Beneath the sheltering embrace of an ancient forest, where moonlight danced through a canopy of emerald leaves, the tranquil murmurs of the woodland blended with the gentle whispers of the wind.
In a secluded clearing bathed in the moon's ethereal glow, three figures sat in serene meditation, their bodies poised in the graceful postures of lotus positions.
"Alright, Zhihui," Breaking the silence, an old man in tattered robes inquired, his piercing gaze fixed on the young boy. "What do you know about Qi?"
'Huh? He never taught me about Qi, just the breathing technique.' Zhihui blinked, snapping out of his stupor. He glanced at the girl beside him, then turned to face the old man.
"Qi," he said, taking a deep breath, "is an energy that cultivators use to open their meridians and begin their path to-" Before he could finish his sentence, a powerful force struck him, sending him flying through the air and crashing into a tree.
"Wrong!" the old man bellowed, his voice echoing through the forest. He frowned and exclaimed in a solemn tone, "Qi is the essence of life, the force that animates the universe!"
"It is the breath of the cosmos, flowing through all living beings, connecting everything in a harmonious dance. To cultivate Qi is to tap into this cosmic energy and harness its power."
The air hummed with anticipation as the soft and gentle voice of the pink-eyed little girl echoed through the stillness, her words like delicate petals carried on a breeze. "How do we cultivate Qi?" she inquired, her eyes sparkling with an insatiable curiosity.
"Cultivating Qi requires discipline, focus, and a deep understanding of oneself. Begin by attuning your breath, for breath is the bridge between the physical and the spiritual. Inhale deeply, drawing in the pure Qi that surrounds us. Exhale, releasing any impurities within," the old man replied, wearing a faint smile.
"Is Qi only in the air, Master?"
"While the air carries Qi, it is also present within our bodies. Qi circulates through the meridians. Through meditation and mindful movement, we can enhance the flow of Qi within."
"Can we see Qi?" Aí asked, staring at the old man with a reverent gaze.
"Zhihui!" The old man's voice boomed across the clearing, his gaze settling upon the young boy with long black hair, who was still dusting off his clothes. "Enlighten your junior sister," he instructed.
Zhihui paused for a moment. 'Junior sister? what the hell is going on?! And how would I know? Whenever I asked about Qi or cultivation, he'd go on a completely irrelevant ramble.'
'How should I explain it? While I can't directly see the Qi, I can sort of feel it.' he thought as he rubbed his chin. After contemplating, he said, "I think..." A blow to his chest knocked him into the air, interrupting him.
"Qi is not seen with the eyes but felt with the spirit. As you deepen your practice, you will sense the subtle vibrations and the flow of this vital energy." In the background, sounds of a tree creaking and leaves falling echoed through the forest.
The old man shifted his gaze to the young girl in front of him, smiling faintly as he continued, "It is in the rustle of leaves, the babbling of streams, and the beating of your own heart."
"In martial arts, Qi is the source of strength, agility, and focus. A skilled cultivator can channel Qi to enhance their movements, making them swift and precise.
A balanced and harmonious flow of Qi within oneself allows for a calm mind, essential in mastering the art of combat.
Qi's dominion extends far beyond the battlefield, reaching into the realms of healing and well-being. By cultivating and directing Qi, one can mend not only physical wounds but also the mind and spirit."
"However, one must not lack patience; cultivating Qi is a lifelong journey of cumillation."
Aí's lips pursed in bewilderment as her fingers twisted and turned, their agitation a reflection of the confusion clouding her mind.
"Zhihui, explain to your junior sister why patience is important," the old man said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
'Patience?! Let me finish speaking then!' Zhihui's expression contorted into a mask of anger as he slowly rose to his feet.
His body ached from the battle with the bear, and his ribs still throbbed from the beating he'd received upon his return. On top of that, his hard-earned money had been stolen from him.
'I'm tired and exhausted, even after that beating this geezer is still pushing me around.'
