Coin of rebirth

Mu Yan and Qin Ying moved deeper, the cavern narrowing into a tight passage. The air grew heavy, thick with the smell of damp earth. Hours blurred into a monotonous rhythm of scraping boots and echoing drips. The silence, broken only by their labored breathing, pressed in on them. The path twisted and turned, a labyrinth carved by forces of nature over countless years. Strange formations of rock, dotted about the rocky skyline above, loomed out of the darkness like grotesque statues.

Qin Ying shivered, pulling her thin shawl tighter around her. "How much further is this path?"

"I don't know," Mu Yan admitted, his voice echoing strangely in the confined space. He ran a hand along the cold, damp wall, the rough texture. He then thought of trying the new technique that he received. Running, Whispering Soul, awakening, he tried to sense ahead to find any clues. After a while, he noticed two strong auras ahead. One appeared soothing and gentle on his senses, whereas the other felt chaotic. He did not understand this aura. Being vigilant, he gestured to Qin Ying and said, 'Be careful, I feel there is something dangerous ahead.'

"Hmm, I will be careful, don't worry. If anything happens, I will protect you."

As they continued ahead, Mu Yan noticed a slight brightness ahead, replacing the dim light of the salacites above, the passage opened into a larger chamber. A faint light filtered down from a narrow slit high above and a crevice around the small opening in the far left, barely illuminating the space. A subtle, sweet aroma hung in the air, a stark contrast to the musty scent of the cavern.

"Do you smell that?" Qin Ying asked, tilting her head.

Mu Yan nodded, following the scent towards a cluster of stalactites hanging from the ceiling. A viscous, amber liquid dripped slowly from the tips, collecting in a hollowed-out stone beneath. It shimmered in the faint light, the source of the enticing aroma.

"What is it?" Qin Ying whispered, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Mu Yan cautiously approached, extending a finger to touch the liquid. It was warm, almost pulsing with a faint energy. He brought his finger to his nose, inhaling the sweet fragrance. It was unlike anything he had encountered before, a complex blend of floral and earthy notes. "I don't know," he said, his voice hushed. "But it feels... familiar." He looked at the small pool of liquid, barely enough for a few mouthfuls. It shimmered, reflecting the faint light like a miniature galaxy. He felt drawn to it, an inexplicable urge to taste the strange substance.

Mu Yan jolted. Buried memories of a heavenly resource surfaced, which he had seen in the archives of the Lin Clan. The heavenly resource was called Meridian Flow. A substance capable of widening the meridians of a cultivator, allowing for greater absorption and flow of spiritual energy. But it could only be used by those at the mortal level or just ascending to the Foundation Establishment stage. Any higher level would be ineffective as the meridians of any higher-stage cultivator were already set with cultivation technique.

"Qin Ying," Mu Yan said, his voice low, "I believe I know what this is. It's called The Meridian Flow. A rare treasure that can widen one's Nadis, but only for those at mortal or Foundation Establishment level." He paused, glancing at the small pool. "There's only enough for one person."

Qin Ying studied him, her expression unreadable. She seemed to weigh his words, considering the implications. Then, she shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I don't require it. It is of no use to me. You take it, Mu Yan."

He felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. He had been prepared to argue, to offer her a share even though it would lessen the effects for both of them. Her selfless gesture surprised him. "Thank you," he said, his voice sincere. He knelt beside the pool, cupping his hands and drinking the viscous liquid. It slid down his throat, warm and sweet, spreading a tingling sensation throughout his body. He felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins. Pain soon followed in its wake. Not prepared for sudden pain, Mu Yan suddenly cried out. But soon he steeled his resolve and endured it through. It would be naive to think it would be easy; widening Nadis essentially meant there would be tears and repairs, which would result in bone-deep pain. His Nadis stretched, expanding, accommodating the influx of power. He closed his eyes, focusing on guiding the energy, circulating it through his body according to the Chaos Engine Body Technique. The world around him seemed to fade as he delved deeper into his cultivation.