A Beauty and a Poetry

As Sébastien prepared himself, he took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind to focus fully. He placed the crystal bowl at the center of the table, its sparkling reflections capturing the candlelight. Around the bowl, he carefully arranged the ancient cards in a perfect circle, each marked with esoteric symbols and mysterious runes.

Sébastien picked up the pentacle-shaped pendant, holding it firmly in his hand. He closed his eyes and murmured incantations, ancient words known to few. His voice resonated softly in the room, a hypnotic melody seemingly calling forth mystical forces to manifest.

Slowly, he raised the pendant above the crystal bowl, letting it sway gently. The crystal began to emit a bluish glow, as if an inner energy was awakening in response to the incantations. Sébastien opened his eyes, his gaze now fixed on the center of the bowl where blurry images started to appear.

He moved his hands through the air above the bowl, fingers moving with delicate precision as if weaving an invisible web. The images in the crystal became clearer, forming visions of distant places and indistinct figures. Sébastien focused, his mind opening to the visions, seeking clues about the location of the worm.

The cards around the bowl began to vibrate slightly, reacting to the energy emanating from the crystal. Sébastien placed a hand on a particular card, feeling a connection forming. He whispered a few more words, asking the card to reveal its secrets.

Suddenly, a clear image formed in the crystal: Sébastien saw a glowing orb placed before a person amidst some debris of wood. The man, slightly stooped, seemed to be rummaging through the debris. The scene was oddly peaceful despite the appearance of destruction around. After a few moments, the man carefully picked up the orb and tucked it into his pocket. At that moment, the light from the crystal dimmed until it shattered, casting tiny shards of light throughout the room.

Alaric, seated at the other end of the table, opened his eyes and stared intensely at Sébastien. "So, what did you discover ?" he asked, urgency and curiosity lacing his voice.

Still somewhat dazed by the experience, Sébastien turned to Alaric with a puzzled expression. "It's somewhat confusing," he said slowly, choosing his words carefully. "I didn't see the worm, but I saw the dispersal orb you're searching for."

Alaric fell silent for a few seconds, deeply contemplating the implications of this vision. "So, does that mean the orb is with the worm ?" he finally asked, his tone lower and more serious.

Upon hearing this, Sébastien nodded slowly. "That's the only plausible hypothesis." he replied, confidence returning to his voice.

Alaric nodded, absorbing this new information. "Well, that makes things easier for us." he said finally. "I'll go report this to the others. Thank you for your help, Sébastien."

As Alaric was about to open the door to leave, Sébastien, still absorbed in his thoughts, gently but gravely called out, "Director, do you believe in immortality ?"

Alaric froze, hand on the door handle. A heavy silence settled in, each second stretching into eternity. Shadows in the room seemed to move slowly, enhancing the mysterious atmosphere. After a moment of contemplation, without turning his head, he murmured, his voice carrying ancient wisdom,

"I believe the world is full of mysteries we do not understand, and that we are not omniscient."

The door opened slowly under his hand, emitting a slight creak. As he prepared to close it behind him, the voice of his old friend, grave and laden with implications, stopped him cold :

"I believe I know where he is heading."

The words hung in the air. Alaric stood still for a moment, weighing the weight of that statement. Then, with a resigned sigh, he closed the door, the dull thud of wood against the frame echoing in the silence.

Sébastien watched the door slowly close behind Alaric, then lowered his eyes to his hands, surprisingly youthful despite the years gone by. Lost in his thoughts, he recalled the memory of a "young" man who had come into his abode with unsettling clarity. "Who are you exactly ?" he murmured, his voice fading into the silence of the room.

The question lingered in the stagnant air, reminding Sébastien of that enigmatic encounter. He remembered the strange aura of the man and the indefinable sense of something extraordinary.

***

In the mysterious shadow of an ancient ruin, where stone columns are entwined with verdant vines, a pool of clear water extends, dotted with delicate lotus flowers floating on its surface.

The daylight filters through openings in the crumbling roof, casting dancing patterns on the water and moss-covered stones.

In the midst of this enchanted setting, a stunning woman bathes in the crystalline water. Her beauty evokes that of legendary immortals.

Her skin is as radiant as jade, her black, silky hair cascading around her like a waterfall of onyx. Her eyes, deep and mysterious like the lakes of sacred mountains, shine with an enigmatic glow. Every graceful movement of her body creates delicate ripples in the water, adding a visual melody to this already magical tableau.

Apart, under the shade of an ancient arch, stands a young man. His dark eyes, yet filled with gentleness and tenderness, follow each of the woman's movements with an almost reverent attention.

His gaze is that of a poet contemplating the incarnation of beauty and grace, a blend of respect and sincere admiration. His features, finely sculpted, are softened by a faint smile, as if he recognizes in this scene a rare and precious harmony.

The scene, imbued with serenity and mystery, seems to transcend time, an ethereal vision that defies the boundaries between dream and reality.

From his lips, the young man uttered a poem, his voice soft and melodious echoing in the peaceful air :

"By the edge of the magnolia hut,

She bathes as in a pool of jade.

Fragrant dew, frost on the stamens,

Clear water green like a pond.

From where come the wild geese of autumn ?

Before the emerald screen, the setting sun on Cuiping Mountain.

