Within the serene confines of her quarters, Lin Mei sat upon a silken meditation mat, the soft rustle of the fabric a counterpoint to the rhythmic flow of her breath. Moonlight, filtering through the paper screens of her window, cast long, ethereal shadows across the room, transforming the familiar space into a tranquil sanctuary. Her expression, however, was etched with a familiar frustration.
Tian Hao's effortless cultivation continued to gnaw at her, a persistent reminder of her own perceived inadequacy. "How can he advance so quickly?" she thought to herself, though she had tried many of the delicacies he shared to see if his gains were in the food itself. "His cultivation techniques defy all logic, yet...they work."
She closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath, the air filling her lungs with the subtle fragrance of sandalwood incense. She focused on the rhythm of her breath, on the slow, steady circulation of Qi through her meridians.
She'd spent years honing her cultivation, adhering to the strict disciplines of the Skyward Lotus Sect—hours of meditation, rigorous physical training, and a near-ascetic lifestyle, which seemed far more in-tune with the true path to power.
Yet, her body had plateaued at the seventh stage of Body Refining, the path to Meridian Cleansing remaining stubbornly blocked.
The memory of her encounter with the spirit beast in the clearing alongside Tian Hao, the memory of her elegant glaive strikes and twirling form still sharp, flickered across her mind. She remembered how smoothly her body responded to the immediate need to protect, as though her spirit itself surged through each block and attack, drawing upon what had been a lifetime of training.
Tonight, however, that usual effortless flow seemed… sluggish. The energy within her felt stagnant, like a pool of water choked with weeds.
The Iron Talon Sect's demands echoed in the quiet chambers of her mind, adding another layer of tension to her already frayed nerves. She couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out, that her own advancement, her very ability to survive, now paled against what her family required of her—what they needed her to be able to endure, in order to keep their lives.
With a frustrated sigh, Lin Mei shifted her focus, drawing upon the lessons Tian Hao had so casually imparted. She recalled his words, his unorthodox approach to cultivation, the Restful Lotus Bloom technique he'd taught her—a method that initially seemed far too frivolous, too… easy.
She pictured him then, not the boisterous, wine-loving Tian Hao that everyone knew, but the Tian Hao she'd seen in their hidden garden, the one who could find peace amidst the chaos, the one who'd so effortlessly entered a meditative trance—all while eating and drinking, of course.
She focused on the image of him beneath the willow tree, the way the sunlight dappled through the leaves, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across his face. She recalled the gentle sway of the willow branches, the soothing murmur of the nearby stream, the warmth of the sun on her skin as they practiced the meditative arts—all simple pleasures that echoed within her now, the image growing sharper, as if he sat in her mind's eye.
With each breath, she visualized a lotus bud unfurl within her chest—as though she could taste the petals, feel their delicate texture, and smell the rich, earthy scent of its blossoming—until finally, it opened fully, each velvet petal radiating warmth.
As the lotus bloomed fully in her visualization, she let her breath slow, each inhale and exhale matching the gentle sway of the willow branches she was holding as her focus.
She saw herself lying on the soft grass, Tian Hao beside her, his hand covering hers, gently guiding the energy, their fingers interlaced as if their souls seemed to flow into one another through their palms.
She recalled the laughter they'd shared, the warmth of his smile, the unexpected moments of vulnerability he'd shown—the way he'd stumbled through their etiquette training, the exhaustion on his face as he returned from the Hidden Realm, his eagerness to connect with his friends around the warmth of a good meal.
As she focused on these shared moments, on these small fragments of intimacy that she had so fiercely guarded but still cherished more than most, the tension in her body began to ease.
She remembered his earlier words, "Just try it. Humor me. Think of something that makes you feel relaxed."
Finally, it came—the flow. It wasn't the forced, disciplined energy she was accustomed to, but something gentler, more fluid, almost… natural. The energy within her, once stagnant, began to move, swirling and flowing through her meridians like water finding its course, guided by her deep exhale and the calming presence of Tian Hao's imaginary form beside her.
The blockage in her meridians, a knot of tension that had resisted her most strenuous efforts, began to unravel. Each breath seemed to gently massage the tangled energies, smoothing the kinks and knots, the flow unimpeded. She could almost taste the potential, the vastness of power that lay dormant within, the possibilities that had now been revealed.
She continued to focus on Tian Hao's form, her lips curling ever so slightly into a quiet smile, recalling the warmth she'd felt as he helped her in the forest, the gentle strength in his gaze, the surprising ease with which he'd faced the dangers of the Hidden Realm.
These small, hidden moments were not just pleasant memories now—they were fuel for her cultivation, unlocking power in ways she'd never considered.
As the energy reached its peak, the memory fading as her focus sharpened further, as if Tian Hao's imaginary hand slipped away, her fingers clenching with the loss even as she pushed herself towards the breakthrough, as if it was her own doing rather than a shared meditation.
Her eyes snapped open, the moonlight illuminating the room now seeming brighter. Her own presence casting shadows as if she now radiated a warmth from within that had only grown stronger—her very aura had shifted.
She had broken through. Body Refining Stage 8 — Meridian Refining. It felt like a weight had been lifted, an ancient burden finally cast aside—a rebirth. It was as if she'd found a shortcut not to the very highest mountain, but at least, and maybe more significantly, a path through the very mountain itself that few had ever known to even be there.
A gasp escaped her lips, the sudden rush of energy exhilarating and more than slightly overwhelming. It wasn't the forced ascension she'd been struggling to achieve, but something more profound—a natural, effortless flow, as if the heavens themselves had aligned to acknowledge her efforts and had revealed to her something few mortals had ever tasted.
Lin Mei's earlier frustration vanished, replaced by a sense of quiet triumph. Perhaps, she thought, there was more to his methods than she'd realized.
Later that evening, a festive atmosphere settled over Tian Hao's hidden garden. Lanterns, strung between the willow branches, cast a warm, inviting glow, their soft light dancing on the faces of the small group gathered there.
Fatty Wu, ever the culinary master, bustled about, setting out a delicious spread – savory dumplings shaped like miniature lotuses, their delicate skins almost translucent, roasted vegetables glazed with honey and spices, their warmth steaming into the cool evening air, and a fragrant jasmine tea that perfumed the surroundings with its delicate sweetness. The steam rose from each dish, curling invitingly, while the texture of the dumplings, tender yet springy, melted in their mouths.
The simple yet elegant meal was a welcome contrast to the austere rations of their recent journey, each bite a comforting reminder of the simple pleasures they'd so recently been deprived of.
Jiuwei, nestled comfortably on a plush pile of spirit beast furs near the willow's trunk—which Tian Hao had resigned himself to carrying in his storage ring—watched the proceedings with an air of regal disdain, her tiny nose twitching slightly as she assessed the offerings. Though smaller than the grand feasts she had long ago been accustomed to, she had to admit, Fatty Wu's culinary creations were far superior to the bland offerings of that dreadful outpost.
"Hmph," she sniffed, her tiny voice barely audible above the soft murmur of the nearby stream, though her tail twitched with anticipation, betraying her earlier indifference, "still not quite roasted phoenix, but it will suffice."
Tian Hao raised his cup in a toast. "To Fatty Wu, the culinary genius who can conjure a meal like a divine banquet!"
Fatty Wu, his round face beaming, bowed theatrically. "Oh, Young Master, your praise is too kind!"
"Indeed," Lin Mei agreed, savoring a bite of roasted vegetable. "It's good to be back." She paused, then turned to Tian Hao, her expression softening. "Congratulations on reaching the sixth stage, Tian Hao," she said, her voice warm and sincere. "That's... quite an accomplishment. I'm impressed, though your methods are rather surprising."
Tian Hao grinned, his chest swelling with pride, his usual bravado amplified by Lin Mei's praise. "Well, Mei Mei, I have an excellent teacher," he teased, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. "Besides," he added with a wink, "who needs grueling training when you can eat and drink your way to enlightenment?"
"How about you, Lin Mei?" he asked. "How is your training progressing?"
Lin Mei's smile faltered, a shadow crossing her face, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to show her surprise and her vulnerability. Her earlier warmth was now replaced by an almost imperceptible flicker of worry before she covered it up with her usual polite demeanor. She hesitated, then replied, "I… I've also had a breakthrough. I reached the eighth stage—Meridian Cleansing."
Tian Hao's eyes widened, his jaw dropping slightly. "Eighth stage? Meridian Cleansing?" He stared at her. "Wow, you're amazing, Lin Mei. You've worked so hard, and it's really inspiring to see."
