A Father’s Advice

The sun rose higher as Hei An continues to stay close behind his father. Here, dense underbrush surrounds them within the forest; cool air is scented with pine and earth. With every step further into the woods, Hei An felt the familiar tug of energy of the forest-a subtle hum beneath his skin. There was spiritual power in the air, the natural powers that every cultivator learned to tap into as he mastered their craft.

His father, Hei Xing walked ahead. The every step deliberate and steady. Hei Xing's black hair, knotted and coiled at the base of his neck, flowed back and forth with the wind. Even at still morning, his presence was authoritative, every gesture sending forth the calm confidence of a farmer who had conquered the walk of strength and wisdom. Hei An followed closely, following the rhythm of his father's steady breathing, his mind drifting away to their familiar routines.

"You have been training hard, An," Hei Xing said a few moments of silence later. "Your form is getting better. Remember though, cultivation is not about trying to break through your limits. Balance is key."

Hei An nodded. Its been an year since he started his cultivation journey. He was currently in the Spirit Awakening Realm, the first of the cultivation stages. It was that place where a cultivator unlocked their spiritual energy first and connected with the world surrounding them. Every cultivation realm in the world is divided into Early, middle, late and Peak stages. Currently Hei An was in the middle stage of spirit awakening but his father had always told him to be patient; to cultivate is not only about gathering power but learning how to listen to the forces that surround you.

To everyone, the Spirit Awakening Realm was the beginning-the starting point for any practitioner. After that came the Essence Tempering Realm, where the body tempering and Essence refining process began, allowing a practitioner to truly fortify both their spirit and their physical bodies. For now, Hei An was content with remaining on a steady course. The more days went by, the more instinctive and natural was his connection to the surrounding environment.

"But you must understand," Hei Xing said, his tone growing serious. "Power is a burden and not a gift. The more strength you have, the more danger it brings. Cultivators are rare in places like Cangshu. People will notice you, An. They'll watch you, waiting for a moment of weakness."

The weight of his father's warning settled on Hei An's shoulders. His father was one of the few cultivators in the village. In the Essence Tempering Realm, where he stood, respected was a suitable word to use while describing him. Most of the villagers are commoners. Their lives lie within the simple and deterministic cycles of farming, fishing, and trading. They do not have such complicated spiritual energy gliding through Hei An and his father.

Cultivators like them were a rare enough sight, even in a world where spiritual cultivation was known to exist. Many dreamed of ascending the higher realms, yet few ever did. Even fewer reached the stage where a cultivator could truly change the world around them. Hei Xing had always told his son that power, left unchecked, would only attract attention—attention that would lead to conflict, enemies, and danger.

"Strength attracts danger," he muttered to himself almost under his breath. "Always be careful of outsiders. They don't know what we do. And many will try to control what they cannot understand."

Hei An digested his father's words in silence, though part of him craved more. He wanted to grow stronger, leave Cangshu behind, and see beyond the horizon. Yet a weight in his chest held him back, for his father had cautioned him. Cultivating was not just about magic with power; it was about proving himself responsible, cautious, and under control.

Their path through the forest took them by a creek almost too small to be seen, its banks where several children played, their laughter rising up into the air. Hei An smiled to himself. Even with heavy thoughts weighing on his mind, there was always comfort to be found in the simple rhythm of village life.

"An! Over here!" called a familiar voice across the creek.

Hei An's eyes honed in on the noise and there, waving at him with such eagerness was Ling'er, the daughter of the village's blacksmith, Elder Jian. Long, flowing black hair waved in the wind, flashing in her sharp, energetic eyes. She was always the first one to open her mouth, as today would testify as well.

"Off to help your father again, An?" Ling'er mocked from across the creek. "Or are you going to spend the rest of your days in your herbs and potions?"

Hei An laughed and ruffled his hair, shaking his head. "I'll meet you later. Father has me doing more 'important' things."

Ling'er pretended to gape. "Important than fun? I don't think so.".

Hei An crossed the creek to join her and was struck by a feeling of comfort. Always presented in his life, Ling' er had brought comfort with all the jest she made. Her growing up with him in childhood had really been a gift, and even when they both reached their adolescent years, their bond only became tighter.

It was so comical for the villagers: they were always talking together as if they were married, always there, always laughing. Hei An never used to be comfortable with this, but of course, now it had become completely natural. Ling'er was someone he trusted whom he found to be calm in this chaotic world.

Ling' er leaned against a boulder, bright-eyed. "An, you know I'm going to be a great cultivator, don't you?" she said with a cocky grin, her voice full of purpose. "I am going to ramble over this world, see every thing beyond Cangshu. I'll make a name for myself-mark my words.".

Hei An smiled at the eagerness of her enthusiasm. In his heart, he loved the fire that burned within her spirit; she refused to be tied down to the constraints of their small village. She always spoke of the day that she would go from Cangshu to find herself in this vast world as a great cultivator. A marvel it was that Ling'er was so brave and very persistent.

"You will be great, Ling'er," he said, his voice gentle yet absolutely true.

Ling'er smiled slightly when she met his gaze, and her eyes looked warm. "Perhaps someday you'll come along with me, An. We can visit all the world together, see all we've only ever heard about in legends.".

The words struck Hei An deeper than he thought possible. Leaving behind his brother, traveling the world with Ling'er by his side - all that sounded like some faraway dream; yet Hei An nurtured it as his own, carried it in his heart to sleep on. They had used to talk about that as children. Now that the moment had finally arrived when he could take her along, it seemed real, tangible.

"I'd love that," he said softly, his heart warming to the thought. "Maybe someday we'll leave together."

Ling'er raised an eyebrow, the teasing smile back on her face. "We'll see, An, but I'm going to be tough. I'm going to make sure you won't fall behind.".

Hei An grinned, though part of him thought maybe it would indeed be true. He is in the early stages of Spirit Awakening Realm, yet every day could feel the power rising inside him. But there was still so much to learn-so much more to experience.

Now, however, he just stood there beside Ling'er, letting the moment stretch out in silence between them. He felt a calm settle within him, a sense of certainty that wherever the future might lead him, he would rather get there with her beside him.