Blossoming Path

There was another advantage of Tianyi's Qi Haven skill that I realized as soon as I exited my house.

Her presence had made my home qualified for the Cultivation Technique quest, which required me to find an area with sufficient wood qi and meditate in it for one hour. That was made clear by the glowing, yellow orb floating just above my garden.

I was roused by that information and I did my best to complete my daily tasks around the shop before I began meditating. Tending to the plants was a peaceful, though slightly tedious activity. I had some difficulty doing it as a child, but I framed it in a way that made me feel obligated to attend to them with the same attention I did every day.

The plants were alive, and I was the one responsible for them. Neglecting even a plant, for something as simple as not being able to move or talk, was the height of foolishness!

Talking to them, and giving them individual names, all played to giving me a small, but treasured attachment that kept me consistent with caring for my garden. Even those retired elders in the village couldn't make a garden as nice as mine! And they have all the time in the world to care for them. Had it not been for my aspiring dream to be a cultivator, I would've been the greatest gardener under the heavens!

Ahem, it seemed I was getting ahead of myself.

Then came harvesting, stocking, and organizing the shop, and cleaning my tools. I'd have to take a look and see if I could gather up some new seeds, the merchants from out of town would likely have some for me to purchase.

All in all, my mundane tasks took me about an hour to do. Maybe it was me being overeager, but I finished up quite quickly in comparison to other days. No customers out in the distance, so I took it as my chance to meditate and complete the first part of my cultivation quest.

As I crossed my legs, I envisioned the circulation of qi that Elder Ming showed me. But it was supremely difficult without his guidance. I could remember the pathways, likening them to a network of rivers. But actually manifesting any sort of energy was a moot point. I didn't feel anything like I did when Elder Ming was doing it. There was still something I lacked.

Despite it all, I continued to sit cross-legged, uninterrupted. I tried to keep my mind clear and serene. Breathing in the smell of the plants and herbs all around me, with the wind flowing through my hair, it made the job incredibly easy. Keeping track of whether I'd been doing it for an hour was the rough part, but I guessed it as best I could and added some time on top of what I already did.

By the time I opened my eyes, I had made my first step toward gathering my first cultivation technique.

Quest: Cultivation Technique (Wood)

- Find five different areas that have sufficient wood qi in the surroundings, and meditate in them for one hour. (1/5)

- Areas with sufficient wood qi will be marked with a glowing, yellow orb only visible to you.

A few customers strolled in, keeping me busy. I changed the hours of my shop so I had enough time to go about doing my tasks but if I was really shorthanded, I could always ask Lan-Yin to run it for me. She helped at times, and I paid her handsomely for her efforts. I was never hurting for funds because of how I managed my money.

I glanced around, making sure that Tianyi was all good while I prepared for my expedition. She never drifted too far from the house, occasionally exploring the garden and feeding on the nectar, but the butterfly seemed content here.

"Will you be coming with me to the forest, Tianyi?" I asked. I would continue my search for a plant with qi. Going closer to where the waterfall where I found the artifact seemed like a good place to start. I wanted to visit there again anyway.

The Azure Moonlight Flutter moved from its spot on the windowsill and landed lightly on my shoulder. I grinned and pointed out of the house. Carrying a water canteen, some extra tools to properly harvest whatever herbs I found, I was ready to go.

"ONWARD!"

With Tianyi perched on my shoulder, we ventured into the village square. The sun was warm on my skin, and the sounds of conversation and laughter filled the air. As we walked through the bustling market, I overheard a group of villagers discussing something unusual.

"Did you hear about Li's chickens?" one woman asked, her brows furrowed with concern. "They've been acting really strange lately. I wonder what's causing it."

"Yeah, and it's not just his chickens. A lot of the farm animals have been restless and agitated these past few days. Some are even refusing to eat," a man chimed in.

I couldn't help but be curious about this unusual behavior. Pausing for a moment, I pondered whether it could have something to do with the Heavenly Interface or the creatures lurking in the forest. After a brief moment of contemplation, I decided to keep this information in mind as I continued on my journey.

Again, for as long as I remembered, nothing in the forest outside of mundane animals. Tianyi was likely the only Spirit Beast within a hundred li of the village.

Soon enough, Tianyi and I reached the edge of the forest. As we walked deeper into the woods, the atmosphere began to change. The air grew colder, and the sounds of the forest seemed strangely muted. Even the vibrant colors of the plants and flowers appeared somewhat subdued. Tianyi, who had been happily fluttering around me, suddenly grew still and unwilling to leave my shoulder.

As we ventured further, Tianyi's behavior became odd. I tried to soothe her, gently stroking her delicate wings.

