Chapter Six: Trials in the Woods
The deeper Li Yan ventured, the denser and wilder the forest became. Tall trees loomed like silent watchers, their shadows stretching long and dark across the forest floor. With each step, he felt his senses sharpen, his body and Qi alive with anticipation. This forest was unpredictable and teeming with hidden dangers—exactly what he needed to test the Emberveil techniques and understand the depths of Feiyan's flame.
After his encounter with the wildcat and the boar, he felt the thrill of combat still lingering, his movements more fluid, his control over his Qi more refined. But he knew he still had a long way to go; these creatures had barely tapped into the full extent of what the forest could throw at him. As he made his way through a narrow, winding path, a faint rustling sounded to his left. His breath stilled, his stance shifting instinctively to the Mountain Root Stance, grounding himself.
From behind a cluster of bushes, a shadow emerged—a serpent-like creature with a sleek, scaled body and narrow, calculating eyes. Its scales shimmered in the filtered light, and its tongue flickered in and out, tasting the air as it zeroed in on him. Li Yan narrowed his eyes, recognizing the creature's subtle movements. It was a viperhound, a rare beast known for its speed and venomous bite, lurking in ambush before lunging at its target.
The creature coiled its body, preparing to strike, and Li Yan felt his pulse quicken. He focused, his breath steady as he shifted his weight lightly into Soaring Crane Stance, ready to move as soon as the beast attacked. The viperhound launched itself at him in a blur, its fangs bared, but Li Yan reacted just as swiftly, sidestepping with Scorching Step to evade its bite. His Qi filled his legs, adding speed to his movement as he spun out of reach.
As he shifted, he gathered Qi into his hand, channeling the warmth of Feiyan's flame into a Blazing Palm. The moment the viperhound was within reach, he struck out, his palm connecting with the creature's side. A pulse of energy surged through his hand, and he could feel the faint, almost imperceptible flicker of flame as his Qi made contact. The impact forced the creature back, and it let out a hiss, its body twisting in the air before it landed.
"That flame again," Feiyan's voice echoed in his mind, though it was soft, almost as if she were musing to herself. Her tone was guarded, curiosity mingling with caution. But she remained silent about her observations, choosing to keep her suspicions to herself. She still didn't trust him, and this small flicker of flame, though intriguing, was not yet enough to change her mind.
The viperhound was far from defeated, though; it circled him, its body undulating as it prepared for another strike. Li Yan exhaled slowly, allowing his Qi to settle as he slipped into Ember Stream Flow, directing the energy along his arms and legs to increase his speed and precision. His senses were alert, following the viperhound's movements as he waited for the right moment to strike.
The beast lunged again, faster this time, and Li Yan reacted instinctively, his Qi guiding his movements as he sidestepped and launched a rapid series of strikes. His fists connected with the creature's scaled body, each hit resonating with the warmth of Feiyan's flame. The viperhound recoiled with each blow, its body writhing as it struggled to regain its balance.
For a brief moment, Li Yan felt a flicker of flame in his strikes—not the full blaze of Feiyan's fire, but a hint of something more, something that felt uniquely his. Feiyan, observing in silence, noticed it too. But she withheld her thoughts, her trust in him still undeveloped.
The viperhound let out a final hiss, its body slithering away as it retreated into the shadows, leaving Li Yan alone once again. He let out a steadying breath, feeling the residual warmth of the strange flame still lingering in his hands. Whatever it was, he could sense that it went beyond his connection with Feiyan, a potential that felt raw and unfamiliar.
He moved on, deeper into the forest, his gaze scanning for the next challenge. The forest was quiet, but he could feel the subtle tension in the air, as if the beasts sensed his presence and were watching, waiting.
Not long after, he came across a wide clearing where the sunlight filtered down in beams, illuminating a small pond surrounded by rocks. He stepped forward cautiously, feeling the air shift around him, the faint sense of another presence stirring nearby. Suddenly, from the shadows, a massive winged creature rose, its wings spanning wide as it screeched, shaking the forest around it.
A gale hawk. Its talons were sharp as knives, its feathers a glossy black that shimmered in the sunlight. Li Yan braced himself, feeling the surge of Qi as he settled into Mountain Root Stance once more. The hawk circled above him, its keen eyes studying him, and he could sense the intelligence behind them, the patience of a predator.
Without warning, the hawk dove, its talons outstretched as it descended in a blur of feathers and fury. Li Yan waited, timing his movement carefully, then used Scorching Step to dodge to the side. He felt the rush of wind as the hawk passed, the sheer force of its dive unsettling the leaves around him.
