Wooden Root: Barbara's Journey

For Liang, that was enough to keep his suspicions alive. However, there was something else he needed: allies. He knew he couldn’t investigate Barbara alone without raising suspicion. At this point, there was one disciple in particular who also had reasons to resent her: Bai Qiu. Since being defeated by Barbara, Bai Qiu had been harboring a quiet grudge. Liang saw him as the perfect ally for his plan.

One afternoon, while Bai Qiu was training in a secluded area of the sect, Liang approached him.

— Bai Qiu, can I talk to you? — Liang said, keeping his tone casual, but with an underlying tension.

Bai Qiu looked up, frowning at the sight of Liang. He had isolated himself from the other disciples since his defeat but still felt the weight of humiliation and jealousy.

— What do you want, Liang? — he replied, not hiding his impatience.

— I heard that you and Barbara have... a complicated history — Liang began, choosing his words carefully. — I think I may have discovered something about her. Something that could benefit us.

Bai Qiu narrowed his eyes, intrigued but cautious.

— Go on...

Liang took a step forward, now more confident that he had captured Bai Qiu's attention.

— I suspect that Barbara is hiding something big. I’ve been watching her for a while, and something doesn’t add up. Her progress, her herbs... everything seems to be moving too quickly. I confronted her once, but she played it off very well. I believe she has a secret, and if we can find out what it is, we can take her down for good.

Bai Qiu couldn’t hide the gleam in his eyes upon hearing this. The thought of having a chance for revenge against Barbara excited him.

— And how exactly do you plan to do that? She’s not easy to fool. I’ve tried. — Bai Qiu crossed his arms, clearly interested but wary.

— We need to be careful — Liang said, his tone more conspiratorial. — We can’t go directly to her. The plan is to observe, wait for the right moment, and uncover what she’s hiding. With your knowledge about her and my patience, we can catch her off guard. If she’s hiding something valuable, it’ll be our chance to expose her and, who knows, use it to our advantage.

Bai Qiu was silent for a moment, pondering Liang’s words. He had nothing to lose, and the prospect of taking down Barbara once and for all was too tempting to ignore. With a slight smile, he nodded.

— I’m in. Let’s catch Barbara at the right moment.

With that, a new alliance was formed. Liang and Bai Qiu began working together, watching Barbara even more closely, searching for any cracks that would reveal her secret. Meanwhile, Barbara continued her routine, unaware of the new threat brewing in the shadows. The tension between them was growing, and it was only a matter of time before the final confrontation approached.

With the alliance established between Liang and Bai Qiu, they became a silent shadow, closely following Barbara and observing her actions. With each passing day, the atmosphere of distrust intensified, but Barbara continued to tend to her responsibilities in the sect, still oblivious to the plans forming against her.

One morning, while Barbara worked in her garden within the sect, Liang and Bai Qiu were hidden behind a nearby tree, whispering to each other.

— Look how she moves — Liang observed, his voice barely containing excitement. — I’m sure she’s heading to the cave again. I can’t believe she’s still trying to keep this secret.

— Let’s follow her — Bai Qiu replied, his voice firm. — If we can find out what she’s doing inside that cave, we’ll have everything we need to take her down.

Barbara walked away from the garden, unaware that she was being followed. She made her way to the cave, and the two disciples carefully trailed behind, trying not to make a sound. Barbara’s heart was racing, but she was focused on her tasks and hardly noticed the watchful eyes on her. Upon reaching the cave, she entered, closing the door behind her.

Liang and Bai Qiu crouched down, listening intently from outside.

— What do you think she’s doing in there? — Liang whispered, his gaze fixed on the door.

— I don’t know, but it’s time to find out — Bai Qiu replied impatiently. He took a step toward the entrance, but Liang stopped him.

— Wait! If we catch her by surprise, she might defend herself. We need to be strategic.

While they discussed this, Barbara was inside the cave, organizing her herbs and preparing the alchemy furnace. She had no idea what was about to happen. As she began to work, she felt a slight sense of discomfort, as if someone were watching her. The chill down her spine made her hesitate, but she quickly brushed off the feeling and focused on the task at hand.

With renewed focus, Barbara ignited the furnace and began mixing the herbs to create enhancement pills. But as she did this, a sudden noise made her stop. The sound came from the entrance of the cave, as if something were moving. Barbara’s heart raced as she approached the door, her instincts alerting her that something was wrong.

