Beneath the shade of the Willow Tree, Qing Feng dedicated himself to the ancient martial arts. Morning, noon, and night, he practiced diligently, unaware that somewhere, someone was watching him with feelings more complex than mere admiration. Years passed like the wind, and at the age of ten, he had grown into a youth with promising potential, inheriting the wisdom of the tree.
From afar, Ren Chao observed Qing Feng earnestly training under the Willow Tree. Envy and resentment churned in his heart, but there was also a concern about the tree's hidden power, rumors of which spread faster than the wind, even summoning Immortals from the Immortal Realm.
"Tch, if only I were the Willow Tree's disciple..." Ren Chao muttered, imagining himself having reached the first level of the Essence Soul Absorption Realm. "...you got lucky, Qing Feng," he continued inwardly, wearing a bitter smile that concealed deep-seated frustration.
Ren Chao had long mastered the Body Tempering Realm, an achievement that made him regarded as a candidate for Heavenly Emperor and a rare cultivation genius. However, that success tasted bland when compared to the potential Qing Feng possessed, as if all his hard work had been for naught.
The Body Tempering Realm, which Ren Chao had long since mastered, was no easy feat. An ordinary cultivator would need twelve hundred years to reach its first level, and four thousand years to reach its peak. But for Ren Chao, that achievement felt hollow, because there was always the shadow of Qing Feng haunting him.
The Body Tempering Realm was known as the most difficult trial for any cultivator. To surpass it, they had to face the fury of lightning that tested the soul and body, a gateway to the Immortal Realm. Many failed and perished, but some succeeded and were reborn with new power.
It was said that the Body Tempering Realm was not merely a trial, but a curse inflicted by the Heavenly Emperor. Enraged by the arrogance of humans who wanted to transcend their limits, he created an almost impossible obstacle to overcome, punishing every cultivator who dared to dream of immortality.
At the age of eight, Ren Chao had conquered the Body Tempering Realm. A year later, he reached the sixth level, a feat that earned him the title of genius.
But Qing Feng was born without any talent for cultivation, and his family was just an ordinary family in Tianen Village. Ren Chao and his cronies often mocked and belittled him. In fact, Qing Feng's parents were often the target of the villagers' anger, who were jealous of their luck in having a willow tree near their home. Eventually, they couldn't take it anymore and decided to move, leaving the village and all the bitter memories behind them.
However, fate had other plans. Just when hope seemed lost, Qing Feng was chosen as the Willow Tree's disciple, even though he was not talented in cultivation and unable to absorb Spiritual Energy.
From that moment on, the villagers began to respect Qing Feng's parents. In fact, Qing Feng himself always got free food from them, as a sign of respect and hope.
Over the years, Qing Feng immersed himself in the intensive training provided by the Willow Tree. When he reached the age of ten, he felt ready. With the newfound knowledge in his mind, he climbed the towering hill, piercing through the clouds and heading into the unknown.
---
One Year on the High Hill.
A year had passed on that high hill. At the age of ten, Qing Feng had transformed. His face now radiated a captivating handsomeness, even though he was still unable to cultivate. His hair grew long not because of Spiritual Energy, but because of the efficacy of the Willow Tree leaves he consumed every day.
Qing Feng watched the sun slowly disappear behind the horizon. The sky was filled with burning orange colors, creating a stunning sight. The wind blew hard, whipping through his long hair and carrying the scent of dry leaves. His clothes fluttered like a flag waving in the wind.
Qing Feng murmured to himself, "During this year, I have learned the techniques given by the Willow Tree. Although its teachings feel frightening and cruel, the tree has shown me the path to the true world of cultivation."
The sunset always reminded Qing Feng of his dark past, when Ren Chao always belittled him. However, the stories told by the Willow Tree about the past of the cultivation world were far more heartbreaking than his own suffering.
"The suffering of the past is a double-edged sword," Qing Feng murmured. "I now know that Ren Chao's wounds are more gaping than my own. But why did he choose to let the Heavenly Emperor's Engraving turn him into an arrogant dragon, instead of a phoenix rising from the ashes?"
"The Willow Tree has opened my eyes," Qing Feng whispered. "It is not the world that is full of cruelty, but humans who sow the seeds of evil in this fertile land."
"Many blame the cultivation world for the cruelty that occurs," Qing Feng whispered. "They see the endless competition, the merciless law of the jungle, and assume that is the source. However, they forget to look into their own hearts, where greed thrives like weeds, hatred flows like a poisonous river, and resentment burns like the fires of hell."
Qing Feng closed his eyes, letting the wind filled with lamentations sweep across his face. In his mind, he saw faces looking up at the sky, begging for mercy that never came. And then, he remembered Ren Chao, the hidden wounds behind his mask of arrogance, the story that made his heart tremble like a leaf in a storm.
---
Back to Ren Chao's Story.
Beneath the shade of the Willow Tree, Qing Feng immersed himself in a quiet conversation. Each sentence he uttered was an attempt to summon back the precious teachings, to keep them alive within his heart, like embers that must not be extinguished.
"Willow Tree," Qing Feng whispered, his voice filled with curiosity, "Are you a silent witness of an era long past, long before this village grew and thrived under your shade?"
"My memories stretch far beyond the age of this village," said the Willow Tree, its voice whispering like the wind rustling through the leaves. "However, why do you wish to know, Qing Feng?"
Like the roots of a tree searching for water in the depths of the earth, Qing Feng sought answers about the Willow Tree's past. However, at every step, he was always obstructed by the shadow of Ren Chao, the black crow who had stolen the light from his childhood and left a trauma that remained like a burn scar.
"Willow Tree," Qing Feng whispered, his voice trembling like a leaf in the wind. "Are you willing to unveil Ren Chao's past and show me the path to understanding?"
"Ren Chao's past must be filled with the brilliance of stars," Qing Feng whispered, his voice barely audible. "Even though he has carved wounds in my heart, I cannot deny that there is a part of me that still admires him." A shadow crossed Qing Feng's face, revealing the complexity of his feelings towards Ren Chao.
The Willow Tree peered deep into Qing Feng's eyes, where it saw a hidden glint of respect for Ren Chao. In response, the Willow Tree swayed its branches gracefully, sending a wordless message that it was willing to open the pages of the past.
"I will unveil Ren Chao's past for you," whispered the Willow Tree, its voice rumbling like a storm wind. "However, prepare yourself to face a storm of sorrow more devastating than his anger when he hurt you. Listen, Qing Feng, for this story shall begin..."
---
Chapter 5 Part 1 Completed.