NTR: Choice Based System

The air crackled with a potent energy as Ye Yang stepped into the pool of Yang energy.

It was a swirling vortex of golden light, radiating an intense heat that threatened to incinerate anything that dared to approach.

Yet, Ye Yang felt a strange sense of calm, a profound peace that settled deep within him.

He closed his eyes, immersing himself completely in the swirling energy.

It was like being bathed in liquid fire, a sensation both exhilarating and terrifying.

The Yang energy surged through his veins, cleansing his body of impurities, purging every trace of weakness and fatigue.

The process was agonizing. It felt like his very bones were being reforged, his flesh being purified in a celestial furnace.

He gritted his teeth, enduring the searing pain, his mind focused on maintaining his calm.

He channelled his own Qi, guiding the potent Yang energy through his meridians, allowing it to nourish and strengthen his core.

Hours turned into days, days into weeks. Ye Yang remained within the pool, his body gradually adapting to the intense energy. The pain subsided, replaced by a feeling of exhilarating warmth. He felt his body transforming, becoming stronger, more resilient.

His cultivation surged forward, breaking through the barriers that had held him back.

He had reached the pinnacle of the Core Formation stage, and now, with the relentless infusion of Yang energy, he felt a new level of power awakening within him.

The breakthrough came unexpectedly. A surge of energy, more potent than any he had experienced before, coursed through his veins.

His body trembled, his pores opening like a thousand tiny mouths, greedily absorbing the overflowing energy.

He felt himself ascending, rising above the limitations of the Core Formation stage.

His consciousness expanded, his perception sharpening. He could feel the subtle vibrations of the world around him, the intricate dance of energy that permeated every living thing.

He had reached the early stage of Spirit Cultivation realm, a realm where his consciousness could transcend the physical limitations of his body.

He felt a sense of liberation, a newfound freedom that transcended the mundane.

As he continued to cultivate, the pool of Yang energy began to react. The swirling vortex intensified, pulsating with an inner light that resonated with the newfound power within Ye Yang.

He felt a strange connection to the pool, as if it were a living entity, responding to his own growth.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. Ye Yang remained within the pool, his cultivation deepening, his understanding of the world around him expanding.

Finally, after months of intense cultivation, Ye Yang felt a sense of completion.

He had absorbed as much Yang energy as his body could handle, his cultivation reaching a plateau for now. He emerged from the pool, his body glowing with a faint golden light.

With a heavy breath, Ye Yang emerged from the pool, his body still tingling with residual energy.

He quickly collected his clothes and dressed, a sense of anticipation mingling with a lingering warmth.

He waited, a silent hope stirring within him that the enigmatic woman might reappear. But as time passed, it became clear that she had vanished from the Whispering Woods as completely as if she had never existed.

A profound sense of melancholy washed over him. He had spent months within the illusion, forging a connection with her that transcended the boundaries of the illusory world. Now, she was gone, leaving behind an emptiness that echoed in his soul.

With a resolute sigh, Ye Yang left the Whispering Woods, the vibrant energy of the forest a fading memory.

He sought out the nearest city, eager to immerse himself in the bustle of human activity, to find distractions from the poignant memories that lingered within him.

The Ye Yang who emerged from the woods was a changed man. The trials within the illusion had tempered his spirit, honed his skills, and deepened his understanding of himself and the world around him.

He was no longer the impetuous youth who had entered the puzzle formation. He was stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever before.

The journey to the south was arduous. For four long months, Ye Yang walked through dense forests, scaled treacherous mountain passes, and crossed rivers swollen with the spring melt.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the silhouette of a sprawling city appeared on the horizon.

Relief washed over him as he approached the bustling city.

The air thrummed with the energy of commerce, the streets teeming with merchants hawking their wares: exotic spices, shimmering silks, and intricate contraptions of unknown purpose.

Towering above the city was a majestic structure, its spires piercing the clouds.

This, he learned, was the headquarters of the Alchemy Association, the de facto rulers of the city. Their influence extended far beyond the city walls, their alchemical creations sought after by cultivators and commoners alike.

Exhausted but exhilarated, Ye Yang sought refuge in a bustling inn. As he savoured a tankard of strong ale, his eyes swept across the crowded room.

