Feng Yao awoke early, the light of dawn barely breaking through the thin curtains of his room.
The air was still cool, a gentle reminder of the morning's early hour.
He stretched, then sat cross-legged on the floor, feeling the familiar pull toward his cultivation practice.
He had developed a routine in his time at the sect, a rhythm that centered his days around training, studying, and, most importantly, cultivating.
Each morning, before the sun had fully risen, Feng Yao would sit and meditate, guiding the flow of Qi through his meridians.
It was a process that had become almost second nature to him, though the barrier to the first stage of cultivation still loomed large in his mind.
As he closed his eyes, he focused inward, visualizing the Qi as a steady stream of light coursing through his body.
It flowed from his dantian, winding its way through his meridians, strengthening his body as it went.
The barrier was there, a stubborn wall that he had yet to break through, but he could feel himself getting closer.
Each session chipped away at it, if only a little.
After what felt like hours, Feng Yao slowly opened his eyes.
He could feel the energy still buzzing in his veins, the remnants of his morning practice.
With a sigh, he got to his feet and began to prepare for the day.
When he stepped out into the courtyard, the sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft, golden light over the sect grounds.
His friends Li Xin, Gao Shan, and Mei Ling were already gathered, their conversations a quiet murmur in the early morning air.
"Good morning," Feng Yao greeted them with a smile, joining the group.
"Good morning," they echoed back, each with their own energy and enthusiasm.
They chatted casually for a while, discussing their training, before deciding to head to the food hall for breakfast.
Feng Yao noticed something different about his friends.
It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but there was an ease to their movements, a calmness in their auras that hadn't been there before.
The food hall was bustling with activity, as usual, the scent of various dishes wafting through the air.
Feng Yao filled his tray with food, his mind still focused on his morning cultivation. But as he took his first bite, something else captured his attention.
The food was unlike anything he had ever tasted. It wasn't just delicious; it was nourishing in a way that went beyond the mere satisfaction of hunger.
Each dish seemed to radiate a subtle energy that Feng Yao could feel resonating with his Qi, enhancing his cultivation in a way that he hadn't expected.
"These chefs," he thought, "they've mastered the Culinary Dao."
The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.
The dishes weren't just meals; they were carefully crafted with the same precision and care that a cultivator would use in their training.
The ingredients were selected for their spiritual properties, the cooking techniques designed to bring out the best in them, all to strengthen the bodies of those who ate them.
Feng Yao couldn't help but marvel at the skill involved.
He had grown up surrounded by good food that was the source of pride for his family but this was on a different level.
The food here wasn't just for sustenance; it was a part of the cultivation journey itself.
As they ate, Feng Yao's thoughts were interrupted by Li Xin, who had been unusually quiet.
"You know," Li Xin said, his voice thoughtful, "this place really makes you appreciate the finer details of cultivation."
"Even the food… it's like every part of our lives here is designed to make us stronger."
Feng Yao nodded, still savoring the lingering energy from the meal.
"Yeah, it's incredible. It makes me wonder how much more there is to learn about cultivation… beyond just the techniques and forms."
The conversation shifted as they continued to eat, with Li Xin eventually sharing more about his background.
"My family's always been into artifact creation," he said with a hint of pride.
"We're not one of the top clans, but we've got a decent reputation. I guess that's why I've always been so interested in crafting."
"I want to make something that'll stand the test of time, you know?"
Gao Shan chuckled, his deep voice a contrast to Li Xin's lighter tone.
"My clan's all about brute strength and fighting styles. We've always been more about action than theory."
"My old man always said, 'You don't learn by thinking about it, you learn by doing it.' So that's what I've been trying to do here—get stronger, one punch at a time."
Feng Yao smiled, nodding as they talked.
"Sounds like we all have our own paths," he said.
"It's interesting to see how different we all are, but we're still working toward the same goal."
Mei Ling, who had been mostly silent, spoke up, her voice soft and slightly evasive.
"I guess you could say my background is complicated."
"I'm here to make a name for myself, though. I'm not sure where my path will take me, but I'm determined to find out."
Feng Yao raised an eyebrow but didn't press for more details.
Mei Ling's tone made it clear that she wasn't ready to share much about her past.
Instead, he changed the subject, talking more about their current training and what they hoped to achieve.
As they finished their meal, Gao Shan turned to Feng Yao.
"You haven't told us much about your background, Feng Yao. What's your story?"
Feng Yao hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"My family runs a business, a restaurant to be exact."
"It's not as prestigious as artifact-making or battle techniques, but it's something we're proud of."
Li Xin's eyes lit up. "A restaurant? Now you have to cook for us sometime! I'm curious to see how your cooking compares to what we've got here."
Feng Yao chuckled, nodding.
"Sure, I'll cook for you guys one of these days. But don't expect anything too fancy."
The rest of the day passed in a blur of training and study.
Feng Yao focused on his cultivation, pushing himself harder, determined to reach the first stage.
The energy from the morning's meal seemed to linger, giving him an extra boost as he guided his Qi through his meridians.
Days went by, each one blending into the next as Feng Yao continued his routine.
He could feel himself getting closer, the barrier to the first stage weakening with each passing day.
But as his friends slowly began to break through, one by one, Feng Yao couldn't help but feel the pressure mounting.
It was Li Xin who broke through first. Feng Yao found him in the courtyard one morning, his aura noticeably stronger, his demeanor calmer.
"I did it," Li Xin said simply, a small smile on his face. "I've reached the first stage."
Feng Yao congratulated him, a mixture of pride and envy swirling in his chest.
"That's amazing, Li Xin. I knew you'd get there."
Li Xin nodded, his eyes gleaming with a newfound confidence.
"I've decided to move on to the Artifact Hall. It's where I need to be if I want to continue growing."
A few days later, it was Mei Ling's turn. Feng Yao found her packing her things, her expression serene but determined.
"I've reached the first stage too," she said quietly.
In tune with her lowkey character she chose the shadow ball.
Gao Shan was the last to break through.
Feng Yao could see the change in him even before Gao Shan spoke.
His aura was more powerful, his presence more commanding.
"I'm heading to the Martial Hall," Gao Shan said, clapping Feng Yao on the back.
"It's time to get serious about my training."
Feng Yao watched as his friends left one by one, each of them moving on to their respective paths.
He was happy for them, proud of their achievements, but he couldn't shake the feeling of being left behind.
The courtyard felt emptier without them, the silence more pronounced.
Feng Yao sat alone, his thoughts heavy. He had been training just as hard, pushing himself to the limit, but the first stage still eluded him.
"I won't be left behind," he told himself, his voice firm.
"I'll break through, no matter what it takes."
With renewed determination, Feng Yao returned to his room and began to meditate.
The night stretched on, the quiet rhythm of his breathing the only sound in the room.
He could feel the energy within him, a current of power waiting to be unleashed.
He guided his Qi through his meridians with more focus than ever before, pushing against the barrier with everything he had.
The resistance was still there, but Feng Yao didn't back down.
He could feel the energy pulsing around him, the quiet determination in his heart driving him forward.
"I won't stop until I break through," Feng Yao vowed, his eyes closed in concentration.
The night deepened, and Feng Yao's resolve only grew stronger.
His friends' progress wasn't a sign of his own failure; it was a challenge, a call to push harder, to strive for more.
And Feng Yao was determined to answer that call, no matter how long it took.