Blossoming Path

I stood outside my quarters under the fading moonlight, my fists repeatedly meeting the rough bark of a chosen tree. The notification came, and with it, immense satisfaction.

Your Body has reached Mortal Realm - Rank 4

Recovering from my injuries had been a turning point. I vowed never to allow a day to pass without pushing my physical limits further.

Despite the exhaustion, despite the bone-deep fatigue, I persisted. Each night, I bathed my wounds in the hydrosol, feeling the essence of my being knit tighter, more resilient than before.

In the beginning, under Instructor Xia Ji's watchful eye, I had thrown myself into the optional, yet brutal, regimen of body tempering. Many of the disciples scratched their heads. Unlike Li Na and Han Wei, who prioritized qi cultivation for its painlessness, I saw the untapped potential in physical conditioninga path fraught with agony but would be key to both martial and alchemy greatness.

I delved into ancient manuals, absorbing their knowledge on exercises designed to fortify every part of me. Accelerated Reading made it a breeze, and I became well-educated on the topic. However, it would be some time until I could utilize some of the exercises for other parts of my body.

Asking my friends to hit me would spread some unwanted rumors.

These texts reiterated a core principle: our bodies adapted under duress. With the aid of my hydrosol, I was accelerating this natural process, pushing my physical boundaries without fear of overextension.

But the journey was grueling. The initial days were a blur of pain, a test of my endurance that seeped into my very dreams. Yet, as I persevered, I noticed a transformation. The pain subsided, my mind acclimated to the discomfort, allowing me to channel my full potential into each strike.

It was as though the part of brain that limited itself from putting all mt power behind a strike was slowly being conditioned, recognizing that my body was capable of withstanding the force.

I had thought it was a matter of lack of training, but in terms of level, me and Li Na weren't very far apart. It's just her previous years of training allowed her to generate much more force without reservation, despite being at similar strength levels.

Transitioning my training outdoors, I selected a tree within the sect's diverse forest carefully, avoiding those that would shatter my resolve along with my hand. Even after selecting a moderately strong tree with some give to it, the ordeal was excruciating. Each punch was a battle against the tree's unyielding bark, followed by nights wrapped in hydrosol-soaked gauze. This cycle of pain and recovery propelled me forward. Within two weeks, I ascended two levels in the Mortal Realm, a testament to my evolving resilience. My body, once a secondary concern, was swiftly catching up to my mind and qi. I had been neglecting it for too long.

"I want harmony! Kai Liu will have no weak points!" I declared to myself, even as I realized the increasing demands of my training on my hydrosol reserves. The necessity of consistency in partial training clashed with the practical limits of my resources, yet I refused to relent.

The hardest part about all oof this, was willingly pushing myself to the next level. I knew that if my body conditoning was comfortable or easy, it meant I wasn't going hard enough. it was tantamount to self-harm. No wonder the people of Gentle Wind Village thought I was crazy for wanting to be a cultivator. They probably thought all we did was something like this.

"Huff! Huff! Alright, that's enough for today," I sighed, my fist resting against the tree's battered bark. "Tianyi! Windy! Let's go!"

The hatchling slithered down obediently, and Tianyi glided over, perching herself atop my shoulder. Their recent behavior intrigued me; had they been copying me? I've been noticing gouges and cuts along the trees and branches around the guest quarters, and unless some errant beast was leaving them in it's wake, I could think of only two culprits that could recreate those markings.

I was so proud! The two would be the first students of the Kai Liu school of martial arts!

Returning to the quarters, I shed my sweat-stained robes and settled down with the iron staff for a session of essence extraction practice. This practice, aimed at attuning to metal's core without extracting, was a crucial step in understanding how to apply my Essence Extraction skill beyond the realm of flora.

'Place your hand upon a piece of metal and attempt to sense its core. Do not extract. Instead, attune yourself. Feel its solidity, its weight, and its resistance.'

Master Li Tao's journal had been my guide, emphasizing the need for a fortified will through meditation and visualization. The adversity endured in partial training was sharpening my will, preparing me to break through the metaphorical wall that stood between me and mastery over metal essence. The weight of the iron staff was still there, it was rigid, unyielding, much like I anticipated.

