Reminiscent of the Past, We Cultivate for the Future!

The time arrived for the rewards ceremony to honor the top five contestants of the Tournament of Champions. The bustling atmosphere in the city square was filled with excitement and anticipation. Elder Lei stood on the grand stage, his authoritative presence commanding respect from the crowd.

"Congratulations to the top five contestants," Elder Lei announced. "In three months' time, you shall leave for the Seven Star Sect to join their outer court. Head to the city governor's residence on the designated day, and preparations will be made for your journey."

As the rewards were handed out, the participants began to disperse, their hearts brimming with anticipation for their future in the prestigious Seven Star Sect. Among the crowd, Fei Long Tian quietly made his way back to his humble dwelling – a worn-down stable at the outskirts of the city.

Inside the shabby stable, the smell of decay and rotten wood lingered in the air. Fei Long Tian lay down on a pile of hay, his emotions in turmoil. He could not shake off the feeling of his own weakness during the final round of the tournament. The pain of defeat gnawed at him, fueling his desire to become stronger at all costs.

As the night fell, Fei Long Tian's eyelids grew heavy. The sounds of the spring breeze and the birds chirping outside the stable gently lulled him into a restless sleep.

The passage of time slipped into a new day, and Fei Long Tian was awoken by the warm rays of the sun penetrating through the cracks in the wooden walls. He rubbed his eyes, his mind still clouded by the events of the previous night.

Feeling restless, he reached into his bag and pulled out the 30-year-old Red Fire Root, his reward for achieving third place in the tournament. As he stared at the fruit, memories of helplessness during the final battle resurfaced. The weight of being crushed by a stronger opponent seemed to rest heavily on his shoulders.

Fei Long Tian gritted his teeth as he stuffed the Red Fire Root into his mouth, its taste fiery and bitter. He quickly swallowed the root, feeling its potent medicinal properties take effect. In an instant, the Qi in his body erupted like a raging tempest, and the dragon silhouette in his dantian roared in exhilaration, craving the abundant world Qi.

As Fei Long Tian meditated, he could feel a warm, red energy coursing along his meridians, a soothing sensation that gradually spread throughout his body. The medical efficacy of the Red Fire Root was like a gentle healer, mending and nourishing his battered form.

However, the unexpected happened as the red light of the root touched the dragon silhouette. The dragon roared once more, but this time, it shook with a vigor that astonished Fei Long Tian. It began to glow with a radiant crimson light, mirroring the brilliance of the Red Fire Root.

The glow expanded, a fiery halo enveloping Fei Long Tian's meridians like a protective cocoon. Yet, with this transformation, an intense burning sensation surged through his body. The red energy washed over his meridians, scorching away impurities and leaving a trail of heat in its wake.

The pain was relentless, and Fei Long Tian's body felt as though it was immersed in a furnace. The searing agony threatened to consume him, his mind slipping into a chaotic abyss. However, he refused to surrender. He steeled his heart, knowing that this excruciating ordeal was a path he must tread to achieve greatness and leave behind his former self.

Minutes stretched like hours, and the hours felt like days as Fei Long Tian endured the torment. He persevered, circulating his cultivation technique with unwavering determination. He could not let the pain shatter his will, for within the crucible of suffering lay the potential for his transformation.

The pain persisted, relentless and unyielding, but Fei Long Tian endured, his body drenched in sweat, and his mind focused on the singular purpose of growth. The world seemed to slow around him as he battled against his own limitations.

Finally, when the red energy began to subside, Fei Long Tian felt a release from the torment. The sensation of relief washed over him like a cool breeze, a stark contrast to the burning ordeal he had just endured. He collapsed in exhaustion, his body and mind pushed to their limits.

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A few days passed and Fei Long Tian found himself awakening from a deep slumber, asr he awoke he took a deep breath of air leaving him feeling invigorated and renewed his mind was in disarray when he remembered what had happened to him not too long ago.

It was night time now and all that could be heard was the chirping of the bugs and the croaks of the frogs in the fields nearby, Fei Long Tian broke the silence when he stepped breaking a small stick that was lying on the ground, since waking up after his cultivation Fei Long tian was disoriented, the colors around him seemed more vibrant the sounds seemed more loud the smells more strong, it seemed like all of his senses were heightened to the extreme.

