《Eternal Black - The Lost Continent》


 Prologue: Reunion at Worlds End, Lost Homeland

    The Nozaki Lighthouse stood steadfast upon the southernmost shore of Chiba Prefecture, its white tower as resolute in the sunlight of 2035 as it had been for ages past. Around the lighthouse, steep cliffs and verdant foliage wove together a tapestry both primeval and majestic. A salt-laden breeze carried whispers of ancient times across the land, bringing with it the distant thunder of waves, as though recounting tales long forgotten.


    A vermilion commercial vehicle came to rest at the end of the gravel path leading to the lighthouse, its doors opening slowly as two figures emerged in succession.


    The young man with golden hair and azure eyes stood at the cliff''s edge, narrowing those clear, lake-like orbs as he gazed upon the boundless blue expanse. The horizon curved gently with the Earth''s arc, while sunlight danced upon the water like countless golden scales. A gentle wind stirred his soft golden locks, and in his eyes shimmered a light mingled with curiosity, reverence, and profound depth.


    "Have you come to mourn Penglai?" the young man asked softly, his voice like a breeze passing over a mountain stream, his gaze never leaving the surging waters.


    LaUhta stood silent beside him, his hair as black as ink slightly lifted by the sea wind. Clad in a simple white robe bound with a plain white sash, he resembled an unsheathed sword of restrained sharpness. His face, though weathered by untold years yet showing no sign of age, bore eyes deep as ancient wells¡ªtranquil, yet harboring unfathomable depths.


    "No," LaUhta''s voice was steady and resolute, like a pine of countless ages rooted in stone, each word bearing immeasurable weight, "I have come to remember Mu."


    The golden-haired youth slightly bowed his head, his fair eyelashes casting tiny shadows in the sunlight, fluttering like the wings of a butterfly. He offered no immediate response, merely pressing his slightly parched lips together, as if savoring this strange and solemn name.


    The lighthouse''s shadow rotated slowly with the sun''s movement, like the hand of time sweeping across the land. In the distance, several seagulls circled in the azure sky, their intermittent calls sometimes clear, sometimes faint, like summons traveling across the vastness of time and space.


    LaUhta drew a deep breath and began walking along the stone-strewn path toward the lighthouse. His steps were steady and powerful, as though traversing the vast expanse of many thousand years. The golden-haired youth followed closely behind, his leather boots making soft sounds as they touched the pebbles.


    Near the lighthouse stood a slender figure, still as a painting.


    Her crimson dress danced magnificently in the fierce sea wind, like a living flame, so brilliant it almost scorched the eyes. Her hair, black as satin, was gathered into elegant buns on both sides, with a few rebellious strands floating in the wind, caressing her jade-like fair countenance. She stood with her back to the newcomers, facing the sea, as though merged with heaven and earth.


    LaUhta found himself halting, his breath catching momentarily.


    His gaze fixed upon the red figure like iron nails, his eyes reflecting many thousands of years of thought and endless memories. Complex emotions surged within his chest like tidal waves¡ªtenderness and bitterness, joy and nostalgia, closeness and distance, all emotions intertwining like brands etched deep into his soul.


    Though Nuwa had not turned around, a confident smile already graced her delicate face, eternally youthful in its mid-teenage appearance. The sea wind swept through her red dress, flickering like dancing flames in the sunlight, accentuating her straight spine and elegant bearing.


    "I knew thou wouldst come," her voice, crisp and melodious as a clear spring, echoed in the sea breeze, interweaving with the sound of waves to form an ancient and distant melody.


    LaUhta''s footsteps approached slowly, each step seeming to tread upon the river of time, stirring up subtle ripples. His gaze never left the red figure until he stopped several paces behind her, his voice deep and calm like the surface of an ancient well.


    "How didst thou know?" His words were brief yet laden with meaning.


    Only then did Nuwa slowly turn to face LaUhta. Her amber eyes, bathed in sunlight, took on an enchanting golden hue, sparkling with mischief, as if holding the wisdom of countless ages and irrepressible playfulness. The sea breeze gently caressed her hair, a few black strands dancing gracefully in the air like ribbons of ink.


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    She raised her slender, fair fingers, bringing them together in a mysterious gesture. Her brow assumed a deliberately serious expression, though her lips betrayed a hint of amusement, mimicking the solemn tone of a traditional fortune-teller.


    "A simple calculation of the fingers revealed it."


    LaUhta watched as her expression shifted effortlessly between solemnity and mischief, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curving upward, the ice in his eyes melting into the tender waters of spring. The two symmetrical beauty marks at the corners of Nuwa''s eyes danced with her smile¡ªa unique charm that only LaUhta knew well, an unchanging mark across the long ages of the world.


    The golden-haired youth keenly perceived the wordless understanding between the two and tactfully retreated several steps, turning toward the parked vehicle.


    Nuwa and LaUhta stood side by side along the cliff''s edge, their gaze crossing the azure sea surface, as if seeking some trace visible only to them.


    "There, once lay a corner of the continent of Mu," LaUhta''s voice was deep and gentle, bearing the weight of many thousands of years, each word carrying an unspeakable burden and endless longing.


    Nuwa nodded slightly, the rolling waves and distant horizon reflected in her amber eyes. "I can still recall the dawn over that land," her words were soft as gentle rain, carrying undisguisable nostalgia, "when sunlight leaped from the eastern horizon, pouring golden radiance upon the mountain peaks, awakening all things to vibrant life."


    A fleeting light passed through LaUhta''s eyes, like a momentary twinkle of stars in the night sky. "Now, naught remains but endless waves and memories."


    In the distance, birds crossed the sky, as if traversing the river of time, bearing witness to the rise and fall of this land and the changes it had undergone. LaUhta unconsciously extended his hand, his long fingers trembling slightly, as if trying to touch that distant and illusory space, to grasp those memories that had already vanished.


    Nuwa quietly observed his profile, seeing the rare vulnerability and nostalgia in the eyes of this otherwise strong and unyielding man, and a ripple of tenderness stirred within her heart.


    "Hast thou ever wondered if anyone else remembers the existence of that place?" Nuwa spoke softly, her words carrying a measure of solitude and contemplation, her gaze distant, as if piercing through the mists of time.


    LaUhta pondered for a moment, his eyes growing deep and resolute, as one who has seen through life, death, and time: "The key lies not in whether others remember, but that we still do. As long as memory endures, that civilization will never truly perish."


    Nuwa bowed her head slightly, a glimmer of gratification and agreement flashing in her golden eyes: "Truly spoken. As long as we remember, Mu will never fade. Its wisdom, culture, and spirit will continue to flow through us."


    Her gaze suddenly turned toward the golden-haired youth waiting in the distance, curiosity and inquiry flashing in her eyes. "Who is that young man? Thy new apprentice?"


    LaUhta''s expression softened, his gaze carrying a barely perceptible pride. "Indeed. After saving his life, I took him under my guidance. He possesses rare talent and an indomitable will."


    "Is he the first apprentice thou hast taken since her?" After a moment''s silence, Nuwa''s voice was nearly imperceptible, almost dispersing in the sea breeze. A flicker of emotion, difficult to discern, passed through her eyes¡ªsomething like nostalgia, or perhaps sorrow.


    "Yes," LaUhta nodded slightly, his gaze shifting a little, as if avoiding a complex past, "those who can touch the ''One'' during their first encounter while on the brink of death are exceedingly rare, let alone being fortunate enough to cross my path. Fate sometimes works in such wondrous ways."


    The sun gradually set in the west, golden rays spilling across the sea surface, dyeing the entire seascape a brilliant golden red. Their shadows stretched upon the rocks, intertwining like two parallel lines in the river of time, finally intersecting at a certain point.


    "Since we have met again, I must taste thy grilled fish," Nuwa suddenly said, her voice filled with expectation and nostalgia. Though a thousand years had passed, some things remained ever constant, unchanging. Her golden eyes sparkled with eager light, the corners of her mouth lifting in an innocent smile, as if she had once again become that little girl who would willingly walk two days through the mountains just for a taste of grilled fish.


    LaUhta glanced at her helplessly, yet the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved upward: "Fishing is now prohibited in this area, I fear I must disappoint thee."


    "Then we shall go elsewhere. There must be places where one can fish," her eyes were full of expectation and insistence, as if this small matter were more important than anything else.


    LaUhta shook his head in resignation, yet his eyes revealed tender indulgence. Some friendships transcend the countless ages of the earth, remaining unchanged; some promises, though seemingly small, are worth a lifetime to fulfill. By the seaside that had witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations, two ancient souls reunited, carrying nostalgia for the past and expectations for the future, continuing their long and solitary journey.


    The fading rays of the setting sun bathed them in a golden glow, gilding their silhouettes like two eternally shining stars in the river of time, never to be extinguished.


    ---


    And many thousands of years before, on the ancient continent of Mu, the wheels of destiny had begun to turn silently...

 Chapter 1: Ancient Memories and the Priests Tale

    The memories washed over LaUhta like a rising tide, his thoughts traversing thousands of years to return to that vast continent, long since vanished beneath the surface of the sea. Each remembrance flickered like shards of light, gradually piecing together in his mind into a complete picture, vivid and alive.


    "Mu," that mighty expanse of land stretching eight thousand leagues from east to west and five thousand leagues from north to south, lay like some great beast sprawled across the face of the world. It was not merely a landmass, but a nexus of mystery and power, the origin of countless legends and the final dwelling place of innumerable secrets. In the center of the continent, majestic mountain ranges coiled like sleeping dragons, their peaks piercing the firmament, reaching toward the nine heavens; in the north, vast plains spread out, their golden grasses undulating in the wind like waves, extending to the limits of sight, each gust of wind passing like the breath of the earth itself; in the west, bottomless ravines of impenetrable darkness lay, mysterious and foreboding, with rivers running through them like silver ribbons, gleaming with intoxicating brilliance where the sunlight struck.


    And in the southeastern corner of this continent, nestled among green mountains and clear waters, stood the small settlement of Lagu, like a bright pearl inlaid at the edge of a brocade. As LaUhta followed the elder priest Canglian across the central square paved with blue stones, golden ginkgo leaves swayed gently in the breeze, sunlight filtering through the branches to cast dappled shadows upon the ground. The Lagu settlement was built against the mountain, with stone houses scattered amidst the greenery, as if they were part of nature itself. A stream flowed past the village, so clear that one could see straight to the bottom, where fish darted among the water plants, occasionally leaping above the surface, leaving expanding ripples in their wake.


    LaUhta had grown up under the care of Lagu''s priest since childhood. In the depths of his memory, the figure of Priest Canglian remained as clear as yesterday, that tall, spare outline undiminished by the river of time.


    In the traditions of the continent of Mu, priests were required to be those who could not perceive the "Ethereal Origin" ¨C those unable to touch the mysterious force known as the "One," yet who could therefore focus on tribal affairs with clear minds. In his fiftieth year, Canglian had taken up this sacred duty beneath the ginkgo tree, becoming Lagu''s spiritual leader and keeper of the mystical elixir.


    Canglian always wore a black robe, simple in material yet clean and precise, its hem swaying gently with his steps, giving an impression of solemnity and mystery. He leaned upon an exquisitely carved staff, its patterns flowing naturally like water, crafted by the most skilled artisan in the settlement. Whenever he walked among the stone houses of Lagu, he brought with him a sense of reassurance, as if, as long as he was present, no danger could befall the settlement.


    As the settlement''s leader, Canglian bore the responsibility of maintaining Lagu''s daily operations. But in LaUhta''s eyes, Canglian''s most solemn duty was the management and distribution of the mystical elixir. Each spring equinox, when all things were renewed and life flourished, Canglian would personally count the number of children who had reached six years of age, then convey this number to the emissaries from the Heaven''s Path, and receive an equal number of mystical elixirs. This process was solemn and mysterious, like an ancient ritual, causing even the air to grow heavy.


    On the continent of Mu, becoming a Tao was a dream planted in the heart of every child from a young age. This was not merely an aspiration, but a belief rooted deep within the culture. Each evening, as darkness fell, the elders would gather around the fire and recount tales of legendary figures who could control the "One," how they changed the world and protected their settlements.


    The children''s eyes would sparkle with admiration, their small faces flushed red in the firelight, as if they could already envision themselves as Tao. They would push and nudge one another, discussing in hushed voices how they would use the power of the "One" ¨C some spoke of ripening crops overnight, others of creating a bridge that would never collapse, and still others of keeping all people free from disease and suffering. These innocent wishes, illuminated by the firelight, seemed especially beautiful, yet equally distant.


    The winter nights were long, and LaUhta often sat beside Canglian, listening to ancient legends. Most wondrous of all these were the stories of Torht, the first among the people of Mu.


    "The great Torht established the Heaven''s Path, united the many settlements of Mu, and established a peaceful order," Canglian''s voice, in the firelight, seemed especially solemn. "It is said he mastered what was called ''The Eight Trigrams,'' the eight colors of the ''One,'' of unmatched power, capable of moving mountains and seas."


    "Eight colors of the ''One''?" LaUhta asked curiously, "Does the ''One'' have different colors?"


    Canglian fell silent for a moment, a flicker of indefinable emotion passing through his eyes. "According to ancient texts, the ''One'' varies by individual, with different colors and properties."


    These stories planted a seed in LaUhta''s heart, filling him with longing and curiosity about the power of the "One."


    Each year, all children who reached six years of age were required, without exception, to participate in the mystical elixir ceremony, like a sacred baptism. After swallowing the elixir, children would enter a strange state between life and death, their bodies cold as stone, their breath as faint as a thread, yet with a slender lifeline stubbornly persisting within.


    Some people, in this state, could sense the existence of the Ethereal Origin, feel that mysterious power known as the "One." Most, however, sensed nothing at all, experiencing only a painful and fruitless journey. Regardless of the outcome, this attempt would continue each year until they reached forty.


    Though small, Lagu had a long history. Regrettably, since the settlement''s founding, there had never been someone who could control the "One" and become a Tao. This was an unspoken pain, a collective regret. Whenever Tao from other settlements passed through, Lagu''s residents would cast admiring glances, their eyes flickering with mingled desire and awe, hoping that someday, such a legendary figure might emerge from their own settlement, bringing glory and power to Lagu.


    LaUhta''s thoughts drifted back to that distant spring day, his memory of first taking the mystical elixir at six years of age as clear as yesterday, every detail etched into his soul, forming an undimmed remembrance.


    That day, the morning sun had just crested the eastern ridge, golden light spilling over the stone houses of Lagu, coating the rough stone walls with a warm hue. Six-year-old LaUhta sat quietly on the blue stone steps before his family''s dwelling, small hands tightly gripping the hem of his clothes, knuckles white with tension. His gaze repeatedly swept toward the center of the settlement, anticipation and fear intertwining in his heart like two entwined serpents, making him both excited and uneasy. Today was the day of his first mystical elixir, his heart pounding like a startled fawn, his chest seeming filled with thousands of butterflies fluttering their wings.


    In the distance, Canglian approached slowly, the sound of his staff striking the stone path especially clear in the quiet dawn, like the ticking of a clock announcing the arrival of fate. LaUhta held his breath, his small chest rising and falling slightly with tension, watching as that tall, gaunt figure approached step by step, like a moving mountain, bearing irresistible authority and mystery.


    Canglian wore his black robe, the fabric swaying gently in the breeze like night flowing in the dawn. His features were gaunt, cheekbones high, skin almost transparently pale, as if never kissed by sunlight, like an emissary from another world. His eyes were deep and calm, seeming to hold stars in their depths, as if able to see through to the essence of all things, to capture the most subtle changes.


    "Uhta, the time has come." Canglian''s voice was deep and rhythmic, as if coming from a great distance, yet also sounding directly in LaUhta''s heart. That voice contained solemnity, expectation, and a trace of barely discernible concern.


    LaUhta stood up abruptly, his movement so hasty he nearly lost his balance. His small legs trembled slightly with nervousness, toes curling unconsciously in his grass sandals, as if seeking some sense of security. He looked up at Canglian, his eyes showing both longing and fear, like facing an unknown adventure.


    Canglian took a small wooden box from the pouch at his waist, its surface smooth as jade, carved with delicate flowing patterns as natural as flowing water. The edges of the box were inlaid with several unknown gemstones, glittering with a strange light in the sunshine. Canglian placed the box in his palm, his expression solemn, as if holding a priceless treasure.


    "Are you ready?" Canglian looked at LaUhta with kindly yet solemn eyes, his gaze revealing an interweaving of responsibility and care.


    LaUhta nodded, his movement small and hurried, his eyes flashing with anticipation and unease. He knew every child in the settlement had to experience this moment¡ªswallowing the mystical elixir, approaching death, sensing the Ethereal Origin. This was a rite of passage, the beginning of exploring the unknown.


    Canglian slowly opened the wooden box, a soft glow emanating from within, like a ray of sunlight finally freed after long imprisonment. Inside lay a perfectly round golden pill, golden patterns seeming to flow on its surface as if alive, with a faint halo barely visible at its edges. A fresh, transcendent fragrance wafted from the box, inducing a strange sense of calm and longing.


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    "This is the mystical elixir," Canglian said softly, his voice carrying reverence, as if introducing an honored guest.


    "Uhta, this object is extraordinary. The mystical elixir can bring you to the edge of death, yet preserve a breath of life. At that threshold, you may perceive what ordinary people cannot see¡ªthe Ethereal Origin. Yet you must know, this elixir contains great danger. It will cause your heartbeat to nearly stop, your breath to become as faint as a thread, your soul to seem about to leave your body."


    Canglian''s voice suddenly sharpened as he looked directly into LaUhta''s eyes: "Each year, you may take it only once, remember this well. Taking it more than once in a short period will surely return your soul to the earth, beyond all recovery. Three people in the forest lie upon their beds year-round, neither truly alive nor dead. They became thus because they craved the power of the mystical elixir, disobeyed the rules, and now are empty shells, their souls trapped forever between life and death."


    LaUhta''s face paled, like a sheet of white paper drained of all blood by fear. He glanced toward the forbidden forest at the settlement''s edge, a chill rising in his heart.


    "This is a supreme treasure, and also a deadly poison. Use it with caution and respect," Canglian said softly, his gaze full of expectation and exhortation.


    LaUhta lowered his head to gaze at the wooden box in his hands, his heart in conflict. The golden light emitted by the mystical elixir cast shifting shadows on his childlike face, illuminating the fear and desire intertwining in his eyes. On one hand, he longed to sense the Ethereal Origin, to touch that mysterious "One," to become a legend in the settlement; on the other hand, he feared the shadow of death, feared eternal wandering, feared the possibility of failure.


    He took a deep breath, his chest visibly rising and falling, placing the golden pill in his mouth, then closing his eyes and swallowing. The feeling of the pill sliding down his throat was strange and unfamiliar, with only an indescribable coolness, like morning dew entering his body, or a gentle breeze passing through his heart.


    A moment later, a warm current gradually spread from his stomach throughout his body, like spring sunshine melting snow, every inch of skin beginning to warm slightly, every nerve beginning to tremble gently. LaUhta opened his eyes, and the world seemed brighter, clearer, colors more vivid. Ordinary stone houses now appeared like palaces, each stone gleaming with an inner light; common grass and trees now seemed vibrant with life, each leaf emanating the breath of life.


    "It begins," Canglian said softly, his voice carrying a trace of barely perceptible tension as his wrinkled hand rested on LaUhta''s shoulder, guiding him toward the ginkgo tree in the center of the stone chamber, the most sacred place in the settlement.


    LaUhta followed Canglian toward the ginkgo tree, each step becoming extraordinarily clear. He could feel the fine texture and contours of the stones beneath, and as the wind brushed his face, he could distinguish the various scents it carried¡ªthe herbal fragrance from distant forests, the freshness of morning dew, even the cooking smoke wafting from the villagers'' homes.


    Suddenly, a wave of dizziness struck, like a great wave breaking against a reef. LaUhta staggered, his body swaying like a candle flame in the wind. Canglian''s hand steadied him in time, those aged yet strong hands becoming his anchor in the midst of chaos.


    "Sit down, child," Canglian said softly, his voice gentle yet bearing an irrefusable force.


