Chapter 16: Rumbling Island Daofei (3)
Tai Lung realized but more than he could chew. His arrogance and impatience cause him to get pushed into the corner.
His impatient temperament and his desire to grow stronger overwhelmed his rationality thus leading to this situation.
Tai Lung staggered to his feet, barely able to see through the haze of blood and sweat that dripped into his eyes.
His body screamed in agony, every muscle on fire from the relentless assault he had endured. The Daofei had surrounded him, their faces twisted in cruel satisfaction as they circled, waiting to deliver the final blow.
He could feel it—he was at his limit. His arrogance had led him here, his impatience for power blinding him to the truth. He had acted recklessly, charging into battle without a plan, thinking he could overcome anything through sheer force of will.
But now, standing on death's doorstep, he realized how wrong he had been.
His breath came in a ragged rhythm, Phoenix Breathing flickering weakly inside him
It was barely keeping him alive, but even that was failing. He felt like a boat tossed by the waves, struggling to stay afloat in the storm.
Balance…
The thought struck him, sharp and clear in the midst of his fading consciousness. The world around him—the four elements, the nations, the Avatar—it was all built on balance.
That was the key. He had lost his balance, both physically and mentally. His arrogance had tipped the scales too far in one direction, and now he was paying the price.
In his past life, he had prided himself on his rationality, his ability to remain calm under pressure. But here, in his desperate quest for strength, he had let his desire for power overwhelm him. He had thrown himself into the storm without a rudder, without balance.
The Daofei moved closer, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. Tai Lung's mind raced as he fought to stay conscious, his thoughts drawn inward. He had to find equilibrium. He had to regain control, or he would die here, and all his efforts would be in vain.
Balance between mind and body. Between aggression and patience. Between power and restraint.
Suddenly, everything became clear. The chaotic swirl of thoughts and emotions inside him began to settle, aligning with the rhythm of his breath.
He could feel it now—his Martial Path. The path that had been waiting for him all along. Not one of mindless violence or unchecked ambition, but one of Absolute Equilibrium.
He had been so focused on power that he had forgotten the true source of strength: harmony. True strength came from balance—balance within oneself, and with the world around him. By finding that balance, he could remain unshaken, no matter the external forces that pressed against him.
Tai Lung's breathing slowed, deepening as Phoenix Breathing reignited within him, but this time it felt different—calmer, more focused.
His injuries, though severe, began to heal faster, and his mind sharpened with a clarity he hadn't felt before.
The Daofei noticed the change, their smirks faltering as they sensed something shift in the air.
With his newly gained strength, Tai Lung stood tall, his posture standing mightily..
The pain in his body was still there, but it no longer controlled him. His mind was clear, his spirit calm. He was no longer fighting from a place of desperation or anger. Now, he fought from a place of perfect balance.
The first Daofei lunged at him, his club raised to strike. But Tai Lung moved effortlessly, sidestepping the attack with fluid grace. In one swift motion, he struck, his fist connecting with the man's chest in a precise, controlled blow.
The force of the impact sent the Daofei flying backward, crashing into the ground, motionless.
Another came at him from the side, wielding a spear. Tai Lung ducked under the thrust, his movements perfectly timed, as if he had anticipated the attack before it even happened.
His fist shot out, striking the spearman's wrist with pinpoint accuracy, disarming him in an instant. A second strike followed, this time to the throat, and the spearman collapsed, gasping for breath.
The remaining Daofei hesitated, fear creeping into their eyes. Tai Lung didn't give them a chance to regroup. He flowed between them like water, his movements precise and calculated, each strike delivered with perfect balance—neither too forceful nor too weak.
One by one, they fell.
He was no longer relying on brute strength or blind aggression. Each movement was deliberate, calculated, as if he was in tune with the very essence of the fight itself.
It was as though the world around him had slowed, and he could see the flow of energy, the patterns of attack and defense.
Tai Lung spun, his fist connecting with a firebender's jaw, sending him crashing into the dirt.
A waterbender attempted to ensnare him with tendrils of water, but Tai Lung's body twisted and weaved through them, his movements so fluid it was as if he had become part of the air itself.
He struck her down with a single blow to the chest, her body crumpling to the ground.
The last of the Daofei, a large earthbender, stood trembling before him, his eyes wide with terror. He raised a massive boulder, ready to crush Tai Lung beneath it.
Tai Lung stood still, his gaze steady, his body relaxed but alert. As the earthbender hurled the boulder toward him, Tai Lung moved—calm, controlled.
He sidestepped the boulder with a grace that seemed almost effortless, his fist lashing out in a single, precise motion.
The earthbender's chest caved in under the force of the blow, and he fell, lifeless, to the ground.
The courtyard fell silent, the bodies of the Daofei strewn around Tai Lung.
His chest heaved with heavy breaths, but his mind was calm, his spirit at peace. He had found his path—his Martial Path.
Absolute Equilibrium.
It wasn't about power for the sake of power. It wasn't about domination or mindless violence. It was about balance, harmony, and understanding. He had been blind before, consumed by his desire for strength. But now, he saw clearly.
Tai Lung exhaled, the flames of Phoenix Breathing settling within him. He looked down at his hands, no longer trembling, and for the first time in a long time, he felt whole.
His quest was to kill the entire Daofei Group but he didn't do so.
His quest was a failure, but that didn't matter anymore. He already achieved what he was out for.
**********
Pls give stone :)
If you enjoyed this chapter and wanted to read more you can go and support my PAT_REON there's advance chapters there.
Here's the link: https://patreon.com/August_Writing?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink