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Chapter Four: The Village of Eternal Growth
Wei Feng walked along a narrow, winding path that cut through the dense forest, his eyes scanning the horizon with growing anticipation. The air had shifted ever so slightly, carrying with it the faint scent of something... different. A strange energy filled the air, something familiar yet also foreign. It wasn't long before the forest began to thin, and before him stretched a small village, nestled within a valley, its roofs peeking through the trees like the hidden treasures of some forgotten kingdom. A faint hum of activity reached his ears, a peaceful rhythm that seemed to resonate with the very heartbeat of the land.
This village was unlike any place he had encountered thus far. It wasn't simply a collection of huts or homes—it was a place of purpose. The people here were not ordinary, nor were they ignorant of the powerful forces at play in the world around them. There was an air of mystery about the place, as though it had been founded for a singular purpose. As Wei Feng took his first steps onto the well-worn dirt road, the bustling sounds of the village seemed to fade away, his focus narrowing as his senses heightened. There was something about this place that called to him, something he could not quite understand. Yet, he could feel that his path was about to change.
As he ventured deeper into the village, Wei Feng came upon the first of three imposing structures—a tall, elegant building that seemed to rise from the ground itself, as though it had grown organically from the earth. The structure was unlike any temple or school he had seen before, with intricately carved woodwork and large, round windows that gave the building an almost otherworldly appearance. People moved in and out of the building with purpose, each of them carrying the same focused, determined look in their eyes. It was clear that this was no ordinary place—it was a school, a place of learning, of cultivation.
The sign above the entrance read simply, "Xuan Gu Academy," and as Wei Feng stood before it, a feeling of awe swept over him. This was one of the three schools he had heard whispers of—the school that was said to teach the way of immortality through Gu. The very idea of immortality was something he had dreamed of, something that had driven him since his first steps in this world. The thought of learning the secrets of Gu and how to achieve such a lofty goal was almost too much to comprehend.
"Is this truly the path to immortality?" he whispered to himself, eyes wide with wonder. His heart beat faster, his mind racing with possibilities. He could already see it in his mind's eye—the path unfolding before him, the knowledge he could gain, the power he could wield. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for, the key to everything he had sought. He stepped forward, his pulse quickening, but as he reached out to enter the academy, something stopped him.
A voice, calm yet commanding, rang out from behind him. "You seem interested, traveler, but know this: The path of immortality is not one that should be taken lightly. Do you understand the price of such a pursuit?"
Wei Feng turned to see an elderly man standing behind him, his robes flowing in the wind, a long beard trailing down to his chest. His eyes were sharp, despite his age, and there was a depth to his gaze that made Wei Feng pause. The man's presence was unlike anything he had encountered before—a sense of wisdom, tempered with a quiet but unmistakable power.
"I... I wish to learn," Wei Feng said without hesitation. "I want to understand how to cultivate immortality. I want to know the way of Gu."
The old man's gaze softened, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—something unreadable. "Very well," he said, his voice like the rustling of leaves in the wind. "But know this: The way of Gu is not for the faint of heart. The pursuit of immortality through Gu is not merely a matter of knowledge. It is a test of spirit, of willpower, and of endurance. Those who walk this path must be prepared to sacrifice everything, to face trials that will break even the strongest of hearts."
Wei Feng nodded, his determination unwavering. "I understand. I'm ready."
The old man studied him for a moment longer, then nodded, his expression softening. "You will find the answers you seek within the walls of this academy. But be warned—once you begin down this path, there is no turning back."
With that, he turned and began walking toward the entrance of the academy, leaving Wei Feng to follow. The doors to the school opened with a soft creak, and as Wei Feng stepped inside, he felt a powerful surge of energy wash over him. The very air seemed to vibrate with the presence of Gu, the sensation filling him with awe. The academy was vast, its walls lined with scrolls and ancient texts, each one containing the knowledge of generations of cultivators who had walked the same path before him.
As Wei Feng continued to explore the academy, he soon learned of the other two schools in the village. The second, known as "Heaven's Path Sect," was renowned for its rigorous and disciplined approach to Gu cultivation. It was said that the sect's founder had unlocked the secret to eternal life, but at a terrible cost. The third school, "Yin Gu Clan," was a more secretive, shadowy institution, its teachings focused on the darker aspects of Gu—those that dealt with forbidden arts and the manipulation of life itself. Each school had its own philosophy, its own approach to immortality, and each was equally prestigious in its own right.
Despite their differences, all three schools shared one common goal: the cultivation of immortality through Gu. Wei Feng felt the weight of this goal pressing down on him as he considered his next steps. The decision was not one he could make lightly. He could feel the gravity of the choice ahead—the potential for greatness, but also the dangers that came with it.
For now, Wei Feng remained at Xuan Gu Academy, his heart filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. He had made his decision. This was the path he would follow. He would learn the ways of Gu, and he would ascend to immortality. He would become one of the greatest cultivators the world had ever known. And no matter what trials awaited him, he would face them with unwavering resolve.
But as the days passed and his cultivation deepened, Wei Feng began to feel something else—a quiet whisper in the back of his mind, a nagging doubt that began to grow stronger with each passing day. What was the true cost of immortality? What was the price that must be paid for such power? The more he learned, the more he realized that the answers to these questions were not as simple as they seemed. And the path to immortality, he was beginning to suspect, might be more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.
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