Wooden Root: Barbara's Journey

When Barbara emerged from the Tower of Trials, the air around her felt different. Her body was still fatigued from the challenges, yet the sense of victory and achievement was undeniable. As she distanced herself from the tower, the nearby disciples began to notice her presence. Some watched her with curiosity, while others cast glances of admiration or… envy.

The rumor of her success in the Tower of Trials spread quickly throughout the sect. Within hours, there was hardly anyone who didn’t know that Barbara, a disciple who had joined the sect less than a year ago, had successfully completed the trial. The feat was impressive, especially for someone with such little time in cultivation.

Barbara returned to her cave, relieved to be away from prying eyes, but the impact of the trial soon reached every corner of the sect. In the courtyard, in the hallways, and even during meals, she could feel the conversations swirling around her. “Barbara overcame the Tower of Trials,” “She defeated the illusion of herself,” “Does she have a secret?” These were the words echoing everywhere.

While many disciples showed respect for Barbara’s accomplishment, others began to question it. The speed of her progress was unusual, and the envy of some began to transform into suspicions and increasingly audible murmurs.

“How did she achieve so much in such a short time?” Barbara heard one disciple say at a meal.

“There must be something more behind this,” another commented. “No one advances this quickly without some... special help.”

Barbara tried to ignore the words, but she knew the pressure was mounting. The success she had achieved in the Tower of Trials was now a double-edged sword. While recognition was an advantage, it also brought more distrust, especially from her rivals.

The next morning, when she went to the training courtyard, she was approached by some more experienced disciples. Among them was Mei Ling, a disciple known for her talent in mystical formations and highly respected in the sect. Mei Ling smiled at Barbara, but there was something sharp in her gaze.

“So, you really completed the Tower of Trials,” Mei Ling said, crossing her arms. “That’s impressive, Barbara. Few achieve this in such a short time. But I wonder… what is your secret? How do you progress so quickly?”

Barbara felt the weight of the question, but maintained her composure.

“There is no secret. Just hard work and dedication to cultivation,” she replied, keeping her tone firm.

Mei Ling tilted her head, her smile widening slightly.

“Hard work, of course. But even the most diligent rarely achieve what you have in such a short time. Be careful, Barbara. Rapid success can attract… unwanted questions.”

With that, Mei Ling walked away, leaving Barbara with a feeling of alertness. The respect she had earned was quickly transforming into a kind of scrutiny.

Later, as Barbara trained alone in her cave, the feeling of isolation began to intensify. The magical garden and the alchemy furnace remained her greatest secrets, and now, with so many eyes on her, the responsibility to keep them hidden became even more crucial.

Despite the growing distrust and envy, Barbara knew she could not stop. The trial in the tower had proven that she was capable of facing the toughest challenges, and she was determined to continue her ascent within the sect, regardless of the pressure that arose.

However, she also knew the net was closing in. With each passing day, more disciples began to question her success, and Barbara needed to be more careful than ever to protect her secrets. The line between recognition and envy was thin, and Barbara walked it with caution.

In the days that followed her trial completion, Barbara realized that the tension within the sect was growing. The glances from other disciples, once filled with respect, now carried a shadow of suspicion. At the center of this was Mei Ling, the talented disciple of mystical formations who had already shown interest in Barbara.

Mei Ling, like Barbara, was in the Qi Condensation Realm, and her reputation as an exceptional cultivator made her one of the most respected disciples in the sect. She was known for her precision in mystical formations and her control over Qi, allowing her to manipulate complex barriers and traps. But since Barbara had surpassed the trial in the Tower, Mei Ling seemed unwilling to let the feat go unnoticed.

One day, while Barbara trained in the courtyard, Mei Ling approached with an enigmatic smile.

“Barbara,” she began, her voice sweet, yet with a sharp tone behind it. “It seems you’ve been drawing a lot of attention lately. You’ve probably heard the rumors, right? Everyone is curious about how you managed to progress so quickly.”

Barbara remained calm, already aware that Mei Ling posed a threat, but she chose to respond diplomatically.

“Yes, I’ve heard some things. But I’m just focused on my cultivation,” Barbara replied, not yielding to the provocation.

Mei Ling raised an eyebrow, her gaze becoming more penetrating.

“Interesting. Perhaps soon we can test just how far your cultivation has come. The Eternal Chalice Sect values trials highly, and soon there will be another. Who knows, if you’re willing, we could see which of us performs better.”

The challenge was clear, but Barbara knew it was more than just a simple provocation. Mei Ling didn’t just want to compete; she wanted to expose any weaknesses Barbara might have. The sect was full of disciples ready to question Barbara’s rapid progress, and Mei Ling wanted to be at the forefront of that questioning.

“If there’s a new trial, I’ll be ready,” said Barbara, her tone firm, even though she knew she needed to be careful.

Mei Ling smiled, satisfied with the response.

“Perfect. Until then, I’ll prepare as well. I can’t wait to see what you have to offer.” With that, she turned and walked away, leaving a trail of tension in the air.

Barbara felt the weight of the pressure. Mei Ling was willing to directly challenge her position, and with the respect she had within the sect, this confrontation would draw everyone’s attention. The new trial would be more than a test of skills; it would be an opportunity for Mei Ling to try to expose any weaknesses she believed Barbara was hiding.

However, Barbara knew she could not be intimidated. Over the following days, she dedicated herself even more to cultivation and alchemy, preparing pills that could help her in combat and mystical formations. However, the real challenge would be to keep her secrets protected. The magical garden and the alchemy furnace were her greatest assets, but also her greatest vulnerabilities.

Meanwhile, Mei Ling was not idle. The respected disciple was training intensely, honing her mystical formations, knowing she could use that talent to destabilize Barbara during the trial. She also began subtly spreading rumors among the disciples, questioning the legitimacy of Barbara’s success. This created an atmosphere of expectation among the disciples, who were now curious to see the confrontation between the two prominent cultivators.

On the night before the trial, Hai Tu visited Barbara in her cave. The friend, although still in the Body Refinement Realm, always offered moral support.

“Are you ready?” Hai Tu asked, concern evident in her voice.

Barbara smiled slightly.

“I’m as ready as I can be. But Mei Ling is a formidable opponent. She’s determined to expose me somehow. I need to be careful.”

Hai Tu nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

“Don’t let her intimidate you. You’ve come this far on your own merit, and no one can take that away from you. Whatever she tries, remember that you are strong.”

Hai Tu’s words warmed Barbara’s heart, but she knew the true challenge would come the next day when she faced Mei Ling in the trial. And as she prepared to sleep, a single question echoed in her mind: how far would Mei Ling go to bring her down?