He wove his First-Tier Space Intent into the Spatial Qi, stabilizing the dimensional barrier and ensuring the tree’s integrity during the transfer.
The air around him shimmered with energy, the combined forces of three distinct intents creating a radiant spectacle.
The charred cherry tree trembled slightly before lifting gently off the ground, its roots cradled by the glowing cocoon of energy. The azure sprout seemed to sway in approval, its light growing brighter.
[Excellent control, Yuan’er. The tree is stable. Now, guide it carefully back to your courtyard.]
Shen Yuan nodded, sweat beading on his brow from the intense focus required to maintain the balance of energies.
He extended his free hand, forming a path of Radiant Qi that connected to the Spatial Portal. The tree floated gracefully along the path, its movement steady and secure.
As they approached the Spatial Portal, the disciples made way as word had already spread about what Shen Yuan was doing. None of them had any problem with it, as he was now a Core Disciple.
Shen Yuan adjusted the flow of his Qi and Intent, ensuring the dimensional transfer would not disrupt the tree’s delicate life.
As Shen Yuan stepped into the portal with the charred cherry tree hovering gently behind him, a subtle change in the flow of spatial energy rippled through the air.
The tree’s cocoon of Spatial Qi interacted with the portal’s inherent dimensional energy, creating an unstable resonance. The portal’s shimmering surface flickered momentarily, and Shen Yuan’s brows furrowed in concentration.
[Careful, Yuan’er. The spatial energies are clashing. The portal’s natural flow is interfering with your intent.]
Yue Lan’s voice echoed with concern.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead. “I can feel it. The strain is immense. I didn’t anticipate this level of resistance from the portal.”
The conflicting spatial energies coiled and twisted around the tree, threatening to unravel the delicate balance he was barely holding onto. Sparks of chaotic energy crackled in the air as the portal flickered more violently.
[Your Spatial Intent is being pushed to its limit. If the energies destabilize further, the tree’s cocoon could collapse, and its fragile roots might suffer irreparable damage.]
“I won’t let that happen,” Shen Yuan muttered, his gaze sharpening. He poured more of his Spatial Qi into the cocoon, trying to stabilize the resonance, but the strain on his intent grew unbearable.
His body trembled slightly as his Spiritual Sea buzzed with the overload.
Suddenly, amidst the turmoil, Shen Yuan felt a faint but profound realization. The chaotic interplay of energies wasn’t entirely random—it followed subtle patterns.
His keen mind, honed through countless battles and tribulations, began to grasp the intricate nature of the dimensional fluctuations.
He closed his eyes, letting his consciousness delve deeper into the flow of spatial energy.
His understanding expanded as he observed the flow of the clashing forces, deciphering their rhythm and harmony. Slowly, the chaos gave way to clarity in his mind.
A surge of insight washed over him. The tangled spatial threads began to align as he instinctively adjusted his intent, weaving the two conflicting energies into a unified flow.
A faint glow surrounded him as his comprehension deepened, breaking through the bottleneck of his Spatial Intent.
[Second level of Spatial Intent comprehended. Incredible, Yuan’er!]
Yue Lan’s voice carried a mix of surprise and excitement.
With his newly refined control, Shen Yuan subtly harmonized the spatial energies around the tree and portal.
The shimmering cocoon of Spatial Qi stabilized, its surface smooth and radiant. The portal’s flickering ceased, its dimensional pathway once again clear and steady.
Opening his eyes, Shen Yuan exhaled a long breath. “That was… more challenging than I expected, but also well worth it.”
[Your talent never ceases to amaze me. To break through in Intents under such pressure—only someone like you could achieve that.]
Shen Yuan smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on the tree. “It seems even adversity has its benefits. Let’s get this tree home.”
With his newly advanced Spatial Intent, he guided the tree through the portal.
While the other disciples had no idea how big of a risk he had just taken, the rarity of Spatial Intent was well known. They had never seen someone controlling Spatial Intent, much less clashing Spatial Intents.
All of them were wary solely due to the strange fluctuation in the air, which they thought was due to the sheer scale of what Shen Yuan was transferring.
…
On the other side of the portal, disciples backed away in surprise as they saw the charred cherry blossom tree floating out of the Spatial Portal.
Shen Yuan soon stepped out, looking at the guardian disciples standing guard at the portal. He gave them a small, tired smile. “Uh, I will be leaving now. If some elder asks what happened, you can tell them to either contact me or Elder Bing Rong or Huo Rong.”
The disciples speechlessly nodded their heads, looking at Shen Yuan fading back in the distance as he left.
…
Shen Yuan soon reached his courtyard, heading towards the garden.
He carefully made a place with his Space and Radiant Intent in the center of the garden before carefully floating the tree to that spot, the enriched soil glowing faintly with Radiant Qi.
He released the cocoon of Spatial Qi, allowing the tree’s roots to settle naturally into the ground. The azure glow of the sprout pulsed brighter, as though liking its new home.
[You did it, Yuan’er. The tree is safe, and its bond with this place will only grow stronger over time.]
Shen Yuan knelt beside the tree, his hand resting gently on its scarred trunk. “Welcome home,” he murmured, his voice soft and gentle.
He stood, his gaze lingering on the resilient tree before turning toward the rest of his garden. “The tree is the symbol of what I had gone through myself. It survived the Tribulation together with me.”
[And like you, it will flourish even in the harshest of circumstances. You’ve truly created something special here.]
Shen Yuan nodded, his lips curving into a faint smile as he looked at the cherry tree.
Taking out a chair, he said, “Let’s celebrate this little achievement for now.”
Shen Yuan settled into the chair he had just placed beside the cherry tree, taking out the wine gourd from his Spatial Ring.
He uncorked it with a soft pop, the rich aroma of aged wine wafting into the air. Taking a deep sip, he leaned back and exhaled, the tension of the day melting away.
The tree’s azure sprout pulsed faintly, as if sharing his moment of peace.
[Yuan’er, you’re quite attached to that gourd, aren’t you?] Yue Lan teased, her voice playful but warm.
Shen Yuan chuckled, swirling the wine inside the gourd. “This gourd has been with me for quite a long time now, Lan’er. You know, sometimes the little things hold the most meaning.”
[I guess that’s true. You have been using the same gourd for so long, refilling it with different wines. But what are you planning now?]
He tilted his head back, gazing at the serene sky. “I was considering making a trip to Sacred Lotus City. There’s someone I’ve been meaning to meet.”