TREE***
'Yeah, let's just cultivate for a while...'
Tiandi remained seated in the lotus position, his eyes closed as he pretended to focus on his cultivation, all the while avoiding any interaction with the young lady who had disrupted his journey up the heaven-earth tempering pathway.
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Jin Jinjing, the sect master's direct disciple, was experiencing a great sense of distress on this particular day.
While she usually juggled both cultivation and sect affairs with ease, today was different. Her concentration was eluding her, and her worries were weighing over her.
In recent days, her concerns had grown significantly.
Firstly, her former fiance, who had suddenly become a cultivation cripple, not only recovered but also demonstrated an increase in his cultivation. This unexpected turn of events had left her puzzled and concerned.
Furthermore, certain elders who had once criticized her when her fiance, Ye Chen, lost his cultivation were now questioning her judgment. They accused her of being short-sighted in breaking off the engagement.
'To begin with, I only did what was necessary as the chief disciple!' she thought to herself, feeling great annoyance at the criticism.
'If I had shown excessive deference to the Ye family when ending the engagement, those elders would have continued to pressure me for years!'
'And now they dare to suggest that I should have been more respectful toward a genius like Ye Chen! As if our sect lacks its own share of prodigies!'
As she grappled with these thoughts, Jin Jinjing noticed a teenage boy approaching the heaven-earth tempering pathway, causing her to momentarily set aside her concerns.
'That... should be the boy Elder Huang brought...'
When Elder Huang, a prominent candidate for the next grand elder position, had brought the boy to the sect, there had been some initial expectations.
However, after Elder Huang abandoned him, the boy's presence faded from the memories of most sect members.
"Interesting..."
Jin Jinjing couldn't help but be intrigued as she observed the youth, who appeared to be around her age. A faint smile graced her lips, concealing her ambitions and curiosity, which she kept hidden from the prying eyes of others.
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'Is that it?'
Jin Jinjing couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment as she watched the boy halt his progress on the 24th step, which was considered the initial challenge of the Heaven-earth tempering pathway.
'What a let-down...' she thought, expecting a bit more from the youth.
However, just as she was about to divert her attention away from the boy, he surprised her by resuming his ascent.
This time, there was a notable change in his demeanor.
The boy climbed the Heaven-earth tempering pathway without a hint of emotion on his face, his pace unwavering as he ignored everyone around him.
'Is this arrogance? Or perhaps, is it simply indifference?' Jin Jinjing mused, intrigued by the transformation in the boy's demeanor.
As he continued to approach her, she noticed that his eyes had a faint emerald glow, which added an element of intrigue to his visage.
'Nevertheless... interesting... truly interesting!'
"...You..."
Jin Jinjing called out to the boy, expecting a response. However, to her surprise, he merely looked at her, his expression still devoid of emotion. It was as though he hadn't even heard her.
'What's up with him not even answering me?'
"Huh?"
Inexplicably, despite being in her presence and having drawn her attention, the boy sat down in the lotus position and began to cultivate, as if completely ignoring her existence.
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I had a dream about being a tree.
In peaceful grasslands, I stood alone as a majestic tree.
Day in, day out, I simply absorbed nature's nourishment and grew further.
But, over time my growth slowly came to a halt... However, that's alright.
After all, I'm happy just being here, in these peaceful lands
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But then...
A storm arrived.
It began as a mild breeze, turning to strong winds.
And as dark clouds gathered... Lightning struck me.
one of my branches burned to ashes, however, a new one soon grew to replace it.
The lightning struck again and again, yet I persevered.
And once the clouds cleared, I grew even more.
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"All disciples, step back!"
The elder's commanding shout snapped Jin Jingjing out of her thoughts, prompting her to retreat from the Heaven-earth tempering pathway.
"Greetings, Disciple Jin."
Facing the man in front of her, Jinjing's brow furrowed slightly.
"Greetings, Elder Huang..."
Elder Huang was known for his neutral stance within the sect, not because he avoided involvement in politics, but simply because he didn't seem to care about much of anything. It was precisely this carefree and chaotic temperament that Jinjing found irksome.
"Are you here to witness your disciple's breakthrough?" she inquired with a polite smile, despite her inner reservations about him.
"That guy? He's not my disciple. I just happened to stumble upon a commotion while fooling around," Elder Huang replied with an amused smile, gesturing towards Tiandi.
"Then..."
Just as Jinjing was about to ask another question, Elder Huang interrupted her.
"But to think he would gain enlightenment from merely catching a glimpse of the chief disciple, the rumours truly do you no justice~"
"W-what?"
With a chuckle, Elder Huang continued to tease her, relishing her embarrassed reaction.
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???
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The Amethyst Peak was shrouded in a serene blanket of violet vegetation, a surreal landscape that seemed strange yet, undoubtedly beautiful.
