Blossoming Path

My voice rang out across the crisp morning air.

Today was the day.

“It’s ready! It’s ready!”

Tianyi, perched on the roof as usual, tilted her head curiously, her wings twitching in my direction.

Sliding the greenhouse door open, I stepped into the humid warmth, the scent of fresh vegetation wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. My gaze swept past rows of thriving herbs and hybrid plants until it landed on the star of the show: the Golden Bamboo shoot.

It was magnificent.

The bamboo shoot stood just shy of the greenhouse ceiling. Its golden surface shimmered faintly. Though it was still a shoot, its flesh tender and brimming with vitality, it radiated with qi.

“Insane growth for less than a month,” I murmured, crouching beside the shoot. There was no doubt infusing essences had to do with it's extraordinary growth rate.

I reached out, running my fingers over the golden surface. Unlike the harder culms the bamboo would eventually grow into, the shoot was firm but pliable under my touch. The warmth of life thrummed through it, the energy almost tangible. The yang-based ingredients I’d planted, extracted and used as fuel for its growth, had clearly worked wonders.

I managed to revive an extinct species.

Pulling a small knife from my belt, I lined it up carefully against the base of the shoot. This would be my first harvest, and I wanted it to be perfect. But as I pressed the blade against the shoot, I felt the resistance immediately. Despite its tender appearance, the base was incredibly tough. The knife barely nicked the surface before slipping off entirely.

“Seriously?” I muttered, inspecting the blade and seeing the edge dulling before my eyes. “Wang Jun just had this sharpened. How is this even possible?”

Sitting back on my heels, I scratched my head, staring at the shoot in frustration. Exerting more force was impossible. Not with this knife, nor my current state with the Black Tortoise Tribulation.

“Tianyi!” I called out, glancing toward the greenhouse entrance.

A moment later, she glided inside, her wings folding behind her. Her eyes flitted between me and the bamboo shoot. “What is it?”

“This,” I said, gesturing to the shoot. “Can you... you know, slice it with your wings?”

“You want me to cut it for you?”

“Exactly. Just the base, where it’s the hardest. I’ll handle the rest.”

She nodded, stepping closer to inspect the bamboo. “Mark where I need to cut.”

I took a step back, giving her space as she unfurled her wings. They shimmered with a faint, ethereal glow, the edges sharp enough to gleam like blades. She stepped forward, her movements deliberate and precise.

"Oh, and don't hit the other plants! Or the glass! It'll shatter."

She paused briefly, aligning herself with the marks I’d made. For a brief moment, her wings brightened.

The motion was fluid, almost artistic, as her wing sliced cleanly through the bamboo with a faint hum. The top portion of the stalk fell away, and I caught it just before it hit the glass.

Tianyi straightened, folding her wings back with a satisfied expression. “Done.”

I knelt to inspect the cut, running my fingers along the edge where her wing had sliced through. It was flawless—smooth and precise, with not a single splinter or jagged edge. The remaining stalk hummed faintly, its golden surface undamaged and ready to grow anew. even without using all the seeds, I'd be able to grow it once more. I'd just have to watch it from encroaching upon the other plants in the greenhouse.

“Perfect,” I said, looking up at her with a grin. “This young master won't forget the grace you've shown. Thanks.”

She gave a faint smile, but the words that left her mouth threw me off guard.

“Such a trivial matter is hardly worth remembering.”

"You're reading too much Liang Feng!" I said in disbelief. "That's not polite."

"My conduct is beyond reproach." She said ominously, hiding her face with her sleeve. I shook my head.

With the top portion of the bamboo safely in my hands, I set it gently on the workbench inside my shop. Now came the real challenge. Using a heavier-duty knife from my toolkit, I set to work separating the culm into sections. The knife sliced through the upper portions cleanly, but as I worked my way toward the base, the resistance grew.

Just from a glance, I could tell the shoot was brimming with vitality. But the base, the culm, was something else entirely. It felt more like a material, something meant to be worked into tools or furniture rather than consumed or refined.

Carefully, I sectioned the bamboo, setting aside the softer outer layers for testing. I ran my fingers over the inner segments, marveling at the slight warmth they emitted. Each piece seemed to vibrate faintly, as though it held a rhythm of its own, alive even after being harvested.

