Chapter 165: Shadows Linger in the Light of Breakthrough
The morning sun hung high, its rays piercing through the frost-covered trees as training came to an end. I stood in the courtyard, drenched in sweat, steam rising in the cool air of winter.
My muscles ached, my breath came in labored gulps, but there was a strange vitality coursing through me.
Elder Ming walked up to me, leaning on his staff, his sharp eyes scanning my posture. “You’ve improved,” he said, his tone measured. “It’s not perfect, but it’s enough.”
I nodded, wiping the sweat from my brow. “Enough to spar without collapsing, at least.”
He snorted, the corner of his lips quirking upward. “Enough to finish this tribulation, perhaps.”
I tilted my head, curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”
He gestured toward the horizon, pointing in the direction of the village outskirts. “The banyan tree,” he said simply. “You’ve reached the point where you should be able to make a dent. One blow, correct? That’s all it takes to break through.”
My stomach tightened. Of course, I knew. The tree was ancient, its roots sprawling across the earth like a web of veins. It had been the focal point of the quest, a symbol of the tribulation’s end. If I could dent the tree, I'd finish the tribulation and be free of this troublesome weight.
I clenched my fist. My fingers trembled slightly, though I wasn’t sure why. The unease that stirred in my chest wasn’t logical. I was stronger now, better prepared. This should have been cause for celebration, not hesitation.