Unseen Limits

Chapter 3: chapter3



"To decide my future."

I replied nervously, and she gave a small, knowing smile.

"Yes, I told you to meet at my cave today to guide you on your cultivation journey and the risks it entails."

"First of all, to begin as a cultivator, there must be a purpose to your cultivation. What is yours?" she asked, her voice steady and sharp.

"I cultivate for peace," I said softly, almost unsure of myself.

"Why do you want to live in peace?" she asked, her tone curious but with an edge of skepticism.

"Because I like the feeling of peace," I murmured. "It sets my heart free from stress and emotions... It calms me, makes me feel... whole."

"So," she continued, her gaze piercing, "you wish to live your whole life in an undisturbed corner of the world, doing nothing, avoiding all worldly affairs? Is that your true desire?"

I hesitated for a moment, nervous about her judgment, but I answered honestly, "Yes."

Her gaze hardened, and for a moment, I wondered if she might rebuke me. Instead, she shot me a mocking glare and commanded, her voice unwavering,

"Come here and sit over there."

Confused but unable to refuse, I obediently stood and walked to the spot she had pointed to. As I did, I noticed something strange—there was another lotus in the pond that hadn't been there when I first arrived. The sight unsettled me, but I couldn't question her. Her presence was overwhelming, and I felt an unspoken authority in her every action.

I sat down where she indicated, the soft rustling of the lotus petals around me almost whispering in the breeze. As soon as I settled, her gaze softened, and she spoke in a gentler tone.

"Experience the peace you seek for yourself."

Before I could respond, my consciousness began to slip away. Panic rose within me. I tried to call out, but no sound left my lips. For what felt like an eternity, I was engulfed in darkness, unable to move or think clearly. And then, a light appeared—a brilliant, radiant light that grew until it filled the entire space. Suddenly, I found myself in an entirely new world, unlike anything I had ever known.

Day 1

I awoke on a high mountain peak, the air crisp and fresh. A small wooden house sat at the top, perfectly suited for one person. Around me stretched a vast, unbroken forest, its towering trees stretching far into the horizon.

I sat up, my thoughts swirling. Was this a world my master had created for me? A place for me to fully understand peace—to test whether I truly wanted it? I couldn't help but wonder if this was some trial, a chance for me to experience my desire firsthand.

Living in this world, I began to embrace the simplicity. Every morning, I would rise, stretch my limbs, and if I felt hunger, I would walk down the mountain to hunt. The forest provided for me—animals to catch, streams to drink from, and a serenity that I had longed for.

I discovered something remarkable about my body—it never tired. I could run faster than I ever thought possible, and yet my muscles never ached, my breath never came in gasps. But over time, I noticed a different kind of exhaustion, one that drained my mind and soul. I found that my mind, no matter how physically capable I was, could only endure for so long before fatigue took over.

Day 2

I woke to the sound of birds singing outside my small wooden house. The sun filtered through the trees, casting soft beams of light on the floor. I spent the morning bathing in a nearby stream, enjoying the cool, refreshing water as it rushed past me.

Boredom soon crept in, so I wandered deeper into the forest, savoring the smells of pine and earth. The stillness was comforting, but I knew it was only a matter of time before I would need something more—something beyond the forest's borders.

Day 30

After weeks of exploring, I grew restless. The forest, though beautiful, felt too confining. I decided to venture beyond it. After traveling for days, I reached the edge of the forest, where the trees gave way to an expansive view of the ocean.

The sight of the vast, endless sea stirred something inside me—curiosity, wonder, and a sense of freedom. I decided to settle by the beach for a while, to see what life would be like on the shores.

The ocean brought a new rhythm to my life. I spent my days diving beneath the waves, marveling at the variety of fish and creatures that swam in the depths. I caught them and tasted their flesh, savoring the different flavors, each more unique than the last. The world was vast, and each day felt like a new adventure.

But as the days turned into weeks, I felt the stirrings of boredom once more. I had explored every inch of the beach, and now I longed for a new challenge. I decided to build a boat, something to take me further out to sea.

It took me nearly six months to craft the boat. Day after day, I worked, using the wood from the forest and the knowledge I had gained from my time in this world. When the boat was finally complete, I set sail, my heart swelling with excitement.

For the first few weeks, the weather was calm, the sea gentle beneath my feet. But one day, as I sailed further from the shore, the sky darkened. The air grew heavy with tension. Waves rose, monstrous and violent, crashing against my small boat. The wind howled, and thunder rumbled in the distance.

A flash of lightning struck nearby, the force of the blast sending my boat spiraling into chaos. I was thrown into the water, my body battered and broken by the storm. A lightning bolt struck so close that I felt its electric pulse before everything went black.

When I regained consciousness, my body felt... different. The pain I had felt moments before was gone. My injuries had healed, though I was exhausted. The realization hit me—no matter what happened to my body, I could heal. But it would take time.

I slowly pulled myself from the water, disoriented and aching, and looked around for shelter. After some searching, I found a cave, its entrance wide enough to shield me from the storm. But before I entered, I knew I had to close the entrance—something that would allow me to sleep in safety.

I found a large rock nearby, perfect for blocking the cave's mouth. The task would be grueling, but I had become stronger over the months. With determination, I gripped the rock and, with all my might, began to push.

Ahhhhhh!

The effort was immense, and my muscles strained under the pressure. Sweat poured down my face as I gritted my teeth and rolled the massive stone into place. It took every ounce of my strength, but I succeeded, finally closing the entrance.

I collapsed next to the rock, gasping for breath. If I had tried this when I first arrived in this world, I would have failed miserably. But now... now I was different. Stronger. More capable. But even with this strength, the task had drained me completely.

As I rested, I heard a terrifying roar from nearby.

ROAR!

I jolted awake, my senses sharpening at once. The roar of a bear echoed in the distance, sending a shiver down my spine. But this wasn't just any bear—it sounded larger, more ferocious, as if the very ground trembled beneath its presence. My instincts screamed at me to run, but my body, still fatigued from the effort of moving the rock, refused to obey.

The roar grew louder, closer now, and the air seemed to grow colder. The ground beneath me shifted slightly, as if something immense was approaching.

Suddenly, the cave's entrance shifted.

Boom!

The rock blocking the entrance moved just an inch. I looked up in horror. There was no way a bear—no matter how large—could have caused that. My heart raced as I strained to hear any sound that might explain this unnatural disturbance.

But then, through the dim light of the cave, I saw something in the distance.

A shadow.

A silhouette, tall and unnaturally broad, moving with purpose toward my shelter. It wasn't a bear. It was something far more ominous.

Boom! The rock shifted again. I could feel the pressure building—whatever it was outside, it was pushing against the entrance with incredible force. The cave shook with each movement, and I knew I wouldn't have much time before it would be crushed under the weight of whatever was outside.

In that moment, I realized: the peace I had longed for was never meant to be. This world wasn't just about cultivating serenity—it was about survival. And now, I had to face the true test.

Could I overcome the unknown force threatening me? Or would this be my end?

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