Wooden Root: Barbara's Journey

Bai Qiu, now injured and covered in bruises after the beating he had received from Barbara, took refuge in his personal cave. The atmosphere was silent, but within him, frustration and rage simmered. He sat on the floor, leaning his back against the cold wall as he tried to calm himself.

— She will pay for this — he murmured to himself, fury burning in his eyes. The humiliating defeat still echoed in his mind, and the thought of Barbara gaining prestige in the sect made him even angrier. Now, she was a respected inner disciple, and her rise made him feel increasingly insignificant. He needed to act quickly to reverse this situation.

Bai Qiu began to plot a new scheme. The idea of sabotaging Barbara's plants had been just a first step, but it had failed miserably. Now, he needed to be more strategic. Observing the sect's routine, he noticed that Barbara often went on missions outside the sect's surroundings to gather herbs or attend to tasks assigned to her.

— That’s it! — he exclaimed, a cunning expression appearing on his face. — When she leaves the sect's protection, it will be the perfect opportunity to attack her. This time, I won’t underestimate her abilities. I need a plan that catches her off guard.

As he pondered the best methods to defeat her, Bai Qiu also thought about how he could discredit Barbara within the sect. If he could ruin her reputation, it would make it harder for her to maintain the position she had gained. He imagined various ways to do this, from spreading rumors about her abilities to setting ambushes during her missions.

— If I can make others see that she’s not as talented as they think, everything will change in my favor — he murmured, a dark smile forming on his lips.

He spent the next few days meticulously planning his revenge. Bai Qiu knew he had to be patient and wait for the right opportunity. In the meantime, he watched Barbara from afar, paying attention to her every move. He knew that the next time they met, he would be prepared for the fight and determined to ensure that victory would be his.

With his mind filled with plans, Bai Qiu finally stood up, determined. He wasn’t just seeking revenge; he wanted to restore his position and show everyone that he was the one deserving of the sect’s prestige and attention. And above all, he wanted to make Barbara pay for her arrogance.

Barbara was in her cave, surrounded by the fresh aroma of the spiritual herbs growing in her magical garden. The space was imbued with vibrant energy, and the soft sunlight filtered through the entrance, illuminating her small refuge. Today, she had a clear goal in mind: to prepare her first Recovery Pill.

Recovery Pills were quite common in Murim, known for their effectiveness in healing injuries. As a novice alchemist, Barbara knew that these pills would be a great way to earn spiritual stones. With her current reserves depleted after nourishing her garden in the magical space, she needed to find a way to replenish her wealth. Selling the pills she produced would be the most practical path.

She headed to her magical garden and harvested some spiritual herbs that were ready to be used. Each plant she picked seemed to vibrate with energy, and Barbara knew she was choosing the right ingredients. After gathering everything she needed, she returned to the alchemy table, where the ancient furnace was prepared for the task.

Carefully, she began to prepare the herbs. Barbara chopped, mashed, and mixed the plants, following what she had learned from the alchemist manuals she found. As she worked, she felt her wooden spiritual root resonate in harmony with the environment around her, as if each movement guided her to do the right thing. The Qi flowed through her hands, and she felt increasingly confident.

After preparing the herb mixture, Barbara began to mold the ingredients into small balls, focusing on the shape and texture. She knew that consistency was crucial for the pills’ effectiveness. After a few attempts, she finally achieved a satisfactory result. She placed each pill in the special alchemy furnace she had found in her magical space and adjusted the temperature precisely. The heat from the furnace intensified, and Barbara watched closely, her breath slow and controlled.

As the pills heated, she reflected on what she was doing. This was the first time she was venturing into alchemy so practically, and the idea of selling her creations intrigued her. The Recovery Pills could not only help her obtain spiritual stones but also benefit other cultivators in the sect and beyond. With that in mind, her excitement grew.

After a few minutes, the furnace signaled that the process was complete. Barbara carefully removed the pills, now firm and radiant. Satisfaction enveloped her as she saw the result of her effort — pills that could truly make a difference.

With a smile on her face, she arranged the Recovery Pills in a small container, ready to be taken to the market. She knew she needed to venture outside the sect in search of buyers, but she was determined. Now that she had a way to generate a source of income, she could replenish her spiritual stones and continue keeping her garden in the magical space alive.

With every pill she produced, Barbara felt stronger and more confident in her abilities. Alchemy was an art, and she was determined to become a respected alchemist. With her stock of Recovery Pills in hand, Barbara prepared for the next step of her journey, ready to explore the world beyond the sect's gates.

Bai Qiu watched from a distance as Barbara left the Eternal Chalice Sect, a look of determination on her face. He followed her, staying in the shadows, alert to her every move. When she arrived at the market, his eyes fixated on the Recovery Pills she was selling. The image of Barbara, confident and capable, irritated him deeply.

— How can she have a stock of recovery pills? — he murmured to himself, distrust growing within him. — I’ve never seen her do alchemy. What is she hiding?

As he observed, he noticed that Barbara was holding a large amount of spiritual stones, gleaming in her container. Rage and envy pulsed in his heart. He knew he needed to act. Bai Qiu planned to attack her, but not before tarnishing her reputation in the sect. He knew that Barbara didn’t have many friends — she was almost a hermit — and the only connection she had was with Elder Wei Jian Qiu, who taught her. This made the plan even more viable: if he could spread malicious rumors about her, her image would be damaged, and he would have a chance to stand out again.

As he devised his plan, Bai Qiu followed her down a deserted street in the market, where the lighting was dim, and few passersby could notice the scene. Now was the perfect moment to confront her. With an arrogant smile, he decided he would attack her, taking advantage of the disadvantage of being alone.

— Hey, Barbara! — he shouted, quickly approaching her. — You shouldn’t be here, away from the protection of the sect. Let’s see if you’re really as good as they say!

Barbara, surprised, turned to face Bai Qiu. His expression was filled with hostility, and in an instant, the air became tense between them. Without hesitation, he launched an attack, trying to hit her with a punch.

The fight began, and the two exchanged punches, kicks, and slaps. Barbara, with her quick reflexes and martial arts experience, quickly took the lead. Adrenaline coursed through her veins as she dodged Bai Qiu’s attacks and countered with precise strikes.

Bai Qiu struggled to hold his ground, but his strength and skill could not compete with Barbara’s. Each blow she dealt hit him like the force of a storm, and soon he was fighting just to stay on his feet. He realized that his attempt to steal something from her was a futile idea, as Barbara was not only skilled — she was determined not to let anyone take her down.

After a few minutes of fighting, Bai Qiu, exhausted and injured, decided it was better to retreat. He took a step back, panting, looking at Barbara with rage.

— You will pay for this, Barbara! Next time, I won’t be so kind — he shouted, his voice filled with bitterness as he walked away.

Barbara, still standing and breathing controlled, watched him flee, a mix of relief and frustration coursing through her body. She knew this wouldn’t be the last time Bai Qiu would try to attack her. However, her pouch of spiritual stones remained intact, bringing her a sigh of joy.

— He can try whatever he wants, but he won’t take me down — she murmured to herself, returning to her work. Determined not to let Bai Qiu’s envy affect her, Barbara knew she needed to focus on her own goals and how she could continue to grow as an alchemist and cultivator.