Published at 22nd of September 2024 9:49 am

Chapter 3: The Awakening of Power

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The forest was alive with the sounds of wildlife, the gentle hum of insects and the distant cries of birds overhead, but Wei Long was focused only on the path before him. His mind still buzzed with the memory of the power he had unleashed, the energy that had flowed through his body like a rushing river. He could feel it now—dormant but waiting, ready to be called upon again. But it was also unstable, wild, and unfamiliar. If he was going to survive the world of cultivators, he needed control, discipline, and more knowledge.

After hours of trekking through the thick forest, the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the undergrowth. Wei Long found a clearing near a stream and set up a small camp. He used his knife to carve a few branches into crude spears—his only line of defense for the night. Though he had managed to defeat the boar earlier, he knew that wild beasts weren’t the only dangers lurking in these woods. Cultivators often ventured into such remote areas in search of herbs and spirit beasts, and many of them were not friendly.

As the campfire crackled, Wei Long sat down on a fallen log, the warmth of the flames calming his restless thoughts. He had a lot to figure out. Cultivation was more than just tapping into raw power—it required technique, understanding, and patience. But where would he even begin?

His thoughts turned back to the stone tablet from the previous night. The strange voice that had spoken to him seemed to know something about his potential, about the power he now possessed. But how could he find more answers? What was the next step?

The crackling fire provided little solace as the forest grew darker, and the unfamiliar sounds of nocturnal creatures stirred the shadows. Despite his growing fatigue, Wei Long’s eyes remained sharp, scanning the area for any sign of movement. The sense of danger had not left him since his encounter with the boar, and he had no intention of letting his guard down.

Suddenly, a low rustling came from the bushes nearby. Wei Long jumped to his feet, gripping his makeshift spear tightly. His heart raced, but his mind was calm—focused. He could feel that hum of energy again, stirring beneath his skin. If there was another threat, he was ready to face it.

Out of the darkness, a figure emerged—tall, draped in a long black robe, with a hood obscuring most of their face. The figure moved silently, their steps graceful and deliberate, as though they were gliding through the forest. Wei Long’s grip tightened on the spear, his muscles tensing.

“You’re far from home, boy,” the figure said, their voice smooth and calm, though it carried an edge of authority. “These woods aren’t safe for someone like you.”

Wei Long didn’t relax, keeping the spear pointed at the stranger. “Who are you?”

The figure stopped a few paces away, tilting their head slightly. “Just a traveler. But you… you don’t seem like an ordinary villager. I can feel the power within you. Untrained, but potent.”

Wei Long’s eyes narrowed. How did this person know? He hadn’t even begun to understand his own abilities, yet this stranger seemed to see right through him. “What do you want?”

A low chuckle came from the figure. “Nothing, for now. I’m merely curious. It’s rare to find someone with such potential in these remote parts. Usually, young cultivators are brought to the sects for training.”

The mention of the sects stirred something in Wei Long. He had heard stories—powerful organizations of cultivators who trained their disciples in the arts of cultivation. They were said to hold vast resources and knowledge, their members capable of feats far beyond what ordinary mortals could imagine. Could this figure be from one of those sects?

“Are you a cultivator?” Wei Long asked, his voice steady but filled with curiosity.

The figure remained silent for a moment, then reached up to lower their hood. Beneath the fabric was a man, his features sharp and his eyes glowing faintly with an unnatural light. A cultivator, without a doubt.

“I am,” the man said simply. “But not one aligned with any sect. I walk my own path, as you seem to be doing.”

Wei Long frowned. “How do you know that?”

“Because you wouldn’t be out here alone unless you were seeking something. Power, perhaps? Strength to change your fate?”

The words struck deep. Wei Long’s entire life had been spent in a village where he was destined to toil in the fields, never amounting to more than a humble farmer. But now, standing on the edge of a new path, he knew that wasn’t enough. He wanted more. He needed more.

“I want to become stronger,” Wei Long admitted. “I’ve already started, but I don’t know how to continue.”

The cultivator smiled faintly, though it was more of a smirk. “The desire for strength is a dangerous thing. Many have been consumed by it, losing themselves in their pursuit. But if you truly wish to grow stronger, you must first learn to harness the power within you. Uncontrolled power is as dangerous to you as it is to your enemies.”

Wei Long lowered his spear slightly, sensing that this man wasn’t an immediate threat. “Then teach me. Help me learn.”

The cultivator’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “You’re bold, I’ll give you that. But teaching you? That’s not something I’m inclined to do without reason.”

“I can pay you,” Wei Long blurted out, though he immediately regretted it. What could he possibly offer a cultivator of this level?

The man chuckled again, shaking his head. “You’ve nothing of value to offer me, boy. But I’ll give you a piece of advice, for free. Power comes with understanding—understanding of yourself, of the world around you, and of the energy that flows through it. The first step to cultivation is meditation. Quiet your mind, and feel the energy inside you. Learn to control it, to direct it. Only then can you begin to refine it.”

Wei Long frowned, a little disappointed. He had been hoping for something more concrete, but the man’s words made sense. He had felt that power before, but only in moments of desperation or instinct. He needed to be able to summon it at will, to channel it into something greater.

“I’ll try,” Wei Long said, his voice steady.

The cultivator nodded, seeming satisfied with the response. “You’ll find that the path of cultivation is long and arduous. But if you survive it, the rewards are beyond imagination.”

Without another word, the man turned and began to walk away, disappearing into the darkness of the forest. Wei Long watched him go, his mind racing with thoughts of what he had learned. Meditation. It wasn’t what he had expected, but it was a start.

As the fire crackled softly, Wei Long sat down, closing his eyes and focusing inward. He could feel the faint pulse of energy within him, like a small flame waiting to be fanned into something more. Slowly, he calmed his breathing, clearing his mind as best he could. He focused on that energy, willing it to come to the surface.

Minutes passed, and then hours. The world around him faded away as he concentrated solely on the flow of energy inside him. It was difficult—more difficult than he had anticipated. But there were moments, brief flashes, where he could feel the energy responding to him, bending to his will.

By the time dawn broke, Wei Long opened his eyes, feeling different. He hadn’t mastered the energy yet, but he had taken the first step. And with each passing day, he would grow stronger.

The path ahead was long, but Wei Long was ready to walk it. He had no teacher, no guide, but he had his determination and the power within him. That would be enough.

It had to be.

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Author's Note: Wei Long encounters his first cultivator and begins to understand what lies ahead of him. In the next chapter, Wei Long will continue to explore his abilities, meet new allies, and face the challenges of his journey into the world of cultivation!

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