Chapter 12: Awakening, Divine Light Returns

On a silent night, only a thin sheet of paper separated the two of them. That paper was like the barrier in their hearts—seemingly insignificant, yet enough to keep their feelings from reaching one another. They gazed at each other, but neither dared to take that crucial step, unwilling to disturb the delicate balance between them.

Li Chao turned and returned to his own room, a rush of restlessness welling up within him. He quickly washed himself with cold water, attempting to quell the inexplicable emotions simmering inside. Afterward, he sat cross-legged on his bed and began to cultivate that wondrous art known as the “Stellar Tempering Technique.”

As his cultivation deepened, Li Chao felt as though he were immersed in a world ablaze with starlight. The shimmering rays, like flames, ceaselessly refined his body, bringing waves of tingling pleasure and exhilaration. He seemed to sense every cell in his body rejoicing, as if undergoing a profound transformation and rebirth.

Forged a hundred times, turned to steel—each session of practice made Li Chao’s body ever more resilient. He understood well that only through relentless tempering could one become truly strong.

When his cultivation concluded, Li Chao closed his eyes and reentered his sea of consciousness. The mysterious ancient pagoda still stood there, emitting a faint, gentle glow. He pushed open the door and entered, only to find nothing new inside. Though this left him somewhat disappointed, he understood that true treasures often lurk where least expected.

Just as Li Chao was about to leave, his gaze inadvertently swept across a corner of the ancient pagoda. There, an old, yellowed tome lay quietly, as if it had been waiting all this time for him to discover it. An inexplicable excitement surged within him—perhaps this was the very thing he had long been searching for.

In that moment, he understood his purpose. He was no longer a solitary cultivator, but an explorer on the verge of unveiling the mysteries of the unknown. Drawing a deep breath, he roused his spirits, ready to face the challenges ahead.

Yet, as Li Chao was about to step forward, his foot seemed to be held back by an invisible force. In his line of sight, the once unremarkable curtain of light began to ripple—like gentle waves spreading across a calm lake. It was a screen of light leading to the second level, with a groove embedded at its center. At that very moment, faint golden light flickered within the groove. Though scarce—less than one percent of the groove was filled—these golden sparks shattered the prior stillness, as if heralding the silent awakening of an unknown power.

A flicker of surprise and doubt crossed Li Chao’s eyes, followed swiftly by deep curiosity. A bold conjecture arose in his mind: could these golden points of light be the markers required to unlock passage to the second level? If so, then once the groove was completely filled, the barrier blocking his way would vanish, and the secrets of the second floor would reveal themselves to him.

The thought made his heart race, as if he already glimpsed the road to the world beyond. Yet the questions that followed plunged him into deep thought. Where, after all, had these golden sparks come from? Yesterday there had been nothing—so why had such a dramatic change occurred overnight?

Li Chao began to carefully recall everything that had happened that day: treating Liu Dan’s illness, giving Li Mazi a thorough beating… These two events stood out as most unusual. Could it be that these golden sparks were connected to them? Was it the kindness of healing and saving lives, or the righteous act of punishing evil and upholding justice, that had bestowed this mysterious gift upon him?

His heart brimmed with hope and doubt in equal measure. He knew that to unravel this riddle, he would need more exploration and verification. He resolved that tomorrow, he would seize the opportunity to test his hypothesis. The exploration of the mystery of the second level had only just begun…

Morning sunlight bathed every inch of Lijia Village in warmth and tranquility. As usual, Li Chao finished his breakfast, slung his pack over his shoulder, and strode resolutely toward the village entrance.

Lijia Village, a remote mountain hamlet nearly thirty kilometers from the county seat of Shiyuan, seemed cut off from the world, yet Li Chao’s heart had never been far from the bustle of the outside.

As he reached the temporary minibus stop at the village entrance, a familiar figure came into view. It was Liu Dan, and today, she was clearly different from usual. Light makeup made her face even more charming and radiant, her fitted clothes accentuating her graceful figure, every movement suffused with a captivating allure.

“Dan, what a coincidence! Are you heading to the county too?” Li Chao greeted her with a smile, surprise evident in his voice.

