Bottleneck and First Encounter

For the next two days, WU Xing immersed himself in cultivation. The park bench became his fixed "training ground," while the quiet paths at night served as his secret space for exploring the flow of spiritual energy. However, as he delved deeper, his progress gradually stalled, as if he had encountered an insurmountable bottleneck. No matter how hard he focused, the spiritual energy remained like a drifting river, at times flowing smoothly, at times chaotic. After several failed attempts, a sense of disappointment began to creep in.

Just as he struggled internally, the company announced an unexpected event: an outdoor team-building activity. As soon as the news broke, his coworkers expressed their excitement, and WU Xing was no exception. Although cultivation had brought him unprecedented experiences, the concentrated training of the past few days had left him physically and mentally exhausted. Taking this opportunity to relax might spark the inspiration he needed to break through his bottleneck.

The next morning, the employees boarded a bus, filled with laughter and lighthearted conversations. WU Xing chose a window seat, gazing at the rapidly passing scenery, feeling a sense of tranquility. However, before long, a clear voice pulled him back to reality: "Hello, may I sit here?" WU Xing looked up to see a remarkably graceful young woman smiling at him.

The woman had delicate features, with a hint of aloofness in her expression, as if she carried an air of detachment from the world. After sitting down, she nodded to WU Xing and introduced herself: "I'm Wan Lingyue, the new intern in the marketing department." Her voice was soft, yet there was a firmness in her tone that set her apart, leaving WU Xing momentarily taken aback.

Wan Lingyue effortlessly initiated a conversation about daily matters at the company, sharing her impressions as a newcomer. Though she spoke with humility, an unusual confidence shone through. Her background was clearly not as simple as that of other colleagues. WU Xing had heard rumors about her family—she supposedly came from a prestigious lineage, with a solid family business that, despite appearing ordinary on the surface, was not to be underestimated.

"In fact, my parents and grandfather have always been against my joining the company, but I decided to try my best on my own," Wan Lingyue said with a gentle smile, as if speaking to herself. There was a calm strength in her eyes, yet her tone held a hint of stubbornness that was not easily detectable.

WU Xing was captivated, sensing a similarity between himself and Wan Lingyue—both wanting to prove themselves through hard work. However, he didn't ask too many questions, merely nodding and saying, "Since you've made the decision, you should give it your all. The company may be small, but there are many opportunities to learn."

Wan Lingyue's eyes glimmered with gratitude, then, with curiosity, she asked, "By the way, I heard your family is also local, and your parents are ordinary employees, right?"

WU Xing nodded and briefly shared about his family. Wan Lingyue seemed genuinely interested in his experiences, nodding slightly. Just as they were getting along well, the beautiful scenery outside caught the attention of other colleagues, who called out excitedly to get off the bus and prepare for the hike. WU Xing and Wan Lingyue stepped down with the crowd, entering the winding mountain path.

Along the way, WU Xing quietly observed Wan Lingyue's strides. She moved gracefully yet steadily, suggesting she had good physical fitness. Among the colleagues, many appeared out of breath, while Wan Lingyue maintained a serene expression, not a bead of sweat on her forehead. WU Xing couldn't help but wonder: perhaps her family was not only financially well-off but also practiced in other areas?

Lost in thought, he was suddenly pulled back to the present when Wan Lingyue paused, turned back to him, and smiled slightly, "WU Xing, are you tired from walking?" There was a trace of concern in her gaze. WU Xing quickly shook his head and replied with a smile, "Not tired, just a bit lost in thought. The scenery here is beautiful."

"It is indeed lovely; the fresh air in the mountains is much more relaxing than the hustle and bustle of the city." Wan Lingyue closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath, her gaze seemingly filled with longing. WU Xing sensed that her words might carry a deeper meaning, but he didn't pry further.

After several hours of hiking, the group reached a flat area halfway up the mountain. The team leader announced a break and free activity. WU Xing found a quiet spot, thinking it might be a good chance to rest and calm his mind. As he closed his eyes and attempted to adjust his breathing, he suddenly sensed a subtle wave of spiritual energy in the air around him. This wave was not strong but felt exceptionally pure, seemingly different from the spiritual energy he had felt before.

Opening his eyes, he met Wan Lingyue's gaze. She leaned against a tree, quietly watching him, her expression holding a hint of complexity. WU Xing felt a bit awkward under her scrutiny and smiled slightly, "Miss Wan, is something wrong?"

Wan Lingyue shook her head gently and replied, "It's nothing, just… you seem different from the others." Her tone was light, yet it sent a jolt through WU Xing's heart. They locked eyes for a moment, and then Wan Lingyue lowered her head, seemingly realizing her words could be interpreted as intrusive. She quickly smiled and added, "I might be overthinking it."

Before WU Xing could respond, the team leader called everyone for a group photo. Wan Lingyue also tucked away her smile and joined the group. After the activity, they walked back side by side, their conversation returning to the daily routines at work.

By evening, WU Xing returned home, still immersed in the day's experiences. Although he had known Wan Lingyue for only a few hours, the mysterious aura surrounding her sparked his curiosity. For some reason, her figure lingered in his mind, as if her arrival marked a turning point, bringing a kind of opportunity he hadn't yet perceived.