Elrian, feeling the intricate energies swirling around him and the weight of new knowledge settling within, decided it was time to leave the confines of the pearl. He turned to the voice and inquired, "How can I exit this space, and how may I return when I wish to?" The voice, serene and omnipresent, outlined the method, detailing the flow of Qi and the concentration required to traverse between the realms.
With newfound understanding, Elrian concentrated, the world around him folding, then unfolding. He emerged after numerous attempts to find the veil of night surrounding him, the stars twinkling like gems on the celestial tapestry. Trying to communicate with Serpwingra through his newfound telepathic connection, he sensed a responsive rustle. "Serpwingra, can you come forth?" he asked gently.
Serpwingra materialized, its form like a wisp of wind, elusive but discernible if observed intently. Its presence was like a melody of the breeze, harmonious yet powerful. Elrian felt a weariness seep into his bones and requested, "Serpwingra, please return within. Help me in expanding the Qi pool. It's time to rest."
The wind serpent merged back into him, and as Elrian closed his eyes, he could feel the energies of wind and life enveloping him, caressing him into a slumber that felt like floating amidst the soft clouds under the benevolent gaze of the stars. The winds whispered lullabies, and the essence of life cradled him, providing a rest so profound and rejuvenating that it seemed to resonate with the universal harmonies.
When Elrian awoke, he felt a renewal, a sense of being reborn, every fiber of his being vibrating with an unparalleled vitality, the winds and the essence of life intertwined within him, creating a symphony of existence, a dance of energies, making it the most harmonious awakening he had ever experienced.
Upon awakening, Elrian felt an overflow of Qi within him, a reservoir brimming with a potency he hadn't sensed before. Startled, he extended his senses internally, inspecting every part of his body before reaching his Qi pool. The discovery was staggering—what was once a pool measuring 7cm across and 8cm deep had now expanded to a massive 50cm across and 50cm deep.
Shock painted his features; his Qi pool was substantially larger than that of his parents. He'd been told that a larger Qi pool necessitated more Qi and time to expand, even by a single centimeter. The shock still etching his face, Serpwingra's voice emerged, tinged with curiosity, "What transpires, Father?"
With a tone mixed with amazement and confusion, Elrian explained the expansion of his Qi pool. Guilt and an apologetic vibe emanated from Serpwingra. It explained, "Last night, it was my first attempt. My actions were not adept; thus, the expansion is not as ample as it could have been."
It conveyed that absorbing the life element, a higher-grade Qi than wind, and significantly superior to pure Qi, initially allowed for easier and more significant expansion of the Qi pool. The enriched essence of life Qi had contributed to a more profound enlargement. However, once the Qi pool acclimatizes to this superior element, the rate of expansion would normalize.
"Even though the pace of expansion will become standard," Serpwingra continued, "the superior grade of life Qi will still enable a faster expansion compared to the lower-grade Qi elements." The wind serpent's voice held a blend of reassurance and regret, a harmonic apology intertwining with the winds of knowledge and the essence of life, as Elrian contemplated the profound implications of this newfound realization.
Elrian, sensing the guilt emanating from Serpwingra, hurriedly comforted the wind serpent. "Serpwingra, please, feel not any guilt," Elrian implored in a deeply apologetic tone. "I am overwhelmed, amazed by the vastness attained by my Qi pool in just a single night. I couldn't have envisioned it attaining such magnitude."
Gratitude laced his words as he continuously praised and thanked Serpwingra. "You've bestowed upon me a gift of immeasurable value, I am immensely thankful," he expressed earnestly, his words echoing the profound appreciation he felt.
Serpwingra's form, a play of winds weaving around each other, seemed to brighten, the ambient winds resonating with a silent melody of relief and happiness. "Father, I am relieved you find the developments pleasing," the serpent replied, its voice like a soft zephyr, its guilt dissipating in the warm winds of Elrian's gratitude and kindness. The bond between them shimmered, fortified by mutual respect and a deepening understanding, promising a harmonious confluence of the winds of fate and the currents of life.
Serpwingra's voice breezed through, echoing in the silent ambiance, "Elrian, the Qi pool within you is tingeing more towards a forest green color, indicating the dominance of life Qi element. Its hue resembles the vibrant life of the dense forests, symbolizing the essence of life it carries." The wind serpent's form shifted subtly, mirroring the fluctuations of energy within Elrian.
"While this alteration in the Qi pool's nature might not directly affect you in a pronounced way, you would find its influence in realms connected with life. For instance, your recuperative abilities would be enhanced. Your wounds and injuries would heal quicker, your vitality would surge with renewed vigor, almost 7% more efficiently." Serpwingra's voice was imbued with a serene confidence as it explained the nuances of the transformation within Elrian.
"And perhaps, when you master the art of fostering growth in plants, you'd witness them flourishing more swiftly under your influence, their essence syncing with the predominant life energy within you."
Serpwingra paused momentarily before continuing, "However, the predominance of life Qi implies a diminishment of the influence of wind Qi. You may not feel as agile or swift as before when the winds were more potent within you. But fear not, the decline is minuscule, perhaps a mere 2% owing to the lower grade of the wind Qi element."
Elrian, absorbing Serpwingra's words, felt a cascade of emotions, a blend of anticipation for the newfound capabilities and a subtle nostalgia for the waning winds within him. The balance of life and wind was an intricate dance, a harmonious synchronization of elements within the boundless expanse of his being.