The morning sun had barely breached the horizon when Xu Xuan entered the dense expanse of Blackpine Forest, a place where sunlight filtered through twisted branches, casting scattered patches of gold on the forest floor. Mist clung to the undergrowth, and the crisp scent of pine filled the air. Xu Xuan's dark black and purple robes swayed lightly as he moved, his long hair brushing past his shoulders, eyes narrowed in focus. The journey into the forest was not merely a walk but a test of endurance and perception.
For hours, he had tracked faint traces of a rare herb his teacher, Yuan Heng, had instructed him to gather. "Stay aware, Xu Xuan," his teacher's voice had echoed from within the ring, calm but teasing. "The forest does not give its gifts lightly. Sometimes, the challenge comes not from the herb but from what watches you while you hunt."
Xu Xuan had followed the instructions precisely, avoiding snapped branches and loose stones, using the shadows to mask his movements. Yet, as he reached a small clearing, the familiar tension of the forest shifted. Movement in the corner of his eye—three figures emerged from behind the ancient blackpines. The unmistakable gleam of malice in their eyes made Xu Xuan's blood cool. These were bandits again. Their auras rippled with force—Peak Body Refinement Realm cultivators. Each step they took pressed into the earth like small avalanches, leaving deep impressions, their eyes fixed on Xu Xuan as prey.
"Ah, Xu Xuan," one of them sneered, stepping forward. His voice was rough, betraying arrogance. "You've been seen too often wandering these parts alone. That herb you're after—it's ours now. Hand it over, or we'll take it by force."
Xu Xuan inhaled sharply. His spiritual energy surged subtly in response, though he did not summon a full display—yet. The odds were clear: he was not at their level. His realm was still mid-stage Body Refinement, while they had mastered the peak. But experience in forest survival, agility, and the cultivation of his spirit allowed him subtle advantages.
He shifted his stance, grounding himself. One foot pressed against a moss-covered rock, the other angled backward, lowering his center of gravity. The breeze tugged at his robes as he flexed his fingers, feeling the pulse of energy through his limbs. With a quick glance toward Yuan Heng, he saw the older man perched casually atop a boulder, arms folded, an amused smile on his weathered face.
"Do you intend to die today, Brat?" Yuan Heng's laughter echoed faintly across the clearing.
Xu Xuan gritted his teeth but did not respond. Actions, not words, were his answer.
The first bandit lunged. Xu Xuan ducked under the sweeping strike, feeling the gust of air brush against his hair. He rolled to the side, planting his hand to redirect momentum into a sweeping kick aimed at the bandit's knees. The bandit stumbled but regained balance, his smirk widening. Another bandit charged from the left. Xu Xuan pivoted, spinning with precise footwork, his robes flaring, dodging the incoming strike while striking a palm toward the attacker's chest, channeling a concentrated pulse of spirit energy. The impact sent the bandit backward, rolling into the fallen leaves.
Even as his body moved fluidly, Xu Xuan's breath remained measured. Every muscle was a coiled spring; every strike a calculated risk. The bandits were faster than he expected, adapting quickly, coordinating attacks that tried to corner him. He ducked under a swing, deflected a palm thrust with the back of his hand, and somersaulted over a low-hanging branch. His hair whipped across his face, eyes sharp as he landed on the balls of his feet, barely making a sound.
"Your moves have improved, boy," Yuan Heng's voice called lightly. "But do you feel the pressure? The strain? That's the forest testing you."
Xu Xuan's eyes narrowed as he twisted, avoiding a horizontal strike that could have cleaved his side. He pivoted, sweeping one leg low, tripping the advancing bandit. The man fell hard, crashing into the trunks of ancient pines. Xu Xuan followed immediately with a burst of energy from his dantian, a short-range shockwave that forced the other two to stagger back, groaning from the impact.
The fight dragged on. Xu Xuan dodged, blocked, and countered, relying on agility and spirit energy rather than brute force. One bandit attempted a flanking move, surging from the side with a lunging strike. Xu Xuan spun his body mid-air, using the momentum to strike the bandit's shoulder with his elbow. The man stumbled, fury and surprise mingling on his face. Another strike to the side sent him sprawling into the dense underbrush, groaning in pain.
Yet the leader of the group was relentless. His fists moved in a blur, each strike heavy and precise. Xu Xuan barely deflected, felt a shock run up his arm with each collision. His robes tore slightly along the sleeves, but he did not falter. Instead, he used their momentum against them, twisting, ducking, and striking with the precision of someone who had long studied energy flow within the body.
Hours seemed to pass in the clearing. Xu Xuan's breath came heavier now, sweat running down his temples. He had no elixirs, no reinforcements—only his skill, his training in the forest, and the subtle guidance of his dantian energy. Finally, the bandits, bloodied and battered, staggered back, their confidence shattered. They had underestimated him, and the fear in their eyes was evident as they muttered curses and retreated into the Blackpine shadows.
Xu Xuan's knees bent as he inhaled deeply, hands resting on the mossy ground. Slowly, he stood, chest heaving. His long hair clung to his back from sweat. He turned sharply toward the boulder. "Teacher," he called, voice tinged with frustration and exhaustion, "this… was definitely not functioning to be forced near death!"
Yuan Heng laughed, the sound rich and unrestrained, his eyes twinkling. "Ah, Brat. That is the point. If you cannot survive when pushed to the edge, how will you ever surpass your own limits?"
Xu Xuan clenched his fists, half in exasperation, half in reluctant acknowledgment. His teacher always seemed to enjoy such situations, viewing his struggle as entertainment—and as crucial growth.
The sun had already begun its descent when Xu Xuan finally made his way back home. The forest's dense canopy had shifted into golden shafts of light, illuminating the path as he moved silently. Upon reaching the estate, the familiar scent of home welcomed him. His father, Xu Ling, awaited him outside, a slight crease of worry in his brow. Yuan Heng had already emerged from the ring, his form slightly ethereal but solid enough to converse.
Xu Ling's expression softened immediately when he saw his teacher, his respect and warmth evident. "Ah, Yuan Heng," he greeted warmly. "Back from the forest so soon?"
Yuan Heng inclined his head, a small smirk playing at his lips. "Indeed, Xu Ling. Xu Xuan here has been… putting himself through a trial today. But he survived. That is all you need to know."
Xu Xuan's father let out a low chuckle, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Well, I suppose with you watching over him, there's nothing too much to worry about. I can trust that, at least."
The three of them moved toward the courtyard. Xu Ling and Yuan Heng spoke casually, exchanging stories of cultivation techniques, jokes, and jabs, their camaraderie apparent. Xu Xuan, still catching his breath, allowed himself a small smile. Though exhausted, he felt a sense of growth, knowing he had survived a true test of body, skill, and will.
That evening, Xu Xuan retired to his room. The cool night air drifted through the open window, rustling the silk curtains. He knelt in meditation, entering his spiritual sea, feeling the energy of his body pulse and settle. The memories of the fight—the bandits' speed, the weight of their blows, and the forest around him—played vividly in his mind. He analyzed each movement, each strike, each dodge, seeking improvement.
Yuan Heng's laughter echoed faintly in his memory, a reminder of both guidance and challenge. Xu Xuan's body throbbed with exhaustion, yet his heart burned with determination. In the solitude of the night, under the watch of the stars and the whispering winds of Blackpine Forest, Xu Xuan vowed silently: he would not simply survive; he would surpass, becoming a cultivator of unparalleled skill.