Ascension of the Silent Guardian

Tian Ling returned to his cave dwelling and sat in a lotus position, breathing deeply as he prepared his mind for the next step in his cultivation.

"Status," he murmured softly, and a screen appeared before his eyes:

[Name: Tian Ling]

[Age: 53 years]

[Race: Mortal]

[Realm: Fourth Level of the Spiritual Core (Perfect)]

[Spiritual Root: High Grade]

[Techniques: Path of Inner Flow]

[Skills: Sword of Stormy Heavens (Spiritual Grade), Celestial Light Movements (Spiritual Grade), Celestial Palm (Mythical Grade)]

[Equipment: Spiritual Glide Boots (Spiritual Grade), Divider Sword (Earth Grade), Earth Bracelet (Earth Grade), Sacred Mantle (Earth Grade)]

[Bloodline: Mediocre]

After fully cultivating the wood elemental Qi, Tian Ling realized that he had only broken through one minor realm. It was far less than he had expected, especially compared to the advancement he gained after mastering magma Qi. He frowned briefly, wondering if his progress was below expectations, but quickly brushed the thought aside.

"Maybe it’s not the right time to test my strength in the simulation arena again," he reflected. "Something bigger is waiting... and I still need to prepare better."

Determined that his next goal would be the Mythic Realm of Wind, he stood up, firm in his decision.

"I'm not far from the True Soul Realm... soon, I’ll be able to break through," he said, a gleam of determination in his eyes as he clenched his fists.

Soon, Tian Ling set off for the Mythic Realm of Wind. As he crossed the portal, he encountered a familiar landscape, reminiscent of the Serene Mist Sect. Floating islands dotted the sky, and the wind Qi spread abundantly, giving the surroundings a light and airy feeling.

"The wind Qi here is really abundant... And it seems like this is the most common element. There are many disciples here, unlike the other Mythic Realms I’ve visited," he commented, excited as he observed the various disciples scattered across the floating islands. The system quickly alerted him again:

[You have entered the Mythic Realm of the Wind Element. The wind elemental Qi here is extremely abundant.]

Wasting no time, Tian Ling found a quiet spot to begin his cultivation. Sitting in the lotus position, he closed his eyes and began to gather wind elemental Qi, feeling the energy flow around him and into his meridians.

While Tian Ling cultivated, in a nearby cave dwelling, Yu Meilin opened her icy blue eyes.

"I've reached the second level of the Spiritual Core Realm..." she whispered to herself, satisfied with her progress.

But a shadow of doubt quickly crossed her mind. "Even when Tian Ling was at the first level of the Spiritual Core, I couldn't see through his cultivation... Could he have already reached the second level? Impossible! In the Outer Sect, he had barely broken through to the Foundation Realm... And my speed is faster than Jiang Zenhai's. How could he have advanced before me?" Thoughtful, Yu Meilin furrowed her brow.

Fighting against her doubts, her thoughts began to drift. "Come to think of it, he’s... rather handsome," she muttered softly, her blue eyes sparkling for a brief moment.

"What am I thinking? I should focus on my cultivation!" she scolded herself, her cheeks flushing lightly at the thought of Tian Ling.

In a nearby cave dwelling, Jin Yu was also cultivating. Suddenly, an unsettling feeling washed over her.

"Why do I feel like something is off?" she muttered, but the sensation disappeared as quickly as it had come.

"Ah, it must be nothing. I wonder how Tian Ling's cultivation is going? Maybe I’ll visit him later," she thought, returning her focus to her own cultivation.

Tian Ling's determination to cultivate and grow stronger had inspired Jin Yu. Ever since she saw him break through so quickly, she had felt motivated, determined not to fall behind. Now, at the fifth level of the Foundation Realm, she was making significant progress.

Meanwhile, in the Outer Sect Hall, Lian Ziyue, an elder of the Outer Sect, sat quietly on her mat, cultivating. Her long white hair trailed on the floor, and her pale skin made her a figure of rare beauty and power. However, a shadow of frustration loomed over her face.

"It’s so difficult to break through to the Spiritual Core Realm... But why do I feel like something isn’t right with my cultivation?" she murmured, reflecting on her slow progress.

"I’ve been stuck at the seventh level of the Foundation Realm for years, and I just can’t break through, no matter what I do," she sighed deeply. "Maybe if the master allowed me to return to the Inner Sect, I could break through more easily," she thought, yearning for a breakthrough.