Fatty Wu, nodding in agreement, chimed in with a smile. "Lin Mei, you make the rest of us look lazy! Congratulations! But maybe take a break and enjoy the food—nothing helps celebrate a breakthrough like a good meal."
A flicker of warmth radiated outwards, her presence within the space feeling less restrained now, though her previous reserve, her quiet worry still evident. His words from their training came back to her—"Stones can break, and when they do, sometimes you find something more valuable hidden inside." She wondered if, in some way, Tian Hao had helped her discover that hidden value within herself.
Jiuwei perked her ears up at Lin Mei's announcement, her golden eyes narrowed as if assessing her, a flicker of respect, a hint of admiration, now apparent in her gaze.
"Interesting," she mused, her tiny voice barely audible. "Perhaps this mortal has more potential than I initially thought. Though," she added, turning to Tian Hao, her usual arrogance returning, "she still has much to learn. If only she had proper instruction, someone to guide her to even greater heights, perhaps even towards those celestial realms that few mortals ever taste—unlike you, young one, who seems content with mediocrity."
Tian Hao smiled, letting the warmth of Lin Mei's accomplishment settle among them, a shared triumph that lifted the atmosphere. The moment of connection, celebrating their progress, naturally flowed into the comforting aroma of the feast that Fatty Wu had prepared. It seemed fitting to continue celebrating not just their cultivation, but also the simple joys of food and companionship.
Tian Hao, emboldened by the warmth of their celebration, turned to Fatty Wu, gesturing at the steaming dumplings. "Speaking of effective methods, Fatty Wu, these are divine! What's your secret?"
Fatty Wu chuckled, his round belly shaking. "Ah, Young Master, a culinary genius never reveals his secrets. But," he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "let's just say there's a certain blend of rare herbs, and a touch of Cloudberry essence. Purely for medicinal purposes, of course." He added with a mischievous smile, "Though I suspect it might also enhance certain… other activities."
Jiuwei, who had been discreetly savoring a particularly succulent dumpling, perked up her ears. "Enhance other activities, you say?" she asked, her tiny voice laced with intrigue. "Do tell, mortal. What kind of activities are we talking about?"
Tian Hao, sensing another opportunity for mischief turned to Jiuwei, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper, "Oh, you know, Senior Jiuwei, activities of a… celestial nature. Things that mere mortals like us can only dream of."
Jiuwei rolled her eyes, but her tail twitched with amusement. "Very well, mortal," she conceded. "Enlighten me. Though I suspect your understanding of 'celestial activities' is rather limited."
Tian Hao launched into an outrageous tale of cultivators dancing with moonbeams, drinking starlight, and cultivating their Qi through the art of cloud gazing, his embellishments growing wilder with each sip of tea, each bite of a dumpling. Fatty Wu, caught up in the spirit of the evening, added his own culinary-themed exaggerations, describing dishes made of pure Qi, spiced with stardust, and served on plates of solidified moonlight.
Lin Mei, though still troubled by her secrets, couldn't help but laugh at their antics, the warmth of their companionship a temporary balm for her weary spirit. She felt her shoulders relax, and she let out a deep breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, the tension within her slowly melting away. It wasn't quite the respite she had hoped for, but it gave her a chance to push those shadows away, just for the night, her earlier anxiety replaced by a flicker of genuine lightness.
As the evening deepened, Fatty Wu unveiled two jade bottles filled with a shimmering golden liquid.
"Behold!" he declared, his voice brimming with excitement. "The 'Celestial Elixir of Harmonious Spirits' – a divine blend of the finest aged wine, concentrated Cloudberry essence, and a touch of… secret ingredient. It's a brew designed to elevate your senses, enhance your cultivation, and," he paused, the smile on his face widening, "perhaps even… loosen your inhibitions. Just one sip can make even the most stoic cultivator dance with the spirits."
Tian Hao eyed the shimmering liquid with undisguised intrigue. "I wonder what kind of experience this could lead to," he thought, curiosity sparking in his mind. "Could this be the key to enhancing my cultivation, or maybe something even more exciting?"
"A special concoction, Fatty Wu? Perhaps this can be used to open some perceptions" he mused. He would need to find the time to try it himself, first, of course — and perhaps he would even find a new path to pleasure in doing so.