The Path of Cultivation
The elder's words echoed in Liu Zhen's mind as he left the hut, the weight of his newfound knowledge pressing down on him like the heavy clouds that still hung low over the village. The power he had felt, the strange connection to the water—it was part of something much larger than he had ever imagined. The Five Elements, the balance of Yin and Yang, his own destiny… it was all too much to comprehend at once.
Liu Zhen walked through the village in a daze, his feet moving on their own. His mind churned with thoughts of the elder's revelation, and yet, beneath the confusion and uncertainty, a flicker of excitement burned. The strange energy he had felt, the power that had surged through him—it was real. He wasn't imagining it.
But now what? How could he possibly understand or control this power? The elder had spoken of destiny, of the elements flowing through him, but those were just words. He needed answers—he needed to learn how to harness this energy before it consumed him.
Lost in thought, Liu Zhen found himself standing at the edge of the village, staring up at the towering mountains that stretched into the sky like ancient sentinels. The forest beyond beckoned to him, its depths whispering secrets older than time. It was as if the very earth was calling to him.
Without thinking, Liu Zhen took a step forward, his heart pounding. He needed to know more. He had to find out what lay within him.
The elder watched from the doorway of his hut as Liu Zhen disappeared into the trees. His old eyes, though clouded with age, still saw clearly enough to recognize the boy's restlessness.
"He is not ready," a voice came from behind the elder.
The old man didn't turn. "He will never be ready until he takes his first steps."
Another man stepped into the room—a tall figure cloaked in dark green robes, his face obscured by the hood that shaded his features. He carried an aura of quiet power, the air around him almost humming with the latent energy of cultivation.
"You push him too soon," the cloaked man said. "The path of cultivation is not to be rushed. He is a mere boy."
The elder shook his head. "He is more than that, and you know it. The balance has begun to shift. Darkness stirs once again. If he does not begin his journey now, he will be swallowed by it."
The cloaked man remained silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on the altar in the center of the room, where the symbols of the Five Elements lay etched in ancient stone. "Then let him learn the hard way. The world beyond the village is unforgiving."
The elder closed his eyes, sighing deeply. "Yes… but he will not face it alone."
The forest enveloped Liu Zhen like a living entity, its towering trees and dense undergrowth forming a world of their own. The further he ventured from the village, the more he felt the pull of something deep within him—a connection to the earth, the air, the water that flowed beneath the surface. It was as if the elements themselves were calling to him, guiding his steps.
As he walked, he tried to recall the elder's stories about the Five Elements. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—each one represented a fundamental force of nature, and together they formed the foundation of the world. But how could they be part of him? How could he, a simple boy from a remote village, be tied to such vast, cosmic forces?
The memory of the stream rose in his mind—the way the water had moved at his will, the energy that had surged through him. Was that the power of the elements? And if so, how could he control it?
He found a clearing deep within the forest, a peaceful place where the sunlight filtered through the canopy in shimmering beams, illuminating a small pond at its center. Liu Zhen sat by the water's edge, closing his eyes and trying to recapture the feeling from before.
Focus… he thought to himself. Feel the energy…
For a long time, nothing happened. His mind was clouded with doubt and frustration. But then, as he sat in silence, the faintest flicker of warmth began to stir within him. It was subtle, like the first spark of a fire waiting to ignite. He breathed deeply, letting the feeling grow.
The pond remained still, but Liu Zhen could feel the energy shifting within him, connecting him to the world around him. His senses expanded, and for the first time, he could feel the pulse of the earth beneath his feet, the gentle sway of the trees, the trickle of water through the soil. It was faint, like a distant melody, but it was there.
Then, with a quiet ripple, the surface of the pond trembled.
Liu Zhen's eyes snapped open. His heart raced as he watched the water stir, responding to the energy he was beginning to cultivate. He raised his hand, focusing on the faint pulse within him, and the water moved—just as it had by the stream. Slowly, a small sphere of water rose from the pond, hovering in the air before him, suspended by his will alone.
A rush of excitement surged through Liu Zhen, but it was quickly followed by exhaustion. The strain of holding the water aloft was greater than he had expected. His concentration wavered, and the sphere collapsed back into the pond with a splash.
Panting, Liu Zhen fell back onto the grass, his body trembling from the effort. The energy within him had flickered out, leaving him drained. But despite the exhaustion, a smile tugged at his lips.
He had done it. He had controlled the water.
The elder had been right—this power was real, and it was growing.
But before Liu Zhen could fully process what had happened, a sharp rustling sound came from the trees behind him. He sat up, his senses on high alert. The forest, once peaceful, now seemed to bristle with tension.
Out of the shadows emerged a figure—a young man, perhaps a few years older than Liu Zhen, with a lean, athletic build and eyes that gleamed with amusement. He wore the robes of a wandering cultivator, the insignia of a sect Liu Zhen didn't recognize stitched onto his sleeve.
"Well, well," the stranger said, stepping into the clearing with a smirk. "What do we have here? A village boy playing with the elements?"
Liu Zhen's heart raced, and he scrambled to his feet. He had never seen this man before, and there was something unsettling about his presence.
"Who are you?" Liu Zhen asked, his voice steady despite the fear creeping up his spine.
The young man laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. "Me? I'm just a traveler. But you—" he gestured to the pond, where ripples still danced on the surface. "You're something far more interesting. Playing with elemental power, are we?"
Liu Zhen's breath caught. How had this stranger known?
The young man's eyes narrowed, his smirk fading into something more dangerous. "You've barely touched the surface of cultivation, boy. But let me give you a piece of advice—power like that will attract attention. And not the good kind."
Liu Zhen took a step back, his pulse quickening. "What do you want?"
The stranger's smile returned, but this time it was cold. "I'm here to test you."
Without warning, the man flicked his wrist, and a blade of wind shot toward Liu Zhen with deadly precision.
Instinctively, Liu Zhen raised his hand, and the energy within him flared to life. A barrier of water surged up from the pond, meeting the wind blade with a powerful crash. The two forces collided, sending a shockwave through the clearing, and Liu Zhen staggered backward, barely able to keep his footing.
The stranger's smile widened. "Not bad for a beginner."
Before Liu Zhen could react, the man was on him, moving with blinding speed. A fist shot toward Liu Zhen's chest, and he barely managed to dodge, the wind from the strike grazing his side.
"You'll need more than that if you want to survive," the stranger taunted, his movements fluid and graceful, as though the air itself obeyed his commands.
Liu Zhen gritted his teeth, the energy within him still flickering weakly. He was outmatched—he knew that much. But something inside him refused to back down.
With a desperate surge of will, he reached out to the pond once more, drawing on the water's power. This time, the energy flowed more easily, the connection stronger. A torrent of water shot toward the stranger, forcing him to leap back with a surprised laugh.
"Well, well. Maybe you're worth something after all."
But even as Liu Zhen stood ready for another attack, his body trembled with exhaustion. His strength was fading fast.
The stranger, sensing his weakness, lowered his fists. "Consider this a lesson," he said, turning away. "You're not ready for the world beyond your village. But you will be, soon enough."
Without another word, the man disappeared into the trees, leaving Liu Zhen alone in the clearing.
Panting, Liu Zhen collapsed to the ground, his chest heaving with exhaustion. His entire body ached, his mind spinning from the encounter. He had barely survived, and he knew it.
But even as his vision blurred and darkness began to take him, one thought burned in his mind.
He needed to grow stronger.