    LaUhta obediently sat cross-legged on the stone bench beneath the ginkgo tree, hands naturally resting on his knees, his posture like that of a small practitioner. By now, the full effect of the mystical elixir began to manifest, like an unstoppable storm sweeping through his entire body.


    Suddenly, a piercing pain shot through LaUhta''s entire body like lightning, jolting him from that expanding state of consciousness, like a bird in full flight suddenly shot down. The pain began in his spine, as if countless small ice picks simultaneously stabbed into his marrow, every nerve ignited, every inch of skin torn apart, then rapidly spreading to his limbs and every corner of his being, like an unquenchable wildfire.


    The pain came in waves, each stronger than the last. LaUhta felt his consciousness being torn into countless fragments, each bearing unbearable suffering. He vaguely heard his own screams, yet they seemed to come from a distant place. He understood this was the near-death experience Canglian had warned of, but experiencing was entirely different from knowing.


    "Stop... please..." he screamed inwardly, yet no sound emerged. He began to regret his decision, wishing he had never tried, preferring never to experience such torment. But it was too late...


    LaUhta''s body shook violently, like a leaf battered by a storm, fragile and helpless. His jaw clenched tightly, teeth grinding against each other with a faint sound, yet unable to prevent a painful moan from escaping his throat, like the cry of a wounded beast.


    Each heartbeat felt like a heavy hammer striking inside his chest, reverberating through his entire body. Blood moved slowly and thickly through his vessels, like congealed magma struggling to flow, each movement bringing a burning pain. His lungs seemed gripped by an invisible hand, each breath becoming a difficult struggle, like a drowning person gasping for air.


    LaUhta''s vision began to distort, like a reflection in water broken by a stone. The world before him became blurred patches of color, the edges devoured by darkness, like nightfall gradually descending upon the earth. His ears filled with a buzzing noise, like thousands of bees simultaneously beating their wings beside his ears, drowning out all other sounds. He felt a terrible sensation of falling, as if thrown into a bottomless abyss, yet held in place by some force, unable to escape this cage of suffering.


    Consciousness began to blur, darkness surging like a tide, threatening to submerge him, like a great net descending. LaUhta knew this was the near-death experience brought by the mystical elixir, the necessary path to the Ethereal Origin, the trial every seeker must face. He struggled against the urge to lose consciousness, like a night traveler resisting sleep, trying to maintain a thread of clarity in this ocean of pain.


    "Cannot give up... must persevere..." LaUhta repeated in his heart, his voice faint yet determined, like a ray of light in the darkness. He used willpower to resist the encroachment of darkness, like a small tree withstanding a raging storm, weak yet stubborn.


    Around him, he could vaguely hear the voices of other children¡ªsome whimpering, some moaning, and some fallen into a terrifying silence. A strong will to survive ignited in his heart, an unyielding stubbornness making him clench his teeth. "I will not be like them," he thought, "I must endure."


    Just when he felt himself about to surrender, LaUhta seemed to hear a distant call, like a whisper from the depths of the stars. The voice was both familiar and strange, as if he had heard it in some forgotten dream.


    "Return... return..." That voice, barely perceptible, yet made his spirit tremble. This voice seemed to come from outside, yet also sounded directly in his heart, giving him a thread of strength to continue.


    As time passed, that tearing pain gradually weakened, like receding tides, slowly leaving LaUhta''s body. The pain did not suddenly disappear, but diminished bit by bit, like a great fire gradually extinguishing, leaving only ashes and residual warmth. His breathing gradually returned to normal, changing from painful gasps to steady rises and falls; his heartbeat no longer pounded like a drum, but returned to a stable rhythm. The darkness receded, like clouds and mist dispersing, his vision becoming clear once more.


    LaUhta slowly opened his eyes, his movements sluggish and weak, like a newborn fawn attempting to stand. He found the sun had already declined in the west, golden light slanting into the stone chamber, coating everything in a warm hue. He lay on a grass mat in the stone chamber, his body heavy as lead, unable to move, only able to quietly sense his surroundings. An unfamiliar fatigue washed over his limbs and body, like a spring flood overflowing its banks, or as if he had been dragged from deep waters.


    Canglian crouched before him, his posture humble yet dignified, like a guardian watching over his lamb. Those weathered eyes were filled with concern, like winter embers, warm and enduring.


    "How do you feel?" Canglian''s voice was deep and gentle, like a soft breeze, his eyes sparkling with expectant light. But LaUhta hazily saw a strange expression flash across Canglian''s face¡ªboth concern, and a barely noticeable expectation.


    LaUhta opened his mouth, only to find his throat too dry to speak, like a traveler in the desert. He swallowed with difficulty, his Adam''s apple moving up and down, before finding his voice, though it was hoarse and weak, like the last cicada''s song in autumn.


    "I... I saw nothing," LaUhta answered softly, his voice revealing deep disappointment, like a fire doused by heavy rain, leaving only smoking embers. He lowered his head, not daring to meet Canglian''s eyes, afraid to see the disappointment there. "I didn''t sense the Ethereal Origin, nor did I touch the ''One''." He wanted to mention that mysterious voice, but something instinctive stopped him.


    Canglian''s expression remained unchanged, calm as an ancient well, he merely nodded slightly, the gesture both acceptance and encouragement, both understanding and expectation. His eyes showed no disappointment, only a peaceful acceptance, like the earth accepting all living things.


    "Am I... not good enough?" LaUhta''s voice was barely audible, like a sigh in the wind, tears welling in his eyes, crystal clear as morning dew. "Will I never be able to become like others?"


    A gentle smile appeared on Canglian''s face, like winter sunshine, warm and precious. His wrinkled hand stroked LaUhta''s hair, the movement as gentle as a feather skimming water, yet conveying endless strength and confidence.


    "Child, touching the Ethereal Origin is not an achievement of a day or two. Some succeed at the first attempt, others require many tries," Canglian''s voice was calm as flowing water, clear to the bottom, yet containing endless wisdom. "Your failure to see today does not mean you will never see. Wait patiently, persevere. Each attempt brings you one step closer to the Ethereal Origin. Believe in yourself, Uhta. Though the road is long, it has an end."


    The evening breeze passed through the window of the stone chamber, carrying the coolness of the mountains and the scent of ginkgo, caressing LaUhta''s tired body, taking away a trace of lingering pain. LaUhta lay on the grass mat in the stone chamber, eyes wide open, staring at the rough stone crevices in the ceiling, which bore the marks of years, and the expectations and disappointments of countless predecessors. Moonlight flowed in like water, pure and cold, casting dappled shadows on the ground, like reflections of another world.


    The sensation of near-death from the day still lingered in his body, like a disease that clings to the bone, constantly reminding him how fragile the boundary between life and death was. More perplexing was that mysterious call, like an unsolvable riddle, yet also like a hopeful omen.


    LaUhta thought of those in the settlement who had tried for many years, some nearly reaching the upper limit of forty, yet never sensing the Ethereal Origin. Their eyes carried the longing for the Tao and doubt in themselves, yet they still came on the day of the mystical elixir each year, never giving up. That persistence, that belief, now took root in LaUhta''s heart.


    "Next year, I will try again. No matter how long it takes, I will become a Tao," LaUhta promised himself in the darkness, his voice soft as a whisper, yet containing firm determination, like a seed containing all the information and power of a future great tree. This promise was not to others, but to himself, an oath from the depths of his soul.


    Deep night fell, stars twinkling outside the window, like countless eyes watching the earth. That faint, indistinct calling still echoed in his heart, seeming both like a dream and reality, becoming the driving force of his journey, propelling him toward an unknown but destined extraordinary fate.

 Chapter 2: A Decade of Tempering, First Sensing the Mysteries

    Ten years passed away like flowing water. Another year''s deep autumn came, and ginkgo leaves fell from their branches, becoming a sea of gold, dancing in the wind like fragments of heaven-sent gold. The frail boy who had first taken the mystical elixir had grown into a tall youth. At sixteen, LaUhta stood upon the hillside, his gaze sweeping over the undulating ridges, surveying the settlement built against the mountain, his thoughts churning like the autumn wind.


    Wisps of cooking smoke rose from the settlement, ascending from the chimneys of thatched roofs, interweaving in the crisp air to form a tapestry of daily life. LaUhta''s lips curved upward unbidden, for he remembered every household, every villager who had extended a helping hand to him. Wang the potter''s fingers were rough yet nimble, teaching him to sense the breath of clay; Bu the herbalist''s medicines always carried a peculiar bitterness, yet eased his suffering after each dose of the mystical elixir; Ziping the fisherman, when taking him to sea, would stand at the prow saying: "The sea shows no emotion yet is full of feeling, like the Ethereal Origin¡ªunseen and untouched, yet omnipresent."


    Canglian had once answered his question on a star-filled night: "Why does everyone care for me so?" "Those not of our kind deserve special care. You were not born here, yet were brought by heaven''s will. Every life is part of the tapestry woven by fate." The old man pointed to the brightest star in the sky. "See that star, solitary yet not lonely, for it knows its place. So it is with you."


    Over the decade, through ten near-death experiences, though yet unable to touch the existence of the "One," LaUhta had grown resilient under the support of countless hands. His once childish features now showed defined angles, his eyes flashing with steadfast light.


    LaUhta walked slowly into the stone chamber, sunlight through the small window casting a patch of dappled light upon the floor. For ten years, this simple chamber had witnessed his growth, and his ten brushes with death. After each dose of the mystical elixir, he would toss and turn here, gritting his teeth through the heart-rending pain until the dawn light penetrated the latticed window, soothing his wounds.


    In ten years, LaUhta had never touched the existence of the "One." However, that obsession with becoming a Tao had gradually faded with the passage of years. Regardless of success or failure, life would continue, the sun would still rise, flowers would bloom and wither, and the seasons would cycle on.


    The door was gently pushed open with a faint creak. Canglian entered, leaning on his staff, the sound of wood striking the floor echoing in the stone chamber. A decade gone, more deep wrinkles lined the priest''s face, his silver hair grown sparser, his gait more halting, but those eyes remained as sharp as a hawk''s, seeming able to pierce the human heart.


    "Are you prepared?" Canglian asked, his voice deep and hoarse, yet unable to mask the concern and worry beneath. His eyes fixed intently on LaUhta, as if trying to read something from the youth''s expression.


    LaUhta drew a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and nodded calmly, "As always." His voice revealed a composure born of countless trials.


    The priest nodded slightly, his aged fingers drawing a delicate wooden box from within his wide sleeve, presenting it to LaUhta with both hands. LaUhta reached out to take the pill, his fingertips touching that smooth surface, feeling the mysterious energy contained within. He breathed in slowly, regulated his breathing, then brought the pill to his lips, letting it slide down his throat. A wave of heat gradually spread from his abdomen to his limbs, like a warm current flowing along his blood vessels, gradually pervading his entire body. The surface of his skin began to warm slightly, turning faintly red, like jade stones kissed by sunlight.


    LaUhta slowly closed his eyes, long eyelashes casting fine shadows on his cheeks. The world around him became clearer in the darkness, as if removing visual distractions had heightened his other senses. The sound of a breeze passing was clearly distinguishable, his nose could catch the herbal scent lingering from the wooden box, and even the distant conversations of villagers seemed close at hand.


    However, this time was different from before. The familiar pain, sharp as a blade tearing through his body, did not arrive as expected. LaUhta waited quietly, brow slightly furrowed, yet felt only a strange lightness, as if his entire body were immersed in warm springs. The intense pain that had accompanied each dose of the mystical elixir for ten years had become part of his life, and this unexpected comfort made him vigilant, as if facing a great enemy.


    The warmth flowed through his blood vessels, like countless tiny points of light streaming within him, neither piercing nor burning, leaving only a nearly pleasant warmth. His breathing became exceptionally even, his chest rising and falling rhythmically, yet his consciousness remained extraordinarily clear, as if some invisible force maintained his vital functions, making even breathing feel exceptionally light and comfortable.


    At this moment, he suddenly perceived them¡ªthe ubiquitous Ethereal Origin. They flowed like water through the air, colorless and formless yet undeniably present, moving among all things, connecting all existence. It was a subtle energy flow, belonging neither to the visible spectrum nor to ordinary matter, yet forming the foundation of the world.


    Simultaneously, as if responding to some mysterious summons, the Ethereal Origin surged toward him, penetrating his skin, seeping into his flesh, as if finding a long-lost home. LaUhta was horrified to feel himself becoming the center of a vortex, countless star-like energies drawn into his body, forming an ever-expanding energy field. This sensation was both strange and terrifying, as if the world''s order had been upended through him, making him the core of some abnormal phenomenon.


    He instinctively tried to resist, muscles tensing, fingers digging deep into the bed, yet found himself powerless against this force. The flow of Ethereal Origin accelerated, forming a visible golden vortex, collapsing inward with him at its center. The surrounding air seemed to thin, breathing became difficult, his chest felt as if pressed by a great stone. Yet those energies pouring into his body made every inch of his flesh begin to glow and heat, as if an invisible flame had been kindled within.


    His thoughts seemed to separate from his body, consciousness detached from flesh, falling into a subtle, nameless realm. In this strange dimension, countless ink-colored particles were being nurtured within him, these particles pulsing in his flesh like particles yearning to break free from their bodily prison. They resembled motes in the void, yet contained a rhythm of life, flowing according to rules he could not decipher, sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing, forming an abstruse, inscrutable pattern.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    LaUhta felt as if he had become a miniature universe, every inch of his skin becoming the cradle for these enigmatic particles. The sensation was both bizarre and terrifying, like being confined within a body yet governed by some inexplicable force. These black particles sometimes coalesced, sometimes dispersed like smoke, traveling through his bloodstream, flowing through his marrow, as if reshaping his body into something entirely new.


    Distinctively, these particles were not the common hues, but a deep black, like liquid night or solidified void. That blackness was unlike ordinary color, but a depth that could devour all light, both void and substantial, seeming to contain some primordial force transcending all else.


    As more and more Ethereal Origin transformed into black particles, LaUhta felt an unprecedented trembling rise from the depths of his spine, spreading throughout his body. Every black particle born within him roared with a desire to break free, like ancient beasts imprisoned for ten thousand years finally finding a path to release. They crashed against his blood vessels, impacted his bones, seemingly ready to tear his flesh asunder at any moment. This destructive energy was so intense that he could clearly foresee: if these black particles escaped his body, they would spread like a plague, turning everything they touched into void.


    An icy chill spread from deep in his spine, every pore on his body contracting, as if facing an unnameable horror. Sweat rolled from his forehead, down his cheeks, soaking his collar. His breathing became rapid and labored, his heartbeat thundering in his chest.


    Fear swept over his mind like a tidal wave. LaUhta instinctively perceived that if this destructive energy escaped, the entire settlement, all those he cherished, would be reduced to ashes. Through his mind flashed countless familiar faces¡ªCanglian''s loving gaze, Wang''s rough palms, Bu''s warm smile, Ziping the fisherman''s hearty laugh... he could not let these particles escape, absolutely not!


    "No!" he roared inwardly, his voice echoing in the space of consciousness.


    Strangely, at this moment, his body seemed to respond automatically. An invisible barrier formed within him, completely sealing those black particles within his body. Every part of his body became a prison, flesh for walls, bones for pillars, confining this power within. He felt as if he had become a besieged city, both trapping a terrible power and imprisoning himself within, becoming this power''s eternal guardian and prisoner.


    LaUhta felt an unprecedented sense of fullness, as if his body had become a vessel brimming with energy. This was not pain, but a strange sense of fullness and heaviness. Like a long-dry riverbed suddenly receiving a great flood, both refreshing and overwhelming. His expression twisted slightly from this complex sensation, yet the corners of his lips curled into a faint smile.


    Canglian stood nearby, observing LaUhta intently, surprise and confusion flashing in his eyes. He had never seen the mystical elixir induce such a reaction. Normally, LaUhta would struggle in agony, sweating profusely, his face contorted, even letting out heart-rending wails. Yet today, the youth remained unusually calm, as if bathed in some strange radiance.


    "How... do you feel?" Canglian asked cautiously, his voice betraying undisguised curiosity and expectation. His hand gripped his staff tightly, knuckles whitening, body slightly leaning forward, awaiting LaUhta''s answer.


    LaUhta blinked, his long eyelashes trembling slightly, the strange experience fading like a dream, yet more real than any dream, leaving an indelible mark on his heart. He looked toward Canglian, wanting to answer, yet found his sensory world completely changed, as if wearing glasses that could see through to the essence of the world.


    "I¡ª" LaUhta''s voice stopped abruptly, his pupils dilating in shock.


    On the stone chamber''s walls, countless tiny energy points flowed, pulsing like living things, forming a complex and exquisite network. The simple stone table was no longer merely stone, but a structure composed of countless energy particles, arranged in a pattern that formed the solid shape visible to human eyes. More astonishing still, Canglian was surrounded by a faint golden halo, countless tiny energy streams flowing like rivers within him, forming a complex circulatory system.


    LaUhta could clearly see how the priest''s life energy circulated within his body, see the spiritual light behind those aged eyes. Canglian was no longer merely an aged priest in his eyes, but a complex being composed of countless energies, showing both signs of aging and an undying flame of life.


    "I can see..." LaUhta murmured, his gaze unable to leave this new world, like a newborn opening its eyes for the first time, filled with wonder and astonishment. "I can see everything. The essence of all things, the flow of energy, the patterns of life..."


    Understanding flashed in Canglian''s eyes, his aged face trembling slightly with excitement: "You... have touched the ''One''?" His voice quavered slightly with emotion, carrying a note of joyful disbelief.


    Both fear and joy intertwined in LaUhta''s heart, like two undercurrents colliding in the depths of his consciousness. He sensed those black particles, forming a thin, mist-like existence, enveloping his insides, from fingertips to arms, to chest and throughout his body, omnipresent yet elusive. These particles flowed through his bloodstream, resonating with his life rhythm, yet always bound by some force he could not understand, as if an invisible barrier confined them within his body.


    LaUhta gently stroked his arm, feeling the pulse of blood vessels beneath his skin, this body undergoing changes he had never imagined, both familiar and strange. Immediately, he discovered he could sense things at different distances¡ªthe subtle swaying of old tree branches outside, the sound of flowing streams in the distance, even the boiling water in some household at the settlement''s center, all became exceptionally clear.


    "So this is the ''One''..." LaUhta said softly, his slightly trembling fingers raised to examine his palm. He instinctively understood that he was experiencing an unprecedented transformation. What he sensed was not merely the change around him, but his own transformation. Those Ethereal Origin absorbed into his body had transformed into a terrifying yet powerful force, now forever a part of his existence, both blessing and curse.


    Canglian gazed at LaUhta, his look containing a thousand unspoken words. His fingers trembled slightly as he set down his staff, folding his hands on his knees, his voice deep and solemn: "What did you sense?" Each word carried heavy expectation, as if awaiting an answer both known and unknown.


    "It feels as if clamorous guests continually enter my body, yet remain trapped within my flesh." LaUhta said softly, fingertips tracing through the air, as if touching the invisible energy flow. His eyes gazed into the void, as if piercing the veil of reality to see a deeper existence. "They seek escape, yet are bound by some force. I can sense their presence, yet cannot release them beyond my body as in the legends. Is this the ''One''?"


    Upon hearing this, joy immediately blossomed on Canglian''s weather-worn face, the wrinkles around his eyes spreading like blooming flowers. His thin hand slapped his knee sharply, producing a crisp sound, his whole being seeming to shed ten years of age, dispelling his usual steadiness and solemnity.


    Tears welled in the old man''s eyes, his voice full of excitement, "I finally see it today. Uhta... you are the first person in a thousand years in our Lagu settlement to touch the ''One''!"


    LaUhta''s Adam''s apple bobbed, a thought flashing like lightning through his mind: from this moment, he would embark on a path entirely different from ordinary people, shouldering the responsibility of protecting the settlement, of guarding all those he cherished. The road ahead might hold dangers, but he was prepared to embark on this unknown journey.

 Chapter 3: Celebration in the Settlement, Heart Bound in Restraint

    Night descended, and beneath the ancient ginkgo tree in the center of the settlement, flames leapt skyward. Canglian had ordered the lighting of the ceremonial fire, used only for the greatest of celebrations. The orange-red flames illuminated each expectant face, dyeing the night sky in warm hues. The ginkgo tree''s massive branches, in the firelight, resembled the extended limbs of a great dragon, its leaves rustling in the night breeze, casting dappled shadows, as if narrating some ancient legend.


