The crisp wind brushed against Tianyu's face as he rode his Fleetpaw Drakon along the winding road, its paws gliding effortlessly over the uneven terrain. The world stretched before him, vast and unyielding, yet his mind was trapped within the confines of his own fragmented memories. Every moment of solitude seemed to draw him deeper into the echoes of his past life—the betrayal, the grandeur of the **9th Heavenly Realm**, and the figure of a woman whose name eluded him.
"Who was she?" Tianyu muttered under his breath, his frustration palpable. Her face, kind and resolute, lingered in his thoughts like a flame refusing to be extinguished. "She trusted me… I promised her something, didn't I? But what? And now… she could be in danger."
The thought sent a pang of urgency through him, a silent reminder of the clock ticking against him. He had less than six months to reach Silverleaf City and register for the sect trials. Every step forward felt like both a race against time and a journey toward reclaiming the fragments of himself he had lost.
*"I need to get stronger,"* he thought, clenching his fists. *"For her, for my past, for what's to come."*
----
The sun was high in the sky when Tianyu encountered a small caravan of merchants traveling in the opposite direction. Their wagons, laden with goods, creaked under the weight as their guards eyed him warily.
"Ho, traveler!" one of the merchants called out, a wide smile on his face. "You look like someone with a purpose. Where are you headed?"
Tianyu pulled the reins of his mount, bringing the Fleetpaw Drakon to a halt. "The next city," he replied simply. "I need to get there as quickly as possible. Do you know the fastest route?"
The merchant scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Well, the main road will take you there in a week, maybe more with how winding it is. But…" He hesitated, lowering his voice. "There's a path through the mountains to the east. It's called the **Veiled Hollow**—a shortcut, but rarely traveled. Dangerous, they say. Treacherous terrain, spirit beasts… Not for the faint of heart or the weak of cultivation."
Tianyu's eyes narrowed. "And it's faster?"
The merchant nodded. "Cut the time in half, but you'll have to fight for every step. Lower cultivators don't make it back alive."
"I'll take it," Tianyu said without hesitation, earning a look of surprise from the merchant.
"Well, good luck to you, lad," the merchant said, shaking his head. "May the heavens watch over you."
The path into the mountains was steep and unforgiving, the jagged rocks like teeth ready to bite at the unwary. Tianyu guided his mount carefully, the Drakon's nimble movements a blessing on such treacherous terrain. The higher he climbed, the more the world seemed to change—thick mist clung to the air, veiling the forest below in an eerie shroud.
As Tianyu delved deeper into the hollow, his ring began to pulse faintly. The sensation was subtle at first, but it grew stronger with each step, like a silent guide urging him forward.
"What is it, Ao Shun?" Tianyu muttered, glancing at the ring. "What are you trying to show me?"
The ring offered no response, but the faint tug on his spirit was undeniable. It led him through winding paths and dense thickets, his journey punctuated by encounters with spirit beasts.
The first was a **Cragtail Lynx**, its sleek body rippling with power as it leaped from the shadows. Tianyu's crystalline sword flashed, its blade carving through the air with precision as he parried the beast's strike. Though the lynx was in the **Qi Coalescence Low Stage**, Tianyu defeated it with relative ease, his growing strength and refined techniques shining through.
Each battle was a lesson, a trial that tempered both his body and spirit. Lesser spirit herbs and fruits dotted the hollow, their energies supplementing his cultivation as he pressed onward. Yet the ring's guidance never wavered, pulling him deeper into the valley's heart.
It was at a narrow pass, where the cliffs loomed like watchful sentinels, that Tianyu encountered another traveler. The figure stood with a relaxed posture, a sword resting against his shoulder. His dark cloak swayed in the wind, and his sharp eyes regarded Tianyu with faint amusement.
"Another one drawn to the Veiled Hollow's depths," the man said, his tone laced with sarcasm. "You're either brave or foolish. Which is it?"
Tianyu dismounted, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword. "That depends. Are you here to cause trouble?"
The man chuckled, shaking his head. "Trouble? No. But I will take what's inside this valley. So if you're here for the same thing… I'd suggest turning back."
Tianyu smirked, his stance shifting subtly. "I've never been one to turn back."
Their words gave way to action, swords clashing in a brief but intense exchange. The man's strikes were fluid and deliberate, a testament to his experience, while Tianyu's movements were sharp and calculated, his **Coiling Flash** technique forcing his opponent to stay on guard.
When their blades finally stilled, the man sheathed his sword with a sigh. "Not bad, kid. But you're still outmatched. Leave the valley before you get yourself killed."
As the man turned to leave, Tianyu felt the ring pulse again, its pull guiding him in the same direction. He stared after his adversary, his frustration mounting. "You've got to be kidding me. What is it with you, Ao Shun? Why does it have to be this way?"
With a resigned sigh, Tianyu pressed onward, determined to uncover what the ring sought.
----
The valley opened into a lush clearing, where the air was thick with spiritual energy. At its center stood the source—a **Starspirit Vine**, its branches heavy with fruit that glowed faintly, their power palpable even from a distance. The ring's pull intensified, confirming that this was its target.
Tianyu wasn't alone. Several cultivators had gathered around the vine, their auras radiating strength. Most were in the **Qi Coalescence Stage**, ranging from low to peak, though Tianyu sensed a few presences even stronger than that. They paid him little attention, dismissing him as unworthy of their concern.
Keeping a low profile, Tianyu's gaze swept over the clearing, noting the tense standoff among the cultivators. His attention was drawn to a familiar figure—his previous adversary, standing at the edge of the gathering with an air of quiet confidence.
Tianyu approached, his curiosity outweighing his caution. "So, what's the story here?"
The man sighed, clearly annoyed by Tianyu's persistence. "You just can't take a hint, can you?"
"Not when there's something to learn," Tianyu quipped.
Reluctantly, the man explained. "That vine bears the **Astral Nectar Fruit**, a rare spirit fruit that harmonizes body and soul. It's essential for cultivators attempting to ascend to the **Astral Ascension Stage** or beyond. Even one fruit can push someone to peak **Nascent Soul Realm**, or higher if their foundation is solid."
Tianyu's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. *"If I could get even one of those fruits… I could push my cultivation further than I thought possible."* But the sheer number of cultivators—and the power they radiated—made his chest tighten. *"Can I even compete?"*
He decided to wait, observing silently as the days passed and the fruit ripened. Its overwhelming aroma filled the air, the power radiating from the vine growing more intense with each passing moment.
On the third day, as the cultivators prepared for the fruits to ripen, the earth trembled violently. The ground beneath their feet cracked, and distant howls echoed through the valley.
Tianyu's grip tightened on his sword as the first wave of beasts emerged from the shadows—a **horde of spirit beasts**, drawn by the vine's energy. Their eyes glowed with primal hunger, their roars shaking the air.
The cultivators sprang into action, their weapons flashing as they fought to hold back the onslaught. Tianyu joined the fray, his blade cutting through the chaos with precision. Each strike felt like a test of his resolve, the weight of his decisions bearing down on him.
Amidst the chaos, Tianyu glanced at the vine, its fruits still not fully ripened. *"If I survive this… will I have the strength to take what I need?"*
The battle raged on, and the valley descended into a maelstrom of Qi and fury.