C6 Spirit Haven

"Hehe, following the Master means I'll never go hungry again," Lin Yu said with a mischievous grin, the corners of his mouth splitting into a wider smile before his tone shifted. "So, when will you teach me to sense spiritual energy?"

Wuyi chuckled and picked up the half-eaten bear paw, replying, "No rush. Once I finish this bear paw, I'll find a spot to clean you up, and then it won't be too late to pass on that knowledge."

"I can't believe you're still not full after eating so much. You really have a big appetite," Lin Yu commented with a smirk.

"Kid, you don't know the half of it. Once you understand the secrets, you might end up eating even more than me..." Wuyi said, shaking his head with a laugh. He then flipped the bear paw and instructed Lin Yu, "Bring some firewood over here; the bear paw's getting cold."

Watching the old Taoist, Lin Yu got to his feet and headed toward the shattered trees. Despite his right leg still lacking strength, the absence of pain was a pleasant surprise to him.

...

The crisp autumn wind rustled through the forest as an old man and a young boy made their way along a winding path, flanked by neatly arranged trees. The contrast in their attire was somewhat comical: the elder in his simple robe, exuding an air of sage-like wisdom, and the youth swaddled in furs, cinched at the waist with scraps of cloth, giving him a bulky appearance.

For about half a month, the pair had been traversing the forest, pausing occasionally as the old Taoist shared insights on the journey of cultivation. Lin Yu grasped some concepts, while others remained elusive. Hearing about these practices was one thing, but actually performing them proved to be a considerable challenge.

The first major hurdle for Lin Yu was Qi Gathering. This practice involved inhaling the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, accumulating it within the body to lay the groundwork for future advancement. Following his master's instructions, Lin Yu attempted to draw in the spiritual energy. Although he could sense it entering his body, only a minuscule amount reached his elixir field, leaving his efforts largely unrewarded.

Lin Yu had once inquired of his master about the human body's three Jiao and twelve meridians, which circulate lifeblood, bridging the internal and external, and connecting the heavens and the earth. For beginners in cultivation, the meridians are often blocked. Though they can be opened with external help, this approach is not conducive to advanced practice. A gradual, self-reliant process to clear the meridians is essential for long-term progress.

"Master, how much longer until we can leave the forest?"

"Half a day. We should be out of the Twilight Forest in about half a day." Wuyi glanced at the boy who had posed the same question daily and shook his head with a hint of resignation.

Lin Yu had learned from the old Taoist that he had grown up on the outskirts of the Twilight Forest. The forest, with its numerous mountains and vast expanse, was home to an unimaginable abundance of spiritual things. Also known as the Spiritspine Mountain Range, it had lured many cultivators deep into its heart in search of these spiritual things for their cultivation, though few returned, attesting to its peril.

Lin Yu had also questioned the old Taoist about his presence in the forest and whether he was seeking spiritual things. The old Taoist merely smiled and offered no reply. After several unsuccessful attempts, Lin Yu ceased to ask.

"Finally, we're about to leave..." Lin Yu whispered to himself, quickening his pace with a growing sense of anticipation.

Half a day later, Wuyi and Lin Yu reached the forest's edge. Gazing upon the vast expanse, Lin Yu was filled with emotion, looking off into the distance with an unexpected twinge of reluctance.

Unaware of Lin Yu's thoughts, the old Taoist urged, "Let's move on. There's a town not far from here. I have some matters to attend to, and we'll get you some new clothes as well."

"Alright!"

Ye Tian, now knowing their destination, eagerly agreed and, without further thought, sprang ahead.

The old Taoist remained still for a moment, gazing back into the forest's depths with a furrowed brow and a sigh of contemplation. Then, letting go of his hesitation, he turned and proceeded towards the town.

Before long, the pair arrived at a town known as Sylvantide, the nearest settlement to the Twilight Forest. Its proximity to the forest and its elevated position allowed the wind to sweep through like a tide, which is how it got its name.

In Sylvantide, people bustled to and from the Twilight Forest daily. Some were fortunate enough to find spiritual things to trade for money or other items. As long as an agreement could be reached, the exchange was considered favorable.

Lin Yu was captivated by the bustling crowds, the towering buildings lining the streets, and the occasional clusters of vendors. To him, this might just be the most vibrant and extraordinary place he had ever seen.

While Lin Yu was engrossed in the scene, he was suddenly pulled aside by Wuyi. Regaining his bearings, he realized the old Taoist had already stepped into a shop. Amidst the curious stares of onlookers, Lin Yu hurried after the elder.

Upon entering the establishment, a pleasant aroma enveloped him, seemingly opening every pore in his body and filling him with an ineffable sense of comfort.

His eyes roamed the spacious hall, noting wooden cabinets lining the walls and a black wooden plaque hanging in the center, inscribed with the golden characters "Spirit Haven." The decor was simple and rustic yet exuded a distinct charm.

Catching up to Wuyi at the counter, Lin Yu observed a middle-aged man engrossed in a book. Upon noticing the newcomers, the man looked up, his brow creasing ever so slightly before he set the book aside and stood with a welcoming smile. "How may I assist you today?"

"I have a rather extensive list of materials. Might I have some paper and a pen to write them down for you?" Wuyi inquired thoughtfully.

Spirit Haven had been serving a diverse clientele for many years, including many esteemed cultivators known as Almighties, with exacting demands for materials and spiritual things. They often sought assistance in locating and gathering these items, allowing the establishment to profit handsomely. Despite Wuyi's modest attire, his aura of wisdom and serenity was unmistakable. The middle-aged man, recognizing Wuyi's extraordinary nature, promptly ushered him into a private chamber, swiftly presenting him with paper and pen with the utmost respect.

The seasoned Taoist gently stroked his beard, took up a pen, and methodically listed the necessary materials on a sheet of paper. He passed it to the middle-aged man, inquiring, "Take a look. Do you have all of these items?"

The middle-aged man accepted the list with reverence. While some of the items were indeed precious, none were particularly rare. The extensive assortment of materials was so intricate that he couldn't discern the old Taoist's intended use for them.

Among the items were a few that affected the Consciousness, a type of material seldom in demand, which only added to the middle-aged man's bewilderment.

Despite his confusion, the middle-aged man refrained from questioning. He maintained a professional smile and assured, "Please wait a moment, I will prepare everything for you."

"Hold on..." The old Taoist called out, halting the middle-aged man. With a flourish of his hand, he produced a brocade box on the table and gestured towards Lin Yu, proposing, "Let's use this for the exchange, and while you're at it, prepare a few sets of plain robes for the youngster."

"What might this be?" The middle-aged man's eyes flickered with curiosity, yet he hesitated to approach and take the brocade box.

Crafted from wood, the box's appearance was unassuming yet tasteful, exuding an air of antiquity. A mere glance was enough to recognize that it contained no ordinary object. The middle-aged man discreetly observed the old Taoist before stepping forward to cautiously lift the brocade box.