Wooden Root: Barbara's Journey

Upon leaving the cave where she had broken through the barrier and reached the Qi Condensation Realm, Barbara felt an immediate difference. The air seemed more alive, as if it was connected to every particle of Qi around her. Her senses were sharper, and her body radiated a new and vibrant energy. For the first time, she felt truly connected to the essence of spiritual energy, as if she had broken through an invisible barrier that had once limited her perception of the world.

When she returned to the sect's courtyard, she noticed that the gazes that always followed her were now even more focused. There was a new aura around her, and the other disciples seemed to notice. Some looked at her with admiration, while others, especially those who had already been suspicious of her, watched her with a mix of envy and curiosity. Barbara's ascent to the Qi Condensation Realm would not go unnoticed.

Among the disciples, her movements were now more graceful, her reactions quicker, and even the way she handled the spiritual herbs seemed more fluid. The murmurs began to spread: "She managed to break through to the Qi Condensation Realm." Some whispered about Barbara's talent, while others hinted that she might be hiding even more secrets.

In her mind, Barbara reflected on her own journey. Reaching the Qi Condensation Realm made her realize how much she had grown as a cultivator. Before, she was a disciple primarily concerned with protecting herself, hiding her magical garden, and progressing without drawing too much attention. Now, she felt stronger, more confident, and determined to protect what was hers, even if it meant facing even greater challenges.

"You're different," Hai Tu commented one morning when they met in the sect's gardens. "Your presence... it's more intense. I think everyone has noticed."

Barbara smiled at Hai Tu, feeling the warmth of her friend's support.

"I guess that's what happens when you break through to the Qi Condensation Realm," she replied, keeping the tone light but knowing the reality was more complex.

With the new power came the certainty that she would need to be even more vigilant. The disciples who had previously challenged her, like Liang and Bai Qiu, would surely notice her rise and try to figure out how she had progressed so quickly. Barbara knew that her new strength was a double-edged sword: while it gave her an advantage in combat and alchemy, it also made her an even bigger target.

During training with other disciples, her new strength began to manifest in unexpected ways. She could deliver more precise strikes and sense the Qi flow of her opponents more easily, anticipating their movements and attacking with efficiency. In one of the training sessions, Barbara faced a group of disciples in a collective exercise. Before, she would have struggled to keep up with the pace, but now, with her enhanced senses and strengthened energy, she dominated the battlefield with agility.

"Impressive, Barbara," one of the instructors said at the end of the training session. "Your progress has been remarkable. It seems your alchemy is reflecting in your physical strength."

Barbara simply nodded, without revealing that the true catalyst for her strength came from her intense practice with alchemy pills and her mastery over Qi.

But the reality of her new position also brought a sense of isolation. Some disciples who had previously been cordial now kept their distance, fearing her rapid progress or feeding the distrust towards her. Barbara could feel the envious stares, especially from disciples like Liang and Bai Qiu, who, although they had not made another direct attack, clearly had not given up on trying to bring her down.

Still, what weighed most on Barbara's mind was how her new strength made her rethink her role as a cultivator. Before, her journey had been marked by survival and the fear of being discovered. Now, with renewed power and a sharper awareness of her abilities, Barbara saw herself as someone who could not only defend herself but also pursue her own goals more boldly.

That night, as she meditated in her cave, Barbara felt a deep connection with the Qi around her. Her energy flowed freely, circulating through her meridians with ease. The strength she had accumulated was not just a defense tool—it was an integral part of who she was now.

"I'm ready for whatever comes," she whispered to herself with a confident smile. "Whatever the next challenge is, I'll face it."

After reaching the Qi Condensation Realm, Barbara felt more connected to the world around her. However, the true impact of her new strength was revealed when she returned to the magical garden within the necklace. Upon entering the secret space, something felt different. The energy within the garden was vibrant, as if it had been awakened by her own cultivation breakthrough.

As she walked among the plants, Barbara noticed that the spiritual herbs, which had previously grown steadily, were now more alive and lush. The leaves gleamed with a more intense green, and the flowers, which had once taken weeks to bloom, were now blossoming quickly, as if the very earth was imbued with new energy.

"What's happening here?" Barbara whispered to herself, feeling the resonance of the garden's energy with her own. It was as if the magical space was responding to the new power flowing within her body.

Her wood-based spiritual root pulsed within her, deeply connecting her to the fertile soil of the garden. Every plant seemed to be in harmony with this connection, growing in sync with her energy. The plants' roots seemed to almost vibrate beneath her feet, absorbing the Qi that flowed from her body and returning this strength to the earth, creating a perfect cycle of energy.

Walking through the garden, Barbara noticed something new. In an area that had previously been empty, sprouts of a plant she had never seen before began to emerge. They were small but emanated an intense energy. Barbara approached and felt that these sprouts were directly connected to her wood-based spiritual root.

"These plants... they're different. I've never cultivated them before," she thought aloud as she touched one of the delicate leaves. A feeling of vitality passed through her, as if the plants were sharing their strength with her.

The realization that the garden was evolving alongside her cultivation brought a mix of fascination and responsibility. Barbara understood that as she advanced, the magical space also adapted to her, offering new opportunities that could be explored for alchemy and cultivation. Every plant, every new sprout was an extension of her own journey, a reflection of her growing connection with the spiritual nature around her.

Barbara sat in the center of the garden and began to meditate, feeling the energy of the plants resonating in sync with her wood-based spiritual root. It was as if the garden was alive, nourishing her as she nourished it. The cycle of growth and power between them was stronger than ever, and Barbara knew that this space would be an invaluable resource for her journey.

After some time, Barbara opened her eyes and stood up, her heart filled with new possibilities. The herbs she cultivated here would now be much more powerful, capable of creating alchemy pills that could further accelerate her cultivation progress. And those new plants... Barbara felt that they were special, perhaps possessing unique properties that could be used in advanced alchemy techniques.

As she left the magical garden, a new determination took hold of Barbara. The space within the necklace was more than just a secret refuge—it was now an essential part of her advancement as a cultivator.

Back in her cave, Barbara began to think about how she could use this new power. Perhaps it was time to start testing these new herbs and see what kind of pills or elixirs could be created. She knew that the power in her hands was growing, and with it, her responsibility was also increasing. Now, more than ever, she would need to be careful about whom she trusted and how she used her magical garden.