Chapter 3: The Friend

Days turned into weeks, and Ethan settled into a routine of training, studying, and meditating. Mei was a strict but kind taskmaster, guiding him through the basics of cultivation and helping him hone his skills. But despite her guidance, Ethan couldn't help feeling a sense of isolation in this new world. He longed for someone to share his passion for martial arts, to spar with and learn from.

One day, as he was wandering the gardens of the Lowell Estate, he heard the sound of clashing swords in the distance. Curious, he followed the sound to a secluded training ground, where he saw a young man of his own age, fiercely swinging a longsword with dazzling skill. His movements were fluid and precise, his eyes sharp and focused, and Ethan was immediately drawn to him.

As the young man finished his routine and wiped the sweat from his brow, Ethan approached him, tentatively. "Excuse me, but... I couldn't help but notice your swordsmanship. You're very skilled."

The young man turned to him, his eyes brightening in recognition. "Ah, you must be Ethan. I've heard about you from Mei. I'm Jin Wei. Nice to meet you."

Ethan felt a thrill of excitement at the thought of making a new friend, especially one who shared his love of martial arts. Jin Wei was an open and friendly person, eager to share his knowledge and spar with Ethan. They quickly became fast friends, spending hours each day practicing and exchanging techniques.

As they trained, Ethan learned that Jin Wei was the second son of a minor noble family, but he had run away from home to pursue his dream of becoming a great cultivator. He was a natural talent, with a gift for swordsmanship and a deep understanding of the principles of cultivation. Ethan admired Jin Wei's dedication and passion, and they bonded over their shared goal of becoming immortal cultivators.

But as they sparred and trained together, Ethan began to sense a darkness within Jin Wei. There were moments when he would suddenly become silent and withdrawn, his eyes clouded with a deep sadness. Ethan tried to reach out to him, to ask him what was wrong, but Jin Wei always seemed to evade his questions.

Despite the mystery surrounding Jin Wei, Ethan couldn't help feeling a sense of loyalty and friendship towards him. They were two young cultivators, both striving towards the same goal. He was determined to help Jin Wei in any way he could, to be the friend that he needed.

As they finished their training for the day, Jin Wei sheathed his sword and turned to Ethan, his expression serious. "Thank you, my friend. I feel that I can trust you, more than anyone else. There's something I need to tell you, something that I've kept hidden for too long."

Ethan listened intently as Jin Wei revealed the truth about his past, a tale of tragedy and loss that had driven him to pursue the path of cultivation. Ethan felt a deep sense of empathy and compassion towards his friend, and vowed to stand by him no matter what.

As they parted ways for the evening, Ethan felt a newfound sense of purpose and connection. He had found a friend in this strange new world, someone he could rely on and trust. Together, they would conquer the path of cultivation, and become the greatest cultivators the world had ever seen.