Chen Xuwu's first night in the Jade Bamboo Pavilion felt like a dream too beautiful to be true. After Lin Qianyu left, he explored his new residence.
The interior was simple, yet every detail exuded tranquility and harmony. Large windows faced directly onto the lush jade bamboo forest, and the air inside the pavilion felt cool, filled with the scent of bamboo and pure Qi so dense it felt like a thin mist.
This is so much better than my cramped, stuffy apartment on Earth. No car horns, no pollution, just peace. I could get used to this.
He sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the softness of the mattress made from spiritual plant fibers.
SFX: (The gentle rustle of bamboo outside the window, swoosh, followed by the melodious chirping of night crickets, chirp-chirp)
Chen Xuwu decided to try cultivating. He sat cross-legged on the meditation mat, mimicking the positions he often saw in xianxia films.
He closed his eyes, trying to feel the Qi around him as he did when touching the trees.
[System: Detection: User attempting cultivation. Hint: Focus on breathing. Inhale pure Qi from the environment, allow it to flow through your meridians, and gather it in your Dantian (area two inches below the navel). Do not rush.]
Dantian? Meridians? Okay, new terms. Chen Xuwu followed the system's instructions. He took a deep breath. Instantly, he felt a wave of cool yet refreshing energy enter through his nose, flowing throughout his body, passing through invisible pathways that felt like small rivers.
He directed the energy to the area indicated by the system, below his navel.
SFX: (The sound of Qi flowing smoothly within the body, hummmm, like the quiet buzzing of a bee)
The process felt natural, as if his body was indeed created for this. The Qi gathered, forming a small, warm vortex.
He continued to breathe, drawing in more Qi, feeling the vortex grow larger and denser.
[Qi Connection increased: 65%.]
[Qi in Dantian: 10 units.]
[Congratulations! You have successfully begun cultivation. Your cultivation speed is extremely fast due to 100% Nature Affinity.]
Chen Xuwu opened his eyes. Only in a few minutes? This is incredible! He felt more energetic, clearer. Even his vision felt sharper.
He spent the rest of the night meditating, feeling the Qi flow within him, a sensation far more satisfying than meeting work deadlines.
The next morning, Lin Qianyu came knocking on the Jade Bamboo Pavilion.
SFX: (Gentle knocking on the wooden door, knock-knock)
"Chen Xuwu? Are you awake?" her voice sounded cheerful.
Chen Xuwu opened the door. Lin Qianyu stood there, wearing the same sect uniform, her hair neatly tied. Her face was radiant.
"Good morning, Lin Qianyu," Chen Xuwu greeted, feeling refreshed.
Lin Qianyu looked at him, her eyes widening slightly.
"Your aura... you cultivated last night? Your Qi is much stronger!" She can sense it this quickly? Chen Xuwu nodded. "Yes, a little.
The system gave me hints." He almost blurted out about the system but managed to stop himself. "I mean... I just tried to feel the Qi around me, and somehow, it felt very natural."
Lin Qianyu smiled broadly.
"That's your advantage! It's rare for anyone to cultivate this quickly at the beginning. Even core disciples. Come on, I'll take you to the sect library."
They walked along the same path as yesterday, but this time Chen Xuwu saw more disciples.
Some were practicing sword techniques with graceful movements, others sat cross-legged under trees, meditating.
SFX: (Sound of swords swishing louder, swish-swash, and the resonating sound of Qi from cultivation practice, hummmm-zzzz)
As they passed, many eyes stared at Chen Xuwu. Whispers could be heard.
"Is that him? The new Special Nature Guardian Disciple?"
"His aura is strange... so pure."
"I heard he can heal dying trees in an instant!"
Chen Xuwu felt a little uncomfortable with the attention.
I'm not used to being the center of attention. Before, I was just a shadow in the office.
He tried to ignore the whispers, but he also felt something else. Some female disciples he passed, unconsciously, blushed slightly or averted their gaze shyly. Some flowers near them even seemed to bloom a little more as he walked by.
This 'Aura of Body Harmony' effect... is both troublesome and strange.
Chen Xuwu glanced at Lin Qianyu. Lin Qianyu herself seemed unaware of the other disciples' reactions, or perhaps she was already used to such things.
They arrived at a large building made of dark wood and stone, with a magnificent curved roof. The scent of old paper and herbs filled the air.
