Rise of the Otherworld.

After bidding farewell to the master, Lin Yu happily embarked on his journey home. Along the way, his mood was like the clouds floating in the sky, light and full of expectations.

When they returned to the village, the villagers saw Lin Yu coming back and surrounded him to ask about his situation. Their eyes were full of concern and curiosity. Lin Yu smiled and briefly recounted his experience. After listening to him, the villagers' faces were filled with joy and they were happy for him.

However, Lin Yu knew that the awakening of his spiritual roots was only the beginning; the real challenges lay ahead. In the days that followed, he devoted himself to cultivation. Every morning, before daybreak, Lin Yu would go alone to the top of a mountain outside the village. He would sit cross-legged on a large, flat rock, close his eyes, regulate his breathing, and try to absorb the spiritual energy from heaven and earth. However, for the first few days, he could hardly sense any spiritual energy. The mysterious and powerful force seemed to be playing hide-and-seek with him, leaving him feeling extremely anxious and lost.

"Don't be impatient. Cultivation requires patience and perseverance." Lin Yu silently warned himself in his heart. He took a deep breath, tried to calm his inner restlessness, and immersed himself in the state of cultivation again.

He persevered, helping the villagers with farm chores every day besides practicing. While working in the fields, he felt the power of the earth; while interacting with the villagers, he experienced the warmth of humanity. These ordinary yet authentic experiences kept him calm and resolute.

Finally, on a sunny morning, when the first ray of golden sunlight shone on him, he felt a subtle, cool breath entering his body. Although this trace of spiritual energy was weak, like a candle in the wind, it made Lin Yu excited. He knew that this was the result of his hard work and the first step towards his success.

As time went on, Lin Yu was able to absorb more and more spiritual energy. His body seemed to have turned into a huge container, greedily absorbing the energy around him. However, a new problem arose. He found that he could not effectively store this spiritual energy in his body. After practicing for a period of time, the spiritual energy would gradually dissipate, like sand slipping through the fingers.

Lin Yu began searching for a solution. He pored over the cultivation manuals he'd received from the masters, carefully studying every page and pondering every word, hoping to find the answer. But those ancient and obscure texts offered no clear guidance. He also consulted the system, but the suggestions it offered couldn't fully resolve his problem.

Just as he was feeling lost and perplexed, he happened to hear an old village elder recount an ancient legend. It was said that in a nearby valley grew a miraculous herb with leaves like emeralds and flowers like stars, emitting an enchanting light. Consuming it could enhance a practitioner's ability to store spiritual energy, facilitating a smoother path of cultivation.

A flame of hope ignited in Lin Yu's heart, and he decided to go to the valley to look for spiritual herbs. He carefully prepared dry food and water, carried a simple bag on his back, said goodbye to the villagers, and embarked on a journey full of unknowns alone.

The valley was filled with thick fog, like a thick veil that obscured its true appearance. A gloomy and terrifying atmosphere permeated the air, making people shudder. Lin Yu moved forward cautiously, taking every step with extreme caution. From time to time, he heard the roar of wild beasts, which echoed in the valley, making people shudder. His heartbeat accelerated and his breathing became rapid, but he did not retreat, and a determined light flashed in his eyes.

Suddenly, a huge python sprang out from the bushes, as fast as lightning. It opened its bloody mouth, its sharp teeth flashing coldly, and pounced on Lin Yu. Lin Yu's heart tightened, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back. He quickly dodged sideways, his movements agile and swift. The python missed the first blow, and became even more angry. It twisted its huge body and attacked again.

Lin Yu engaged in a desperate struggle with the python in the narrow valley. He took advantage of the valley's terrain and nimbly dodged the python's attacks. Rocks and trees served as his shield and cover. He kept his eyes fixed on the python's movements, searching for an opportunity to strike back. Finally, he discovered the python's weakness: a thin spot on its belly where the scales were weak.

Lin Yu leaped up suddenly, the dagger in his hand flashing with cold light, and accurately pierced the python's seven inches. The python twisted its body in pain, making a final struggle. Lin Yu held the dagger tightly, not daring to relax even a little. A moment later, the python fell to the ground with a bang, raising a cloud of dust.

Lin Yu was so exhausted that he collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily. His body was covered with sweat and blood, and his clothes were torn in many places, but his eyes were full of the joy of victory. After a short rest, he recovered some strength and continued to move forward.

Finally, deep in the valley, he found the legendary magical herb. The magical herb grew on a steep stone wall, surrounded by a strange light. Lin Yu climbed up carefully and took a lot of effort to pick the magical herb.

Lin Yu happily returned to the village with the spiritual herbs. He washed and crushed the herbs according to the master's instructions, and then took them. In an instant, he felt a powerful force surging in his body. The spiritual energy that was originally difficult to store now stayed in his body like an obedient child.

As the days of training passed, Lin Yu's strength continued to improve. He could feel his body becoming stronger and his spirit becoming more full. But he knew that this was far from enough. In this world full of dangers and challenges, he had to become stronger to protect himself and those around him.