Training everyday, sharpening my will, and practicing essence extraction allowed me a form of mental resilience I didn't have before. Bit by bit, day by day, I could feel the metal finally giving in to my incessant demands, although I never got close enough to extract it.

But today was the day. With my body having reached the fourth rank of the Mortal Realm, I had the fortitude to withstand it!

'The will is a tool when dealing with metal. Strengthen yours. Sit in meditation, envisioning a wall. With each breath, see this wall become taller, thicker, and more impregnable. Your will must be strong enough to climb and then break down this wall.'

As both my mind and body were tempered by trials, I felt a newfound clarity in my pursuit of will's essence. The pain, once a formidable adversary, had become a catalyst for my growth.Finding a receptive spot on the iron staff, I concentrated deeply, extending my senses to probe its dense, metallic essence. The area between my palm and the metal became a battlefield of willsmine against the inherent nature of the staff that Wang Jun forged. The initial touch was a shock, a cold, unyielding resistance that seemed to repel my mental grasp. Yet, I persevered, my focus sharpening as I pushed against the metallic essence with all the mental strength I had honed through my training. The task was daunting, like trying to bend a river's flow with sheer force of will.

A migraine burgeoned within the confines of my skull, its tendrils of pain weaving through my consciousness. But pain and I were sworn brothers by this point; it had become the forge upon which my resolve was tempered. I gritted my teeth, refusing to relent, letting the discomfort wash over me without breaking my concentration.

This was the essence of mental battlea fight not against an external foe but against the limitations of one's own mind and body. The staff remained obstinate, a mountain refusing to bow before the storm.

But even the strongest of boulders are eroded by drops of water. It wasn't a matter of if, but when.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the resistance began to wane. My will, a constant pressure against the metal's essence, started to make inroads. It was as if I were chiseling away at an immense wall, each effort making the slightest of marks.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Then, breakthrough.

A shift in the staff's essence signaled my success. It was as if I had reached the heart of the metal, touching its core for the very first time. The migraine intensified, a price I was willing to pay for this moment of connection. I steadied my breathing, focusing on the task at hand, channeling my will to mold the essence into something tangible, something I could grasp and understand.

The battle raged within me, a tempest of will against the innate stubbornness of metal.

With a final, concerted effort, I pushed through the remaining resistance. The essence of the metal yielded, bending to my will. It was a sensation unlike any I had experienceda melding of spirit and matter, a fusion of will and metal.

Slowly but steadily, a silvery-grey essence poured from the point where my hand and the staff met. It felt like I was pulling on a string right at the base of my palm, trying to uproot a tree with only the force of my arm.

The veins along my hand bulged in exertion. Almost. THERE!

Anomaly Detected: Skill Evolution Beyond System Parameters

"H-" I coughed and saw droplets of blood splatter onto the pristine wood. I steadied myself before I could fall, dropping the staff to the floor. I glanced down at my hand, admiring the pearlescent ball of energy circulating within my hand, looking like liquid metal and casting a dim white light over the room.

I had done it.

Achievement unlocked.

Due to your status as Interface Manipulator, your rewards will be adjusted accordingly.

New perk: Dao Pioneer

Dao Pioneer - Evolving an Interface-given ability or skill without the support of the Heavenly Interface. Actively innovating and adapting, this perk grants a unique status softens the rigid thresholds that usually constrain skill acquisition and evolution, allowing for more fluid and spontaneous development of ones skills and cultivation techniques.

"Crap, my nose is bleeding." I murmured, looking for a vial to place the extracted metal essence in. grabbing one of the smooth, glass bottles nearby, I carefully placed it inside before ripping out gauze and plugging it into my nostrils.

I looked at the new Perk. So now, along with Interface Manipulator, that meant I had two of them. It seemed like they didn't give me any explicit abilities, but I could tell they were powerful and much harder to come by than skills. Judging by it's description, it meant I'd have an even easier time evolving skills like I did with Essence Extraction! I mentally commanded the skill description for Essence Extraction to come up, and see if anything had changed.