SFX: (Sound of a large wooden door creaking softly, creak, as it opened)
"This is the Sect Library," Lin Qianyu said, ushering Chen Xuwu inside.
"All the sect's knowledge is here. From basic cultivation techniques, the history of Zhongyao Continent, to information about spiritual beasts and rare herbs."
Chen Xuwu gasped. The room was filled with towering bookshelves reaching the ceiling, packed with scrolls, scriptures, and ancient stone tablets. Dim light entered from stained-glass windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air.
This is my dream library! Before, all I read were financial reports and boss's emails. Now... this is a new world to explore.
Lin Qianyu guided him to a special section. "For you, Chen Xuwu, I suggest you start with basic books on Qi and meridians, then move on to natural history and the Dao of Nature.
That will help you understand the fundamentals of your power."
Chen Xuwu nodded, his eyes sparkling. He reached for an ancient scroll titled "Introduction to Qi and Meridians." As he touched it, a warm sensation spread.
[System: Detection: User touched Qi knowledge scroll. Hint: Read and absorb. Knowledge is power.]
He began to read. The scroll explained how Qi flowed in nature, how Qi was absorbed by cultivators, and how Qi moved through meridians—invisible energy pathways within the body. The information felt so logical, as if he had known it all along.
So, Qi is like blood to nature, and meridians are my veins. I can feel the Qi around me now, pulsating like a giant heart.
He also found some references to "Ancient Nature Spirits" that Lin Qianyu had mentioned. The book stated that in ancient times, there were beings born directly from the essence of nature, possessing the power to control elements and heal the earth.
They were extremely rare, and most were believed to have gone extinct or fallen into a deep slumber.
Ancient Nature Spirit... is that me? Is the 'life-changing event' some kind of awakening? This is crazy, but... it makes sense with everything that's happening.
Lin Qianyu, who was looking for another book on a nearby shelf, occasionally glanced at Chen Xuwu. She saw how quickly Chen Xuwu absorbed information, his eyes sparkling with understanding.
He's truly a genius. No need for much explanation, he understands immediately. His aura also gets stronger as he reads these books.
Suddenly, another female disciple, in a slightly tighter sect robe, walked past them.
She glanced at Chen Xuwu, and her cheeks immediately flushed bright red. She quickly lowered her head, quickening her pace.
SFX: (Sound of hurried fabric, rustle, followed by a slightly faster heartbeat, thump-thump)
Lin Qianyu saw her. She frowned, then turned to Chen Xuwu.
What happened? Why was she so... shy? She observed Chen Xuwu, who seemed unaware of the female disciple's reaction, too engrossed in his scroll.
Perhaps... his aura? Lin Qianyu felt a slight strange ripple in her chest. Not jealousy, but... what was this? A strange feeling.
"Chen Xuwu," Lin Qianyu called, her voice a little louder than she intended.
Chen Xuwu looked up. "Yes?"
"You... have you found anything interesting?" Lin Qianyu tried to sound normal, but she still felt a little strange.
Why is my heart beating faster when I look at him? This makes no sense!
"Yes," Chen Xuwu nodded. "I'm reading about Qi and also Ancient Nature Spirits. Do they... really exist?"
Lin Qianyu nodded. "Of course. They are ancient legends. But no one has ever seen them. They are highly revered beings. Perhaps... you have a connection with them."
Lin Qianyu smiled, trying to ignore her strange feelings. I need to spend more time with him, to guide him... and perhaps to understand what happens to me when I'm near him.
They spent several hours in the library. Chen Xuwu absorbed knowledge like a sponge, and Lin Qianyu patiently answered his questions. Towards the afternoon, Lin Qianyu suggested, "How about we try some basic practice outside? I can show you some breathing techniques to gather Qi more efficiently."
Chen Xuwu was enthusiastic. "Of course! I want to learn more."
They went to the training area near the pavilion.
Lin Qianyu demonstrated some basic movements and breathing techniques. Chen Xuwu followed easily, the Qi around him responding to his every move. In fact, as he performed the breathing techniques, some flowers around them seemed to bloom faster.
SFX: (Sound of rhythmic deep breaths, whoosh-haaa, followed by the rustle of gathering Qi, zzzzzz)
Lin Qianyu looked at him with a proud smile. He's truly amazing. I can't wait to see how far he can develop.
Chen Xuwu's first day at the Green Sky Sect ended with a deeper understanding of this new world, and a glimmer of hope for a bright future.