The forest shifted around them as they ascended, the dense lowland foliage giving way to hardier, high-altitude flora. The lowland pines transitioning to ancient, gnarled trees that clawed at the sky, their branches intertwined like skeletal fingers, casting a perpetual twilight gloom over the path. The air grew thinner, colder, carrying the scent of damp earth and the faint, almost metallic tang of high-altitude minerals. The path, once a winding ribbon of dirt, now became a treacherous scramble over loose rocks and exposed roots, each step a test of balance and endurance.
Days blurred into a monotonous rhythm of walking, resting, and complaining – a cycle punctuated by the surprisingly consistent quality of Tian Hao's meals. While Yu Xian and Wei Lo subsisted on simple rations, Tian Hao feasted on roasted duck, glazed ribs, and steamed buns, washing it all down with generous servings of wine from his seemingly bottomless spatial ring. With every gourmet meal, every swig of fine wine, he felt the hum of his cultivation growing stronger, a tangible sign that even exile could be pleasurable.
Tian Hao, his initial complaints now tinged with a grudging respect for the rugged landscape, had settled into a rhythm, his body slowly adapting to the demands of the journey. Though his muscles still ached, and his feet protested with every step, he no longer whined with the same frequency, his complaints now more a form of ritualistic grumbling than genuine distress.
"Just a few more li," he'd mutter to himself as he stumbled over a particularly large rock, "and then I can reward myself with a double portion of roasted duck and a flask of that aged plum wine. A true cultivator knows how to appreciate the finer things in life, even in the wilderness."
He'd spread a silk cloth – salvaged from his chambers, much to Yu Xian's silent disapproval – upon a flat rock and lay out a feast of delicacies from his spatial ring: roasted duck glistening with fragrant spices, steamed buns filled with savory meats and vegetables, and flasks of wine that shimmered like liquid jewels in the firelight.
"Honestly, Tian Hao," Lin Mei remarked one evening, watching him devour a roasted pheasant leg with evident relish, "I don't know how you manage to maintain your appetite in these conditions."
Tian Hao shrugged, tearing off another succulent piece of meat, his mouth full. "A true cultivator knows that nourishment is key to spiritual growth. Besides, who can resist Fatty Wu's culinary masterpieces?"
Yu Xian, sitting a little apart from the group, rolled her eyes, muttering something about wasted resources and misplaced priorities. Her resentment towards Tian Hao remained, a palpable tension that hung in the air between them.
Wei Lo, however, seemed to have warmed to Tian Hao's… unconventional… approach to cultivation. He often walked alongside Tian Hao, engaging in surprisingly philosophical conversations.
"You know, Tian Hao," Wei Lo mused one afternoon, as they navigated a particularly treacherous section of the path, "I've been thinking about your… unique cultivation method. Most disciples here, myself included, we follow the path laid out for us, never questioning, never deviating. But you… you seem to carve your own way, forging your own destiny. This whole pleasure-seeking path, it's certainly not what I expected from the Sect Leader's son."
Tian Hao chuckled, taking a swig of wine from his flask. "Well, Wei Lo, as the ancient texts say, 'A noble person is not a mere vessel (jūnzǐ bù qì; 君子不器)'. It's about being adaptable, not limiting yourself to a single purpose." He winked. "Or something like that. Found it in the sect repository."
Wei Lo's eyes widened slightly, his gaze fixed on Tian Hao with a newfound respect. "That's profound," he murmured, a hint of admiration in his voice. "I've never considered cultivation in that way."
Tian Hao shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, though he was secretly pleased by Wei Lo's reaction. "It's just something I've been thinking about," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "Perhaps," he continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "true strength isn't about mastering a single skill, but about mastering ourselves. Our desires, our fears, our limitations."
Wei Lo nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Food for thought," he murmured, and then added with a wry smile. "Though I prefer actual food myself."
Tian Hao gave Wei Lo a grin. "Agreed. A good meal makes even the most difficult journey more tolerable. Why follow the crowd when you can forge your own trail? Especially when that trail leads to good food and fine wine."
The path continued through terrain that was often treacherous, the rocky inclines demanding surefootedness that challenged Tian Hao's stamina and agility. Spirit beast attacks, however, seemed to increase.
Small packs of Shadow Wolves, their fur the color of midnight and their eyes burning with an eerie green fire, ambushed them from the dense undergrowth, their howls echoing through the forest, a symphony of menace. Wei Lo and Yu Xian, their movements fluid and practiced, dispatched the beasts with ease. Wei Lo's golden energy blasts sent the wolves flying backward, their bodies crashing into the trees with sickening thuds. Yu Xian's sword flashed like lightning, her strikes precise and deadly, each one finding its mark with a swift, decisive efficiency.
Later, as they crossed a narrow, rickety bridge spanning a deep chasm, a swarm of Razor Wasps, their wings buzzing like miniature saws and their stingers dripping with a potent venom, descended upon them.
Yu Xian's graceful agility allowed her to use her sword, deflecting the stingers as she slashed through the wasps as they descended upon her, while Wei Lo, his face impassive, channeled a surge of Qi onto his palms that slapped the wasps out of the air with ease, a few stray singed razor wasp wings swirling like embers around him.
