The morning light spilled softly through the small window of Li Yao's cottage, painting faint golden patterns upon the walls. For the first time in what felt like weeks, he awoke refreshed. The heaviness that had weighed upon his mind since returning from the mission had lifted, replaced by a quiet clarity.
After a simple meal, Li Yao returned to his duties in the herbal gardens. The familiar scent of earth and grass filled the air, and the work steadied his thoughts. He moved with practiced efficiency, weeding, trimming, and tending the delicate herbs under the watchful eyes of the morning sun.
By midday, his hands were steady, his mind calm. He retrieved his axe from the corner of his hut and made his way to the secluded clearing near the garden's edge. The practice of Nature Severance, the axe technique his master had given him, awaited.
Li Yao inhaled deeply, steadying his breath. Today, as he sank into the familiar stances, something felt different. There was a subtle shift, a resonance deep within his chest, as though his heart itself beat in rhythm with the flow of nature around him.
With slow precision, he performed the initial movements of Nature Severance, cutting off all of his senses and focusing only on the blade of his axe. His breathing slowed. His mind stilled.
Then, in a moment of instinct, he performed the Falling Ember Slash, the common axe technique Master Bai had taught him. The blade whistled through the air—but this time, the result was utterly unlike before.
A surge of power exploded from the strike, doubling the force he had ever achieved. The shock of it jarred Li Yao from his trance. He staggered back, his hands trembling as the axe vibrated faintly in his grip.
"What… was that?" he whispered, breathless.
Sitting down cross-legged, he positioned his palms upon each other and drew his senses inward. Within his body, he felt a subtle yet profound transformation. His heart, the core of his will, pulsed with an unfamiliar yet invigorating energy—a force unlike spiritual qi, a power that did not come from the world around him but from within himself.
He sat in deep meditation, observing the changes. Slowly, the mysterious force diminished, fading after its expenditure, but as he continued to breathe calmly and center his mind, the energy recovered, returning, as if it had never left.
Realization dawned, clear as the rising sun.
He had comprehended the Axe Intent.
Joy welled up in his chest, tempered by awe. This was no ordinary advancement. Spiritual energy that cultivators used was always drawn from the ambient qi of the heavens and earth, absorbed through one's spiritual root. But intent—this power was different. It came from within, born of one's will and determination. Once used, it naturally replenished itself with rest and reflection.
Li Yao's pulse quickened. The comprehension of intent was something most cultivators only dreamed of attaining in the higher realms of cultivation. Yet here he was, feeling the birth of Axe Intent within himself.
Curious, he summoned his Heavenly Observation System interface and focused on the technique section.
[Technique Proficiency Panel
Nature Severance – 25% Mastery]
His brows lifted in surprise. Only a quarter of the way into mastering Nature Severance, and yet he had already forged his intent? The technique was more profound than he had imagined. Unlike other methods where comprehension and mastery can be guided by Dao insights and spending observation points, Nature Severance demanded the transformation of one's will into a tangible force.
Li Yao's heart swelled with quiet pride, and yet, he remained grounded. "There's still so much to learn," he murmured.
Settling into meditation, he allowed his mind to drift, reflecting on the mission he had recently completed.
He recalled the decision to use nearly all the talismans Master Bai had entrusted to him. Initially, he had hesitated, fearing he was wasting precious resources, but in hindsight, it had been a sound strategy. The talismans had conserved his own qi reserves, allowing him to contribute meaningfully against the cult hideout's leader. Yan Mu's tactics and his own reliance on talismans had complemented each other, creating the opening they needed to inflict serious damage.
Then there was the compass, a high-grade tier-two formation tool. Though Li Yao's cultivation was too low to unleash its full potential, the compass had been crucial in disorienting the enemy. Unlike the talismans, the compass wasn't a one-time consumable. With the right materials gathered from Ember City, it could be repaired and reused.
His thoughts turned to the grade-three armor gifted by Master Bai. Without it, he might have been injured in the cult's trap. But as he mulled over the battle's intricacies, he realized a glaring flaw—his body refinement was severely lagging behind his qi cultivation. Had his physique been stronger, he might not have needed to rely so heavily on external protections and talismans.
"I'll need to bring my body cultivation up to par," he resolved, clenching his fists.
Unbeknownst to Li Yao, far across the sect, Deacon Bai Renshu, seated in quiet meditation, sensed a ripple of intent emerging from Li Yao's position. Bai's eyes snapped open, a rare expression of astonishment lighting his face.
"So soon?" Bai murmured, his lips curving into a faint, proud smile. "I hadn't expected the mission and journey to refine his will so profoundly."
He closed his eyes, centering his thoughts. Comprehension of intent was an extraordinary achievement. It wasn't merely a display of talent; it reflected the depth of one's willpower and resolve. A cultivator who could forge intent so early would face far fewer obstacles in the future—immune to some illusions, resilient against inner demons.
Yet even Bai was puzzled. In his long life, he had seen few who achieved intent comprehension before the Nascent Soul stage. Even geniuses like himself had grasped intent only during Core Formation. And now, Li Yao, his quiet disciple, had done it at the Foundation Establishment stage.
A low chuckle rumbled from his throat. "It seems I underestimated him."
Though questions lingered in Bai's mind—how could a youth of such humble origins, with a high-grade fire root and no apparent backing, achieve this?—he brushed them aside. Li Yao was his disciple. No matter how extraordinary his growth, Bai would ensure he achieved his dreams.
As dusk painted the sky in shades of crimson and gold, Li Yao rose from his meditation. His gaze turned toward the setting sun, the faint trace of axe intent still lingering in the air around him.
For the first time since stepping onto the path of cultivation, Li Yao felt a deep certainty settle within him. His strength was no longer borrowed from the world—it was his own, a reflection of his will.