Tianyi leaned against the wall, her gaze fixed on me as I worked. “What do you plan to do with it?” she asked.

“Test it,” I replied simply, holding up a thin outer strip of the bamboo. “I need to understand its essence before deciding how to use it. If the outer layer alone is this potent, who knows what the core holds?”

Placing the strip in my palm, I activated my Essence Extraction skill, channeling qi into the material. A faint golden glow emerged, coalescing into a single drop of shimmering liquid in my palm. It was small, almost disappointingly so, but the energy it radiated was undeniably potent. I carefully stored it in a glass vial, sealing it tightly before setting it aside.

“The essence is concentrated in the inner layers,” I muttered, more to myself than to Tianyi. “This outer layer is strong, but it doesn’t hold nearly as much energy as I expected.”

I moved, already shifting my attention to the denser segments I’d set aside. The core pieces practically thrummed with life, their golden sheen more vivid than the outer layers. My instincts, and the subtle prompts from Nature's Attunement, told me these pieces were the true treasure.

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With a steady hand, I placed a core segment on the workbench and began the extraction process again. This time, the resistance was palpable, the bamboo fighting against the pull of my qi. A bead of golden liquid formed in my palm, larger and brighter than the first. Its energy pulsed like a tiny heartbeat, almost alive in its intensity.

“Now we’re talking,” I murmured, carefully transferring the essence into a larger vial.

Tianyi watched in silence, her gaze sharp and analytical. “What’s your plan for the rest of it?”

“Research,” I said, straightening and wiping my brow. "The details from Guowei Wang were a bit scarce. I need to find out its exact properties and potential. First, I’ll test if it behaves like regular bamboo in alchemical recipes or if it’s entirely unique.”

“You’re expecting the latter?”

“Probably,” I admitted, gesturing to the vials of golden essence. “But there’s no harm in covering the basics. I’ll start with the fundamentals: see if it reacts to heat and flame like normal bamboo, if it burns cleanly, and whether it leaves any unique ash residue. This could be a catalyst, an amplifier, or even an entirely new base ingredient for pills or elixirs But before I get ahead of myself, I’ll isolate the core essence and run compatibility tests with other ingredients. If it clashes with common components, it might require a specific refinement method.”

I set the piece down and moved to the next section, this one smaller but denser. As I began to shave thin layers from it, Tianyi’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “And the outer layers? They seemed weaker, but you didn’t discard them.”

“Never discard unless you’re absolutely sure it’s useless,” I replied, holding up a sliver of the outer bamboo. “They may not have as much raw essence, but they might hold some other property. I’ll experiment with its tensile strength and how it channels qi. Maybe Wang Jun or Li Wei could have some use for it. I'm interested in seeing a mature Golden Bamboo, but that'll have to wait.”

Figuring out how to use the Golden Bamboo in pills was first and foremost. To uphold my end of the deal with the Whispering Wind and Verdant Lotus, I'd make sets of body refining pills, either with the Golden Bamboo or plants infused with its essence.

But I'd have to test them first! On myself!

"This is a sacrifice for the greater good! Testing such a rare material on myself... Who else could shoulder this burden?”

The idea of testing the Golden Bamboo’s essence on myself was exhilarating. If it lived up to even half of my expectations, it could be a breakthrough for my body, which was exactly what I needed for the tribulation.

But I forced myself to temper my enthusiasm. There was no point in rushing and potentially wasting such a rare resource. The rest of the bamboo needed to be properly stored and studied.

"I'll finish this after morning training."

With care, I packed the sections into a sturdy wooden box and carried it to my bedroom. It wasn’t much, but it would keep curious hands away for now. I had to go train.

I grabbed my cloak, slung it over my shoulders, and stepped out into the crisp morning air, bidding Tianyi farewell. The snow crunched underfoot as I made my way toward Elder Ming’s house. The weight of the Black Tortoise Tribulation still pressed on me, but it was no longer the oppressive burden it had been a week ago. My steps were steady, though slower than normal, each one deliberate. The snow yielded easily beneath my boots, cushioning my movements.

