The morning air was cool and crisp as Wei Liang arrived at the Spirit Mirror Pool. The area was quiet except for the faint rustle of leaves and the soft hum of Qi that lingered in the sacred water. This was where he felt most at peace, where his progress came into focus.
Wei Liang dropped to his knees, his sword resting across his lap, and began his meditation. Each breath drew Qi into his dantian, circulating it through his meridians with deliberate precision. He had reached the seventh layer of the Qi Gathering Realm, but the strain of pushing toward the eighth was beginning to show.
The System chimed softly in his mind.
[Analysis: Host's Qi flow is stable. Recommend increasing focus on meridian reinforcement to prepare for future breakthroughs.]
Wei Liang nodded to himself. He couldn't afford to rush. Cultivation was a delicate process, and even a small mistake could set him back—or worse.
---
A Lesson from Elder Cai
Later that day, the outer disciples gathered in the training courtyard for another session under Elder Cai's watchful eye. The elder's gruff voice carried over the murmuring crowd.
"You've all been working hard," he said, pacing in front of the group. "But cultivation is not just about advancing realms. It's about understanding your own limits—and knowing when to push beyond them."
He stopped and pointed to a large boulder resting at the edge of the courtyard. "Each of you will attempt to infuse Qi into this boulder. The goal is not to move it, but to resonate with it. If you cannot control your Qi, the boulder will not respond."
The disciples exchanged uncertain glances. Resonating with a solid object was a test of precision and control, one that required deep understanding of Qi manipulation.
"Han Xun," Elder Cai barked. "You're first."
Han Xun stepped forward, his usual grin replaced with a look of determination. He placed his hands on the boulder, his Qi flowing through his arms as he tried to synchronize with its dense energy. For a moment, the boulder trembled slightly, but the connection broke, leaving it unmoved.
"Not bad," Elder Cai said, nodding. "Your Qi flow is steady, but your focus wavers. Next!"
Zhang Fei was next, her sharp eyes narrowing as she approached the boulder. Her movements were precise, her Qi flowing like a blade cutting through water. The boulder vibrated faintly, its surface glowing for a brief moment before falling still.
"Good," Elder Cai said, his tone approving. "Your control is impressive. Keep refining it."
When it was Wei Liang's turn, he stepped forward, his heart steady despite the pressure. Placing his hands on the rough surface of the boulder, he closed his eyes and activated the Lunar-Eye Lens, allowing him to see the intricate Qi flows within the rock.
He focused, guiding his shadow Qi to align with the boulder's energy. The System chimed softly.
[Synchronization Detected: Adjust Qi density to match object's frequency.]
Wei Liang adjusted his flow, his breathing steady. The boulder trembled, its surface glowing faintly as his Qi resonated with it. For a moment, the energy stabilized, and the boulder seemed to hum in harmony with his own Qi.
"Enough," Elder Cai said, his voice cutting through the moment. "You've done well, Wei Liang. But remember, precision is only part of the equation. True mastery requires endurance."
Wei Liang stepped back, his breathing slightly labored but his confidence bolstered.
---
Lin Ziyan's Observation
Across the courtyard, Lin Ziyan leaned against a pillar, watching the exercise with a faint smirk. His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable, though his eyes lingered on Wei Liang longer than usual.
"That farmer is improving," one of his entourage whispered.
Lin Ziyan didn't respond immediately. When he finally spoke, his tone was sharp. "Improvement means nothing if you're starting at the bottom. He's still miles away from reaching my level."
But even as he spoke, a flicker of unease crossed his face. Wei Liang's steady progress hadn't gone unnoticed, and Lin Ziyan knew better than anyone how quickly rivals could rise in the cultivation world.
---
Pushing Toward the Eighth Layer
That evening, Wei Liang returned to his dormitory, the day's lessons replaying in his mind. The exercise with the boulder had revealed gaps in his Qi control, and he was determined to address them.
Sitting cross-legged on his cot, he activated the Lunar-Eye Lens and began circulating his Qi. The artifact revealed faint blockages in his meridians, points where the energy flow faltered.
[Meridian Blockages Detected: 18%. Recommended Exercise: Shadow Qi Compression Technique.]
Wei Liang followed the System's advice, condensing his Qi into smaller, more concentrated streams. The process was grueling, each adjustment requiring intense focus. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he pushed through the strain, his breathing steady but labored.
After what felt like hours, the System chimed again.
[Progress: Seventh Layer of Qi Gathering Realm, 89%. Efficiency Improved.]
Wei Liang exhaled slowly, his body relaxing as the tension eased. The eighth layer was within reach, but he knew better than to rush. Every step had to be deliberate, every movement precise.
---
The next morning, Wei Liang joined Zhang Fei and Han Xun at the training grounds. Han was practicing defensive stances with his spear, while Zhang focused on footwork drills.
"You've been quiet lately," Han said, glancing at Wei Liang. "What's on your mind?"
Wei Liang hesitated before replying. "Just trying to refine my control. The boulder exercise showed me how much I still have to learn."
Zhang Fei nodded, her sharp eyes meeting his. "You've improved a lot. But don't push yourself too hard. Cultivation isn't just about reaching the next layer—it's about maintaining balance."
Han grinned. "And making sure you don't collapse in the middle of a fight. Trust me, it's embarrassing."
Wei Liang smiled faintly, their banter easing the tension that had built up in his mind.
---
As the day ended, Wei Liang returned to the Spirit Mirror Pool, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the water. He knelt by the edge, staring at his reflection.
The System chimed softly.
[Reminder: Progress is steady. Focus on stability and endurance before attempting the eighth layer.]
Wei Liang nodded to himself. The journey ahead was long, but he was prepared to face it step by step. Lin Ziyan's dominance, the challenges of cultivation, and the mysteries of the sect all loomed in the distance, but Wei Liang knew his strength came from perseverance.
He closed his eyes and began to meditate, the quiet hum of the Spirit Mirror Pool grounding him as he prepared for the climb ahead.