Beside the spirit pool on the back mountain, the Gray Spirit Root disciples were busy carrying water or moving stones, panting from the effort. Most simply repeated their labors mechanically, their hearts full of complaints.
Yet the moment Qin Yu set down the Spirit Stone, an inexplicable impulse flared in his heart.
The book said: Qi follows the breath, and breath unites with the heart. If that really is possible... then perhaps I can recreate the sensation I felt when I touched the Spirit Stone.
He slowly closed his eyes and rested his hands lightly on the stone, his breathing gradually slowing.
A wisp of barely perceptible light emerged from the cracks in the stone, drifting slowly like a tiny speck of light deep in a river of stars. The surrounding sounds gradually faded until only the thump-thump of Qin Yu's heartbeat remained.
In time with his breathing, that speck of light began to tremble. Then, as though drawn by some force, it turned into strands of flowing light that surged madly into his fingertips!
A faint radiance shone from within Qin Yu's body. His blood vessels and meridians became a transparent, three-dimensional diagram, and the streams of light raced through them like rivers, washing through every limb and bone. Each passage flickered like a river of stars, accompanied by a low rumble.
Boom-
Spiritual Qi no longer entered a wisp at a time, but poured in like a flood released from its gates. Currents churned around him, his sleeves fluttered without wind, and an invisible breeze lifted his hair. Dust rose gently beneath his feet and spun around him, forming a small vortex!
Even the light in the sky seemed to dim for an instant. Then dazzling golden beams spilled through the clouds, falling straight onto him and illuminating his entire body as though divine fire had set him alight.
The disciples working nearby stopped and stared at the sight, dumbfounded. Someone cried out, "Wh... what's happening?!"
Qin Yu remained completely unaware. Immersed in that warm Spiritual Qi, his breathing and heartbeat became one, and he felt as though his body were being lit anew.
A crystalline sheen appeared in his pupils, like twinkling stars. The Spiritual Qi surging through his meridians resembled a cascading galaxy, bursting into a dazzling river of stars within him.
With the final thunderous beat of his heart, his eyes snapped open!
Two pillars of Spiritual Qi light, visible to the naked eye, burst from his nostrils and shot into the sky. Like a dragon's cry and a tiger's roar, they shook the bamboo grove into a wild dance and sent pebbles flying.
Everyone stood tongue-tied, their throats dry. They even forgot to breathe.
"A... a Gray Spirit Root disciple? He can actually draw in this much Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi?! How is that possible!"
At that moment, Qin Yu stood amid dust and streams of light, his youthful figure enveloped in dazzling radiance. He resembled a faint yet impossible-to-ignore star, shining beneath the dark vault of heaven.
The Spiritual Qi vortex still swirled around Qin Yu. Dust and fallen leaves circled his feet, as though all the breath of heaven and earth were converging on him.
Boom!
A heavy footstep rang out as the steward disciple strode swiftly over from a distance. His white robes snapped in the wind, and his gaze swept across the scene like a blade before instantly settling on Qin Yu.
For the first time, those cold, stern eyes showed a clear ripple of emotion.
"What happened!" he demanded sharply. His voice cracked like thunder, frightening the surrounding Gray Spirit Root disciples into silence like cicadas in winter.
"I... I don't know! He was moving a Spirit Stone just now, and then suddenly-he suddenly became like this!" someone answered in a panic.
The steward ignored them. Instead, he stepped straight in front of Qin Yu and stared fixedly at him. "You. How did you do that?"
Qin Yu's chest rose and fell, his breathing rapid, yet he showed no panic. He lowered his head, his voice youthful but clear. "I... only followed the mnemonic in the Breath-Nurturing Chapter and breathed as it instructed. Then... then I felt this."
At his words, the surrounding disciples exchanged looks, their faces full of disbelief.
The steward stared unblinkingly at Qin Yu, as though trying to see through him. After a moment, he raised a hand. Spiritual light rose from his palm, and he pressed it directly onto Qin Yu's shoulder.
Boom-
The spiritual light surged, immediately revealing the fluctuations of Spiritual Qi within Qin Yu. The steward's pupils contracted, and even his breathing caught slightly.
This speed... it's actually faster than an ordinary High-Grade Spiritual Root when first beginning cultivation?!
He withdrew his hand, a shock almost impossible to conceal appearing on his face. Then he barked coldly, "From now on, you are not to cultivate recklessly! You must not mention what happened today to anyone!"
