Chapter 5: Chapter 5: "I'm such an idiot!"
In the spirit world, dawn broke gently as a golden-orange hue spread across the sky. The soft light illuminated the tranquil landscape, casting long shadows over the lush greenery and the serene pool. The sky shimmered with streaks of gold and crimson, as if brushed by the hands of ancient gods. Leaves glistened with dew, reflecting the soft morning light, while a gentle breeze carried the scent of earth and foliage.
Ye Xiaotian, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes tightly shut, slowly opened them. His pale face was as white as a sheet, but the excitement in his eyes could not be hidden. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the soft glow of the morning, and then gazed toward the horizon.
"It's already morning," he murmured, a soft smile spreading across his face. The sight of the sky's radiant hues filled him with a sense of peace, a stark contrast to the turmoil within him. He lay down on the grass, staring up at the endless expanse of sky. The blades of grass beneath him felt cool and damp, grounding him in the moment.
Just then, a strange sensation coursed through his body a faint tingling that started in his dantian and spread through his meridians. It felt like a warm stream flowing gently inside him, invigorating every fiber of his being. His senses sharpened, and the air seemed to hum with life as if his awareness of the world had expanded.
It was as if every leaf, every blade of grass whispered secrets to him. The gentle rustling of leaves carried a rhythm, a natural melody of existence. The hum wasn't just a sound—it was a feeling, a resonance that pulsed in sync with his heartbeat, making him feel more connected to the spirit world.
"What…?" Ye Xiaotian sat up abruptly, his eyes wide with shock. He focused inward, directing his senses to his dantian. There, he saw a faint golden glow from the seal that held his master's entire life cultivation. The seal had cracked open slightly, and a trickle of Ren Shuang's immense energy was flowing into his meridians.
The energy moved slowly but steadily, like a river finding its course. As it traveled through his meridians, it was refined by his body and merged seamlessly into his foundation. His spirit root absorbed the energy greedily, shining with newfound vitality.
"Master's cultivation… it's flowing into me!" Ye Xiaotian's voice trembled with a mix of awe and disbelief. His heart raced as he realized the significance of what was happening.
He recalled his master's words. "Cultivate your soul, not your spiritual energy. You don't need to cultivate spiritual energy because you already possess my entire life's worth of cultivation."
Understanding dawned on him. "That's why Master emphasized soul cultivation! The stronger my soul becomes, the more of his cultivation I can access."
A lump formed in his throat as he thought about Ren Shuang's sacrifices. Memories surfaced his master's calm demeanor, the gentle yet firm tone in his voice, and the way he imparted wisdom without expecting anything in return.
"Master, you've given me everything," Ye Xiaotian whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I won't let your efforts go to waste." He clenched his fists, his gaze burning with newfound determination.
But along with the gratitude came a question what would he do with this power? It wasn't enough to simply grow stronger. He had a duty to uphold Ren Shuang's legacy, to uncover the truth behind his betrayal, and to seek justice for his master. The weight of these thoughts settled on his shoulders like a mantle of responsibility.
As he pondered his newfound strength, a nagging thought crept into his mind. "What if this constant influx of cultivation changes me?" The energy was potent, and while it enhanced his power, it also seemed to alter his perception of the world. His senses were sharper, his thoughts more focused, but there was also a lingering unease.
"Will I lose myself in this power?" he wondered.
Suddenly, a realization struck him, and his expression hardened. "I have to suppress my cultivation. If it increases now, I might accidentally break through to the Divine Vessel Realm before the egg hatches. Master told me to wait until then."
Without hesitation, Ye Xiaotian crossed his legs once more, focusing on suppressing the flow of energy. The effort was immediate and intense. His body trembled as if under great strain, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead, dripping down his pale cheeks. His breathing grew labored, each inhale sharp and each exhale ragged.
"Hnnngh…" he grunted, gritting his teeth as he fought to control the raging energy within him. His meridians pulsed with raw power, threatening to burst free.
The strain was both physical and mental. His muscles ached, his chest tightened, and his mind teetered on the edge of exhaustion. Yet, he endured. For every drop of sweat that fell, a memory of his master's teachings strengthened his resolve.
After what felt like an eternity, Ye Xiaotian finally opened his eyes, taking a deep, shaky breath.
"Huh… huh… huh…" he panted. His chest rose and fell heavily as he tried to steady himself. "It's more taxing than it seems." He wiped the sweat from his brow, his hand trembling slightly.
Turning his gaze toward the silver egg resting nearby, Ye Xiaotian's expression softened. "The only thing I have to do now is wait for you to hatch," he said softly. He walked over to the egg, the grass crunching gently beneath his feet. Reaching out, he placed his hand on its smooth surface, feeling the faint pulse of life within.
The egg felt warm, almost alive. The gentle thrum beneath his fingers was steady and comforting, like the heartbeat of a sleeping giant. It reminded him of his master's presence steady, unwavering, and powerful.
"What kind of creature are you?" he wondered aloud. His master had told him that the egg was even more valuable than the Chaos Fluid, a treasure beyond comprehension.
His thoughts drifted to the green pool near the egg. The water shimmered with a soft glow, its surface rippling gently in the morning breeze.
"Wait!" Ye Xiaotian suddenly exclaimed, his eyes widening in realization. "Doesn't Chaos Fluid enhance soul power and soul root" He smacked his forehead in frustration. "I'm such an idiot!"
