Hey, Kid, Stand Up Straight! Don't Give Up; The Road Lies Ahead

Just then, a sudden change took place!

The entire River Immortal Realm seemed to tremble ever so slightly. It was not a physical tremor, but a ripple on the level of space and thought. A thin mist rose from the river, almost invisible to the naked eye and shimmering with a faint glow. The locust trees, pines, cypresses, willows, and ancient trees lining the banks seemed to have their intangible "intent" drawn together by some unseen force: the locust trees' sharp edge, the pines' and cypresses' steadfast spirit, the willows' pliant tolerance, and the ancient trees' wisdom born of time.

This vast and pure stream of intent, mingling "sharpness," "strength," "flexibility," "acceptance," and "wisdom," was silent yet irresistible. Like an invisible river, gentle yet filled with power, it pierced Jiang Linchuan's mental defenses in an instant and surged straight into the depths of his mind!

"Buzzz!"

Jiang Linchuan's whole body shuddered violently! It was as though a gentle yet unimaginably powerful bolt of lightning had struck his soul!

The mysterious power came and went in a flash. Jiang Linchuan had only just received this immense "intent" and had not yet had time to fully process or understand it when it ebbed away without a trace. The faintly glowing mist over the river vanished, and the trees on both banks stood motionless, as if nothing had happened.

But Jiang Linchuan knew that everything had changed.