Tianyi and I ventured deeper into the forest, the sunlight filtering through the dense canopy above us. As we walked, I noticed how eerily quiet it was. The usual cacophony of birdsong and rustling leaves was strangely absent, replaced by an unnerving silence that made my skin prickle with unease. It felt as if the forest was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

Despite the unsettling atmosphere, the forest was exactly as I remembered it – the moss-covered stones, the twisted roots snaking across the forest floor, and the smell of damp earth and decay. I tried to offset my nervousness by acting boldly, striding confidently through the undergrowth with Tianyi still perched on my shoulder.

"No creature to fear here, Tianyi. In fact, I am the most dangerous one here. My entire body is a lethal weapon, I say. So if a hungry beast were to try its luck...it would find its head separated from its shoulders!"

In an effort to reassure myself, I gripped the knife I used to harvest plants tightly in my hand. The familiar weight of the tool in my grasp provided some small comfort, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

As we continued on our path, the silence of the forest was only broken by the occasional snap of a twig or the rustling of leaves as we disturbed them. The further we traveled, the more pronounced the sense of unease became. Tianyi's trembling had not subsided, and I found myself casting wary glances around as if expecting danger to materialize from the shadows at any moment.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the sound of rushing water reached my ears. We were getting closer to the waterfall where I had discovered the artifact that triggered the Heavenly Interface. As we approached, the atmosphere seemed to shift slightly. While the silence remained, the tension in the air seemed to lessen, as if the forest was finally exhaling a long-held breath.

The waterfall came into view, cascading down the rocks in a shimmering curtain of mist and spray. I couldn't help but be struck by the beauty of the scene, even as my mind remained preoccupied with the strangeness of the forest.

"Alright, Tianyi, be careful now. Don't get wet."

I lifted my robe to avoid getting it wet while the butterfly fluttered around in a hurried manner. She seemed partial to sticking closer to me, but I didn't want to get any water on her. I don't know how durable a Spirit Beast was, but I don't think the Azure Moonlight Flutter were exactly known for their toughness.

Approaching the spot where the mirage was, I leaned forward expecting no resistance to enter the secret tunnel.

Instead, my forehead met with solid stone and I almost stumbled backward into the water, cradling my head in agony.

"Ahh..! Dear heavens, Tianyi, I see two of you!" I groaned, rubbing my aching forehead.

The injury wasn't the most pressing matter; the tunnel leading into where I had seen the artifact was gone. It was as if the very entrance to the mysterious ruins had vanished without a trace. I couldn't make sense of it; the hidden chamber had been so real, so vivid in my memory. That was no illusion. It was where I had my fateful meeting with Tianyi.

I touched the spot where the entrance should have been, only to be met with water and rock. I felt around, trying to see if it was blocked, but to no avail. The smooth stone surface offered no indication that a passageway had ever existed there.

"Was it all just an illusion, Tianyi?" I asked the butterfly, my voice filled with confusion and frustration. "Did I imagine the entire thing?"

Tianyi fluttered her wings as if to offer some comfort, but she remained silent. I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. The discovery of the mysterious ruins had ignited a spark of hope and excitement within me, and now it seemed to be snuffed out just as quickly. I had hoped it would allow me to gain some further insight into this Heavenly Interface, and what it had to offer. Much of it was still shrouded in mystery, after all.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, trying to recall every detail of the hidden chamber as I attempted to make sense of its sudden disappearance. The intricate carvings, the musty scent, and the sense of profoundness when I glanced at the stone pedestal in the very center of the ruins; all of it felt so real, yet here I was, standing before a blank wall of unyielding rock.

"Could it be a hidden mechanism?" I mused, not wanting to give up on the possibility that the secret chamber still existed. "Maybe there's a specific way to access it."

I started to examine the area more closely, searching for any clues or hidden switches that might reveal the entrance once more. I pressed and prodded the stone surface, tapped on the rocks surrounding the waterfall, and even tried speaking to the waterfall as I ran out of ideas.

But no matter what I tried, the entrance remained stubbornly hidden, leaving me feeling more perplexed and disheartened than ever.

"Why would it vanish like this, Tianyi?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What am I missing?"

A rustling in the bushes alerted me to the presence of something nearby. Instinctively, I gripped my knife tighter and scanned the undergrowth for any sign of movement. Tianyi, who had been fluttering anxiously, suddenly froze in place, her wings quivering.

From the shadows, an unusually large crow stepped out into the open, its black feathers glistening in the dappled sunlight. Its beady eyes bore an unnerving intelligence, and it seemed to be studying us with great interest. The crow seemed to be drawn to Tianyi, and I could tell that it coveted the Azure Moonlight Flutter for more than just nutritional value.

For a moment, I thought it was a Spirit Beast. One thing they all seemingly possessed was greater intelligence. But it didn't hold the same, mystical feel that Tianyi had. Perhaps it was on the cusp of becoming one?

