Ethan stood on the edge of the Verdant Hollow a secluded valley untouched by war or cultivation sects.
Sunlight filtered through thick branches of silverleaf trees, while ancient flowers bloomed in patterns too perfect for nature alone.
This place,
Ethan whispered, kneeling beside a glowing patch of violet grass. It's alive with Qi.
Elena nodded beside him. The Verdant Hollow was once an alchemic sanctuary. Spirit beasts guard the deeper trails, and rare medicinal herbs grow where the ley lines converge.
Vane handed Ethan a jade pouch. You'll need these. Harvesting gloves, a soul-preserving vial, and a field manual. Be wary some plants bite back.
Ethan entered the hollow alone, guided by instinct more than direction.
He found his first herb near a stone spring Crimson Orchid Root, used in crafting Blood Replenishing Pills. The root curled like a serpent, coiling tighter as he reached for it. But Ethan calmed his pulse and infused a thread of spiritual Qi through his fingers. The root relaxed.
He pulled it free, placed it in his vial, and continued.
Further in, he found Blue Lotus Petals fluttering near a shallow pool, dripping essence used for Beauty Pills and Spirit Recovery Elixirs. He took only three enough to respect the balance of nature.
Deeper still, Ethan stepped into a grove unlike anything he'd seen.
A tree stood at its center, taller than any in the valley its bark glowing faintly gold, its fruit heavy and pulsing with inner light.
The manual in his hand trembled. He opened to a trembling page:
"Sunfire Bodhi Tree"
It is said to be born from the corpse of a fallen sage. Its fruit can temper the body and awaken hidden meridian paths.
As he reached for one fruit, a low growl echoed through the grove.
A massive Spirit-Fanged Fox emerged from the mist, nine tails bristling, eyes glowing blue with intelligence.
Guardians of the grove,
Ethan murmured, drawing a needle.
But he didn't attack.
Instead, he knelt and offered a few drops of spiritual honey he'd carried from Vane's lab a sign of respect.
The fox sniffed, then turned away.
He plucked a single fruit.
Back at the campsite that night, Ethan placed his gathered herbs into an alchemical cauldron and began to refine his first Rejuvenation Pill. The pill sizzled with life, a golden swirl forming at its center.
Elena watched from across the fire. Most cultivators takes a long time to refine that pill. You did it in one evening.
Ethan smiled faintly.
I'm not most cultivators.
Vane tasted the edge of the pill and nodded. Your body's already adjusting. Tempered well. If you stabilize each level like this, you'll gain more than just raw power."
I'll be able to fight above my realm.
Six levels, at least, Vane agreed.
That's the power of the Heaven-Forged Constitution.
Ethan's hands closed around the warm pill. He wasn't ready for Level Four yet.
But the roots were growing.
And in the distance, hidden beneath sand and silence, an ancient tomb stirred its seal weakening.
Inside, a Divine sword awaited.
And the woman within it was waking.