The words of the Mysterious Man lingered in Zhong Yun's mind like a nightmare. Returning to his room, he tossed and turned, unable to find sleep. The might of the Black-robed Man, the safety of the sect, the unpredictable variables of the future—these tangled thoughts left him utterly restless.
"Can I really protect everyone?" Zhong Yun muttered to himself, his eyes filled with bewilderment. He clenched his fists, feeling the spiritual power flowing within him, yet sensing an unprecedented sense of impotence. The strength of the Black-robed Man stood like a towering mountain, filling him with awe and dread.
To elevate his strength as swiftly as possible, Zhong Yun began to cultivate with even greater diligence. Every day he rose early, practicing breathing techniques against the morning sun to absorb the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth. At night, he drilled his sword forms under the moonlight, sweating profusely. Yet no matter how hard he tried, his progress remained stubbornly slow, as if he had hit a bottleneck impossible to break through.
"How can this be?" Looking at the still-dim spirit stone in his palm, Zhong Yun was consumed by anxiety and self-doubt. Could it be that he was truly nothing more than mediocre, destined never to gain a foothold in this world where the strong ruled supreme?
Day after day, the smile gradually faded from Zhong Yun's face, replaced by a lingering gloom. He grew reticent, often cultivating alone in the back mountain as if cut off from the world.
"Zhong Yun, what's wrong with you?" Today, Shen Yao came to the back mountain and, seeing the haggard Zhong Yun, could not help asking with concern. She keenly perceived his change, though she could not fathom what had happened.
Zhong Yun forced a meager smile and shook his head. "I'm fine, I've just encountered some bottlenecks in my cultivation lately."
Naturally, Shen Yao did not believe his excuse, but she did not press further. She knew everyone had their own secrets, and Zhong Yun clearly did not wish to speak of them. She walked up to his side and said softly, "The path of cultivation is fraught with thorns; one must never be overly hasty. I believe you will surely overcome the difficulties before you."
Looking into Shen Yao's clear eyes, Zhong Yun felt a ripple stir within his heart. He wanted to tell her of the unease and fear in his soul, yet feared burdening her. In the end, he merely nodded gently, swallowing all his bitterness back down.
The setting sun cast long shadows of the two figures. Yet in the fading twilight, Zhong Yun's figure appeared exceptionally lonely, as if utterly out of tune with heaven and earth.
Shen Yao watched Zhong Yun's desolate retreating figure, a trace of worry welling up in her heart. She could sense that he was harboring heavy concerns—a profound pressure that left him gasping for breath. She wanted to help him, but had no way to begin, and could only pray silently in her heart that he would soon emerge from the gloom.
Today, Fatty Wang came as usual to find Zhong Yun, bringing along some newly roasted spirit beast meat to share his joy. However, seeing Zhong Yun's forced smile, the meat in his hands instantly lost its savory appeal.
"I say, Zhong Yun, what's gotten into you these past few days? Pulling such a long face all day long—anyone who didn't know better would think some female cultivator dumped you!" Fatty Wang tried to break the dreary atmosphere with his usual bantering tone.
Zhong Yun twitched the corners of his mouth into a smile uglier than crying. "It's nothing, just hit some bottlenecks in my cultivation, feeling a bit troubled."
"Is that all! And here I thought it was some huge deal!" Fatty Wang clapped Zhong Yun on the shoulder and said boisterously, "Cultivation, you know, when is it ever all smooth sailing? It's totally normal to hit bottlenecks! Back in the day, yours truly..."
Fatty Wang began to rattle on endlessly about his past "glory deeds," trying to infect Zhong Yun with his optimism and cheer. Yet Zhong Yun only offered perfunctory responses every now and then, his eyes vacant as if he heard none of it.
Shen Yao listened quietly from the side. She knew that what Zhong Yun needed right now was not comfort or persuasion, but a moment of peace to himself—or perhaps, someone he could pour his heart out to. Yet she also understood that there were things Zhong Yun was not yet ready to tell.
As night fell, Zhong Yun was still cultivating alone in the back mountain, his silhouette exceptionally solitary under the moonlight. In the distance, an aged figure was watching him, turbid eyes filled with worry and affection. He knew this youth was facing the trials of life, and all he could do was offer support and guidance when it was most needed. This person was none other than Elder Li.
As the night grew deeper, the cool mountain breeze swept by, stirring a few strands of messy hair across Zhong Yun's forehead, but he seemed completely unaware, mechanically brandishing the long sword in his hand. The sword light flashed, yet it was entirely devoid of form or order, mirroring his own bewildered state of mind at that moment.
In the distance, Elder Li watched this scene and let out a deep sigh. He had observed Zhong Yun for several successive days; the sharp edge the boy possessed seemed to be dissipating, replaced by a persistent gloom. He decided to have a talk with him.