Young phoenixes gracefully soar,

A cloud, a thousand kilometers of worries."

"Pensive clouds float gently on the hill,

Clear waters flow peacefully along the river.

I contemplate your beauty, eternal and divine,

Like the moon reflected in a pure and vivid wave."

At these words, the young woman smiled, a smile that seemed to illuminate the entire scene. Her lips moved softly, forming silent words, and though no sound reached his ears, the young man was captivated by the grace and beauty of this moment.

Suddenly, the scene began to fade, and he woke up, finding himself in the quiet darkness of the room. A slight disappointment crossed his eyes, the memory of the dream still vivid in his mind. But this disappointment was quickly covered by habitual indifference.

Xiao Yao opened his eyes to see the first rays of sunlight gently striking the window of the cabin, revealing the bloody traces and scattered bodies left by the massacre of the previous night. With a slightly lazy expression, he got up, stretching like a cat awakened from a long nap.

He calmly surveyed the chaos around him, then headed to a corner of the cabin where he had left a shovel. Without hurrying, he stepped outside, breathing in the fresh morning air. The calm that prevailed was strangely contrasting with the violence of the night before.

He began digging shallow pits in a secluded corner of the clearing, away from prying eyes. Each shovelful of earth lifted was a step closer to burying the horrors of the night. One by one, he laid the bodies in the pits, carefully covering them with soil. He knew that the forest's wild animals would otherwise disturb the corpses, and he preferred to avoid leaving obvious traces.

After completing this task, Xiao Yao headed towards a grove of thick trees at the edge of the clearing. There, shielded from view, he relieved himself, taking advantage of the tranquility of nature to refocus. The whisper of leaves and the song of birds brought temporary serenity, a striking contrast to the events of the previous night.

Once his needs were met, he returned to the cabin and searched for the only mount he had left tethered. The other horses had been set free. He found the horse still nervous after the night's noises and scents. With surprising gentleness, he calmed it, stroking its neck and murmuring soothing words.

He adjusted the saddle and bridle of the mount, ensuring everything was in place for the journey ahead. The sun was now well up, bathing the clearing in golden light. Xiao Yao mounted the horse, casting a final glance at the now silent cabin.

With one last thought for the events that had brought him here, he gently pulled on the reins and the horse moved forward, carrying with it the memories of the night before.

After a few minutes' ride, he reached the gates of the city of Luminara, where knights in gleaming armor were still stationed as the day before. Their faces were stern but their gazes filled with curiosity when they saw Xiao Yao approaching.

One of the knights raised a gloved hand to stop him, his voice calm yet firm. "Hey, you there. Where were you yesterday ? We saw you leave the city and not return."

The other knights edged closer, forming a protective circle around the city gate, their postures vigilant but non-threatening. Their eyes scrutinized Xiao Yao with benevolent curiosity, awaiting his response.

Xiao Yao, without faltering, smiled slightly and answered confidently. "I went to help my grandfather who lives in a distant cabin. I brought him meals for the week. He is old and needs my support."

The knight who had stopped him nodded, his features softening. "That's a noble gesture, but why doesn't he live with you in our city ?"

Xiao Yao, smiling, replied. "Because he's a hermit who prefers to live in seclusion."

The knights visibly relaxed at this explanation. With one last kind glance, they let him pass, returning to their watch, while Xiao Yao entered the city.

As Xiao Yao walked through the streets of the city of Luminara, he couldn't help but compare this time to that of cultivation, where most people were just arrogant kids. The paved streets, lined with bustling shops and stone houses, were full of life and simplicity. The inhabitants, though busy with their daily tasks, showed a certain humility and mutual respect.

He remembered the days when young cultivators, drunk on their burgeoning power, roamed the same streets, believing themselves superior to everyone and everything. The contrast was striking. Here, he saw sincere smiles, gestures of help, and a community united by simple yet solid values.

Xiao Yao felt both nostalgic and disillusioned. The grandeur of cultivation had brought talents and miracles, but also so much pride and conflict. This city, with its peace and modesty, seemed almost utopian in comparison. He continued on his way, his thoughts drifting between the tumultuous past and the peaceful present.

He bought some bread and food for his horse, leaving the merchants fascinated by his appearance. Xiao Yao had already gained a small reputation in this city where people were amazed by his unusual fashion style. His attire, elegant and exotic, contrasted with the local fashion and sparked curiosity and admiration among the inhabitants.

After finishing his purchases, Xiao Yao settled in a quiet garden on the outskirts of the city. He tied his horse to a tree outside, making sure it had enough food and water. Sitting under a large oak tree, he leisurely ate his bread, savoring each bite in the surrounding calm.

A few minutes later, he curled his feet under him and adopted a meditative position. His goal ? To reach the second level of qi cultivation.

The second level of qi cultivation was a crucial stage for any serious cultivator. By reaching this stage, Xiao Yao would become capable of absorbing the qi of destiny's rune with increased efficiency, purifying this energy to eliminate all impurities.

This would strengthen not only his body but also his mind, enhancing his physical and mental abilities.

Mastering the flow of qi through his meridians would bring inner stability, reducing emotional and mental fluctuations. With purified qi, his martial skills would be amplified, making him more powerful and effective in his techniques.