Opportunity?

Back at Celestial Falls

Jinhai and Li Wei sat by a fire, the flames casting long shadows against the broken rocks.

"Hey, kid," Jinhai said, tossing a small stone into the flames. "You ever wonder what cultivation really means?"

Li Wei looked up. "It's… power, right?"

Jinhai chuckled. "That's what most people think. But power alone doesn't make you a cultivator." He leaned back, gazing at the sky. "True cultivation is about defying limits. Breaking free from fate. That's why people chase it—to transcend their mortality."

Li Wei absorbed his words in silence.

Then Jinhai smirked. "But let's talk about something more important. Your cultivation level just jumped mid-battle, didn't it?"

Li Wei hesitated, then nodded. "I… think I reached Qi Refinement, Fourth Stage."

Jinhai whistled. "That's insane. Cultivators train for months, even years to climb a single stage."

Li Wei frowned. "It felt like… the Celestial Seal was guiding me."

Jinhai's expression grew serious. "That's what worries me. That power is unlike anything in this world. If people find out you have it…" He exhaled. "You won't just be hunted by guys like Mo Shan. Even the great sects will come for you."

Li Wei clenched his fists. He needed to get stronger. Fast.

"Jinhai," he said firmly. "Teach me everything you know."

Jinhai raised an eyebrow, then grinned. "Heh. Now you're talking."

Introduction to Cultivation Levels

Jinhai pulled out a jade scroll from his storage ring. "Alright, let's start with the basics. You already know the first few stages, but let's go over them properly."

He unraveled the scroll, revealing the structure of cultivation realms.

1. Qi Refinement Realm (1st - 9th Stage) – The starting point. Cultivators gather and refine Qi in their meridians, strengthening their bodies and senses.

2. Foundation Establishment Realm – The first major breakthrough. A cultivator solidifies their Qi into a stable foundation, greatly enhancing their strength.

3. Core Formation Realm – The cultivator condenses their Qi into a Golden Core, a powerful energy nucleus. This is where true masters emerge.

4. Nascent Soul Realm – The cultivator forms a Nascent Soul, allowing them to project their spiritual essence beyond their physical body.

5. Spirit Ascension Realm – The cultivator begins to transcend mortality, capable of manipulating energy beyond the physical plane.

6. Heavenly Sovereign Realm and beyond… – Power on this level is enough to shake kingdoms and split mountains.

Jinhai tapped the scroll. "You're still in Qi Refinement. But if the Celestial Seal lets you progress at this speed…" He glanced at Li Wei. "You might break through Foundation Establishment sooner than you think."

Li Wei's heart pounded. Foundation Establishment. That was the stage where cultivators truly stepped into the path of greatness.

But he couldn't get ahead of himself.

He had a long road ahead.

And countless enemies waiting in the shadows.

The campfire crackled in the silence. Li Wei stared at the jade scroll, his mind racing with everything Jinhai had just revealed. The world of cultivation was vaster than he had imagined.

If he wanted to stand against enemies like Mo Shan—or worse, the powerful sects that would come for the Celestial Seal—he had to grow stronger. Fast.

Jinhai stretched and stood up, dusting off his robes. "Alright, kid. Enough talk. If you really want to get stronger, then let's start training."

Li Wei looked up. "Now?"

Jinhai grinned. "Strength waits for no one."

He thrust out a single finger, and instantly—

BOOM!

The air around them exploded, sending dust flying. Li Wei barely had time to react before an invisible force slammed into his chest, sending him skidding backward. He barely stopped himself before hitting a tree.

He coughed. "What the hell was that?!"

Jinhai smirked. "Lesson one: You need to understand spiritual energy

Understanding Power: The Essence of Spiritual Energy

Jinhai flicked his wrist, and a glowing sphere of Qi appeared in his palm. "Every cultivator draws power from spiritual energy. But not all spiritual energy is the same."

He shaped the Qi into different forms—a flame, a sharp blade, a swirling mist.

"There are different types of energy in cultivation," he explained.

1. Qi Energy – The most basic form, used by all cultivators to enhance their bodies and attacks.

2. Elemental Energy – Fire, Water, Wind, Earth… cultivators who align with elements can unleash powerful techniques.

3. Bloodline Energy – Special powers inherited from ancient bloodlines. Rare and extremely powerful.

4. Celestial Energy – The energy of the gods and heavens, the rarest and most powerful of all.

Jinhai looked at Li Wei. "Your Celestial Seal is connected to Celestial Energy. That means your power is far beyond normal cultivators—but also far more dangerous."

Li Wei clenched his fists. "Then I need to learn how to control it."

Jinhai smiled. "Then prepare yourself. Because your training starts now."

...

A Mysterious Encounter

As the night deepened, the winds carried a faint sound through the valley. It was a flute melody, soft yet chilling.

Li Wei and Jinhai immediately went on guard.

From the shadows, a figure emerged.

She was dressed in flowing midnight-blue robes, her long silver hair shimmering under the moonlight. Her eyes were a deep violet, glowing faintly.

Jinhai frowned. "Who are you?"

The woman smiled. "You are trespassing on sacred ground."

Li Wei tensed. There was an aura of immense power around her. Not as dark as Mo Shan's, but just as dangerous.

Jinhai's expression darkened. "Kid, stay behind me."

The woman tilted her head, studying Li Wei. Then she whispered, "So, the Celestial Seal has awakened once more."

Li Wei's breath caught.

She knew.

Jinhai's grip on his sword tightened. "I don't know who you are, but if you're looking for a fight—"

The woman laughed softly. "Relax. If I wanted you dead, we wouldn't be talking."

Her violet gaze locked onto Li Wei. "But be warned, boy… the world will not let you walk this path unchallenged."

She turned, her robes fluttering. "If you wish to survive, come find me in the Ruins of the Fallen Moon."

And just like that—

She vanished.

A New Goal

Jinhai let out a breath. "Well… that was ominous."

Li Wei, however, felt something different.

This wasn't just a warning.

It was a challenge.

The Ruins of the Fallen Moon.

A place where fate awaited him.

He exhaled and clenched his fists.

It was time to take the next step.