Li Chen sat cross-legged on the uneven stone floor of his secluded valley, the faint pulse of his recently established foundation thrumming through his dantian. The basin remained calm around him, the warped stones and drifting fragments quiet, almost indifferent to his presence. The Realm of Hidden Origins had largely ignored him in these last cycles, and for the first time since entering, he allowed himself a fraction of stillness.
Yet, even in stillness, his thoughts were far from idle.
Xu Ming.
The name echoed softly in the corridors of his mind, unbidden yet persistent. That boy—timid, reckless in his own way, yet brimming with potential—had grown far more than anyone in the sect would have expected. Li Chen had seen it with his own eyes: Xu Ming's determination, his willingness to embrace guidance, and his astonishing speed in cultivation. From Strength Training to Flesh Training and now Bone Forging, the boy had progressed with a tenacity Li Chen admired quietly.
And naïve as ever, Li Chen mused, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. He remembered the near-death incident in the training grounds—the shock of seeing Xu Ming almost torn apart by forces beyond his control. If Li Chen hadn't intervened… he didn't allow himself to finish the thought.
The boy was reckless. Foolish. And yet, Li Chen could not deny the strength that lay beneath that chaos physique. Five elements, unpredictable, considered trash by the lower realm, yet capable of leaps that ordinary geniuses could not dream of. With proper guidance… and survival… Xu Ming could surpass almost anyone.
Li Chen exhaled slowly, eyes closing for a brief moment.
He had left Xu Ming with instructions, formations, and resources to cultivate safely, but Li Chen knew the lower realm was unforgiving. Even with protections in place, Xu Ming would be tested. There would be mistakes, and mistakes could cost dearly.
He has to be careful, Li Chen thought, or the small gains he's made will be wiped out in an instant.
He pictured the boy's face—determined, eager, but still shadowed by fear. That fear, Li Chen knew, was what kept Xu Ming alive. Fear was an asset when properly managed; recklessness would destroy him. Li Chen had no illusions about the challenges Xu Ming would face.
And yet… a small part of him hoped.
He hoped that Xu Ming would understand the lessons he had been taught. That he would learn to refine his strength not just for combat, but for survival. That he would grow—not just in power, but in wisdom.
Li Chen's gaze drifted to the far end of the valley, where the warped horizon met distant, crumbling stone. The thought of Xu Ming motivated him, pushed him to continue refining his own cultivation. If the boy were ever in danger, Li Chen had to be strong enough to intervene.
No reckless breakthroughs. No loud displays. Invisible, efficient, perfect, he reminded himself. I can't afford mistakes. I must be ready for anything.
A faint wind stirred through the valley, carrying with it a whiff of distant energy—perhaps an echo of formations outside his basin, perhaps nothing. Li Chen remained seated, unflinching, feeling the pulse of the realm in subtle waves.
He knew that Xu Ming's growth, like his own, would be tested—not gently, not predictably. The boy had potential, yes, but potential alone did not guarantee survival in this world.
Li Chen's hands flexed unconsciously. He wished he could be there with Xu Ming, guiding him directly, ensuring that the boy did not falter when the unexpected struck. Yet the secret realm demanded isolation. Patience. Discipline.
Then I will be ready for when the paths converge again, he thought firmly.
With that resolve, Li Chen closed his eyes, letting the quiet pulse of the basin settle over him once more. Foundation established, body tempered, mind sharpened.
He could not protect Xu Ming from every danger—but he could prepare himself. That alone might be enough.
And in a world where survival was never guaranteed, enough was often the only option.