"I've had enough of your games, old man." With a grunt, he assumed a boxing stance, his fists clenched tightly, ready to unleash the storm brewing within him.
Wearing a resolute expression, he channeled his Qi towards his arms, which began to gray slightly, releasing a faint mist.
"Haizz, how foolish!" The old man observed the scene with an amused smile playing on his lips. Then he turned to Aí, saying, "It seems your senior brother has decided to make an example of himself."
The old man leisurely rose from his seat, stretching his legs for a moment before addressing Zhihui. His voice, imbued with wisdom and authority, echoed through the forest. "Something that you desire to last for a lifetime cannot be rushed."
"Just as a sculptor carefully molds clay into a masterpiece, so too must a cultivator meticulously shape their path with thoughtful deliberation.
Haste is the enemy of wisdom, and impatience is the foe of progress." With his words, a heavy pressure descended, seeming as if gravity had bent to his will.
Zhihui gritted his teeth, withstanding the encumbering weight of the old man's aura.
"In my days as a humble beggar, I amassed a wealth of experiences, a veritable treasury of understanding. Among the many priceless gems unearthed along this journey, patience emerged as a beacon of enduring value."
"Zhihui, you may overflow with worldly treasures, but your grasp of true understanding remains woefully meager." Emphasizing his words with a pointed finger aimed directly at Zhihui.
A swirling vortex of gray mist enveloped the old man's arm, his slender fingers turning translucent as it danced across his skin. The smoke billowed outward, enveloping the forest in a thick fog.
"To grasp genuine wealth, patience must be the foundation."
The vast gray fog vanished, condensing into a finger the size of a thumb, hovering above Zhihui's forehead.
"Wandering Beggar Arts - Rich Beggar."
The smoky gray finger, an ethereal extension of an otherworldly force, flicked Zhihui's head with unnerving precision. An eerily loud howl of wind echoed from behind him, a ghostly chorus amplifying the unseen impact.
Zhihui remained motionless, his body betraying no physical reaction. Yet, as he attempted to move, an invisible force seemed to sever his connection with his limbs, reducing him to a puppet with severed strings.
He stumbled forward, his eyes vacant and unseeing, and collapsed onto the forest floor in a sprawled heap.
Aí turned to face the direction behind Zhihui, her eyes widening in horror. The once majestic forest had vanished, its towering trees that once reached for the skies swallowed by an unseen force.
The verdant green grass that once carpeted the earth had been replaced by a desolate expanse of thick, viscous mud. The altered landscape stretched a thousand meters wide, a vast clearing devoid of life.
The once vibrant woodland had been reduced to a stark, barren wasteland, the very essence of the forest rewritten.
On the sides of the clearing and in front of Zhihui's figure, the vibrant woodland abruptly ended, creating a stark contrast with the wasteland. The line between the two worlds was as sharp as a knife, a jarring reminder of the forest's sudden and inexplicable transformation.
Aí marveled at the sight that had unfolded before her eyes, her mind grappling with the implications of what she had just witnessed. 'So this is the power of cultivation?' she mused, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. Awe, wonder, and a hint of trepidation mingled in her heart, each emotion vying for dominance.
The old man heaved a deep sigh and, with a mere flick of his wrist, the desolate wasteland dissolved into nothingness, the vibrant forest reappearing in its stead. Emerald leaves once again danced in the gentle breeze, their verdant hues a stark contrast to the gray expanse that had just moments ago occupied the clearing.
"Aí, remain here and immerse yourself in the flow of Qi that surrounds you," the old man instructed, his voice carrying a tinge of amusement. "When your senior brother regains consciousness, tell him to make his way to the lake."
A delicate blush crept across Aí's cheeks as she nodded, her hands reflexively forming a respectful gesture in the direction of the old man's retreating form. With a gentle grace, she approached Zhihui, her fingers tracing the contours of his face with a tender expression.
Then, settling into a serene lotus position, she embarked on a journey into the depths of her own consciousness.