Ever since discovering his "Qi Sea," Mộc Phàm felt a surge of new vitality. He was no longer merely a youth resigned to fate, but a silent pursuer of his own path, a path he believed would lead him out of the quagmire of mortality.
His "Qi Sea," located in his lower Dantian, wasn't a crystalized core like a cultivator's Golden Core. Instead, it resembled a condensed mass of blood qi, constantly circulating, much like a second heart providing physical energy to his entire body. Mộc Phàm gradually realized that the "blood qi" he forged didn't just increase his strength; it fundamentally altered the very essence of his being from within.
He began experimenting with even more rigorous exercises. In the mornings, he ran tirelessly around the village, then started carrying larger rocks, and eventually even rotten tree trunks. His endurance increased astonishingly. The usual bruises and aches now healed with remarkable speed. He could toil under the scorching sun all day long and still maintain his mental clarity.
Beyond strength, Mộc Phàm's senses also became sharper. His eyesight improved, allowing him to discern small objects from a considerable distance. His hearing grew keener, capable of catching the sound of insects crawling on the ground from several yards away. This greatly aided him in hunting and avoiding hidden dangers in the forest.
Three years passed.
Mộc Phàm was no longer the scrawny, weak youth he once was. His body was robust and well-proportioned, concealing a formidable power beneath his coarse cloth clothes. His skin, no longer pale, had a healthy, rosy glow, radiating abundant vitality. His gaze, too, had become more resolute and profound, bearing the seasoned look of someone who had endured much tempering.
The villagers began to notice Mộc Phàm's transformation. His parents, who initially just thought their son was diligent, were now astonished by his extraordinary strength. Mộc Phàm could effortlessly lift sacks of rice that even several strong young men in the village struggled with. When small demonic beasts caused trouble, he could confront them alone, even taking them down with his bare hands.
Word of the "physical cultivation prodigy" in Mộc Loan village began to spread. Though only within the scope of a few neighboring villages, for such a remote place, this was already a sensational event. The young men in the village looked at him with a mix of admiration and envy. Some malicious individuals began to be wary, fearing a strength they couldn't comprehend.
Mộc Phàm still kept the secret of his stone and his "Qi Sea" hidden. He clearly understood the difference between his path and the orthodox cultivation path. If exposed, he could be branded a deviant, captured, or even eliminated by the sects. He was still a mortal, and against the power of immortals, he was still too insignificant.
One afternoon, as Mộc Phàm was carrying water back from the stream, a group of strangers entered the village. They were elegantly dressed, and the aura emanating from them indicated they were cultivators. The villagers immediately stirred, trembling as they bowed their heads. Mộc Phàm also felt a slight tension, tightening his grip on the carrying pole.
"Who is Mộc Phàm?" A young cultivator, with an arrogant face, stood with his arms crossed in the middle of the village, his voice cold. He had delicate features, but his eyes were sharp as knives, and the spiritual energy around him subtly fluctuated, indicating he had at least reached the Qi Condensation stage.
Mộc Phàm calmly set down his pole and stepped forward. "That would be me."
The young cultivator scrutinized him from head to toe, his eyes filled with disdain. "You're the mortal with the bizarre strength, are you? I hear you can kill demonic beasts with your bare hands, even stronger than some early Qi Condensation cultivators." His tone was laced with mockery and curiosity.
Mộc Phàm said nothing, simply stood tall, his eyes resolute as he met the other's gaze. He knew this was just the beginning. His prominence, even if only physical strength, had finally caught the attention of the cultivation world. The path ahead would certainly no longer be peaceful.