But it wasn't finished. The hawk banked sharply, twisting mid-air as it came at him again, faster and more focused. This time, he shifted into Ember Stream Flow, letting his Qi circulate along his arms as he prepared to counter the attack. He watched the hawk's approach, then struck out with a powerful Blazing Palm, aiming for its wing.
His Qi pulsed through his hand on impact, and he felt the faintest flicker of flame—a warmth that resonated with his strike as it connected. The hawk screeched, thrown off balance as it veered away, its wing dipping as it tried to steady itself.
"Curious…" Feiyan observed in his mind, though she kept her thoughts guarded, unwilling to reveal her intrigue. The flame she sensed was subtle, barely more than an ember, but it bore the unmistakable essence of fire. She would say nothing for now, choosing to observe rather than trust.
The hawk circled again, slower this time, its gaze sharper as it studied him, assessing the unexpected power behind his strikes. Li Yan held his stance, his Qi steady as he watched the creature's movements, waiting for its next move.
It dove again, and this time, Li Yan gathered his Qi for an advanced technique. He focused, his breath deep and steady as he prepared to unleash Ember Wave, a move that required precise control and a steady flow of energy. As the hawk descended, he swept his arm in a wide arc, releasing his Qi in a wave that radiated outward, carrying a faint, lingering warmth.
The hawk screeched as the wave hit, the force pushing it back, its wings flapping wildly as it struggled to regain control. Li Yan could feel the strange warmth pulsing in his hand, like a whisper of flame that lingered in the wake of his Qi. The hawk hesitated, hovering for a moment before letting out a final cry and retreating, disappearing into the distant trees.
Li Yan exhaled slowly, his heart racing with the thrill of victory. He looked down at his hands, the warmth of the strange flame still faintly present, a sensation that felt both familiar and foreign.
Feiyan, observing from within, remained silent. She'd seen enough to know that whatever this power was, it held promise. But she was not yet ready to place her trust in him; her wariness remained, her thoughts guarded as she continued to watch him from a distance.
Li Yan pressed forward, his footsteps light but steady as he ventured toward the outskirts of the forest, where the wild grew darker and more untamed. Here, the trees twisted together in a dense weave of branches, their shadows casting long, jagged patterns across the ground. Each step felt like it carried him deeper into unknown territory, away from the safety of the village and into the heart of the forest's hidden dangers.
As he moved, he could feel the pulse of his Qi humming within him, growing stronger with each breath. The Breath of the Phoenix Ascendant had become second nature, a steady rhythm that allowed him to draw on his energy without strain. The warmth of Feiyan's flame flickered within him, fueling his movements, heightening his senses as he scanned the trees for any sign of movement.
Suddenly, a flash of movement caught his eye—a pair of glowing eyes stared at him from the darkness. A low growl echoed through the air, and out of the shadows stepped a creature that was nearly as tall as he was, its body muscular and covered in dark fur that rippled with each step. It was a shadow bear, a rare and formidable beast known for its aggression and strength.
Li Yan's heart quickened, but he felt a rush of excitement rather than fear. This was exactly what he needed—an opponent that would push him, that would demand every ounce of his focus and skill. He settled into Mountain Root Stance, grounding himself as he prepared to face the creature head-on.
The bear charged, its paws pounding the ground as it barreled toward him, jaws open wide to reveal sharp fangs. Li Yan waited until the last possible second before shifting into Soaring Crane Stance, pivoting smoothly as he dodged to the side, feeling his Qi steady him as he avoided the bear's initial swipe.
The bear spun around, snarling, and Li Yan used Scorching Step to put distance between them, his Qi filling his legs with a burst of speed. He gathered energy in his hands, channeling Feiyan's flame as he prepared a Blazing Palm. When the bear charged again, he struck out, his palm meeting the creature's shoulder with a surge of Qi that sent a faint flicker of flame along his hand.
The impact pushed the bear back, but only slightly. The beast shook itself, unfazed, and growled as it lowered itself into a crouch, ready to pounce again. Li Yan narrowed his eyes, realizing he'd have to rely on more than brute force to bring this creature down.
He took a deep breath, letting the Breath of the Phoenix Ascendant guide his Qi as he transitioned into Ember Stream Flow. The technique allowed him to circulate his energy more fluidly, keeping him light on his feet as he prepared for the bear's next attack.
The bear lunged, and Li Yan moved with swift precision, striking out with a series of quick, targeted blows. His fists connected with the creature's sides, each strike releasing a controlled pulse of Qi. The faint shimmer of flame flickered along his hands with every impact—a subtle but unmistakable trace of Feiyan's fire that only she could recognize.
