Two and a half weeks passed like drifting clouds.
Tian Jue's skin had lost the pale sheen of childhood. His limbs were leaner, tighter, his steps heavier—not in clumsiness, but in weight, like iron tempered by fire.
The first phase of his enhancement cycle was complete: detoxification and blood purification.
He had bathed in Cloudsilver-infused tonic, consumed Thunderroot broth, and followed his self-made regimen with discipline that would shame a veteran.
"This body… it's ready."
He stared into the well's reflection, flexing his fingers slightly.
"I've trained dozens of disciples in my last life. All kinds of physiques, constitutions, affinities. And one thing always stood out—"
Starting cultivation too young, while possible, often led to imbalanced foundations.
In his old world, he had tested it personally: letting some children cultivate at age three or four.
The results were unstable.
"Humans are born with innate qi circulating naturally in their flesh, bone, and marrow. It anchors them to life. But when external qi is absorbed too early… it clashes with that innate force. And if they haven't undergone proper tempering…"
He looked down at his arm, veins faintly glowing from herbal influence.
"…the dantian collapses. Or worse—qi bursts into the meridians, destroying them from within."
That was why, in his past life, he made all his disciples undergo body refinement first—to mend imperfections, reinforce vessels, and ease the eventual merge of inner and outer qi.
Even though he hadn't formally learned a body refinement technique in this life yet… this world's ambient qi and superior herbs had already pushed his foundation to that level naturally.
[Ding!]
[System Notification – Level Up]
Tian Jue – Level 15
• Constitution: 20
• Strength: 9
• Dexterity: 11
• Intelligence: 15
• Wisdom: 20
Status: First Phase Enhancement Complete
Your body is now capable of stable qi absorption and dantian cultivation. Recommend: Begin second phase – Marrow Tempering.
"Good. No wasted energy. No forceful breakthroughs. I've walked carefully, and it shows."
Tomorrow, he would head out again—back into Wolfback Mountain, deeper than before, to gather the herbs for phase two of his plan.
That evening, the house was quiet. The faint scent of dried spirit grass and preserved lotus root lingered in the air.
He pushed open the door and found his mother gently sorting herbs on the upper shelves—her fingers delicate, but precise.
She turned when she heard him enter, and gave a soft smile.
"I've cleaned the thunderroot powder," she said, "and dried a new batch of firevein moss. They'll keep fresh for a few weeks at least."
Tian Jue nodded and walked over to help her lift one of the heavier jars.
Then he noticed the table.
Tonight's dinner was more extravagant than usual: steamed wild bird, a warm lotus stew, spiritual rice seasoned with sliced sky bamboo, and even sweetroot dumplings.
"…We're celebrating something?" Tian Jue asked.
His mother chuckled softly.
"No. But we should share something good while we still can."
She sat down beside him, pouring a cup of herbal tea for them both.
"You'll be leaving soon," she said, her voice quiet. "Into a world where I can't follow."
Tian Jue looked down. "It's not like I'm vanishing forever…"
"I know," she said. "But mothers worry."
A pause.
Then she added, almost teasingly, "That's why for the next few days, you're sleeping in my room."
Tian Jue nearly choked on the tea. "Wha—? I'm not a baby anymore!"
She laughed—a sound like tinkling bells. "You're blushing, Jue'er."
"I'm not!"
"You are," she said, flicking his forehead. "You've grown too fast. One moment you were barely walking. Now you're throwing chains and slaying beasts."
She looked at him, her expression softening again.
"I only wish I had more time. But you've already started walking your path. All I can do now… is make sure your steps begin on solid ground."
Tian Jue swallowed the emotion building in his throat.
"I can't ask her. Not yet."
She was still a mystery. A Tier 5 herbalist with no ties, who never spoke of her past, and had chosen this quiet, backwater village to raise him.
But none of that mattered tonight.
She had cooked. She had prepared his herbs. She had given him everything, asked for nothing.
And she had always looked at him as her son—not a weapon, not a prodigy.
Just Tian Jue.
He nodded silently, then sat with her, and the two ate together under the soft oil-lamp light, like they had done a hundred times before.
Only this time… it would be one of the last.
To be continued…