Wandao 003
In the early spring morning, the village of Niupu was wrapped in a thin veil of mist. The air carried the fresh scent of earth recently moistened by dew, mingling with the delicate sweetness of new growth in the grasses and trees. A gentle breeze stirred softly, carrying distant birdsong from the forest and the faint rustling of leaves—a natural, soothing melody, gentle yet brimming with life. Morning light filtered through the treetops, casting mottled shadows on the damp grass below, shimmering like scattered fragments of gold.
Wan Xiaochuan wore a robe of pale blue cloth, its hem fluttering lightly in the breeze. His feet pressed firmly on the earth, still damp with dew, solid yet yielding beneath him. He drew a deep breath, inhaling the crisp fragrance of fresh grass and the rich weight of the soil—a natural aroma that kindled a quiet peace within his heart.
His gaze was steady and serious; his hands tightened subtly, fingertips occasionally brushing the rough weave of his robe's sleeve, the tactile sensation calming his restless thoughts. His heartbeat quickened with each step, driven by the knowledge that just ahead lay the very spot where the meteor had fallen the night before.
Approaching the place, Wan Xiaochuan's eyes were immediately drawn to an unusually striking piece of mysterious stone. The stone radiated a faint, ethereal blue glow, its surface shimmering with pinpricks of light like distant stars. Runes traced the contours of the stone like flowing currents of electricity, emitting a secret yet pure spiritual energy. Sunlight played across the stone's facets, creating an effect of crystal clarity and translucent brilliance.
He knelt, placing both hands on the cold surface. At once, a delicate current of energy pulsed through his fingertips, as if he had touched the very seam where time and space intersected. The spiritual energy trickled like a gentle stream into his meridians, causing his chest to rise and fall with subtle intensity. With every breath, he felt the waves and chemical stirrings of this energy inside him—a profound resonance with the natural world.
Suddenly, a clear, playful voice, like a spring breeze brushing his face, softly invaded his spiritual awareness—
"Greetings, stranger traveler."
The voice bypassed words, communicating directly through spiritual resonance—light, lively, and tinged with mischief.
Wan Xiaochuan's eyes snapped wide open, searching around, but no one was in sight. His brow furrowed in puzzlement and alertness. His spiritual perception tensed, mingling curiosity and caution.
"Who are you? Why do you appear within my mind?" he asked softly.
"I am Renee, the sword spirit sealed within this stone," came the flowing reply, like a babbling brook, or the soft song of a tranquil moonlit night. "Through spiritual connection, we transcend the limits of language—our minds are bound."
Wan Xiaochuan focused inward, sensing the faint pulse of her spiritual presence, a strange yet familiar pull that sent a slight tremor through his heart.
"Spiritual awareness… what is this?" he murmured, a mixture of wonder and disbelief in his voice.
Renee's tone lifted gently, as if to explain, "Spiritual awareness is a higher-level cultivation skill—a form of mind communication that can pierce through time, space, and barriers, delivering thoughts directly into the heart. It is our purest bond."
Wan Xiaochuan lowered his gaze to the mysterious stone, fingertips tracing the surface lightly, feeling the vast ages and flowing spiritual energy encoded within the runes. His mind seemed to awaken, as the once vague dream of cultivation began to take on vivid clarity.
"Then why… are you sealed here? And why choose me?" he asked, voice tinged with both struggle and hope.
"I am the guardian of this stone, and also the guide of fate," Renee smiled softly, the warmth in her voice growing. "Your pure soul and steadfast will are the keys to my awakening. From this moment on, we will face the coming storms together."
A breeze stirred, lifting the hem of Wan Xiaochuan's robe. Dew dampened his skin, a chill reaching deep within. This tangible feeling erased all doubt—this encounter was precious and real.
"You know… I never imagined that my path of cultivation would begin with such a meeting," he whispered, eyes shining with resolve and a subtle tenderness.
Renee replied mischievously, "Then prepare yourself—for the path ahead is filled with hardship and challenge. I will walk every step with you."
Wan Xiaochuan drew a deep breath, his chest swelling as the spiritual energy coursed through his body. Every inch of his skin seemed to breathe, and electric currents surged within his meridians, making his existence feel more vivid and powerful.
At this moment, his heartbeat and breath aligned with the rhythm of heaven and earth, becoming part of the spiritual energy that suffused the land. Though the road ahead was long and uncertain, he had taken the most important step.
Light and shadow danced, wind and birdcalls mingled—the morning in Niupu village was a living poem. This mysterious meeting marked the beginning of Wan Xiaochuan's fate, the first chapter of an unbreakable bond between him and Renee.
As their spiritual connection strengthened, the spiritual energy surged like a tide—heralding the dawn of his cultivation journey and the opening of the path ahead.
Wan Xiaochuan felt every cell within him awaken. He knew the future held unknown trials and opportunities. Yet now, he would never be alone—this sword of destiny, Renee, would become his steadfast companion and greatest support.
