Chapter 36:Traveler

While traveling through a quiet village near a river, Lu Fan suddenly noticed a figure standing at the edge, her body trembling as if she was preparing to leap into the water. Without a moment's hesitation, he rushed forward and caught her, preventing her from plunging into the river.

The girl looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. "Why... why did you stop me?" she whispered in a broken voice, her shoulders shaking.

Lu Fan, who had seen his fair share of emotional turmoil in his travels, didn't say anything immediately. He simply helped her sit down by the riverbank, giving her a moment to collect herself. After a few minutes, he asked gently, "What made you want to end it all?"

The girl's voice cracked as she replied, "It's... it's love. I just went through a breakup. He... he doesn't love me anymore. My heart... it feels like it's been shattered."

Lu Fan nodded slowly, understanding the pain of lost love, even if he hadn't experienced it in the same way. He had seen the emotional suffering it could cause. But he also knew that life wasn't something to give up over such pain. "Love can be cruel, but it's not the end. There's so much more you can do with your life. Why don't you consider practicing martial arts? It's a way to rebuild yourself, to strengthen your body and mind."

The girl shook her head, her face full of despair. "I've thought about it, but... most of the martial arts on the Pillars are designed for men. They're all about power and aggression, not suited for someone like me. The only martial arts available for women only go up to the Bone Tempering realm. It's as if women are seen as weak in the world of martial arts."

Lu Fan paused, surprised by her answer. He had never considered that the teachings on the Pillars might be so restrictive when it came to gender. His methods, which had been focused on the Sun and Thunder, were indeed powerful but primarily catered to raw strength and combat techniques—more suited for men in traditional thinking.

"I understand your frustration," Lu Fan said after a moment of thought. "But you're wrong to think that martial arts are only for men. The techniques on the Pillars may be focused on Sun and Thunder, but they aren't limited to one gender. Anyone can learn them if they understand their true purpose. The power of the Sun and Thunder is not about brute force—it's about harnessing the natural forces of the world and using them to strengthen oneself. It's about balance and growth."

The girl looked at him, intrigued yet doubtful. "But... if those arts are not suitable for women, what can I do?"

Lu Fan's expression softened. "You can choose to use the principles of the Sun and Thunder in a way that aligns with your own spirit. The arts are not bound by gender. You may not see it yet, but you could adapt these teachings and find your own strength. And if the world gives you only a Bone Tempering path, then you can break through that barrier and pave your own way."

He paused, realizing that he had been the one to contribute to this limitation. "Perhaps it's time I think of ways to create martial arts for women as well—ones that don't just rely on strength, but on the wisdom and agility that many women possess in abundance."

For the first time, the girl looked up at him with a spark of hope in her eyes. "You really think so?"

Lu Fan gave her a reassuring smile. "I know so. The world of cultivation is vast, and there's no reason why anyone—man or woman—should be limited by what is handed to them. I'll think of a way for you to begin your own path."

With that, Lu Fan helped her stand up, offering her a path forward—not just from her sorrow, but from the limitations she had placed on herself.

Lu Fan watched the girl with a thoughtful expression, realizing that not everyone possessed the knowledge or the ability to develop their own martial arts from scratch, especially given her current emotional state. He knew that some people needed a more immediate and practical solution to begin their cultivation journey.

With a sigh, he reached into his storage ring and took out a set of simple martial arts techniques. "This is the Wave Palm Innate Martial Art," he said, handing them to her. "It's a basic yet effective technique, suitable for beginners and anyone looking to build a strong foundation. It doesn't require extreme strength, but it can help you focus your energy and grow steadily."

He then produced a few pills, each one designed to aid in recovery and energy replenishment. "These will help you recover your energy and stabilize your body as you begin cultivating. Take them when you feel drained or need a boost."

The girl looked at the gifts with surprise and gratitude, unsure of what to say. "Thank you... thank you so much."

Lu Fan nodded and gave a gentle smile. "Don't thank me yet. The real work begins with you. Trust yourself, follow the path you've chosen, and one day, you'll see how far you've come."

With that, he turned and left, leaving the girl standing there by the river, her heart lighter than before. She could see the first steps of a new journey ahead of her.