The forest grew denser as Li Wei ventured further from the Fallen Leaf Village. The trees seemed to close in around him, their gnarled branches forming a canopy that blocked out the sun. The air was thick with the scent of moss and damp earth, and the only sounds were the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures.
Li Wei's body ached from the fight with the Shadow Wolf, but he pressed on, driven by a determination he hadn't felt in years—or rather, in centuries. The memories of his past life as Zhao Tian continued to surface, guiding him like a faint beacon in the darkness.
"I need to find a place to train," Li Wei muttered to himself. "Somewhere hidden, where I can cultivate without being disturbed."
As if in response to his thoughts, the forest began to thin, and Li Wei found himself standing at the edge of a hidden valley. The valley was surrounded by towering cliffs, their surfaces covered in vines and moss. In the center of the valley was a small lake, its waters crystal clear and shimmering in the sunlight.
"This place..." Li Wei whispered, his eyes widening. "It's perfect."
Li Wei approached the lake cautiously, his senses on high alert. The water was so clear that he could see the bottom, where colorful stones glimmered like jewels. As he knelt by the shore, he noticed something strange—the water seemed to ripple on its own, as if responding to his presence.
"Interesting," Li Wei said, dipping his hand into the water. The moment his fingers touched the surface, a surge of energy coursed through his body. It was pure, untainted Qi, more potent than anything he had ever felt in his current life.
"This lake... it's a natural Qi reservoir," Li Wei realized, his heart racing. "If I can harness this energy, I can accelerate my cultivation."
Without hesitation, Li Wei stripped off his tattered clothes and waded into the lake. The water was cold, but it invigorated him, washing away the fatigue and pain from his journey. He sat cross-legged in the shallow water, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing.
As Li Wei meditated, he felt the energy of the lake flowing into him, filling him with warmth and power. He focused on his Qi Gathering, drawing in the energy and refining it within his body. The process was slow and arduous, but Li Wei was patient. He had done this countless times in his past life, and he knew that patience was key.
Hours passed, and the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the valley. Li Wei's body trembled as he reached a critical point in his cultivation. The energy within him surged, and he felt a sudden breakthrough—a rush of power that made his entire body tingle.
"I did it," Li Wei whispered, opening his eyes. "I've reached the 2nd Stage of Qi Gathering."
It wasn't much compared to the heights he had once reached as Zhao Tian, but it was a start. Li Wei could feel the difference in his body—his senses were sharper, his movements more fluid, and his mind clearer.
As Li Wei emerged from the lake, he noticed a small figure watching him from the edge of the valley. It was a young girl, no older than twelve, with bright eyes and a mischievous smile. She was dressed in simple clothes, but there was an air of confidence about her that belied her age.
"Who are you?" Li Wei asked, his voice calm but wary.
The girl tilted her head, studying him with curiosity. "I should be asking you that. This is my valley, after all."
Li Wei raised an eyebrow. "Your valley?"
The girl nodded. "I'm Xiao Mei. I live here with my grandfather. He's the one who taught me how to cultivate."
Li Wei's heart skipped a beat. The name Xiao Mei was eerily similar to Xiao Lan, the disciple he had loved in his past life. But he quickly pushed the thought aside. This was just a coincidence—nothing more.
"Well, Xiao Mei," Li Wei said, forcing a smile. "I'm Li Wei. I didn't mean to intrude. I was just passing through."
Xiao Mei grinned. "You're not intruding. In fact, I think you might be exactly what this valley needs."
As Li Wei followed Xiao Mei to her home—a small hut nestled at the base of the cliffs—he couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. The way she walked, the way she spoke, even the way she smiled—it all reminded him of Xiao Lan.
"Could it be...?" Li Wei wondered, but he quickly dismissed the thought. Reincarnation was one thing, but for two people to be reborn so close to each other was almost impossible.
As they reached the hut, Xiao Mei turned to Li Wei with a mischievous grin. "By the way, you might want to put some clothes on. My grandfather is a bit old-fashioned."
Li Wei looked down and realized he was still only wearing his undergarments. His face turned red as he quickly grabbed his clothes and dressed himself.
"Thanks for the warning," he muttered, earning a laugh from Xiao Mei.
Li Wei had found a new sanctuary in the hidden valley, and with it, a potential ally in Xiao Mei. But as he settled into his new surroundings, he couldn't shake the feeling that his journey was only just beginning. The road ahead would be long and treacherous, but Li Wei was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.