The Path Of A Cultivator

Ming Ren's eyes fluttered open to an unfamiliar scene. He lay upon a thin blanket, his body stiff and sore, his hair longer and streaked with silver. The activation of Jana's bloodline had subtly altered his features, sharpening his jawline and lightening his complexion. He found himself within a dimly lit wagon, its wooden walls swaying gently with the rhythm of the journey. The walls were made of rough-hewn wood, and there was a musty smell that hung in the air. 

'Where am I...? My body feels numb, is this still a dream?' Fatigue clung to him like a shroud, a lingering consequence of the trials he had endured. Jana's bloodline had healed his physical wounds, but his Qi remained in disarray, its flow erratic and unpredictable. The hidden damage inflicted by the Divine Light Dragon Body would require time to mend fully, yet his body, mysteriously, felt stronger than before, ready to break through the sixth layer's bottleneck.

Regret and loss gnawed at him. The faces of Ming Bo, Little Lan, the patriarch, the elder alchemist, and all those who had perished flashed before his eyes. 'If only I had activated the scripture sooner,' he lamented, 'perhaps I could have saved them.' A part of him had died alongside them, leaving an emptiness that echoed with their absence.

Before rising, Ming Ren instinctively extended his spiritual sense, probing his surroundings. Outside, a scene of organized chaos unfolded. Dozens of wagons, laden with valuable goods and materials, stood in neat rows, guarded by a contingent of heavily armed cultivators. The warriors, their expressions grim and alert, bore the scars of recent battles – bandages, missing limbs, and dented armor. The transport beasts pulling the wagons also displayed signs of injury and exhaustion, their numbers insufficient for the heavy load.

Ming Ren's wagon, positioned at the rear of the caravan, attracted little attention from the guards. They remained focused on their duties, their vigilance unwavering. The surrounding landscape offered no clues to his location.

Extending his spiritual sense further, Ming Ren discovered a nearby village ravaged by the spirit beast tide. The ground was littered with corpses – cultivators, mortals, and beasts alike – a grim reminder to the devastation he had inadvertently caused. Grief and guilt washed over him, the weight of countless lives lost bearing down upon his soul. He felt as though the heavens themselves were ready to strike him down with Heavenly Tribulation.

Back in the Vagrant Woods, he had been aware of the roar's terrifying impact on the spirit beasts, but the pain had clouded his judgment, preventing him from fully grasping the consequences. The devastation he had caused far exceeded his worst fears.

'Is this retribution for harming mortals...?' Ming Ren pondered. He knew some cultivators avoided harming mortals to prevent karmic backlash and incurring the wrath of the Heavens. Yet, this was mostly a deterrent against wanton slaughter. As far as he knew, the idea of divine punishment for killing was merely a cautionary tale.

The true consequence of mass murder was the ire of righteous sects and clans, and the risk of succumbing to the path of evil. The heavens, however, did not intervene directly. Instead, Ming Ren felt as though he had violated a profound vow, one etched into the deepest recesses of his soul.

'Dwelling on this now serves no purpose,' he reasoned, pushing aside the despair that threatened to consume him. The Ming Ren of the past would have succumbed to grief, lamenting the lives lost and the fate of the Bright Clan. But the present Ming Ren had witnessed too much, endured too much. The path of a cultivator was paved with hardship and death. He could not resurrect the fallen; he could only honor their memory by forging ahead.

'Brother Ming Qiu and the others managed to flee; there is a chance that they will be okay. However, the clans will find out about my abilities. They will not stop looking for me and the scripture; those who are currently hiding are in even more danger as a result of my actions. How could I make such a mistake...?'

He questioned his choices, but ultimately accepted the path he had taken, 'No, how could I leave them alone in that situation? There's no going back. I need a way to find and protect the others. But first, where am I?' 

Focusing his senses, Ming Ren searched for clues. The damp, earthy scent in the air hinted at a forest or river nearby. The guards' tense demeanor suggested they traversed dangerous territory. He rose from his makeshift bed, stretching his limbs, his body surprisingly agile despite the chaotic flow of Qi within him.

Some of the wagons bore the insignia of a clan – a battle-worn spade emblazoned upon their sides, indicating a merchant clan. He recognized no such clan from the vicinity of Bluecloud City or the northern reaches of the Vagrant Woods. His search for answers continued.

Peering into the lead wagon, Ming Ren observed two young women engrossed in a game of strategy. The younger, a cheerful girl with bright eyes and wavy hair, was no older than ten, yet already at the fourth layer of the Body Tempering Realm. The elder, around eighteen, with plain features and long braids, possessed a surprising strength – the second layer of the Spirit Sea Realm. She was teaching the younger girl a popular board game, using Qi to stabilize the wooden board and pieces against the wagon's jostling.

'Still training even when taking care of the younger one,' Ming Ren smiled, impressed by the young woman's dedication. His attention shifted to the four figures mounted on riding beasts at the head of the caravan.

The leader, the same man who had found him unconscious, was a distinguished figure with fair skin and sharp features. His attire, crafted from fine silk, and the ornate combat spade strapped to his back, spoke of wealth and authority. His cultivation was at the sixth layer of the Spirit Sea Realm.

Beside him rode two more men, their commander's armor and battle-hardened physiques emanating an aura of power. Both were at the fifth layer of the Spirit Sea Realm, one wielding a snake spear, the other a dual-bladed halberd.