    The villagers gathered gradually, whispers rising and falling among the crowd like surging tides. The elders leaned on their walking sticks, steps faltering yet unwilling to miss this once-in-a-millennium occasion; the children darted about the adults'' feet, playing and laughing, knowing little of what was to transpire yet equally excited, small hands clasped together, their eyes twinkling with curiosity.


    The entire settlement was shrouded in a mysterious and solemn atmosphere, the air filled with the fresh scent of burning wood mingled with the perspiration of the gathered people, forming a special fragrance unique to celebrations. In the distance, the mountains dissolved into ink-black silhouettes, while stars twinkled in the heavenly canopy, as if watching this earthly festivity.


    Canglian, leaning on his polished staff, walked slowly to the fireside and stood firm. The firelight illuminated his pale countenance, making him appear extraordinarily solemn and dignified, like the incarnation of an ancient oracle. His deep eyes swept across the gathered crowd, lingering briefly on each familiar face, as if confirming the presence of witnesses. Beside him stood LaUhta, the youth''s face as calm as still water, only the occasional flash in his eyes betraying the turmoil within. LaUhta wore the settlement''s distinctive deep blue ceremonial robe, embroidered with silver patterns symbolizing reverence for heaven and earth.


    "Tonight, the heavens send a blessed omen!" Canglian raised his hand, his voice, though not loud, penetrating the entire square like a sword cleaving the night sky. The crowd immediately fell silent, all eyes focused on this venerable priest. "For many years, none in our settlement has touched the mysteries of the ''One.'' Today, heaven has blessed our Lagu; Uhta has at last become a Dao Seedling! From this day forth, Uhta shall be known as ''LaUhta,'' signifying our settlement''s recognition and expectation of him."


    Surprised murmurs rippled through the crowd, quickly followed by unrestrained cheers. The entire settlement erupted. The cheers rose like mountain streams, converging into a heart-shaking torrent, echoing through the valley. The elders wept openly, children danced and waved their arms, the middle-aged clapped and shouted. Wang, Bu, Ziping, these villagers who had helped raise him now gathered around, some to embrace, some to smile through tears, together witnessing this moment of glory.


    LaUhta stood at the center of the crowd, feeling unprecedented attention and expectation, his heart a mixture of emotions¡ªjoy at finally gaining recognition on one side, concern about the unknown power on the other. He could sense the flow of the "One" within him had changed from before, like a dragon lying dormant, ready to awaken at any moment. This power both enticed and frightened him.


    The ginkgo leaves rustled in the night wind, sounding like ancient whispers. LaUhta raised his head toward the starry sky, those distant stars seeming to gaze back at him, guiding his path. The heat from the bonfire swept over him, yet could not burn away that nameless worry in his heart¡ªcould he truly master this power? Could he bear the weight of such expectations?


    "Though the path of the unknown stretches far, my heart yearns toward it," LaUhta whispered, his gaze turning to the vast world beyond the window, his voice soft yet filled with unwavering resolve.


    The following dawn, LaUhta, sleepless through the night, departed from the settlement still immersed in the festive atmosphere. The east was brightening with the first light, dispelling the night''s ink-black hue, the sky washed clean, appearing pure and transparent. The morning mist among the mountains danced like graceful gauze, taking on a faint golden hue in the morning light, draping the peaks in a mysterious veil.


    He walked with firm steps along a winding path, heading deeper into the mountains behind the settlement. The mountain path beneath his feet, rugged and uneven, posed no challenge to his now-strengthened body. The morning dew dampened his feet, sparkling in the sunlight. His stride was light yet determined, like a graceful mountain cat moving through the forest.


    The forest air was fresh and moist, carrying the fragrance of pine needles and wildflowers, filled with the breath of life. Bird songs, clear and melodious, rose and fell, composing a symphony of nature. Occasionally, squirrels leapt among the branches, making soft rustling sounds. Sunlight pierced through the dense leaves, scattering golden spots on the ground, like flowing fragments of gold.


    After crossing two mountain peaks and passing through a dense bamboo grove, the view suddenly opened before him. A deep mountain cave appeared, its entrance wide and tall, like an open mouth. The entrance was half-concealed by thick vines, like a curtain of emerald, decorated with several small purple wildflowers, emitting a faint fragrance.


    Outside the cave was an open, level ground, overgrown with knee-high wild grass, swaying in the breeze like green waves. Not far away, a clear stream flowed gently, sunlight reflecting off its surface in dazzling brilliance. The water struck smooth pebbles, producing melodious sounds like nature''s instrument. In the stream, silvery fish darted about, occasionally leaping above the surface, raising crystal-clear splashes.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Looking around, all was silent, save for the rustling of wind through leaves and the flowing of water. In the distance, mountains stretched endlessly, wreathed in clouds and mist, appearing and disappearing, like a realm of immortals. Far from the settlement, uninhabited by men, it was indeed an excellent place for seclusion. LaUhta nodded with satisfaction, a flash of joy in his eyes. He pushed aside the vines blocking the cave entrance and bent to enter, the vines swaying gently behind him, producing a soft rustling sound.


    The cave was dark and damp, the air permeated with the scent of earth and moss. As he ventured deeper, the light from outside gradually diminished, yet strangely, LaUhta felt no hindrance to his vision. He could clearly see the texture of the cave walls and the scattered stones on the ground, as if guided by some inner light. The cave was not deep, perhaps a hundred paces to its end, forming a circular space large enough to hold ten or more people.


    LaUhta sat cross-legged on the smooth stone surface, his back against the cool cave wall. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, his chest rising and falling rhythmically, allowing his thoughts to calm like the stream outside. Last night''s clamor still echoed in his ears, the cheers seeming to linger in the air. Canglian''s expectations of him becoming a "Tao" weighed like a mountain on his young shoulders. The power within his body, continuously surging, both excited and unsettled him, like holding a sharp sword without knowing its use.


    "Now that I have touched the ''One,'' how will my body change?" This question circled in his mind like an eagle soaring through a valley, seeking a place to land. He could feel that power still flowing within, containing infinite possibilities, yet like an untamed wild horse, difficult to control. His fingers trembled slightly, sensing the subtle touch transmitted from his fingertips, even the fine texture on the cave wall clearly perceptible.


    After sitting quietly for a moment, LaUhta decided to sense the changes within his body. He adjusted his breathing, making it long and even, like the mountain wind, gentle yet unceasing. He sought to explore that newborn power within, attempting to establish some connection with it. Slowly opening his eyes, he was surprised to find the darkness in the cave no longer so thick, the outlines of surrounding objects clearly visible, even more distinct than in daylight.


    Wind from the mountains passed through the cave entrance, bringing the scent of distant forests and the fragrance of flowers and herbs. LaUhta closed his eyes, this time directing his awareness outward, with even more surprising results. He listened attentively, his ears twitching slightly, like an alert deer in the forest. He could distinguish the frequency of birds'' wingbeats outside, even capturing the sound of fish playing in the stream hundreds of paces away. Moreover, his sense of smell had become extraordinarily keen, able to detect the fragrance of grass and flowers outside, even the faint scent of a wildflower just blooming in the distant forest. This sensory change was both astonishing and somewhat uncomfortable, like someone accustomed to darkness suddenly placed in strong light.


    LaUhta picked up a small stone, feeling its weight and texture in his palm. Each ridge and hollow on the stone''s surface transmitted clearly to his fingertips. With a gentle squeeze, the stone shattered in his hand, breaking into small fragments and powder, slowly falling through his fingers, forming a small heap of greyish-white sand on the cave floor.


    He looked at his palm in astonishment; the wooden stick that yesterday he could barely break with full strength, today he could easily crush a hard stone, like crumbling a fallen leaf. He could feel that strange power surging like a tide within him, growing stronger with each breath, like a dragon that might awaken at any moment. He sensed in his fingertips each subtle touch, his fingers gently rubbed the cave wall, feeling the energy flow within the rock, as if hearing the stones recounting tales of ancient times.


    "The power of the ''One'' is indeed so miraculous," he whispered, his voice echoing in the spacious cave as he opened his eyes again, a light of both wonder and slight unease flickering in his gaze. At this moment, he seemed proud of this power, yet also slightly worried about the responsibility that might come with it.


    He rose and walked toward the cave entrance, each step as light as the wind, as if his body had shed the weight of the mortal world, like floating on water. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the vines, casting dappled light on the ground, his shadow passing through these patches of light, as if traversing countless dimensions.


    Standing at the edge of the cave entrance, LaUhta took a deep breath of the morning air, filling his lungs with the mountain''s freshness. He bent his knees slightly and leapt lightly, his body rising unrestrained, as if carried by the wind. He traced a graceful arc through the air, like a hawk sweeping across the valley, the wind rushing past his ears, bringing an unprecedented sense of freedom.


    In the air, he felt the currents flowing across his body, his form seeming to merge with heaven and earth, becoming part of nature. Yet when he landed, he stood as steadfast as a mountain, his feet touching the ground without raising a speck of dust, as if reaching some harmonious agreement with the earth. He smiled, delighted as a child with a new toy, his eyes sparkling with wonder and anticipation for this new power.


    However, beyond his joy, a thread of concern rose in LaUhta''s heart. This power, so strange yet so naturally integrated into his body, seemed to belong there from the beginning. But he still did not know how to control it, how to guide it, how to truly become its master. The "One" continuously flowing into his body was restrained by some mysterious force, unable to flow freely, like a fierce beast caged, both dangerous and awe-inspiring.


    LaUhta raised his head toward the starry sky, the Milky Way spanning the heavens like a silver ribbon. The night breeze gently caressed, carrying the scent of forest and the fragrance of soil, making his thoughts clearer. "Though the path of the unknown stretches far, my heart yearns toward it," he whispered, his gaze turning toward the vast world beyond the window, his voice soft yet filled with unwavering resolve.


    LaUhta returned to the depths of the cave, once again sitting cross-legged. In the days to come, he would cultivate here, exploring the mysteries of the "One," learning to master this power. No matter how difficult the path ahead, he would press forward without hesitation, for this was not only his destiny, but also the hope of the entire Lagu settlement.


    "The unknown path begins beneath one''s feet," LaUhta said softly, his voice echoing in the cave, like a solemn oath, yet also like a gentle ballad, speaking of all the possibilities of the future. He knew this was only the beginning, the true challenges yet to come. But at this moment, in this tranquil realm of his own, he was prepared to meet everything, like the rising sun in the east, full of light and hope.

 Chapter 4: Meeting by the Stream, Wisdom Amidst the Fragrance of Fish

    Within the mountain cavern, great drops of sweat formed upon LaUhta''s brow as his hands traced mysterious gestures in the air, striving to guide the surging "One" within him to concentrate at his fingertips. When at last a feeble wisp of black essence manifested between his fingers, it swiftly receded like the ebbing tide. The thirty-seventh attempt, the thirty-seventh failure.


    "Why can I not master this way?" LaUhta sighed deeply and sank down upon the cold stone floor. His voice carried the unmistakable weight of weariness, and the furrows upon his brow had deepened with each passing day. For many months, he had meditated in the depths of the cavern, practiced beside the murmuring stream, and gazed upon the star-strewn heavens in the night, attempting through various means to establish communion with the mysterious "One" within his body, yet progress remained elusive.


    The "One" within him grew ever stronger, yet remained untamed as a wild stallion, fierce and unbridled. He could effortlessly lift boulders that ordinary men could scarcely move, leap across wide mountain ravines in a single bound, and perceive the whisper of winds in distant forests, yet he could not guide the "One" to flow according to his will even by the smallest measure. This contradiction¡ªpossessing boundless power yet lacking control¡ªslowly eroded his patience like a subtle poison.


    One evening, after yet another fruitless attempt, LaUhta sat wearily upon a smooth blue stone beside the stream, his gaze unfocused as he watched the water splash and dance. The autumn wind brought a chill to the air, while the remnants of sunset skipped across the water''s surface like countless fragments of scattered gold, a beauty that would steal one''s breath, yet it could not soothe the restlessness within his heart.


    "I shall rest this day," he sighed, deciding to set aside his fixation on the "One" and allow his spirit a brief respite.


    Suddenly, a flash of silver broke the water''s surface as several fish frolicked near the shore, their scales gleaming with enticing luster in the waning light. LaUhta''s gaze sharpened, his pupils contracted slightly, and his arm shot into the water with the swiftness of an arrow loosed from the string. In the blink of an eye, a plump carp struggled mightily in his grasp, its silver scales shimmering gloriously in the sunset.


    "Long have I gone without roasted fish; today presents a fine opportunity," LaUhta murmured to himself, his mood brightening somewhat.


    With practiced hands he prepared the fish, fetched suitable bamboo stems from a nearby grove, and fashioned a simple roasting frame. He placed the fish within a split bamboo tube along with salt grains from his pouch and wild herbs gathered from the mountains, securing it carefully with thin bamboo strips, then began to roast it over a gentle fire.


    "The heat is the key¡ªtoo fierce and it burns, too weak and it remains raw," LaUhta focused intently on controlling the flames, ensuring the fish would roast evenly. Before long, the enticing aroma of roasting fish spread throughout the mountain clearing, carried by the wind into the distance. The surface of the bamboo tube had turned faintly golden, and the fragrance of the fish grew ever more alluring, enough to make one''s mouth water in anticipation.


    In this moment, he was no longer a struggling "Tao Seedling," but merely an ordinary man taking pleasure in the simple joys of life, attending with care to his cooking.


    A barely perceptible rustling of leaves came from the nearby forest, footfalls light as those of an elf. LaUhta raised his head sharply, greatly astonished¡ªhow had his extraordinarily keen senses, heightened since touching the "One," failed to detect this approach? It seemed impossible! He could hear the winds from leagues away, sense the slightest changes in the air currents, even foretell the coming of storms, yet he had received no warning of this newcomer.


    A splash of brilliant red, bright as flame, flickered among the trees, like a flower suddenly blooming in darkness.


    "The fragrance of this roasted fish is truly irresistible."


    The clear, melodious voice was like a mountain spring in the quiet forest, carrying a touch of liveliness and innocence. Nuwa emerged gracefully from the shadows of the trees, her vibrant red dress burning like fire in the twilight, creating a stark contrast with the natural surroundings. Her countenance, appearing no older than fourteen summers, looked especially radiant in the waning sunlight, her amber eyes sparkling with curiosity and joy. Upon her delicate oval face, skin white as the finest jade, two symmetrical moles beneath her eyes served as heaven''s subtle adornment, adding a measure of mystery and unique charm.


    Her steps were light, scarcely disturbing the grass and foliage beneath her feet, yet it seemed as though she wrote an invisible poem with every movement. Her long dress billowed in the wind as though alive, dancing like an active flame. Unlike LaUhta''s calm and reserved demeanor, Nuwa emanated a lively and elusive aura, as though she belonged not to this mortal realm but to some more mysterious dimension.


    "What now? Have you become so entranced in roasting fish that you failed to notice my arrival?" The maiden''s lips curved upward, her voice betraying playfulness and a hint of mischief, like a small fox that had captured its prey.


    Nuwa approached the fire with light steps, her amber eyes fixed upon the bamboo tube that emitted such tempting aromas, her gaze revealing undisguised desire. She crouched down, inhaled deeply, and her face took on an expression of delight.


    "The fragrance of this fish is truly exquisite. Fish roasted over bamboo fire preserves the essence of its freshness while imparting a delicate bamboo aroma. What seasonings have you used? I detect wild herbs¡ªwere they gathered from these mountains?"


    LaUhta finally recovered his composure and nodded slightly: "Merely some herbs gathered from the mountains and salt, common things." He studied the young woman who had appeared so suddenly, his expression showing both wariness and irrepressible curiosity. "Who are you, maiden? Why do you wander alone in these remote mountains? This wilderness sees few travelers, being far from the common paths."


    Nuwa elegantly arranged her wind-blown red dress, a mysterious smile playing at the corners of her mouth: "I am Nuwa of the Hyht tribe, dispatched by the Heaven''s Path to deliver tidings to the Lagu tribe." Her tone was light and confident, like a mountain bird in early morning, yet it carried undeniable authority and power. "Hearing that a new ''Tao Seedling'' had emerged among the Lagu people, I followed the essence and found my way here, though I did not expect to encounter such marvelous fish fragrance first."


    Her gaze lingered upon LaUhta for a moment, sharp as a sword: "You must be LaUhta, who has touched the ''One''? Your essence is extraordinary, the waves of the ''One'' within you flow like the tides¡ªtruly your reputation is not without merit."


    LaUhta''s heart surged like the tempestuous sea. The Heaven''s Path¡ªthat mysterious organization established by Torht, which oversaw the distribution of the mystical elixir and all matters great and small throughout the continent of Mu. If this red-dressed maiden was indeed an emissary of the Heaven''s Path, she must be a true "Tao." Behind her youthful appearance surely lay one who had mastered the "One," halted the advance of age, and attained eternal youth¡ªa being of great power.


    The aroma of the roasting fish grew ever more enticing. LaUhta gently turned the bamboo tube, and amber fish oil dripped into the fire, producing a tempting sizzle.


    "It is a great honor to receive an emissary of the Heaven''s Path," LaUhta said with a slight bow, his tone respectful yet not subservient. "Beyond delivering tidings, does Lady Nuwa bring any guidance?"


    He paused briefly, struggling inwardly before deciding to reveal his concerns: "Though I touched the ''One'' many months ago, I remain unable to guide its flow as I wish. It is as though I hold a priceless treasure yet know not how to use it. Might Lady Nuwa have counsel to offer?"


    Nuwa smiled slightly: "Let us first partake of this delicious roasted fish, then speak of these matters at leisure." Her gaze returned to the bamboo tube, her eyes sparkling with undisguised anticipation. "It appears ready now, and the smell is truly enticing. Might I have the honor of tasting it?"


    LaUhta carefully removed the bamboo tube from the fire, and upon opening it, golden-crisp fish was revealed. He took a clean cloth from his belt, spread it upon the flat stone between them, and placed the roasted fish upon it. The skin was golden and crisp, yet the flesh remained tender and juicy, its aroma spreading in all directions.


    Nuwa eagerly took a small piece of fish and placed it in her mouth. As soon as it touched her tongue, her eyes brightened like stars: "Marvelous! Truly a mortal delight! Crisp outside and tender within, fragrant without being heavy, the bamboo and fish essences perfectly combined¡ªtruly extraordinary. Your culinary skill would put even the most renowned chefs of Mu to shame."


    LaUhta smiled faintly, the weight upon his brow seeming to lighten somewhat. He too tasted his creation and nodded with satisfaction, having achieved the perfect degree of heat.


    As Nuwa savored the fish, she thoughtfully observed LaUhta, her gaze keen and penetrating, as though she could perceive the flow and changes of the "One" within him.


    "Interesting, truly interesting," Nuwa suddenly spoke, her tone revealing surprise and genuine curiosity. "LaUhta, do you know what level the ''One'' within you has reached?"


    LaUhta looked at her quizzically, his brow furrowing slightly: "I know not what Lady Nuwa means."


    Nuwa elegantly wiped her slender fingers and smiled: "The ''One'' within you surpasses that of any ''Tao Seedling'' I have encountered, flowing like a mighty river, yet without banks to guide it." Her voice was like a bubbling mountain spring, clear and pleasing to the ear. "Typically, a ''Tao Seedling'' must first learn to transform the Ethereal Origin into the ''One,'' then gradually increase the amount within the body through years of accumulation, thus changing the physical form¡ªlike building a house, one must first lay a foundation, then raise the walls brick by brick."


    She tilted her head, her eyes glimmering with amusement: "Yet you seem to have never heard of restraint, allowing the ''One'' to fill your entire being, like a flood breaking through a dam, rushing forth unchecked."


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    She laughed softly: "Your situation is like one who receives a plot of fertile land yet has never learned to farm. Unable to perform even the simplest act of sowing seeds, yet expecting to reap a bountiful harvest to feed the entire tribe."


    LaUhta''s expression grew thoughtful, his brow slightly creased: "No wonder I cannot control the flow of the ''One''... it is because I have never truly understood its nature, yet sought to master it."