Essence Extraction - You can extract the spiritual essence of plants and metals for the creation of pills and elixirs.

As I recalled Master Li Tao's journal, my thoughts lingered on the application of metal essences in alchemy. These rare essences were traditionally used to imbue pills and elixirs with the properties of the metal, enhancing their effectiveness and granting unique attributes. Although not commonly used due to the complexity and risks involved, I was convinced of the potential benefits it could offer.

With Wang Jun's staff in hand, I observed its form, feeling its weight and texture. It seemed lighter than before, and upon closer inspection, I noticed it had become hollow and lost its original sheen.

Oops.

A wave of guilt washed over me as I realized my actions might have compromised it forever. It seemed very brittle now, and I feared if I struck it against a sufficiently hard surface it'd probably shatter like glass.

My heart sank at the thought of Wang Jun's disappointment. He had crafted this staff with skill and care, and in my zealous pursuit of essence extraction, I may have rendered his work nearly useless. He definitely wouldn't be making me anything free, that's for sure.

Despite the setback, the revelation of the staff's change spurred a new understanding within me. The extraction process not only pulled the essence from the metal but also altered its physical state, a detail I had not fully considered. Perhaps I should've learned to do it on something more expendable, and purchased a mineral or ore down in Crescent Bay City.

The guilt I felt was a heavy burden, but it was tempered by the lessons learned. For now, though, I needed to address the immediate consequence of my actions. Holding the altered staff, I contemplated my next steps.

"What now?" I wondered, feeling the weight of my choices. With a technique token, and several skills to focus on, the options felt overwhelming. Should I dive deeper into essence extraction, and figure out how to extract from beast cores? Or maybe my Accelerated Reading skill? What about the Memory Palace technique? I hadn't even figured out the Spiritual Plant Cultivation technique's full potential yet, because I had no clue on how to start with introducing new properties into plants like the skill description said.

Then there was my classes; Alchemy Array was getting easier to learn thanks to Accelerated Reading, but still-

The possibilities swirled in my mind like leaves in a whirlwind. Each path seemed enticing, promising its own rewards and challenges. But the more I thought about it, the more I felt tangled in a web of indecision.

Taking a deep breath, I realized I needed to step back and approach this the way I handled other complex problems: by seeking guidance. It hit me then; I wasn't alone in this journey. I had friends, mentors, and companions who had supported me this far. Why not lean on them now?

"Tianyi, Windy, what do you think?" I mused aloud, half-expecting an answer from my silent companions. Of course, they couldn't provide the solutions I sought, but just voicing my thoughts helped clear my mind.

I decided then to consult those who had been my pillars throughout my cultivation journey. Instructor Xiao-Hu, with his stern yet wise teachings; Li Na and Han Wei, whose camaraderie and insights had often guided me; and even the serene presence of Elder Zhu, whose subtle nudges had steered me in the right direction more than once. Feng Wu, the one who started it all; he'd always find a way to insert some profound quotes whenever we talked.

...And Lan Sheng, I suppose. But maybe I can leave him alone for now.

With a newfound sense of direction, I felt the overwhelming anxiety recede. My path forward wasn't about choosing the perfect skill or technique at this moment. It was about continuing to grow, learn, and, most importantly, embrace the journey with the people who made it meaningful.

"I'll see what they have to say tomorrow. It's getting late."

One step at a time.

"You know I'mwe, aren't really good at all that alchemy, herbalism mumbo-jumbo."

I couldn't suppress an eye roll, earning a giggle from Li Na. "I know you aren't, but I need some advice here. I've got too many paths to choose from, and it's just too much sometimes."

Li Na, always the more thoughtful one, said, "Being overwhelmed is a sign of your talent, Kai. You've got potential in so many areas, it's impressive."

