Feng Liang sat cross-legged on the mat in his small cottage, his breath steady, his focus sharp. The flow of Qi through his meridians had become smoother, more natural over the past few days.
Every breath drew in more power from the surroundings, and with each exhalation, he could feel himself inching closer to another breakthrough. His body felt stronger, more resilient, as though it had become one with the Qi that sustained him.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He had come far... further than most in such a short time. His breakthroughs were coming faster now, his understanding of the Heavenly Void Scripture deepening with each passing day.
The once-elusive nature of Qi had become something almost tangible to him, something he could grasp and wield with increasing precision.
After several hours of cultivation, Feng Liang opened his eyes, the cerulean glow fading from his irises as he exhaled slowly. The cottage was filled with the faint smell of earth and wood, the quiet stillness of his surroundings offering a peaceful reprieve from the intensity of his training.
But peace, as he had learned, was fleeting.
He stood up and stretched, feeling the energy humming beneath his skin. Walking to the door, he opened it to let the fresh air fill his lungs. The forest greeted him with its usual symphony... the rustling of leaves in the wind, the distant calls of birds, the gentle babble of the stream. It was a comforting sound, one that had grounded him during his days of seclusion.
But as he stepped outside, a sudden prickling sensation ran down his spine. His instincts flared to life, and he immediately sensed something was wrong. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the trees around him. Someone was out there... someone strong.
He focused, letting his Qi expand outward like a net, searching for the source of the disturbance. It didn't take long for him to find it... a presence lurking at the edge of the clearing, barely concealed by the shadows of the forest. Whoever it was, they weren't trying to hide their power. If anything, they were making it known.
Feng Liang remained calm as the figure stepped out from behind the trees and into the clearing. The man was tall and broad-shouldered, clad in black robes that were adorned with a golden dragon embroidered on the crest of his chest. His aura pulsed with strength... a Qi Master.
The man's eyes swept over Feng Liang, and a sneer curled his lips.
"So, it's true," he said, his voice filled with disdain.
"The runaway has been hiding out here like a coward."
Feng Liang remained silent, his eyes cool and steady as he watched the man approach. He recognized that crest... it was a symbol of the Heavenly Demon Sect. The sect had found him, just as he feared they eventually would.
The man stopped a few paces away from Feng Liang, his sneer widening as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"I never thought I'd get this lucky. To think, the Heavenly Demon's son, hiding out in the middle of nowhere like some lowly hermit. Your head will make a fine gift to present to your sibling."
Feng Liang's expression remained unchanged, though his heart sank slightly. He had hoped to avoid conflict, but it seemed inevitable now.
"You don't have to do this," Feng Liang said, his voice calm but firm.
"Leave quietly, and I won't have to kill you."
The Qi Master laughed, the sound harsh and mocking.
"You think I'm going to let this opportunity slip by? You're the Heavenly Demon's disgrace of a son. Your life is worth nothing. Killing you will earn me a reward beyond imagining."
Feng Liang sighed, the weight of inevitability settling over him.
"I'm giving you one last chance. Leave now, and you can keep your life."
But the Qi Master had no intention of backing down. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword, and without hesitation, he drew the blade in a single swift motion. The air around him crackled with energy as his Qi surged, condensing into a shimmering aura around the blade.
"You won't be so lucky today," the man growled, his eyes filled with bloodlust. He lunged forward, the blade cutting through the air with deadly precision, aiming for Feng Liang's throat.
Feng Liang moved effortlessly, sidestepping the attack with ease. He kept his body loose, his movements fluid as he dodged the series of strikes that followed. The Qi Master's blade sliced through the air, but none of his attacks came close to hitting their mark.
"Stop this!" Feng Liang called out, his voice sharp.
"I don't want to kill you!"
The man ignored his words, his attacks becoming more frenzied as his frustration grew. "Hold still, you coward!" he roared, swinging his blade with all the strength he could muster. But Feng Liang remained calm, dodging each strike with precision and grace. He hadn't drawn his own weapon... he hadn't needed to.
But then, the man's eyes flashed with malicious intent, and he changed his strategy. He poured all of his Qi into his blade, sending a wave of energy crashing toward Feng Liang. The force of it tore through the ground, splitting the earth as it surged forward like a tidal wave.
Feng Liang's eyes narrowed. He had crossed the line.
With a swift motion, Feng Liang's hand shot forward, his Qi flaring to life as he unleashed a single, devastating strike. His fist connected with the wave of energy, and the sheer power of his attack shattered the Qi Master's technique in an instant. The shockwave from the impact rippled through the air, sending the man stumbling back in shock.
But Feng Liang didn't stop there.
In the blink of an eye, he was upon the man. With one swift motion, his hand shot out, slicing through the air with blinding speed. The Qi Master's eyes widened in disbelief as Feng Liang's strike connected with his neck. A flash of silver, and then... silence.
The Qi Master's head fell to the ground, his body crumpling shortly after. Blood pooled beneath him, the life drained from his once arrogant eyes. Feng Liang stood over the fallen man, his breathing steady, though his heart was heavy. He had hoped to avoid this, but once again, the world had forced him to take a life.
Feng Liang stared down at the body for a moment, his face expressionless.
"You didn't have to die," he said softly, though he knew the man could no longer hear him. He exhaled slowly, calming the storm of emotions that raged within him.
Without hesitation, Feng Liang gathered the fallen man's body and set it aflame, his Qi igniting the corpse in a flash of golden light. The fire crackled as it consumed the remains, the heat rising in waves. Feng Liang watched as the flames danced, his mind drifting to the house he had built. This place had been his sanctuary, his refuge from the world.
But it was no longer safe.
He turned toward the small cottage he had painstakingly constructed and felt a pang of regret. It had served him well, but if he stayed here, more would come. The Heavenly Demon Sect wouldn't stop... they would keep sending people, and each time, they would force him to kill. He couldn't remain here any longer.
"It's better this way," he muttered to himself. With a sweep of his hand, he sent another wave of Qi toward the cottage, and soon, it too was engulfed in flames.
The wooden structure crackled and collapsed, the fire consuming it whole. The smoke rose into the sky, carrying with it the last remnants of Feng Liang's peaceful life.
Feng Liang stood there for a moment, watching the fire burn. The weight of his decision pressed heavily on his shoulders, but he knew there was no turning back now. The world wouldn't let him rest.
He took a deep breath and turned his back to the flames.
"More of you will come," he said aloud, speaking to no one in particular.
"I can't stay in one place. It's better for me to leave now, before more blood is spilled."
He cast one last glance at the burning remnants of his home, the forest still peaceful despite the destruction. His expression softened, and with a voice filled with quiet conviction, he whispered,
"May this forest and the lives of those who dwell here prosper."
The words carried on the wind, and as if in response, the trees around him seemed to hum with life. The leaves rustled in unison, and the air itself shimmered with a faint golden light. Feng Liang could feel it... nature, the heavens, acknowledging his words. The energy of the forest pulsed gently, as if blessing the land he had once called home.
With that, Feng Liang turned and walked away, his figure disappearing into the dense woods. The life of a wanderer awaited him... a life without a permanent home, but one where he would continue to seek peace in a world that seemed determined to take it from him.
The forest behind him remained still, but the blessing he had left behind lingered. The wind blew softly through the trees, carrying with it the quiet promise of prosperity and protection, a silent testament to Feng Liang's resolve as he journeyed onward into the unknown.