The silence in the small chamber was suffocating after Bai Xing's departure. I had nothing to do but wait for the array to open, my mind a whirl of calculated anticipation. Many cultivators approached me, their gazes sharp with curiosity, inquiring about "Liang Tianyu," Bai Xing's ingenious alias. I simply repeated the pre-arranged script, a string of carefully chosen half-truths. No one grew suspicious; the allure of the inheritance was a potent narcotic, blinding them to anything beyond their own avarice.
Once the array opened, I stepped into the Spiritual World, a realm teeming with vibrant energies and hidden dangers. I joined the Blossom Spirit Sect, one of the three great sects, renowned not only for its profound spiritual techniques and ancient heritage but also for being an exclusive institution for female cultivators, specializing in the esoteric Water and Flower Dao. It was there, amidst the whispers and scrolls, that I first learned of Bai Xing being on the wanted list. A cold knot of fear twisted in my gut, but the subsequent news that he remained uncaptured brought a wave of immense relief. He was safe, for now. A thought solidified in my mind, hardening into an unshakeable resolve: I had to become strong, strong enough to protect him, just as he had once protected me back then, when my world crumbled around me.
My cultivation progressed swiftly, aided by the sect's unique environment that resonated deeply with my innate talents. I broke through the Golden Core stage, then the Nascent Soul, becoming a core disciple within the Blossom Spirit Sect. Fifteen years I spent in secluded cultivation, meticulously refining my nascent soul until it pulsed with an age and power that whispered of the Nascent Soul middle layer breakthrough. My techniques, born from the fusion of Water and Flower Dao, were unique. I had mastered the Thousand Petal Shield, a defensive art that converted incoming attacks into dissipating spiritual energy, and the Flowing Lotus Strike, a precise, silent offensive technique that struck like a blooming, razor-sharp petal. But before I could achieve that ultimate breakthrough, the sect trial competition loomed.
It was mandatory for all core disciples, especially within a great sect like ours, where the pursuit of excellence was paramount. The top fifteen would earn the coveted right to join the grand tournament involving all three great sects. I wasn't interested in the fanfare or the glory. My focus had shifted; cultivation wasn't just about personal advancement anymore. It was about forging an impenetrable shield, a bastion to protect what I held most precious. Yet, as a core disciple of a great sect, my participation was non-negotiable, a duty to the sect's prestige and the collective honor of our sisterhood.
The Blossom Spirit Sect's trial grounds buzzed with an almost palpable energy. Young female cultivators, their faces a mix of ambition and nervousness, prepared for their bouts, their spiritual energies shimmering with various hues of water and floral essence. I stood apart, observing, my inner world a calm lake reflecting the tumultuous storm outside.
The first four matches were uneventful, almost a blur. My opponents, all early to mid-Nascent Soul cultivators from within our own esteemed sect, their techniques grounded in either the flowing grace of Water Dao or the intricate power of Flower Dao, were dispatched with minimal effort. They would launch their standard sect techniques – perhaps a 'Water Serpent Lash' or a 'Thorn Blossom Bind' – but my Thousand Petal Shield would effortlessly absorb their force, and a single, swift Flowing Lotus Strike would often be enough to render them incapable of continuing. Their techniques, though flashy, lacked true substance against my refined soul power, which had begun to subtly blend both aspects into a more cohesive, lethal whole. The elders on the high platform, initially indifferent, began to stir, their gazes lingering on me. Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Who is that girl? Li Mei, isn't it?"
"Her control over spiritual energy is exquisite, almost ethereal. Like a blooming flower, yet capable of crushing stone. She perfectly embodies both Water and Flower Dao. Did you see that precise Flowing Lotus Strike?"
"To think, such a talent has emerged from our sect. Her progress has been astonishing, especially with her mastery of the Thousand Petal Shield."
"She truly embodies the spirit of our sect. She will surely bring glory to us in the coming tournament."
The final match arrived, and my opponent stepped onto the stage. She was a late-Nascent Soul cultivator named Jia Li, her aura radiating a mature power, specifically a formidable command over the more destructive aspects of the Water Dao. Her eyes, unlike the others, held a keen intelligence and a subtle challenge. She was no ordinary disciple, even by the standards of a great sect.
"Li Mei, I've heard much about you," Jia Li said, her voice clear and resonant, carrying across the arena. "Your quick victories have certainly impressed the elders and the sect master. Your integration of Flower Dao and the versatility of your techniques are quite unique."
I gave a curt nod, my expression serene. "And you, Jia Li. Your cultivation is commendable, a testament to your diligence in the Water Dao. I look forward to testing your 'Crushing Wave Palm'."
The elder presiding over the match, Sect Mistress Lin, raised her hand, then brought it down with a resounding thud. "Begin!"
