The eastern road stretched before Gù Tiānháo like an unfurling ribbon, winding through rolling hills and patches of woodland toward the distant examination city. The morning sun cast long shadows across the path as he adjusted his travel pack and took his first steps away from Maplewood Town, his stride purposeful and measured. Behind him, the familiar silhouette of the town grew smaller with each step, soon to become just another memory in his journey through this world. Ahead lay two weeks of travel, followed by the challenge that would determine the next phase of his cultivation path.
The weight of his storage pouch against his hip was reassuring—containing his modest possessions, the remaining Meridian Opening Pills, and the provisions he had purchased in town. He had prepared thoroughly, as was his nature, leaving nothing to chance that could be reasonably anticipated. The road to the examination city was well-traveled, a major artery connecting several provinces, but that didn't mean it was without dangers. Bandits, wild beasts, and the unpredictable weather of early autumn all presented potential challenges. Then there were the other cultivators who would be making the same journey, some perhaps viewing fellow candidates as competition to be eliminated before the examination even began.
Tiānháo's mind turned to his current capabilities as he walked. His recent breakthrough to the 4th Level of Body Refinement had significantly enhanced his combat potential. With sixty percent of his meridians now open, his Qi circulation was remarkably efficient, giving him advantages in both power and endurance over others at the same nominal cultivation level. The martial techniques he had mastered—Divergent Fist, Gale Palm, and Nine Mist Steps—provided him with a balanced array of offensive and movement abilities. His alchemy knowledge, while still developing, represented another advantage few candidates would possess.
As the sun climbed higher, Tiānháo maintained a steady pace, neither rushing nor dawdling. Efficiency was key—covering optimal distance each day while conserving energy and remaining alert to his surroundings. He passed occasional travelers on the road—merchants with laden carts, farmers bringing goods to market, and once, a group of armed men who might have been mercenaries or guards for hire. He acknowledged them with brief nods but avoided unnecessary conversation. In this world, anonymity was often the safest approach.
When he encountered a small stream around midday, Tiānháo paused to refill his water skin and consume a portion of the travel rations he had packed. As he ate, he observed a pair of spirit birds flitting among the branches of a nearby tree—not powerful enough to be considered beasts, but possessing enough natural energy to make their feathers glow faintly in the shadows. Such minor spirit creatures were common in areas with decent ambient Qi, a positive sign for his cultivation during the journey.
After his brief rest, Tiānháo resumed his journey, using the walking time to practice Qi circulation. He guided his energy through the Nine Cycles technique, focusing on the newly opened meridians to strengthen and familiarize himself with their pathways. This form of moving meditation served multiple purposes—advancing his cultivation, maintaining his awareness of his surroundings, and making the monotony of travel more productive.
As afternoon waned toward evening, Tiānháo began looking for a suitable campsite. He eventually selected a small clearing set back from the road, partially sheltered by a rocky outcropping that would block the wind and provide some concealment. With practiced efficiency, he gathered firewood, cleared a space for his bedroll, and set up a simple campfire. From his storage pouch, he retrieved a small formation flag—a basic security measure he had purchased in Maplewood that would alert him if anyone approached within twenty paces of his camp.
With his camp established, Tiānháo prepared a simple meal of dried meat and hard bread, supplemented with a few edible herbs he had identified along the way. As he ate, he contemplated the journey ahead. 03 Two weeks of travel would test his endurance and vigilance, but also provide valuable time for cultivation and mental preparation. The examination itself would likely be grueling, designed to test not just raw power but adaptability, knowledge, and determination. He would need every advantage he could muster.
After eating, Tiānháo settled into his evening meditation, focusing on consolidating the day's cultivation progress and preparing his mind and body for the next day's journey. The sounds of the forest at night created a natural backdrop to his meditation—the rustling of leaves, the occasional call of nocturnal birds, the distant howl of what might have been a wolf or perhaps something more dangerous. This world was alive with both ordinary creatures and spirit beasts, existing in a complex ecosystem shaped by the presence of Qi.
As his meditation deepened, Tiānháo's thoughts drifted briefly to Lin Xiao Yue. He wondered how she was faring with her cultivation, whether she was practicing the techniques he had taught her, whether she thought of him as he occasionally thought of her. The memory of their parting kiss surfaced unbidden, bringing with it a complex mixture of emotions he wasn't yet ready to fully examine. He gently redirected his focus to his breathing, to the flow of Qi through his meridians, to the present moment and the path ahead.
Before settling into sleep, Tiānháo performed a final check of his surroundings and the security formation. Satisfied that he would have adequate warning of any approach, he lay down on his bedroll, one hand near his weapon, his senses still partially alert even as he allowed his body to rest. The stars overhead were brilliant in the clear night sky, countless points of light stretching across the heavens. In his previous life as Alex Chen, he had known these were distant suns and worlds; in this cultivation world, they were said to be the dwelling places of celestial immortals and supreme beings who had transcended the mortal realms. Perhaps both perspectives held some truth.
As sleep began to claim him, Tiānháo's last thoughts were of the challenges and opportunities that might await him on the road ahead. This journey was just the beginning—a necessary step toward the power he sought, toward understanding the mysteries of the God and Demon Slaying Bead, toward carving out his place in this world of cultivation and conflict. Whatever came, he would face it with the same determination and adaptability that had brought him this far. The road to power was long, but he had taken the first steps, and there was no turning back.