The Path of True Cultivation

The impact shook the mountain, water exploding in all directions. But when the mist cleared—

Li Wei was still standing.

Jinhai raised an eyebrow. "Oh? He's learning fast."

The guardian let out a deep growl, its eyes narrowing. "Not bad… but not enough."

The beast's form shifted, its arms elongating into blades of water, razor-sharp and brimming with spiritual energy. It lunged, slashing down with terrifying force.

Li Wei reacted instinctively.

He shifted his weight, channeling Qi into his legs, and vanished.

In an instant, he reappeared above the guardian, his hand glowing with condensed Celestial Energy.

He struck down.

CRACK!

The impact sent ripples of golden energy through the guardian's body, forcing it back. But Li Wei could feel it—it wasn't over yet.

The guardian let out a low chuckle. "You are promising… but let's see how you handle this."

With a roar, the entire waterfall shifted.

The currents twisted unnaturally, forming countless whips of water that lashed toward Li Wei at blinding speed.

He clenched his fists.

"Then I'll just break through!"

His Qi surged, his body glowing with the light of the Celestial Seal.

Li Wei's body was a blur of motion as he weaved between the guardian's countless whips of water. Each strike carried enough force to shatter stone, yet he dodged them with precision, his movements growing sharper with every step.

The Celestial Seal burned within him, his Qi flowing more freely than ever before.

Jinhai watched from below, arms still crossed. "He's adapting quickly… but he's still holding back."

The guardian let out a deep growl. "Your speed is commendable, but speed alone is not enough!"

The waterfall roared in response.

Suddenly, spiritual energy condensed around the guardian's fists, forming two massive tidal hammers. It lunged, swinging the weapons downward with devastating force.

Li Wei's instincts flared.

He crossed his arms, summoning a golden barrier of Qi—

BOOM!

The impact sent shockwaves through the valley, shattering nearby rocks and shaking the earth beneath Jinhai's feet.

For a moment, it seemed like Li Wei had been completely engulfed.

But then—

A golden flash erupted from within the impact.

Li Wei broke free, soaring into the air with a burst of Celestial Energy.

His eyes glowed with determination. "I'm not done yet!"

The guardian's expression shifted. "Oh?"

Li Wei took a deep breath, focusing every ounce of his Qi into his right fist. The Celestial Seal pulsed violently, responding to his intent.

Golden energy coiled around his arm like a raging dragon.

For the first time, he felt a new sensation—

His Qi was evolving.

Jinhai chuckled. "Now we're getting somewhere."

The guardian sensed the change and raised its defenses, forming a towering wall of compressed spiritual water.

Li Wei didn't hesitate.

He punched forward.

"CELESTIAL DRAGON STRIKE!"

The golden energy exploded outward, taking the form of a colossal dragon, its roar shaking the heavens.

The attack tore through the guardian's defenses, colliding with its massive form in a violent eruption of light and energy.

BOOOOM!

The waterfall itself split in two from the sheer force of the strike.

As the mist cleared, the guardian stood frozen, its massive body flickering.

A moment later—

It bowed.

Jinhai's smile widened. "Looks like he passed."

The guardian's deep voice resonated through the valley. "You have proven yourself, young cultivator. The Celestial Falls recognize your strength."

The waterfall, once untamed and chaotic, now flowed calmly.

Li Wei landed on the ground, his breathing heavy. His body felt different—stronger, more refined.

He had ascended.

Jinhai clapped lazily. "Congratulations, kid. You're finally stepping into the real world of cultivation."

Li Wei clenched his fists, feeling the new power coursing through him.

If this was just the beginning…

Then he was ready for what came next.

where Li Wei begins to understand his new power! Let me know if you want any adjustments before moving forward.

Li Wei stood at the edge of the Celestial Falls, his body still humming with the raw energy of his breakthrough. The Celestial Seal within him had awakened further, and he could feel his Qi flowing smoother, stronger—different.

He clenched his fists, watching the faint golden glow flickering around his skin. What had changed?

Jinhai strode forward, his usual smirk in place. "So? How does it feel?"

Li Wei exhaled, flexing his fingers. "Like… something inside me has finally opened."

Jinhai chuckled. "That's because it has." He raised a hand and traced a circle in the air. "You were bottling up your potential. That fight with the guardian forced you to break past your limits."

Li Wei frowned slightly. "Does that mean I leveled up?"

Jinhai nodded. "You've stepped into the Qi Refinement Realm, Third Stage. Not bad for a rookie."

Li Wei's eyes widened. "Already? But…"

Jinhai raised a brow. "What, you expected a dramatic ceremony?" He smirked. "Cultivation isn't about waiting—it's about pushing forward. You forced a breakthrough, and your body responded."

Li Wei took a deep breath. Qi Refinement Realm… Third Stage. He was progressing faster than he had expectedp.

Jinhai suddenly tossed a small stone at him.

Li Wei caught it instinctively. "What's this?"

"A spiritual assessment stone." Jinhai gestured. "Focus your Qi into it."

Li Wei did as instructed, channeling his energy into the stone. Immediately, glowing inscriptions appeared on its surface, forming intricate patterns of golden light.

Jinhai's smirk widened. "Hah. As I thought."

Li Wei frowned. "What?"

Jinhai crossed his arms. "Your cultivation isn't normal. Most people cultivate with one of the five standard energies—earth, fire, water, wind, or lightning."

He tapped the stone, making the golden glow intensify.

"But yours… it's something far beyond that."

Li Wei stared at the shimmering light. The Celestial Seal's energy.

Jinhai's tone became more serious. "This isn't just rare—it's unheard of. The Celestial Seal isn't just an energy type. It's something… greater."

Li Wei's heart pounded. What exactly was the Celestial Seal?

Before he could ask, a sudden shift in the air made Jinhai turn sharply.

A powerful presence approached.

Li Wei instinctively reached for his sword. "Who—"

"Stay sharp," Jinhai muttered, his smirk vanishing for the first time.

From the mist beyond the falls, figures emerged. Cloaked in dark robes, their Qi pulsed with a chilling intensity.

Enemies.

Li Wei felt a strange sense of recognition, as if his very blood reacted to their presence.

The leader stepped forward, his voice calm yet cold.

"So, you're the one who inherited the Celestial Seal."

Li Wei's grip tightened.

Jinhai exhaled. "Well, kid, looks like your little breakthrough just made you a target."

The air tensed.