Before I could react, the crow lunged at us, beak open and talons extended. I swiped at it with my knife, but the bird easily dodged my attack and took to the air, circling us and cawing mockingly. Any concern I had about the missing entryway was gone.

"Get back, you vile creature!" I shouted, swinging my knife in a futile attempt to fend off the crow. "You won't lay a single talon on Tianyi!"

The chase was on. The intelligent crow led us on a wild pursuit deeper into the forest, constantly out of reach but never far from sight. I was impressed by its cunning, as it seemed to have a plan to separate Tianyi from me. The crow would occasionally swoop in for a strike, forcing me to dodge or counter, only to retreat once more and lead us further into the woods. I kept the butterfly close, cupping her in my hands and preventing the agile avian from picking her off.

As we raced through the forest, the crow's attacks grew more daring and persistent, aiming to wear us down and catch us off-guard. Tianyi clung to my shoulder, her tiny body trembling with fear, and I could feel her weakening with each passing moment.

I cursed my weakness. Being unable to fend off a crow, even with uncanny intelligence, was shameful. The only caveat so far was the constant physical training I've endured keeping me sharp against the bird's constant attacks. The crow's talons were sharp, cutting open a wound on my cheek. It would've been difficult to fend it off by myself, but protecting my butterfly companion at the same time added another layer of challenge.

Despite my best efforts to shake off our pursuer, the crow continued to hound us, its intelligence and persistence pushing me to my limits. With every near miss and desperate lunge, I could feel my resolve and energy waning. I stumbled on a root, and I only had just enough time to extend my arms and prevent Tianyi from being crushed by my weight. But it meant she was vulnerable to attack, and the dastardly bird knew it.

Finally, the crow made its move. It swooped in, talons extended, and managed to get ahold of Tianyi's wings. I could see the damage the crow's sharp talons had inflicted on her and I snapped.

"UNHAND HER!"

In a burst of adrenaline-fueled fury, I charged at the crow and managed to land a decisive blow with my knife just as it caught her, slicing through its wing and sending it crashing to the forest floor. The bird let out a final, pitiful caw before succumbing to its injuries, laying dead on the forest floor.

I rushed to Tianyi's side, cradling her in my hands as I examined the damage. Her wings were badly torn and bent, and she was barely moving. I cursed and looked around for a spot where I could set her down and treat her. Damn it all! I had no clue how to treat a butterfly's grievous wounds! And I sincerely doubted anyone else in the village did either. It would take me hours to get back, especially considering that I ran even further off the familiar path. I was well and truly lost in the forest this time around.

I would have to heal Tianyi myself.

The fact that she was still alive after being caught in that crow's talons was a miracle; a testament to her title as a Spirit Beast. But it was just enough to keep her from the jaws of death.

I cupped her into my hands, as gently as I could, but then I noticed a yellow glowing orb from a small distance away. I recognized it immediately; identical to the one outside my porch! It was an area with wood qi!

Name: Tianyi

Race: Mystical Butterfly

Affinity: Wood

Cultivation Rank: Qi Initiation Stage - Rank 1

Special Abilities:

Qi Haven: Transforms frequented areas into concentrated qi zones, boosting recovery and cultivation efficiency for those within its boundaries.

Moonlight Empowerment: Gains increased power and vitality under the moonlight.

Qi Siphon: Can absorb small amounts of qi from its surroundings to sustain itself.

Qi Transfer: Can imbue living beings with energy by transferring its qi, providing a small boost to those who receive it.

Bond Level: 2 (Friend) - Tianyi has developed a closer relationship with you, displaying increased trust and willingness to assist in your cultivation journey.

Her skill, Qi Siphon, should work here! I got closer and laid her down as close as I could to the glowing orb, where I surmised the innate qi was at its strongest, and searched for a flower of some sort that could be used as her bed. Just underneath the yellow glowing orb, I spotted another item of interest.

A Moonlit Grace Lily.

Under the gentle warmth of the early afternoon sun, I carefully cradled Tianyi in my palm, her delicate azure wings quivering ever so slightly. As I approached the Moonlit Grace Lily, its vibrant petals swayed gently in the breeze atop the grassy hill. With the utmost care, I lowered her onto the soft, velvety petals, which seemed to embrace her tiny form. The plant's subtle mystical aura enveloped her, and I could see her tense body gradually relax, her wings settling down to rest. With shaking fingers, I carefully smoothed out her wings, wincing at the spots where the crow had left its mark.

At that moment, as the Moonlit Grace Lily's soothing energy began to work its magic on Tianyi, a pang of guilt and shame washed over me. The cultivation quests and the pressures of my journey seemed to fade into insignificance. Despite all that she had done for me, I had been unable to protect her when she needed me most.

No-I wouldn't sit here mourning my weakness. It was time for me to do something for her. To save Tianyi.