    Nuwa picked up a piece of golden-crisp fish and asked mischievously: "Tell me, how do you control the heat when roasting fish? Do you first build a fierce fire without care for consequence, or do you gradually adjust it to the perfect degree?"


    LaUhta suddenly understood, turning his gaze toward the still-burning fire, its flames gently swaying in the night wind, light and shadow shifting.


    "I see now," LaUhta nodded slowly, his voice deep and resolute. "It is like roasting fish¡ªif the fire is too strong at the beginning, the outside burns while the inside remains raw, losing all flavor; if too weak, the flavors cannot penetrate, missing the true essence. Mastering the ''One'' is likewise not achieved in a single step but requires gradual progress, like watering a great tree¡ªone must neither pour in a flood nor be miserly with drops." His eyes shone with new understanding and determination. "I believe I was too eager, trying to control the ''One'' without truly comprehending its nature, like one who would tame a horse without understanding its spirit, inviting only resistance."


    "Precisely so," Nuwa''s voice was clear as a morning stream, carrying satisfaction and approval. "Consciousness is the foundation for transforming the Ethereal Origin. Ordinary people cannot perceive the Ethereal Origin, naturally they cannot guide its transformation; but those who can become ''Tao'' are those whose consciousness can touch and guide this transformation."


    She elegantly extended her hand, her slender finger lightly touching LaUhta''s chest, like adding the final dot to a masterful painting. "Your insight touches the essence. Consciousness not only guides transformation but can also control the ''One''s'' direction and purpose. This is the key to mastery."


    Nuwa paced around LaUhta, her red dress dancing like flames. "Now that you understand the role of consciousness, examine anew your inner state," her voice carried undeniable authority. "Try to use your consciousness to sense the ''One'' within, then¡ª" her voice suddenly lowered, mysterious as a whisper, "attempt to halt its absorption."


    LaUhta drew a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, slowly closing his eyes. He exhaled steadily from chest and abdomen, as one might shed a heavy mantle of snow, dispelling distracting thoughts to focus entirely on his inner awareness.


    The Ethereal Origin flowed like a gentle stream from every direction into his body, transforming into the "One" under the guidance of his consciousness. He could perceive this process as clearly as his own breathing, both alien and familiar. He concentrated wholly on attempting to influence this process with his consciousness, like a hunter tracking the faintest spoor.


    As his attempt continued, the grass blades around him began to tremble slightly, and the air grew charged with a barely perceptible energy. Nuwa''s red dress stirred without wind, her amber eyes widening in surprise.


    LaUhta''s brow gradually furrowed, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, every muscle in his body tensing as if engaged in some invisible struggle. His fingers dug deep into the moss beneath him, his breathing growing labored, as though bearing an immense, unseen burden.


    After a time, LaUhta slowly opened his eyes, disappointment and confusion flashing across his face. "I cannot stop it," he said, his voice low yet steady, "No matter how I try, I cannot halt the flow of Ethereal Origin and its transformation. Like the heart''s beating or the lungs'' breathing, this process seems to have become my body''s instinct, beyond conscious control."


    He raised his eyes to meet Nuwa''s gaze, both bewilderment and determination mingling in his glance, like dark waters beneath ice. "I can sense it, yet cannot stay it. Is this different from other ''Tao Seedlings''?"


    Nuwa studied LaUhta''s troubled expression, her head moving in a slight negative gesture, red tresses catching the morning light like living flame. Her demeanor reflected neither disappointment nor impatience. She approached with graceful steps, her red dress tracing elegant patterns across the stone surface, like living fire upon cold earth.


    "Perhaps our approach errs," she said softly, her voice gentle as a stream over moss-covered stones, "Thou seekest to completely halt absorption, yet this would be like asking fish to cease swimming, birds to desist from flight¡ªcontrary to their nature."


    She seated herself gracefully before LaUhta, her red dress pooling around her like still water, the rising sun casting a golden nimbus around her silhouette, enhancing her otherworldly presence.


    "Close thine eyes, feel the ''One'' within thee," her voice flowed smooth and steady as a gentle river, "Resist it not, but accept it, embrace it, let it become part of thee. Then, imagine thy body as a vessel, having both capacity and limits."


    LaUhta obeyed, closing his eyes and drawing a deep breath. Following Nuwa''s guidance, he adjusted his mindset, no longer attempting to resist the influx of Ethereal Origin, but accepting it, feeling how it moved within him, transformed, like welcoming sunlight, air, and water.


    "Good, now imagine every part of thy body in harmony with the Ethereal Origin," Nuwa continued, her voice calm yet compelling, like the moon guiding tides, "When the Ethereal Origin enters thy body, it comes not as a stranger, but returns home. Let thy body''s ''One'' and the external Ethereal Origin find balance, balanced in flow, like rivers joining the sea, each part of the other."


    LaUhta''s breathing gradually slowed and deepened, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Under Nuwa''s patient guidance, he began to view the absorption of Ethereal Origin as a natural bodily function, not resisting but trying to understand and accept it, as one might come to know the rhythm of one''s own heartbeat and breath. Yet the black "One" within him seemed to have an even deeper connection to his essence, not merely a process of absorption, but like two aspects of one being, blood-tied. This perception both startled and strangely comforted him.


    "Imagine the Ethereal Origin as a stream, and thy body as part of that stream," Nuwa''s voice grew rhythmic and mesmerizing, like an ancient melody carried on the wind, "Water resists not its flow, yet knows when to hasten and when to slow. Similarly, thou needst not cease absorption, only adjust its rhythm to align with the ways of heaven and earth."


    LaUhta listened in silence to Nuwa''s words, entirely immersed in this new experience. His brow gradually furrowed more deeply, sweat beading on his forehead once again. After several attempts, the "One" within him continued to flow according to its own will, refusing to follow the path he envisioned, like a school of willful fish darting in all directions, rejecting command. Frustration shadowed him like a cloud over mountain peaks, yet he refused to yield easily.


    LaUhta''s body suddenly trembled slightly, his fingertips twitching beyond his control. The surrounding grass and trees swayed gently, as if pushed by an invisible force. Ripples formed on the stream''s surface, as though touched by unseen fingers. Nuwa''s eyes flashed with alertness, yet she did not intervene, only observing LaUhta''s condition with heightened attention.


    LaUhta felt a subtle change in the black "One" within, yet it remained difficult to master. He drew another deep breath, striving to calm his spirit, refusing to let frustration overwhelm him. Suddenly, a realization dawned like the first light of dawn breaking through his mind. He slowly opened his eyes, dark orbs flashing with renewed hope and insight.


    "Thou spokest of water knowing when to hasten and when to slow," LaUhta''s voice was calm yet filled with determination, his eyes gleaming with the spark of wisdom, "This reminds me of the mystery of breath."


    Nuwa tilted her head slightly, amber eyes flashing with curiosity and expectation, red tresses shifting with the movement, like a living flame. "LaUhta, hast thou had some insight?"


    LaUhta drew a deep breath, then slowly released it, his long fingers gesturing to this seemingly simple yet profoundly meaningful action. "Breathing happens naturally, yet can also be controlled by consciousness. If I were to combine the absorption of ''One'' with breathing¡ª"


    He spoke no further, closing his eyes again to adjust his breathing rhythm. LaUhta concentrated on two aspects simultaneously: his even breathing and the flow of "One" within his body.


    When inhaling, he attempted to guide his body to absorb the Ethereal Origin; when exhaling, he tried to pause this absorption. Initially, these two processes seemed entirely unrelated, proceeding independently, like two parallel streams that never converged.


    LaUhta did not grow discouraged. He maintained his focus, trying again and again to establish this subtle connection, breathing deeply time after time, attempting to forge this delicate link. Crystalline sweat rolled down his forehead, yet his expression remained extraordinarily calm, like a meditating sage beyond worldly concerns.


    In the silent forest, only the gentle gurgling of the stream and LaUhta''s measured breathing intertwined, forming a mystical melody of nature. Nuwa stood nearby, seemingly transformed into a statue, only the occasional flash in her eyes revealing her continued vigilant observation of this extraordinary "Tao Seedling."


    After many attempts, LaUhta''s brow remained deeply furrowed, blue veins visible at his temples, revealing his inner struggle. The black "One" within him remained willful and untamed, like a herd of wild horses refusing command, evading his control. Each time he believed himself close to success, that power would slip from his grasp like a mischievous child.


    Just as LaUhta neared surrender, a strange sensation suddenly arose from deep within his abdomen. It was an indescribable connection, as if some hidden switch had been activated. When he drew a deep breath, the Ethereal Origin began to flow in with his breath; and when he slowly exhaled, the flow indeed slowed, not ceasing completely, but marking a promising beginning.


    This sensation proved both subtle and profound, like finding a key to unlock a door into unknown realms. LaUhta could clearly perceive the connection between breath and "One," like two melodies interweaving to create harmony within him. Those black particles seemed to respond to his breathing, like tides pulled by the moon, beginning to ebb and flow with his breath''s rhythm.


    Nuwa observed silently, amber eyes gleaming with satisfaction. She made no sound to interrupt, only silently sensing the subtle changes in the flow of Ethereal Origin around LaUhta. A pleased, proud smile graced her delicate lips.


    "Thou hast begun to master breath guidance," her voice carried a hint of joy, though the wariness in her eyes remained undiminished, "Just now, thy sweat contained the essence of ''One,'' brief though its manifestation was, it marks progress. This is the first step, yet the most crucial. Controlling the ''One'' is like taming a spirited steed, requiring gradual progress, never haste."


    Nuwa rose gracefully, continuing: "For today, we shall conclude here. Thou hast found the correct path; the remainder of the journey thou must complete thyself, like the many rivers flowing east to the sea, all mountains facing one peak."


    LaUhta gently touched his forehead, he could sense that the flow of "One" within him had subtly changed, though still ceaseless, beginning to respond to his breath''s guidance, like tides yielding to the moon''s influence.


    "Where dost thou go?" LaUhta stood, brushing grass from his sleeves, his voice carrying a hint of reluctance and anticipation.


    "I must journey to Lagu," Nuwa gazed toward the distant mountains, her red dress billowing in the breeze like a vivid banner. Her eyes revealed a sense of mission, as one bearing an unknown burden.


    She turned gracefully to face LaUhta, amber eyes like twin small suns, brilliantly illuminating the young man''s features. "On the morrow, I shall return to continue thy instruction." Her eyes suddenly flashed with mischief as she added, "And when I do, remember to roast another fish."


    With that, she turned lightly away, her red dress like a splash of sunset soon vanishing into the depths of the forest. Only her laughter, like wind chimes in the mountains, lingered long in LaUhta''s ears.


    LaUhta stood by the stream, gazing in the direction of Nuwa''s departure, his heart filled with anticipation for future learning and curiosity about this mysterious maiden. He looked down at his palm, feeling the flow of "One" within, no longer as strange and uncontrollable as before.


    "Breath and the ''One,'' so simple, yet so profound," LaUhta whispered to himself, his eyes shining with new hope and resolve. The setting sun bathed his profile in golden light, illuminating the determined countenance of a young "Tao Seedling."


    He drew a deep breath, savoring the lingering aroma of roasted fish and the faint essence of the red dress that still hung in the air, his lips curving involuntarily into a smile. The path ahead might yet be long and filled with unknowns, but at least he had found his direction.

 Chapter 5: Discourse with the Elder, The Mystery of Origins

    Nuwa came upon the settlement of Lagu, treading softly beneath the silvered light of the moon. The night breeze played about her vivid red dress, bearing with it the pure fragrance of mountain herbs and woodland. At the heart of the settlement stood an ancient ginkgo tree, its shadow falling in dappled patterns under the moonlight, as though it were some guardian spirit watching over this peaceful land.


    With light fingers she knocked upon the wooden door of Canglian''s stone dwelling, the sound ringing clear in the stillness of night. Measured footsteps approached from within, and the door swung open. Canglian stood before her in his black priestly robes, solemn and austere, his features appearing all the more gaunt in the lamplight. In his hand he bore a staff inlaid with mysterious runes, and as his gaze fell upon Nuwa, his normally placid eyes betrayed a momentary flicker of surprise.


    "My lady?" Canglian''s voice was deep, bearing the subtle cadence of ancient days. "Nuwa?" A simple greeting, yet laden with complex emotion and memory.


    He studied her carefully, noting how the years had left no trace upon her; she remained as he remembered, a maiden of fourteen summers in appearance, her red dress bright as flame, strikingly vivid in the darkness, like some ageless figure of legend.


    "Priest Canglian," Nuwa inclined her head slightly, her amber eyes carrying a touch of familiar warmth, "many years have passed since our meeting. Have you fared well?"


    Canglian stepped aside, beckoning her to enter. The interior of the stone dwelling was arranged with simple austerity, reflecting the character of its inhabitant. There stood only a wooden table, several chairs, and a grass mat for rest, while in the corner lay neat stacks of precious herbs, exuding subtle medicinal fragrances.


    "A most unexpected honor," Canglian said as he slowly seated himself, gesturing for Nuwa to do likewise. His gaze held a searching quality. "That the Heaven''s Path should dispatch one of your stature for such a task is curious indeed. One of your standing ought to be charged with matters of greater import."


    Nuwa took her place, the scarlet folds of her dress spreading across the rough stone floor like living flames. "I too find it passing strange," she replied evenly, her gaze moving across the simple yet orderly furnishings before coming to rest upon Canglian''s face. "Why Torht should arrange thus, sending me to this remote place."


    She paused briefly, a thoughtful gleam in her eyes. "Yet the ''One'' within LaUhta is most extraordinary, unlike any I have encountered before. Surely Torht has perceived this, and perhaps therein lies his purpose in sending me."


    Canglian nodded slightly in agreement. "One of your standing and power should indeed not be found in so distant a corner of the realm. That the Heaven''s Path should deploy such significant strength suggests matters of uncommon gravity."


    "Nevertheless," Nuwa continued, her tone carrying a subtle note of respect and determination, "since Torht has arranged it thus, his wisdom must guide us. His actions are ever founded in careful thought, never without purpose." She hesitated, then drew from an ornate pouch at her waist an exquisitely crafted wooden box carved with complex, mysterious patterns, which she handed to Canglian.


    Canglian received the box, his fingers tracing lightly over the intricate patterns. With care he opened it, examined the contents, and nodded with satisfaction, relief evident in his eyes. He turned to retrieve several packages from the corner, each wrapped in special materials and containing different herbs and minerals that emitted a faint glow and curious essence.


    "These are the materials gathered this year for the mystical elixir. I pray you examine them, my lady. Though humble, they represent the diligent labor of our people," Canglian said, a note of pride in his voice.


    Nuwa inspected each portion with care, her slender, nimble fingers sifting through the precious herbs and gleaming minerals, her eyes revealing deep professional scrutiny. After a time, she nodded with approval and placed the materials within her elegant pouch.


    Her expression grew grave, as one pondering a complex riddle. "Beyond delivering the mystical elixir and guiding LaUhta, I seek understanding of deeper matters," Nuwa said, meeting Canglian''s gaze directly. "Priest, I would know more of LaUhta''s origins. This question may hold greater significance than we imagine."


    Canglian sighed softly, as though exhaling a burden carried through many years. His fingertips brushed against the fine carvings on his staff, as if drawing strength from them. "LaUhta is not of our bloodline, bearing no kinship to the people of Lagu. Sixteen years past, a Tao with whom I had formed acquaintance in earlier days sought me out, hoping I would take the child into my care. In his arms he bore an infant¡ªLaUhta."


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    Canglian''s gaze turned distant, as one looking across the vast river of time. His fingers tapped lightly upon his staff, his voice low yet rhythmic.


    "This Tao told me that while wandering through the ruins of a battlefield laid waste by fire, he heard the faint cry of a babe, like a glimmer of light in darkness. Following the sound, he discovered an infant abandoned among broken walls and fallen stones, surrounded by the grim tokens of war. The child''s mother had already passed beyond life''s borders, her body made rigid by the cold wind and the embers of battle. Yet marvelously, the infant lived still, its small cheeks flushed with cold, tiny fists clenched in stubborn defiance of death."


    A flash of surprise and feeling crossed Nuwa''s eyes, her amber orbs appearing all the deeper in the candlelight.


    "He took up the child and placed within it a thread of the ''One,'' to sustain its warmth against the bitter cold. The babe ceased its crying and opened its eyes¡ªeyes black as night, yet deep and bright as the star-filled heavens. He said he had never beheld such a gaze, as though this infant were born able to perceive the essence of all things, to comprehend the truths of existence. In that moment, he felt a sense of purpose, resolving to preserve this life."


    Canglian sipped the clear tea that stood upon the table before continuing: "Bearing the infant, he crossed the great sea, venturing through perilous waters, enduring many hardships before returning at last to the continent of Mu. Then he journeyed here, to Lagu, and found me."


    Having heard Canglian''s tale, Nuwa''s brow furrowed slightly, her amber eyes betraying contemplation and doubt. Her fingertips unconsciously traced the fine embroidery at the edge of her red dress, her thoughts drifting to a distant and mysterious past.


    "This matter seems beyond the ordinary," Nuwa said softly, her voice carrying a thoughtful cadence. "Many years ago, I witnessed a Tao bearing an infant before Torht. The circumstances bear striking resemblance to your account."


    Surprise and confusion flickered in Canglian''s eyes as his staff tapped once upon the stone floor with a clear sound. "He made no mention of this. Why would he seek audience with Torht? And why then entrust the child to my care? Deeper mysteries lie herein, I fear."


    Nuwa''s gaze fell upon the neatly arranged herbs in the corner, and the faintest trace of a mysterious smile touched her lips. "Poor child indeed, so beset by fate. Had I known he was orphaned, I might have become his mother myself, raising him to manhood."


    This unexpected declaration gave Canglian pause. In the candlelight, confusion and astonishment crossed his face, his aged fingers unconsciously tightening around his staff. After a brief and awkward silence, he slowly shook his head, his voice carrying a rare note of humor and jest.


    "Had you been his mother, my lady, I fear the child would have perished from hunger long ago," Canglian''s eyes twinkled with mischief. "I doubt you could prepare even a simple meal, let alone raise a child."


    At these words, Nuwa''s amber eyes widened slightly, and a rare flush of embarrassment and shyness colored her fair cheeks. The red-dressed maiden pressed her lips together, seeming about to protest, yet finding no words. In this moment, she was no longer the mysterious and august Tao, but merely a young woman being teased, revealing a rare glimpse of her mortal aspect.


    Just as the atmosphere lightened, the joyful sounds of children at play came from outside. Nuwa seized the opportunity to escape her awkward position, stepping out of the stone dwelling to find a dozen curious children already gathered at the door, their eyes full of anticipation and excitement.


    "Tell us a story of the Tao!" called a boy of perhaps seven or eight summers, his eyes bright with longing for knowledge of unknown realms.


    Nuwa smiled gently, her eyes softening with tenderness and remembrance. She seated herself gracefully upon a smooth stone in the center of the courtyard, her red dress blossoming around her like a flower. The children immediately gathered about her, forming a semicircle, their eyes shining in eager expectation of the mysterious tale to come.


    "Long, long ago, at the heart of the continent of Mu, there lay a mysterious forest forever shrouded in mist..." Nuwa''s voice was soft yet melodious. "It is said that this forest was where Lord Torht practiced his cultivation for a thousand years, until at last he mastered the secrets of the eight-colored ''One.''"


    The children listened in rapt attention, occasionally exclaiming in wonder.


    By the time the story ended, the sun had begun to set. The children departed reluctantly, their eyes still alight with the afterglow of the tale. Some of the bolder ones gently tugged at her sleeve, murmuring "tell us more," their eyes full of longing.


    Nuwa smiled as she stroked each child''s head, promising to bring more wondrous stories upon her return. Her movements were gentle and warm, carrying a deep affection and protectiveness¡ªa natural maternal instinct that stood in curious contrast to her youthful appearance.


    Night deepened, and Nuwa stood upon the high slope at the village entrance, gazing silently at the distant mountain ranges. Her eyes reflected complex emotions, both reminiscence of the past and contemplation of the future.


    "What secret lies hidden within this child?" Nuwa murmured, her voice heavy and profound. "That nameless battlefield, that journey across the sea, Torht''s attention then, and now sending me to guide him... These cannot be mere chance."


