Squashing

Li Wei grits his teeth even harder, enduring the eternal chaos. He uses every ounce of his willpower to guide and control the Qi, channelling it through his bones in a controlled flow. The process is painstaking, requiring complete concentration and control.

Hours pass, and the struggle is ongoing. The heat intensity within Li Wei fluctuates, at times almost unbearable, then ebbs to a more manageable level, only to surge again. Once a place of quiet solitude, the cave now echoes with the sounds of Li Wei's laboured breathing.

Gradually, ever so slowly, the wildness of the Qi begins to subside. Li Wei's control over it strengthens, his understanding of its nature deepening with each passing moment. He guides the Qi, feeling it fortify his bones.

As he finally begins to gain control over the Qi, guiding it to strengthen his body, he lets out a long, exhausted sigh, "Haaah." His robes stick to his damp skin, and the floor around him is sweaty.

The process is exhausting, both mentally and physically. Li Wei's body is sweaty, his robes sticking to his skin. His hair is damp, strands clinging to his forehead. The cave floor around him is spotted with droplets of sweat that have fallen from his face.

Finally, after what feels like hours, the energy fully integrates into his bones. Li Wei feels a shift within him, a sense of completion. 

Li Wei stands, feeling his legs wobble slightly under him. His steps towards the bucket of water are slow, his body heavy with exhaustion.

Reaching the bucket, he bends over it, his eyes meeting his reflection in the still water. His eyes are red, the whites streaked with blood vessels. They look tired, the exhaustion not just physical but reaching deep into his being. His face shows signs of strain, skin pale and drawn tight. Sweat has matted his hair to his forehead, droplets clinging to his skin.

He gazes into his reflection, taking in the visible marks of his ordeal. 

He stares at his reflection a moment longer, his breathing gradually steadying. He straightens up slowly, turning away from the bucket to face the rest of his day, the image of his weary self etched in his mind.

The cave feels cooler now, the heat dissipating with the settling of the Qi. He steps outside the cave, seeking the fresh air and open space. The outside world greets him with a gentle breeze, starkly contrasting the intense heat he's just experienced.

Li Wei looks out over the mountainous landscape, feeling a new strength coursing through him. 

Returning to his cave, Li Wei sits contemplatively, the remnants of the pill's effects lingering in his body. The overwhelming heat and the tumultuous surge of Qi have subsided, but they leave him with a profound realisation. "I'm close," he thinks, anticipation and urgency coursing through him. "This pill... it's pushed me significantly closer to the 8th level." Yet, there's a tinge of disappointment in his thoughts. "I had hoped for an immediate breakthrough to the 8th level, but it seems I'm not quite there yet."

He reflects on the intense experience, the sensation of his blood boiling, the flood of Qi challenging his control. "Like wrestling with a storm. " "But I managed it. I've consolidated this massive influx of Qi."

Li Wei feels a new comfort within his body, a sense of his Qi settling into its expanded confines. "My cultivation has deepened. The boundaries have stretched." He senses the newfound strength within him, a robust and vibrant energy that promises greater mastery.

"The time agreed with Senior Huo is dwindling. I must reach the 8th level soon." The weight of this deadline presses on him, a motivator to continue his relentless pursuit.

He stands up, feeling the solidity of his power. "I've made significant progress.." 

"The 8th level," he resolves. "I've come too far to falter now." Li Wei's determination is palpable, a resolve forged in the fires of relentless effort and unwavering ambition.

He takes a moment to focus on his breathing, calming his still-agitated Qi. "Once I've stabilised and regained my strength, I'll resume with the essence. It won't take much more to reach the 8th level. I'm almost there." The thought of being on the verge of such a significant breakthrough bolsters his spirits. "A little more patience, a little more recovery time, and then I can make that final push." Li Wei sits in quiet determination, ready to wait for the right moment to continue his ascent to the 8th level.

Exhausted and overwhelmed, Li Wei lies down on the hard floor of his cave, his mind a whirlpool of thoughts and desires. The raw intensity of his recent experiences leaves him drained, both physically and emotionally. He closes his eyes, seeking a moment of escape in his thoughts.

Li Wei lies on the hard cave floor, his body recovering from the intense exertion of consolidating Qi. His eyes are closed, his breathing even and slow. The cool air of the cave brushes against his skin, a small comfort amidst his physical exhaustion.

