A soft breeze, carrying the faint scent of celestial blossoms, rustled the sleeves of my simple
robe as I stood before the imposing, pearlescent gates of the Heavenly Court. Each intricate
carving on the gate seemed to hum with ancient power, a silent testament to the realm beyond. I
remained still, my gaze fixed on the ethereal shimmer, a blend of awe and determination
swirling within me.
Suddenly, a presence, heavy and profound, solidified nearby. It wasn't just the rustle of fabric,
but the very air around me seemed to thicken, pressing down with an invisible weight. A voice,
deep and resonant like a temple bell, echoed through the quiet.
"Who are you? Why have you come to the Heavenly Court?"
My senses, honed by years of solitary cultivation, immediately recognized the immense power
radiating from him. No casual observer could mistake it – this was a cultivator at the Peak Stage
of the Golden Core, his aura a vibrant, almost tangible golden light. I bowed respectfully, my
voice clear despite the tremor of anticipation in my chest.
"Greetings, Senior. I am a lone cultivator, Bai Xing, currently at the Peak Stage of Foundation
Establishment. I humbly wish to join your esteemed Heavenly Court."
A scoff, sharp and disbelieving, cut through the air. "Merely a Peak Foundation Establishment,
and yet you dare to speak of joining the Heavenly Court?" His tone, laced with a potent mix of
anger and disdain, seemed to vibrate through my very bones.
I dared not argue. To do so would be to invite disaster. Instead, I maintained my humble
posture, my voice a deferential murmur. "I hope, Senior, you might at least enlighten me on the
requirements to join the Heavenly Court."
The tension in the air eased slightly, and his voice, though still firm, became calmer. "Hmph.
You'd need at least a Golden Core Late Stage cultivation. And you must be capable of crafting
Earth Grade pills."
"Understood, Senior," I replied, a spark of resolve igniting within me. "This junior will return once
I've met those requirements."
"If there's nothing else, you shall take your leave," he stated, an impatient edge creeping back
into his voice. It was a clear dismissal. Without another word, I bowed deeply once more and
turned, quickly departing from the formidable gates.
As I put distance between myself and the Heavenly Court, a heavy sigh escaped my lips. "A
Peak Foundation Establishment," I muttered to myself, the words tasting bitter. "How could I
have been so naive? So arrogant after merely defeating an early-stage Golden Core? The
chasm between an early and a peak Golden Core is like the difference between heaven and
earth; they simply cannot be compared. Truly, I was a frog in a shallow well, mistaking my small
puddle for the vast ocean."
"Enough of this self-pity, Bai Xing!" Tai Bing Chi's voice boomed, sharp and clear within my
mind, cutting through my dejection like a blade. "So you met a true expert, a cultivator who put
your current limits into perspective. Is that a reason to wallow? Or is it a reason to strive for
more?"
His voice softened slightly, though the underlying power remained. "The gap you perceive
between a Foundation Establishment and a Peak Golden Core seems immense now, but
consider this: the difference isn't insurmountable. It's merely a challenge. You faced an
early-stage Golden Core and won, didn't you? That wasn't luck; that was your own inherent talent and hard work."
"You have potential, Bai Xing, immense potential that you haven't even begun to tap into. This
encounter isn't a defeat; it's a wakeup call. It shows you how much further you can go, how
much stronger you can become. Don't compare yourself to others and be discouraged; compare
yourself to your past self and aim higher! The path of cultivation is long and arduous, full of
setbacks, but it's also brimming with endless possibilities for growth. Use this moment as fuel,
as motivation to refine your cultivation and broaden your horizons."
A jolt ran through me. Tai Bing Chi's words, though blunt, resonated deeply. He was right. I had
been too focused on my immediate perceived shortcomings, forgetting the strength I already
possessed and the endless road ahead. My earlier arrogance had been a flaw, but dwelling in
self-pity was another. This wasn't a barrier; it was a new benchmark, a goal to surpass. The fire
of ambition, momentarily dimmed, blazed brighter than ever.
"Good," Tai Bing Chi stated, sensing my shift in perspective. "Now that you've picked yourself
up, shall we discuss alchemy?"
My head snapped up. "You... you know alchemy?" The question tumbled out, laced with
surprise.
Tai Bing Chi chuckled, a rich, ancient sound. "My dear Bai Xing, I have lived for a million years.
In that span, I have tried my hand at countless endeavors. But in the art of alchemy? I assure
you, even in the immortal world, I stand among the top ten. Some even whisper that alchemy is
'the path to immortality' itself." He paused, a playful edge in his tone. "Enough chit-chat. Let's
focus on transforming you into an Earth Grade alchemist."
"Okay!" The word burst from me, a renewed sense of purpose flooding my being. The sting of
rejection still lingered, but with Tai Bing Chi's words, a new, more tangible path had emerged.
The Heavenly Court's gates might be closed for now, but a different, equally challenging, and
perhaps even more rewarding journey was about to begin.