The camp bustled with activity at dawn. Survivors scavenged supplies, cultivators prepared to escort them to safer lands, and conversations buzzed about rebuilding their lives. Lin Xue watched quietly, her arms wrapped protectively around Yan.
Her brother still slept, his face peaceful for the first time since the attack. Lin Xue's thoughts, however, were restless. The cultivators had shown kindness, but she knew their help was temporary. Once they left, she and Yan would once again be at the mercy of a cruel world.
She tightened her grip on her frayed robe and made a decision. She couldn't wait for fate to deal her another blow. She had to take control.
After ensuring Yan was settled, Lin Xue approached the group of cultivators gathered near the edge of the camp. The young woman who had found her—the one called Sister Mei—was sharpening her sword, her demeanor calm but focused.
Lin Xue hesitated before speaking. "Sister Mei."
The cultivator looked up, her gaze softening when she saw Lin Xue. "Good morning. How's your brother?"
"He's resting," Lin Xue replied. She took a deep breath. "I want to ask you something."
Sister Mei set down her sword, giving Lin Xue her full attention. "Go on."
"How… how does someone like me become a cultivator?" Lin Xue's voice wavered slightly, but her resolve shone in her eyes.
Sister Mei studied her for a moment, as if weighing her answer. "Cultivation is not an easy path. It requires discipline, sacrifice, and a willingness to endure pain. Why do you wish to walk it?"
Lin Xue clenched her fists. "Because I'm tired of being powerless. I want to protect my brother. I want to protect myself."
A faint smile tugged at Sister Mei's lips. "Good reasons, but determination alone isn't enough. Do you have spiritual roots?"
Lin Xue blinked. "Spiritual roots?"
"It's the foundation of cultivation," Sister Mei explained. "Without them, one cannot harness spiritual energy. Many are born without suitable roots, and those who have them often face great challenges."
Lin Xue's heart sank. Could she have come this far only to find the path barred to her? "How can I find out?"
Sister Mei gestured to a small crystal sphere set on a nearby table. "That is a spiritual root testing orb. Place your hand on it, and it will reveal whether you have the potential to cultivate."
Lin Xue hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward. Her hands were clammy, and her chest tightened with nerves, but she refused to back down. Slowly, she placed her hand on the orb.
The sphere remained dark at first, and Lin Xue felt a pang of despair. Then, faintly, a flicker of red light appeared within. It pulsed erratically, as if struggling to sustain itself, but it was there—a sign of spiritual roots.
Gasps rippled through the cultivators. Sister Mei leaned forward, her expression a mix of surprise and concern. "Fire affinity," she murmured. "But it's unstable."
"What does that mean?" Lin Xue asked, her voice trembling.
"It means your spiritual roots are fragmented," Sister Mei said carefully. "You can cultivate, but your path will be far more difficult than most. Techniques will come slower, and progress will be painful."
Lin Xue's heart sank, but she didn't let the disappointment show on her face. "So… it's still possible?"
Sister Mei nodded. "Yes, but you must be prepared to endure hardship beyond anything you've faced before."
Lin Xue straightened her back, her voice firm. "I'm prepared."
Sister Mei led Lin Xue to the group's leader, a stern man named Elder Yu. He was a middle-aged cultivator with a long beard and piercing eyes that seemed to see straight through her.
"You wish to cultivate?" Elder Yu asked, his tone skeptical as he glanced at Lin Xue's thin frame and tattered clothing.
"Yes," Lin Xue replied, meeting his gaze.
"And you understand the cost?"
"I do."
Elder Yu stroked his beard, his expression unreadable. "Very well. We will allow you to travel with us to the Clear Spring Sect. If the sect elders see potential in you, they may grant you entry."
Lin Xue bowed deeply. "Thank you, Elder."
"But understand this," Elder Yu said sharply. "The path of cultivation is not one of charity. You will be expected to contribute and prove your worth every step of the way. If you falter, no one will carry you."
Lin Xue nodded, her resolve unshaken. "I won't falter."
That evening, Lin Xue returned to Yan's side. He looked up at her with wide, curious eyes.
"Xue-jie, where did you go?"
Lin Xue knelt beside him, her hand gently brushing his hair. "I went to make sure we have a future, Yan. We're going to a place where I can grow stronger, where I can protect you."
Yan's small hand slipped into hers. "I believe in you, Xue-jie."
Lin Xue smiled, though tears prickled at the corners of her eyes. "Thank you, Yan. I'll never let you down."
As she gazed at the distant stars, her determination burned brighter than ever. She had taken the first step on the path to power, but she knew the journey ahead would be grueling.
The Eternal Flame within her flickered, fed by her pain and her hope, promising to one day blaze bright enough to light her way to the heavens.