Jia Li moved first, a torrent of green spiritual energy erupting from her, forming a swirling vortex of sharp wind blades. Each blade hummed with destructive intent, aimed squarely at my vital points. This was no mere wind; it was compressed water essence, sharp as honed steel, a powerful, direct assault meant to overwhelm. Her signature 'Crushing Wave Palm' followed instantly, a shimmering, solidified wave of spiritual water rushing towards me.
I remained still, my spiritual energy coalescing around me, not merely as a shroud, but manifesting as the Thousand Petal Shield. A vortex of shimmering, delicate petals formed around me, each petal a miniature defensive array. I allowed the wind blades to impact, their keen edges grating against my spiritual defense. A few managed to pierce the outer layer of petals, leaving shallow, stinging cuts on my arms, but nothing significant. The Crushing Wave Palm struck the core of my shield, a dull thud echoing through the arena as the massive wave of spiritual energy was dissipated, petal by petal. My own spiritual energy, infused with the resilience of a lotus root and the flowing adaptability of water, absorbed the brunt.
"A simple defense won't win this, Li Mei!" Jia Li shouted, her eyes narrowing, a flicker of surprise evident within them at my shield's resilience. She compressed her spiritual energy further, and the wind blades merged into a single, massive emerald spear, whistling through the air with terrifying speed. This was her true attack, a technique honed over years, a condensed spear of pure Water Dao cutting force. This time, she infused it with the remnant force of her Crushing Wave Palm, making it even more potent.
My eyes flickered. I didn't evade. Instead, I met the spear head-on. My spiritual energy condensed, not into a solid shield, but into a flowing, intricate pattern, like a blossoming lotus, its petals formed from shimmering water and delicate floral energies – my improved Flowing Lotus Strike, but used defensively. The emerald spear struck, and for a moment, the two opposing forces locked in a silent struggle. The air crackled, the ground beneath us trembled, spiritual essence distorting the very light.
I felt a surge of immense pressure, a force pushing against my very soul. Jia Li's late-Nascent Soul cultivation was indeed formidable, her control over her techniques honed to a razor's edge. My spiritual lotus began to fray at the edges, small cracks appearing in its delicate structure. I gritted my teeth, pushing more of my energy, but it wasn't enough. With a final, agonizing groan of protesting spiritual energy, my lotus shattered.
The emerald spear, though weakened, still surged forward, its tip barely grazing my chest. The impact wasn't enough to cause serious injury, but it sent a sharp jolt through me, throwing me back a few steps. I stumbled, my breath catching in my throat.
Sect Mistress Lin's voice boomed, "Jia Li wins!"
A collective gasp swept through the crowd, followed by a roar of applause, louder than any before. I took a deep breath, regulating my spiritual energy. I had lost, but it was a calculated loss. I had tested my limits against a true late-Nascent Soul cultivator from our own esteemed sect, a master of the Water Dao, and the insights gained were invaluable. Even in defeat, there was progress, a clearer path forward. I secured the 7th rank in the trials, while Jia Li came in at 5th. The top spot, the 1st rank, was claimed by Mei Lin, a peak-Nascent Soul cultivator specializing in the rare Sunpetal Dao, known for her scorching attacks and impenetrable defenses.
After the trials concluded, all the cultivators chosen to represent the sect in the upcoming grand tournament were gathered. The elders began discussing the strengths and weaknesses of cultivators from the other two great sects, their voices a low drone of strategic analysis. I wasn't paying much attention, my mind still replaying the nuances of my battle with Jia Li, until a name, startlingly familiar, cut through the background noise.
"From the Heaven Spirit Sect," Elder Wei began, his voice laced with grudging admiration, "Liang Tianyu has made both Golden Core and Nascent Soul Breakthrough Pills, truly an unprecedented feat. Moreover, he ranked 10th at their trials, a remarkable achievement. He even defeated Xiao Zheng, a late-Nascent Soul core disciple, with his own Nascent Soul middle layer cultivation, solidifying his position. Xiao Zheng is now ranked 11th. The top nine cultivators from the Heaven Spirit Sect are all in the late-Nascent Soul realm: Guang Li (1st), Chen Wei (2nd), Su Fang (3rd), Lei Ming (4th), Qing Ya (5th), Hong Xiu (6th), Ming Yue (7th), Zhen Dao (8th), and Xuan Yi (9th).
My heart pounded, a strange mix of exhilaration and fierce determination washing over me. Sixteen years. Sixteen years since I had last seen him, since our paths had diverged so drastically. A small, almost imperceptible smile touched my lips, a silent promise whispered to the winds.
"After nearly sixteen years, we are finally meeting again," I murmured inwardly, a fierce glint in my eyes, a sense of destiny weaving around me. "This time, I won't lose."