Wooden Root: Barbara's Journey

A week had passed since Barbara intensified her cultivation under the guidance of Master Wei Jian Qiu. Each day demanded absolute dedication to the methods he taught her, and her constant effort began to bear fruit. Wei Jian Qiu, seeing her progress, summoned her to his presence with an approving expression on his face.

“Barbara,” he said, his tone calm yet firm, “your cultivation has been exemplary. You follow my instructions with precision and diligence. This is exactly what I expect from a promising disciple. Now that you’ve mastered the planting of spiritual herbs, there is an important task for you.”

Barbara felt a wave of pride and responsibility wash over her upon hearing her master’s words. She knew that Wei Jian Qiu was not one to give praise lightly, and the fact that he was convinced she was on the right path filled her with determination. As an internal disciple now, her responsibilities and expectations were much greater.

“I want you to take care of the sect's spiritual plants,” the elder continued. “The productivity of the sect relies on well-cultivated herbs, and with your natural talent, I believe you will be able to increase the yield, not just for your own purposes, but for the good of the entire sect.”

Barbara nodded, feeling the weight of this new responsibility. Taking care of the sect’s spiritual herbs was a crucial task, and now that she was being recognized as an internal disciple, she knew she could not fail. Her refined technique and connection to the wood element made her a perfect candidate for the job. However, not all the internal disciples of the Eternal Cup Sect viewed this favorably.

Among these disciples, one name stood out: Bai Qiu. Like Barbara, he was also an internal disciple, but while Barbara had risen quickly due to her exceptional talent in cultivating spiritual herbs, Bai Qiu felt overshadowed. Years of dedication had earned him his status, but it seemed insignificant compared to Barbara's meteoric rise. For Bai Qiu, this was an affront. How could a newcomer receive such important responsibilities?

Every time Bai Qiu saw Barbara being praised or taking on more tasks, his envy grew. Deep down, he considered himself the most qualified to tend to the sect's spiritual herbs, and seeing Barbara chosen instead fueled his resentment. He tried to hide his discontent, but it became harder with each passing day.

In the days following Barbara's promotion, Bai Qiu commented from a distance, feeding his bitterness. He noticed how the other disciples began to take notice, slowly realizing that the sect's attention was turning toward her. This consumed him. His frustration grew, and gradually he began to devise a plan. He knew that if he wanted to maintain his own status in the sect, he needed to do something to prevent Barbara from continuing to grow.

“She needs to be taken down,” Bai Qiu thought bitterly. “Somehow, I’ll make everyone see that she isn’t as talented as she thinks.”

Bai Qiu knew that Barbara was now responsible for cultivating the sect's spiritual herbs—a weakness he could exploit. If the plants she tended began to wilt or fail, everyone in the sect would think she wasn’t as skilled as she appeared. Her standing would plummet, and he would finally have the chance to shine again. Bai Qiu drew a grim smile. He knew an opportunity to act would soon present itself.

Meanwhile, Barbara, oblivious to Bai Qiu’s plans, remained focused on her new responsibilities. In the magical space of the necklace, the plants she cultivated grew with impressive vitality, and the responsibility of caring for the sect's herbs felt like a natural extension of her talent. She felt at home working with the plants, as if her wooden human roots resonated directly with the soil she touched. Yet, even in her concentration, there was a slight tension in the air, a sense that something was looming. Barbara, however, did not yet know what awaited her.

In those tranquil hours of the early morning, when the moon illuminated the sky with its soft glow, Bai Qiu, with a treacherous look, stealthily approached the sect's garden. In his hands, he held a bag of salt, a wicked plan forming in his mind. He wanted to sabotage the plants tended by Barbara, a dedicated disciple passionate about her work. The spiritual herbs she cultivated were precious, and Bai Qiu aimed to ruin them.

Upon reaching the heart of the garden, he paused and began to sprinkle salt into the soil, a malevolent smile forming on his face. But his happiness was fleeting. Before he could complete his plan, a firm voice sliced through the night air.

“What are you doing, Bai Qiu?” Barbara appeared, her eyes shining with determination. The moon reflected her confidence and courage.

He had no time to respond. Barbara lunged forward, her martial arts skills immediately coming into play. The two engaged in a fierce battle, their bodies moving like shadows under the moonlight. Punches and kicks flew, and the sound of their impacts echoed through the garden.

Barbara, agile and powerful, landed a solid blow on Bai Qiu, who staggered back, his expression a mix of surprise and rage revealing his frustration at failing. In a last-ditch effort, he launched a kick toward her, but Barbara dodged, countering with a series of swift strikes that brought him crashing to the ground.

“This is what you get for trying to harm the sect's plants!” Barbara exclaimed, her unwavering spirit and determination shining brightly.

Realizing he was at a disadvantage, Bai Qiu decided there was no honor in continuing the fight. He quickly rose, looking at Barbara with a mix of anger and disdain.

“You’ll pay for this!” he shouted before fleeing the garden, frustration weighing heavily on his back.

Barbara, still catching her breath from the fight, watched as he disappeared into the darkness of the night. She then turned back to her garden, her eyes falling on the spiritual herbs she cherished. A smile of relief spread across her face as she realized that despite the attack, her plants were intact. Their spiritual power remained unshaken.

“Thank you, my dear ones,” she murmured, delicately running her hands over the green leaves, feeling the vital energy emanating from them.

With a sigh of joy, Barbara returned to her work, determined to tend to each plant with even greater care. That night, she had not only defended the garden but also strengthened her own resolve. Bai Qiu might have another chance, but she would be ready, always defending what was important to her.