The Legend of the Eternal Throne.

The sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting a soft glow, and the air was fresh. A tranquil and mysterious aura permeated the bamboo forest.

Roy had just finished a day of classes and, as usual, wandered around the academy, trying to find a quiet place to meditate. However, as he walked, he suddenly noticed that a particular part of the bamboo forest seemed different from the others. There was a faint spiritual energy fluctuation around it, and the bamboo leaves gently swayed in the wind, rustling as if whispering secrets.

Roy's heart stirred, and he followed the subtle energy wave towards the source. Pushing aside the green bamboo curtain, he was taken aback by the sight before him. In the middle of the bamboo forest sat an elderly man dressed in an ancient robe. His hair was white as snow, and though his face appeared weathered, there was an indescribable sense of calm and wisdom in his expression. A faint aura seemed to surround him, a sign of gathered spiritual energy.

The old man had his eyes closed, meditating, and the air around him hummed with a subtle spiritual energy, indicating he was cultivating in a unique way.

Roy, curious, took a few steps closer, silently marveling at the elder's demeanor and cultivation. He paused and respectfully asked, "Grandfather, are you one of the elders of the academy? Your cultivation seems incredibly powerful, far beyond anyone I've ever seen."

Hearing Roy's voice, the old man slowly opened his eyes, a slight smile appearing on his face. A soft light flashed in his eyes as he looked at Roy, as if appraising the young man. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "Heh, young one, it seems you're quite interested. But you will understand in time."

Roy was a bit puzzled but didn't ask further. Though he didn't fully comprehend the old man's words, he could sense an overwhelming confidence and an aura of effortless wisdom in them. A deep respect welled up inside Roy, and he couldn't help but feel awe. This old man was clearly extraordinary, and his presence and cultivation made Roy feel deeply impressed.

"Grandfather, I feel that the spiritual energy you exude is unlike any cultivator I've encountered before. It seems purer. Could you tell me the reason for this?" Roy couldn't help but ask. He had been cultivating for a while, studying various aspects of spiritual energy, but he could feel a unique power in the aura the elder emitted.

The old man smiled faintly, and his eyes shimmered with wisdom. "What you sense is only a part of it. The true essence of spiritual energy is not just about increasing levels or mastering martial skills. It lies in how you control the power within your heart, in how you find your source of strength in stillness. You're still young; you will understand in the future."

Roy fell silent for a moment, feeling a stirring deep within him. He could feel that every word the old man spoke carried profound wisdom and extraordinary insight, as if the elder had reached a state beyond description in his cultivation.

Sensing the change in Roy's heart, the old man gently nodded and spoke in a calm tone, "Young one, don't rush to achieve results. The path of cultivation is long and arduous, but as long as you remain clear-headed and resolute, you will find that true power does not come from the outside, but from deep within yourself."

Roy lowered his head, silently taking these words to heart. He knew that the old man was not just explaining cultivation methods, but imparting a life philosophy.

"If you're interested, you are always welcome to come to the bamboo forest and discuss cultivation with me," the old man said, then gently closed his eyes as if entering a meditative state once more.

Roy nodded, filled with gratitude. He understood that he had encountered an extraordinary elder, and this chance meeting would undoubtedly have a profound impact on his future cultivation journey.

Roy sat next to the old man, feeling the serene atmosphere of the bamboo forest and the gentle flow of fresh spiritual energy. He closed his eyes and quietly regulated his breath. The bamboo leaves swayed in the wind, producing a soft rustling sound, as if the earth itself were whispering.

The presence of the old man seemed to help Roy calm the restlessness within, gradually quieting the turmoil in his heart. With every deep breath, he could feel the spiritual energy flowing through his body, gentle yet powerful like a stream.

This bamboo forest seemed to exist in its own separate world. Not only was the noise of the outside world distant, but an invisible force seemed to gather here, clearing Roy's mind. He felt his connection to the spiritual energy of the world growing stronger, and his internal energy subtly circulating, entering a state of unprecedented balance.

During this process, Roy's thoughts became unusually clear. He realized that cultivation was not just about improving one's realm or gaining power, but about perceiving one's true self in stillness. He understood that true power did not come from external sources, but from deep within oneself. It was the awareness and acceptance of the self, as well as the ability to respond and guide oneself through the changes of the outside world.

Time passed unknowingly, and Roy's mind gradually became more settled, while his spiritual energy slowly accumulated and nourished. Each flow of energy seemed to tell him that cultivation was not an instant achievement but a continuous process of accumulation and growth.

