Elrian couldn't contain his excitement and blurted out, "I did it! I really did it!" His voice was tinged with a childlike wonder that made his parents' hearts swell with pride and joy.
"We knew you could, Elrian," his mother said, her eyes shining with tears of happiness. "We always knew you had something extraordinary within you."
His father clapped him on the shoulder, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Well done, son. Truly well done."
As the initial excitement waned, his father's expression turned serious. "Listen, Elrian, what you've accomplished is beyond remarkable, but you mustn't speak of it to anyone else."
"Why not?" Elrian's eyes were still alight with the thrill of his accomplishment.
His mother took over, choosing her words carefully. "You see, son, the Elemental Nexus Qi Gathering technique you've successfully cultivated is extremely rare and powerful. If others were to know, they might feel threatened or jealous."
His father nodded. "That's right. In the world of cultivation, knowledge of someone's unique skills can make them a target. People might want to eliminate a potential rival before he becomes too powerful."
His mother's voice softened as she added, "You're just starting on this path, Elrian. It's important to keep a low profile and not draw unnecessary attention to yourself."
Elrian nodded, understanding the gravity of their words. "I get it," he finally said, his voice tinged with newfound maturity. "I'll keep it a secret. No one needs to know what I've done today."
His mother added, "And if anyone asks how you're able to sense and manipulate Qi, just tell them you've been practicing the basic Qi cultivation techniques that we taught you. No need to mention the Elemental Nexus Qi Gathering technique."
"Exactly," his father concurred. "Keep things simple. Let them believe you're walking the same path as everyone else, even though we know you're capable of so much more."
Elrian took this advice to heart. "Alright, I'll stick to that story. Just the basics, nothing more."
His parents nodded, satisfied. For now, this would be their little secret—a small yet profound truth that bound them together even more tightly as a family. But outside their home, Elrian would put on a mask of normalcy, hiding his extraordinary abilities under a cloak of commonality, all while preparing for the extraordinary journey that awaited him.
"Remember, Elrian," his father said, leaning forward and locking eyes with him, "successfully cultivating Qi is a big step, but it's not everything. You also need to know how to use it effectively, especially in combat situations."
His mother chimed in, "Your father is right. Even an ant can defeat a mountain if the mountain can't fight back. Your strength will mean nothing if you don't know how to apply it."
Elrian nodded, absorbing their wisdom. "So, you're saying I need to learn how to fight."
"Exactly," his father replied. "Qi cultivation gives you the potential for great power, but mastering combat techniques allows you to channel that power effectively. Otherwise, you're just a reservoir of untapped energy, vulnerable to anyone who knows how to exploit that."
His mother added, "And trust me, in the path of cultivation, there will be many who would want to exploit that. Being strong is not just about cultivating Qi but also about learning the arts of offense, defense, and strategy."
Elrian understood. His journey had only just begun; the road ahead was long, and filled with challenges he couldn't yet even imagine. But for now, he was ready to take the next step—learning how to fight.
His parents led him to a small storage room, unlocking an old wooden chest that Elrian had always assumed was filled with mundane household items. To his surprise, it was a treasure trove of weapons—daggers, staffs, maces, and various types of swords lay neatly arranged inside.
"Choose wisely, Elrian," his father advised. "The weapon you pick will become an extension of yourself on the battlefield."
Elrian's eyes roved over the array, each weapon radiating its own unique aura. But his eyes kept coming back to one in particular—a long sword with an exceptionally thin, razor-sharp blade. It was far from the largest weapon in the chest, but it had a certain elegance that drew him in.
Picking it up, he was surprised by its lightness. The sword felt like it was a part of him, an extension of his arm. "I choose this one," he said, taking a few experimental swings, relishing the sword's balance and responsiveness.
His mother smiled, "Ah, the Featherblade. A wise choice for someone looking for agility and precision."
His father nodded approvingly, "It's a weapon that rewards skill over brute force. Given your newfound elemental affinity for wind, it will serve you well."
Elrian couldn't wait. Holding the Featherblade in his hands, he felt a sense of completeness he had never felt before. It was as if the weapon had been waiting for him, and him alone.
His father grinned, holding the blade up to examine it more closely. "Ah, you've chosen well. Your mother is the best sword user in the village, you know?"
His mother blushed slightly at the compliment, clearly pleased but trying to remain humble. "Well, I'm one of the better ones, at least. While I don't use the same type of sword you've picked, the basics of swordsmanship are largely the same across all types. I'll be more than capable of training you."
His father's eyes twinkled as he chuckled, "Best sword user? Ah, my love, you're being too modest. You're clearly the best—no one in the village could even come close."
His mother's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, and she playfully swatted at her husband. "Oh, stop it, you. You're going to give Elrian an inflated sense of family pride. We're good, but we're not invincible."
"But that's the thing, isn't it?" His father winked at Elrian, leaning in as if sharing a grand secret. "Believing you're the best is the first step to actually becoming the best. Mindset matters, son!"
His mother sighed, shaking her head but smiling warmly. "Don't fill the boy's head with delusions, dear. It's hard work, discipline, and consistent practice that make a true swordsman. Or swordswoman," she added with a sly smile.
Elrian couldn't help but grin at his parents' banter. It was moments like these that made him realize how fortunate he was—not just in discovering his newfound talents, but in having a family that was so loving and supportive, each in their own unique way.
"Alright, enough teasing," his mother finally said, adopting a more serious tone. "We'll begin your training after lunch. Use the morning to prepare yourself, Elrian. You're going to need all the energy you can muster."
With that, a sense of anticipation settled over the room, leaving Elrian even more excited for what lay ahead. This new chapter in his life was unfolding faster than he could have ever imagined, and he couldn't wait to see where it would lead him next.