Wooden Root: Barbara's Journey

Barbara entered the sect's meeting room, where the serene atmosphere sharply contrasted with the turmoil within her heart. The bamboo furniture, simple yet elegant, lent the space an air of tranquility. Elder Wei Jian Qiu sat at a low table, sipping tea, his expression contemplative as he gazed at her. The gentle aroma of tea filled the room, but Barbara knew this was no casual conversation.

She bowed respectfully as she approached the elder.

"Elder Wei Jian Qiu, you called for me?" Barbara asked, her voice steady but respectful.

The elder nodded, setting his teacup aside before speaking.

"Yes, Barbara. Sit. We need to discuss your progress," he said, his voice calm but laden with authority.

Barbara obeyed, sitting before him. Her eyes met his, and she felt the intensity of the elder’s gaze.

"I have been watching you since you joined the sect," he began after a brief pause. "You have advanced with a speed rarely seen. In less than a year, you’ve already reached the Qi Condensation Realm. That is remarkable, to say the least."

Barbara remained silent, knowing she should not interrupt. Although she was proud of her progress, she was aware that success within a sect often attracted attention—both positive and negative.

"I’ve heard rumors about the alchemy furnace you possess, and while that is interesting," the elder continued with a slight smile, "what truly caught my attention is the quality of the herbs you’ve been cultivating for the sect. The herbs you’ve planted have elevated the sect’s overall level, and your skill as a spiritual plant cultivator is impressive."

Barbara felt a mixture of relief and pride. At least the focus was on the herbs and not the rumors about the furnace or the magical garden.

"I am surprised, but also pleased, that I made the right decision by promoting you to an inner disciple," Wei Jian Qiu said, his eyes gleaming with rare approval. "Your progress, especially in alchemy and herb cultivation, has been an invaluable contribution to the sect."

The elder then reached into his robe and produced an ornate card, handing it to Barbara.

"Here is your next challenge," he said, extending the card toward her. "This is an access card for the Tower of Trials. Some sects, like ours, have mystical structures where disciples can test their skills. In the tower, you will face complex formations, spiritual beasts, and in some cases, illusory versions of your peers. These trials are designed to rank a disciple’s level and assess how prepared they are for the challenges to come."

Barbara carefully took the card, feeling the symbolic weight of the gesture. The Tower of Trials was famous for its rigorous tests, and many disciples spoke with reverence—and fear—about what transpired within.

"I know you’re ready for this trial, Barbara," the elder continued, resuming his tea. "I expect high marks from you, and I believe you’ll continue to excel. But remember, each advancement brings new challenges. Be prepared for what lies ahead."

Barbara bowed again, feeling the gravity of the moment.

"Thank you for your trust, elder. I will do my best," she promised, determined not to disappoint him.

Wei Jian Qiu nodded, satisfied with her response.

"I am sure you will, Barbara. Now, go and prepare yourself. The Tower of Trials is no ordinary test. I trust you will find the right path, but remember: confidence and caution must go hand in hand."

With that, the elder dismissed her. Barbara left the meeting room, her heart racing, clutching the Tower of Trials card tightly. The next step in her journey lay ahead, and she knew she would need all her power and skills to overcome the challenges that awaited her. With each step, her path as a cultivator grew more arduous—but also more rewarding.

On the day of the trial, Barbara stood before the imposing Tower of Trials, an ancient structure steeped in mystery and reverence. Its surface was adorned with archaic symbols that glowed faintly, pulsing with energy. Every disciple who passed through the tower bore the mark of an intense experience, and now it was Barbara’s turn.

She firmly grasped the card Elder Wei Jian Qiu had given her and, with a deep breath, took her first step toward the entrance. As she crossed the threshold, a wave of energy surged through her body, as if the tower itself was evaluating her.

The walls around her began to glow, and the environment changed drastically. Suddenly, Barbara found herself in a vast, dense forest teeming with life. She knew the tower created powerful illusions to test disciples, but the realism was disorienting. The air was fresh, the distant sounds of animals, and the rustling of leaves in the wind made everything feel incredibly real.

