Ten months. It felt like a lifetime and a blink all at once.
I was now almost twelve, just two months shy of the big birthday that marked my official departure for a cultivation sect.
In that time, my Skin Tempering had reached a level that even Papa, with his limited knowledge, called "unfathomable." My body felt like it was made of spring steel, capable of incredible speed, strength, and resilience.
My sword training with Papa continued, and I could now move the wooden blade with a fluidity that made him beam with pride.
He still didn't know about my secret talent, the one that truly set me apart. The "kicking" ability. It had evolved. I could now imbue objects with spiritual energy and send them flying with pinpoint accuracy, not just with raw power, but with spin, curve, and even a slight bounce if I wanted.
I'd spent countless hours in that secret clearing, perfecting my technique, turning it into something more than just a powerful kick – it was an art. It was my unique path.
The time had come. Two months on foot, through forests and over mountains, to reach the distant sect Papa had heard whispers about. It was a daunting journey, full of unknown dangers, but also boundless possibilities.
The morning of my departure was a mix of sunshine and tears.
Our small hut felt even smaller, packed with the weight of unspoken goodbyes. Mama was there, her eyes red and swollen, clutching a worn cloth to her chest.
She'd tried to be brave, but the tears kept coming, silent rivers down her cheeks. She pulled me into a tight hug, burying her face in my shoulder.
"My little sprout," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Be careful. Eat well. Don't forget us."
I hugged her back just as tightly, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.
It was hard. Leaving them, leaving the familiar comfort of our hut, the scent of her cooking, the sound of the twins' laughter… it was tearing a piece of me away. But I had to do this. For them.
"I won't, Mama," I promised, my voice a little shaky. "I'll be strong. I'll come back, and I'll make sure you never have to worry about anything again."
Papa stood a little apart, his arms crossed, his face a mixture of pride and a fear he tried hard to hide. He looked older, more weathered, but his eyes held a fierce light.
When Mama finally released me, he stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"You've grown into a fine young man, Wu Zhen," he said, his voice gruff, but filled with deep affection. "Remember everything I taught you. Be smart. Be brave. And don't forget your roots." He gave my shoulder a squeeze. "Go on. Make us proud."
I nodded, unable to speak past the emotion. I was sad, yes, but beneath it, a current of excitement pulsed. This was it. The start of my true journey.
Just then, two familiar figures emerged from the path leading to our hut.
Jin, his unruly hair even more disheveled than usual, and Ling, her usually serious face etched with a rare, nervous excitement.
"Wu Zhen!" Jin called out, his grin a little forced. "Leaving without saying goodbye, huh? Some friend you are!"
I managed a small smile. "You know I wouldn't, Jin."
But it was Ling who surprised me.
She walked forward, her eyes meeting mine, and I saw it. A faint, almost imperceptible shimmer around her, a subtle glow in her eyes. It was the same energy I felt within myself.
"Wu Zhen," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I'm coming with you."
My jaw dropped. "Ling? What are you talking about? And… you're a cultivator?"
She nodded, a small, triumphant smile gracing her lips. "A few weeks ago. I was meditating, just like you taught me, and… it just happened. A small breakthrough. Skin Tempering. It's not much, but it's a start."
My heart swelled with pride for her. Years of relentless effort, of quiet determination, had finally paid off. She hadn't gotten a magical orb, no sudden surge of power. She had earned it, wisp by wisp, through sheer willpower.
"That's amazing, Ling!" I exclaimed, genuinely thrilled for her. "But… come with me? The journey to the sect is dangerous. And you just broke through."
"Exactly," she said, her gaze unwavering. "I need to get stronger. And you're going to a sect. Maybe… maybe they'll take me too. Or maybe I can find another path. But I can't stay here, Wu Zhen. Not anymore. Not when I finally have a chance." Her eyes held the same desperate hope I had seen in them years ago, but now it was tempered with a newfound resolve.
I looked at her, then at Jin, then back at my parents. Ling was right. This world was harsh. And a new cultivator, even a beginner, was safer with another. Besides, I knew she wouldn't give up.
"Alright, Ling," I said, a grin spreading across my face. "But you have to promise to follow my lead. And no complaining about my terrible singing."
She actually chuckled, a rare, light sound. "Deal."
I turned to Jin, who was still looking a bit stunned by Ling's revelation. "Jin," I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You're the man of the village now. Take care of Mama and Papa. And look after Mei and Kai for me. Make sure they don't get into too much trouble."
Jin straightened, puffing out his chest, a flicker of pride in his eyes. "You got it, Wu Zhen! I'll be the best big brother they ever had! Don't you worry about a thing!" He even managed a confident nod, though I could see the sadness lurking beneath his usual bravado.
With final hugs, tearful farewells, and promises to return, Ling and I finally turned and began to walk. The path, once so familiar, now stretched out before us, a symbol of the vast, unknown world we were stepping into.
The village slowly receded behind us, the familiar huts shrinking into specks against the green backdrop of the forest. The air felt different out here, wilder, more untamed.
"So," Ling said, breaking the silence, her voice a little breathless. "What do you think it'll be like? The sect, I mean."
I shrugged. "Probably a lot of strict rules and even stricter masters. And hopefully, some actual cultivation techniques that aren't just about breathing really hard." I chuckled, and she smiled.
We walked for hours, the sun climbing higher, then beginning its slow descent. The road was dusty, winding through open fields and past small, scattered farms.
We saw a few travelers, mostly merchants with their laden carts, but no other cultivators.
As dusk approached, we reached the edge of a dense, ancient forest. The trees here were taller, their branches intertwining like gnarled fingers, casting long, eerie shadows. It looked like the kind of place where anything could be lurking.
"We should probably camp here for the night," I suggested, looking at the darkening woods. "It's not smart to enter a forest like that after dark."
Ling nodded, her eyes wide as she gazed into the shadowy depths. "Good idea. It feels… different in there."
We found a small, relatively clear spot just off the main path, shielded by a few large bushes.
I quickly gathered firewood, my Skin Tempering making the task effortless. Ling, still a new cultivator, helped as best she could, though her movements were less refined than mine.
Soon, a small, crackling fire illuminated our makeshift camp. The warmth was comforting, chasing away the chill of the evening. We shared the dried meat and hard bread Mama had packed for us, eating in comfortable silence.
"Are you scared, Wu Zhen?" Ling asked softly, looking into the dancing flames.
I considered it. Scared? A little, maybe. But mostly, it was excitement. And a deep-seated determination. "Not really," I admitted.
"More… excited. This is it, Ling. Our chance. To get strong. To make a difference."
She nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "I hope so. I really do."
We talked for a while longer, about our hopes for the sect, about the kind of cultivators we wanted to become, about the families we left behind. The fire crackled, casting dancing shadows on the trees around us. The sounds of the forest, once just the familiar rustle of leaves, now seemed to hold a new, wilder symphony.
As the moon rose, a silver sliver in the inky sky, we settled down to sleep, wrapped in our thin blankets. The journey had truly begun.