    Nuwa drew a deep breath, her red dress swaying gently in the night wind. "When I meet LaUhta again on the morrow, I must observe his condition with greater care."

 Chapter 6: Mysteries of the Way, Mind Shaping Matter

    Dawn pierced through the mountain mists, gilding the settlement of Lagu with a layer of flowing gold. Dewdrops upon the ancient ginkgo leaves gleamed crystalline in the first light of day, like tiny jewels scattered between heaven and earth. Not far off, birds had begun their morning songs, clear calls echoing through the valley, awakening the slumbering forest.


    Nuwa proceeded lightly along the path remembered from yesterday, her crimson dress floating with the morning breeze like a dancing flame. Though her steps were light, they bore uncommon certainty. The conversation with Elder Canglian from the night before still echoed in her mind, deepening her curiosity about the youth who carried such strange power.


    Passing through a dense thicket of hawthorn, the murmur of the stream grew gradually clearer. Nuwa halted, her slender fingers parting the low-hanging branches before her. Her gaze crossed the verdant foliage to rest upon that prominent stone by the waterside.


    LaUhta still sat there, his posture unchanged from yesterday¡ªcross-legged, his spine straight as a mountain pine, hands resting lightly upon his knees, gaze fixed intently upon the flowing water. Beside him, the fire had died to silver ashes, yet upon the grill, fish had been roasted to golden crispness, their fragrance carried by the morning breeze, awakening Nuwa''s hunger.


    "Have you sat here through the entire night?" Nuwa approached with light steps, amber eyes flashing with surprise and admiration.


    LaUhta turned at her voice, a calm and gentle smile crossing his face. Though his eyes showed weariness from his sleepless vigil, they remained clear. "Sleep eluded me, so I pondered your words from yesterday," he said, gesturing toward the fish upon the grill, his tone gentle. "I have prepared these for you."


    Nuwa seated herself gracefully beside LaUhta, her red dress blooming like a flower upon the dew-speckled grass. She took a piece of grilled fish; the skin had been roasted to perfection, making a delicate cracking sound at the slightest touch, while the flesh remained tender and succulent, emanating a tantalizing aroma. She took a careful bite, satisfaction spreading across her face, amber eyes narrowing slightly in pleasure.


    "Have you given thought to my words from yesterday?" Nuwa set down her fish, gently wiping the corners of her mouth, her gaze full of expectation.


    LaUhta carefully placed down the fish bones he had picked clean, his gaze returning to the flowing stream. Morning light penetrated through gaps in the forest branches, casting dappled shadows upon the water''s surface, like countless tiny golden runes in motion, seemingly containing the deepest principles of heaven and earth.


    "I have contemplated through the night, and have reached some understanding," LaUhta''s voice was calm and steady, like the gently flowing stream. "My body seems different from others, capable of automatically transforming the Ethereal Origin into the ''One''."


    Surprise flashed in Nuwa''s eyes as she set down her fish. Her crimson dress swayed slightly as she turned her full attention to listen.


    "On the surface, it appears I have bypassed the step of drawing in the Ethereal Origin to transform it into the ''One''," LaUhta raised his hand, long fingers spreading wide as sunlight passed through, casting intricate patterns of light upon his palm like some mysterious chart. "Yet precisely because of this, I lack the necessary practice and cannot control the flow of the ''One''."


    Nuwa set down the remaining fish bones with graceful movements, amber eyes flashing with disbelief. She leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharp as she examined the extraordinary young man before her, her expression showing both surprise and inquiry.


    "How can this be possible?" Nuwa''s voice was low, bearing a slight tremor she could scarcely suppress. Her fingertips traced a path through the air, as though sensing something invisible. "Strange indeed. The ''One'' within you differs from all I have witnessed before. Most who walk the path of Tao carry ''One'' of gold or other bright hues, yet yours appears as ink or jade, deep and distant."


    Her slender fingers extended slowly, hovering above LaUhta''s arm without touching, yet keenly sensing the peculiar energy waves emanating from his skin, like ripples stirred by wind upon still waters.


    After a moment of contemplation, her amber eyes flashed with deep concern. She stepped forward lightly, placing her hand gently upon LaUhta''s shoulder, her expression becoming uncommonly serious, her hair floating slightly in the morning breeze.


    "Though drawing in the Ethereal Origin forms the foundation of becoming Tao, your ceaseless accumulation of the ''One'' will one day exceed what your body can contain," Nuwa''s voice was deep, her gaze intense, her crimson dress rising and falling gently with her breath. "What shall happen then, even I cannot foretell."


    LaUhta looked up at Nuwa, his eyes filled with confusion and a strong thirst for knowledge. The morning light reflected in his dark, bright eyes like scattered fragments, resembling stars twinkling in the night sky. His breathing quickened slightly, revealing his inner unease and urgency.


    Nuwa sighed softly, her red dress swaying in the morning breeze like leaping flames. "If you cannot control its release, then we must slow its accumulation¡ªthis is most urgent," her voice, though soft, carried unquestionable resolve.


    "How might I slow this accumulation?" LaUhta asked, his voice calm yet filled with urgency. He spread his hands slowly, long fingers trembling slightly, as though trying to grasp some formless answer from his palms. His brow furrowed, tiny beads of sweat forming upon his forehead, reflecting his inner tension and concern.


    Nuwa sat cross-legged before LaUhta with elegant grace, her red dress spreading like still waters, gleaming with soft radiance in the morning light. She closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, experiencing with her whole being the pulse of nature around them¡ªthe flowing stream, the rustling leaves, the distant birdsong, all forming a harmonious natural symphony.


    "The way of nature is that all things have their rhythm," Nuwa opened her eyes, her gaze as firm as stone, though her voice remained gentle as a breeze. "To reduce your drawing in of power, you must first understand its source."


    "Torht often said: Tao begets One, One begets Two, Two begets Three, Three begets all things," Nuwa summarized concisely, then moved directly to the heart of the matter. "In essence, you must understand that the ''One'' comes from the Ethereal Origin, yet transcends it. The key to mastery lies in consciousness."


    LaUhta adjusted his posture, straightening his back, hands resting steadily upon his knees, his expression focused with hungry attention, gaze fixed upon Nuwa, fearful of missing any detail. His breathing was steady and rhythmic, his whole being immersed in this precious teaching.


    "When we say ''Tao begets One,''" Nuwa continued, her voice soft yet dignified, like a clear spring flowing over ancient stones, "it means those who become Tao generate pure ''One'' through their bodies. Two begets Three refers to the mingling of yin and yang energies, producing the triad of sky, earth, and humanity. And Three begets all things means the combination of this triad gives rise to all the world''s manifestations."


    Her fingers traced an elegant arc through the air, as though displaying an invisible scroll: "Consciousness guides, but the body serves as vessel. You might first try to sense the ''One'' within using your consciousness, observing its flow."


    LaUhta contemplated Nuwa''s words in silence, his gaze returning to the flowing stream. Morning light filtered through swaying leaves, creating dappled patterns upon the water''s surface, like countless tiny runes in motion, as though nature itself revealed some profound mystery of the greater Tao. His fingertips touched the water''s surface, creating concentric ripples, as if through this action he sought deeper understanding of those formless principles.


    "When One begets Two, does this represent the alternation of yin and yang, cycling endlessly, like the ceaseless succession of day and night?" LaUhta''s fingers traced an elegant arc through the air, precisely mimicking the sun''s rising and setting path. Excitement colored his voice, "And when Two begets Three, is this how, through such endless cycling, the sky, the earth, and humanity came to be?"


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    The corner of Nuwa''s mouth curved upward slightly, amber eyes flashing with approval, but she then shook her head gently, her red hair undulating like waves with the movement. She bent to pick up a verdant fallen leaf, slender fingers cradling it in her palm, examining its veins carefully in the bright sunlight.


    "Your understanding has strayed," Nuwa''s voice was gentle yet firm, like a breeze passing over water, carrying an undeniable force. "Sky refers to the boundless expanse of space; Earth encompasses all non-living matter; as for humanity, it represents all forms of life, not just mankind, but including birds and beasts, flowers and trees¡ªall that breathes belongs to this category."


    LaUhta received this wisdom like sweet rain upon parched earth, his dark eyes flashing with sudden understanding. Unconsciously, he straightened his back, his face showing sudden revelation. The morning light by the stream seemed in that moment to grow brighter, bathing his young countenance in a golden glow.


    Nuwa gracefully crouched down, picking up a smooth, round pebble from beside the stream, placing it gently in her palm. Morning light illuminated the stone''s surface, reflecting subtle luster, like fragments of stars fallen to the mortal realm.


    "LaUhta, behold this stone," Nuwa''s voice was soft yet resolute, amber eyes sparkling with wisdom, red hair blazing like flame in the sunlight. "Though seemingly ordinary, it contains principles of heaven and earth."


    LaUhta bent forward, concentrating his gaze upon the common pebble, his eyes piercing like flame, attempting to see beyond appearances to the principles within. His brow furrowed slightly, his face filled with focus and thirst for knowledge.


    "One is all, and all is One," Nuwa elegantly tossed the stone toward the stream, where it skipped joyfully several times, creating expanding ripples before silently sinking beneath the surface. "Though all things undergo transformations through Two and Three, all originate from ''One'' and return to ''One''."


    Her slender finger pointed to the expanding ripples on the water''s surface, her red dress dancing in the morning breeze like a vivid painting come to life. "See those ripples? From a single point they expand, forming countless concentric circles, appearing complex and varied, yet sharing a single source."


    LaUhta nodded slightly, understanding flashing in his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tracing the fading ripples on the water''s surface, as if trying to capture that fleeting truth.


    "All things in heaven and earth, though seemingly different, share the same root," Nuwa''s voice was clear and melodious as the stream, carrying a transcendent rhythm. "The firmness of mountains, the softness of water, the lightness of wind, the fierceness of fire¡ªall are but different expressions of the ''One''."


    Nuwa turned to face LaUhta, her gaze resting upon this extraordinarily gifted young man. Her eyes contained compassion and boundless wisdom, as though able to perceive the essence of all things. "The ''One'' within you is like water in a stream, seemingly flowing without end, yet connected to heaven and earth. Understanding that ''One is all, and all is One'' will enable you to master the balance between drawing in and releasing."


    LaUhta fell into deep thought, his gaze slowly moving from the stream at his feet to the undulating mountains in the distance, then upward to the boundless blue sky. The expression on his face gradually shifted from confusion to understanding, as though beginning to grasp the deeper meaning of Nuwa''s words. Sunlight bathed his contemplative countenance, adding a touch of sacred radiance.


    "If all things originate from ''One''," LaUhta spoke slowly, his voice bearing traces of contemplation, his brow slightly furrowed, eyes sparkling with inquiring fire. "If this is so, why can Tao generate ''One''? Why can those who become Tao draw in and transform the Ethereal Origin? What is the essence of this ability?"


    "I had not expected you to think so deeply," Nuwa''s eyebrows rose slightly, a flash of surprise crossing her amber eyes, her tone carrying undisguised admiration. Her crimson dress rippled beautifully with her slight movement.


    "But your understanding errs," Nuwa''s voice was as clear as the morning stream, bearing a firm strength. "It is not that Tao generates ''One'', but rather that beings who completely master the ''One'' are what we call Tao."


    LaUhta''s brow furrowed, his gaze still resting upon the flowing stream, his thoughts rippling like the water, as though seeking some formless answer. His long fingers tapped lightly upon his knee, displaying his inner contemplation. He carefully considered Nuwa''s words, his mind swirling with questions about "Tao" and "One." After a moment, he looked up, the clear stream reflected in his dark, bright eyes, which sparkled with curiosity and a barely perceptible longing.


    "If that be so," LaUhta''s voice carried a note of inquiry as he leaned forward slightly, showing eager anticipation for the answer, "what is the key to complete mastery of the ''One''?"


    The corner of Nuwa''s mouth curved upward in a mysterious smile, yet she did not immediately answer LaUhta''s question. She rose gracefully, her red dress blooming like a flower, and walked slowly to LaUhta''s side, leaving a trail of elegant footprints.


    "Before answering your question," Nuwa raised her head, amber eyes reflecting the morning light like two brilliant jewels, "let me first ask you: From whence comes the ''One''?"


    LaUhta fell into contemplation, his gaze resting upon Nuwa''s slender fingertips moistened by the stream. He focused intently on the water droplets sparkling in the sunlight, as though they contained some revelation. His brow wrinkled slightly, revealing his inner thought process.


    "I have considered this all night, and perhaps, the ''One'' is transformed from the Ethereal Origin after it enters the body," LaUhta slowly voiced his conjecture, his tone steady yet carrying a careful uncertainty. His fingers unconsciously rubbed his knees, his eyes sparkling with wisdom.


    Approval flashed in Nuwa''s eyes as she nodded slightly, her crimson dress swaying with this simple movement like a fire lotus blooming in a gentle breeze.


    "Your guess is not amiss," Nuwa gently dried her moistened fingers on the edge of her dress, leaving a dark water mark. "The first step in becoming Tao is perceiving the Ethereal Origin; the second is learning to transform it into the ''One.'' You have directly bypassed the second step, which has led to insufficient consideration of this matter."


    Nuwa leaned forward gracefully, her amber eyes burning like torches as she looked directly into LaUhta''s eyes. Her red hair cascaded like a waterfall, gleaming with intermingled gold and crimson in the sunlight. "When did you begin transforming the Ethereal Origin?" Her voice carried an unavoidable power.


    LaUhta closed his eyes, his brow furrowing slightly, his thoughts like a small boat drifting back to that fate-changing moment. Before his mind''s eye appeared the scene of that day¡ªthe grey sky, the cold river water, and that instant that changed everything.


    LaUhta slowly opened his eyes, looking toward the flowing stream, as though seeing within it the scene from his memory. Sunlight, filtering through gaps in the leaves, danced upon the water''s surface, intertwining with the images in his memory. "In that moment, my consciousness seemed to break free from bodily constraints, expanding infinitely. I perceived the Ethereal Origin invisible to ordinary people."


    "At the same time, that Ethereal Origin rushed toward me as if summoned, penetrating my skin, seeping into my flesh," LaUhta continued his recollection, his voice calm yet powerful, "as though finding its rightful place."


    "I did not then know the meaning of all this, but instinctively reached out to touch them," LaUhta raised his hand, long fingers spreading in the sunlight, as though returning to that moment, "and in the instant my consciousness touched that Ethereal Origin, I felt them begin to change, as if ignited by my consciousness, transforming into another form¡ªthe ''One''."


    Understanding flashed in LaUhta''s eyes, his voice growing more firm and powerful. "It was my consciousness that guided this transformation. The Ethereal Origin always exists within all things, but only through the guidance of consciousness can it be transformed into the ''One''."


    LaUhta looked up at Nuwa, his eyes filled with enlightenment, his features appearing particularly resolute in the morning light. "So consciousness is the key. Consciousness guides the transformation of the Ethereal Origin, consciousness controls the flow of the ''One'', consciousness determines its purpose."


    "Precisely so," Nuwa''s voice was as clear as the morning stream, carrying satisfaction and gratification. "Consciousness is fundamental to transforming the Ethereal Origin. Ordinary people cannot perceive the Ethereal Origin, thus naturally cannot guide its transformation; while those who can become Tao do so because their consciousness can touch and guide this transformation."


    She elegantly extended her hand, slender fingers lightly touching LaUhta''s chest, like adding the final touch to a painting. "Your insight has touched the essence. Consciousness not only guides transformation but can control the flow and purpose of the ''One.'' This is indeed the key to mastery."


    LaUhta closed his eyes, attempting to focus his attention on the surging "One" within. He could sense its presence, yet could not grasp its flow. Beads of sweat slid from his forehead, his fingers trembling slightly, revealing his inner struggle.


    "There is no need for haste; this is but the beginning," Nuwa''s voice was calm and resolute. "Imagine the ''One'' as flowing water, and your consciousness as the riverbed."


    LaUhta tried again, yet still could not guide the "One" within as he wished. He slowly opened his eyes, a trace of frustration crossing his face.


    "This is more complex than I imagined," he said softly.


    Nuwa nodded slightly: "Conscious control is only the beginning. Tomorrow, I shall teach you how to guide the flow of the ''One'' through breath. The method of breath control forms the foundation of practice, the beginning of mastery."


    She rose, anticipation flashing in her amber eyes, her crimson dress swaying gently in the morning breeze. "The path to mastery is not achieved in a day. Today you have gained some understanding, but more practice is needed. You must rest and absorb today''s lessons."


    LaUhta respectfully nodded, his eyes showing both fatigue and anticipation for tomorrow''s training.

 Chapter 7: Guidance Through Breath, First Enlightenment of the Path

    Morning mist draped like a delicate veil across the valley. The sun had not yet crested the eastern ridge, its faint light filtering through the cloud layer, bathing the forest in a hazy golden radiance. LaUhta had remained seated cross-legged by the stream through the night without rest or slumber since Nuwa had imparted her wisdom of consciousness, fearing to miss even a moment of her precious teaching.


    A soft rustling came from the treetops, and LaUhta''s eyes opened instantly as he turned toward the sound. Nuwa''s crimson dress shone like a living flame in the morning mist, strikingly vivid. She moved with grace through the forest, her feet seeming never to touch the dew-laden grass, her steps light as those of a being from legend. Her amber eyes gleamed in the thin mist with both expectation and a barely perceptible caution, as if the black "One" within LaUhta was not merely a gift but perhaps harbored unknown peril.


    "Thou hast kept vigil here all night," Nuwa''s voice rang clear as a mountain spring, carrying both approval and a subtle concern not easily discerned. "Such resolve is rare even among the ''Tao Seedlings'' I have encountered."


    LaUhta rose respectfully, brushing dewdrops from his sleeves, and bowed slightly to Nuwa. "A teacher''s guidance is precious as gold; I dare not waste even a moment." His voice was calm, but his eyes sparkled with an unmistakable thirst for knowledge and hidden worry. He raised his hand, gazing at his palm as if seeing the invisible energies flowing within. "This black ''One'' grows stronger each day. I feel... as if my body contains an ungovernable flood, ready at any moment to breach its dam."


    Nuwa''s gaze fixed upon LaUhta like two beams of burning light. She paced slowly around him, her red skirts swaying with her elegant movements like dancing flames, leaving graceful afterimages in the morning light. Her brow furrowed slightly, her slender fingers rubbing together gently, as if sensing some invisible flow of energy.


    "This matter indeed cannot be taken lightly," Nuwa''s voice suddenly grew serious, the twin beauty marks at the corners of her eyes seeming to dance with her changing expression. "Thy feelings are not unfounded. The nature of the black ''One'' is rare even in the long history of the continent of Mu. If allowed to grow unchecked, the consequences are difficult to foresee."


    LaUhta''s heart sank, his fingers unconsciously tightening. Nuwa''s confirmation transformed his concerns into reality. The wind passed through the treetops, leaves rustling as if trembling at this potential crisis.


    "Since thou now understandest the role of consciousness, examine anew thy own condition," Nuwa''s voice carried an irresistible power, like thunder breaking in the depths of winter. "Try to sense the ''One'' within thy body using thy consciousness, and then¡ª" her voice suddenly lowered, mysterious as a whisper, "attempt to cease its drawing in."


    LaUhta drew a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, slowly closing his eyes. He released the breath from his chest and abdomen gradually, like a mountain shedding its snow covering. His brow smoothed, his countenance grew peaceful, dispersing distracting thoughts and turning his full attention to the sensations within his body.


    The Ethereal Origin flowed like gentle streams from all directions into his body, transforming into the "One" under the guidance of his consciousness. He could clearly sense this process, as natural as perceiving his own breath. The sensation was both familiar and strange, both part of him yet seemingly separate. Those black particles within him pulsed like living things, sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing, yet always bound by some unseen force within his flesh, unable to escape.


    LaUhta concentrated fully on trying to intervene in this process with his consciousness, attempting to block the influx of Ethereal Origin. With his attempt, the surrounding grass blades began to tremble slightly, and a barely perceptible energy rippled through the air. Nuwa''s red dress swayed without wind, and a flash of surprise crossed her amber eyes.


    His brow gradually furrowed, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, his entire body tensing as if engaged in a silent, invisible struggle. Droplets fell from his hair, splashing on the rock beneath with tiny sounds.