Outside, Liang and Bai Qiu were trying to decide whether to get closer or back away. Nervousness was growing between them.

— If we leave now, she might escape — said Liang. — We need to be brave.

— Alright — replied Bai Qiu, stepping forward. — Let’s go.

When Barbara opened the door, her eyes met Liang's. The shock was instantaneous.

— What are you doing here? — Barbara asked, her voice tense.

Liang, surprised, hesitated before responding.

— We just... I just wanted to see how you were progressing. Everyone is talking about your pills, and... we wanted to know if you were being honest.

Bai Qiu, who had been hiding, decided to seize the moment. He stepped out from behind the tree, advancing.

— It’s true, Barbara. Everyone in the sect is curious about your herbs and how you've been so successful. — He smiled, but there was a challenge in his gaze.

Barbara realized that the situation had become more complicated. She had to maintain her composure and protect her secret.

— I'm just following the sect's guidelines and cultivating diligently. There's nothing suspicious about what I do — she replied, trying to sound confident. — If you’re really curious, you can make your own pills and see for yourself.

Liang, still uncertain, looked at Bai Qiu, who seemed more convinced that something was happening.

— What do you have to hide, Barbara? — Bai Qiu insisted, approaching her. — This is an opportunity for you to prove you’re not doing anything wrong.

Barbara felt the pressure mounting, but her determination did not waver.

— I have nothing to hide. What people are saying is just rumor. Don’t let it influence you — she asserted, her voice firm. But inside, fear was growing.

The tension in the air was palpable. The situation was about to escalate, and Barbara realized she needed to act quickly to protect her secret.

The air grew heavy as Barbara faced Liang and Bai Qiu, their eyes filled with distrust. What had started as a simple desire to prove her innocence was now a critical situation.

— What exactly do you want? — Barbara asked, her voice steady but with a slight tremor that betrayed her concern. — If it’s just curiosity, I suggest you focus on your own cultivation instead of meddling in others' lives.

Liang crossed his arms, a determined look on his face.

— It’s not just curiosity, Barbara. People are talking, and rumors are spreading. If you have something to hide, it could harm not only you but the sect as a whole.

Bai Qiu stepped closer, a sardonic smile on his lips.

— Come on, Barbara. No one can cultivate so many special herbs and have so much success without a secret. Do you think you’re the only one working hard here? Do you really expect us to believe that this is just hard work?

Barbara felt anger rising within her. The injustice of the accusations made her want to scream, but she knew she had to stay calm.

— I’m not hiding anything! All the herbs I cultivate and all the pills I create are the result of hard work and study. If you can’t accept that, maybe the problem lies with you, not me.

Liang seemed hesitant, but Bai Qiu was determined not to let the opportunity slip away.

— Then let’s put it to the test. If you’re that good, prove it to us. Show us what you’re really doing here. — He crossed his arms, a challenging smile on his face. — Or maybe you’re afraid that it will ruin your facade.

Bai Qiu’s challenge echoed in the cave, and the provocation made him bolder. Barbara looked around, realizing that other disciples might start gathering around them, drawn by the noise of the argument.

— I’m not afraid of you — Barbara replied, taking a deep breath and preparing for what was to come. — But if you want to see what I do, then come in. But don’t say I didn’t warn you: alchemy is an art, and not everyone can handle it.

Liang exchanged glances with Bai Qiu, and with a nod, they decided to follow Barbara into the cave. The atmosphere was tense, and adrenaline began to flow through Barbara’s veins.

Inside the cave, Barbara began preparing the alchemy furnace, her mind quickly formulating strategies. The heat from the flame intensified as she adjusted the temperature, and her agile hands began mixing the herbs, already familiar with the necessary ingredients to create a pill.

— So, what are you going to do? Create a pill to convince us that you’re the best? — Bai Qiu asked sarcastically, watching her every move.

— Actually, I’m going to create a Recovery Pill. — Barbara replied, maintaining her composure. — It’s a common pill, but it can be very effective. If you really want to see what I do, then you’ll understand that alchemy is not just a trick, but a skill that requires patience and dedication.

Liang was about to say something, but he fell silent as he watched Barbara work. The herbs were mixed with precision, and the furnace began to release a slight smoke, the energy in the air becoming palpable. Her skill was undeniable.

