Chapter 3: The Path Ahead
Xia Yu leaned against a tree, her sword still in hand, her breathing heavy but steady. The forest was silent again, save for the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. She looked down at her trembling hands, the glow of Qi that had enveloped her sword moments ago now fading away.
The power she had felt… it was intoxicating. Her strikes had been swift and precise, her movements fluid in a way they had never been before. It wasn't her skill alone—she knew that. Epoch had guided her every step. Without it, she would never have stood a chance against an opponent at Qi Gathering Stage 3.
She glanced at the spot where the man had fled, her mind still racing. She had won, but the encounter had left her with more questions than answers. Who was that man? Why had he attacked her? And more importantly, what had she gotten herself into by accepting Epoch's help?
"Host," Epoch's voice echoed in her mind, calm and steady as ever. "You've done well, but complacency is dangerous. You must prepare for what comes next."
Xia Yu frowned. "What comes next? You're not exactly giving me a lot of answers here, you know."
"I am here to guide you," Epoch replied, unbothered by her tone. "But the choices you make are your own. My purpose is to ensure your growth. To achieve that, you must move forward—faster and more decisively than before."
Xia Yu sighed, sheathing her sword. "And what exactly does 'moving forward' mean?"
"Strength," Epoch answered simply. "The world you live in is merciless. Weakness invites death. The encounter you just had is proof of that. If you wish to survive, if you wish to thrive, you must cultivate relentlessly. Your next goal is to break through to the Qi Foundation Stage."
Xia Yu's eyes widened. "The Qi Foundation Stage? But I've just broken through to Qi Gathering Stage 2! That kind of progress isn't normal."
"Normalcy is irrelevant," Epoch said firmly. "You have me. With my assistance, your progress will surpass anything this world considers normal. But only if you are willing to put in the effort."
Xia Yu bit her lip. It wasn't that she didn't want to grow stronger—she did. But the idea of pushing herself so far, so fast, was daunting. And yet, she couldn't deny the truth in Epoch's words. The man who had attacked her was only a small taste of what this world had to offer. If she stayed weak, she wouldn't last long.
"What do I need to do?" she asked finally, her voice steady.
"First, you must stabilize your current realm," Epoch replied. "Your breakthrough was rapid, but your foundation remains fragile. Sit and meditate. I will guide you."
Xia Yu nodded and found a quiet spot beneath a large tree. She sat down cross-legged, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. The Qi within her was still surging, like a river that had been unleashed from a dam. She could feel it flowing through her meridians, powerful but chaotic.
"Focus," Epoch said. "Visualize the Qi as a stream. Guide it with your mind. Allow it to flow naturally, but ensure it follows the proper paths."
Xia Yu did as she was told. Slowly, she began to focus on the Qi within her, imagining it as a clear, flowing stream. At first, it resisted, but as she continued to concentrate, it began to obey. The chaotic energy settled, becoming smoother, more controlled. She could feel her foundation strengthening, the connection between her mind and body growing clearer.
"Good," Epoch said. "Now, draw Qi from the environment. The forest around you is rich with energy. Absorb it and integrate it into your own."
Xia Yu hesitated. She had tried this countless times before, but her success had always been minimal. Still, she trusted Epoch—for now. She reached out with her senses, feeling the Qi in the air around her. It was faint, like the whisper of a breeze, but it was there.
"Relax," Epoch instructed. "Do not force it. Let it come to you."
As Xia Yu focused, she felt the Qi around her begin to respond. It was subtle at first, like a trickle of water, but it grew stronger with each passing moment. Slowly but surely, the energy flowed into her, merging with her own Qi and bolstering her strength.
Hours passed, though it felt like mere moments. By the time Xia Yu opened her eyes, the sun had set, and the forest was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. She felt… different. Stronger. More connected to herself and the world around her.
"Your foundation has stabilized," Epoch said. "You are ready to begin your ascent to the Qi Foundation Stage."
Xia Yu stood, stretching her limbs. The fatigue she had felt earlier was gone, replaced by a sense of renewed vitality. She clenched her fists, feeling the power coursing through her veins. For the first time in years, she felt like she was making real progress.
"What's next?" she asked, determination burning in her eyes.
"Your next step is to acquire resources," Epoch replied. "Cultivation requires more than just effort. You will need spiritual herbs, Qi-rich environments, and, eventually, artifacts to enhance your progress."
Xia Yu frowned. "Resources? Those aren't exactly easy to come by."
"Correct," Epoch said. "Which is why you must prepare yourself for challenges. Others will not give up their resources willingly. Conflict is inevitable."
Xia Yu's grip tightened on the hilt of her sword. Conflict. She had always known that the path of a cultivator was not an easy one, but hearing Epoch say it so bluntly made it feel more real.
"Do not fear," Epoch said, sensing her unease. "You are not alone. I will guide you every step of the way. Together, we will overcome any obstacle."
Xia Yu took a deep breath and nodded. She didn't know what the future held, but she was no longer the same weak girl she had been before. With Epoch by her side, she felt like she could face anything.
"Let's get started," she said.
"Very well," Epoch replied. "Your journey begins now."
---
End of Chapter 3