The weeks following the reward ceremony were a whirlwind of preparation. The team of five had withdrawn from the hustle and bustle of the Li clan compound, choosing to enter a period of seclusion for intense training. The Rite of Ascendancy was now just two months away, and each member knew they needed to push their cultivation to the next level if they wanted to represent the Li clan with pride.
They gathered in an isolated cave at the edge of the Li clan's territory, surrounded by thick forests and serene waterfalls. The cave had once been used by elders for their own seclusion training and was rich with natural Qi, making it an ideal spot to absorb energy from the air and cultivate.
Li Wei sat cross-legged on a large rock at the center of the cave. His white hair shimmered faintly in the dim light, and his calm blue eyes surveyed his team—Jin Rui, Zhou Wei, Mei Chen, and Li Jun—as they each found their own spaces to begin meditating. Despite the stillness of the cave, there was a palpable sense of urgency. Everyone knew that breakthroughs were necessary if they were to stand a chance in the upcoming Rite.
But Li Wei had a plan.
"Before we begin," Li Wei said, his voice calm but firm, "I want to see how each of you absorbs and condenses the Qi from the air into your dantian. Show me your techniques."
The others exchanged confused glances, but quickly complied. Jin Rui was the first to demonstrate, closing his eyes and channeling the energy around him. His breathing became deep and rhythmic as he drew in the Qi, slowly guiding it toward his dantian. The process was steady but not particularly fast.
Next, Mei Chen stepped forward, her slender fingers gracefully weaving through the air as she formed hand seals. Her technique was more refined than Jin Rui's, but still, it took time for the Qi to condense and fill her dantian. Zhou Wei and Li Jun followed suit, each showing similar techniques—solid, but far from optimal.
Li Wei watched intently, his mind calculating. Each of them had potential, but their methods of absorption were slow and inefficient. If they were to breakthrough quickly and maximize the benefits of their Spirit Condensation Pills, they needed a better way.
"You've all learned solid techniques," Li Wei began, "but they are far too slow for what we need. The Qi around us is abundant, yet you're only drawing in a small portion of it. You need to learn how to absorb more Qi faster—and more importantly, condense it efficiently within your dantian."
The others looked at him with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Even Jin Rui, who had long been regarded as one of the more talented in cultivation techniques, couldn't help but furrow his brow.
"How?" Li Jun asked, his eyes narrowing. "Is there a better method than what we've been taught?"
Li Wei smiled faintly. "Yes, there is. I've learned a few things during my own cultivation. I'll teach you all an advanced technique that will not only increase the amount of Qi you absorb but also help you condense it more densely in your dantian."
Jin Rui raised an eyebrow, still not quite sure how Li Wei—whom he had only recently come to see as formidable—knew such things. But he and the others nodded in agreement, eager to learn.
Li Wei rose to his feet and moved to the center of the cave, motioning for his teammates to gather around him. "The key is in understanding how the flow of Qi works in nature. Rather than pulling it in piece by piece, you need to synchronize with it—become one with the energy around you. Feel the natural current of Qi and let it guide itself into your body. Once it's inside, instead of condensing it like you've been doing—compressing it too slowly—imagine it spinning within your dantian. The faster the spin, the tighter the Qi becomes, condensing faster."
He demonstrated the technique, his body going still for a moment. Then, with a soft hum, the air around him seemed to ripple. Tiny sparks of energy flowed into him from every direction, and within moments, the energy around him felt heavier, more concentrated.
The others were amazed.
"Now, try it yourselves," Li Wei instructed, his voice calm but encouraging. "Focus on the natural rhythm of the Qi in the air, and let it guide itself into your body. Once it's inside, don't fight it—spin it."
One by one, they closed their eyes and followed his instructions. At first, it was difficult. Jin Rui, who was always used to controlling the flow of energy, struggled the most, but as he let go of his rigid technique, he began to feel the difference. The Qi flowed more freely into his body, swirling around him like a river rather than a trickle. Mei Chen, always quick to adapt, grasped the concept easily, her Qi condensing faster than ever before. Zhou Wei's natural talent allowed him to embrace the technique, and even Li Jun—who had been the most skeptical—couldn't help but feel the improvement.
"This... this is incredible," Jin Rui muttered, his eyes opening as he took a deep breath. The Qi inside him had condensed far faster than ever before. "I can feel the difference already."
Mei Chen smiled faintly, her own excitement barely contained. "The energy flows so smoothly now."
Li Jun, still absorbing Qi, could only nod in agreement. His doubt about Li Wei's methods was quickly disappearing. He had suspected for a while that Li Wei was hiding something, but now it was clear—his friend had a deep well of knowledge that none of them had tapped into.
Li Wei observed them silently, his expression calm. He had expected this reaction. The technique he had taught them was simple compared to the many secrets he had unlocked in his past lives. Still, seeing them begin to understand its power filled him with quiet satisfaction.
"Good," he said after a while. "Now, take your pills."
One by one, his teammates took out their Spirit Condensation Pills, the small, crystal-like orbs gleaming in the low light of the cave. Each of them swallowed their pill and resumed their meditation, allowing the power of the pill to fuse with their newly enhanced Qi absorption technique.
The results were immediate and astounding.
Jin Rui's body trembled as the pill's energy surged through him, combining with the Qi he had drawn in. His dantian expanded, and the condensed energy inside him began to break through the barriers that had held him at his current level. In a flash, he felt the exhilarating rush of not just one, but two breakthroughs, his Qi swirling more powerfully than ever before.
Mei Chen's eyes snapped open in shock as her own cultivation soared. She could hardly believe how quickly the energy condensed within her, and before she knew it, she had leaped two levels, her Qi now far more refined than it had been before.
Zhou Wei let out a quiet gasp as his own energy broke through his bottleneck, and even Li Jun—who had been lagging behind the others—found himself achieving a double breakthrough.
"This... this is amazing," Li Jun muttered, his voice filled with awe. "I've never felt so much power at once."
Jin Rui couldn't help but smile, his confidence surging. "Li Wei... you really are something else."
Li Wei nodded in acknowledgment but remained silent. His teammates' progress was satisfying, but he wasn't done. While they had taken their Spirit Condensation Pills, he reached into his robes and pulled out the Supreme Spirit Nourishing Pill, a treasure far more potent than what the others had received.
He swallowed it without hesitation, feeling the pill dissolve in his dantian. Immediately, a wave of immense energy surged through him, far stronger than anything his teammates had experienced. His Qi spiraled within him, the technique he had taught them now working at a much higher level. One level... two... three... four breakthroughs in rapid succession.
Li Wei's eyes remained closed, his expression calm as the power surged through him. When he opened his eyes, they gleamed with a new intensity, a clear sign of his newfound strength.
His teammates, still catching their breath from their own breakthroughs, looked at him in awe. Even Jin Rui, who had been on guard around Li Wei, couldn't help but feel a growing respect for the man who had led them to such incredible progress.
As the cave grew quiet once more, they all knew one thing: they were no longer the same cultivators who had entered seclusion. With their breakthroughs behind them, they were ready.
Ready to face whatever challenges the Rite of Ascendancy would throw their way.