Laughter and lively conversations filled the air, a welcome contrast to the solitude he had endured for months.

Suddenly, a group of young men, their faces flushed with arrogance, approached his table.

"Hey there, old man," one of them sneered, his eyes fixed on the empty seat beside Ye Yang. "Mind if we join you? We have a lady friend who's dying to meet some excitement."

Ye Yang, weary from his travels but still wary of trouble, politely declined. "I prefer to dine alone."

The young man's face contorted in anger. "Don't you know who we are? We're from the esteemed Li family! You'll vacate this seat immediately!"

Ye Yang remained unfazed. "I don't care who you are. I'm not moving."

Enraged, the young man lunged at Ye Yang, his fist aimed at his face. Ye Yang reacted instinctively.

He sidestepped the attack with effortless grace and retaliated with a swift, precise strike.

The young man crumpled to the ground, a stunned silence falling over the room.

His companions, initially shocked, erupted in fury. They surged forward, a tide of aggression threatening to engulf Ye Yang.

Ye Yang, realizing the gravity of the situation, drew his sword. It was a simple, unassuming blade, but in his hands, it became an extension of his will, a deadly instrument of defense.

He moved with a swiftness and precision that belied his calm demeanour, parrying blows, delivering counterattacks with chilling efficiency.

Ye Yang didn't take them seriously initially, dismissing them as mere juniors. However, when the young man aimed a lethal blow at him, Ye Yang instinctively swung his sword.

He targeted one of the men who claimed to be part of the Li family. Before the man could even react, Ye Yang's sword sliced through him, cutting him in half.

Ye Yang himself was surprised. He hadn't intended to kill the young man. But upon seeing the golden light emanating from his sword, Ye Yang understood that he had instinctively utilized the extreme Yang energy he had cultivated.

This potent energy had effortlessly penetrated the young man's defences, resulting in his demise.

The room erupted in chaos. The remaining young men, their faces contorted in a mixture of shock and rage, stumbled back, their eyes wide with disbelief.

"What have you done?!" one of them shrieked, pointing a trembling finger at Ye Yang.

They looked at their fallen friend, his lifeless body sprawled on the floor, a grotesque scene of blood and bone.

Fear, cold and paralyzing, gripped them, and they turned and fled the inn, disappearing into the throngs of the street.

The innkeeper, who had been cowering in the corner, emerged, his face a mask of apprehension. He was well-versed in the ways of the Li family.

These young men, despite their arrogance, were influential figures in the city, and their retribution could be swift and devastating.

"Senior," he stammered, his voice trembling, "what have you done? They were just young, mischievous children. You should run, before the Li family comes for your life!"

Ye Yang, still sheathed in an aura of quiet intensity, calmly sheathed his sword. He looked around the inn, at the faces of the other patrons, some filled with fear, others with a morbid curiosity.

"I didn't want to take his life," he said, his voice low and steady. "I acted in self-defense."

The innkeeper shook his head frantically. "Self-defense? You've killed a member of the Li family! They won't listen to reason. They'll hunt you down like an animal!"

Ye Yang remained unfazed. "Then I will face them," he said, his voice hardening. "I will not cower before bullies."

The innkeeper, seeing the steely resolve in Ye Yang's eyes, realized that arguing with him was futile. He wrung his hands, his anxiety palpable. "This is a disaster," he muttered, "a complete and utter disaster."

Ye Yang, however, was already planning his next move. He knew that the Li family would not let this go unpunished.

They would mobilize their forces, dispatching their strongest cultivators to hunt him down.

He paid the innkeeper generously for his troubles, leaving a hefty tip as a gesture of goodwill.

Then, with a quiet determination, he slipped out of the inn and melted into the bustling crowd. He moved through the city with the grace of a shadow, his senses heightened, ever vigilant for any signs of pursuit.

Not that he cared deeply about the Li family, but Ye Yang understood the harsh realities of the cultivation world. Bloodshed demanded retribution.

In this world, spilling another's blood carried a heavy price. The Li family, a powerful clan, would undoubtedly come hunting for him.

With this grim thought in mind, he continued wandering through the bustling streets. Soon, he found himself standing before a towering pagoda, its name emblazoned in elegant script: "The Alchemy Tower."