### Chapter 11: The Road to Strength
Ming Yue woke up early as the clouds were dim and the wind was chilling, hinting at the coming of winter. He stretched, feeling the crisp morning air against his skin, and pondered his current situation. "Well, I've been heavily ignoring combat these days," he thought, rubbing his chin. "If I continue to slack off, I'll be like a walking nuclear bomb that can't ignite."
He reminisced about his time in the gladiator pits, where he was constantly beaten without ever winning a single fight. "Now that I think about it, I never did win a fight," Ming Yue murmured, his finger resting on his red lips.
Yongan Village, with its precious Yin Veined Bluewood, was often targeted by bandits. The powerful city lords and aristocratic families that relied on this resource provided some guards, but they were often the weakest and most incompetent, spending their time enjoying women at brothels in nearby cities. The villagers had taken matters into their own hands, creating their own guard force. Though the village was small, a few cultivators resided there. The highest among them was at the 6th stage of Qi Gathering, a position of reverence.
"I could ask one of the guards to spar with me, but like hell they would agree to fight a kid," Ming Yue said, laughing to himself. He decided to practice on his own. His father had taught him about the sword from a young age, focusing on instantaneous bursts of strength and muscle for fast assassination techniques. The Rapid Viper style was deadly but taxing on the body, requiring a cultivator's endurance or a grown man's physique.
Ming Yue had given up on the Rapid Viper style as a child, much to his father's disappointment. But now, with his cultivation base and Chaos Qi, he could potentially overpower it. He decided to train in this style again, starting with the mental discipline required. His father had meditated while being stung by bees, maintaining perfect composure. Ming Yue planned to do the same, using the stings as a test of his focus.
He began his training regimen by finding a patch of tall grass where bees buzzed busily. Sitting cross-legged, he allowed the bees to land on him, feeling their tiny feet and the sharp sting of their venom. His body tensed, but he forced his mind to remain still and patient. The pain was intense, but he concentrated on his breathing, feeling the Chaos Qi flow through his meridians. "Harmony of Chaos," he whispered, "Chaos is not mere disorder; it's the primordial dance... the interplay of creation and dissolution."
For hours, Ming Yue sat in silent meditation, the stings becoming a part of the rhythm of his focus. By the end of the day, his skin was red and swollen, but his mind was sharper, more attuned to the chaotic energy within him.
Next, he needed to improve his speed. Though his cultivation increased his agility, he needed additional training. He fashioned makeshift ankle, wrist, and torso weights from stones and cloth, binding them tightly to his body. "Who came up with the thought of cultivation? Curse that bastard! If it didn't exist l wouldn't even be here waisting my breath!" Ming Yue shouted in frustration as he struggled with the weights.
He ran through the forest, each step heavier than the last, his muscles screaming in protest. He pushed himself to his limits, feeling the Chaos Qi enhance his endurance. Every morning, he repeated this routine, gradually increasing the weight. His speed improved, his movements becoming more fluid and controlled.
Accuracy was another critical component of the Rapid Viper style. Ming Yue scavenged the village for discarded chopsticks, using them to practice catching flies and wasps. He spent hours in the marketplace, the villagers watching in amusement as he swiped at the air. His eyes tracked the insects' erratic movements, his hands moving with precision. Slowly, his success rate improved, each catch a testament to his growing skill.
Stealth required practice in the dark. The Shadow Void mobility technique his father had mentioned eluded him, but without the proper Qi patterns he wasn'table to display even an ounce of it's power, but he could still practice moving silently. He spent nights in the forest, stalking animals without alerting them. His footsteps became lighter, his breathing quieter. He blended into the shadows, striking at unsuspecting prey.
Strength training was perhaps the most grueling. Ming Yue found a steep hill with large boulders and began pushing them uphill. The stones were heavy, far beyond what his Qi Gathering Stage 2 strength could handle comfortably. He gritted his teeth, muscles straining as he pushed with all his might. Sweat poured down his face, his body trembling with effort. Each boulder moved was a small victory, a testament to his determination.
Lastly, he practiced his sword techniques in the lake. The water added resistance to his movements, forcing him to exert more effort with each slash. He felt the Chaos Qi guiding his strikes, each one more precise and powerful than the last. The cold water numbed his limbs, but he persisted, feeling his muscles grow stronger with each session.
To further enhance his endurance and resilience, Ming Yue meditated under the nearby waterfall. The relentless pounding of the water against his body tested his concentration and physical limits. He sat there for hours, feeling the Chaos Qi circulate through him, his body gradually adapting to the harsh conditions.
Each day, Ming Yue pushed himself harder, his body and mind growing stronger. He trained tirelessly, knowing that the upcoming sect entrance examination was his only chance to escape the Tian clan's shadow. The villagers watched him with a mixture of curiosity and admiration, seeing the determination in his eyes.
Despite the challenges, Ming Yue remained resolute. He would not give up. His journey was just beginning, and he was determined to seize every opportunity to grow stronger. The path to power was fraught with obstacles, but he embraced them, knowing that each step brought him closer to his goals.
As the days turned into weeks, Ming Yue's training began to show results. His speed, accuracy, and strength improved significantly. He could feel the Chaos Qi responding to his will, harmonizing with his intent. The Rapid Viper style became second nature to him, his movements fluid and deadly.
Winter approached, the air growing colder each day. Ming Yue knew that the sect entrance examination was drawing nearer. He had three months to prepare, and he was determined to make the most of it. The nights were long and cold, but he found solace in the stars, each one a reminder of his aspirations.
Ming Yue's eyes sparkled with a golden hue as he stared at the Chaos Tree in his sea of consciousness. "Harmony of Chaos, Chaos is not mere disorder; it's the primordial dance... the interplay of creation and dissolution," he reminded himself. The Chaos Qi surged within him, wild and untamed, yet harmonious.
He stood on the hill overlooking the village, feeling the wind against his face. "I will become stronger," he vowed, clenching his fists. "I will achieve my goals, no matter the cost."
With renewed determination, Ming Yue continued his training, each day bringing him closer to the strength he sought. The path of cultivation was arduous, but he was ready to face it head-on. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: Ming Yue would not stop until he had achieved his dreams.