    After a moment, LaUhta slowly opened his eyes, a glimmer of frustration and confusion passing through them. He shook his head gently, wiping away the sweat from his brow. His face was slightly flushed from the effort, like a climber struggling unsuccessfully against a sheer cliff face.


    "I cannot stop it," LaUhta''s voice was deep and calm, yet carried a barely detectable note of concern. "No matter how I try, I cannot block the inflow and transformation of the Ethereal Origin. Like the beating of the heart or the breathing of the lungs, this process seems to have become an instinct of my body, beyond the reach of conscious control."


    He looked up at Nuwa, his gaze holding both confusion and determination, an unyielding light shining from the depths of his dark eyes. "I can sense it, yet I cannot halt it. This differs from other ''Tao Seedlings,'' does it not?"


    Nuwa observed LaUhta''s furrowed brow and gently shook her head, her red hair dancing like flames in the morning light. Her crimson dress fluttered in the morning breeze, her amber eyes flashing with understanding and compassion. Deep within her eyes lurked a trace of barely discernible worry. Perhaps Torht had sent her to guide LaUhta precisely because he had perceived the abnormality of this black "One."


    "Perhaps our approach errs," Nuwa said softly, her voice clear and melodious as a stream. "Thou attemptst to completely cease the drawing in, which is like asking a fish to stop swimming in water, or a bird to cease flying in the sky¡ªagainst their natural essence."


    She sat gracefully cross-legged before LaUhta, her red dress spreading upon the grass like a still lake. Morning light filtered through the swaying tree leaves, casting dappled shadows across her delicate features, adding a layer of mystery to her presence.


    "Let us try a different approach," Nuwa''s slender finger rose slowly, lightly touching LaUhta''s chest, wisdom sparkling in her amber eyes. "Rather than viewing the drawing of Ethereal Origin as a separate process, imagine it attached to thy body, integrated with thee as breathing and heartbeat are, as one."


    A look of doubt flickered in LaUhta''s eyes, but he respectfully maintained silence, not interrupting. He adjusted his posture slightly, focusing intently on her words, like a devoted seeker before a sage''s teaching.


    "Close thine eyes, feel the ''One'' within," Nuwa''s voice was gentle yet firm, like a breeze passing through a bamboo grove, carrying an irresistible force. "Do not resist it, but accept it, embrace it, let it become part of thee. Then, imagine thy body as a vessel, with both capacity and limitation."


    LaUhta closed his eyes as instructed, drawing a deep breath, feeling it circulate through his chest and abdomen. Following Nuwa''s guidance, he adjusted his thoughts, no longer trying to resist the influx of Ethereal Origin, but accepting it, feeling how it flowed and transformed within him, like accepting sunlight, air, and water.


    "Good, now imagine every part of thy body resonating with the Ethereal Origin," Nuwa continued guiding, her voice calm yet powerful, like the moon directing the ebb and flow of tides. "When Ethereal Origin enters thy body, it is no longer a stranger, but returning home. The ''One'' within thee and the Ethereal Origin outside reach balance, flowing in and out in measure, like rivers entering the sea, each the reflection of the other."


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    LaUhta''s breathing gradually became steady and deep, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. Under Nuwa''s patient instruction, he began to view the drawing of Ethereal Origin as a natural function of his body, no longer deliberately resisting but trying to understand and accept it, as he accepted his heartbeat and breath. Yet the black "One" within him seemed to have a deeper connection than mere drawing in¡ªnot simply a relationship of absorption, but like two aspects of the same blood-bound entity. This perception both alarmed him and gave him a strange sense of kinship.


    "Imagine the Ethereal Origin as a stream, and thy body as part of that stream," Nuwa''s voice deepened, rich with rhythm, like an ancient ballad. "Water does not resist flowing, yet it knows when to move swiftly, when to move slowly. Similarly, thou needst not cease drawing in, but only adjust its rhythm to align with the principles of heaven and earth."


    LaUhta listened quietly to Nuwa''s words, his whole being immersed in this new experience. His brow gradually creased, fine beads of sweat again appearing on his forehead. After several attempts, the "One" within still moved according to its own will, uncontrollably flowing in from all directions, transforming, accumulating. A sense of defeat shadowed him, but he refused to surrender easily.


    On his fourth attempt, LaUhta''s body suddenly trembled slightly, his fingertips twitching involuntarily. The surrounding grass and trees swayed gently, as if pushed by an invisible force. Tiny ripples appeared on the stream''s surface, as if invisible fingers had touched the water. A flash of alertness crossed Nuwa''s eyes, but she did not intervene, only observing LaUhta''s condition more intently.


    LaUhta sensed that the black "One" within him had undergone a subtle change, yet remained difficult to control. He drew a deep breath, striving to calm his thoughts, not allowing frustration to overwhelm him. Suddenly, a thought flashed in his mind like the first ray of dawn. He slowly opened his eyes, a new hope and understanding shining in his dark, bright orbs.


    "You mentioned water knowing when to flow swiftly or slowly," LaUhta''s voice was calm yet filled with determination, wisdom sparking in his eyes. "This reminds me of the mystery of breathing."


    Nuwa tilted her head slightly, curiosity and expectation flashing in her amber eyes, her red hair moving gently with the motion, like a vivid flame. "LaUhta, hast thou gained some insight?"


    LaUhta drew a deep breath, then released it slowly, his long fingers indicating this seemingly simple yet profoundly mysterious action. "Breathing happens naturally, yet can also be controlled by consciousness. If the drawing of the ''One'' could be linked with breathing¡ª"


    He spoke no further, closing his eyes again, adjusting his breathing rhythm. LaUhta concentrated, focusing his attention on two things simultaneously: his even breathing and the flow of the ''One'' within him.


    When inhaling, he tried to guide his body to draw in Ethereal Origin; when exhaling, he attempted to pause this drawing. Initially, these two processes seemed entirely unrelated, each proceeding independently, like two parallel lines that would never intersect.


    LaUhta did not lose heart. He maintained his focus, breathing deeply again and again, attempting repeatedly to establish this subtle connection. Crystal beads of sweat rolled down from his forehead, along his cheeks, but his expression remained exceptionally calm, like a meditating practitioner transcending worldly concerns.


    In the silent forest, only the gentle murmur of the stream and LaUhta''s breathing intertwined, forming a mysterious harmony of nature. Nuwa stood aside, seemingly transformed into a statue, only the occasional gleam in her eyes showing she still closely observed this extraordinary ''Tao Seedling.''


    After numerous attempts, LaUhta''s brow remained furrowed, veins visible at his temples, revealing his inner struggle. The black "One" within him remained defiant, like a herd of untamed horses refusing to move according to his will. Each time he thought himself on the verge of success, that power slipped from his grasp like a playful child.


    Just as LaUhta nearly yielded to despair, a strange sensation suddenly arose from his chest and abdomen. It was an indescribable connection, as if some hidden switch had been activated. When he inhaled deeply, the Ethereal Origin began flowing in with his breath; and when he exhaled slowly, the rate of influx indeed slowed, though not completely stopping¡ªstill, it was a promising beginning.


    This sensation was both subtle and profound, like finding a key that opened a door to unknown realms. LaUhta could clearly feel the connection between his breathing and the "One," like two melodies intertwining and resonating within him. Those black particles seemed to respond to his breathing, like tides drawn by the moon, beginning to rise and fall gently with his breathing rhythm.


    Nuwa watched quietly, satisfaction gleaming in her amber eyes. She did not interrupt, merely sensing the subtle changes in the flow of Ethereal Origin around LaUhta. The corners of her delicate mouth turned upward slightly in a pleased and proud smile.


    When LaUhta opened his eyes, a drop of sweat rolled from his forehead and, upon touching the ground, flashed briefly with a black light, like ink dropping into clear water, vanishing in an instant. The black aura quickly dispersed, returning to invisibility, leaving only an ordinary water mark on the ground.


    A trace of surprise flashed in Nuwa''s eyes as she stared at where the water mark had disappeared, as if observing some mysterious phenomenon through an invisible barrier.


    "Thou hast mastered the basic method of breath guidance," Nuwa''s voice carried a note of joy, though the vigilance in her eyes had not diminished at all. "Just now, thy sweat contained the essence of the ''One,'' though quickly vanishing, it is evidence of progress. This is the first step, and also the most crucial. Controlling the ''One'' is like taming a wild horse, requiring gradual progress, not haste."


    Nuwa rose gracefully and continued: "We shall end here today. Thou hast found the correct path; the rest of the journey must be walked by thyself, like all rivers flowing east to the sea, all mountains facing one peak."


    LaUhta gently touched his forehead, recalling the strange sight of that droplet of sweat flashing with black light. He could feel a subtle change in the flow of the "One" within him; though still continuous, its rhythm had begun to be influenced by his breathing, like tides controlled by the moon''s gravity.


    "Where will you go?" LaUhta stood, brushing leaves from his sleeves, his voice carrying a hint of reluctance and expectation.


    "I must journey to the next settlement," Nuwa lifted her gaze toward the distant, undulating mountains, her red dress flowing in the morning breeze like a vibrant banner. Her gaze carried a sense of mission, as if she bore a burden unknown to others.


    She turned gracefully to face LaUhta, her amber eyes like two small suns, brilliantly illuminating the young man''s countenance. "On my return journey to the Heaven''s Path, I shall visit thee again to test thy progress."


    LaUhta nodded respectfully, straightening his back, carefully tucking the black pearl into his robe. His eyes held both reluctance to part and anticipation for the future.


    "Do not accompany me," Nuwa''s tone suddenly grew serious, her amber eyes looking directly at LaUhta, like two unfathomable pools. "Remember, thou must practice this method of breath guidance unceasingly, until it requires no conscious intervention, becoming natural as breathing, instinctive as heartbeat. Thy black ''One'' is extraordinary; if mastered, it will be supreme power; if uncontrolled, the consequences are beyond reckoning."


    "Only then wilt thou truly comprehend the way of control," Nuwa''s slender finger lightly touched LaUhta''s chest, her fingertip glowing faintly, as if containing some mysterious power. "Consciousness guides, the body remembers, ultimately reaching the state where the heart follows the will without thought, flowing like water and clouds, in harmony with heaven and earth."


    "When thou hast mastered breath control, I shall teach thee the method of releasing the ''One''," expectation and encouragement flashed in Nuwa''s eyes. She turned gracefully toward the forest path, her red dress like a splash of vivid dawn among the emerald woods, her skirts brushing the grass tips, stirring a gentle breeze, leaving a trail of fragrance.


    LaUhta watched Nuwa''s figure disappear into the depths of the forest, then looked down at his own hands. He stretched out his long fingers, feeling the flow of the "One" within, like tides under the moon, now with a subtle rhythm. He gently closed his fingers, making a fist, feeling the resonance between the black "One" within and his consciousness, like a gradually harmonizing melody.


    "Seven days," LaUhta murmured, "I shall use seven days to fully master this method of breath guidance."


    He sat cross-legged on the flat stone by the stream, adjusted his breathing, and began his long practice. The murmuring stream and gentle mountain breeze formed a perfect accompaniment to his cultivation. As his breathing deepened, he occasionally felt a black light shimmer at his fingertips, like ink diffusing in water, quickly fading¡ªlike two resonating tuning forks in the world, playing a mysterious melody only he could hear.


    LaUhta knew this journey had only just begun, with countless unknowns awaiting discovery. But in this moment, he had found the first key, opening the door to the "Path." The corners of his mouth turned upward slightly, revealing a determined smile.

 Chapter 8: Seven Days of Cultivation, The First Manifestation of Power

    Seven days passed like a dream, with mountains and waters as companions.


    After Nuwa''s departure, LaUhta dared not stray a single step from the streamside. The water flowed clear to its depths, sunlight penetrating the surface to cast dappled shadows upon the smooth stones below. Wind rustled through the forest leaves with a gentle whisper, like the murmuring voice of nature itself. Not knowing when Nuwa might return, and fearing to miss her vital teachings, he resolved to practice in place, patiently awaiting his mentor''s return.


    He paced along the edge of the stream, his gaze falling sometimes upon the glittering water, sometimes lifting toward the distant mountains. His footsteps formed a perfect circle, treading repeatedly over the same ground until the grass beneath lay flat and submissive. Each step was accompanied by conscious regulation of his breathing¡ªdrawing the Ethereal Origin into his body with each deep inhalation, deliberately slowing its flow with each careful exhalation, savoring this wondrous sensation like one might savor fine tea. The gentle babble of water, the whisper of wind through the treetops, the rhythm of breath and footsteps¡ªthese wove together into a simple, harmonious cadence.


    As dusk fell on the first day, the horizon was painted with fiery orange, and mountains stood like ink silhouettes against the twilight sky. LaUhta was surprised to find himself without the slightest hint of weariness, his mind even clearer than at dawn. His body had become like an ever-turning waterwheel, ceaselessly transforming the Ethereal Origin into the "One," while he remained at the center like an axle, observing this eternal cycle with both wonder and reverence.


    By the third day, dew hung like pearls upon grass tips, dampening his white robe. Droplets slid down the hem of his garment, yet failed to penetrate his concentration. Distant mountains appeared and disappeared in the morning mist, dreamlike as a watercolor painting. Birds came to forage, occasionally perching on nearby branches, tilting their heads curiously at this sleepless, restless human, offering chirping calls as if questioning his unwavering persistence. LaUhta smiled inwardly but maintained his steady pace, his spine straight as a pine tree, his face showing neither fatigue nor hunger.


    On the fifth day, heavy clouds rolled in from distant peaks, obscuring the sun. A sudden rain assaulted the forest, raindrops beating against leaves with a rapid patter, droplets striking his hair and shoulders, sliding down his cheeks like tears. LaUhta remained oblivious to the changing weather. Rain soaked him thoroughly, his white robe clinging to his body, outlining his tall figure, yet he continued his seemingly endless circular movement. The rain washed away his earlier footprints, softening the earth, but could not diminish his dedication to practice¡ªindeed, it only strengthened his resolve.


    At dawn of the seventh day, morning light filtered through the clouds like fine silk, bathing the silent glade in gold. The stream sparkled in the early light like flowing golden thread. Distant mountains gradually emerged from thin mist, like awakening giants. LaUhta continued walking his circle by the stream, his white robe damp with dew, gleaming softly in the morning light. Throughout these seven days, he had neither eaten nor slept, yet felt filled with a strange vitality, as if some mysterious energy sustained his life functions, making even breathing feel exceptionally light and comfortable.


    As the sunset painted the sky crimson, clouds layered like waves, adorning the heavens with splendid colors. LaUhta was completing his final circuit when he sensed a familiar presence approaching, like a gentle breeze against his face, bringing comfort to his heart. He immediately halted, turning his gaze toward the path. He saw Nuwa''s red dress, particularly vivid against the twilight, like a flower blooming in darkness. She approached with graceful steps, her long hair floating in the breeze, her face bearing a mysterious smile, her amber eyes gleaming in the fading sunlight.


    "Hast thou progressed in these seven days?" she asked, her voice clear as spring water. Nuwa offered no explanation of where she had been, and LaUhta did not presume to inquire, merely inclining his head respectfully.


    Nuwa found a flat rock by the stream and sat down, her legs naturally crossed, her red dress spreading across the stone surface like a blossoming flower, contrasting with her spring-green fingers and fair skin. She gestured that LaUhta could begin preparing grilled fish, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, the two beauty marks beneath her eyes appearing particularly lively as her expression changed.


    "After seven days of journeying, today I shall reward thee with grilled fish," Nuwa said cheerfully, mirth dancing in her eyes. The stream flowed beside her, occasionally raising tiny splashes, like the joy in her words.


    LaUhta nodded and turned toward the stream. He crouched down, eyes fixed intently on the water, focused as a hunter. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the streambed, as fish darted through patches of light and shadow. He held his breath, his arm suddenly plunging into the water like a loosed arrow, seizing a plump fish in one swift motion. Water splashed as the fish struggled violently in his grasp, its scales flashing silver in the sunlight, yet unable to escape his iron grip.


    With practiced movements, he prepared the fish on a flat stone, his technique fluid and graceful. Fresh blood ran through stone crevices into the stream, quickly diluted and washed away. From his waist, he took a small, finely crafted pouch, removing fine salt and wild herbs he had gathered, gently stuffing them into the fish cavity, ensuring even distribution of seasonings. Finding two bamboo tubes, he secured the fish between them, preventing the flesh from falling apart while preserving its moisture. He gathered dry bamboo twigs, arranged them neatly in a clearing, and produced fire stones from his person, quickly kindling a flame. Under his careful attention, the fire grew steadily, flames licking at the bamboo tubes, which emitted slight crackling sounds and released a distinctive fragrance that mingled with the aroma of fish in the air.


    They sat upon the ground, the fire dancing between them, light flickering across their faces¡ªone bright and animated, one still and composed. Nuwa''s gaze no longer focused on the grilling fish but penetrated beyond appearances to observe the energy flowing within LaUhta, her expression attentive and profound, as if perceiving the essential nature of all things.


    The fish turned golden and crisp under the flame''s caress, its aroma spreading irresistibly. LaUhta deftly removed the cooked fish from the bamboo tubes, carefully placing it on a clean leaf before him. The skin was golden and crisp, while the flesh remained juicy and tender, the fragrance of herbs perfectly melded with the savory fish, inspiring immediate appetite.


    Nuwa eagerly broke off a piece of fish and brought it to her mouth. She closed her eyes, savoring the taste, satisfaction spreading across her face. When her amber eyes reopened, they sparkled with delight. The fish was crisp outside yet tender within, its flavor lingering pleasantly in the mouth.


    "The bones are delicate enough to eat, the flesh tender and juicy¡ªthy skill at grilling fish has improved threefold since last we met," Nuwa praised, the beauty marks at the corners of her eyes rising slightly with her smile as she delicately wiped the oil from her lips.


    They dined quietly by the stream, with only the occasional crackling of fire and the gentle murmur of flowing water breaking the silence. The setting sun cast its crimson light upon the water, creating rippling golden reflections. The sky''s hue gradually shifted from orange-red to deep purple, finally darkening to deep blue, as stars began to twinkle in the night canopy like countless jewels adorning black velvet.


    When they had consumed the last morsel of fish, Nuwa gracefully wiped her hands and turned her attention to LaUhta, her expression growing serious. Though her posture remained relaxed, wisdom sparkled in her eyes. She carefully sensed the flow of the "One" within LaUhta, surprise and admiration flashing in her gaze.


    "The ''One'' within thee already follows thy breathing rhythm, increasing and pausing as thou focused on grilling the fish," Nuwa''s voice was clear and firm, like a stream flowing over smooth stones. "Though still somewhat rough and halting, it proves thy direction is true. Like one first learning to play a stringed instrument¡ªthe fingering may lack fluency, yet already produces melody."


    LaUhta listened silently, his eyes fixed upon the fire, flames dancing in his deep brown eyes, reflecting his contemplative expression. He felt a measure of satisfaction, but even more, a cautious reverence for the unknown path ahead.


    "A modest progress, I dare not claim mastery," LaUhta met Nuwa''s amber gaze directly, his tone steady as a mountain, humility mingled with determination. He knew his journey had barely begun, with countless unknowns yet to explore.


    "In the Tao Seedling stage, the ''One'' not only grants power but transforms the body''s very essence. Seven days without food or sleep¡ªhast thou felt hunger or weariness?" Nuwa asked, wisdom gleaming in her eyes.


    LaUhta started, reflecting on the dreamlike seven days of practice, sudden understanding dawning. Only now did he realize he had indeed felt neither hunger nor fatigue, and the revelation shook him deeply.


    "The ''One'' has become thy body''s wellspring; food is no longer thy source of energy, nor is sleep a necessity. The ''One'' eliminates impurities and residue within, sparing thee the burdens of mortal elimination. Thy physical form is transforming into a Tao body," Nuwa''s voice was like a gentle breeze, carrying a reassuring strength.


    The fire danced, illuminating LaUhta''s astonished face, light and shadow playing across his slightly parted lips and widened eyes. He unconsciously drew a deep breath, feeling the air flow into his lungs, fingers lightly touching his chest, as if to confirm these changes truly existed.