As I approached the main path, I spotted Liang Chen standing near a wagon loaded with goods, explaining some of his offerings to the villagers. His sharp features and somewhat sly smile gave him the air of a seedy merchant, but he hadn't shown any tendency he was plotting to take over the village.

He noticed me and waved, his grin widening.

“Kai Liu.” he called out, his voice warm despite the chill in the air. "Out and about so early? Eager to look at our wares?"

I chuckled, adjusting my cloak. “Not quite. Morning training calls. And you? What’s the occasion?”

“Ah, the same as ever,” he replied, gesturing to the wagon. “The usual supplies. Though I did bring a few specialty items. Let me know if you’re interested.”

My gaze flicked to the rough-looking men accompanying him, their hardened faces and weathered clothes a stark contrast to the polished demeanor of most merchants I’d met.

Liang Chen followed my gaze and spoke before I could ask. “They’re from Crescent Bay. People who’ve had a rough go of things. Some were living in poverty, others... well, let’s just say they’ve seen the worst the city has to offer. Nobody wanted to hire them, but I figured I'd give them a chance. They're as hard-working as can be.”

I studied the men more closely, their guarded expressions and quiet demeanor speaking volumes.

“You’re more generous than you look. To be honest, I thought you were just another shrewd merchant the first time we met.”

He laughed, clapping a hand to his chest. “A shrewd merchant? I take that as a compliment! But don’t let the exterior fool you. Every good deal needs a little heart.”

“Careful, Chen,” a familiar voice interjected. Huan emerged from behind the wagon. “If you steal away my best customer, the patriarch will have my head! I'll haunt you in the afterlife!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the theatrics. “Relax, Huan. My loyalty is with you. But,” I added, glancing at Liang Chen, “it’s good to know my options.”

Huan groaned, throwing his hands up dramatically. “Options, he says! The betrayal!”

“Competition breeds excellence,” Liang Chen replied smoothly.

Shaking my head at their antics, I continued on my way. I rolled my shoulders, preparing myself for the day ahead.

The first thing I noticed as I entered the courtyard of Elder Ming’s house was Wang Jun and Lan-Yin sitting on a rock, their breath misting in the cold air. They were on break, sharing cups of tea.

But as I drew closer, I saw the way Wang Jun hovered near her, his hand resting lightly on the bench close to her, almost protectively.

It was subtle, but the warmth between them was palpable. The way Lan-Yin leaned slightly toward him when she spoke, the faint smile that tugged at her lips whenever he replied. His gaze flickered every now and then to her baby bump, a mix of worry and pride clear in his expression. It was... sweet, in a way that made me roll my eyes internally.

I wasn't jealous! Nope.

“Morning, you two,” I called out, breaking their bubble as I stepped into the courtyard. “Taking a break already? Slackers.”

Lan-Yin glanced up, her cheeks pink from the cold—or maybe from embarrassment.

“We’ve been up since dawn, thank you very much,” she retorted, but her tone lacked its usual sharpness. “What about you? Finally dragged yourself out of the greenhouse?”

“Hardly,” I replied with a smirk, before nodding toward her and Wang Jun. “So, about this whole ‘betrothed’ thing. Are you two speeding up the wedding now that...” I trailed off, gesturing vaguely at her bump.

Wang Jun rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “We don’t have much of a choice, do we? My parents nearly beat me black and blue when they found out. Said I was an embarrassment to the family name.”

Lan-Yin snickered. “Meanwhile, my parents were just amused. They called it ‘young love’ and said it’s about time.”

“Typical,” I said, crossing my arms and shaking my head in mock disappointment. “Both families will lose face. Two hot-blooded teens who can’t even control themselves. What a scandal!”

She gave me a flat look, while Wang Jun tried to stifle a grin. “Keep talking, Kai,” she warned, “and you’ll be eating snow for lunch.”

Elder Ming stepped out of the house, teapot in hand.

“Kai,” he said gruffly, “stop gossiping and start warming up. Light sparring with Wang Jun after.”

“Yes, Elder,” I replied, bowing slightly before moving to the practice area. Lan-Yin waved me off with a smug grin.

I started with some basic stretches and footwork drills, easing my body into motion. The weight of the Black Tortoise Tribulation was still there, but it felt less like a mountain crushing me and more like a persistent, annoying burden. The human mind was truly adaptable.