In the early spring morning, the village of Niupu was wrapped in a thin veil of mist. The air carried the fresh scent of earth recently moistened by dew, mingling with the delicate sweetness of new growth in the grasses and trees. A gentle breeze stirred softly, carrying distant birdsong from the forest and the faint rustling of leaves—a natural, soothing melody, gentle yet brimming with life. Morning light filtered through the treetops, casting mottled shadows on the damp grass below, shimmering like scattered fragments of gold.
Wan Xiaochuan wore a robe of pale blue cloth, its hem fluttering lightly in the breeze. His feet pressed firmly on the earth, still damp with dew, solid yet yielding beneath him. He drew a deep breath, inhaling the crisp fragrance of fresh grass and the rich weight of the soil—a natural aroma that kindled a quiet peace within his heart.
His gaze was steady and serious; his hands tightened subtly, fingertips occasionally brushing the rough weave of his robe's sleeve, the tactile sensation calming his restless thoughts. His heartbeat quickened with each step, driven by the knowledge that just ahead lay the very spot where the meteor had fallen the night before.
Approaching the place, Wan Xiaochuan's eyes were immediately drawn to an unusually striking piece of mysterious stone. The stone radiated a faint, ethereal blue glow, its surface shimmering with pinpricks of light like distant stars. Runes traced the contours of the stone like flowing currents of electricity, emitting a secret yet pure spiritual energy. Sunlight played across the stone's facets, creating an effect of crystal clarity and translucent brilliance.
He knelt, placing both hands on the cold surface. At once, a delicate current of energy pulsed through his fingertips, as if he had touched the very seam where time and space intersected. The spiritual energy trickled like a gentle stream into his meridians, causing his chest to rise and fall with subtle intensity. With every breath, he felt the waves and chemical stirrings of this energy inside him—a profound resonance with the natural world.
Suddenly, a clear, playful voice, like a spring breeze brushing his face, softly invaded his spiritual awareness—
"Greetings, stranger traveler."
The voice bypassed words, communicating directly through spiritual resonance—light, lively, and tinged with mischief.
Wan Xiaochuan's eyes snapped wide open, searching around, but no one was in sight. His brow furrowed in puzzlement and alertness. His spiritual perception tensed, mingling curiosity and caution.
"Who are you? Why do you appear within my mind?" he asked softly.
"I am Reni, the sword spirit sealed within this stone," came the flowing reply, like a babbling brook, or the soft song of a tranquil moonlit night. "Through spiritual connection, we transcend the limits of language—our minds are bound."
Wan Xiaochuan focused inward, sensing the faint pulse of her spiritual presence, a strange yet familiar pull that sent a slight tremor through his heart.
"Spiritual awareness… what is this?" he murmured, a mixture of wonder and disbelief in his voice.
Reni's tone lifted gently, as if to explain, "Spiritual awareness is a higher-level cultivation skill—a form of mind communication that can pierce through time, space, and barriers, delivering thoughts directly into the heart. It is our purest bond."
Wan Xiaochuan lowered his gaze to the mysterious stone, fingertips tracing the surface lightly, feeling the vast ages and flowing spiritual energy encoded within the runes. His mind seemed to awaken, as the once vague dream of cultivation began to take on vivid clarity.
"Then why… are you sealed here? And why choose me?" he asked, voice tinged with both struggle and hope.
"I am the guardian of this stone, and also the guide of fate," Reni smiled softly, the warmth in her voice growing. "Your pure soul and steadfast will are the keys to my awakening. From this moment on, we will face the coming storms together."
A breeze stirred, lifting the hem of Wan Xiaochuan's robe. Dew dampened his skin, a chill reaching deep within. This tangible feeling erased all doubt—this encounter was precious and real.
"You know… I never imagined that my path of cultivation would begin with such a meeting," he whispered, eyes shining with resolve and a subtle tenderness.
Reni replied mischievously, "Then prepare yourself—for the path ahead is filled with hardship and challenge. I will walk every step with you."
Wan Xiaochuan drew a deep breath, his chest swelling as the spiritual energy coursed through his body. Every inch of his skin seemed to breathe, and electric currents surged within his meridians, making his existence feel more vivid and powerful.
At this moment, his heartbeat and breath aligned with the rhythm of heaven and earth, becoming part of the spiritual energy that suffused the land. Though the road ahead was long and uncertain, he had taken the most important step.
Light and shadow danced, wind and birdcalls mingled—the morning in Niupu village was a living poem. This mysterious meeting marked the beginning of Wan Xiaochuan's fate, the first chapter of an unbreakable bond between him and Reni.
As their spiritual connection strengthened, the spiritual energy surged like a tide—heralding the dawn of his cultivation journey and the opening of the path ahead.
Wan Xiaochuan felt every cell within him awaken. He knew the future held unknown trials and opportunities. Yet now, he would never be alone—this sword of destiny, Reni, would become his steadfast companion and greatest support.