Wooden Root: Barbara's Journey

The day of the trial had finally arrived, and Barbara headed to the Tower of Trials with her heart racing. The sect's courtyard was filled with anxious disciples, all waiting to see who would stand out in their skills. The weight of expectations hung over her shoulders, and the pressure of not disappointing Elder Wei Jian Qiu and the other disciples was almost unbearable.

As soon as she entered the tower, the atmosphere changed. The air was charged with energy and challenge, and Barbara felt adrenaline pulsing through her veins. The first part of the trial would be a combat skills test, and she knew she would face other spiritual beasts and mystical formations.

But as the trial progressed, Barbara began to feel the pressure increase. She remembered Elder Wei Jian Qiu's words about the importance of standing out and how her promotion as an inner disciple was at stake. Every movement felt heavier than usual, and anxiety started to take over.

The first spiritual beast she faced was a giant wolf, and while the other disciples attacked confidently, Barbara hesitated. The wolf lunged with fury, and she struggled to move. When she finally attacked, her strikes were slow and inaccurate. The wolf managed to dodge, and with a swift blow, it knocked Barbara to the ground.

She got back up, but her confidence had vanished. The fear of failing and disappointing her masters and peers engulfed her. The next challenge was a mystical formation that required focus and clarity, but Barbara’s mind was clouded. The tension transformed into despair, and the formation quickly trapped her, leading to a complete collapse of her control.

After the trial, Barbara left the Tower with a heavy heart. She felt defeated and ashamed. The looks from other disciples were different now; some watched her with concern, while others expressed disappointment. Among them was Mei Ling, a triumphant smile on her face.

— It seems you didn't make it, did you? — Mei Ling said, her sweet tone laced with a hint of satisfaction. — It's a shame. Maybe next time you'll come better prepared.

Barbara merely nodded, feeling the pain of defeat run deeper. As she walked away, Wei Jian Qiu called out to her.

— Barbara! — his voice echoed, and the young girl turned, fearing the disappointment that might be coming. The elder approached, his expression serious. — I am disappointed with the result, but I understand. You are still very young and have much to learn.

Barbara looked at the ground, the elder's words tightening her heart.

— I failed, Elder. I'm so sorry — she said, struggling against tears.

Wei Jian Qiu sighed, his features softening slightly.

— Don’t worry. Next year, you'll have another chance. And perhaps, with more experience and less pressure, you can perform better. Use this time to grow, not just in strength, but also in confidence.

With that, the elder dismissed her, and Barbara walked away, knowing she would have to face the consequences of her failure. The day hadn’t gone as she had hoped, and the pressure of being a genius in the sect now weighed even more heavily on her shoulders. But deep down, she knew she would need to use this failure as a springboard to become even stronger.

As she walked back to her cave, Barbara reflected on what she had learned. Every challenge was a lesson, and even though there were failures along the way, each one could be an opportunity for growth.

After Barbara's failure in the Tower of Trials, the atmosphere in the Eternal Chalice Sect changed rapidly. In the hallways, murmurs among the disciples became evident. While some expressed concern and support, others couldn't help but seize the opportunity to belittle the young genius.

A group of disciples, including Hai Tu, tried to comfort Barbara as they saw her leaving the tower, her expression downtrodden.

— Barbara, don’t worry! We’ve all gone through tough times. What matters is that you learn from this — said Hai Tu, her tone encouraging. — You are incredibly talented and have a bright future ahead.

But the supportive words were quickly overshadowed by whispers coming from other disciples, who made no effort to hide their opinions.

— Look at that, the famous genius couldn’t pass the trial — sneered one disciple, and some around him laughed.

— I bet she was counting on her alchemy furnace to save her. — Another added, provoking more laughter.

Bai Qiu, watching from a distance, couldn't contain his smirk. It was clear he had been waiting for this moment. The pressure Barbara faced now seemed to have finally manifested in a failure he could use against her.

— I always said she wasn’t as good as they claimed — declared Bai Qiu, approaching the group mocking Barbara. — A true genius wouldn’t fail such a simple test.

Liang, who stood next to Bai Qiu, nodded in agreement.

— And who knows? She might have gotten lucky before, but now? Now we know who the real Barbara is. — Liang's taunt seemed to echo, fueling hostility towards Barbara.

Barbara felt her heart tighten as she heard the murmurs. What should have been a day of triumph was now turning into a moment of disillusionment and pain. Even with Hai Tu's support, the pressure and hostility she received from other disciples made the confidence she had built in her progress begin to wane.

However, her supporters’ reactions didn’t go unnoticed. Several disciples, admirers of Barbara, began to gather around her. One of them, a young man named Chen, spoke up.

— That’s not fair! Barbara has proven her worth time and again. A single failure doesn’t define a cultivator — he said, standing up to Bai Qiu and Liang.

Tension rose, and Barbara’s gaze met Chen’s. She felt a warmth of gratitude towards those who still supported her, even amidst adversity. But the whispers didn’t cease, and the rivalry was far from over.

As days went by, Barbara's reputation seemed to fluctuate. While some supported her and recognized her achievements, others, especially rivals, took the opportunity to try to bring her down. The atmosphere in the sect was heavy with expectations and suspicions, and Barbara's internal struggle to stay steadfast on her journey became increasingly challenging.

She knew she would need more than combat skills or alchemy to overcome this situation. She would have to face the skeptical gazes and hostility from disciples like Bai Qiu and Liang, who were determined to undermine her confidence.

One day, as she walked through the sect's courtyard, Barbara stumbled upon Liang and Bai Qiu in an animated conversation. They were surrounded by disciples who clearly laughed and mocked her. As she passed by, Liang turned and, with a mischievous smile, said:

— So, Barbara, how are you feeling after your big “achievement”? Maybe you should focus more on improving your skills instead of getting carried away by fame.

Bai Qiu laughed along, and the sound of their laughter echoed through the hallways. Barbara stopped, taking a deep breath, deciding she wouldn’t let their words bring her down. Instead of allowing herself to be disheartened, she looked at the two with a determined gaze.

— You can laugh now, but I will prove I am capable of much more — Barbara replied, head held high. — This is not the last you’ll hear about me.

With that, Barbara walked away, feeling a wave of determination surge through her body. The pressure and hostility she faced would now become the strength that propelled her to keep fighting. She had a path to walk and a reputation to rebuild, and she wouldn’t allow others’ envy to stop her from reaching her goals.