Chapter 2: Solidifying the Foundation
The morning sun rose over the Azure Mist Sect, turning the clouds into a sea of gold.
Mo Yuan slowly opened his eyes but did not rise. The Mirror had only declared that a breakthrough was possible, not completely perfect.
Within his dantian, Qi gathered thick and coiled, like a restrained force.
Yet a faint turbulence remained, accompanied by a trace of heat, showing that the energy had not fully settled into his bones and marrow.
Six days until the assessment. For a former gambler, six days was an eternity to leave a winning hand untouched. For a cultivator chasing the Dao, it will pass in the blink of an eye.
He stood up slowly, his stomach growling as hunger surged.
'Until I reach the Golden Core, I'm still tied to the mortal world…' he thought. 'Water, sleep, food… even the world's spiritual energy can't replace a simple meal for a Qi Refining disciple'.
He splashed water on his face and felt refreshed. 'Even small things like this remind me I'm still mortal', he thought.
Though a week had passed and he had begun to accept his new life as a cultivator, he was still just a mortal with slightly stronger power.
As Mo Yuan made his way down the winding stone steps, mist drifted among the pines and the mountains glowed in morning light. The scent of earth and dew filled the air, accompanied by birdsong.
'Modern life may make things easier with all its technology… but this, surrounded by nature is how the world should feel, full of nature and life', he thought.
Mo Yuan reached the bottom of the steps and walked toward the dining hall.
Training sounds filled the air with fists hitting sandbags, swords slicing through the air.
As he walked, Mo Yuan glanced at the Mirror in his mind.
[ Reflection: Qi density is 82% of the Heaven-favored standard. ]
[ Observation: Foundation stability is "Solid." ]
'Solid, but still not perfect'. He didn't feel disappointed moving from "Normal" state to "Solid" state in one night was a dream for most.
Yet the Mirror's standards were absolute. He would not settle for rare when the perfection was possible.
The dining hall was huge and open, built from dark ironwood. The air smelled of steamed grains and medicinal broth. Hundreds of gray-robed disciples ate quickly at long tables.
Mo Yuan grabbed a bowl of spirit-grain porridge, its yellow grains faintly charged with spiritual energy, and settled into a quiet corner.
"Look at him," a whisper came from a nearby table. "Mo Yuan is still at the first stage. I heard the Steward is considering to put him on the laundry pit list."
"Such a waste for a mid-grade spiritual root," another said. "He spends all day on that cliff and shows no progress."
"Even those with low-grade spiritual roots have already broken through to the second layer," another muttered, shaking their head. "And him? Still stuck at first layer."
Mo Yuan ignored them, focusing on the texture of the grain. He chewed slowly, letting the energy flow into his body. 'Let them laugh…' he thought. 'Step by step is better than rushing blindly.'
After finishing his meal, he didn't return to the cliff.
Instead, he headed to the Sect Training Grounds. To truly grasp the Mirror's insights, he had to see the world's standards with his own eyes.
The training grounds were like a chaotic display of power. A disciple struck a testing stone, and it glowed bright blue. The crowd cheered.
Mo Yuan watched carefully. To the naked eye, it was impressive but the Mirror showed the truth:
[Reflection: Strike efficiency 42%. Energy leaking from wrist and shoulder.]
The so-called "genius" wasted more than half his strength through poor form and unstable Qi.
On the surface, it looked impressive, but it was hollow like a house with a gilded roof and no foundation. 'It might dazzle now, but in a life-or-death battle, such flaws could be fatal', Mo Yuan thought.
"Mo Yuan!"
He turned and saw a girl with a sharp, inquisitive face Lin Xia, one of the few disciples who had treated him kindly. She was already at the peak third layer of Qi Refining stage, her aura bright and vibrant.
"You're still at the first stage?" she asked, brows furrowed with concern. "The assessment is in six days. It's not about form, it's about raw power. If you don't break through, they'll strip your disciple status."
"I know," Mo Yuan replied calmly.
"Then why aren't you in seclusion? Why are you wandering the canteen and the grounds like a tourist?" she hissed, stepping closer. "Take my spare Qi-Gathering pill. It might be enough to break through the barrier."
She held out a small, wax-sealed pellet. Mo Yuan glanced at it, then at the Mirror in his mind.
[Observation: Pill purity 54%. Consuming it may introduce 46% impurities into the bloodstream.]
"Thank you, Lin Xia," Mo Yuan said with a small, grateful smile, gently pushing her hand back. "But I don't need to force it. I'm just… making sure the door is solid before I walk through."
She looked at him sharply. "Mo Yuan, the door won't matter if you don't break through. Once the Steward puts your name on that list, you won't be able to cultivate properly anymore."
"Don't worry," Mo Yuan said calmly, a small smile of gratitude on his lips. "I'll break through within six days. Thank you for your concern, it means a lot."
He paused, eyes serious. "But be careful with your pills. Even a Qi-Gathering pill contains toxins. Don't take too many if possible."
Lin Xia let out a sigh of relief, her frown softening. "I believe you, Mo Yuan. I just… worry sometimes."
Mo Yuan noticed the flicker of concern in her eyes.. was it friendship, or something more?
He didn't think too much about it, letting the moment pass as he focused on the breakthrough ahead.
Mo Yuan watched her leave, a deep loneliness settling over him. The world raced ahead, and he was the only one stopping to check his shoelaces.
He spent the day circling the sect, observing how natural Qi flowed through the mountains. He wasn't resting, he was adjusting his body and Qi. By evening, his heartbeat and breathing were perfectly in sync.
When he finally returned to his cliffside cave, stars were beginning to appear in the twilight sky.
He sat on the cold stone, feeling it through his robes, and began to cultivate, letting his Qi circulate through his body.
An hour passed in silence before the Mirror suddenly flickered to life in his mind, ready to observe.
[ Reflection: Qi density is 94% of the Heaven-favored standard. ]
[ Observation: Foundation stability is "Perfect." ]
Mo Yuan's breath caught. 'After a week of relentless effort, it was finally perfect'.
The Mirror showed 94% of the Heaven-favored standard still not absolute, but a huge leap from the 40% he had started with.
He had battled his urges and pushed himself to the limit, and for the first time, the effort felt fully worthwhile.
He looked at his hands.
He was still at first layer of qi refining stage. He was still the low-tier disciple of the Azure Mist Sect.
He was still among the list for the laundry pits in five days.
As he sat in final consolidation, a gentle power stirred. It did not rage, yet it spoke of the Dao of a path walked with care, each step measured, each breath aligned with the Way.
The breakthrough was near not from urgency, not from dread but because it was the proper course, aligned with the Way.