"Zhong Yun," Elder Li's voice rang out in the night sky, startling Zhong Yun from his reverie.
Zhong Yun turned to see Elder Li standing not far away, a kindly smile on his face. "Elder Li." He bowed respectfully.
"Encountered a bottleneck in your cultivation?" Elder Li asked straight to the point.
Zhong Yun fell silent for a moment before ultimately nodding. He had meant to bear everything alone, never expecting Elder Li to see right through him.
Elder Li walked up to Zhong Yun, patted his shoulder, and said earnestly, "Child, setbacks are inevitable on the path of growth. Who hasn't stumbled their way forward? The key is to hold a firm belief and not be beaten down by immediate difficulties."
Zhong Yun raised his head, a trace of bewilderment in his gaze. "Yet I feel as though I'm trapped in a thick fog, unable to see the direction or find a way out."
"The fog blinds your eyes only because you are not standing high enough," Elder Li said, pointing to the distant horizon. "When you climb to the summit and look down upon all the mountains, you will realize that the fog before you is nothing at all."
Zhong Yun followed Elder Li's gaze, and a glimmer of understanding seemed to dawn in his heart. Indeed, the difficulties he currently faced perhaps arose merely because his vision was not yet broad enough and his perspective not yet grand enough.
"Child, you must remember," Elder Li's voice sounded once more. "The path of cultivation is like sailing against the current; if you do not advance, you fall back. All you must do is hold fast to your conviction and forge dauntlessly ahead! I believe you will surely overcome the present difficulties and become a true expert!"
Elder Li's words were like a streak of lightning, illuminating the murky fields of Zhong Yun's mind. He took a deep breath, his gaze gradually turning resolute.
Elder Li looked on with gratification at Zhong Yun's transformation, knowing the boy had found his direction. He believed Zhong Yun would surely accomplish great things in the future.
Watching Elder Li's departing back, Zhong Yun was filled with gratitude. He turned to face the night sky, his gaze firm and profound. He knew he still had a very long road ahead, but he was no longer lost, for a blazing fire had been ignited within his heart, guiding him forward.
Elder Li's words echoed in Zhong Yun's mind for a long time, acting like a beacon of light that illuminated his path forward. He began to reflect on his recent confusion and perplexity, realizing that cultivation was not merely blind, bitter toil, but required the elevation of one's state of mind and the broadening of one's horizons.
He plunged headfirst into the sect's Scripture Pavilion, beginning to study all manner of ancient texts. From ancient myths to cultivation insights, from formations and talismans to alchemy and medicine, he absorbed knowledge ravenously, attempting to find clues for a breakthrough from the vast ocean of texts.
Aside from studying ancient texts, Zhong Yun also placed greater emphasis on inner cultivation. Every morning he would sit in meditation at the mountain peak, feeling the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth and comprehending the Dao of nature. He tried to merge himself into the surrounding environment, feeling the rustle of the wind and grass, listening to the birdsong and fragrant flowers, allowing his inner self to gradually attain peace.
Shen Yao noted Zhong Yun's transformation with a mix of relief and worry. She was relieved that he had finally emerged from his low point, yet worried that he seemed to have closed himself off, unwilling to communicate with others.
One day, Shen Yao found Zhong Yun outside the Scripture Pavilion. She stood quietly behind him, watching him read intently through the ancient text in his hands, her eyes filled with heartache.
"Zhong Yun," Shen Yao called out softly.
Zhong Yun raised his head, seeing Shen Yao standing before him. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes, which immediately returned to calm. "Why are you here?"
"Seeing you shut yourself inside the Scripture Pavilion this whole time, I was worried about you," Shen Yao said with concern.
"I'm fine," Zhong Yun smiled faintly. "Just wanted to settle my mind and cultivate properly."
"Cultivation is certainly important, but don't neglect your friends either," Shen Yao said softly. "If there's anything you need help with, just say the word."
Looking into Shen Yao's sincere gaze, Zhong Yun felt a warm current surge through his heart. He nodded and said softly, "Thank you."
Following a period of adjustment, Zhong Yun's state gradually recovered, and his gaze once more gleamed with a resolute light. He resumed his cultivation; this time, rather than blindly pursuing speed, he focused more intently on consolidating his foundation and elevating his state of mind.
Yet, just as Zhong Yun prepared to set forth once more to meet new challenges, a letter from a Mysterious Man shattered the peace. The letter contained only a single sentence: "Beware of those around you; they are not what you imagine."
A jolt ran through Zhong Yun's heart, and a sense of unease welled up. What on earth was the plot of the Mysterious Man? And what secrets were hidden by the people around him?