As the commotion in the sky began to settle, Chen Bo and Wei Jian steadily made their way through the bustling outskirts of the town, heading toward Teng Lin and Su Xianyu. The townsfolk were still murmuring in awe at the heavenly phenomena, but the two young men paid little attention, their focus entirely on finding their companion.
"Hey, Teng Lin!" Chen Bo called out as they neared. "Didn't think we'd find you here, and so soon."
Teng Lin, hearing the familiar voice, looked around and spotted Chen Bo and Wei Jian approaching. His face lit up with genuine surprise and joy. "Chen Bo! Wei Jian!" he exclaimed, rushing forward to meet them.
As Teng Lin got closer, he slowed down, his eyes narrowing in scrutiny as he walked a full circle around Chen Bo. His expression turned exaggeratedly thoughtful, and he began muttering theatrically, "Something's wrong here… Was this brother always so handsome?"
Chen Bo's face flushed a bright red, and he waved his hands defensively. "Come on, stop teasing me!" he said, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.
Teng Lin burst out laughing, slapping Chen Bo's back. "I'm just joking with you. I'm glad you're alright, that's all."
Chen Bo let out a hearty laugh in return. "Alright? I'm more than alright. I've never felt this good in my life! I feel lighter on my feet, stronger than I was just yesterday… and don't even get me started on my eyesight."
"Eyesight?" Teng Lin asked, raising an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you can see things miles away now?"
Chen Bo scratched his head. "Not exactly. But everything just seems sharper, clearer… Oh, and there's these white specks I keep seeing everywhere."
Teng Lin tilted his head, about to ask what he meant, when Su Xianyu suddenly appeared beside him, moving so quickly it was as if he had materialized out of thin air.
"You can see the white specks?" Su Xianyu asked, his sharp gaze fixed on Chen Bo.
Chen Bo jumped slightly, startled by the senior cultivator's sudden appearance. He instinctively took a step back, his body shivering slightly under Su Xianyu's intense scrutiny. "Y-Yes, Senior Su," he stammered. "Is something wrong?"
Su Xianyu's eyes narrowed as he extended his divine sense toward Chen Bo. For a moment, his expression was calm, but then his eyes widened in shock. The normally unshakable cultivator took a step back, muttering to himself, "This… this… how is this possible?"
Chen Bo's heart began to race. "What's wrong, Senior? Am I… Am I going to die?"
Su Xianyu blinked, snapping out of his daze. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Not death, boy. Quite the opposite. It seems the heavens have bestowed upon you a supreme opportunity."
"What do you mean?" Chen Bo asked nervously.
"You've acquired a spiritual body," Su Xianyu replied, his tone both incredulous and impressed.
Chen Bo's eyes widened. "A spiritual body? What's that?"
Su Xianyu smiled faintly, his expression calming as he began to explain. "Across this vast world, there are countless people, but only a rare few are born with what we cultivators call a spiritual body. These individuals are blessed by the heavens from birth, possessing an extraordinary advantage in cultivation. It unlocks a potential far beyond that of ordinary humans."
He paused, studying Chen Bo again. "However, what's strange is that spiritual bodies are usually innate. You either have it at birth or you don't. There have been rumors that certain natural treasures can awaken a spiritual body in someone later in life, but such occurrences are unconfirmed."
Hearing this, Chen Bo's earlier fear transformed into uncontainable excitement. "So, does this mean I have a chance to become a cultivator again?"
Su Xianyu chuckled warmly, his previous sternness replaced with a rare softness. "Boy, you've always had the chance to cultivate. But now, your odds of success—and of reaching greater heights—have risen immensely."
Chen Bo clenched his fists, a look of determination on his face. "I'll do it, Senior. I won't waste this chance."
Su Xianyu nodded approvingly before turning his gaze toward Teng Lin, Chen Bo, and Wei Jian as a group. His expression became more solemn. "Remember this, all of you: cultivation is not just about opportunity or talent. It is a long, arduous path, one that often leads to isolation and hardship. But it is also a path of self-discovery, one that reveals the deepest truths of the world—and yourself."
