The feeling was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It wasn't just a surge of power, though that was certainly there. It was more akin to understanding, a profound connection to the very fabric of existence. The air around me thrummed with energy, and I could feel the subtle life force within every plant, every insect, every grain of soil in the valley. The Omniversal Dao resonated within me, a silent symphony of cosmic principles.
The first thing I did was focus on Ling Hua, still sleeping peacefully in her makeshift cradle within the ruins. My Scan skill now provided a depth of information I hadn't thought possible. Her tiny body, still so fragile, held a surprising amount of potential, though her spiritual pathways were currently dormant. My heart ached at the thought of the massacre she had survived, and a fierce determination settled within me to protect her.
Turning my attention to Baihu, who had stirred at the surge of energy, I used Scan again. His injury was healing, but he too lacked any formal cultivation. An idea sparked in my mind. I had awakened my Omniversal Dao and Physique by infusing fundamental principles. Could I do something similar for them? They were, in a way, my family now.
Over the next few days, while still tending to our basic needs, I began to experiment. Using the Infinite Epiphany skill, I delved deeper into the nature of my Omniversal Dao. It wasn't a single path, but rather the potential to understand and integrate all Daos. I focused on extracting the purest essence of life-affirming energy from within me, guided by the principles of various healing and nurturing Daos I had studied.
It took painstaking effort and careful control, but eventually, I managed to condense a minuscule drop of this essence. It glowed with a faint, golden light. With a deep breath, I gently applied it to Ling Hua's forehead while she slept. The drop was absorbed almost instantly, and my Scan revealed a subtle stirring within her dormant spiritual pathways. It would take time, but the seed had been planted.
Next was Baihu. His physiology was more complex. I focused on Daos related to strength, agility, and the inherent power of beasts. I carefully guided a similar, though slightly different in hue, drop of my essence into his wound. He flinched slightly, but then a wave of calm seemed to wash over him. My Scan showed his healing accelerating, and a faint, primal energy beginning to coalesce within him.
The process was exhausting, but the results were encouraging. Their talent hadn't been destroyed, perhaps just suppressed or dormant. With my Omniversal Dao and Physique, and the unique properties they now carried, I had hope.
With their immediate well-being addressed, I turned my attention to our surroundings. The hidden valley, while a sanctuary, was still relatively small. If we were to survive and thrive, we needed more resources. My thoughts returned to the ancient structure in the center of the valley. It was more than just ruins; I could sense a residual energy clinging to it, a whisper of its former glory.
Exploring the structure, I discovered several underground chambers that were still relatively intact. One, in particular, felt different. The spiritual energy here was noticeably denser, and the air carried a faint fragrance I couldn't quite place. My Scan revealed remnants of ancient formations etched into the walls, their purpose currently beyond my comprehension but undoubtedly significant. This could be the hidden land the stories sometimes mentioned, a place with forgotten treasures or knowledge.
I decided to make this chamber our primary living space. It offered better protection and had a more conducive atmosphere for cultivation. Over the next few weeks, I dedicated myself to studying the formations on the walls, using my Infinite Epiphany to slowly decipher their intricate patterns. They seemed to be related to gathering and focusing spiritual energy, potentially even for cultivation or protection.
In between my studies, I continued my routine of scavenging in the forsaken region for useful items and books, always careful to avoid any potential dangers. The small town served as my primary trading hub, and I gradually became a familiar, if somewhat enigmatic, figure there. I sold various scavenged goods and the occasional simple tool I forged, earning enough to acquire more books on a wider range of subjects, including advanced cultivation techniques, blacksmithing secrets, the history of the Forsaken Continent, and even texts on scroll writing, artisan crafts, and rudimentary alchemy.
One day, I stumbled upon a small, seemingly unremarkable seed during one of my explorations of the valley. Intrigued, I scanned it. The information that flooded my mind was astounding. It was a seed of what was described as a "World Tree," a legendary plant said to connect different realms and possess immense spiritual power. It was dormant and likely centuries old, but the potential within it was staggering.
Without hesitation, I carefully planted the seed in the most spiritually rich part of our valley, near the central spring. I channeled a small amount of my Omniversal Dao into the soil, hoping to awaken its dormant life force. I knew it would likely take years, perhaps even centuries, for it to grow, but the thought of cultivating something so extraordinary filled me with anticipation.
As the weeks turned into months, a subtle but noticeable change occurred in the hidden valley. The plants seemed to grow more vibrantly, the spiritual energy felt denser, and even the air seemed to carry a faint, golden shimmer. My own cultivation progressed at an astonishing pace, thanks to my Omniversal Dao and Physique. The Universal Dao Assimilation skill allowed me to understand and integrate new cultivation techniques with incredible speed.
Ling Hua grew quickly, her innocent laughter echoing through the valley. Baihu, too, thrived, his wound completely healed, his movements becoming swifter and more graceful. I could sense the faint but growing energy within them, the seeds of their own cultivation slowly taking root.
One morning, I awoke to a peculiar sound coming from the area where I had planted the World Tree seed. I rushed outside, my heart pounding with anticipation. There, sprouting from the earth, was a tiny sapling. It was small, no more than a few inches tall, but it pulsed with a vibrant, otherworldly energy. Its leaves were a unique shade of silver, and they shimmered with an inner light.
My first planted tree had begun its journey.