Choice

Qinglin's words were like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples that lingered for a long time.

Shira lowered her head and looked again at her freely moving right arm. Warm, flexible, and full of power—the feeling was so real, yet, according to the other person's description, it was shrouded in a false, shattered shadow.

He believed Qinglin's words. Someone who could disperse the powerful members of Sunagakure with a wave of his hand and heal his severe injuries had no reason to deceive him.

Moreover, he could also vaguely sense a subtle, indescribable stagnation and emptiness deep within his body, as if something had been overdrawn and left a void, slowly eroding his vitality.

Returning to the village, awaiting the predetermined fate?

This option sent a chill down Shira's spine.

He hadn't seen his parents, hadn't reported his safety to Captain Reppu and his comrades, hadn't continued to sweat in the morning light of Sunagakure, hadn't found his own path of Taijutsu as powerful as Guy's—how could he just die like this?

But should they stay? Follow this self-proclaimed immortal, mysterious and unpredictable Qinglin, to understand the seemingly esoteric "true qi" and "the rhythm of the wind and sand"?

Shira raised her head, her gaze meeting Qinglin's calm, unwavering amber eyes that seemed to see through everything.

He forced himself to calm down and thought quickly.

The path of Taijutsu is incredibly difficult. Without Kekkei Genkai, without family secret techniques, and even finding a decent teacher is a challenge.

Teacher Kenmei taught him the sword of killing, Granny Chiyo gave him experience and guidance, and Kai showed him a higher view, but the real path still had to be walked step by step by himself, explored, and overcame obstacles.

The Seven Heavens Breathing Method was a path he found himself, acupressure was an inspiration, and the perception of Qi flow was a reward for his daily hard work.

But all of this, in a sense, is like the blind men and the elephant—unsystematic, full of unknowns and risks.

Just like this time, if it weren't for those strange pills given to him by Aunt Uzumaki, he would have died on the battlefield long ago, and might even have implicated his comrades.

But the pills nearly cost him his life, or rather, were costing him his life.

Opportunity. The word suddenly popped into Shira's mind. The mysterious and unpredictable immortal Qinglin before her, her appearance, her healing, the choice she made—it was in itself an unbelievably huge opportunity!

She pulled herself back from the brink of death; she saved her potentially crippled arm; and now, she seems willing to offer guidance?

This is really weird, you know? As the saying goes, there's no such thing as a free lunch, and what's happening to me now is definitely not that simple.

Although the reason is unknown, the actions of immortals are unfathomable. Perhaps, as she said, she was simply interested in my "crude" boxing skills and "clumsy" willpower, or perhaps it was because of the so-called " Sand's Attachment " within me?

Whatever the reason, for someone like me who is currently facing a desperate situation and uncertain about the future, this is a glimmer of hope, an opportunity that may lead to a wider world!

What about the risks? Of course there are. The other party's intentions are unclear, and staying here means losing all contact with the village and one's companions, with the future filled with uncertainty.

But compared to going back to die, or dragging a crippled body and a ruined future back to Sunagakure, becoming a burden that needs to be taken care of, this risk is worth taking!

Shira's eyes gradually hardened from initial shock, wariness, and hesitation.

Damn it, how did it catch fire?!

He took a deep breath, and the sweet-smelling air filled his lungs, seemingly invigorating his weakened spirit.

He lifted the light, almost weightless fabric covering him, and, enduring the slight swaying of his body from prolonged lying down and weakness, struggled to sit up from the jade bed. Then, he slowly straightened his body.

Although his steps were still a little unsteady, he straightened his spine and looked directly at Qinglin.

"Senior Qinglin."

He chose this form of address, respectful yet maintaining distance, saying, "Thank you for saving my life. I've chosen to stay."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear, firm, and without trembling.

"I want to understand what you mean by 'true qi.' I want to know the rhythm of the wind and sand. And I also want to know what the ' Heart of the Bedrock' that I inadvertently touched is all about."

Shira paused, then added, her tone more solemn, "I want to live on, and then become stronger. Strong enough to protect those I want to protect, and to complete the path of Taijutsu I've chosen."

He didn't ask questions like "Why did you help me?" Given the absolute difference in strength and level, asking for reasons might be meaningless, even foolish.

All Shira needs to do is seize the opportunity before her, pay the price she has to pay, and then survive and become stronger.

Qinglin looked at him quietly, her expression hidden behind the veil. Only her amber eyes seemed to gleam with a faint, unfathomable light in response to Shira's answer.

The light vanished in an instant, so fast it seemed like an illusion.

"A wise, yet expected, choice." Qinglin's voice remained calm, revealing neither approval nor disappointment. "The human instinct for survival and the drive to succeed are always there. However..."

Her tone shifted slightly, her gaze falling on Shira as if examining an unpolished raw material.

"Your internal energy is chaotic, your foundation is weak, and your understanding of Qi is extremely rudimentary. Your breathing technique only grasps the form, not the essence; forcing it is merely depleting your own resources. The 'flow of energy' you perceive is nothing more than superficial disturbance. With such a foundation, let alone comprehending true Qi, even regulating the rampant Qi within you will be no easy task."

Her words were direct, even somewhat harsh, pointing out many problems with Shira's current cultivation state. Shira didn't refute them, but listened quietly, knowing that what she said was true.

The path one explores on their own is inherently flawed.