In this quiet moment, his mind drifts, escaping the harsh reality of his life in the sect. He envisions a life of peace, so different from the constant struggle for power and survival that consumes his days. In his mind's eye, he sees open fields under a clear blue sky, the sun warm and comforting. There are no sounds of conflict, no scent of danger. Just the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirp of birds.

He imagines a simple house, modest and unassuming, nestled at the edge of these fields. The house is small, but it's a sanctuary, a place where the worries of the sect don't exist. Inside, there is a sense of calm and safety, walls that shield him from the outside world's demands and threats.

In this daydream, Li Wei sees himself walking through these fields, his steps unburdened by the weight of expectation. There's no need to look over his shoulder, no fear of hidden enemies or sudden attacks. His hands, usually clenched in readiness for combat, are relaxed at his sides.

He envisions a simple life where his days are not dictated by the need to grow stronger or outmanoeuvre others. Instead, he spends time tending to a small garden, the earth cool and yielding under his hands. 

In this peaceful existence, Li Wei imagines light interactions filled with laughter and stories, a stark contrast to the guarded exchanges he's used to.

A smile flickers across Li Wei's face as he lies, lost in this fantasy. It's a rare expression of contentment that seldom graces his features in real life. For a moment, he allows himself to indulge in this fantasy, to believe in the possibility of a life not defined by constant strife and danger.

The oppressive shadow of Senior Huo suddenly looms large in his mind. "How can I think of anything else when my life hangs by a thread?" he wonders silently. "Peace?" he scoffs internally. "Not with Senior Huo's foot firmly squashing my balls."

"Killing Xue Feng... it's the only way to remove this looming threat," he muses. "But what then? What happens after?" "Do I just wait for Senior Huo to toss me aside like trash?"

"Will he simply eliminate me after Xue Feng's gone?" Li Wei ponders, his heart heavy with the thought. "Am I to be discarded once I've served my purpose?"

Li Wei's thoughts turn darker, paranoia creeping in. "What if Senior Huo has already planned my end? What if my success against Xue Feng only hastens my demise?" These thoughts spiral, each more unsettling than the last.

He tries to shake off these dark thoughts, but they cling stubbornly. "I need to stay vigilant." The idea of constant vigilance is exhausting, but he knows it's necessary.

In this moment of solitude and introspection, Li Wei realises the harsh reality of his situation. His aspirations for power and status have been overshadowed by the basic instinct to survive. The desire for a peaceful life, free from the machinations of the sect and the shadow of Senior Huo, feels like a distant dream, yet it's a dream that he clings to desperately.

Li Wei mulls over his plans after Xue Feng's elimination in the quiet of his cave. "I won't go to him after it's done," he resolves firmly, speaking to the empty space around him. 

"Xue Feng's absence will speak for itself," Li Wei continues, his voice steady with determination. He considers the benefit of keeping a low profile. "It's better to feign ignorance." The logic in his reasoning is clear; it is a strategy to avoid direct confrontation with Senior Huo.

He dwells on the dangerous unpredictability of Senior Huo. Staying out of his sight seems the safest course of action. "Avoiding him... that's the smart move," Li Wei confirms to himself. Sometimes, the best way to survive is to remain unseen and uninvolved.

"After Xue Feng, my focus should be on advancing to foundational establishment." Increasing his strength and securing his position within the sect is paramount. "But I must be cautious. Senior Huo's reaction is unpredictable. He might see me as a loose end to tie up."

"I need to find a safe place to advance. Somewhere Senior Huo can't easily reach me." Secretly advancing away from the sect's prying eyes seems more appealing.

His mind is a whirlwind of strategies and contingencies. "Once I'm at a foundational establishment, I'll have more options. Maybe then I can think about a peaceful life." The thought is a distant glimmer of hope amidst the immediate dangers.

He closes his eyes, trying to envision a future where he's free from the oppressive shadow of Senior Huo. "Safety, peace... they all come with power." However, the path to achieving these goals is fraught with peril and uncertainty. Li Wei's aspirations are tempered by the harsh realities of his current situation.

"First things first," he thinks, focusing on the immediate challenge. "Surviving the next few days is what matters." 

Li Wei's eyes remain closed as he lies there, lost in his paranoia. The cave around him is silent, a stark contrast to the turmoil within his mind.

Li Wei's deep reverie is shattered by the sound of hesitant footsteps. The unexpected noise jolts him from his daydreams, pulling him sharply back to reality. Startled, he jerks upright, irritation flashing across his face. "Who the hell is this now?" he mutters, cursing his lack of awareness.