Cultivation Begins!

The soft light of dawn filtered through the wooden shutters, casting gentle patterns on the walls of Xiao's modest room.

The room was simple but inviting, its rustic charm evident in the wooden furniture and the handwoven drapes depicting serene landscapes and mythical creatures adorning the walls.

Xiao blinked awake, momentarily disoriented, before the familiar sounds of Fenglin Village brought him back to reality. Birds chirped outside, and the faint aroma of breakfast wafted in from the street below.

With a sigh, he pushed himself up and swung his legs over the side of the bed.

He rubbed his eyes, still groggy from sleep, and rose to start his morning routine. Today was the first time he had awoken with a feeling of being well-rested.

Memories of the previous night floated back. After talking with Epiphany he went inside and washed up, then finally ate the food Lianhua had packed for him before drifting off to sleep.

Xiao noticed the new training robes the elder had prepared for him, neatly folded on a nearby chair. He picked them up and ran his fingers over the smooth fabric, appreciating the craftsmanship. 

Changing out from the tee and jeans he still had on, he donned the robes. They fit perfectly, a testament to the elder's skill and understanding of his needs.

The cool water from the basin refreshed him as he washed his face, chasing away the last remnants of his dreams. 

Dressed in his training attire, he took a moment to sit by the window, staring out at the awakening village. The scene was peaceful, the villagers beginning their daily routines, a sense of community and tranquility permeating the air.

The village outside looked as busy as he had last left it, with streets filled with all kinds of people going about their daily tasks.

The part of the village he was living in was a quieter area, located closer to the riverbanks and on the outskirts of the settlement. 

The village center, where the inns were, was much livelier. Any souls wishing to stay here usually stayed in those inns.

As Xiao watched the scene outside, a pang of homesickness hit him hard. The vibrant life of the village around him was a stark contrast to the quiet he remembered from his home.

He had been worried a lot yesterday; all of this was a completely new experience for him. 

His thoughts drifted back to his father, his heart aching as he imagined his father's worried face, the creases on his forehead deepening with each passing day of his absence.

"I don't even know if he is eating right or not," he murmured to himself. His hand instinctively went to his neck, a gesture of comfort he often used when troubled.

"I wonder what the people are thinking about my disappearance. Are they all worried? Is Dad gonna be sad? Is Mei alright?" The thought of Mei made him sadder. 

He leaned his forehead against the cool wood of the window, closing his eyes as he remembered her smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed.

"I still had that assignment I was supposed to submit on Wednesday... I wonder if I can ask for an extension on that later." He chuckled to himself, a sad, hollow sound. "Well, let's see if I can get back to my world first."

He ran his hand along the windowsill, feeling the rough texture of the wood beneath his fingertips. 

The sensation grounded him, giving him something tangible to focus on amidst his swirling thoughts. "All of this stuff is kinda confusing as well, like where is this place located?"

"I know Epiphany said something about it being in a separate realm, but what exactly is a realm?" he mused, the confusion evident in his voice.

His eyes glazed over as he remembered the last conversation he had with his father. They had argued about something trivial, and Xiao had left without saying goodbye or expressing his love. 

Now, the memory of that cold exchange weighed heavily on his heart.

He hadn't even had a chance to say goodbye. He wondered if his father was blaming himself for his disappearance, wondering if he could have done something to prevent it.

Just as he was having these thoughts, he saw Epiphany walking along the street. Epiphany was still far away from the house, his figure a distant silhouette moving with purpose.

Xiao quickly shook his head to clear the sad thoughts. He thought about ducking below the windowsill in case Epiphany saw him but realized he had no reason to hide from him.

"Why do I need to hide from him? What am I even doing?" he thought, shaking his head at his own foolishness.

He continued to watch what Epiphany was going to do and noticed he was heading straight for the house. The courtyard was a modest but serene space, filled with neatly arranged stones and a few blossoming plants. 

Epiphany first opened the outer courtyard gates, then silently closed them behind him as if he had done it very carefully. Then, he moved towards the door of the hut.

"I know you have been observing me, Xiao. Come outside, I have breakfast."

Xiao seemed a little taken aback. "How did he notice me? Damn, he has some sharp eyes for being so old."

He went to open the door and stepped outside, the morning sun feeling very comfortable on his skin.

The warmth spread over him like a gentle embrace, while the early morning mist provided a much-welcomed contrast, its chill refreshing and invigorating. 

The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of dew-covered grass and blooming flowers.

As he followed Epiphany outside, the soft crunch of gravel underfoot was accompanied by the distant sound of a rooster crowing and the gentle murmur of a nearby stream. 

The courtyard was peaceful, a small haven of tranquility within the bustling village. The stones were meticulously arranged in a pattern that seemed almost symbolic, and the plants, though few, were lush and vibrant, adding a touch of color to the otherwise austere surroundings.

Epiphany led him to a small wooden table set up under a pergola covered in creeping vines. 

The table was laden with the same food he had eaten last night: Dongpo pork, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and some fresh fruits. A pot of hot tea steamed gently, its earthy aroma mixing with the morning air.

 Xiao sat down, feeling the rough texture of the wooden bench beneath him. 

Epiphany poured them both a cup of tea, the liquid a deep amber that shimmered in the morning light. He took a sip, his eyes watching Xiao intently over the rim of his cup. "Eat, Xiao. You need your strength."

Xiao nodded, picking up a piece of Dongpo pork and taking a bite. The warm, flavorful meat provided a brief but welcome distraction from his worries. 

As he chewed, he glanced up at Epiphany, who was calmly sipping his tea, seemingly lost in thought.

"Why did you bring such heavy food for breakfast?" Xiao asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

Epiphany smiled faintly. "I thought you might like it. And I had some leftovers from last night."

Xiao took another bite, the rich flavors mingling on his tongue. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with the sounds of nature waking up around them.

 Birds chirped in the trees, and the distant hum of village life began to stir. For a moment, Xiao allowed himself to simply be present, to enjoy the quiet companionship and the simple pleasure of a good meal.