Her words were kind, but they didn't ease the knot of confusion in my gut. "Yeah, I get that, but its like standing at a crossroads with too many directions. Should I play to my strengths or patch up my weaknesses? Any wisdom would be great right now," I said, reaching for another serving of tofu. The hydrosol had been a hunger machine, making me eat like a beast and yet slimming down as if I was on some intense workout regime. Stress eating, perhaps?

Han Wei, munching thoughtfully, finally offered, "Kai, sometimes its not about choosing one path. Maybe you need a balance. Play to your strengths but don't ignore your weaknesses. Its like trainingbalance is key."

Li Na nodded in agreement, adding, "And don't rush. You've got time to explore each path and see which one feels right. Trust your instincts."

Their words, while differing slightly, both made sense. Balance and patience, huh? As I pondered over my crispy tofu, their advice echoed in my mind. Maybe I was trying too hard to find a clear answer when I should be letting the journey guide me.

Grateful for their insights, I thanked Li Na and Han Wei before clearing my dishes. Their advice lingered in my mind as I made my way to Instructor Xiao-Hu's office. I had rarely sought him out personally, partly due to his stern demeanor and partly because of his known disapproval of my past recklessness with the Silent Moon. Yet, I knew he wasn't a bad person. He was probably one of the best people I could go to aside from Elder Zhu. Perhaps he could give me some clarity on my situation, to just tell it to me without sugarcoating his words.

Approaching his office felt suffocating, but perhaps it was all in my head. Instructor Xiao-Hu, with his ever-present stern expression, looked up from a pile of scrolls as I entered. "Kai Liu, this is unusual. What brings you here outside of regular class hours?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity beneath its usual severity.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "Instructor, I've been facing some... challenges, in prioritizing my learning paths and development. I've got options, maybe too many, and it's a bit overwhelming," I confessed, trying to articulate the maelstrom of uncertainty I felt.

Instructor Xiao-Hu listened intently, his gaze never wavering as I spoke. When I finished, he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers in contemplation. "In alchemy, and indeed in all aspects of cultivation, it is essential to solidify your groundwork before expanding. This ensures a stable and comprehensive development in your practice," he stated, echoing his methodical approach to teaching and practice.

"Kai, while your skill in herbalism and your unique ability in Essence Extraction are commendable, have you considered whether you could surpass Elder Zhu or myself in concocting a superior pill or elixir?"

The question caught me off guard. "Well, no," I admitted, feeling somewhat deflated. "I mean, your experience and mastery in alchemy are beyond what I've managed to achieve so far."

He nodded, an unspoken acknowledgment of the reality we both understood. "Experience and skill, honed over years of dedicated practice, give us an advantage. Our knowledge in alchemy allows us to craft concoctions with precision and efficacy that stand the test of time. While you have a remarkable talent, Kai, it is the depth of understanding and the mastery of fundamentals that truly empower an alchemist."

His words resonated deeply, grounding my swirling thoughts. I bowed deeply, gratitude filling me. "Thank you, Instructor Xiao-Hu. I appreciate everything you and the sect has done for me all this time."

Instructor Xiao-Hu merely nodded, his stern facade softening slightly. "It is my duty to guide the next generation. You possess a level of insight and maturity rare for your age. Continue on this path, and you will undoubtedly achieve great things in your cultivation journey."

Exiting the alchemy pavilion, I felt a clarity I hadn't realized I was missing. Instructor Xiao-Hu's advice, though stark, had cut through the noise of my ambitions.

Our little chat had hit home. No heaven-defying shortcuts in this game; it was all about grinding through the alchemy textbooks and getting my hands dirty, literally. And that was just the way I liked it. It's how I did things my whole life.

Strolling back, the crisp autumn air felt like a slap of cold water, sobering and strangely refreshing. My brain had been doing mental gymnastics over every possible path, but now, I had more confidence in what I needed to do.

Striding forward, a grin cracked my face, realizing I'd been like a cultivator at a rare herb auction with only one bid to place. Xiao-Hus wisdom hit home: it was time to quit circling the auction block and claim my prizespiritually speaking, that is.

Day and night passed, once again. And before I knew it, the time for the Gauntlet had arrived.

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