Amidst this ethereal beauty, a young boy, with a stoic demeanor beyond his years, sat cross-legged by a flat rock near the edge of the peak. He meticulously prepared tea, his movements precise and controlled, betraying no emotion.
As he observed the rising sun with an appreciative glance, a sense of calm washed over him. The world felt still, and the mountains, adorned in amethyst hues, held a mystic aura. The air carried the faint scent of morning dew, and the boy knew that this was the perfect moment for a cup of tea.
He poured hot water into the teapot with practiced ease. Steam spiraled upward, carrying the fragrant aroma of the carefully selected tea leaves. Jianyu's eyes remained fixed on the sunrise, his expression inscrutable.
Just as he was about to pour the tea, the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. Without turning his head, he acknowledged his grandfather's presence.
Xin Dongyang, his grandfather, appeared from the path leading up to the peak. He had come to discuss an important matter with his grandson.
Xin Dongyang stepped forward with a slight smile, as he said, "Jianyu, you're up early."
Jianyu nodded, showing little emotion, "Good morning, Grandfather. Care for some tea?" He spoke, gesturing toward the tea pot with graceful movements.
Xin Dongyang settled beside Jianyu, his gaze fixed on the breathtaking sunrise, "I'd appreciate that."
Jianyu poured a cup of tea for his grandfather, and they sipped in silence, the beauty of the moment accentuated by their shared presence.
"Moonlit snow tea?" Xin Dongyang asked, his brows raised as he took a sip.
Moonlit snow, favoured by many immortals and even considered as an immortal herb. Signifying the preservation of memories, this tea was known to help evoke memories of the past memories like delicate snowflakes each signifying a unique memory.
Jianyu simply nodded, "Mhm," yet his eyes seemed lost in thoughts beyond the horizon.
"Next time, let's have 'Luminous reverie'." Xin Dongyang spoke showing a mischievous yet soft grin.
Luminous reverie on the other hand was the complete opposite of moonlit snow...
Finally, with his gaze parting from the horizon moved toward Xin Dongyang, "Yes, let's do that." A smile adorned his face as he looked toward his grandfather.
A brew that signifies one's hopes of what's to come, and wishes of forming bright and pleasant memories.
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After a few moments, Xin Dongyang cleared his throat, " Ahem, Jianyu there's an important matter I must discuss with you." He spoke calmly, but an undercurrent of various emotions could be felt in his voice.
Turning his gaze back toward the horizon, Jianyu asked, "Speak, Grandfather."
Xin Dongyang took a deep breath, his words measured as he spoke, "Jianyu, you are to be engaged soon. Yin Xifeng of the Yin family has been chosen as your betrothed."
Jianyu's eyes remained fixed on the sunrise, his stoic facade unbroken. He showed little emotion, but his grandfather could feel a fluctuation in his grandson's heart.
Yet despite that, Jianyu spoke calmly, "I understand, Grandfather. Yin Xifeng is indeed a suitable choice with her 'family situation' and talent..."
Xin Dongyang nodded, knowing that Jianyu's true feelings ran deeper than his outward demeanor, "Indeed, and with this we'll have access to the Yin family's arts as well."
With a slight grin, Jianyu turned toward his grandfather, "So... why don't you tell me the real reason you're here right now? It's not like you to inform me of such matters ahead of time."
Xin Dongyang sighed aloud, "It's your mother."
"Mother?" Tilting his head, Jianyu asked in a confused voice, "Did something happen for her to dislike this arrangement?"
"Well..." Xin Dongyang spoke as a tired smile made it's way to his face, "Apparently, the Yin family girl threw a tantrum due to the sudden engagement and questioned your qualification to be her fiance..."
"Well..." Jianyu spoke with a smile as he closed his eyes, "that is certainly something mother wouldn't like. I'll try and talk with her so don't worry."
The sun continued its ascent, casting its gentle light over the Amethyst Peak as Jianyu and his grandfather silently shared tea.
???
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The first time I met her, I felt entranced by her very existence. Neither her appearance nor her demeanor intrested me, yet somehow I couldn't take my eyes off of her.
Such emotions scared me, they were uncontrollable and their presence immensely uncomfortable. I tried to keep my distance, yet I couldn't.
Unable to part, afraid to get closer.
Like a moth to a flame, her very existence burned me away.
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With his eyes seemingly lost, he continued his daily practice, his emotions a bit muddled, yet an unknown clarity in his mind.
"I guess it's finally the day..."
Jianyu mumbled to himself as he gazed at the rising sun, holding his sword firmly.
"Sword of Extremity."
His blade, now glowing brightly, seemed as radiant as the sun itself.
"Flow."
In response to Jianyu's command, the Sword of Extremity began to move with a serpentine grace, its initially harsh and destructive nature giving way to a more harmonious flow.