    "One day, even breathing will become a choice rather than necessity. The ''One'' will provide all thy body requires, needing nothing from the outside world. Like a serpent in winter sleep, breath faint yet life undiminished," her voice carried longing for the future, like the telling of a beautiful prophecy.


    "Yet thy most urgent task is not to cease drawing in, but to learn mastery over the ''One,''" Nuwa''s voice was like night wind through bamboo, clear and resolute. "Thou must seek a method of release, like carving new channels to direct floodwaters to safe harbors. Let thy consciousness guide the ''One,'' like reins in the hands of a horseman, neither too loose nor too tight, allowing the steed to gallop a thousand leagues."


    LaUhta gently stroked his arm, feeling the pulse of blood vessels beneath his skin, this body undergoing changes beyond his imagination, both familiar and strange. "Then this form will no longer be mortal?" His tone mingled reverence and anticipation, like one standing at the threshold of an unknown world.


    "The mortal form transforms, becoming a Tao body," Nuwa''s eyes gleamed with mystery, her amber pupils reflecting firelight like two small suns. "Thou art no longer the ''Uhta'' of old, but a growing ''Tao Seedling,'' like a seed breaking through soil, a sapling reaching toward sunlight. If thou canst master the ''One,'' thou shalt eventually earn the title of ''Tao,'' like a towering tree with deep roots and abundant foliage." Her voice brimmed with expectations for LaUhta''s future.


    LaUhta pondered briefly, his brow furrowing slightly, thoughts flowing like a rushing stream. Suddenly, a light flashed in his eyes, like stars in the night. "If breathing becomes unnecessary, might I then completely cease drawing in the Ethereal Origin?" His voice carried a note of hope, as if he had found a key to his dilemma.


    Hearing this, a complex light flashed through Nuwa''s amber eyes, like a breeze rippling across water. She shook her head gently, her red dress swaying in the darkness like a flower blooming in the night. "Thou thinkest too simply," her tone held both understanding and correction.


    The fire crackled, embers splitting with sparks flying, illuminating their faces like two ancient, mysterious statues granted life. Nuwa extended her fair fingers, tracing an elegant arc through the air, as if drawing an invisible picture. "Breathing and drawing in may synchronize, but the absence of breath does not mean cessation of drawing in." Her voice was gentle yet firm, like a smooth pebble in a stream, calm and immovable. "They are not one and the same, like river and riverbed¡ªcompanions yet each with its own nature."


    "Imagine a river flowing to the sea," Nuwa continued, her voice like night wind rustling bamboo leaves. "Thy breath regulation is like controlling a sluice gate, increasing or decreasing the water''s flow. But if the gates were abandoned entirely, the water would not cease but rush unimpeded, like a raging flood beast, breaking through embankments." Her metaphor was vivid, unfolding like a living painting before LaUhta.


    LaUhta''s expression grew solemn, a shadow of concern passing through his deep eyes like clouds obscuring moonlight. He unconsciously drew a deep breath, as if to confirm his control over breathing remained, fingers lightly touching his throat, seemingly feeling the flow of air.


    "In a state without breathing, thou wouldst likely draw in the Ethereal Origin without interruption," Nuwa''s gaze penetrated the darkness, meeting LaUhta''s eyes directly, like two bright lamps illuminating the night. "Like a collapsed dam with floods running unchecked, all restraint abandoned. The waterwheel spins wildly out of control, eventually destroying itself." Her voice carried a warning, like distant thunder heralding an approaching storm.


    The stream continued flowing in darkness, its gentle sounds seemingly confirming Nuwa''s words. LaUhta gazed silently at the flowing water, his thoughts like this never-ceasing stream, flowing toward an unknown destination, his heart filled with both questions and understanding.


    "Dost thou recall thy first encounter with the ''One''? What didst thou see and feel?" Nuwa asked, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable firmness, like a spring breeze containing an irresistible force.


    LaUhta remained silent for a moment, as if searching through long-sealed memories, like seeking a specific item in a cluttered storeroom. The stream''s gentle murmur filled this momentary silence, like the turning gears of time.


    "Fear, bone-deep, searing fear," LaUhta''s voice was low yet firm, his gaze seeming to pierce time and space back to that moment. "That black ''One'' poured into my body like a living thing, like countless fine needles piercing flesh, I felt as if standing above a boundless abyss, nothing beneath my feet, at any moment to fall into eternal darkness. It was not merely physical pain, but a trembling in the depths of my soul, as if I had gazed directly upon some unnameable existence."


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    "I feared losing control, feared that power would harm those in the settlement," his voice trembled slightly, his eyes flickering with the lingering shock of memory. "That fear remains to this day; whenever I feel the ''One'' flowing within me, I recall that helplessness and terror."


    Nuwa''s eyes widened slightly, understanding flashing in her amber orbs, like the final piece of a puzzle finding its place. She nodded gently, her red lips parting, her voice like the night wind''s whisper:


    "Fear is thy barrier, like a closed gate, blocking the flow of the ''One.'' Thy deep-hidden fear, like invisible shackles, prevents the ''One'' from leaving thy body, trapping it within a cage." Nuwa''s voice was gentle and profound, like a mother lulling a child to sleep.


    Nuwa rose gracefully, her red dress blossoming like a flower, stepping lightly to LaUhta''s side, settling cross-legged by the fire.


    "Thou must draw a map in thy mind, showing the ''One'' its path, like channeling water for irrigation, building ditches and embankments, guiding its direction." Nuwa''s slender fingers traced an arc in the air, as if drawing an invisible pattern. She picked up a smooth river stone, weighing its heft and shape. Her palm began to emit a soft orange glow, like the first ray of dawn, warm and full of hope.


    "Observe," Nuwa said softly, her voice melodious as a nightingale''s song.


    The river stone began to transform in her hand, as if molded by invisible fingers, finally taking the shape of an exquisite lotus, each petal lifelike, as if ready to bloom at any moment. She handed the stone lotus to LaUhta, its petals sharp-edged yet perfect, cool to the touch, gleaming softly in the moonlight.


    "This is the way of mastering the ''One.'' I infused the ''One'' into the stone, changing its structure, like a potter shaping clay, a painter wielding brush and ink," Nuwa explained, her voice clear as a mountain spring. "If the ''One'' finds no release, it becomes like flood without outlet, inevitably breaking the dam, harming oneself. With a path of release, it flows like rivers to the sea, drawing in and releasing in balance, the waterwheel turning ceaselessly, life continuing without end."


    LaUhta carefully held the stone lotus, examining its patterns in the moonlight as if treasuring a priceless artifact. Moonlight outlined each delicate line, each petal''s curve. His gaze reflected understanding and longing, like a thirsty traveler glimpsing a spring. "How might I learn this art?" His voice held urgency, like parched earth awaiting sweet rain.


    Nuwa sat gracefully beside him, her red dress spreading like a blossoming flower. She extended her hand toward his chest, where the "One" was most active. "Thou must sense the flow of the ''One'' within, like feeling blood coursing through vessels, perceiving its pulse and rhythm. Then, try to guide it to thy fingertips, like water directed into channels, droplets forming streams, streams gathering into seas." Her voice was deep and powerful, like a bell echoing through mountains, conveying ancient wisdom.


    LaUhta set down the stone lotus, closed his eyes, his back straight as a pine, his breathing even and deep. Moonlight outlined his strong profile, like an unbreakable fortress. He tried to sense the energy flowing within, concentrating all his awareness, like a hunter tracking prey, missing no trace. In his perception, the "One" flowed like countless tiny points of light, bright and active, yet like multitudes of disobedient small fish, refusing to follow his imagined path toward his fingertips.


    Through sun and moon, the murmuring stream witnessed LaUhta''s countless attempts and failures. He adjusted his breathing, focused his mind, yet remained unable to breach that invisible barrier, like a bird trapped in a transparent cage, seeing the outside world but unable to reach it. Each attempt made him more acutely aware of that fear¡ªthe instinctive dread of the "One," like an invisible wall binding energy within him, refusing release.


    LaUhta opened his eyes, shaking his head to indicate his attempt had ended in failure, frustration briefly crossing his face, like a confident traveler discovering he had taken the wrong path.


    "How strange," Nuwa''s voice held puzzlement, like encountering an unsolvable riddle. "Even as a new ''Tao Seedling,'' one should control scattered ''One'' flows, like a newborn instinctively clenching its fist. Hast thou truly no sense of it? Like a blind man touching an elephant, knowing it exists yet unable to perceive its form?" Her brow furrowed slightly, making the two beauty marks at the corners of her eyes more prominent, like two small stars in the night sky.


    LaUhta looked down at his hands, long fingers white as jade in the moonlight. "I can sense the ''One'' within, flowing like a stream, never ceasing. Yet I cannot guide its direction, like watching water but unable to determine its course, a boat following waves, powerless to steer." His voice carried a touch of resignation, yet no indication of surrender, like a traveler facing obstacles, pausing to consider the path ahead.


    Nuwa pondered briefly, the two beauty marks beneath her eyes becoming more pronounced as she frowned slightly, like two small black pearls set in white jade.


    "Perhaps we should try another approach, finding a hidden path, an uncharted course." Nuwa rose gracefully, her skirts flowing like ripples in water. She paced behind LaUhta, movements elegant as a dancer. Her red dress swayed gently in the night breeze, like a flower blooming in darkness. She bent forward, her hands gently resting on LaUhta''s broad shoulders, slender fingers transmitting warmth through his garments.


    LaUhta felt the warmth from Nuwa''s fingertips, starting slightly, his back tensing like a wary beast. Those hands appeared delicate yet contained boundless power, like a handful of fire in winter, warm and full of vitality.


    "Follow my breathing, feel the flow of the ''One,'' like a boat following waves, drifting with the current," Nuwa''s voice was like a night stream, clear and peaceful. Her breathing had a special rhythm, inhaling slowly and deeply like earth absorbing rain, exhaling gently and evenly like spring breeze across flower fields.


    LaUhta closed his eyes, attempting to match Nuwa''s breathing rhythm, like two parallel streams gradually merging into one. He felt Nuwa''s hands applying gentle pressure, like invisible strings guiding a puppet, directing the flow of the "One" within. The sensation was wondrous and unfamiliar, like a stream in rock crevices suddenly finding a new outlet, both exciting and nerve-wracking.


    "The ''One'' must follow thy will, like arm commanding finger, thought preceding action," Nuwa''s voice was gentle yet firm, resonating by LaUhta''s ear like an ancient incantation. Her right hand slid from his shoulder, grasping his wrist and gently lifting it, their fingertips touching like messengers passing secrets. In the moonlight, Nuwa''s fingertips gleamed with a faint light, like fragments of stars, as the "One" flowed from her body, forming a thin line of light in the air, like a golden thread suspended in space.


    "Observe," Nuwa said softly, her voice like a bell echoing through mountains. The light traced a graceful arc in the air, like an invisible brush painting the moonlit landscape. "Extend thy consciousness beyond thy body, and the ''One'' will follow, like vines climbing walls, requiring no deliberate control, but natural guidance, allowing it to grow freely."


    Nuwa released LaUhta''s wrist, her hands again resting on his shoulders like two settled butterflies. "The ''One'' is not foreign to thee but an extension of thy consciousness, obeying thy command like limbs. To control the ''One'' is truly to control thyself, like raising an arm or extending a finger, natural and effortless, like flowing clouds and water, heaven and man as one."


    LaUhta followed Nuwa''s guidance, extending his hands, long fingers like carved white jade in the moonlight. He closed his eyes in concentration, his brow slightly furrowing, attempting to push the "One" outward from his body. He focused intently, facial muscles tensing slightly, his jawline becoming more pronounced, like a profile carved from marble. Moonlight outlined his tall figure, forming a silent silhouette in the darkness, like a pine atop a mountain peak, straight and resilient.


    The "One" within him moved like schools of active fish, darting through his bloodstream, sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing, yet refusing to flow along his imagined path toward his fingertips, like mischievous children ignoring commands. LaUhta increased the force of his will, his brow furrowing deeper, as if building an invisible dam in his mind, guiding that energy outward, like a shepherd directing his flock.


    Nuwa observed silently, standing beside the dying embers, like a patient teacher. Her red dress swayed gently in the breeze, like a flower in perpetual bloom. Her amber eyes flickered with thoughtful light, her brow slightly furrowed, the two beauty marks beneath her eyes particularly distinct with her expression, like stars in the night sky. Her gaze penetrated beyond appearances, directly perceiving the flow of the "One" within LaUhta, seeking the cause behind this abnormal phenomenon, like a healer diagnosing illness.


    LaUhta''s condition differed drastically from any "Tao Seedling" she had encountered before, the abundance of "One" within him astonishing, like turbulent currents beneath a placid lake surface, yet unable to be directed outward¡ªthis contradictory state deeply puzzled Nuwa, like facing an unsolvable enigma.


    Frustration rose like a tide, like waves battering coastal reefs, again and again. The accumulated disappointment finally erupted, like a long-silent volcano suddenly bursting forth. LaUhta struck a nearby rock with his fist, unleashing his inner vexation without restraint. Fist meeting stone produced a dull thud, like distant thunder.


    In that instant, when his fist contacted the rock, a faint trace of the "One''s" energy transferred from his knuckles to the stone, like electricity through a conductor. The stone''s surface briefly flashed with a transient shadow, like ink dropped into clear water, spreading then vanishing, like ripples in moonlight, gone in an eyeblink, like a fragment of dream, fleeting and ephemeral.


    Seeing this, Nuwa''s amber eyes immediately brightened like stars, like a treasure-seeker discovering a prize, excitement and joy flashing in her gaze. She keenly perceived this momentary phenomenon, like a hunter catching traces of prey. Quickly crouching down, her red dress blooming like a flower upon the stone, she picked up the rock LaUhta had struck, her slender fingers gently caressing its surface, examining it closely, like a jeweler appraising a gem. The stone''s surface had returned to normal, but Nuwa was certain of what she had seen, like witnessing lightning across the night sky¡ªthough fleeting, undeniably real.


    "The stone bears the mark of the ''One''! Like sunlight reflecting on water, momentary yet truly present!" Nuwa''s voice could not conceal her excitement, like an explorer discovering a new continent. Her red dress swayed with her movement as she rose, like a banner in the wind. She tossed the stone toward LaUhta, the stone tracing a graceful arc in the morning light, like a shooting star across the sky.


    LaUhta caught the stone, feeling its coolness and weight in his palm, his expression confused, brow slightly furrowed, like facing an incomprehensible puzzle. He could sense nothing unusual about the stone, merely an ordinary river pebble, smooth and cool, like one among countless similar stones.


    "When thou struck the stone in anger, some of the ''One'' followed thy fist, attaching to the stone, like a snake shedding its skin, leaving a trace," Nuwa walked quickly to LaUhta''s side, her hair flowing gently with her steps, wisdom gleaming in her eyes like lanterns in darkness. "This may be thy path, for each person''s way differs, like mountains with many trails leading to the summit, different routes reaching the same destination." Her voice carried joy and encouragement, like spring wind melting snow, bringing life and hope.


    LaUhta looked down at the stone in his hand, turning it over repeatedly, as if recalling the sensation of that moment, his brow gradually smoothing, like clouds parting to reveal clear sky.


    "Close thine eyes," Nuwa''s voice was gentle yet firm, like wind chimes in a breeze. "Imagine this stone not as external, but an extension of thy body, like arm to torso, like branch to trunk. As thou commandest thy limbs, as thou controllest thy body, thy thought becomes action, requiring no deliberate effort." Her voice was low yet powerful, carrying an irresistible magic, guiding LaUhta''s consciousness.


    LaUhta closed his eyes as instructed, like a meditating monk, his palm conforming to the stone''s curve, feeling its temperature and texture. He tried to extend his consciousness into the stone, viewing it as part of his own body, natural as finger or arm, like trunk and branch, inseparable. Initially, this feeling was utterly foreign, like groping through an unknown passage in darkness, directionless.


    "The flow of the ''One'' requires consciousness to guide it, like a river needs its bed," Nuwa stood nearby, her voice passing like a gentle breeze, soft yet firm. "Thy ''One'' perhaps can only be conducted through contact, like electricity requiring a conductor, rather than released at a distance like wind moving leaves. Do not resist this nature, follow its course, like sailing with the current rather than against it." The two beauty marks beneath her eyes appeared particularly distinct due to her concentration, like two black pearls set in white jade.


    Hearing this, LaUhta drew another deep breath, his chest rising slightly, concentrating all his attention on the rough stone in his palm, as if nothing else existed in the world. He strove to eliminate distractions, focusing solely on sensing the stone''s presence, like an infant gripping its mother''s finger.


    Gradually, with the passage of time, a wondrous connection formed in his consciousness, like two streams merging into a river. The sensation was profound yet ineffable, yet undeniably real, as if the stone were no longer a cold external object, but a fleshy extension of his palm, connected to his blood, sinew, and bone, like an extension of his body. He felt the "One" within beginning to flow, no longer chaotic and directionless like headless flies darting aimlessly, but with clear purpose¡ªsurging toward the stone, like a river finding its path to the sea.


    In the morning light, the stone''s surface began to undergo a subtle transformation, like ice melting, gradually revealing a new appearance. Its originally grayish-white surface slowly took on a faint black tinge, like ink dropped in clear water, gradually spreading, steadily permeating. The black deepened, like sunset yielding to darkness, light gradually consumed by shadow. From light gray to deep gray, finally becoming pure, absolute black, like a starless, moonless night sky, bottomless.


    This blackness was not an ordinary color, but a depth that devoured light, like a bottomless abyss. Morning light fell upon the stone, yet showed no reflection, as if completely absorbed, like light falling into a black hole, never to return. That blackness was like a fragment of the void, bottomless, seemingly able to consume all light, like an insatiable glutton.


    The stone in LaUhta''s palm turned black as ink, like a piece of solidified void, a fragment torn from nothingness. An instinctive fear suddenly seized his heart, like being gripped by a great hand around the throat, suffocating and terrifying. This feeling echoed the fear he had experienced when first touching the "One," like facing an incomprehensible abyss, like looking directly into the eyes of a demon. This stone was no longer stone, but had become something beyond his control, as if he held blazing fire rather than stone in his palm.


    That blackness seemed to spread, as if it would devour his hand, like a hand reaching from darkness, pulling him into endless depths. LaUhta''s pupils contracted sharply, his eyes wide with fear, like seeing a monster from nightmares. Fear instantly occupied his thoughts, like clouds obscuring sunlight, reason drowned by primitive panic, like a beast facing fire, retaining only the instinct to flee.


    "This¡ª"


    He instinctively hurled the stone toward an empty clearing, his movement swift and unrestrained, like casting away a red-hot iron, as if desperate to distance himself from this object of terror. The force of his throw was so great that his body leaned forward, like an archer releasing all strength into the shot. As the stone left his hand, LaUhta felt a connection severed, like cutting an invisible thread, his heart feeling both relief and loss.


    The black stone traced a low arc through the air, its speed so great it left a blurred black shadow, like ink trailing across white paper. Nuwa''s eyes widened slightly, that black trajectory reflected in her amber pupils, as if witnessing an incredible miracle.


    Hundreds of paces away, when the stone struck the ground, a deafening explosion suddenly rang out, like thunder crashing beside one''s ear, causing even the stream to tremble, raising ripples across its surface. The black stone seemed not to fall to earth, but to strike with incomparable, enormous force, like a meteorite crashing from beyond the sky. The ground at the point of impact instantly shattered, like dry land torn apart by mighty force, soil and stone fragments blasting in all directions, like an exploding flower, forming a crater nearly ten feet deep, its edges charred as if scorched by intense fire.


    Dense dust rose skyward, like a massive grayish-brown flower blooming in morning light, obscuring vision. The blast wave even lifted fallen leaves by the stream, sending them spinning through the air, dispersing the morning mist, like an invisible giant''s hand sweeping across the land. LaUhta stood astonished, eyes wide with shock, unable to believe what he had witnessed, like one observing a divine miracle. That mere palm-sized river stone had released such devastating power, as if containing the might of a thousand thunderbolts.


    He looked toward Nuwa, his eyes filled with shock and confusion, seeming to seek explanation, yet also confirming he was not dreaming. Nuwa''s amber eyes similarly flashed with surprise, but even more with joy and expectation, like seeing a seed breaking through soil, promising future harvest.

