That morning, the air at the Green Sky Sect felt colder than usual, carrying with it the promise of adventure.
Chen Xuwu stood in front of the Jade Bamboo Pavilion, wearing the sect uniform that now fit him perfectly.
At his waist hung a small cloth pouch given by Lin Qianyu, containing several Qi recovery pills and basic healing elixirs—standard equipment for a mission.
My first mission. It feels like starting an adventure in a game world, but this is real. There's no 'load game' button if I make a wrong move. A mix of excitement and slight tension crept into his heart.
Lin Qianyu arrived shortly after, also wearing the same sect uniform, but with an added leather belt from which several elixir bottles hung. Her thin sword was neatly sheathed at her waist. She looked eager.
"Ready, Chen Xuwu?" she asked, a bright smile gracing her face.
"Ready!" Chen Xuwu replied, nodding firmly.
They began to walk, leaving the main sect area and heading towards a path that led to the northern forest.
The path became less traveled, the trees grew denser, and the sounds of nature became more dominant.
SFX: (Sound of dry twigs cracking underfoot, crackle-crackle, and the rustle of dense foliage, whoosh, as they pushed through the forest)
Lin Qianyu walked ahead, occasionally clearing bushes with her sword. "This northern forest is wilder. The Qi there is also unbalanced in some places. We need to be careful."
Chen Xuwu nodded. He felt the change in the surrounding Qi. The deeper they went, the more chaotic the Qi felt, not as harmonious as within the sect. Some plants looked withered, and he could feel their whispers of sadness through his 'Empathic Leaf Knot'.
That spiritual spring must be in serious trouble. I can feel nature's suffering here.
After about an hour of walking, they arrived at an area that looked bleak. The trees around the spring appeared withered, their leaves yellowing and falling, forming a dry carpet on the ground.
The spring itself, which should have been clear and radiating Qi, now looked murky and its flow was very weak. The air around it felt heavy and cold, as if something was draining life from the place.
SFX: (Sound of slow, weak water droplets, drip... drip..., from the almost dry spring, followed by a cold gust of wind carrying a faint foul odor, whoosh)
"Here it is," Lin Qianyu said, her expression concerned. "This spiritual spring should be a strong source of Qi for this area. But look... it's much worse than I expected."
Chen Xuwu approached the spring, kneeling at its edge. He placed his hand on the murky water. Instantly, a piercing cold sensation spread up his arm, followed by a wave of painful information.
[System: Detection: Spiritual Spring contaminated with dense Negative Qi. Source of contamination: Evil Qi Root hidden underground. Contamination level: Very High.]
[Main Mission: Restore the Spiritual Spring. Remove the Evil Qi Root. Time limit: 24 hours.]
[Warning: The Evil Qi Root has spiritual defenses. User is advised to continuously use 'Aura of Nature Purification' Lv.2 and 'Touch of Life' Lv.3 to restore the spring's Qi.]
Evil Qi Root? So it's not just ordinary weakness. This must be someone's doing. Its Qi feels so... evil. Chen Xuwu frowned. He could feel the evil Qi pulsating underground, like a sick heart, emitting destructive energy.
"What's wrong, Chen Xuwu?" Lin Qianyu asked, seeing the serious expression on his face.
"There's an Evil Qi Root down here," Chen Xuwu explained, pulling his hand from the water. "That's what's draining the spring's Qi and making the plants wither. Its Qi is very dense and destructive."
Lin Qianyu gasped. "An Evil Qi Root? That's very dangerous! They are usually only found in very dark areas or where evil cultivators perform forbidden rituals. How can it be here?"
That's a good question. Some evil cultivator must have done it. But who? Chen Xuwu didn't know the answer.
"I have to remove it. The system says I can use 'Aura of Nature Purification' and 'Touch of Life'."
"But... that's too dangerous!" Lin Qianyu tried to stop him, her hand gripping Chen Xuwu's arm.
"An Evil Qi Root can drain your Qi and even damage your Dantian if you're not careful! We should go back to the sect and report to the Elder!"
"No time," Chen Xuwu said firmly, gently releasing Lin Qianyu's grip. He could feel the worsening suffering of the spring and the surrounding plants.
I can't let them suffer any longer. I am the guardian of nature. "I have to do it now."
He knelt again at the edge of the spring. He closed his eyes, focusing all the Qi in his Dantian. He activated 'Aura of Nature Purification' and channeled it into the water, imagining pure green energy spreading into every drop, penetrating into the earth, searching for the Evil Qi Root.
SFX: (Strong hum of radiating Qi, hummmmmm, followed by the sound of water gently churning, blup-blup)
Lin Qianyu watched him anxiously. She could see a soft green light emanating from Chen Xuwu's body, enveloping the spring area. The surrounding Qi began to churn, evil Qi and pure Qi clashing.
He's really doing it. His aura... so pure and strong. But this is too dangerous for him!
Lin Qianyu gripped her sword tightly, ready to act if anything went wrong.
Underground, Chen Xuwu felt the battle. The Evil Qi Root pulsed, trying to resist his purifying Qi. A cold sensation and pain pierced his mind, trying to drain his energy.
[System: Warning: Evil Qi Root attempting to retaliate. Maintain focus. Channel more Qi. Do not let the Evil Qi permeate your Dantian.]
I won't let it! Chen Xuwu growled, focusing more Qi from his Dantian. He imagined himself as a giant tree, its roots penetrating the earth, purifying every impurity. He pushed the pure Qi more aggressively, surrounding and suppressing the evil Qi.
