The air was thick with the stillness of the morning as the Li family stood around the relic. Its glow had dimmed, the power inside it now simmering in quiet anticipation. Zhenyuan's heart raced in his chest, still feeling the lingering pulse of energy that had erupted during the ritual, forever changing their fates.
The relic had granted them the ability to cultivate, unlocking a potential within each of them that had been dormant. But along with this power came a heavy burden, one that no one, not even his father, had fully anticipated. Zhenyuan's mind was swirling as his father's warning echoed in his ears: Do not reveal your talents to others.
He glanced at his brothers, standing a few paces away. Hui, ever steady, was taking deep breaths as he centered himself, while Jian—his older brother—was lost in his thoughts, brow furrowed. The gift of cultivation had been laid before them, but now came the challenge of controlling it.
The relic had given each of them a potential that surpassed the average mortal. Zhenyuan's 9-inch Spirit Node was the largest, a sign of immeasurable potential, while Hui's 6-inch node was solid and reliable. Jian, however, stood with a 5-inch Spirit Node, the same size as a Golden Core cultivator's. But instead of pride, Zhenyuan could sense the frustration radiating from his brother.
"I don't understand," Jian muttered under his breath, voice tight with confusion. "A 5-inch node—this is supposed to lead to Golden Core. But why is it taking so long? Why do I still feel... stuck?"
Zhenyuan stepped closer, unsure of what to say. Jian had always been the clever one, quick to solve problems, yet now the frustration in his brother's voice was palpable. Despite the potential, the path ahead wasn't as clear as Jian had hoped.
Li Qingshan, ever watchful, approached them. He studied his sons, his gaze lingering on Jian for a moment before he spoke.
"Jian, your Spirit Node shows great potential. A 5-inch node is more than enough to make you a Golden Core cultivator. But it's not about the size of the node. It's about your ability to control the energy that comes with it."
Jian clenched his fists at his sides, clearly struggling with the fact that his cultivation felt like it wasn't progressing fast enough. The tension in the air grew heavier.
"You see," Qingshan continued, "cultivation is not a race. It's about balance. Your node represents your potential, but that is just the beginning. True cultivation is about mastery over your own mind and body. If your mind is restless, the qi will be restless."
Zhenyuan could see the truth in his father's words, but Jian wasn't the only one who felt the weight of the power they had received. Zhenyuan, too, felt it. His 9-inch node was overwhelming, a storm of energy swirling in his dantian, but the control still eluded him. His connection to the qi felt intense, yet foreign, as if the power was both a gift and a test.
"Jian," Zhenyuan said quietly, trying to ease his brother's mind, "you will reach Golden Core, I'm sure of it. But don't let impatience cloud your judgment. Remember, control comes with time. We all must start somewhere."
Jian's expression softened slightly, though the tension in his posture remained. "It's just… frustrating. Everyone always talks about potential. But how much time do we really have?"
Li Qingshan's voice cut through the growing tension. "Time is both your greatest ally and your greatest enemy. In cultivation, there is no 'rushing.' Mastery is earned, not taken in a day. We all have a long path ahead of us, Jian. But you are not alone. We move forward together, as a family."
Zhenyuan nodded, understanding the weight of his father's words. His own path was unknown, his potential vast, but the road ahead would not be an easy one. Each of them had to find their own pace and understanding.
However, even as his father spoke of patience and unity, Zhenyuan couldn't help but notice the deeper layers of worry etched into his father's features. Li Qingshan had once been a peak Golden Core cultivator, a man of immense power, but his aura now seemed clouded, as if something was holding him back. Zhenyuan had learned long ago that his father rarely showed weakness, but there was a lingering fear in his eyes—a fear that came from a past long buried.
And then came the warning, the one that would hang over them like a shadow: Do not reveal your talents to others.
Qingshan's voice was sharp, a warning laced with the bitterness of experience. "You must never let anyone know the extent of your power. Not even the slightest hint. The cultivation world is full of dangerous people, ones who would kill to take even a fraction of what you've been given. You may be children of the Li family, but that matters little to those who only see power."
Zhenyuan swallowed hard, the weight of his father's words sinking in deeper. His talent, the largest of the three, would certainly draw attention. It was a mark of potential that others would seek to exploit or destroy.
"I don't understand," Hui spoke up, his usually steady voice now tinged with concern. "If we can't reveal our power, then how will we protect ourselves? What if someone attacks us?"
Li Qingshan's gaze turned serious, almost grim. "That's why we train. That's why we keep moving, keep improving. But most importantly, we stay together. We do not draw attention. We are not alone in this world anymore."
Zhenyuan felt his father's words settle heavily on him. As the eldest son, he was now not just a child learning to cultivate—he was the protector of his family. And the responsibility of keeping them safe rested on his shoulders more than ever.
With a soft, resigned sigh, Li Qingshan motioned for them to begin. "Let us begin the first steps. Cultivate with caution, and do not allow the world to see what you have."
The hours that followed were filled with concentration and silence. Zhenyuan's connection to the spirit qi was immediate—an overwhelming flood that rushed through him, filling him, swirling inside his body as his 9-inch Spirit Node pulsed with life. The energy was raw and powerful, but unrefined. He struggled to ground it, to pull it into his dantian, but the process was slow. Every time he thought he had it under control, it slipped away, like trying to catch water with his bare hands.
Hui, ever steady, was methodical in his movements. His 6-inch Spirit Node felt solid—grounded, flowing like a steady river. The qi responded to him with respect, following his intent with ease. It was clear that he would not struggle with control as much as Zhenyuan, but his path would not be as quick, either. He was steady and reliable, a rock that would endure.
Jian, though, was struggling. His 5-inch node, though indicative of potential, seemed volatile. He could not keep the qi in control for long before it flared up, erratic and wild. His impatience gnawed at him, but he didn't give up. His desire to prove himself—his need to be better than the average cultivator—drove him forward, though each setback chipped away at his resolve.
As the sun sank lower in the sky, signaling the end of their training for the day, Li Qingshan called them to gather. "This is only the beginning. Remember, each day is a chance to improve. And never forget the dangers that lie ahead. The world is full of temptations, but we are not here to chase power. We are here to protect what matters most."
Zhenyuan looked at his brothers—Hui's steady determination, Jian's burning drive, and his own deep resolve. The road ahead was dangerous, but together, they would walk it.
And their journey had only just begun.