The morning on Wu Mountain was calm and serene. The sky slowly brightened with shades of gold and pink as the sun peeked over the horizon, casting its warm glow over the misty mountain. The scent of pine and damp earth filled the air, and the distant call of birds echoed faintly, adding to the peacefulness of the dawn. A light breeze stirred the treetops, causing the leaves to rustle gently in rhythm with the wind.
Wu Zheng made his way along the narrow stone path that led toward his mother's house. His footsteps were soft but firm on the cold stone, the sounds of his movements barely audible in the stillness of the morning. As he walked, the familiar landscape of Wu Mountain unfolded around him, a place that had always been his home yet now felt distant, as his mind was set on the cultivation path ahead. Soon, he reached his mother's home, a modest yet elegant building nestled into the mountain's side.
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At Wu Zheng's cave , where he had returned after his farewells. The cave was quiet, filled with a cool stillness that matched the solitude he sought. The stone walls were rough, reflecting the faint light from the entrance. Wu Zheng's eyes quickly scanned the cave, searching for any signs of disturbance. Satisfied that no one had entered in his absence, he stepped inside.
Everything seemed in order. With a quick flick of his sleeve, Wu Zheng cleared away any lingering dust that had settled during his time away. The cave was now clean and prepared, just as it had been the last time he secluded himself here.
He opened the independent space.This was the sacred space where he would immerse himself fully in cultivation, unhindered by the outside world. As he checked the status of the space, everything was ready for his year-long seclusion.
With everything prepared, Wu Zheng sat down on a simple, woven mat in the center of the cave. The cool stone floor beneath him grounded his focus, while the soft mat provided just enough comfort for the meditation ahead. He closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling deeply.
"So, my one-year seclusion begins again," he murmured to himself.
Yet, as the words left his lips, a soft sigh escaped. His thoughts drifted back to the morning's events, where his departure had not been as simple as he had hoped.
When he had arrived at his mother's house earlier, Wu Hua had been visibly reluctant to let him leave. Though he had only returned a short time ago, his mother's eyes were filled with worry as she realized he was preparing to leave once more. She had voiced her concerns, trying to convince him to stay longer, her voice heavy with emotion.
It took several attempts, but Wu Zheng had finally convinced her of the necessity of his seclusion. He reminded her of his goals and the path he had chosen, which left little time for rest. Though hesitant, Wu Hua had eventually agreed, giving him her reluctant blessing. The memory of her worried face lingered in his mind.
Afterward, he had visited his sister, Wu hei. Their conversation had been lighthearted, filled with small talk. Wu hei, as always, made jokes about his endless dedication to cultivation, teasing him about spending more time with his family. But beneath the humor, he could sense her unspoken concern, though she, too, wished him well in his seclusion.
---
Now, sitting alone in the cave, Wu Zheng refocused his mind on the present. Today was a critical day. After months of preparation and cultivation, he was finally ready to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.
He activated the independent space and felt the barrier around him intensify, isolating him from the outside world. The air inside felt denser, saturated with spiritual energy that would aid his breakthrough. This was the moment he had prepared for, and nothing could disturb him now.
Taking a deep breath, Wu Zheng began to circulate his Qi. The energy flowed through his body like a river, smooth and unhurried. With each breath, he absorbed the spiritual energy around him, guiding it through his meridians. His dantian pulsed with power, holding the condensed beads of Qi he had gathered through months of effort.
The process began. One by one, the beads of Qi in his dantian trembled and then shattered, each releasing a flood of energy that surged through his meridians. The sensation was intense but controlled, like waves crashing against the shore, powerful but not overwhelming. Wu Zheng kept his mind steady, guiding the energy toward his dantian as it began to coalesce into something more solid.
As the spiritual energy gathered, it started to take form. The energy condensed further, creating a pillar—his foundation. Wu Zheng could feel the power concentrating within him, a core of strength that would support his future cultivation. Sweat beaded on his forehead as the process neared completion, but his focus never wavered.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the last bead shattered, and the energy solidified into a single, stable pillar within his dantian. The breakthrough was complete. He had successfully entered the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Wu Zheng exhaled slowly, his breath steady as he adjusted to the newfound power coursing through him. The air around him felt lighter, his senses sharper than ever before. The foundation had been laid, but this was only the beginning. There were far greater challenges ahead, and he had only taken the first step.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Now, the real journey begins," he whispered to himself.