The night was still, save for the faint flicker of lantern light seeping under the door of Tianyu's room at **The Ember's Rest**. Seated cross-legged on the worn wooden floor, Tianyu exhaled slowly, his breath steady and deliberate. The **Netherflame Essence Stone**, nestled on the table beside him, pulsed faintly, casting an otherworldly glow that danced across the walls.
His dantian churned with the turbulent energy he had amassed, the foundation for the next crucial step in his journey—condensing his core. Every cultivator knew that this moment, the transition into the **Qi Coalescence Stage**, was not merely an act of skill but of sheer determination. Yet for Tianyu, this step was far more complex. The techniques he cultivated demanded complete harmony between his mortal body and spiritual energy.
He pressed two fingers against his wrist, sensing the changes in his bloodstream—the faint golden hue beginning to surface in his veins, courtesy of Ao Shun's ring. "Transformation," he whispered to himself. "It's subtle, but undeniable. My body… it's shifting. Evolving."
His lips curled into a faint smile. "Fine. If you're determined to change me, Ao Shun, then let's see how far I can take this."
---
As Tianyu closed his eyes, his consciousness delved inward, into the swirling depths of his Qi. The energy surged like a tempest, wild and unrestrained, pushing against the barriers of his dantian. He gritted his teeth, the strain evident as he began to weave the energy into tighter, more refined streams.
*"Focus,"* he told himself, the words echoing in the vastness of his mind. *"This isn't just about power—it's about control. I need to form the core… to make it unyielding."*
The **Scarlet Immolation Tempering Art** flared to life within him, its fiery energy coursing through his body. Every fiber of his being felt like it was ablaze, the heat scouring away impurities and fortifying his mortal frame. The pain was excruciating, yet he welcomed it, using the sensation to sharpen his focus.
Suddenly, a voice—soft, distant—drifted through his thoughts. It wasn't his own. A woman's voice, gentle and melodic, calling his name.
"Tianyu…"
His eyes snapped open, his breath hitching. The memory was fleeting, like a wisp of smoke, but it struck him deeply. "Who… who are you?" he murmured aloud, his voice trembling. "Why do I…?"
But there was no answer, only the pulsing of his Qi and the faint hum of the Netherflame Essence Stone. Shaking his head, Tianyu refocused, burying the memory for another time.
The hours passed in a blur of concentration and pain. Sweat drenched his brow, and his entire body trembled as the energy within him condensed, spiraling tightly above his dantian. Finally, with a surge of willpower, he pushed the energy into its final form—a glowing, crystalline core that radiated a steady, powerful light.
The moment of triumph was short-lived.
A thunderous **BOOM** erupted from his room, the force of his breakthrough unleashing a shockwave that rattled the inn to its foundations. The floor cracked beneath him, and the furniture toppled over, leaving the room in disarray. The lantern fell from its perch, snuffed out by the force, plunging the room into near darkness.
Tianyu gasped for air, his hands pressed against the floor to steady himself. His body felt both weightless and impossibly heavy, his newfound power settling into his core like a molten flame. He could feel it—the durability, the capacity. His core wasn't just strong; it was enduring, designed to store and refine more Qi than most cultivators could dream of.
The transformation within his body became evident as he glanced at his arm. A faint golden hue glimmered beneath his skin, though he didn't yet realize the full extent of the changes.
The commotion quickly drew attention. Footsteps thundered down the hallway as the innkeeper and a handful of guests burst into the room, their faces pale with alarm.
"What in the heavens is going on here?" the innkeeper demanded, his voice shaking as his eyes darted to the fractured floor. "Did you blow up my inn?"
Tianyu, still kneeling, raised a hand to calm them. "Relax," he said, his voice steady but hoarse. "It was just… cultivation. A breakthrough."
"Just a breakthrough?" one of the guests muttered, incredulous. "It sounded like a Spirit Array detonated!"
The innkeeper's expression darkened. "You'll pay for the damage, you hear me? Cultivation or not, you can't wreck a room and get away with it!"
Tianyu sighed, rising to his feet despite his fatigue. His commanding presence, amplified by the lingering effects of his transformation, silenced the room. "I'll pay for the damages. But trust me when I say this: you wouldn't want to stand in my way right now."
The innkeeper hesitated, then grumbled under his breath, stepping aside.
As the commotion died down, a familiar voice reached Tianyu's ears.
"Making a scene wherever you go, I see," Liu Qingfeng said, leaning casually against the doorframe. His smirk was as infuriating as ever. "What was it this time? Losing control of your Qi? Or are you just that desperate for attention?"
Tianyu turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "Do you ever stop talking, or is that your only talent?"
Liu chuckled, stepping into the room and inspecting the damage with mock curiosity. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But cultivation isn't about brute force. It's about precision, control. You might want to work on that before you hurt someone."
"And you might want to stop underestimating people," Tianyu shot back, his voice cool. "Or it'll be you who gets hurt."
The tension between them crackled like lightning. Liu's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a glint of interest. "You know, I'm starting to think you might be worth my time after all. But words only go so far. Show me what you've got before we leave Emberglade."
Tianyu shook his head, his fatigue catching up with him. "Not today. I've got bigger things to focus on than stroking your ego."
Liu's laugh echoed as he turned to leave. "Suit yourself. But remember this: Silverleaf won't be kind to you. And I won't be, either."
Alone again, Tianyu took a moment to reflect on the confrontation. Liu Qingfeng's confidence was grating, but it fueled his determination. As he sat back down to meditate, his thoughts drifted once more to the fleeting memory of the woman's voice.
Shaking off the distraction, he focused on the steady glow of his new core. The road to Silverleaf was long, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. "One step closer," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "I'll make it. No matter what."