Lin Mu's POV:
Centuries flowed like silent rivers within the Verdant Heaven. Ling Yue's mastery over temporal herb acceleration continued to yield invaluable resources, bolstering our preparations against the encroaching darkness. Within the Eternal Sprout Sanctuary, life thrived under her nurturing touch.
My own cultivation had reached its zenith within the Soul Embodiment Realm, my nascent soul resonating with the primordial energies I had begun to understand. The whispers gleaned from the ancient energy matrices in the crystalline desert – insights into manipulating fundamental forces and the very fabric of space – had become integral to my comprehension of the Dao. The system now pulsed with a familiar anticipation:
[Cultivation Nearing Bottleneck: Approaching Spirit Severing Realm.]
[Warning: Transition to Spirit Severing Realm is accompanied by a significant Heavenly Tribulation focused on severing worldly connections and testing the purity of the spirit.]
A new kind of unease settled within me. The tribulations I had faced before tested my strength and understanding of energy. This one targeted the very core of a cultivator's being – the severing of attachments, the purification of the spirit. The thought of confronting such a trial sent a ripple of caution through my soul.
The Verdant Heaven, as if sensing the shift in my cultivation, continued to unveil its ancient secrets. While exploring a mist-shrouded valley that had recently revealed itself, Ling Yue and I discovered a series of petrified figures, their forms frozen in expressions of profound sorrow and regret. Clutched in their hands were fragments of what appeared to be solidified emotions – tangible remnants of grief, longing, and despair.
As I touched one of these solidified emotions, a wave of intense melancholy washed over me, a visceral understanding of loss that resonated deep within my soul. The system offered a cryptic insight:
[Analysis: Residual emotional energy from a past tribulation failure detected. The Spirit Severing Realm demands detachment from worldly ties.]
This discovery served as a stark reminder of the perilous nature of the upcoming tribulation. It wasn't just about raw power; it was about the state of one's heart and the strength of one's resolve to transcend earthly bonds.
The system notification regarding my Dao Field reappeared, now with a more specific implication:
[Approaching Spirit Severing Realm. Option to enter Dao Field to contemplate severance and prepare the spirit is available.]
The image of the Cultivation Tree within my Dao Field was now more complex. The branch representing the Soul Embodiment Realm was strong and vibrant, and several new buds hinted at the future severances required on the path to higher cultivation. The idea of using my Dao Field as a space for introspection, for preparing my spirit for the painful severing of connections, held a profound appeal.
"Ling Yue," I said, turning to her in the serene glow of the Eternal Sprout Sanctuary. Her own cultivation had flourished within the Verdant Heaven, her connection to the natural world a source of constant wonder.
Her perceptive gaze met mine, sensing the shift within me. "The next step, Tianxing?"
I nodded, a contemplative expression on my face. "The Spirit Severing Realm. The tribulation… it targets the attachments of the heart, the ties that bind us to the mortal world. The Verdant Heaven… you… these have become precious to me."
A soft understanding filled her eyes. "Then you must prepare your spirit, Tianxing. Sever what needs to be severed, so that your spirit may ascend."
Her words, though carrying a hint of sadness, were filled with unwavering support.
With a deep breath, I focused my intent. The familiar pull of my Dao Field enveloped me, drawing my consciousness into its expanding space.
Within the Dao Field, the atmosphere felt different. The vibrant energy was still present, but a sense of profound stillness had settled. The Cultivation Tree seemed to hum with a quiet resonance, its branches swaying gently as if in contemplation.
I spent what felt like decades within this introspective space, not focusing on raw power, but on examining the ties that bound me. My memories of Earth, my connection to Ling Yue, the peace I had found in the Verdant Heaven – all these formed intricate threads within my soul. The tribulation demanded that I sever these threads, not necessarily destroy them, but understand them, release any clinging, and purify my spirit to ascend to a higher state.
The solidified emotions I had encountered in the mist-shrouded valley echoed within my consciousness, serving as potent reminders of the pain of attachment and loss. I meditated on the nature of connection, on the difference between love and dependence, between cherishing and clinging.
The Cultivation Tree within my Dao Field seemed to guide my introspection, its branches subtly shifting, highlighting the connections within my soul that needed contemplation. As the perceived time stretched on, a sense of acceptance began to dawn within me. Severance was not about denial or destruction, but about understanding and letting go, allowing the spirit to soar unburdened.
The time within my Dao Field was drawing to a close. A quiet resolve had settled within me. The tribulation that awaited was not just a test of power, but a trial of the heart. And though the prospect was daunting, I felt a newfound clarity, a readiness to face the severance that lay ahead. The whispers of primordial knowledge had prepared my understanding; now, the quiet contemplation within my Dao Field had begun to prepare my spirit. The ascent to the Spirit Severing Realm was about to begin.