Zhao woke early the next morning, the lingering soreness from his recent ordeals still present in his body. The sun had barely risen, casting a faint glow over the forest as birds began their morning song. Zhao sat up, feeling a strange mixture of excitement and anxiety. Today, Yun Xia had promised, he would begin his real training.
He found Yun Xia already awake, standing a short distance from their makeshift camp. She was in the middle of a series of slow, deliberate movements, her body flowing like water. Her eyes were closed in deep concentration, and Zhao could feel the energy swirling around her—a soft hum in the air, barely noticeable but undeniably powerful.
For a moment, Zhao simply watched her, fascinated by the grace and control she exhibited. He had never seen anything like it before. Cultivators like Yun Xia truly seemed to exist on a different level from ordinary people.
Yun Xia opened her eyes and, without looking at Zhao, spoke. "It's time."
Zhao scrambled to his feet, feeling a surge of determination. "What are we doing first?"
Yun Xia turned to face him, her expression serious. "Before you can learn any techniques, you need to master the most basic skill of all: patience."
Zhao blinked in confusion. "Patience?"
She nodded. "Cultivation is not about rushing to gain power. It's about understanding the flow of energy within you and around you. Only by cultivating patience can you hope to control the Celestial Flame and avoid being consumed by it."
Zhao frowned slightly. He had been expecting something more… dramatic. More immediate. "But what about my Qi? Shouldn't I practice using it?"
Yun Xia's gaze hardened. "Without patience, your Qi will remain wild and unfocused. You might be able to summon a flame or two, but it will be unstable, dangerous. True power comes from control, and control comes from patience."
She motioned for him to sit down. Zhao reluctantly followed her instructions, settling cross-legged on the ground. Yun Xia sat across from him, her posture perfectly straight.
"Close your eyes," she commanded. "Focus on your breathing. Clear your mind of distractions."
Zhao did as he was told, though a small part of him couldn't help but feel impatient. How could something as simple as sitting still help him harness the incredible power of the Celestial Flame?
As he sat there, Zhao tried to quiet his mind, but thoughts kept creeping in. Memories of his village, the medallion, the blue-eyed cultivator. He couldn't seem to push them away. His body itched to move, to act.
"Focus, Zhao," Yun Xia said softly, as if sensing his inner turmoil. "The world is full of distractions. A cultivator must learn to ignore them."
Zhao took a deep breath, his frustration rising. He tried again, this time concentrating solely on the feeling of his breath moving in and out of his lungs. Slowly, the noise in his mind began to fade. The sounds of the forest melted away, replaced by a stillness that seemed to envelop him.
Then, just as he began to feel a sense of calm, a sharp pain flared in his chest. His eyes shot open as he gasped, his hand flying to his heart. The medallion, still tucked beneath his shirt, pulsed against his skin.
Yun Xia was at his side in an instant. "What happened?"
Zhao shook his head, wincing as the pain subsided. "The medallion… it burned."
Yun Xia's expression darkened. "The medallion is testing you. It responds to your emotions, your desires. If you can't remain calm, it will lash out."
Zhao stared down at the medallion, its weight now feeling more like a curse than a blessing. "So, what do I do?"
Yun Xia's voice was firm. "You try again. And this time, you do not let it control you."
Zhao took a deep breath and closed his eyes once more. This time, he pushed the pain and fear aside, focusing entirely on the sensation of his Qi. He could feel it now, a faint warmth that spread through his body. The medallion pulsed against his chest, but instead of reacting with panic, Zhao let the warmth settle, allowing it to blend with his own energy.
For what felt like hours, Zhao sat there, his body and mind gradually relaxing. The pain from the medallion subsided, replaced by a gentle thrum of energy that coursed through him like a quiet stream.
Finally, Yun Xia spoke, her voice softer now. "Good. You're starting to understand."
Zhao opened his eyes, feeling both exhausted and exhilarated. "I think I felt it," he said. "The Qi… it wasn't as wild this time."
Yun Xia nodded approvingly. "That's the first step. But it's only the beginning. Learning patience and control will take time. But with practice, you'll gain the strength to wield the Celestial Flame without losing yourself to its power."
Zhao nodded, understanding now that this journey would not be easy. But as he looked up at the rising sun, he felt something else—hope. He could do this. He would do this.