C8 The Cruel Truth

In a mystical land dozens of miles from the Qi Pavilion, Hanyu Qingtian, the chief of the Hanyu Family, sat in silent meditation. As he slowly opened his eyes, it seemed he was intimately aware of the events unfolding far away.

"So, it has begun. This generation has a few promising talents worth cultivating. They'll prove invaluable in the struggle for the quota against those rivals."

He silently recited several names, pausing when he reached Hanyu Xiaotian's, and let out a soft sigh.

"So this is the Qi Pavilion."

Hanyu Xiaotian scrutinized the place that might hold the key to his aspirations.

Surrounding him were numerous sealed chambers, their walls etched with intricate, irregular patterns that trailed off, hinting at some hidden destination.

At the center of the chamber, a stick of incense, half a meter in length, smoldered slowly.

Wisps of green smoke curled upwards, carrying a subtle medicinal scent that cleared the minds of all present, sharpening their focus.

"Waking Spirit Incense!"

Crafted from rare medicinal materials, this incense was designed to dispel distractions and aid in the understanding of martial arts.

Such incense was not only exorbitantly priced but exceedingly rare, with every gram fetching astronomical sums at auction.

The half-meter stick before them was a testament to the Hanyu Family's immense wealth and influence.

Hanyu Xiongba, at the forefront of the group, inhaled deeply, his eyes sparking with determination as he pushed open the nearest chamber door and stepped inside.

The door sealed shut behind him, its edges glowing briefly before blending seamlessly with the wall—now an impenetrable, isolated space.

The others exchanged glances and quickly selected chambers of their own, disappearing within.

Soon, only Hanyu Duofeng, Hanyu Shengxi, and Hanyu Xiaotian remained in the hall.

Hanyu Shengxi, with a delicate lift of her jade-like cheek, addressed her childhood friend, "Xiaotian, strive hard. Don't fall too far behind us. And remember, if anyone ever bullies you, just say my name. I've got your back."

She gave his shoulder a reassuring pat, assuming an air of maturity beyond her years, and with a playful giggle, she too entered an unoccupied chamber.

Hanyu Duofeng, ever the picture of cool detachment, offered two simple words: "The same."

With that, he vanished into a chamber of his own.

Hanyu Xiaotian was torn between laughter and tears, yet he felt a warmth in his heart.

His childhood companions remained unchanged, but how could he rely on their protection?

He, too, must become a force to be reckoned with.

Firming his resolve, Hanyu Xiaotian pushed open a chamber door...

Inside, he found a spartan setup: a stone platform and a single cushion. After a brief contemplation, he took his seat.

As Hanyu Xiaotian settled down, the chamber's enigmatic patterns ignited, following an arcane sequence. In an instant, he was transported to a transcendent state...

"Where am I? How did I suddenly get here? And what's this slowly flowing red substance? It resembles blood—how peculiar."

"Huh, where am I? Is that a heart? It hardly seems to be beating at all. Wait, could it be that I'm actually looking at... the inside of my body?

Yes, that must be it. Grandfather and Father mentioned that once I step into the Qi Pavilion, I would come to understand the mysteries of my body in the deepest way possible. Only then could I truly perceive the inner Qi to its fullest."

What a wondrous thing this is!

With the curiosity of youth, Hanyu Xiaotian felt a thrill, as if he had stumbled upon a delightful secret. He eagerly began to explore the inner workings of his own body.

Beyond his slowly coursing blood and the sluggish thump of his heart, Hanyu Xiaotian observed his body's robust meridians, the undeveloped yet iron-strong muscle fibers, his bones—white and dense with subtle hints of jade—and finally...

The sealed dantian!