SFX: (Sound of evil Qi slowly weakening, sssshhh, like evaporating steam, followed by a low rumble from underground, grrrrmmm, as if something was being forced back)
Slowly but surely, the evil Qi began to recede, weakening under the pressure of Chen Xuwu's pure Qi. The pain in his head subsided.
The Evil Qi Root, which had been aggressive, now felt like a frightened creature, trying to escape, but trapped.
Chen Xuwu took a deep breath, then fully activated 'Touch of Life', channeling vital energy into the spring. The water, which had been murky, slowly began to clear, emitting a soft bluish-green light. Its flow became stronger, and the air around it felt fresher.
SFX: (Sound of water flowing rapidly, gurgle-gurgle, and Qi bubbles rising to the surface, blup-blup-blup, creating a soothing melody)
The withered plants around the spring quickly began to turn green again, new shoots appeared, and flowers bloomed beautifully. A sweet aroma filled the air, replacing the previous foul odor.
SFX: (Sound of leaves blooming rapidly, pop-pop-pop, and birds chirping joyfully again, chirp-chirp-chirp, filling the forest)
Chen Xuwu opened his eyes. The spring now glowed, radiating abundant pure Qi. The Evil Qi Root had been completely purified.
[Mission Complete: Restore the Spiritual Spring. Remove the Evil Qi Root.]
[+500 Exp.]
[System: Congratulations! Your Cultivation Level has reached Beginner Stage Level 6 (Peak).]
[Skill 'Aura of Nature Purification' leveled up to Lv.3.]
[Additional Reward: Pure Qi Crystal (1 piece).]
Lin Qianyu ran closer, her eyes sparkling with awe. She touched the spring water, feeling the pure Qi flowing rapidly. "You... you really did it! This spring... its Qi is even purer than before! And you leveled up again!"
She looked at Chen Xuwu, her clear eyes radiating deep admiration. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
He... he's truly amazing. He's not only strong, but he also has a kind heart. And his aura... is so warming. I feel... safe near him. Lin Qianyu felt her heart beat faster.
Chen Xuwu smiled, satisfied with his achievement. "Yes, mission complete." He took the Pure Qi Crystal that appeared in his hand. This must be a reward from the system. It looked like a small jade stone radiating energy. Very beautiful.
"Pure Qi Crystal!" Lin Qianyu exclaimed, her eyes wide. "That's extremely rare! It can be used to accelerate cultivation or make high-grade elixirs! This is an incredible reward!"
Oh, so this is a rare item.
Chen Xuwu nodded. Not bad for a first mission.
"We should go back to the sect immediately and report this to Elder Liu!" Lin Qianyu said, her voice full of excitement. "He'll surely be very pleased!"
They began to walk back, leaving the now fully restored spring. Throughout the journey home, Lin Qianyu continued to praise Chen Xuwu's abilities, and Chen Xuwu could only smile awkwardly. However, he also felt genuine pride. He had done something meaningful, something that truly protected nature.
In a Hidden Cave, Thousands of Miles Away...
In the depths of a cave shrouded in dense black mist, a cloaked figure sat cross-legged on an altar made of bones. Dense evil Qi swirled around him, making the air feel suffocating.
The figure, Grandmaster Mo Xie, had a face obscured by shadows, leaving only a pair of burning red eyes that radiated a cold and cruel aura.
In front of him, a large obsidian mirror reflected the image of the spiritual spring that Chen Xuwu had just purified.
The image flickered, showing abundant pure Qi, replacing the evil Qi he had planted.
SFX: (Sound of the obsidian mirror crackling, crackle-crackle, as if restraining anger, followed by a deep angry snort, grrrhhh)
"Interesting," Grandmaster Mo Xie's voice was hoarse and cold, like the grinding of stones in a graveyard. "The Evil Qi I painstakingly planted... purified this quickly? And by an unknown young man?"
He raised his thin hand, and the black mist around him swirled faster. "Whoever you are, little 'Nature Guardian'... you have attracted my attention." His red eyes narrowed. "Not many can purify my Evil Qi. You must possess something special."
Grandmaster Mo Xie smirked, a terrifying smile in the darkness. "Nature... is a resource, not something to be protected. True power comes from conquest, from draining essence. You will soon learn that your harmony is merely weakness."
SFX: (Grandmaster Mo Xie's hoarse laughter echoing in the cave, hahaha-hahaha, followed by the intensifying rustle of evil Qi, sssshhh)
He shifted his gaze from the mirror, staring into the darkness before him. "I will find you, 'Nature Guardian'.
And when I do... I will drain every drop of pure Qi from your body, to strengthen my Dao of Darkness."
Back in the Northern Forest...
Chen Xuwu and Lin Qianyu continued their journey back. Lin Qianyu kept praising Chen Xuwu's abilities, and Chen Xuwu could only smile awkwardly.
However, he also felt genuine pride. He had done something meaningful, something that truly protected nature.
As they approached the sect gate, Chen Xuwu felt his Qi pulsating.
I've reached Beginner Stage Level 6. Just one more level to break through to the Initial Foundation Stage.I need to keep practicing and get stronger.
The sun began to set, painting the sky with orange and purple hues. The Green Sky Sect looked peaceful amidst the twilight.
Chen Xuwu knew his journey had just begun. There was still much to learn, much to protect. And he was ready for it.
This world indeed awaits me. And I will be a worthy guardian. He didn't know that in the distance, a dark shadow had begun to watch him, and his destiny would soon collide with a force far more sinister than anything he had ever imagined.