By the time Elder Ming called me over, I was ready to go.

Wang Jun stepped onto the practice ground with me, rolling his shoulders. “Non-contact sparring again, right?”

“No, Kai needs to push himself further. His movements are smoother now, and it’s time he gets back into full sparring. Nothing excessive, but enough to test his limits.”

I grinned, the challenge sparking a flicker of excitement. “Perfect. Let’s make this quick, Wang Jun. I have more important things waiting for me after this practice.”

Wang Jun smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Big words for someone I had to help with chores because they couldn't even move last week.”

My mind raced as I observed his posture, analyzing his likely moves. Narrowing it down, I anticipated three possibilities.

He moved.

True to form, Wang Jun led with a feint; a sharp jab toward my face, before dropping into a low sweeping kick aimed at my legs. I was ready. Pivoting on my back foot, I let his kick glide past, the momentum leaving him slightly off balance. Seizing the opportunity, I launched a precise counterstrike, my fist landing lightly below his rib.

A notification flashed briefly in my mind.

Quest: Beyond the Memory Palace

- Successfully evade or counter 10 different attacks by predicting their trajectories using a simulated visual map in real time. (10/10)

- Land 5 precise hits on a moving opponent using openings simulated beforehand. (4/5)

- Use the Refinement Simulation technique on an alchemical reaction mid-combat to create an advantage. (0/1)

I couldn’t suppress a grin. The tribulation might have slowed my body, but it had sharpened my mind. Every move felt deliberate, calculated; like a living embodiment of my Memory Palace technique. The endless drills, the constant strain, and the enforced efficiency had transformed my combat style into something more methodical and refined, and it bled into my other quests as a result.

But Wang Jun wasn’t about to make things easy. Using his superior reach and physical strength, he kept me at bay with a series of calculated strikes, forcing me to waste energy just staying out of his range. Clever bastard.

Every step felt heavier as I moved, the multiplied weight dragging at my legs like invisible chains. It was frustrating.

Why was I treating my weight as a weakness?

The thought clicked, sharp and immediate. If my body was heavier, why not use that to my advantage? Instead of fighting against it, I could turn it into a weapon.

“Elder Ming,” I called, keeping my eyes on Wang Jun. “Permission to increase the intensity? I want to test something, but it's hard to do when we're both holding back.”

Elder Ming’s sharp gaze flicked between us, then he nodded. “Do it. But don’t let it turn reckless.”

Wang Jun cracked his knuckles, a wide grin spreading across his face. “You’re on.”

He lunged, his punch carrying the weight of his entire body. I braced, channeling qi into my arms to block. The impact sent me skidding back half a step despite my immense weight, a testament to his raw strength, honed through countless hours in the forge.

“That all you got?” I taunted, masking the sting in my arms.

He was already closing the gap for another strike. But I was ready. Drawing a deep breath, I funneled qi into my legs, focusing on the connection between my feet and the ground. As he launched his next attack, I lifted my leg high, casting a shadow over Wang Jun.

The fourth stance of the Twelve Harvest Moon. An identical axe kick to the one Ping Hai used against me, so long ago.

With my increased weight, the kick came down like a falling boulder. Wang Jun moved to block, his forearms raised instinctively.

"Ugh!"

But the sheer force drove him downward, his arms buckling under the impact. His knees hit the ground as he struggled to push back, but before he could recover, I stepped forward, my hand raised for a finishing blow.

My hand came down, grabbing his ear. I felt a sense of satisfaction, seeing my ploy worked flawlessly.

“Victory goes to me, as always.”

He opened his eyes, glaring at me as he rubbed his ear. “Hey! That hurt.”

“Sorry,” I said with a grin, offering him a hand to stand. “But you have to admit—losing to me while I’m still weighed down? That stings, doesn’t it?”

Wang Jun shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. “I’ll give you this round. Next time, you won’t land a single hit. I was just tired!”

“Excuses, excuses." I replied, already feeling the adrenaline fading as the weight of the Black Tortoise Tribulation settled back onto my shoulders. I helped Wang Jun to his feet, and continued on with morning training.

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