" The Heart of the Bedrock is the pivotal point where the earth's ley line energy converges; it should be calm and stable. Your previous actions have disturbed its surface. Now that you are here, you are karmically connected to it."

Qinglin continued, a hint of etherealness in his voice, "I adjust the feng shui and energy flow of this place, and I dislike changes. Saving you is fate. Keeping you here is also for a reason."

"Your life and death, your growth, may serve as an example of how variables evolve. Or perhaps, that Sand's Attachment within you will one day act as a catalyst for calming the earth's veins."

"The reasons behind this are not for you to delve into; simply know that I did not bestow this favor without cause."

Her words were cryptic, but Shira understood the main point: whether to save him or keep him might have some value to the immortal for observation or utilization, perhaps related to stabilizing the Heart of the Bedrock that she had disturbed.

This actually made Shira feel a little more at ease—having an ulterior motive is easier to understand than unprovoked kindness.

"Yes, I understand," Shira replied, bowing his head. He didn't care about being observed or being a potential "tool," as long as he could have the chance to survive and become stronger.

"Good, I understand." Qinglin nodded slightly. "Since you've chosen to stay, you must abide by the rules here. Within the Cavern of Echoes, no noise is permitted, and you must not arbitrarily disturb the leyline markings on the rock walls. For daily necessities, there's a clear spring on the west side of the cave and shade-resistant berries on the east side. As for you..."

Her gaze swept over Shira's weakened body once more.

"Your primary task right now is not to seek progress, but to strengthen your foundation and return to your origin. Dispel the residual effects of that violent external medicine in your body, regulate the disordered energy caused by your breathing technique, and allow your muscles, bones, and internal organs to rest and recuperate. This process will inevitably be painful, and you will need to cooperate with your willpower."

Shira's heart skipped a beat, knowing the real test was about to begin. "Yes, please guide me, senior."

"Drink this." Qinglin pointed to the cup of bluish liquid that had already been pushed in front of him on the low table. "This is Qinglin Dew, condensed from the earth's moisture and the morning breeze. It has the effect of calming the qi and cleansing away stagnation. It can help you initially stabilize your soul and perceive your inner energy."

Without hesitation, Shira stepped forward and picked up the cup of Qinglin Dew, which was slightly cool to the touch. The liquid was clear and had a wonderful fragrance.

Shira tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp.

The liquid entered the throat without any particular taste, only a cool sensation that instantly spread down the throat and quickly permeated the entire body.

Wherever this coolness passed, the subtle heat, stagnation, and emptiness that had been lingering in my body seemed to be gently soothed and refreshed, and my mind was cleared, with the fatigue and drowsiness of the past few days fading away considerably.

At the same time, Shira also "felt" more clearly that deep within her body, especially in her dantian and near several major meridians, there were several places where the energy was tangled and burning, like lurking embers, completely incompatible with this cool and gentle energy—that must be what Qinglin had referred to as "runaway energy" and "residual medicinal energy."

Sit cross-legged, eyes focused on the nose, and the nose focused on the heart.

Qinglin's cool voice came, "Forget your breathing technique for now. Just feel your own breath. When you inhale, visualize cool air entering from the Baihui point on the top of your head, cleansing your entire body;"

"As you exhale, visualize the stale and stagnant energy in your body slowly being expelled from your extremities and pores throughout your body. Do not rush or guide; simply observe and feel."

"When you can clearly 'see' those knots in your body and sense their conflict with the surrounding energy, then you can proceed to the next step."

Following Shira's instructions, Zilu sat cross-legged on the open ground beside the jade bed, closed her eyes, cleared her mind of distractions, and tried to follow Qinglin's instructions to feel the most natural breathing and to "introspect" her own body.

This was a completely new experience for him. The Seven Heavens Breathing Method involves actively guiding breathing to strengthen the body.

The requirement at this moment, however, is " Mui " and "observation." At first, he found it difficult to calm down, as images of battle, the safety of his comrades, and worries about the future came flooding in.

But the cool and tranquil feeling brought by the Qinglin Dew helped him. In addition, he had experience in focusing on sensing the airflow during extreme training. Gradually, his breathing calmed down, and his mind began to sink into the dark and subtle world of perception within his body.

Qinglin quietly watched Shira enter a meditative state, her amber eyes reflecting the faint light flowing within the cave. She saved him, partly out of interest in the "interesting sample" and a slight glance at the " Sand's Attachment," but the deeper reason remained unspoken.

Although the disturbance to the Heart of the Bedrock was slight, it caused a slight disharmony in the earth's energy flow.

The "cause" of Shira may need to become part of the "effect" of future adjustments. In addition, she has been watching over this place for too long and has witnessed the rise and fall of Sunagakure. The paths and wills of the creatures on this land, especially these ninjas struggling to survive, are themselves a manifestation of the flow of "fortune" in this world.

Observing how a young man who accidentally touches the earth's veins and possesses a rudimentary method of Qi cultivation struggles, makes choices, and grows can provide valuable insights into understanding the feng shui and fortune of this place.

Of course, such calculations were too distant and profound for the boy before him. All he needed to know was that this was a transaction, an opportunity, a struggle and climb on the edge of life and death.

Silence returned to the cave, broken only by the constant, faint pulsation from the depths of the earth and the boy's gradually calming, long breaths.

A faint bluish-gold halo flowed across the cave walls, illuminating the serene figure of the immortal and the focused profile of the young man just beginning his journey into the Dao.