Tomorrow would be the day the Cloud Mist Secret Realm opens.
Within Qingxu Temple, the daytime clamor and restlessness had settled by night into an unusual tranquility. This calm was not true peace, but more like a bowstring drawn taut, silently gathering strength, brewing the final tension before the storm's arrival.
In the disciple dormitory area, the lights were much sparser than usual. Most qualified disciples were either making final checks and breath adjustments, or had already fallen asleep, conserving their energy. The air was permeated with a complex mixture of tension, excitement, and a trace of unease.
Tang Xiao Qi sat cross-legged on his bed, not yet entering meditation. Tomorrow he would step into the unknown secret realm; even with a will tougher than his peers, at this moment he found it hard to be completely calm. Naturally there was anticipation—the desire for opportunities, the yearning for tempering, like a small flame flickering in his heart. But deeper still was an ineffable unease.
The dangers within the secret realm had been repeatedly emphasized by his master, senior brothers, and senior sisters. Demonic beasts, treacherous terrain, and even unpredictable human hearts... Although he had prepared as best he could, his Qi Refining fifth layer cultivation remained a weak point in this journey. He stroked the warm, smooth jade pendant at his chest; its cool touch came through, yet it could not completely dispel the gloom in his heart. This pendant was related to his origins, one source of his strength, yet it also felt like an invisible burden, reminding him that greater mysteries and risks might lie ahead.
Moonlight like water flowed quietly through the window lattice into the room, stretching his shadow long and solitary. He couldn't help but recall that night of blazing flames at Xu Lan Mountain Manor, the blurred faces of his parents, the terror of being lost in the wilderness... Those memory fragments he had buried deep now quietly surfaced in this tranquil night.
Just as his mind wavered, an extremely faint rustling sound came from the window.
Xiao Qi looked up alertly, seeing a familiar white shadow, like a spirit condensed from moonlight, slip silently through the slightly opened window crack and land lightly on the floor. It was none other than the rabbit spirit with whom he had formed a deep bond.
The little creature seemed unusually quiet tonight. Its ruby-like eyes held none of their usual cunning and liveliness; instead, they bore a worry that seemed almost humanly wise. Instead of bouncing into his arms to act coquettishly as usual, it walked with silent steps to the bedside and looked up at him.
A warmth rose in Xiao Qi's heart. He leaned down and softly said, 'Brother Rabbit, what brings you here?'
The rabbit spirit did not respond, only gently rubbed the back of his hand with its damp nose, carrying a hint of consolation. Then it lowered its head and spat out a stone about the size of a pigeon's egg, entirely lustrous white, emitting a faint cool aura, and carefully placed it in Xiao Qi's palm.
The stone felt smooth and warm to the touch, not cold. That cool aura directly penetrated his skin, seeped into his meridians, and instantly calmed his somewhat agitated mind, troubled by tangled thoughts. His head felt as if washed by a clear spring, becoming extraordinarily clear and peaceful.
'This is... a Heart-clearing Stone?' Xiao Qi was somewhat surprised. He recognized this stone; though not particularly rare, it had good effects for calming the mind, tranquilizing the spirit, and resisting inner demons. Especially for low-level cultivators, it was an excellent aid for cultivation. This rabbit spirit usually loved collecting all kinds of shiny 'treasures'; he hadn't expected it to find this and deliver it at such a time.
Seeing him accept it, the rabbit spirit's red eyes seemed to flicker with a look of relief. It rubbed Xiao Qi's hand again with its head and emitted an extremely subtle, comforting purr from its throat, as if saying, 'Don't worry.'
Having done this, it did not linger. It turned and, like a wisp of white smoke, silently slipped out through the window crack again, disappearing into the melting moonlight, coming and going swiftly, leaving no trace.
Xiao Qi held the Heart-clearing Stone in his hand, still carrying the rabbit spirit's body warmth and saliva. Feeling the continuous cool aura transmitted, smoothing his emotions, he stared blankly at the empty window, a tumult of feelings in his heart.
On this tense eve, the care of his senior brothers and sisters gave him support. And this intelligent little creature, in its own unique way, had delivered a silent gesture of concern and solace. It seemed to have sensed the unease within him, using this Heart-clearing Stone to dispel his gloom.
This friendship was pure and precious.
He tightly gripped the Heart-clearing Stone. The cool sensation not only stabilized his mind but also seemed to inject a firm strength. Yes, he was not fighting alone. He had senior brothers and sisters who cared for him, this intelligent companion, and also the mysterious family heirloom jade pendant at his chest and that reliable frying pan.
The road ahead might be perilous, but what he possessed was far more than he had imagined.
He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. That thread of unease that had occupied his heart was now replaced by warm gratitude and rekindled fighting spirit. He carefully stored the Heart-clearing Stone close to his body, together with the jade pendant.
Then he resumed sitting cross-legged and closed his eyes. This time, his heart-lake was calm and ripple-free. He no longer let his thoughts wander aimlessly, but instead began to focus inward, adjust his breathing, and let spiritual energy circulate slowly within his body, bringing himself to peak condition. With full vigor and firm will, he would welcome tomorrow's dawn.
Outside the window, the moonlight was like water, all sounds hushed. Qingxu Temple slept embraced by the mountains, with only the mountain breeze brushing through the treetops, making a gentle rustling sound, as if singing a nocturnal blessing for the disciples about to journey far.
The calm before the trial had now truly descended.