Her thoughts, however, turned to Tian Ling.

"I wonder how he's doing," she mused to herself. "When I saw him back then, I pitied him... I never imagined he would be chosen by the main elders. I think I'll ask Elder Mei Lianhua about him the next time I go to the Inner Sect."

Finally, Lian Ziyue sighed and closed her eyes, returning to her cultivation.

A year had passed since Tian Ling began cultivating the wind elemental Qi.

[Wind elemental Qi cultivation progress: 54%]

"My strength is increasing a lot, even without breaking through to a minor realm... I can feel myself growing stronger," Tian Ling said, determination in his eyes.

Looking around, Tian Ling spotted a familiar figure on a nearby island.

"Lan Wei? Isn’t he the disciple who was chosen by Elder Shen in the Outer Sect along with me?" he thought, walking toward him.

"Brother Lan Wei!" Tian Ling called out as he approached.

Lan Wei, surprised, looked at him.

"Who are you?" Lan Wei asked, not recognizing Tian Ling.

"I'm Tian Ling. We entered the Inner Sect together. I was chosen by Elder Mei Lianhua."

"Ahhh, now I remember," Lan Wei responded, a look of regret on his face.

"What happened? Is it tough with Elder Shen?"

"Tough? That lunatic only knows how to fight. I get beaten every single day! It’s a miracle I reached the Spiritual Core Realm and managed to come here to cultivate in the Mythic Realm," Lan Wei lamented, looking defeated. He had also been chosen by Mei Lianhua but had refused because he didn’t want a female master.

"It must have been tough for you. But don’t worry, once you reach the True Soul Realm, you can become an elder and have your own island in the sect."

"Do you think it’s easy to reach the True Soul Realm? Many disciples have been stuck for hundreds of years at the seventh level of the Spiritual Core Realm."

"Really?"

"Of course! Only one in ten succeeds in breaking through. They say the tribulation is extremely powerful. And passing the bottleneck at the seventh level is a challenge in itself."

"Will I have trouble breaking through?" Tian Ling pondered, reflecting on what Lan Wei had said. "My growth has been steady, but... cultivating the elemental Qi might be slower. Still, I can’t falter."

"Well, good luck then," Tian Ling said, trying to comfort his friend.

"Thanks, but don’t worry, everyone has their own difficulties."

Another year passed as quickly as the wind Qi circulated in the Mythic Realm. The sound of the system's voice echoed in Tian Ling’s mind.

[Wind elemental Qi cultivation complete.]

Tian Ling opened his eyes, feeling the Qi flowing harmoniously within his body.

"Finally. Two years... it was faster than with the magma Qi. Should I go straight to the next element?" he pondered aloud as he headed toward the vortex to leave the Mythic Realm and return to the Serene Mist Sect.

"I think I'll visit Sister Jin Yu... It’s been a while since we’ve talked."

Tian Ling made his way to Jin Yu’s cave dwelling.

"Sister? Are you here?"

"Tian Ling? You came to visit me? What a surprise!" Jin Yu responded, excited, pulling him by the arm into her cave dwelling.

"Sister, calm down! I just came to see how your cultivation is going," he said, trying to step back, but Jin Yu’s determination left him no chance.

"Sit down, let’s have some tea while we talk."

"Alright, alright."

Tian Ling sat down, and Jin Yu quickly served tea for both of them. The atmosphere was more relaxed now, and they began to chat.

"I’ve reached the sixth level of the Foundation Realm. I’ll soon be able to break through. And you, Brother, how’s your cultivation going?" she asked, excited by Tian Ling’s sudden visit.

Tian Ling smiled slightly but avoided directly mentioning his true strength.

"I’m doing well in my cultivation. I’m also close to a breakthrough," he replied, thinking to himself: "Better not tell her I’m already at the fourth level of the Spiritual Core Realm..."

They spent some time exchanging stories and impressions about cultivation. Jin Yu seemed more comfortable than ever, and Tian Ling was surprised to notice how quickly time had passed. After a few hours, they said their goodbyes.

As he left, Tian Ling felt renewed and motivated.

"It’s time to focus on the next element. I feel the True Soul Realm is getting closer," he thought, determined to continue his cultivation journey, more confident than ever about what awaited him.