When Roy finally opened his eyes, the bamboo forest remained peaceful, and the air still carried a faint wave of spiritual energy. He stood up, feeling that his energy had grown stronger, and his mental clarity had significantly improved.

"Thank you, Grandfather," Roy said gratefully, knowing that today's meditation would be an important breakthrough in his cultivation journey. Whether in terms of spiritual energy or self-awareness, everything he experienced today had greatly benefited him.

The old man smiled gently at Roy and waved his hand lightly. "The path of cultivation is long. Remember, take it slow, maintain peace, and be patient. Believe in yourself, your future will be bright."

Roy nodded, filled with gratitude and determination. "I will, Grandfather. I will keep working hard and not let your teachings go to waste."

Just as Roy was about to leave, the old man suddenly called out to him. "Wait, Roy." He took a small vial from his robe and handed it to Roy. "This is a bottle of medicine that you can use to help boost your spiritual energy and accelerate your cultivation. It's a second-tier low-grade medicine, and while its effects are good, it lasts only three hours, with no side effects. You can use it to speed up your cultivation and enhance your spiritual energy."

Roy took the vial and saw that it contained a few transparent pills that glowed faintly. His eyes lit up with excitement. "Thank you, Grandfather! I will make good use of it."

The old man smiled and waved his hand. "No need to thank me, this is just a small gesture. What matters most is that you continue to improve on your own."

Roy bowed deeply to the old man. "I will keep working hard and will definitely return to meditate with you in the future."

The old man smiled slightly. "You're welcome anytime. Remember, cultivation is not only about accumulating strength but also about training your state of mind. If you cultivate with peace, breakthroughs will naturally come."

Roy took the old man's words to heart, filled with anticipation and confidence for the future. Under the old man's guidance, he had come to understand the true meaning of cultivation and his resolve to move forward became even stronger.

"Then I'll take my leave, Grandfather," Roy said, bidding farewell and casting one last glance at the bamboo forest.

Roy returned to the cultivation chamber, his heart filled with excitement. During the earlier breakthrough, he had already sensed the surge and transformation of the spiritual energy within his body. Determined to further enhance his abilities, he decided to consume the pill given by the old man. The vial emitted a faint glow in his hand, as if awaiting its destined awakening.

Carefully opening the bottle, Roy retrieved the crystal-clear pill. A subtle medicinal fragrance wafted through the air, resonating with a mysterious force inside him. Taking a deep breath, he placed the pill into his mouth, feeling a warm and soothing power begin to spread throughout his body.

As the pill dissolved, every vein and inch of his skin rapidly absorbed the potent energy. The waves of spiritual energy surged within him like a relentless tide, nearly overwhelming his breathing. Yet instead of pain, it brought an exhilarating sense of comfort, as if he were bathed in a refreshing spring breeze.

Sitting cross-legged, Roy focused his mind completely, channeling the energy from the pill into every spiritual sea and meridian within him. The circulation of spiritual energy accelerated drastically, swiftly propelling him from Level 5 to Level 6 in an instant. The flow continued to surge without pause, shattering barrier after barrier.

It was as if an invisible wall within his body had been breached. Each breakthrough brought about a subtle transformation — his spiritual energy grew purer, his aura more stable. Roy keenly sensed himself steadily crossing each bottleneck, until a previously unimaginable power filled every fiber of his being.

Suddenly, his cultivation speed soared exponentially, pushing his spiritual energy to break through yet again — advancing from Level 5 straight to Level 7! The energy within him surged like a mighty flood, each flow of spiritual energy leaving him brimming with strength.

Opening his eyes, Roy took a deep breath, immersing himself in the subtle changes throughout his body. The fluctuations of spiritual energy had grown both stronger and steadier, his aura deep and lasting. No longer was he a mere beginner stepping into cultivation — he had become a formidable practitioner.

"Level 7…" Roy whispered, unable to suppress a hint of excitement in his gaze.

His mind felt extraordinarily clear, and his aura had fully integrated into a harmonious flow. Standing up, Roy stretched, sensing his energy ready to burst forth at any moment. Tentatively circulating his spiritual energy, he immediately felt the threads of spiritual force swirling around him, each movement echoing with powerful resonance as if answering his intent.

He began pacing the chamber, each step radiating waves of potent energy that seemed to stir the very air. Never before had Roy experienced such a tangible connection to his inner power. Every cell, every muscle, even every bone in his body pulsed with spiritual energy, exuding an undeniable aura of strength.

"So this is the power of a breakthrough?" Roy murmured, a determined gleam in his eyes.