The city buzzed with its usual hum, oblivious to the faint tremors rippling through the unseen layers of reality. Liang Chen sat cross-legged beside the spiritual vein, the faint glow of Qi illuminating the small clearing he had claimed. The night air was cool, carrying the earthy scent of the surrounding vegetation. Above, the moon cast a pale light over the scene, its silver glow mingling with the delicate shimmer of Qi that pulsed gently from the vein.
Liang Chen exhaled slowly, his breath steady as he guided a thread of Qi toward his dantian. The process was far from smooth; the vein was still fragile, its energy flow erratic and weak. Yet, for the first time since awakening on Earth, Liang Chen felt the faintest flicker of spiritual energy settle within him.
"Not much," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the rustle of leaves. "But it's a start."
The plane's will stirred faintly at the edge of his consciousness. It wasn't words or images, but a gentle presence that guided his movements. Liang Chen could feel its intent, clumsy but earnest, as it adjusted the flow of energy and stabilized the vein's fragile structure.
The bond between them had grown since the vein's creation. Though the plane's will was still weak and childlike, it carried an unspoken promise—a quiet determination to support him in whatever way it could.
Far across the world, in the headquarters of the Neutral Alliance, a different kind of energy stirred. The Immortal cultivator sat in quiet meditation, their expression serene as their senses extended across the vast expanse of the barren world. The faint ripple of Qi had not escaped their notice, though its source remained elusive.
"Faint," they murmured, their voice barely above a whisper. "But undeniable."
Their gaze turned inward as they sifted through the possibilities. Could it be that Earth itself was awakening? Or had someone discovered a method to generate spiritual energy? Both scenarios carried profound implications, not just for the Neutral Alliance but for the entire world.
Their thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. One of the Neutral Alliance's leaders entered, bowing respectfully.
"Elder," the leader said, their tone cautious. "We've received reports of unusual energy fluctuations in several regions. Nothing confirmed, but…"
The Immortal cultivator raised a hand, silencing them.
"I am aware," they said calmly. "The world is stirring, though the cause remains unclear. Continue monitoring the situation, but do not act prematurely. We must observe before we intervene."
The leader hesitated but nodded, retreating with a bow. The Immortal cultivator's gaze remained distant, their thoughts turning to the faint ripple that had lingered in their senses.
"If this is what I think it is," they murmured, "then the world is about to change."
The Dragon Alliance, meanwhile, was less contemplative. Their rhetoric had grown louder, their movements bolder as they consolidated power in key regions. Announcements of new initiatives to explore cultivation alternatives filled the airwaves, accompanied by grand promises of leading humanity into a new age.
Behind the scenes, their efforts were more aggressive. Reports of militarization in Dragon Alliance-controlled territories began circulating, their focus shifting toward securing resources and subduing potential rivals.
Liang Chen watched these developments from a distance, his expression unreadable. He had no intention of involving himself in the alliances' politics, but their growing influence was impossible to ignore. The Dragon Alliance's ambition was palpable, their methods a clear sign of their intent to dominate.
"They'll be a problem eventually," Liang Chen muttered to himself, his gaze shifting back to the spiritual vein. "But not yet."
Back in the clearing, Liang Chen turned his attention to the vein's stabilization. The formation he had placed around it held steady, preventing the Qi from dispersing into the barren surroundings. The faint glow of the vein remained constant, its energy gradually settling into a stable flow.
Yue Ling sat quietly beside him, her golden eyes fixed on the flickering thread of Qi. She had been a steady presence throughout the process, her movements deliberate and watchful. Though she could not practice cultivation herself, her awareness seemed to deepen with each passing day.
Liang Chen reached out, his hand resting lightly on her head.
"You feel it too, don't you?" he asked softly.
Yue Ling tilted her head slightly, her gaze never leaving the vein. Liang Chen allowed himself a small smile, her quiet companionship a comfort amidst the enormity of his task.
The plane's will stirred again, its presence brushing against Liang Chen's mind like the whisper of a breeze. He closed his eyes, letting the sensation guide him as he adjusted the vein's energy flow.
"You're learning too," Liang Chen said under his breath, his voice tinged with quiet amusement. "Slowly, but you're learning."
The bond between them grew stronger with each adjustment, the plane's will growing brighter as it fed off the vein's energy. Liang Chen could feel its potential, a spark waiting to ignite into something far greater.
"This is just the beginning," he murmured. "But we're getting there."
As the night deepened, the world remained unaware of the quiet revolution unfolding in the small clearing. The Neutral Alliance's Immortal cultivator continued their search, their curiosity tempered by caution. The Dragon Alliance pressed forward with their ambitions, their movements unchallenged for now.
And in the stillness of the clearing, Liang Chen nurtured the first thread of spiritual Qi on Earth, the bond between him and the plane growing with every flicker of energy.
The storm was coming, but for now, Liang Chen focused on the task at hand. The world would awaken in time, and when it did, he would be ready.