“Do you really think this is going to change anything?” Bai Qiu insisted, trying to undermine Barbara's confidence. “If you’re doing all this just to show off, you’re making a big mistake. No one will believe you.”

Barbara's expression hardened.

“I’m not here to show off. I’m here to prove that dedication and hard work can overcome envy and distrust. If you want to believe the rumors, that’s your problem. But I won’t let your fears and insecurities hold me back.”

The tension escalated as the pills began to form in the furnace, and both disciples felt the weight of her determination. Finally, the furnace signaled that the pills were ready. Barbara removed them, her hands steady and confident.

She looked at the two of them, a challenging smile on her lips.

“Here they are. Recovery Pills, made with all the care and dedication. If you really believe I’m hiding something, try them! But if it’s just rumors and envy, maybe it’s time for you to look at yourselves.”

Liang and Bai Qiu exchanged glances, surprised by Barbara's firmness. The battle of wills was just beginning, but at that moment, Barbara had proven she was not just a talented cultivator—she was a force to be reckoned with in the Eternal Chalice Sect.

As Barbara took the Recovery Pills from the furnace, Liang and Bai Qiu began to observe not just what she was doing, but the environment around her. The alchemy furnace glowed with a subtle golden hue; its ornate design and the quality of the materials used were undeniable.

Liang, with a look of curiosity mixed with distrust, stepped closer to the furnace.

“Wait a moment...” he said, his voice lowered. “This furnace isn’t just any alchemy furnace, is it? It seems... much more advanced than what we all have.”

Bai Qiu, noticing the same thing, crossed his arms and cast a cynical look at Barbara.

“Yes, it seems you really are hiding something. It’s not just your talent that’s attracting attention; it’s also the tools you use. Where did you get such a valuable furnace? What else are you hiding from us?”

Barbara, realizing that the atmosphere was shifting rapidly, kept her composure. The last thing she wanted was for them to start connecting the dots about her magical garden and her pills.

“The furnace is an inheritance I received,” she replied, her voice firm. “It’s a special artifact, but it has nothing to do with my progress. Each of us can have better equipment, but what really matters is the effort we put into our work.”

Liang and Bai Qiu exchanged meaningful glances, and Bai Qiu’s expression grew more challenging.

“So you’re telling us you’ve had this all along and never mentioned it?” Bai Qiu said, her voice full of disdain. “No wonder you’re doing so well. If things are like this, it’s easy to see why people are starting to distrust you.”

Barbara felt a chill in her stomach. What was supposed to be a simple test was now becoming a minefield of accusations and assumptions. She struggled to keep panic at bay, trying to think of a way out.

“Look, if I had something to hide, I wouldn’t be here now, trying to prove that I’m not a threat. I’m just a cultivator dedicated to my work.”

But the seed of doubt had been planted, and Liang began to question whether Barbara really was what she appeared to be.

“And what about the herbs? Where did you get them? What are you secretly growing that could be so valuable?” Liang pressed, curiosity now mixed with a hint of hostility.

Barbara realized she needed to act quickly to steer the conversation away. If they started questioning her herbs, it could spell the end of the secret she guarded so jealously.

“I don’t have secrets to hide, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you every detail of my work. Like you, I’m here to learn and grow. It’s not a crime to want a competitive edge,” Barbara said, her voice becoming more assertive. “If you’re suspicious of me, then that says more about you than it does about me.”

Bai Qiu and Liang exchanged glances, and the tension became almost palpable.

“The truth will come to light, Barbara,” Bai Qiu said, a sneer on her lips. “If you’re really being honest, then you shouldn’t worry. But if not... well, we might find out together.”

Barbara felt as if she were in a battlefield, her heart racing as the weight of suspicion bore down on her. The alchemy furnace, which should have been a tool for progress, was now becoming a potential trap, and she needed to find a way to turn the tables in her favor.

The tension in the cave was palpable, and Liang and Bai Qiu’s words were beginning to push her limits. Barbara felt the anger rising within her, and the need to defend herself more directly became uncontrollable. The patience she had tried to maintain was running thin.

“You know what?” Barbara said, her voice firm and resolute, her expression shifting from defensive to combative. “I’m fed up with your insinuations and your lies. If you think I’m hiding something, then come on, try to find out.”

