In the early dawn, as mist still lingered in the forest, Dare Drake was led deeper into the mountains by Zhu Bajie, who was visibly excited to introduce him to what he called a "spiritual haven." The first rays of sunlight broke through the trees, casting shimmering beams and creating a veil of ethereal mist across their path. Zhu Bajie's eyes sparkled with excitement, reflecting his thrill as he guided Dare to this hidden, powerful place.
"You know what? This is a very special place, one that only the fortunate ever find," Zhu Bajie panted but still eager. "It took me a whole afternoon to locate this!"
Before long, a breathtaking sight unfolded before them. A tall waterfall cascaded down from the mountains above, its foamy water crashing below and mist rising into the sunlight. Verdant greenery surrounded them, mingling with the scent of wet earth and wild grass, creating a uniquely pure atmosphere. Beneath the falls lay a crystal-clear pool that mirrored the sky and tendrils of mist that spread across the surface like smoke.
Dare Drake inhaled deeply, feeling the powerful spiritual energy fill the space. It felt like a cool stream washing through every corner of his being, stirring up every cell within him. The spiritual energy here was rich and pure, bringing a refreshingly unfamiliar sensation.
"This really is a spiritual haven…" he murmured, eyes fixed on the waterfall.
Zhu Bajie gave a smug grin, clapping Dare on the shoulder. "I doubt you'll find a better place to break through. Now, we need to livestream this historic moment!"
Zhu Bajie opened the livestream function and quickly slipped into his over-the-top MC mode, his tone full of pride and a touch of ridiculousness.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today we will witness the historic breakthrough of a once-powerful Celestial Lord who has fallen on hard times. Get ready, and if you enjoy it, don't hesitate to hit 'Like'!"
Dare Drake: "Do you really need to exaggerate this much? I'm just training…"
Zhu Bajie (whispering): "That's the only way to attract viewers! Relax. With me here, you just focus on your breakthrough; I'll handle the audience."
Just then, a small notification popped up in front of Dare, along with a message from a familiar viewer – CelestialPalace_001. The short message was subtly cryptic:
"To achieve a true breakthrough, focus on your own emotions—loneliness, joy, and even longing."
Frowning, Dare pondered over the mysterious advice. Rather than merely cultivating through absorbing energy, this suggestion hinted at a different method, perhaps involving the integration of his own emotions—something he hadn't thought much about in his previous training.
"Alright, let's give it a try," Dare murmured as he began to calm his mind, preparing himself to immerse in the cultivation process.
Amid the thunderous waterfall, Dare sat cross-legged by the pool, eyes closed, his hands resting lightly on the ground to sense the surging energy from the earth. But this time, he didn't just focus on absorbing spiritual energy; he allowed his mind to relax, letting deep, hidden emotions rise to the surface.
The loneliness he had felt after leaving Heaven, the joy of stepping into the mortal realm for the first time, and even his longing to return to his peak—all these feelings blended with the cool spiritual energy from the waterfall, pushing the flow of energy within his body to its highest level.
Meanwhile, Zhu Bajie kept interacting with the viewers, cracking jokes nonstop. He recounted old stories from Heaven, like the time he got banished for accidentally drinking too much and rolling around on clouds for a whole day, causing an uproar in the "orderly" clouds.
The audience's comments flooded in:
"A Celestial getting banished? It must have been quite the scandal.""If this Daoist succeeds in breaking through, I'll send him 100 coins!"
Beside him, Dare remained deeply immersed in his training. The environment seemed to resonate with the energy flow; every blade of grass and leaf gently swayed to his breathing rhythm. Dense spiritual energy surrounded him, penetrating his skin, and every emotion flowed through his mind, weaving a powerfully intense sensation.
Suddenly, a pale blue light emanated from Dare's body, sparkling like thousands of stars gathering. It was a sign of a successful breakthrough. The spiritual energy surged through him, like a rushing river through his meridians, filling him with a boundless sense of vitality.
Just then, a group of local cultivators appeared. Leading them was a middle-aged man in black Daoist robes, his eyes cold, eyeing them with suspicion.
"Who are you? Why are you training here without permission?" the Daoist asked sternly.
Sensing that a conflict was unnecessary, Dare calmed himself and replied with composure, "We're just mortals who wandered here by accident. Seeing the rich energy of the place, we merely wanted to try training a bit."
However, the Daoist wasn't convinced. "The energy you're emitting isn't typical for a mortal. Are you sure you're just ordinary humans?"
Thinking fast, Zhu Bajie interjected, laughing, "Oh, Daoist Brother, my friend here just… got a bit too excited! It's hard to hold back in a place like this. Don't worry; we'll leave immediately and won't cause any trouble."
After a bit of persuasion, the local cultivators finally let it go, though they cast a few wary glances before leaving.
Once the cultivators had gone, Dare sighed in relief and turned to Zhu Bajie, unable to suppress a laugh.
Dare Drake: "You're amazing at lying without batting an eye; only you could pull that off."
Zhu Bajie (smugly): "In the mortal realm, if you don't know how to adapt, you won't survive. You still have a lot to learn."
They both burst out laughing, surrounded by the warm glow of sunset. The sky gradually turned a warm shade of orange, reflecting off the lake and waterfall, making the scene even more resplendent. The waterfall sparkled in the evening light, as if celebrating the breakthrough of a Celestial Lord amidst the mortal world.
At the end of the livestream, as the golden sunset cast its glow over the waterfall, a new notification appeared from the system, along with another message from CelestialPalace_001, the mysterious viewer who appeared often:
"Be wary of Great Virtue Temple. Your journey has only begun."
Dare looked at the message, feeling a strange sensation rise within him. The warnings held hints of a danger he couldn't yet see, but they also sparked his anticipation. It had been a long time since he felt this excitement.
Zhu Bajie (grinning, throwing an arm around Dare's shoulders): "So, what do you think of having me as your guide? Amazing, right?"
Dare Drake (smiling, nodding): "It's not bad. Although, I'd appreciate it even more if you stopped pushing me into dangerous situations."
Zhu Bajie (laughing): "Oh, life's not that easy. This is just the beginning. Just wait; one day, you'll thank me for showing you how rich and full of surprises the mortal life can be!"
The two looked at each other and laughed again. In the distance, the sunset still shimmered over the waterfall, as if bidding farewell to the first day of training on a journey that was only just beginning.