As the conversation concluded, Leon felt equipped not just with knowledge but with a plan of action that would potentially enhance his abilities significantly. His journey in the Graveyard Garden was proving to be more enlightening and fruitful than he had ever imagined, each discovery propelling him further into the depths of cultivation mysteries.
As Twig led Leon back to where the Rainbow Horn Beetle Grass had taken root, Leon couldn't help but marvel at the sight that greeted him. The plant stretched out before him, a full meter in length, its blades a vibrant reddish hue. The most striking feature, however, was the golden body of the plant, which boasted a large, opalescent horn, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. It was an impressive sight, the horn reminiscent of mythical creatures from old stories, suggesting power and majesty.
The base of the plant was surrounded by a couple of dark spots, each about the size of a baby's fist. These were the Void Aphids Twig had described. They clung to the grass, their bodies a deep, absorbing black that seemed to swallow light, making them appear as mere shadows against the vibrant plant. The contrast was striking—the lively, almost radiant grass juxtaposed with the deep, dark aphids.
Near the aphids, Leon spotted a few drops of a clear, luminous liquid—Lifedew. Each drop radiated a vibrant energy that Leon could feel even from a distance, a promise of pure Qi contained within. Twig handed him a calabash bottle, an object that seemed to embody the cycle of life and death itself. The bottle glowed with a gentle light, its colors shifting subtly between those representing life and death, signifying the balance and flow between the two states.
With careful movements, Leon approached the plant. He remembered Twig's instructions about the delicate balance needed to harvest Lifedew without disturbing the aphids. He positioned the calabash bottle underneath the leaves, letting the drops of Lifedew fall into it. The liquid cascaded into the bottle, each drop resonating with a tiny splash of light, as if the life energy itself was being transferred directly into Leon's care.
Once he collected the Lifedew, Leon took a moment to examine it closer. The fluid was more than just water; it was alive with energy. Holding the bottle up to the light, Leon could see that the liquid shimmered with a vitality that was almost palpable. It promised not just nourishment for his body but for his cultivation journey as well.
Feeling a surge of anticipation mixed with a touch of nervousness, Leon opened the bottle and swallowed the Lifedew. It was cool and refreshing, and as it went down, he felt a rush of energy spread through his body. It was an invigorating sensation, as if each cell in his body was waking up from a long slumber.
After a few moments, Leon closed his eyes and focused inward, visualizing his inner landscape. He had come to think of his body as a barren desert, but now, it felt different. There was a sense of moisture, like early morning dew covering the ground. Checking his internal reserves, he discovered he had about 100ml of water—his life energy—within him. This was a significant increase from the 70ml he had started with the day before.
The question now was whether to use this energy immediately or conserve it. The practical part of him thought about saving it, perhaps using small amounts to boost his energy when needed, especially considering the taxing physical efforts of his training with Chief Han. Yet, another part of him, driven by the excitement of his newfound abilities and the desire to push his limits, tempted him to use all the energy at once, to see how much more he could grow.
Leon weighed his options, knowing each choice had its implications. Using all the water could mean a significant leap in his abilities, but it also meant depleting his reserves completely. On the other hand, conserving the water would provide a steady, albeit slower, enhancement of his strength and capabilities, perhaps allowing for more sustained growth over time.
As he stood there, bottle in hand, contemplating his next steps, Leon felt the weight of his decisions. Each choice was a step on his path of cultivation, a path that was as much about managing his resources wisely as it was about growing stronger. With a deep breath, he made his decision, ready to face the consequences and opportunities that would come with it.
This moment in the Graveyard Garden, surrounded by the mysteries of life and death, marked a pivotal point in Leon's journey. It was here, with the rare Rainbow Horn Beetle Grass and the strange Void Aphids, that Leon truly began to understand the complexity and depth of the cultivation world. As he prepared to leave the garden, his heart was filled with a mix of apprehension and exhilaration, aware that each visit here was not just a step towards becoming stronger but also a deeper dive into the vast, uncharted waters of his own potential.
Leon woke up feeling refreshed and invigorated, a smile curling on his lips as he remembered the insights he had gained from the previous night in the Graveyard Garden. Although he was careful not to mention the garden or how he actually came upon his new understanding, the excitement was palpable as he set out to practice the martial arts moves he and Mei had been learning from Chief Han.
At first, the integration of his newfound perspective into his movements was clumsy and awkward. His body didn't quite seem to cooperate with the fluidity he had envisioned, his limbs stiff from the attempts to mimic the rhythmic sway of the Rainbow Horn Beetle Grass. However, as he continued to practice, slowly but surely, the movements began to smooth out. The disjointed techniques started to connect more seamlessly, his body gradually adapting to the natural flow he had observed in the garden.
Mei, watching her brother from the sidelines while sipping her morning tea, noticed the subtle changes in his form. "Looks like you're getting the hang of it, Leon," she commented with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting pride and a touch of curiosity. "You seem a lot smoother today. What's got into you?"
Leon, mindful not to reveal too much, shrugged nonchalantly. "I guess I just thought about it a lot last night. You know how sometimes you sleep on a problem, and when you wake up, it feels like your brain has sorted it out? It felt like that. I had a dream where I was moving like the wind—smooth and steady—and when I woke up, I just felt like I could do it."
Mei nodded, understandingly. "That's great! It's like your mind was training overnight." She chuckled softly, adding, "Maybe you should sleep on our other problems too and solve them by morning."