emerge from behind the thick foliage.
"The animals," Old Thomas began, "they're in a hurry, almost as if something spooked them. See these tracks? Deer, rabbits, even predators like wolves and foxes—everything is running, not walking. Even the birds seem more restless."
Benny tried to lighten the mood. "Maybe they're just having a race, you know, some kind of animal Olympics?"
Old Thomas didn't smile. "I've been in these woods longer than you've been alive, Benny. Animals don't behave like this without a reason."
As Evan listened to Old Thomas, a chill ran down his spine. He remembered the giant footprint they had found on their last expedition, a sign that something colossal was roaming these forests. Could that be the reason the animals were in such a state of frenzy?