Cultivation is Creation [World-Hopping & Plant-Based Xianxia]

Chapter 17 - 17: Big Fish Small Pond OR Small Fish Big Pond?

Having a star in your soul is weird enough. Having one that's trying to grow leaves while potentially threatening to yeet you into another dimension? That's a whole new level of "my life is not normal anymore."

"Your qi fluctuation patterns are becoming increasingly erratic," Azure observed as I sat cross-legged in my usual spot in the western garden. "89% chance of breakthrough within the next three days."

The seed had grown from marble-size to softball-size and the first true leaf was halfway emerged, which according to every manual meant I was approaching a breakthrough whether I liked it or not.

"That's what I'm afraid of," I muttered, glancing around for any sign of purple robes.

The past few weeks had been an exercise in futility - no matter which training ground I picked, no matter what odd hour I chose to practice, Wu Lihua seemed to materialize like a particularly persistent spirit. And where she appeared, the pale figure of Wu Kangming wasn't far behind, lurking in shadows or behind pillars with an expression that grew more unsettling by the day.

Sure, only seconds passed here when my soul went dimension hopping, but Wu Lihua had already noticed something 'special' about my cultivation. The last thing I needed was for her to detect my consciousness briefly vacating reality during one of her increasingly frequent training 'coincidences.'

"You're still concerned about dimensional stability?" Azure asked. "The probability of another Two Suns incident is difficult to calculate without more data points."

Ah yes, Two Suns. Where my last breakthrough had sent me on an unexpected vacation to a world where magic-wielding zealots turned people into red mist in the name of their sun god. But then again, I guess this world wasn't any better…

"Your Worldwalker's Sojourn ability remains largely undefined," Azure continued as I tried to focus on stabilizing my qi circulation. "Though I note your soul essence seems particularly responsive to dimensional fluctuations."

"Where's a tutorial when you need one?" I sighed, watching my inner world ripple with each pulse of energy.

Though if I was being honest, the whole dimension-hopping thing would be pretty amazing if I could actually control it. When my cultivation is higher - maybe after reaching Foundation Establishment where I'd at least have the power to defend myself - exploring different worlds could be incredible. Learning unique techniques, experiencing different cultures, maybe even finding cultivation methods that didn't exist in this world... it had real potential.

But right now, at the measly Second Stage of Qi Condensation, getting yanked across realities without my consent was like being a toddler thrown into the deep end of a very dangerous pool. The problem wasn't the traveling itself - it was being too weak to handle whatever I found on the other side.

"Perhaps some re