The next day, Feng Xiao found himself in the clan's training grounds, surrounded by towering trees and rocky cliffs. Early morning light spilled over the mountains, casting a warm glow on the landscape. The air was thick with qi, charged from countless cultivators who had trained here for generations.
Today, Feng Xiao planned to focus on a new technique he had conceptualized. Inspired by the recent fight with Jiang Wei, he realized he needed a stronger offense and sharper defensive skills to protect himself and those around him. He named this new technique Blazing Lotus Strike, a combination of fire qi that would gather into a powerful lotus shape before exploding outward.
He sat cross-legged, breathing deeply and drawing in the surrounding qi. Focusing his mind, he pictured the blazing lotus in his imagination. The Heaven-Defying Comprehension ability allowed him to understand complex qi flows and visualize the technique with remarkable clarity.
As he channeled fire qi into his palms, he whispered, "Blazing Lotus Strike." Slowly, a small, fiery lotus began to take shape, floating just above his hand. He felt its intense warmth but struggled to stabilize it. Every time he tried to push more energy into the lotus, it wobbled, threatening to collapse.
"Almost there," he muttered, concentrating even harder.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted him, making him lose focus. The fiery lotus vanished, dissipating into thin air.
"Feng Xiao! Training alone, are we?" Feng Mei called out, approaching him with a teasing smile.
He sighed but couldn't help smiling back. "It's hard to get things done with distractions."
Feng Mei laughed, folding her arms. "Oh, come on. Let me watch. I might even have a suggestion or two. Besides, I wanted to try out a new move myself."
Her confidence was infectious, and Feng Xiao found himself nodding. "Fine, but you can't laugh if I fail."
She gave him a mock salute. "Promise."
Returning to his stance, Feng Xiao gathered his fire qi again, concentrating until the fiery lotus formed. He felt more pressure this time, with Feng Mei watching him closely. He could feel the qi pulsing through his veins, intensifying as he poured energy into the lotus, trying to stabilize its form.
But this time, the lotus held. Its flames flickered and danced, growing brighter and stronger. Feng Xiao took a deep breath, then pushed his palm forward. The lotus shot through the air, colliding with a rock and exploding with a fiery burst. The flames scattered, leaving scorch marks across the ground.
Feng Mei clapped. "Not bad, Feng Xiao! That's impressive for something you just created."
He grinned, feeling a surge of satisfaction. "Thanks. I'm still working on it, but I think it'll come in handy."
Feng Mei's eyes sparkled as she drew her sword. "In that case, let me show you something I've been practicing. It's an advanced technique from the Frost Moon Sword Technique, called Frozen Veil."
She explained that Frozen Veil created a shield of frost qi around the user, blocking attacks while also freezing any incoming weapons or energy. It required a high level of control, as one had to balance the frost qi to avoid depleting it too quickly.
Feng Mei closed her eyes, drawing frost qi into her body. Her sword glowed with a soft, icy light, and the air around her turned cold. She took a deep breath, then slashed her sword in a circle around her, forming a shimmering barrier of frost. Tiny ice crystals floated in the air, swirling in the cold mist that surrounded her.
Feng Xiao watched in awe as the Frozen Veil took shape. He could feel the chill even from where he stood.
"Your control is amazing," he commented, genuinely impressed.
She smiled, maintaining the veil. "Thank you. But it's still hard to keep this up for long. Let's just say it's not as easy as it looks."
Feng Xiao nodded, understanding her struggles. "It looks like both of us are pushing our limits."
As they trained together, an unexpected sense of camaraderie blossomed between them. Feng Mei's steady presence made Feng Xiao feel at ease, and he found himself enjoying her company even more. She was not only strong but also kind and encouraging—a rare mix.
After a while, they took a break, sitting side by side on a rock under a tree. They watched the sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting playful shadows on the ground.
"Do you ever wonder what lies beyond our clan and this valley?" Feng Mei asked, her gaze distant.
"All the time," he replied honestly. "There's so much to explore, so many places where people cultivate different kinds of qi and techniques. One day, I want to see it all."
She looked at him with a soft smile. "Then we have the same dream. I want to grow stronger, not just to protect the clan but to explore the world. To understand what it means to be a true cultivator."
They shared a comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts. Then, Feng Mei broke the quiet with a playful nudge. "But don't think I'll let you surpass me so easily. I still have my secret techniques to perfect."
He chuckled. "Bring it on. I'll just keep improving my Blazing Lotus Strike until you can't match it."
They both laughed, and for a moment, everything felt simple and clear. Feng Xiao realized how rare it was to find a connection like this, even in a world filled with countless cultivators.
But their peace didn't last long. Suddenly, a loud roar echoed from deeper in the forest. They both stood up, their senses alert.
"What was that?" Feng Mei asked, her voice tense.
Feng Xiao focused his qi, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound. "It came from near the old ruins. Let's check it out."
They sprinted through the forest, moving with speed and agility. As they neared the ruins, they saw a large beast—a spirit bear covered in dark fur and surrounded by a faint, menacing aura. It was prowling around the ancient stone pillars, its sharp claws leaving deep scratches in the ground.
"Be careful," Feng Mei whispered. "That's a Shadow Spirit Bear. They're known to be aggressive and have high resistance to qi attacks."
Feng Xiao nodded, assessing the situation. The bear was strong, but with their combined skills, they had a chance. He decided to use the Blazing Lotus Strike, while Feng Mei would support with her Frost Moon Sword Technique.
He concentrated, forming the fiery lotus in his palm. "Blazing Lotus Strike!"
The lotus shot toward the bear, hitting it squarely on the side. Flames erupted, but the bear roared in fury, shaking off the attack with a growl. Its eyes gleamed with anger as it turned its attention to Feng Xiao.
Feng Mei stepped forward, her sword glowing with frost qi. "Frozen Veil!"
She swung her sword, creating a shield of frost in front of them. The bear charged, slamming into the Frozen Veil with full force. Frost spread across its fur, slowing its movements, but the bear fought through the cold, claws swiping through the air.
Feng Xiao knew they had to end this quickly. He took a deep breath, gathering every ounce of qi he could manage. "One more time!"
He unleashed another Blazing Lotus Strike, this time pouring in all his energy. The fiery lotus exploded on impact, finally overwhelming the bear. With a final, agonized roar, it collapsed, defeated.
Exhausted but triumphant, they shared a relieved smile. Feng Mei sheathed her sword, breathing heavily. "We make a pretty good team, don't we?"
Feng Xiao nodded, his heart still pounding from the battle. "I think we do."
They walked back to the clan grounds together, side by side, their bond strengthened by the challenges they had faced together. For Feng Xiao, it was a reminder that even in the difficult path of cultivation, there were moments of joy and friendship worth cherishing. And with allies like Feng Mei by his side, he felt ready to take on whatever lay ahead.