What was even more abnormal was that his hair had grown much longer over the course of the few days he had been sleeping, reaching all the way down to his hips. His skin had also become more fair and soft almost as if he had been born again as a baby.

This made him look even slightly younger than his already young age. Fei Long Tian eventually sat down at the base of a large tree and just observed the serenity of the night, as he was sitting there his thoughts began to drift, he had been through so much during the past few months. He withdrew a small knife before he began to cut his hair, he had been doing this since he was a young child, he was taught by an old beggar, " A man should always keep himself to a standard of cleanliness because a man should show the world what he aspires to be." He would say, "Only a trash allowed himself to look like one!"

Fei Long Tian always had found it funny when the old man lectured him, mainly because the old man did not adhere to his own advice, his clothes always in shambles and his hair always unkempt. Fei Long Tian sighed as he pulled a small but intricate liuqin out of his bag, this was an instrument that the old man always carried around with him, playing tunes for money, a coin here or there. It was one of the only two items that the old man owned, the liuqin and a small wine gourd at his hip that never seemed to run out of wine.

Fei Long Tian was sad to remember the old man, the only person who had ever shown kindness to him, even giving him his prized liuqin before he passed away. The man may have never taken care of himself but he sure did take care of this liuqin he thought with a chuckle as he began to play.

A soft melody filled the night air as Fei Long Tian strummed the liuqin, the notes dancing like fireflies in the darkness. The sound of the instrument was soothing, and it brought back memories of the old beggar who had once been his only friend and mentor. With each gentle stroke of the strings, Fei Long Tian felt a sense of connection to the past, to the moments he had shared with the old man.

As the music flowed from the liuqin, Fei Long Tian's mind drifted back to the events of the past few days. The intense cultivation he had undergone had brought about remarkable changes in him. His senses were heightened, and he could perceive the world around him with newfound clarity. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a world of colors and sounds he had never experienced before.

With a sigh, Fei Long Tian continued to play, lost in the memories and emotions that the music evoked. He recalled the teachings of the old man, the lessons of self-respect and cleanliness that had been instilled in him from a young age. Despite the old man's unkempt appearance, he had imparted valuable wisdom to Fei Long Tian, teaching him the importance of presenting oneself with dignity and pride.

Fei Long Tian's hands moved deftly over the strings, his heart pouring into the music. The liuqin seemed to echo his emotions, resonating with the grief and longing he felt for the old man who had cared for him when no one else did. The tunes he played were bittersweet, carrying the weight of memories and the hope for a better future.

As the night wore on, the moon cast a soft glow over Fei Long Tian, illuminating his fair and youthful features. His hair now neatly trimmed to just below shoulder length and put into a hairband, he looked like a different person, someone who had shed the past and was ready to embrace a new future.

With the final chords of the liuqin's melody, Fei Long Tian felt a sense of closure. He knew that the old man's legacy lived on within him, and that he would carry his teachings and the precious liuqin with him on his path to greatness.

The spring breeze rustled the leaves of the large tree, and the chirping of insects seemed to harmonize with the liuqin's fading tune. Fei Long Tian felt a sense of peace and determination wash over him. The trials and challenges that lay ahead no longer seemed daunting. He had endured the pain, faced his weaknesses, and emerged stronger than before.

As the first light of dawn began to break through the horizon, Fei Long Tian put away the liuqin and stood up, feeling a renewed sense of purpose burning within him. The night had been a time of reflection and transformation, and now he was ready to face the new day with a heart filled with resolve.

The journey to the Seven Star Sect was still ahead of him, but Fei Long Tian knew that he was prepared. He had been through the crucible of suffering and emerged with a newfound strength. The memories of the old beggar and the lessons he had taught would be his guiding light as he set forth on his path to become a martial legend.

With a determined smile, Fei Long Tian stepped out from under the shade of the tree and embraced the new day. The spring breeze brushed against his face, and the birds chirped in harmony, as if welcoming him to a future filled with endless possibilities. As he walked away, leaving the worn-down stable behind, Fei Long Tian carried with him the spirit of the old man and the melody of the liuqin, two precious gifts that would shape his destiny and lead him towards greatness.