Realizing his mistake, he muttered, "I don't need to practice the Ancestral Dragon Soul Hammer technique until I've fully absorbed the Chaos Fluid."
Without wasting another moment, he ran toward the pool and leapt into it with a loud splash.
"Chhapak!" The sound echoed through the quiet spirit world.
The water enveloped him, cool and refreshing. It felt almost silk-like against his skin, soothing his tired body. Ye Xiaotian swam toward the center of the pool, where the water grew darker and colder. The coolness seeped into his bones, invigorating him and washing away the fatigue of the past hours.
As he absorbed more Chaos Fluid, he noticed something peculiar. The hum of life he felt earlier grew stronger. His awareness expanded further, and he could sense the tiniest ripples in the water, the faint rustle of leaves, and even the subtle shift in air currents. It was as if the spirit world itself acknowledged his presence.
"It's deep… really deep," he muttered, shivering slightly as he dove deeper. The pool seemed endless, stretching into a bottomless abyss. The light from the surface faded, leaving him surrounded by darkness.
Satisfied with his exploration, Ye Xiaotian swam back to the shore and sat cross-legged in the pool. "I'll focus on strengthening my spirit root first. Once it transforms into a Chaos Root, I'll resume soul cultivation."
Closing his eyes, he began absorbing the Chaos Fluid. The green liquid shimmered, emitting a gentle glow that swirled around him before seeping into his body. The energy flowed to his dantian, merging with his spirit root. The golden root shimmered with a faint green hue, a sign of its gradual transformation.
"It's working," Ye Xiaotian muttered, a smile tugging at his lips. He calmed his thoughts, entering a meditative state. The spirit world grew silent once more, save for the rhythmic beating of his heart, steady and strong.
Time passed. The golden hues of dawn shifted into the soft light of morning, then faded into the brightness of midday. The gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds filled the air.
Ye Xiaotian's eyelids twitched before slowly opening. His face, once pale, now glowed with a healthy rosiness. He took a deep breath, exhaling with satisfaction.
"Huuuuh…"
He stood up from the pool, stretching his arms. A flicker of energy gathered in his palm, forming a glowing arrow of spiritual energy. The arrow shimmered with vibrant hues, crackling with power.
"Hahahaha!" Ye Xiaotian laughed loudly. "With just half a day of absorbing Chaos Fluid, my control over spiritual energy has improved by leaps and bounds. Even a Soul Awakening Realm expert can't compete with me in terms of control!"
He jumped around excitedly, checking his body. His once purely golden spirit root now had a faint green tint.
"It's transforming into a Chaos Root," he murmured. "Once it fully transforms, I'll be able to reach the limit of the Foundation Establishment Realm with ease and can even suppress more culitvation in my Foundation."
Just as he thought this, his stomach growled loudly.
"Grrawwwl!"
Ye Xiaotian rubbed his belly, chuckling. "Looks like I need food first. But how do I leave this world?"
He glanced toward the black stone. His master had told him it was the gateway between the spirit world and the real world.
"Let's see how it works," he muttered, picking up the stone. He poured a stream of spiritual energy into it. The stone glowed faintly before a swirling black portal materialized in front of him.
"It's working!" he exclaimed, stepping through the portal with a curious expression.
Back in the original world, the sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. The distant roars of spirit beasts echoed through the forest, mingling with the buzzing of insects and the twinkling of fireflies. The valley, once serene, now seemed to hum with a quiet intensity, the rustling leaves and distant howls creating a symphony of life.
Near the small cottage, a black hole appeared, and Ye Xiaotian stepped out of the portal. He took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air. The scent of damp earth and wildflowers filled his nostrils, grounding him in the present moment.
"It worked!" he said, grinning. He glanced around, his eyes scanning the familiar yet subtly different surroundings. The forest seemed more vibrant than before, every sound and movement heightened by his enhanced senses.
"Now, let's find some spirit beasts to eat," he murmured, his stomach growling in agreement.
With a determined expression, he sprinted toward the forest. A gentle spiritual light radiated from his back, illuminating the dark path ahead. The trees loomed tall and ancient, their gnarled branches twisting like old, wizened fingers reaching for the sky. Shadows danced along the forest floor, shifting with the flicker of light from his energy.
As he ventured deeper, Ye Xiaotian closed his eyes momentarily, activating his spiritual senses. His awareness expanded, extending like invisible tendrils through the forest. He could feel the life force of every plant and creature around him, each one a small beacon in the dark.
Suddenly, he detected a powerful presence deeper within the forest. His eyes snapped open, a spark of excitement lighting up his face.
"There you are," he whispered, a grin spreading across his lips. Without hesitation, he adjusted his course and sped toward the presence.
The forest grew denser, the trees thicker and the shadows deeper. The air felt charged with energy, and the distant calls of spirit beasts became more sporadic, as if the creatures were wary of something lurking nearby.
As Ye Xiaotian drew closer, a long, sharp howl pierced the air. The sound reverberated through the forest, carrying both power and warning. Birds took flight from the treetops, their wings beating furiously against the darkening sky.
Ye Xiaotian paused for a moment, his grin widening.
"So, it's as powerful as a Core Formation expert," he murmured. His heart raced with anticipation, and a thrill coursed through his veins. The hum of life around him seemed to pulse in tune with his excitement.
He clenched his fists, feeling the strength in his body coiled and ready to be unleashed.
"It's time to test my new power," he declared, his voice steady and resolute.