In stark contrast, the fourth figure was an elderly man with long, white hair tied in a top knot. His plain clothes and lack of weaponry belied his exceptional strength – the ninth layer of the Spirit Sea Realm. Despite his advanced age and the wrinkles etched upon his face, he exuded an air of serenity and wisdom. His movements were deliberate, his gaze gentle yet filled with great inner strength. Even though he wore simple clothes, he carried himself with a calm and peaceful air, moving slowly and deliberately as if he had all the time in the world. 

Ming Ren, judging by the old man's appearance and diminished vitality, estimated his age to be around one hundred and fifty years, nearing the end of his lifespan.

A rider approached the group, bowing respectfully. "The reports are accurate. Mount Ironclaw is largely deserted, as anticipated. Most of the spirit beasts have not returned."

'Mount Ironclaw?' Ming Ren's mind reeled. 'That's on the outskirts of Cloud Province! Did I travel that far? No, it must have been the summons... Lin Qiang's powers are truly remarkable...'

"This presents an opportunity. We can explore deeper, excavate valuable ores, and search for rare herbs," the leader mused, his voice filled with anticipation.

"There is one more matter, though its veracity is uncertain..." The messenger hesitated, his voice laced with doubt.

"Speak freely. What is the matter?"

"Rumors circulate of a hidden entrance discovered within the ancient sect grounds."

"The Ancient Iron Claw Sect grounds?" The leader frowned, turning to the old man. "Senior Great Doctor, do you think it's possible?"

'That man is a Great Doctor?' Ming Ren's surprise grew. 'Such a title is reserved for only a handful of individuals. No wonder my recovery was so swift; he must have treated me.'

"It's difficult to say," the old man replied, his voice calm and measured. "I have visited the grounds before. They were thoroughly plundered in the ten thousand years since the sect's fall. To claim they have found something now..."

"Why do they believe this rumor holds any truth?" the leader pressed the messenger.

"The other clans are preparing large expeditions, sir. They intend to seek treasures and verify the rumors themselves."

"The allure of an ancient sect's treasure is indeed tempting," the leader mused, his gaze sweeping over his crew. They lacked the numbers to compete directly with the nearby clans, but luck often favored the bold. "Serpent, Slasher, we shall proceed to Mount Ironclaw before the city. Ensure everyone is prepared and vigilant."

"Yes, sir!" The two warriors saluted and rode off to rally the men.

"Inform them of the situation. Our other plans remain unchanged. It would be beneficial if they could send reinforcements."

"As you command, sir!" The messenger bowed and rode away.

"Senior, I apologize. I will arrange for your transport to the city once we unload some cargo at Big Ox."

"Ah, that would be most appreciated. These old bones would find it arduous to revisit that place," the Great Doctor chuckled. "Be cautious-"

A sudden prickling sensation washed over the old man's skin. He furrowed his brow, his gaze searching the surroundings as if sensing an unseen presence. His spiritual sense expanded, seeking the source of his unease.

'Uh? This...!' Ming Ren swiftly withdrew his spiritual sense, but it was too late. 'I did not anticipate him possessing a spiritual sense as well!'

A clash of spiritual senses was a delicate dance, a battle of control and finesse. It was not merely a matter of strength, but of mastery over one's own soul. A cultivator with superior control could conceal their presence, even severing the threads of another's spiritual perception. Ming Ren, confident in his abilities, had always held an advantage in this domain. However, having just awakened, he had underestimated the old man's prowess.

"Ah, I must attend to our guest," the Great Doctor announced, turning his mount towards the rear of the caravan. "Please excuse me."

"Is he recovering well?" the leader inquired, genuine concern upon his face.

"I believe he will awaken soon," the Great Doctor replied with a reassuring smile as he made his way towards Ming Ren's wagon. The caravan continued its journey.

Ming Ren sat cross-legged, his back straight and his hands resting upon his knees. Closing his eyes, he drew a deep breath, centering himself before circulating his cultivation law at full power. A faint, azure light emanated from his body as he absorbed spiritual energy with renewed vigor. His breathing slowed, his mind achieving a state of profound focus as he drew in the life-giving energy. 

His spatial ring was missing. While the Great Doctor seemed benevolent, Ming Ren remained cautious.

After a while, the Great Doctor entered the wagon, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "It is heartening to see you recover, young man. You have been unconscious for three days. I was concerned, for your condition was quite unique, despite my best efforts."

"I am eternally grateful for your life-saving actions, Senior!" Ming Ren bowed his head in sincere gratitude.

"It was nothing. I think we both know that you would have been just fine. Perhaps you would not be feeling as well, but you wouldn't have died anyway, even without care," the Great Doctor stated frankly.

Ming Ren recognized the wisdom in his words. Despite not fully comprehending his ancient bloodline, the Great Doctor had acknowledged its potency and successfully mitigated the damage caused by the Divine Light Dragon Body.

"Yet, I was astonished by the strength of your soul," the old man continued, his voice filled with admiration. "To possess such a powerful soul at the Body Tempering Realm is truly remarkable!"

Ming Ren marveled at the old man's insight. To assess his physical condition was one thing, but to perceive the strength of his soul was a rare gift. Few in the Lower Realms possessed such acuity, even when examining an unconscious individual. No wonder the old man had detected his spiritual probe. He discreetly activated the Bright Eyes technique, scanning the Great Doctor's body.

"!!!" A revelation struck Ming Ren like a bolt of lightning. The reason for the Great Doctor's exceptional spiritual sense became clear – four of his meridians bore the markings of broken spirit gates!