Qin Yu froze briefly, but still nodded, his tone sincere. "Yes. I understand."
Looking into those clear eyes, the steward's heart churned, unable to settle.
A Gray Spirit Root... how could it possess such potential? This boy is no ordinary person!
The dust deep in the bamboo grove gradually settled, and the Spiritual Qi vortex slowly dispersed. The surrounding Gray Spirit Root disciples still stood frozen, their gazes filled with fear and disbelief as they looked at Qin Yu.
The steward withdrew the light from his palm, his face returning to its cold severity as though nothing had happened. He swept an indifferent glance over everyone, his voice icy. "What are you all standing around for? Those moving stones, keep moving them. Those carrying water, keep carrying it! Anyone who dares wag their tongue had better beware of being expelled from the sect!"
The disciples immediately lowered their heads, not daring to look any longer.
Yet the instant the steward turned away, profound shock and appreciation flashed in his eyes.
A Gray Spirit Root... by all normal understanding, it has the weakest foundation and can scarcely draw in Spiritual Qi. Yet this child not only sensed it, but drew in so much...
His comprehension, his memory, and this performance... with proper nurturing, he might well defy heaven and change his fate!
He turned back toward Qin Yu. That youthful figure remained slight, but his eyes were bright and clear, so like a newborn flame-weak, yet enough to set a wilderness ablaze.
The steward fell silent for a moment, then instructed coldly, "Qin Yu, continue working with the group as usual. But remember, you must be more cautious in everything you do from now on. Your identity as a Gray Spirit Root is both your protection and your shackles. If you wish to go farther, you must not reveal yourself too soon."
Qin Yu paused, then nodded firmly. "Yes. I understand."
The steward stared at him for a long time before slowly withdrawing his gaze. With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked away at an unhurried pace.
Yet as his retreating figure disappeared into the depths of the bamboo grove, an expectation difficult to conceal had appeared in his eyes.
Perhaps... the future of Cloud-Leveling Hall will forge a path no one has ever walked before through this lowest-ranked Gray Spirit Root disciple.
The bamboo grove rustled, and sunlight spilled through the branches and leaves onto Qin Yu's face. The boy lifted his head slightly, his gaze resolute, as though making a silent vow to all of heaven and earth.
Night fell, and pinpricks of lamplight appeared among the bamboo. After a day of labor, the Gray Spirit Root disciples lay down early to rest.
Qin Yu sat alone in his small hut, leafing through the simple cultivation instructions the steward had left during the day. Lamplight flickered over his youthful face. Suddenly, the wooden door creaked open, and Yang Zheng strode inside, his face flushed and his eyes so bright they seemed about to spit fire.
"Yuzi!" He plopped down beside the bed and leaned closer, his eyes wide. He lowered his voice, but could not hide his excitement. "Tell me! What exactly happened on the back mountain today? I heard some disciples say you drew in Spiritual Qi, and the sight was so frightening that even the steward was moved!"
Qin Yu started. Remembering the steward's warning, he instinctively shook his head. "I... only followed the mnemonic in the book. While I was breathing, suddenly... I sensed it."
Yang Zheng stared at him wide-eyed for a long time, then suddenly reached out and clapped him hard on the shoulder. "Haha! Yuzi, I knew you weren't ordinary! So what if you have a Gray Spirit Root? You'll definitely forge a different path!"
The tips of Qin Yu's ears reddened slightly at his words. He said softly, "I... only want to work hard. I don't want to disappoint Mother."
Hearing this, Yang Zheng paused, his gaze softening. He grinned, but his voice held a trace of sincere certainty. "Don't worry. Whether you have a Gray Spirit Root or not, you're my brother. We'll walk together from now on. Whatever happens, I, Yang Zheng, will stand beside you."
Qin Yu's eyes grew slightly hot. All his life, his memories had held only loneliness and his mother's embrace. Now, for the first time, someone his own age regarded him so firmly as a brother.
"Mm." He nodded firmly, his gaze clear and resolute. "From now on, we'll cultivate together and improve together."
The two exchanged smiles. The lamplight stretched their shadows long, intertwining them on the bamboo hut's crude wall.
At that moment, though they were merely the lowest-ranked Gray Spirit Root disciples, they planted the most precious things in each other's hearts-trust and friendship.