Tian Hao, his face pale and his stomach churning, huddled behind a large rock, relying entirely on his companions' protection. He swore the air crackled like before a lightning strike whenever Wei Lo moved through such attacks.
The next day, as the sun beat down on them with an unrelenting intensity, a massive earth tremor shook the very ground beneath their feet. As they looked up, the rocky terrain around them rippled as a monstrous Earth Boar charged down the slope. Its tusks, long and sharp as daggers, glinted in the sunlight as it roared with terrifying ferocity, the force of its charge throwing up clumps of earth and rock that pelted them.
Tian Hao yelped, tripping over his own feet and falling backward with an undignified squawk, bracing himself for death.
Yu Xian and Wei Lo seemed almost bored at this point. Wei Lo unleashed a powerful wave of Qi, the blast sending the Boar crashing sideways, while Yu Xian seized the opportunity and approached the dazed creature, each step a resounding boom as her foot hit the earth as if challenging its solidity. She brought her sword down with a graceful strike that severed the beast's head, a fountain of dark blood spraying into the air as the monstrous corpse toppled to the ground with a final tremor.
Through it all, Lin Mei remained a constant source of support, her presence a calming influence amidst the chaos and Tian Hao's increasing anxiety. She'd offer him a reassuring smile, a gentle touch on his arm, her quiet strength a reminder that he wasn't alone. But there were times when she'd drift away, lost in her own thoughts, her gaze distant, her expression clouded with a mix of determination and something he couldn't quite decipher. It tugged at him, this uncertainty, but he respected her need for privacy, hoping that she'd confide in him when she was ready.
One evening, as the group settled around the campfire, Tian Hao, his stomach rumbling with anticipation, reached into his spatial ring and retrieved a feast fit for a king — savory meats, fragrant rice, and a selection of exotic fruits, each bite a symphony of flavors that danced on his tongue. He uncorked a bottle of fine wine, the aroma filling the air, a tantalizing blend of dark berries and aged oak.
As he savored each bite, each sip, he felt a warmth spreading through him, a familiar hum of energy that pulsed in his core. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation, letting the pleasure of the food and wine flow through him, his cultivation method humming in response, turning indulgence into power. The energy intensified, swirling within him, gathering momentum, before radiated outwards, filling him with a sense of well-being and newfound power. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation, feeling the energy flow through his meridians, stronger and steadier than ever before.
Tian Hao's eyes snapped open, a gasp escaping his lips as he felt a wave of power wash over him. He could almost taste the spiritual energy in the air, his senses heightened, and the world around him seemed more vivid and clear, as if some heavy fog had cleared within him. He felt a shift within, a sense of his own body expanding, growing stronger.
He had broken through. Body Refining Stage 5.
Name:
Tian Hao
Cultivation Method:
Pleasure-Induced Nirvana Ascension (PINA) – High-Mortal Tier
Cultivation Level:
Body Refining Stage 5
Techniques:
Restful Lotus Bloom - High-Mortal Tier
Wine-Fueled Fury - Peak-Mortal Tier
He couldn't help but smile at the irony—'exiled', punished, forced to endure hardships he never would have chosen, and yet, here he was, stronger than ever, his cultivation advancing despite, or perhaps because of, the challenges he faced.
He glanced towards Yu Xian and Wei Lo, noting their subtle reactions. Yu Xian's expression remained impassive, but her eyes flickered with a hint of surprise, her lips pressing into a thin line as if she were struggling to reconcile her resentment with his evident progress. Wei Lo, however, simply smiled, raising his cup in a silent toast, his eyes holding a mix of amusement and grudging admiration.
"Congratulations, Little Hao!" Big Sister System's voice echoed in his mind, her tone a playful mix of congratulations and sarcasm. "Body Refining Stage 5. Not bad for a lazy cultivator stuck on a… field trip. I see those gourmet meals and fine wines are paying off. Who needs grueling training when you can eat your way to enlightenment?"
"Big Sister, you know I appreciate your support," Tian Hao replied inwardly, rolling his eyes. "But a little less sarcasm would be appreciated. Especially now, when I'm about to be devoured by boredom and blisters."
"Boredom? Blisters? Oh, boo-hoo. Such hardships. You're breaking my heart, little Hao. Perhaps I should send you a silk pillow and a team of spirit-powered masseuses to ease your suffering?"
"That would be lovely, Big Sister. Actually, even better – how about you just teleport me back to the sect? I'm sure my father will reconsider my punishment if I promise to be a good little disciple from now on."
"Oh, I'm sure he will. Right after he's done grounding you for the next decade. Or assigning you to latrine duty. Or sending you on a diplomatic mission where you might be forced to attend more feasts and make even more 'inter-sect relations.' "
Tian Hao groaned inwardly, then smirked. "Alright, alright, point taken. Exile it is. But I swear, if I run into any more low-level spirit beasts, I'm blaming you."
"Deal. Though, I make no promises about Elder Yun's wrath. She seems like the type to hold a grudge. And Zhao Fei… you might want to avoid the Azure Mist Sect's territory for the next few decades, or perhaps just centuries. Unless you enjoy having tea thrown in your face with extreme prejudice, that is.
Tian Hao chuckled, turning his attention back to the feast before him. Exile might not be so bad after all. As long as he had Fatty Wu's culinary creations, BSS's commentary, and the occasional witty banter with Lin Mei, he could endure just about anything.