Published at 24th of September 2024 8:20 am

Chapter 11: Seeds of Alliance

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The arrival of the Jade Serpent Sect had sent ripples through the town. Their presence, while welcome, also heightened the tension that had been building for weeks. Wei Long could feel it in the air—the weight of the coming conflict pressed heavily on everyone’s shoulders. The ordinary townsfolk went about their business, but their eyes darted nervously to the fortified walls, where guards stood watch day and night.

The cultivators from the Jade Serpent Sect had set up a temporary camp just outside the town, their influence already beginning to show. A few of their disciples had taken over training drills with the town’s guards, teaching them advanced techniques that might give them a fighting chance against the threats lurking on the horizon.

Wei Long, however, had little time to marvel at the sect’s abilities. He had his own path to walk, and it required every ounce of his focus. He had spent days secluded in his fields, cultivating the land and pushing his own limits further than he ever had before. The technique of drawing spiritual energy from the earth had proven effective, but it was also grueling, taxing his body and spirit in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

Still, Wei Long knew he couldn’t stop now. The pressure of the impending war, the appearance of demonic beasts, and the growing strength of the sects—everything pointed to a future in which power would determine survival. And while Wei Long’s power was growing, it wasn’t yet enough.

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That evening, as the sun dipped low in the sky, painting the fields in a soft golden light, Wei Long was approached by the scarred man from the Jade Serpent Sect. The man had introduced himself as Tian Feng, one of the sect’s senior disciples. He was a man of few words, but his every movement was measured, controlled—a sign of his deep cultivation.

“Wei Long,” Tian Feng said as he approached, his voice steady and calm. “You’ve been working hard. I can see the growth in your cultivation. But tell me—why do you push yourself so relentlessly? Most would be content to cultivate at a slower pace, yet you seem determined to reach a higher stage as quickly as possible.”

Wei Long glanced up from his meditative position in the field, his brow damp with sweat. He stood, wiping his hands on his tunic as he faced Tian Feng. “I don’t have the luxury of time,” he replied. “The town is vulnerable, and I’m responsible for protecting it. The threats we face won’t wait for me to advance slowly. If I don’t grow stronger, more people will die.”

Tian Feng studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. “It’s admirable, your sense of responsibility. But haste can lead to ruin. Cultivation is not something that can be forced. If you push too hard, you risk damaging your foundation.”

Wei Long nodded, understanding the warning behind Tian Feng’s words. But the urgency he felt couldn’t be ignored. “I know the risks,” he said quietly, “but I’m willing to take them. There’s more at stake here than just my cultivation.”

Tian Feng’s gaze softened slightly, a rare flicker of respect in his eyes. “Very well. But if you’re going to continue pushing yourself this hard, you’ll need guidance. The technique you’re using—it’s powerful, but dangerous. Drawing spiritual energy from the land isn’t something that can be done lightly.”

Wei Long frowned. “You know of this technique?”

Tian Feng nodded. “I do. It’s an ancient method, rarely taught in modern sects. It requires a deep bond with the earth, one that most cultivators lack. But you… you seem to have that bond. I’ve seen the way you work the fields, the way you interact with the land. You might be able to master it.”

Wei Long’s interest piqued. “What do you suggest?”

“There’s a place,” Tian Feng said slowly, as if considering his next words carefully. “A hidden valley to the north, where the spiritual energy is exceptionally dense. The elders of my sect used to meditate there, drawing on the raw power of the earth to refine their cultivation. If you go there, you might be able to accelerate your growth even further. But it won’t be easy. The energy there is wild, untamed. It could either strengthen you… or destroy you.”

Wei Long’s mind raced. A place like that could be exactly what he needed to push his cultivation to the next level. But the risks were clear. Wild, unrefined spiritual energy was unpredictable. Without careful control, it could backfire, damaging his body or even crippling his cultivation permanently.

Still, the opportunity was too great to ignore.

“I’ll go,” Wei Long said after a moment of silence. “If this valley can help me reach the next stage, then I have to take the chance.”

Tian Feng nodded, his expression approving. “I thought you might say that. I’ll have one of the younger disciples show you the way. But be careful, Wei Long. The power of the land is not to be trifled with.”

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The following morning, Wei Long set out for the hidden valley, accompanied by a young disciple from the Jade Serpent Sect named Zhao Yan. The two of them traveled in relative silence, the tension of the impending conflict weighing heavily on their minds. As they trekked through dense forests and rocky terrain, Wei Long couldn’t help but think about what lay ahead.

The valley was said to be a place of immense spiritual energy, a place where nature itself had grown wild and unchecked. If the stories were true, it would be a perfect location to advance his cultivation. But Wei Long knew there were always dangers hidden within opportunities. He would need to be cautious, to maintain a delicate balance between drawing on the power of the land and controlling the flow of energy through his body.

After hours of travel, they arrived at the mouth of the valley.

It was an unassuming place at first glance, shrouded in mist and surrounded by towering cliffs. But as Wei Long stepped closer, he felt it—a deep, resonant pulse of energy beneath his feet. The land here was alive, humming with power. The air itself seemed to vibrate with spiritual energy, so dense it was almost suffocating.

Zhao Yan glanced at him. “This is as far as I can take you,” he said. “From here, you’ll be on your own. The energy inside the valley is too strong for most cultivators to handle.”

Wei Long nodded, his expression calm but determined. “Thank you for guiding me this far. I’ll handle it from here.”

With that, Wei Long stepped into the valley, leaving Zhao Yan behind.

The moment he crossed the threshold, the air around him shifted. The spiritual energy was like a storm, swirling chaotically around him, pressing in from all sides. Wei Long closed his eyes, centering himself, and began to draw the energy in, slowly and carefully.

The process was delicate, like trying to tame a wild beast. The energy was powerful, almost overwhelming, but Wei Long maintained his focus, letting the energy flow through him without letting it consume him. He could feel his cultivation base expanding, his core growing stronger with each passing moment.

Hours turned into days as Wei Long remained in the valley, meditating and drawing on the land’s power. His body ached, his muscles burned, but he didn’t stop. The pain was a reminder of his limits, but also of his progress. Slowly but surely, he could feel himself advancing, inching closer to the next stage of cultivation.

But as he meditated, Wei Long couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching him. The valley was quiet, but there was a presence—something dark, lurking just beyond the edges of his perception.

Whatever it was, Wei Long knew that it wouldn’t remain hidden for long.

And when it revealed itself, he would be ready.

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