The days blurred into one another as Xu Ran continued his training under Rorak's watchful eye. Each lesson brought new insights, new challenges. The world around him seemed to bend and stretch, becoming both more alive and more dangerous with every passing moment. Yet, in this vast, untamed landscape, he had begun to find a sense of peace.
His body had already grown stronger, more attuned to the world. His movements, once clumsy and unsure, now flowed with a rhythm that was no longer foreign. His senses had sharpened, and his mind, though still occasionally clouded by memories of his previous life, had begun to clear. With each passing day, Xu Ran became more in tune with his surroundings.
The land itself seemed to respond to him. The wind whispered secrets through the trees, and the earth beneath his feet seemed to guide his steps. Every rock, every tree, every gust of wind now felt like a part of a larger puzzle—one he was slowly beginning to piece together.
But it wasn't just his physical prowess that was improving. The lessons with Rorak had begun to teach him something deeper, something more profound. Rorak's focus on the mind—on discipline, control, and the rhythm of the world—was slowly reshaping Xu Ran's understanding of strength.
"You've come far," Rorak said one evening, his voice gruff but proud. "But there's still much to be learned. You have the power in your body, yes, but it's still raw. It's like a blade that hasn't been sharpened yet."
Xu Ran nodded, sweat dripping from his brow as he caught his breath. The physical strain was familiar, but the mental exhaustion was new. In his previous life, he had worked tirelessly, but that had been a different kind of fatigue—one born of endless hours at a desk, of deadlines and obligations. This, however, was a fatigue he welcomed. This was the kind of exhaustion that came with growth.
"Why is it so important to train the mind?" Xu Ran asked, wiping his forehead. He had asked Rorak this question many times, but the answer always seemed elusive. Today, however, he felt ready to understand.
Rorak looked at him thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Strength without control is chaos. It's destructive. If you cannot control your power, then what's the point of having it? You could destroy everything around you without even realizing it."
Xu Ran considered this. His experiences in the office—the constant push, the endless grind—had been like that. He had power in the form of potential, but it had been scattered, wasted, unrefined. Perhaps this world, this new life, was offering him a chance to forge something greater.
"The mind," Rorak continued, "is what holds everything together. Without clarity, there's no purpose. Without focus, you can't achieve anything of true value."
Xu Ran absorbed the words, feeling them settle deep within him. It was as if Rorak had unlocked a part of him that had been dormant, waiting for the right moment to awaken.
"Let's put it into practice," Rorak said suddenly, his tone shifting from contemplative to commanding. "We've been training your body, but now we need to train your mind."
Rorak led Xu Ran to a clearing in the woods, where a large stone pillar stood. It was an ancient structure, weathered by time but still standing strong. The air around it seemed different—charged with energy.
"This," Rorak explained, "is the Pillar of Focus. It's said to be a remnant of an ancient order—one that understood the importance of mind and body working together."
Xu Ran looked at the pillar curiously, wondering what it could possibly teach him.
"I want you to sit in front of it," Rorak instructed, "and clear your mind. No distractions. Focus only on the pillar. Let everything else fade away. When your mind is clear, you'll be able to feel the world in a new way."
Xu Ran sat in front of the pillar, crossing his legs and closing his eyes. The world around him seemed to fall away, and for a brief moment, there was nothing. No past, no obligations, no distractions—only the pillar, standing tall in the center of his thoughts.
At first, his mind was cluttered with thoughts. Memories from his old life, flashes of work, of meetings, of endless tasks—all of it rushed forward, demanding his attention. But slowly, he began to push them aside. With every breath, he focused more intently on the pillar, feeling its presence, its stillness.
Minutes passed. Then hours.
Xu Ran felt the faintest shift in the air, a subtle change in the rhythm of the world around him. It was as though he could feel the pulse of life beneath his feet, the movement of the wind in the trees. His body was still, his mind clear. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a deep connection to the land. To everything.
His senses heightened, and with it, a new understanding dawned on him. It wasn't just about the strength of his body or the raw power he could harness. It was about alignment—about moving with the flow of the world instead of against it.
Xu Ran opened his eyes, and for the first time, he truly saw the world around him. The trees, the sky, the very air seemed alive, resonating with an energy he had only begun to understand.
He stood, feeling more balanced than he ever had before. "I get it now," he said quietly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Rorak watched him with a knowing look. "Good. Now, let's see if you can maintain that focus when it counts."
Xu Ran nodded, ready for the next challenge. His journey had only just begun, but for the first time, he felt like he was on the right path—a path that would lead him to the power and clarity he had long been searching for.
As the sun set behind the mountains, Xu Ran felt the weight of his past life, of the office, the deadlines, and the endless grind, slowly begin to fade. He was no longer the man he had been. This world, with all its chaos and beauty, had given him a new purpose.
And he was ready to embrace it.