"Not entirely useless," Feiyan muttered to herself, her tone laced with skepticism. She could see the potential in the faint embers, but her trust in Li Yan remained thin. She'd seen too many failures to place her confidence in someone so inexperienced.
Li Yan was oblivious to her musings, his focus entirely on the fight. The bear's growls grew louder as it became more agitated, swiping at him with powerful claws that forced him to dodge and weave with every step. He could feel his Qi shifting naturally, responding to his movements with a control that felt instinctual, as if his body had begun to understand the techniques on a deeper level.
The bear lunged at him, and Li Yan shifted his stance, gathering his Qi for a more advanced move. He swept his arm in a wide arc, releasing the Ember Wave in a burst of energy that radiated outward. The wave caught the bear mid-leap, pushing it back with a surge of force that left it momentarily dazed.
Li Yan seized the opportunity, closing the distance as he gathered Qi into his fists. He struck the bear with a powerful Blazing Palm, the warmth of Feiyan's flame flickering along his hand as he released his energy in a burst. The impact sent a shockwave through the bear's body, and for a moment, it staggered, its movements faltering.
But the creature wasn't defeated yet. It steadied itself, letting out a deep, guttural roar that echoed through the trees, its eyes blazing with a renewed fury. Li Yan could feel the ground tremble beneath his feet as the bear charged again, and he braced himself, his Qi pooling within him as he prepared for the final clash.
The bear swung its massive paw at him, and Li Yan ducked, using Scorching Step to evade the attack. He twisted, delivering another Blazing Palm to its side, but the creature barely flinched, its endurance proving far greater than he'd anticipated.
Li Yan's mind raced. He needed a strategy—something more than just raw power. He took a deep breath, letting his Qi settle as he analyzed the bear's movements. Its strength was in its size and brute force, but it lacked agility. If he could use his speed to his advantage, he might be able to wear it down.
As the bear lunged once more, he slipped into Ember Stream Flow, moving with fluid grace as he dodged and struck, keeping his attacks swift and precise. Each strike was a careful release of Qi, conserving his energy while gradually wearing down the creature's defenses. The faint shimmer of flame continued to flicker along his hands, and though he didn't fully understand it, he could feel that it was connected to something deeper—a power that felt uniquely his.
Feiyan watched in silence, her interest piqued despite her distrust. She could sense the potential within him, the flame that flickered faintly yet persistently, refusing to fade. But she held her thoughts back, unwilling to place her faith in a novice who might yet prove unworthy.
The bear, now visibly fatigued, slowed its attacks, its breathing labored. Li Yan saw his chance and focused all of his Qi into his fists, channeling the warmth of Feiyan's flame as he prepared a final strike. He waited for the creature's next move, his senses heightened, his body coiled like a spring.
The bear charged, its eyes locked onto him, and he moved with precision, sidestepping at the last second and delivering a powerful Blazing Palm to its side. The impact resonated through his arm, his Qi releasing in a concentrated burst that left a faint scorch mark on the creature's fur.
The bear stumbled, its strength finally waning as it collapsed to the ground, defeated. Li Yan took a step back, breathing heavily as he watched the creature struggle before it finally lay still, the tension in the air dissipating as silence settled over the clearing.
He let out a slow breath, feeling a mix of satisfaction and exhaustion. The battle had tested him, forced him to push his abilities to their limits, but he felt a surge of confidence knowing he had managed to defeat such a powerful creature on his own.
"Don't get cocky," Feiyan's voice cut through his thoughts, her tone cold and unimpressed. "You may have won this battle, but a single victory means nothing. Your power is still raw, uncontrolled. It will take far more than a few fights in the forest to prove yourself."
Li Yan rolled his eyes, though he couldn't deny the truth in her words. He still had much to learn, and this victory was only the beginning. But as he looked down at his hands, the faint warmth of the strange flame lingering on his skin, he felt a spark of determination igniting within him.
He wasn't done yet. Far from it.
Turning away from the defeated bear, he continued deeper into the forest, his senses sharp, his focus unwavering. He could feel the presence of more creatures nearby, lurking in the shadows, watching his every move. Each step carried him further from the village and deeper into a world where strength and skill were his only allies.
As he moved, Feiyan's presence remained a steady warmth within him, though her distrust was ever-present, her silence heavy with guarded curiosity. She had yet to fully reveal her intentions, her observations carefully hidden as she watched him from within. Whatever lay ahead, he knew he couldn't rely on her approval. The path to mastering her flame was his alone, and he was determined to see it through to the end.
The forest awaited him, its challenges vast and unforgiving, but Li Yan welcomed it with open arms. This was his training ground, his crucible, and he would emerge from it stronger—no matter what it took.