The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over Nuoding City. The academy's spires stood tall against the horizon, a distant reminder of the life Tang San had begun. It had only been a few weeks since his first spirit ring absorption, but every day felt like an eternity. His path was clear, but the journey was slow.
In the heart of the city, Tang San moved carefully through the crowded streets, his face hidden beneath a wide straw hat. He knew better than to attract attention—being a student of the academy and an orphan without much background made him an easy target for those looking to exploit others. But Tang San didn't mind. He had bigger plans in mind.
He had chosen this path for a reason. The black stone within his dantian pulsed softly with its mysterious power, its influence growing each day. It wasn't overwhelming yet, but Tang San could sense that the stone was guiding him, pushing him to work harder, be more patient, to cultivate not just his spirit but his mind and body as well.
It was an odd sensation. Almost like there was something—or someone—watching him. The stone wasn't just a tool. It felt alive. Sometimes, in his quiet moments, he could almost hear whispers in the back of his mind, though he could never make out the words. His connection to the stone was still murky, and he knew better than to trust its power blindly. Tang San had learned long ago that power—especially mysterious power—could be both a gift and a curse.
Nuoding's Streets
Tang San's day began with the grind of the city's labor market. He worked under a blacksmith, honing his skills in a workshop that specialized in weapon forging. The work was grueling, and while the physical labor didn't compare to the trials he had endured in the Spirit Hunting Forest, it was taxing in its own way. Every strike of the hammer, every piece of metal he shaped, was an opportunity to improve himself. The rhythmic motion of the hammer hitting metal gave him focus, helped calm his mind.
In the evenings, when the workshop closed, Tang San would sit by the dim light of a small lantern and practice his Blue Silver Grass techniques in the back alley behind the blacksmith's shop. No one in the city knew of his true potential, nor did he want them to. The people in Nuoding were simple—most had no concept of the world of spirit beasts, rings, or cultivation that he had been thrust into. And that was fine with him.
Increased Talent
The stone in his dantian continued to enhance his spirit power in subtle ways, each day incrementally increasing his potential. His Blue Silver Grass was no longer just a vine—it had begun to take on a life of its own, responding to his will with greater clarity and precision. The first spirit ring he had absorbed still pulsed faintly, but it wasn't enough to fully unlock his potential. Not yet.
Tang San's body and mind were undergoing a gradual transformation. He could feel the weight of the stone's influence on him. The Karmic Vein Technique was a slow and steady process, allowing his body to absorb the essence of the world around him. But it was also beginning to connect him to something larger, something more complex. The energy flowed slowly through his meridians, fortifying his foundation, and in turn, his Blue Silver Grass responded to it.
What impressed him most was the fact that the stone allowed him to absorb more spirit power each time. His cultivation pace had accelerated, but in a way that was sustainable. It was as if the stone was carefully guiding him, ensuring that he didn't reach beyond his grasp.
The biggest change, however, was in his perception. He could sense the ebb and flow of spirit power in the world around him, something that only true geniuses or those with extraordinary talent could detect. He wasn't just absorbing power—he was beginning to understand how to manipulate it.
Conversations with Xiao Wu
Evenings were often spent with Xiao Wu. The two had grown close since their first meeting. While Tang San was quieter and more focused on his training, Xiao Wu's energetic personality often pulled him out of his shell.
One evening, as they sat together in the quiet courtyard behind the blacksmith's workshop, Xiao Wu looked at Tang San with a curious expression.
"You're different, Tang San. I can see it," she said, her voice filled with concern. "Ever since we returned from the Spirit Hunting Forest, you've been distant, like you're... thinking too much. What's going on?"
Tang San paused, his gaze shifting toward the setting sun. He had no intention of sharing the truth with her—not yet. But he couldn't ignore the bond they had formed.
"It's nothing," he said softly. "Just thinking about the future."
Xiao Wu tilted her head. "The future?"
Tang San nodded. "There's so much to learn, so much to do. We've only just begun."
She didn't press him further. Instead, she smiled and leaned back, staring up at the stars. "Well, I'll be here to help you, Tang San. You don't have to carry everything alone."
Her words lingered in his mind long after she had gone back to her room for the night. Despite his inner turmoil and the increasing weight of the mysterious stone, Xiao Wu's unwavering support was something he couldn't ignore. It was strange, though. He had no desire to grow attached to anyone, yet Xiao Wu's presence made it harder for him to distance himself.
The Weight of Fate
That night, Tang San lay awake, staring at the ceiling of his small room. The stone in his dantian pulsed again, as if reminding him of its presence. The whispers in his mind grew stronger, though still unintelligible. There was no way he could ignore it any longer. The stone wasn't just enhancing his power—it was guiding him, controlling his path. The slow, steady accumulation of energy was like a force that pulled him forward, urging him to continue.
He didn't know who had left it for him—or why.
But Tang San had made a promise to himself. He would grow stronger, and when the time came, he would break free from the chains of fate, just as he had in his past life. He couldn't afford to be weak again, not when he knew what awaited him in the God Realm.
The Hidden Power Within
But the path wasn't as simple as just growing stronger. Tang San could feel the weight of something more behind the stone. Sometimes, when his mind wandered during meditation, he would see flashes of images—glimpses of a cloaked figure, shadows of an unknown place. He could almost feel that someone was watching him. Guiding him. But who?
For now, he focused on the task at hand. He wasn't yet ready for a second spirit ring. His first ring was only a foundation. His focus was on improving his body and his spirit, slowly, methodically, building towards a goal he wasn't sure of yet. He didn't know why the stone had chosen him or what its true purpose was. But it was a force he couldn't ignore.
And one way or another, he would uncover the truth.
End of Chapter 5