With that, Barbara prepared for what was to come. She was aware that it could be a complicated confrontation, but she had faced greater challenges before and would not be intimidated. The time for talking had passed; now it was time to settle this with fists and feet.

Liang and Bai Qiu exchanged surprised glances, but soon determination took over. Bai Qiu was the first to react, charging at Barbara with a punch. However, Barbara was ready. She skillfully dodged the attack, pivoting on her heels and delivering a high kick that struck Bai Qiu's side, making him stagger backward.

— Is that all you've got? — she taunted, a challenging smile on her face.

Liang, realizing that the situation had escalated quickly, decided to join the fight. He launched an attack towards Barbara, trying to surprise her from behind. But Barbara was alert. With an agile movement, she turned and threw an elbow strike, hitting Liang in the stomach and causing him to double over in pain.

Adrenaline surged through her veins as Barbara danced between the two, her martial arts experience shining as she moved. The strikes from Bai Qiu and Liang were clumsy and imprecise; they hadn’t expected Barbara to respond with such ferocity. The young cultivator was determined to show that she was not an opponent to be underestimated.

Barbara then unleashed a series of rapid punches, each one connecting with precision. She felt alive, the fight releasing all her accumulated frustration and tension. Liang and Bai Qiu tried to coordinate their attacks, but their teamwork was not enough to take down Barbara. She kept advancing, proving to be unbeatable.

— I thought you were more than this! — shouted Barbara as she executed a spinning kick that knocked Bai Qiu to the ground. — This is what happens when you try to intimidate someone!

With Bai Qiu out of the fight, Barbara turned her attention to Liang, who was hesitating. His once-defiant gaze was now filled with fear and insecurity.

— Now it’s your turn, Liang! — she yelled, charging toward him.

Desperate, Liang tried to back away, but Barbara was already upon him. She took him down with a precise strike, pushing him to the ground. The fight lasted only a few minutes, but for the two disciples, it felt like an eternity. With both now lying on the floor, gasping and defeated, Barbara stepped away from them, taking a deep breath to regain control of her anger.

— Learn a lesson: if you want to challenge me, be ready to face the consequences. I am not someone who will be intimidated — Barbara declared, looking at the two of them firmly before walking away.

The fight intensified, and Barbara proved to be unbeatable against Liang and Bai Qiu, using her martial arts skills to deliver precise blows. The sound of punches and kicks echoed in the cave as she battled the two disciples.

Finally, after a few minutes of confrontation, both were lying on the ground, gasping and defeated. The adrenaline was still coursing through Barbara's veins as she took a deep breath, looking at the two of them firmly.

— Now, learn a lesson: if you want to challenge me, be ready to face the consequences. I am not someone who will be intimidated — she declared as she walked away from them. With that, Barbara turned and began to walk toward the cave exit.

Liang and Bai Qiu lay there, trying to catch their breath and process what had just happened. The defeat was bitter, but the fact that they had been overpowered by Barbara, someone they had previously considered weak, was even more humiliating.

— Come on, Liang — said Bai Qiu, finally getting up. — We need to get out of here before someone finds us. We can’t let this reach the ears of the other disciples.

Liang nodded, although he was still recovering. They stood up, brushing the dust off their clothes and feeling the pain in their bodies.

— She won't stay like this forever — murmured Bai Qiu, looking in Barbara’s direction. — Next time, we’ll be better prepared. We can’t let her underestimate us again.

With that, the two left the cave, aware that their actions could have serious consequences. Liang was thinking about how they could continue to investigate Barbara, while Bai Qiu was focused on how to take revenge. The environment around them was calm, but the tension between them was still palpable.

Meanwhile, as Barbara exited the cave, she felt a mix of relief and satisfaction. She had proven her worth and defended her place, but she knew that the fight against rumors and jealousy was far from over. And now, with Liang and Bai Qiu on her heels, she needed to stay alert.

Still energized by the fight, Barbara decided it was time to focus on her cultivation and what truly mattered — her progress and the spiritual plants she cared for. But a voice at the back of her mind wouldn’t stop questioning: "What if they come back? What will I do if they discover my secret?"

With those questions echoing in her mind, Barbara walked away, determined not to let Liang and Bai Qiu’s shadow affect her. Her journey in the sect was just beginning, and she was ready to face any challenge that lay ahead.