Outside the bamboo grove, the night breeze brushed gently past, and insects chirped without end. Inside the bamboo hut, two youthful voices laughed, echoing for a long time like the purest vow between brothers.
Early the next morning, the morning bell rang again. The Gray Spirit Root disciples gathered at the outer courtyard's training ground, where the steward gave his orders in the same cold voice. "Today's task is doubled. Yesterday was merely a warm-up. Today, each of you must move three Spirit Stones to the foot of the mountain, or you will not be allowed to rest!"
As his words fell, groans and sighs immediately rose across the grounds.
Yang Zheng gritted his teeth and approached a Spirit Stone, bracing it with both arms, his face flushed red. He came from a hunting family and possessed great strength, but several consecutive days of heavy labor and coarse food had clearly left his stamina unable to keep up. By his second stone, his legs were already trembling, and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"Huff... huff..."
He barely made it halfway before his foot slipped, nearly sending him sprawling.
"Yang Zheng!" Qin Yu hurried over and, without hesitation, reached out to support the Spirit Stone, lifting together with him.
The Spirit Stone was extremely heavy. Its weight numbed Qin Yu's shoulder and sent pain through his arms, but he did not retreat. Instead, he clenched his teeth. "Let's... carry it together!"
Yang Zheng froze, a trace of moisture flashing in his eyes. Then he nodded hard. "All right!"
Shoulder to shoulder, the two forced themselves to carry the Spirit Stone all the way to the foot of the mountain.
At the sight, some of the surrounding disciples sneered. "Hah, what trash! He can't even move one Spirit Stone without someone helping!"
"A Gray Spirit Root is a Gray Spirit Root. Good for nothing!"
Mocking laughter rose one wave after another, but failed to shake either of them.
Panting heavily, Yang Zheng said quietly to Qin Yu, "Yuzi, thank you. Without you, I might have made a complete fool of myself."
Qin Yu shook his head, his youthful voice firm. "You're my brother."
Yang Zheng's eyes grew hot. He clapped Qin Yu hard on the shoulder, his smile more sincere than ever. "Good! From this day on, I, Yang Zheng, have only one brother-you, Qin Yu!"
The mocking laughter continued in their ears, but neither paid it any mind.
Sunlight spilled over the boys. The two slight figures stood shoulder to shoulder, covered in dust yet looking utterly steadfast.
At that moment, the bond between Qin Yu and Yang Zheng had already gone beyond companionship, becoming a brotherhood like a bond of blood.
At the foot of the mountain, dappled sunlight fell as Qin Yu and Yang Zheng set down the Spirit Stone side by side. The boys panted, their bodies soaked in sweat, yet they still stood straight.
The nearby jeering gradually subsided. Some still shook their heads and sneered, but others felt a subtle measure of respect arise within them-after all, not everyone could persevere to the end amid ridicule.
In the distance, a steward disciple stood with his hands behind his back, quietly watching everything.
His face was stern, his expression unchanged, as though he were merely carrying out routine supervision. Yet a barely perceptible gleam flashed in his eyes.
A boy with a Gray Spirit Root who could not only draw in Spiritual Qi, but also take the initiative to share a companion's burden under heavy pressure. Beyond aptitude, this character and tenacity were what was truly rare.
As for Yang Zheng, though his aptitude was ordinary, he possessed a sincere heart. A child like him could become a source of support for Qin Yu even in the Gray Spirit Root disciples' quarters.
The steward pondered for a moment, then withdrew his gaze and said evenly, "Today's task is complete. Dismissed."
As though relieved of a heavy burden, the disciples dispersed one after another.
Once the crowd had gone some distance, the steward suddenly spoke. "Qin Yu, stay."
His voice was level, yet carried a force that allowed no refusal.
Yang Zheng started and glanced back at Qin Yu worriedly, wanting to say something, but Qin Yu gave him a slight nod. So he gritted his teeth and turned to leave after all.
When everyone had left, only the steward and Qin Yu remained deep in the bamboo grove.
The boy's slight figure stood beneath the blazing sun, sweat still on his face, yet his eyes were clear and firm.
The steward stood with his hands behind his back, fixing him with a gaze as sharp as a hawk's, and said gravely:
"Do you know that you are different from others?"
The air abruptly froze. Qin Yu held his breath, as though heaven and earth had both fallen still within that single question.