The forest remained eerily quiet as Zhao and Yun Xia made their way back from the Flame Pillar. The energy that had surged through him still buzzed beneath his skin, though it no longer felt overwhelming. The flame inside him had settled, like a small ember waiting to be stoked into a full blaze.
But as the initial rush of his awakening subsided, Zhao couldn't shake the feeling that something had fundamentally changed. The power he had tapped into was vast, ancient, and undeniably dangerous. He had felt it in the way the flame had almost consumed him, and he knew that if he wasn't careful, it could still destroy him.
Yun Xia remained silent, walking a few paces ahead of him, but Zhao could sense her thoughts turning over in her mind. She had been watching him closely throughout the trial, and though she had shown relief when he succeeded, there was still a lingering tension between them.
As they reached the edge of the clearing where they had first begun his training, Yun Xia finally spoke. "The flame inside you is awakened, but it's only the beginning. You'll need to learn to control it, to harness its full potential. And that will require more than just meditation."
Zhao frowned. "What do you mean?"
Yun Xia turned to face him, her expression serious. "The Celestial Flame isn't just a passive energy you can call upon when needed. It has its own will, its own desires. If you don't master it, it will take control of you."
A knot formed in Zhao's stomach. He had felt the flame's presence, its hunger, during the trial. "So how do I master it?"
Yun Xia gestured toward the surrounding forest. "By putting it to use. The flame is a force of destruction, but also creation. You'll need to find the balance between the two. That's the essence of the Celestial Flame sect—the art of controlling both sides of the flame."
Zhao nodded, though the idea of using such a volatile power still unsettled him. "What kind of training will we do?"
Yun Xia's lips curved into a faint smile. "First, you'll need to learn to control its basic form. Fire is wild by nature, but you'll need to tame it, to bend it to your will."
She reached into her robe and pulled out a small, smooth stone, about the size of Zhao's palm. It was a dark, obsidian-like material, with veins of orange running through it like molten lava. "This is a Firestone," she explained. "It's used by cultivators to focus their Qi and channel elemental energy. We'll start with this."
Zhao took the Firestone from her, feeling the warmth radiating from its core. As he held it, he felt the familiar hum of the Celestial Flame stirring inside him, as if responding to the presence of the stone.
"Your task," Yun Xia continued, "is to channel the flame through the Firestone. It will act as a conduit, helping you focus the energy without letting it spiral out of control. But be careful—the stone can only handle so much power. If you push too hard, it will shatter."
Zhao stared at the Firestone, a mix of excitement and trepidation swirling inside him. He had barely begun to understand the full scope of the flame's power, but he was determined to master it.
Taking a deep breath, Zhao closed his eyes and focused on the flame within. He visualized it as a small flicker, like a candle flame burning at his core. Slowly, he began to draw the flame upward, directing it toward his hand and into the Firestone.
At first, the flow of energy was erratic, the flame flickering uncontrollably as it surged toward the stone. Zhao grit his teeth, struggling to maintain his focus. But as he concentrated, the flame began to stabilize, its heat building steadily in the palm of his hand.
The Firestone pulsed with a soft orange glow as the flame flowed into it, the veins of molten energy becoming more vibrant with each passing moment. Zhao could feel the power coursing through him, the heat radiating from the stone, but he kept his mind steady, refusing to let the flame take over.
After what felt like hours, Zhao opened his eyes. The Firestone was glowing brightly now, its surface radiating warmth. He had done it—he had controlled the flame, channeled it into the stone without losing control.
Yun Xia gave a nod of approval. "Good. You've taken the first step. But this is only the beginning. Controlling the flame in a Firestone is one thing. Using it in real combat, when the stakes are high, is another."
Zhao clenched his fist around the Firestone, feeling the heat against his skin. "I'm ready."
---
As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest, Zhao and Yun Xia returned to the training ground. The night air was cool, but Zhao's body still felt warm, the ember of the flame within him keeping him steady.
Yun Xia wasted no time. "Now, we'll test your control in a real-world situation. There's a group of rogue cultivators in the area, remnants of a fallen sect that still harbor ill will toward the Celestial Flame. They've been causing trouble for nearby villages, extorting resources and attacking travelers."
Zhao's eyes widened. "You want me to fight them?"
Yun Xia nodded. "You won't be alone, but this is an opportunity to test your control over the flame in a combat setting. These rogue cultivators may not be as strong as you, but they're cunning and dangerous. And they know about the Celestial Flame medallion."
Zhao swallowed, his heart racing. He had barely begun to understand his new powers, and now he was being thrust into a confrontation with seasoned enemies. But he knew this was a necessary step on his journey. If he couldn't control the flame in battle, he would never truly master it.
"I'm ready," Zhao said, though his voice betrayed a hint of uncertainty.
Yun Xia placed a hand on his shoulder, her gaze steady. "Stay focused. Remember, the flame is part of you now. Trust in it, but don't let it consume you."
With that, they set off into the night, the dark forest closing in around them as they moved toward the rogue cultivators' camp. Zhao's mind raced with anticipation, but he knew that this was the moment he had been training for. The first flames of the Celestial Flame had been awakened, and now it was time to see just how far he could take them.