Liu Dan paused, turning around, bright light shimmering in her eyes. She nodded slightly and replied softly, “Yes, my best friend Xiangxue’s birthday is today. I thought I’d join the fun in town and give her a surprise.”

Her words revealed her anticipation for the gathering, but also a faint touch of discontent with her uneventful life. She sighed gently and continued, “My husband isn’t home, and I’ve been cooped up for so long, I feel as if I’m growing moldy. It’s good to get out and breathe some fresh air.”

Li Chao felt a pang of sympathy. He understood her loneliness and frustration. Patting her shoulder lightly, he offered comfort: “Don’t be too upset, Dan. Your husband’s out working hard for the family—he surely misses home, too.”

She managed a small smile and nodded, then glanced at Li Chao curiously. “Are you going into town as well?”

He nodded and answered seriously, “Yes, the clinic is short on some medical equipment. I need to go and purchase supplies so we can take better care of the villagers.”

His words radiated a dedication and passion for his medical work, filling Liu Dan with admiration. She hadn’t expected that this ordinarily quiet young man had been quietly safeguarding the health of the entire village. With a smile, she said, “Be sure to pick carefully—don’t let the villagers’ health suffer.”

Her smile, as gentle as a spring breeze over a lake, sent ripples across the surface. “Let’s go together, then! It’s always good to have company along the way!” Her voice was soft and natural, full of the easy warmth shared by neighbors in the countryside.

As they spoke, an old minibus rumbled into view. The battered vehicle had clearly weathered many storms; its body was mottled, the windows streaked with years of grime. They boarded at once, the cramped interior heavy with the mingled scents of sweat and aged leather.

After buying their tickets, they found seats in the very back row, where space was scarce and their knees nearly touched. The ride was bumpy, the minibus jostling endlessly along the rough road. The seats had likely been modified to squeeze in more passengers, leaving the two of them pressed together despite their best efforts to avoid such closeness.

This sensation filled her with intense embarrassment, as if all the blood in her body had rushed to her cheeks. Yet beneath the shame, a curious current seemed to course through her, as though electricity danced along her nerves. She could clearly sense the masculine aura emanating from Li Chao—strong and unique. It made her heart pound uncontrollably.

She knew well that such a reaction was inappropriate for a married woman, but she could not command her body otherwise. At this moment, she was truly afraid that Li Chao might lose his self-restraint and make an improper move. Her mind was a tangle of conflicting emotions—on one hand, she hoped he would maintain his distance; on the other, there was a faint, secret anticipation for the subtle contact between them…

But such thoughts flashed by in an instant, and she quickly regained her composure, reminding herself to keep her distance. What if…

At the prospect of that unknown, a wave of inexplicable anxiety welled up within Liu Dan, as though an invisible hand were gently stirring her heart. She wondered silently—what if she lacked the strength to refuse?

Yet as time passed, she gradually discovered that Li Chao was even more upright than she had imagined. His gaze was clear and resolute, as if it could pierce all falsehood. Though his movements were a bit stiff, every small gesture revealed his endurance and self-control. Though Liu Dan could see his discomfort, he never once crossed the line or acted improperly.

His integrity and restraint caused a tide of admiration to surge within Liu Dan. In an age overflowing with material desires and fading morals, honest and decent men like Li Chao were ever rarer. She felt quietly fortunate to have met such a trustworthy person.

The minibus wound its way along the mountain road, stopping and starting, the scenery outside the window shifting as they traveled. Liu Dan gently massaged her stiff neck, a faint smile curling at her lips. She turned to Li Chao and said, “I’ll go find Xiangxue first. If there aren’t too many people, I’ll call you over to join us!”

With that, she walked away, her hips swaying gracefully like a dance, stirring an ineffable feeling in Li Chao’s heart. He couldn’t help but steal a few more glances, sighing inwardly—women of this age truly possess a unique allure.

Still, daydreams were just that, and Li Chao knew he must never overstep his bounds. He took a deep breath, casting aside the distracting thoughts. He reminded himself that his purpose here was to seek medical supplies to heal the villagers, not to be entangled in affairs of the heart.

Shiyuan County was not large; the entire town exuded an old-fashioned simplicity. Li Chao had visited several times before and was quite familiar with the place. He set off at once, heading straight for the medical supply stores.