After finishing today's cultivation session, I stood to my feet, walked out of the natural cave and inhaled the fresh mountain air. With its vibrant flowers and peaceful silence broken only by the occasional chirping of birds, this mountain was the perfect place for me to cultivate. It was nestled right beside Wuhen Forest and not far from our village.
Ever since my Spirit Awakening, I had cultivated every day—waking up early to begin my routine and ending each session as the sun set. Without fail, I followed this daily routine.
According to the book I'd read, most people reached the Spirit Mark stage a week after their Spirit Awakening.
And today marked exactly one week.
Yet, I still hadn't felt any sign of breaking through. Maybe I just needed a few more days.
Right?
I walked slowly down the mountain, taking my time to admire the blooming flowers and the beauty of nature along the path.
I realized I liked this world more than the Earth I once knew—with its smoke-filled cities and endless noise. Sure, that chaos was proof of technological advancement, but this place had its own charm. There were no high-speed trains or electricity here. People lit their homes and streets with candles and lanterns, and traveled in beast-drawn carriages. A simpler life, but not without its wonders.
When I arrived home, I spotted a letter placed neatly on the table. It looked like one from the village school. I smiled as I picked it up and unfolded the paper.
Dear sister,
Its your cute and handsome little brother, Duan Yu. I wrote a letter to inform you that I've been doing well here in school. Everybody's been nice to me so far, and no ones bullying me. And I learned how to take the world's energy already! How amazing is that?! I am so excited to see you again so that I can show you how it is done. Also, Next month we'll be our first try in taming our first ever beast and I'm so excited. I'm definitely going to tame the very best beast they show us, and then when the time comes and exams over and that I can finally go back home, I'll show you my tamed beast.
Love, Xiaoyu
I smiled and carefully placed the letter in the hidden box beneath the bed. I also want to write back to him, but the money I had left now is dangerously low. The few coins I'd earned from selling those herbs were slowly dwindling. Maybe I'll go back to the outer ring to find some medicinal herbs to sell or If luck was on my side, I might even stumble and find a magical flower or two, those sold for much more.
After eating, I sat cross-legged on the bed and began to cultivate, steadying my breath as I focused inward.
I guided my breath slowly in and out, drawing in the faint spiritual energy lingering in the air. It was thin here in the village, nothing like the dense flow near the forest or the mountain, but it was enough to sustain the foundation I'd built.
I didn't realize that I cultivated the entire night, until I heard my stomach growling. I stood up, grabbed a few copper coins and went outside.
I stepped out and notice that the village streets are already bustling with people. I must have been very emersed in my cultivation, that I didn't even heard the noises outside. Well, I didn't even notice how hungry I was until my stomach complained in hunger.
I found Grandma Leng's store and sat down at the worn down chair. "Grandma, I'll take one bowl of noodles." I said and placed the few coins I bought with me.
"Oh, Yanyan, you're here." Grandma Leng approached me slowly, bringing with her a bowl of noodles, and setting it in front of me.
"Yes, " I started. "I'm going to spend my last bit of coins left in your store Grandma, hehe." I joked.
"You.." Grandma Leng sighed, patting my head lightly as I eat my noodles.
"You should bring Xiaoyu here when he comes home, okay? I'll treat you siblings. Consider it my gift for Xiaoyu getting accepted."
"Okay, Grandma Leng, I'll definitely bring him here. Then we'll show you Xiaoyu's contracted beast." I said, feeling a little proud.
"Right, right." Grandma Leng replied with a smile.
I placed the empty bowl down gently and stood up, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
"Alright Grandma leng, I'll get going first. I'll be heading to the mountains near Wuhen Forests today," I said.
"It's quieter there, and the spiritual energy is way better than at home."
Grandma Leng nodded knowingly. "Ah, the old cultivation grounds. Be careful, child. That area may be peaceful, but it's still part of the wild."
"I will," I assured her with a smile. "I know the path like the back of my hand by now."
I stepped out of the store, the sun slowly rising. Walking in the same familiar and muddy path, the breeze carried the faint scent of pine and dew. It must have rained last night.
When I reached the foot of the mountain, I noticed a man lying motionless on the ground—unconscious, facedown. His body was sprawled awkwardly across the dirt path, making it impossible to see his face.
I froze.
My heart skipped. Was he hurt? or dead?
Cautiously, I stepped closer, my shoes crunching softly against the gravel. The air was still, heavy with tension. I hesitated, unsure if I should call for help or check on him myself.
"Hello?" I called out, my voice trembling slightly.
No response.
I look around me and spotted a broken twigs nearby. I picked it up then went to poke his back lightly.
No reaction.
Still not moving.
I inched closer, my heart beating a little faster. Kneeling beside him, I hesitated for a moment, then slowly reached out and turned his body to face upward.
I froze.
"Mr. Shen?!" I exclaimed, my voice sharp with shock.
I stared, wide-eyed, at the familiar handsome face before me—our infamously nasty professor. What on earth was he doing here… in this world?
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Hesitantly, I reached out and touched his face, it was warm and solid beneath my fingertips. I shuddered.
This wasn't a dream or an illusion, He's real.