Barbara moved cautiously through the forest, her senses on high alert. She knew the first challenge could be a spiritual beast or a mystical formation. The tower's trials were known for testing both physical and mental strength, and she braced herself for the worst.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by a distant sound. A low growl, almost imperceptible, came from somewhere ahead. Barbara crouched, trying to locate the source, when an enormous figure emerged from the shadows. A spiritual beast, a mix of wolf and lion, with glowing eyes and sharp teeth, slowly advanced toward her.

"So, this is it," Barbara muttered to herself, feeling the Qi flow through her body. The spiritual beast would be her first test.

The creature roared, charging at Barbara with surprising speed. But she was ready. With her Qi-honed reflexes, Barbara dodged the attack, leaping to the side while gathering energy in her palms. She couldn’t afford to hesitate.

As the beast prepared for another attack, Barbara concentrated her Qi, channeling it into her legs and arms. The creature lunged again, and this time, Barbara struck. She delivered a powerful blow, infused with Qi, directly to the beast’s side, causing it to stagger back with a roar of pain.

But the trial wouldn’t be so easy. The spiritual beast rose again, its eyes blazing with even more fury. Barbara sensed the increased aggression and knew she would need more than brute force. Taking a deep breath, she retreated and began devising a strategy.

The battle lasted longer than Barbara had expected, but eventually, she defeated the beast with a combination of agility and precise attacks. The creature's body vanished into the air, dissolving like an illusion, but the exhaustion in her body was real.

"First test... completed," she said breathlessly, as she continued her journey through the illusory forest.

As she advanced, the forest around her began to shift, the trees dissolving into mist. Barbara felt a slight dizziness as the scenery changed again. Now, she stood in a desolate plain, under a dark, starless sky. The air was thick and heavy, and the silence was suffocating.

Suddenly, a mystical formation began to materialize before her, drawing itself on the ground like a labyrinth of symbols and runes. Barbara recognized that this was a trap meant to test her understanding of formations and her patience. She would need to disarm the formation or risk being trapped in an endless illusion.

The energy emanating from the formation was powerful, and any misstep could activate a series of mystical traps. Barbara knelt before the first symbol, observing the intricate details of the formation. Taking a deep breath, she began her work, using the knowledge she had gained in the sect to disarm the most critical points. Each symbol had to be carefully manipulated, and the slightest distraction could result in failure.

Time seemed to stretch as Barbara worked on the formation. Her mind was focused, and she recalled her manuals’ teachings about energy balance. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she disarmed the last symbol, and the formation vanished.

Barbara smiled faintly, relieved to have overcome the challenge. But she knew the tower had more in store for her.

When the mist cleared again, the third and final challenge appeared before her. This time, it was an illusory version of herself, reflecting her image and her powers. It was like looking in a mirror, but this reflection was not friendly.

"A test of character," Barbara whispered. The tower wanted to see if she could face her inner demons.

The illusory version of Barbara advanced, her eyes cold and determined. She represented all the doubts and fears Barbara carried within her, and defeating this version of herself would be the hardest challenge.

The ensuing battle wasn’t just physical but also mental. Each blow from the illusion made Barbara question her choices, her path as a cultivator, and the weight of the secrets she carried. She was tired of the suspicions and the pressures, and facing these insecurities made the battle even more grueling.

But Barbara did not retreat. With determination, she used everything she had learned, both in combat and in alchemy, to overcome the illusory version of herself. Every strike she delivered was an affirmation of who she was and the path she had chosen. When she finally defeated the illusion, the scene around her dissolved.

She was back in the tower, in its original form. The test was complete.

As she exited the tower, Barbara felt exhausted but renewed. The trial had not only been a measure of her strength but also of her character. She knew that the challenges she would face from now on would be even more complex, but she was ready for whatever came next.