 Chapter 9: Journey Through the Inner Realm, Conquering Fear

    Nuwa stood motionless, her red dress swaying gently in the morning breeze, blinking in rare astonishment. The twin beauty marks beneath her eyes appeared particularly distinct as her eyebrows rose in surprise.


    "Black ''One''..." Nuwa''s beauty marks became more pronounced as she furrowed her brow slightly, her amber eyes reflecting the morning light and distant dust cloud.


    Her thoughts drifted back to the time she had spent with Torht many years ago. Torht''s "Void," that strange, dark power, resembled a flowing abyss. Now, LaUhta''s "One" was this same rare black color¡ªfar from ordinary. Perhaps Torht had sent her to guide LaUhta precisely because he had discerned something unusual about this black "One."


    Nuwa waved away the drifting dust. "Interesting," she said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she circled LaUhta. "It seems thou canst not release the ''One'' as others do, yet thou canst infuse it into objects through touch." After pondering a moment, she smiled: "This is a unique path, perhaps requiring its own approach, developing into something extraordinary."


    LaUhta gazed down at his hands, seemingly still recovering from the shock. That power had been immense, yet instantly beyond control. He remembered the sensation of the black stone in his hand, that wondrous connection as if it were joined to his flesh, and the indescribable fear that followed.


    "I¡ª" LaUhta''s voice trembled slightly, "the stone, it turned black as ink."


    Nuwa nodded, understanding gleaming in her amber eyes. "Thou infused the ''One'' into the stone, just as I shaped the ''One'' into earthen form. The difference is that thy ''One'' seems to contain immense energy." She picked up another small stone and offered it to LaUhta. "Wouldst thou try once more?"


    LaUhta hesitated, then extended his hand to accept the stone. He carefully extended his consciousness toward it, attempting as before. However, fear shadowed his efforts¡ªwhenever he felt the "One" beginning to flow toward the stone, that bottomless dark memory would surface, interrupting his attempt.


    "I cannot," LaUhta shook his head. "Whenever the ''One'' begins to flow, fear follows."


    Nuwa tilted her head, the two beauty marks at the corners of her eyes appearing particularly lively with her changing expression. Rather than disappointment, she showed even deeper curiosity.


    "Perhaps thou needst journey through the Inner Realm path to fully master the ''One''," Nuwa''s voice flowed clear as a stream, carrying a subtle suggestion. "The Inner Realm is where Tao practitioners perceive their true selves, glimpsing the depths of their hearts. Usually it requires much practice to enter."


    "Inner Realm?" A flash of confusion and curiosity crossed LaUhta''s eyes.


    Nuwa nodded slightly without further explanation, merely saying gently: "Fear, too, belongs to perception. Do not flee from it, but face it directly."


    LaUhta drew a deep breath, looking hesitantly at the stone in Nuwa''s hand. Fear still circled in his heart like a bird refusing to depart. Yet the trust in Nuwa''s amber eyes gave him courage. Slowly he extended his hand, accepting the ordinary river stone.


    "Face fear directly," he repeated Nuwa''s words silently, fingers gripping the stone, feeling its rough surface.


    Nuwa stood nearby, the two beauty marks beneath her eyes shifting slightly with her attentive expression. She could sense the flow of the "One" within LaUhta changing, becoming more ordered, more focused.


    LaUhta closed his eyes, concentrating fully on extending his consciousness toward the stone in his hand. This time, he did not resist the fear that followed but faced it directly, accepting it, allowing that feeling to penetrate his heart.


    The "One" began flowing from his body into the stone, first as subtle black markings crawling across its surface, then gradually spreading until the entire stone turned pure black. This was no ordinary black, but a darkness so deep it seemed to devour all light.


    The moment the stone turned completely black, LaUhta felt a powerful pulling force emanate from it. His consciousness was suddenly dragged inward, as if caught in an invisible vortex. The surroundings began to distort and fade¡ªthe sound of flowing water, the wind, birdsong all gradually receded, replaced by an unprecedented silence. He tried to call out, but his voice was swallowed by this strange transformation. After the last ray of reality''s light vanished, he found himself in a boundless dark space.


    This was not the physical world, but a realm formed purely of consciousness. Here, thoughts became reality, emotions took tangible form. LaUhta could feel his fear materializing in this space, surrounding him like black mist.


    In the distance, countless tiny points of light flickered in the darkness, spread like stars across this universe of consciousness. Each light seemed to contain some memory or emotion, drawing him to explore.


    In the material world, Nuwa saw LaUhta''s body suddenly become rigid, the stone in his hand emitting an unusual black light. She immediately realized what had happened, her eyes widening slightly.


    "Inner Realm..." Nuwa whispered, surprise flashing in her eyes. "To enter unbidden is exceedingly rare."


    LaUhta stood motionless, his body completely still, yet his consciousness had journeyed to another realm, a wondrous world that only Tao practitioners could touch.


    In that boundless space of consciousness, LaUhta wandered aimlessly. The points of light in the darkness surrounded him like fireflies, sometimes near, sometimes far, emitting a faint yet steady glow. His thoughts took physical form, leaving a blurred trail behind him, marking his path through the void.


    As he ventured deeper, the surrounding darkness gradually condensed, becoming heavier. Those scattered emotions of fear began gathering in one place, as if shaped by invisible hands. Initially just a vague black mist, the vapor slowly solidified, taking human form.


    The figure stood half a head taller than LaUhta, entirely black, like a silhouette dipped in ink. It had no facial features, yet gave the impression of watching. It stood silent, unmoving, yet emanated a wordless pressure.


    "What manner of being art thou?" LaUhta demanded, his voice echoing through the vast consciousness space.


    The black figure slowly raised its hand, pointing to LaUhta''s chest. "I am thy fear, dwelling in thy heart, born of thy thoughts." Its voice did not travel through air but sounded directly in LaUhta''s mind, deep and hollow.


    LaUhta stepped back, warily eyeing this entity formed from his fears. "Why dost thou appear?"


    "Thou seekst to control the ''One,'' yet the ''One'' and I are intertwined," the shadow floated forward, more sliding than walking. "I am the essence of the ''One,'' the ''One'' is my form. Release me, and thou shalt master the ''One''."


    "Release thee?" LaUhta''s brow furrowed.


    The shadow extended its hand, pointing toward the scattered lights in the distance. "Fear is the source of power, contained it weakens, released it strengthens. Thou confine me within thy body, the ''One'' is likewise limited."


    It drew near to LaUhta, its black face almost touching his. "Let go, release me, and thy ''One'' shall reveal its full potential."


    LaUhta felt a chill rise up his spine. This fear was not external, but sourced from deep within his heart¡ªhis instinctive dread of the "One," a complex emotion woven of awe and fear toward that power.


    The shadow''s words coiled around LaUhta''s mind like a poisonous serpent. "Let go, release me"¡ªthese simple words echoed through the consciousness space, triggering deep resistance within LaUhta''s heart. He instinctively shook his head, stepping backward.


    "No, if I release thee, the consequences would be unthinkable," LaUhta''s voice trembled through the consciousness space.


    The featureless face of the shadow seemed to convey a hint of mockery. "What dost thou fear in me?"


    LaUhta''s thoughts churned, fear surging like a tide. In this space composed purely of consciousness, thought was reality. As his fear deepened, the surrounding darkness began to twist and reshape, like clay kneaded by invisible hands, gradually forming new scenes.


    The darkness dispersed, replaced by familiar images of the Lagu settlement. Thatched roofs gleamed golden in sunlight, villagers moved busily between dwellings, children''s laughter filled the air. This was his homeland from memory, warm and peaceful.


    Yet this tranquil scene was quickly broken. The shadow appeared silently in the village center, like a moving patch of darkness. The villagers seemed unable to perceive its presence, remaining absorbed in their daily lives.


    The shadow extended its hand, lightly touching a passing villager. That person instantly collapsed, life seeming to drain away. There was no struggle, no cry of pain, only the extinguishing of life in an instant.


    LaUhta''s heart pounded violently, fear spreading through him like wildfire. He wanted to shout, to warn the villagers, but his voice remained trapped in his throat.


    The shadow continued its advance, and wherever it passed, life withered. Elders, adults, women, children¡ªnone were spared. It needed no weapon; a mere touch took life. The entire village became a place of deathly silence within minutes, laughter forever replaced by silence.


    LaUhta saw Canglian fallen before the altar, those eyes once full of wisdom now empty and sightless. He watched the villagers who had cared for him fall one by one, their lives like candles in the wind, easily extinguished.


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    The shadow stood amid the ruins of the village, surrounded by countless departed lives. It slowly turned to face LaUhta, and though featureless, seemed to smile.


    LaUhta fell to his knees, trembling fingers clawing at the ground of the consciousness space. The scene before him was like a thousand knives, carving his heart piece by piece. Canglian, the villagers, everything he knew¡ªall reduced to nothing under this shadow of fear. Tears welled from his eyes, becoming luminous points in the consciousness space, floating around him.


    "No... no..." LaUhta''s voice was utterly broken, like torn cloth. His chest heaved violently, his breathing rapid and chaotic. The consciousness space trembled with his emotional turmoil, surrounding scenes twisting as if kneaded by invisible hands.


    The images of villagers dispersed one by one, until only Canglian''s figure remained. The old man''s kind face blurred, the light of life in his eyes gradually fading. "Thou art not my son, yet dearer than a son..." Canglian''s voice echoed like a distant sound in the consciousness space. "May thou become a Tao, protecting us all..."


    With these final words, Canglian''s image also dissolved into nothingness.


    LaUhta''s emotions finally collapsed. He released a heart-rending wail that echoed through the consciousness space, transforming into countless waves of energy expanding outward. His pain, sorrow, fear¡ªall negative emotions reached their peak in this moment, breaking through like floodwaters through a dam, unstoppable.


    In this abyss of despair, a thought rose in LaUhta''s heart like the first ray of dawn: "This is not reality, but a projection of my inner fear. As Canglian said, the ''One'' connects with my will; the more I fear it, the more powerful it becomes."


    The consciousness space shook violently from his emotional outburst, the floating lights scattering like startled fireflies. The shadow stood in place, silently watching it all, like an artist satisfied with his work.


    Yet LaUhta''s emotions did not subside. With the fall of his final tear, a new emotion began rising in his heart. No longer helpless fear or desperate grief, but a burning, searing anger.


    "Thou art not an external entity, but my own projection," LaUhta slowly rose, his gaze burning. "I need not fear myself, only accept and master."


    That anger burned like a flame in his chest, rapidly spreading throughout his body. The temperature of the consciousness space seemed to rise with it, the floating lights beginning to rotate faster, forming a vortex surrounding LaUhta and the shadow.


    LaUhta rose slowly to his feet, that anger materializing like red flame rising around him. This flame enveloped his entire body, from hair tips to fingertips, every inch of skin seeming scorched as by molten lava, emanating burning heat. His eyes no longer shed weak tears, replaced by flames of anger dancing within, flashing with dangerous, intimidating light. That brightness was no longer the gloom of sorrow, but a searing flame, cutting through the darkness of the consciousness space, staining everything crimson.


    "You... you created all this!" LaUhta''s voice roared like a wild beast, each word filled with uncontainable rage.


    LaUhta spoke no more, concentrating his wrath into his fist, red light dancing upon his knuckles. He suddenly pushed off the ground, his form shooting forward like a released arrow, accompanied by the sound of tearing air, charging directly at the shadow.


    The shadow made no move to dodge, raising its arm to meet LaUhta''s attack with its own fist. The two fists collided in the consciousness space without earthshaking sound, yet released an invisible shockwave. The space rippled like a calm lake surface struck by a massive stone, surrounding lights scattering in all directions.


    Though his first strike did not land, LaUhta''s assault continued like a storm. He punched, kicked, each attack wrapped in consuming flames of rage. Fists whistled, legs blurred, the consciousness space becoming a battlefield of raging waves.


    The shadow''s form drifted elusively, moving like a specter between LaUhta''s attacks. Occasionally it raised a hand to block, its black arm colliding with LaUhta''s fiery limbs, releasing silent waves of energy. With each contact, LaUhta felt a cold force attempting to infiltrate his consciousness, only to be burned away by his flames of anger.


    "Fear is but an illusion of the heart, born of a thought, ended by a thought," LaUhta''s consciousness grew clearer through battle. "I need neither flee nor submit, only face and transcend."


    The shadow gradually changed tactics, no longer merely evading. It began to counter-attack, its black fists like hammers from the abyss, carrying an annihilating deathly aura, striking toward LaUhta.


    LaUhta roared, advancing rather than retreating. He lowered his body, dodging the shadow''s heavy blow, closing in with his right fist launching like a cannonball toward the shadow''s chest.


    At his knuckles, red flame condensed into a sharp cone, carrying the determination to burn everything. When the flame contacted the shadow''s body, it made a hissing sound like a red-hot brand touching ice. The shadow''s chest was pierced by flame, leaving a charred hole like fire-burned cloth.


    The shadow''s form suddenly stiffened, its previously fluid movements becoming sluggish. It looked down at the hole in its chest, where black mist was dissipating, unable to reform. This embodiment of fear seemed to feel pain, silently opening its mouth but unable to make a sound.


    LaUhta gave it no chance to recover. Pressing his advantage, his fists fell like heavy rain, each blow carrying consuming rage, each precisely striking the hole in the shadow''s chest. The flames continuously eroded, expanded, the shadow''s form melting rapidly like ice under a burning sun.


    Black mist escaped from the shadow''s body, drifting through the consciousness space, emitting despairing whimpers. The once-solid form of the shadow became ethereal, its outline blurring as if ready to dissipate at any moment. It staggered backward, trying to distance itself from LaUhta, yet pursued relentlessly by angry flames.


    Finally, under LaUhta''s last devastating blow concentrating all his rage, the shadow released a silent wail and completely collapsed. Its black body shattered into countless fragments, like dust scattered by fierce wind, ultimately dissipating into nothingness. In the consciousness space, only endless void remained, and the still-burning red flames surrounding LaUhta.


    With the complete dissolution of fear, LaUhta felt an unprecedented lightness wash over him like a tide, cleansing every corner of his consciousness. The invisible shackles that had long bound his mind were broken at this moment; he felt his consciousness freed from bodily constraints, light and unfettered. He sensed himself becoming one with the boundless void, without boundaries or obstacles, his consciousness extending infinitely, vast as the limitless universe, a sense of omnipotent power filling his entire being.


    Nuwa stood by the stream, her slender fingers lightly touching the beauty mark beneath her left eye, concentration gleaming in her amber gaze. She could sense the "One" within LaUhta undergoing dramatic change, those once chaotic, disordered energy waves gradually stabilizing, like a turbulent stream suddenly transformed into a calm lake.


    "Interesting," Nuwa murmured, her red dress swaying gently in the breeze.


    The stone in LaUhta''s hand emitted an unusual black light, not like common brightness but more like a light-devouring black abyss. Nuwa could sense the concentration of the "One" within the stone had reached a level beyond ordinary imagination, nearly exceeding what material substances could endure.


    Just as Nuwa considered whether to intervene, a sudden change occurred. The "One" within LaUhta suddenly erupted in a powerful wave, like an earthquake beneath a calm sea. Then, the wave quickly subsided, but this calm differed entirely from before¡ªit was an ordered, controlled stillness.


    The black light on the stone instantly vanished, and LaUhta''s eyes snapped open.


    He drew a deep breath, like one who had held his breath underwater too long finally surfacing. He looked around, his gaze somewhat confused, as if awakening from a long dream.


    "How long has passed?" LaUhta asked hoarsely, his voice carrying a trace of fatigue.


    Nuwa tilted her head slightly, the twin beauty marks at her eyes appearing more vivid with her expression. "The space of a single breath," she answered softly, the corners of her lips curving in a gentle smile.


    LaUhta stared at her in shock, his face filled with disbelief. In his perception, that confrontation with fear had lasted several days. He could clearly recall every detail, every clash, every moment of pain and anger. Yet in the real world, all this had transpired in but an instant.


    "Impossible, I felt so much time had passed..." LaUhta murmured, his gaze falling on the ordinary stone in his hand, now restored to its original state.


    Nuwa observed LaUhta''s shocked expression, her lips curving slightly upward. She gracefully stepped closer, her red dress swaying gently in the breeze.


    "Thou entered the Inner Realm," Nuwa''s voice was soft yet certain, the twin beauty marks beneath her eyes becoming more animated with her expression.


    LaUhta frowned in confusion: "Inner Realm?"


    "The Inner Realm is how Tao practitioners know themselves," Nuwa explained, her fingertip lightly touching her forehead. "A world constructed by thy consciousness, not external but internal landscape. Through the Inner Realm, Tao practitioners understand themselves, enabling the ''One'' to work in harmony with the body."


    LaUhta looked down at the stone in his hand, reflecting on his recent experience. That boundless dark space, those flickering lights, that shadow formed from his fear¡ªeverything had felt so real, yet dreamlike.


    "The Inner Realm differs with each person, reflecting the Tao''s inner heart," Nuwa continued, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "How didst thou enter? I thought thou wouldst need much longer guidance."


    LaUhta contemplated briefly, recalling the circumstances. "When I tried to infuse the ''One'' into the stone, I suddenly felt a powerful pull. My consciousness... was drawn in," he said hesitantly, seemingly uncertain himself. "The ''One'' must have taken me there."


    Surprise flashed in Nuwa''s eyes as she raised her delicate eyebrows. "Drawn into the Inner Realm by the ''One''?" She nodded thoughtfully. "This is rare indeed. Most Tao practitioners require deliberate cultivation to enter the Inner Realm."


    LaUhta turned the stone in his hand, feeling its ordinary texture, entirely different from its pure black transformation moments before. "There... I met my own fear," he said softly, his gaze somewhat distant.


    LaUhta drew a deep breath and began recounting his experience in the Inner Realm. He described the boundless darkness, the lights flickering like fireflies, and the black figure formed from his fear.


    "That vision showed me... the annihilation of the entire settlement," LaUhta''s voice carried a slight tremor, but unlike before, this trembling held no fear, only a resolve born from facing possibility. "I understood that it was not prophecy, but my deepest concern. I feared my power would harm those I love, and this worry became the very shackle binding me."


    He raised his hand, looking at his palm where a faint black energy flowed at his fingertips, no longer as uncontrollable as before. "Only when I faced and conquered this fear did I truly understand the way of mastery."


    Nuwa suddenly laughed softly, the twin beauty marks beneath her eyes appearing especially lively with her expression.


    "Thou art truly singular in thy approach," she said, shaking her head slowly, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. "To confront it head-on in such a manner."


    LaUhta paused, then scratched his head somewhat awkwardly: "Is... something wrong with that?"


    "I speak not of wrong," Nuwa''s smile deepened. "Only that thy directness is surprising. Inner fears are illusions; most choose to understand, accept, or transcend them. Thou chose the most primal approach¡ªbeating it to pieces."


    Nuwa gracefully twirled, her red dress tracing a beautiful arc through the air. "It suits thy nature well," she added with a playful smile.


    LaUhta recalled his savage attacks in the Inner Realm and suddenly found it somewhat amusing himself. Perhaps Nuwa was right¡ªhe had indeed chosen the most direct approach.


    "Since thou hast conquered thy inner fear, perhaps try again to master the ''One''," Nuwa picked up a new river stone and offered it to LaUhta, her eyes filled with expectation and encouragement.


    LaUhta accepted the stone without hesitation this time. Following his breathing rhythm, the stone''s surface gradually developed black markings, eventually turning purely black. Unlike before, however, fear no longer filled his heart, replaced by a calm sense of control.


    He tossed the stone lightly, and it streaked across the sky like a meteor, blasting a huge crater in a distant mountainside. As the dust settled, LaUhta smiled at Nuwa: "I believe I have found my path."


    Nuwa nodded with satisfaction, approval gleaming in her amber eyes. "There are countless paths, each different. Thy ''One'' cannot be released at a distance, yet can be conducted through touch with extraordinary power." Her voice was gentle yet firm. "This is not a flaw, but thy unique quality."


    LaUhta looked down at his hands, feeling the flow of the "One" within, no longer so strange and uncontrollable. His lips curved slightly upward, his eyes shining with new hope and determination: "Whatever path lies ahead, I shall no longer fear."