The two of us had formed a plan after hours of tense deliberation. Clara may not have known the true nature of the creature stalking us, but I did—I knew exactly what it was.
A six-star illusion plant—deceptive, cunning, and deadly. Its presence was subtle, veiled by the illusions it created to confuse its prey. Unbeknownst to her, it had been tailing us silently, casting mirages in our wake, each one a trap meant to mislead and isolate. Fortunately, we had managed to slip into its blind spot, hidden for the time being. But it would eventually follow again, tracing the faint remnants of our spiritual presence.
Our plan was bold, perhaps even foolish. I would part with one of my cherished swords—an heirloom, once wielded by a fallen hero—and use it as bait to distract the plant. It would chase the weapon, drawn by the residual energy imbued within the blade. The idea was to lure the plant into its own illusion, causing it to spiral in confusion.
The decision was painful. That sword wasn't just a tool; it was a piece of history, a relic of the valor and sacrifice of those who came before me. Giving it up was like cutting a piece of my soul away. Thirteen swords remained, and though I tried to remain composed, my heart bled with the loss.
But it was better this way. If we didn't use the sword, one of us would have to be the decoy. And I refused to let Clara be the one.
Even if she was cunning, mischievous, and often teased me, I had grown unexpectedly fond of her. Together, we had climbed through hardship, survived ambushes, and learned to trust one another. We weren't just allies anymore—we were bound by experience, by trial, and perhaps something deeper.
We scaled a massive tree and nestled within its thick branches, hiding in absolute silence. My hand hovered near my remaining swords, every muscle tense. But before I could react, a subtle aura crept toward us.
Too late.
Clara had sensed it even before I did—a four-star serpent slithering in the dark. With a swift and deadly strike, she beheaded it before it could lunge. We exhaled in unison, relieved yet still on edge. The forest was alive with predators, and danger never truly faded.
Hours passed slowly. The tension was palpable until finally, we saw it. The Plant. Towering, monstrous, with vast violet petals that shimmered ominously under the moonlight. It stood in the clearing like a nightmare blooming.
Without hesitation, I activated the sword I had left behind. The blade resonated with my control, dancing through the air as I guided it with my will. The illusion plant noticed and took the bait, chasing it mindlessly through the trees. The plan worked.
Clara and I ran. For hours, we sprinted through the thick forest. My stamina faltered—I couldn't keep pace with her. Without a word, she reached back and grabbed my hand, pulling me along effortlessly. Her expression was unreadable, determined yet quiet.
Eventually, she let go. We had escaped. The plant had been fooled, and we were safe, at least for now.
The remainder of our journey passed without further threat. Yet my mood remained somber. That sword… I hadn't realized how much it meant to me until it was gone. Each of my blades carried a legacy, a soul, a story. Losing one was like losing a friend.
And then, at last, we arrived.
The Pond.
It glistened like liquid crystal under the sunlight, untouched by the filth of the world. No monster dared approach it. They would come close, observe it, then retreat. There was something sacred about it—something powerful.
Temptation stirred in me. The waters were so pure, so inviting, that I was drawn to dive in. But I knew better. The pond's depths were endless, both physically and spiritually. A careless swim could mean eternal entrapment.
Clara stood beside me, rubbing her temples in frustration. The road here had not been easy. So many monsters lurked nearby, too many battles fought. And yet, here we stood, victorious.
I closed my eyes and began to cultivate.
The Qi of the pond was unlike anything I had ever encountered—radiant, abundant, unimaginably pure. As I absorbed it, my body and soul resonated with its rhythm. My spiritual energy surged, refined by the purity of the water. Clara stood guard, vigilant, ensuring nothing interrupted the process.
One hour. Two hours. Time became meaningless. Three hours passed. Seven. Then ten. It all blurred into a meditative trance.
I felt it: the threshold of a breakthrough. The heavens trembled in response.
Outside the pond, danger stirred. Clara noticed it first. The monsters had gathered. They knew what I was doing. Greedy and enraged, the 4- and 5-star beasts attacked, hoping to claim the sacred energy for themselves.
But Clara stood unyielding. Sword in hand, eyes blazing, she fought without rest. A mountain of corpses formed around the pond, silent witnesses to her strength.
Two days passed.
Clara, battered and weary, still fought. She never wavered.
And then—it happened.
A beam of light descended upon me, piercing the skies. My body trembled as the energies of heaven and earth converged. I had broken through.
Foundation Establishment.
But not just any breakthrough. It was perfect.
The impurities that normally required the Nascent Soul realm to purge had already been cleansed from my body. My physical strength had increased fivefold. And my Qi—oh, my Qi—wasn't just True Qi. It was something more. Something purer.
I tested it, extending my spiritual energy outward. if i grabbed a hold of a hundred swords. I felt no strain, no resistance. My Qi depletion was minimal. With every Strike, every motion, I could feel the raw power coursing through me.
Clara watched, both relieved and exasperated. She sighed, dragging me to my feet.
"We're not staying a second longer," she muttered, half-exhausted.
I nodded, glancing one last time at the pond that had transformed me. It had been a crucible, a blessing, and a battlefield. The journey ahead was still long, but now,
I'm much Stronger making the Dark forest easier to escape.