Wooden Root: Barbara's Journey

The days following the conversation with Hai Tu passed in a blur. Barbara felt the weight of new responsibilities pressing down on her shoulders, and the pressure to keep her magical garden hidden seemed to grow each day. Now that Hai Tu knew about the alchemy furnace, Barbara's most precious secret—the magical garden—had to remain concealed at all costs.

One day, while Barbara tended to her spiritual plants at the sect, she noticed that some disciples were watching her from afar. Whispers and suspicious glances followed her as she moved her herbs. The tension in the air was palpable. It seemed that ever since the elder had questioned the alchemy furnace, curiosity surrounding Barbara had intensified.

“Is everything okay?” Hai Tu asked, approaching her. She had noticed Barbara’s discomfort and looked worried.

“Yes, it’s fine,” Barbara replied, but her voice sounded distant. She glanced at the disciples, trying to maintain her composure. “I just need to be more careful... I can't let the situation worsen.”

Hai Tu frowned. “You know you can count on me. If anyone tries to harm you, I’ll be by your side.”

Barbara smiled at her friend, but she knew that even Hai Tu’s support might not be enough. The danger was increasing.

One afternoon, Barbara decided to visit the magical garden she kept within the secret space of her pendant. It was where she cultivated her rarest and most valuable plants, which aided her alchemical progress. The tranquility of the garden always calmed her, but that day, the weight of the secret made her feel restless.

Suddenly, she heard voices from outside her cave. The sound was muffled but unmistakable—someone was nearby, and they were discussing something. Panic surged through Barbara. What if it was Liang and Bai Qiu again? What if they were spying or trying to uncover something about her garden?

Quickly, Barbara exited the magical space and hid any items that could raise suspicion. Her hands trembled as she adjusted the alchemy furnace to make it look like it was in use. If anyone entered now, she needed to have a plausible explanation.

The voices outside drew closer, and she recognized one of them. It was Bai Qiu.

“I know she’s hiding something more!” Bai Qiu's voice was filled with restrained anger. “The furnace is rare, but that doesn’t explain everything. She’s doing something we can’t see.”

Barbara felt her panic rise. They were too close to the truth, and she couldn’t let them discover the magical garden.

Before Bai Qiu could get any closer to the cave, Barbara took a deep breath and decided to act. She stepped out quickly, closing the door behind her and facing Bai Qiu and Liang, who were just a few meters from the entrance.

“What are you doing here?” Barbara’s voice came out stronger than she expected, but inside, her heart raced.

Liang and Bai Qiu exchanged glances. Liang tried to disguise his intentions with a sarcastic smile.

“We were just passing by,” Liang said, but his tone was insincere. “We wanted to see how your progress with the furnace is going. Or do you have something more to hide?”

Barbara felt the pressure in her chest increase. They were too close, and she knew that one slip could reveal everything.

“The furnace is working as it should,” Barbara replied, keeping her voice steady. “If you want to know more, I suggest you focus on your own cultivation. Jealousy won’t help you progress.”

Bai Qiu stepped forward, her expression hostile. “Don’t try to deceive us, Barbara. Everyone knows you’re not being completely honest. It’s probably only a matter of time before we find out what you’re really hiding.”

Barbara, although tense, remained calm. She knew that engaging in a physical confrontation could escalate the situation, but at the same time, she was prepared to defend her secret.

“If that’s what you think, then keep wasting time with rumors. I have work to do,” Barbara said before turning and heading back into the cave.

When the door closed, she exhaled a sigh of relief, but she knew this was only a small victory. The pressure on her was mounting. With Bai Qiu and Liang increasingly suspicious and bold, the situation was reaching a critical point.

As she sat, looking at the furnace and the magical space where she kept the garden, Barbara knew she needed to think of something quickly. The tension within the sect was only escalating, and the discovery of her secret could have devastating consequences.

With the weight of suspicion and rumors hovering over her, Barbara decided it was time to take a significant step in her journey as a cultivator. She was ready to leave the Body Refinement Realm and enter the Qi Condensation Realm. With her alchemical skills and the pills she had created, she believed she could reach this new level.

In the days that followed, Barbara dedicated herself intensely to producing pills that would enhance her cultivation. Creating the Qi Condensation Pill became a priority, and she used the alchemy furnace with expertise, infusing the herbs with her energy and intention.

In her cave, Barbara carefully prepared all the necessary ingredients for the pill. She had learned that the quality of the herbs was crucial, and the dedication she put into each step of the process made the pills even more effective.

With the furnace heated and energy pulsating around her, she began mixing the ingredients. As she worked, her mind focused on her goals and what it would mean for her to reach a new level of cultivation.

“I won’t let suspicions bring me down,” she said aloud, affirming her commitment to her goal. “I am a cultivator, and I’m ready to face any challenge.”

After several hours of work, the pills were finally ready. Barbara looked at them, admiring the small spheres that glowed softly. Each one represented not only her progress but also her determination to continue growing.

The next day, Barbara prepared herself for the crucial moment. With the pills in hand, she withdrew to a quiet place in the sect, away from the curious gazes of the other disciples. She chose an isolated cave where she could fully concentrate on her cultivation practice.

Sitting in a lotus position, Barbara closed her eyes and took a deep breath, allowing the energy of the environment to envelop her. She began to meditate, visualizing her internal energy and how it would flow during the condensation process.

When she felt ready, Barbara took one of the Qi Condensation Pills and swallowed it. Instantly, she felt a wave of warmth and energy spreading through her body. The Qi began to circulate more vigorously, and the feeling of power growing within her was intoxicating.

Barbara concentrated, allowing the energy to intensify, shaping it and directing it into her meridians. With every breath, she felt stronger, more connected to the essence of the world around her. But, as always, concentration was key.

During this process, flashes of her fight against Liang and Bai Qiu passed through her mind. The determination she had felt in those moments became fuel for her practice. She wasn’t just cultivating; she was arming herself to face future challenges.

After a while, Barbara felt that the moment was approaching. The pressure within her body increased, and she knew she was about to break through the barrier separating her from the Qi Condensation Realm. With one last deep breath, she directed all her energy and intention upward.

A brilliant light illuminated the cave, and Barbara felt the wave of power flowing through her body. A rush of euphoria overtook her as she realized she had made the transition. The path to the next level had been achieved, and the feeling of accomplishment enveloped her.

The light gradually dimmed, and Barbara opened her eyes, marveling at the new strength she felt. She had reached the Qi Condensation Realm! She knew this was not just a personal achievement but also an important step in protecting herself from the challenges to come.

Now, stronger and more determined than ever, Barbara was ready to face any adversity that awaited her in the Eternal Chalice Sect.