The weight of his words settled over the three boys, and all of them instinctively bowed in unison.
"Thank you, Senior Su," they said respectfully. "We won't forget your teachings."
Su Xianyu gazed at them for a moment longer before a faint smile curved his lips. "Good. Keep that resolve. It will serve you well."
Chen Bo furrowed his brows, looking at Su Xianyu. "Senior Su, why did you ask if I could see the white specks? Is it something dangerous?"
Su Xianyu shook his head, his expression thoughtful. "Not dangerous, but certainly extraordinary. Normally, spiritual energy—the white specks you described—cannot be seen with the naked eye. Cultivators can sense it using their spiritual sense, but to perceive it visually is something entirely different. It must be an innate characteristic of your newly awakened spiritual body."
"Spiritual energy?" Teng Lin asked, his interest piqued. "What exactly is it?"
Su Xianyu nodded, folding his arms as he explained. "It's the foundation of everything for cultivators. Spiritual energy permeates the land, the seas, and even the skies. It is the essence that cultivators draw upon to strengthen themselves and progress in their paths. Without it, there would be no cultivation."
Chen Bo's eyes lit up. "That's incredible! I can actually see something so important?"
Teng Lin grinned, clearly happy for his friend, while Wei Jian managed a small smile. But as the conversation continued, Wei Jian's expression began to change. He looked down, his thoughts swirling.
Teng Lin… he's a miracle maker. Wherever he goes, strange and amazing things happen. And now Chen Bo… he's been given the opportunity of a lifetime. They're going to leave me behind. I'm just an ordinary person, rejected from the same sect that accepted Teng Lin. How can I even stand next to them anymore? They're destined to become immortal cultivators like Senior Su… and I'm…
His thoughts were interrupted when Teng Lin spoke up excitedly. "Oh, do you think we could all get a spiritual body if we drank some of that water?"
Su Xianyu frowned, his brows furrowing in thought. "I don't know," he admitted. "I originally thought that water was simply a detoxification treasure, cleansing impurities from the body. But now… I'm not so sure. I was planning to tell the two of you to drink it anyway, once everything had settled down."
Chen Bo's interest was immediately piqued. "Really? Then what's stopping us now?"
Su Xianyu sighed, shaking his head. "The newest issue that has just popped up."
Wei Jian, who had been silent, looked up sharply. His expression shifted from hope to worry. "Issue? What do you mean?"
Su Xianyu exhaled deeply, glancing toward the valley. "A big tree demon just appeared in our front yard."
"A tree demon?" Chen Bo repeated, his face paling.
Wei Jian's voice quivered as he asked, "Not even Senior Su can beat it?"
Su Xianyu chuckled bitterly. "Wei Jian, if there were a version of me for every person living in this world, we still wouldn't stand a chance against it." He gestured toward the sky, where the swirling clouds and dazzling phenomena were still unfolding. "Do you see what's happening up there? That is the cause of all this. The heavens themselves are acknowledging its existence."
Chen Bo and Wei Jian stared at the sky, their expressions grave. The celestial display was both awe-inspiring and ominous, and they could feel an inexplicable weight pressing down on them.
Before the silence could stretch too long, Teng Lin suddenly spoke up, his voice light but thoughtful. "Who knows? This might not be horrible. It might even be a blessing in disguise."
Su Xianyu raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a mix of curiosity and exasperation. "A blessing? Teng Lin, explain yourself."
Teng Lin shrugged, a small grin playing on his lips. "Ehh, I'm not sure. But it might be friendly, right?"
Su Xianyu stared at him, his lips twitching as though he was about to laugh. Finally, he sighed, shaking his head. "You're certainly one to see the silver lining in any disaster. But I hope for all our sakes that you're right. Because if that thing is hostile…"
He didn't finish his sentence, but the implications were clear.
Chen Bo, Wei Jian, and even Teng Lin felt a chill run down their spines as the group stood together, glancing toward the distant valley where the tree had emerged.
As the phenomenon in the sky started to settle down Teng Lin decidedly spoke up. "We'll if it's a fortune I've become blessed and if it's a misfortune Iim doomed. Either way my path is ahead."