As the sun rose the next morning, Feng Xiao felt the warmth of its rays on his face as he meditated by the pond near his residence. Despite the progress he had made recently, he knew he was still far from reaching the pinnacle of his potential. His Blazing Lotus Strike, while powerful, took a toll on his qi reserves, and he needed to develop his control if he was to improve further.
After a while, Feng Mei appeared, approaching him with her usual cheerful smile. "So, are we training again today?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm.
Feng Xiao nodded. "I still have a long way to go with the Blazing Lotus Strike. But I'm also working on something new, something that could complement it."
Her interest piqued, Feng Mei sat down beside him. "Oh? What's this new technique?"
Feng Xiao explained his idea. "It's called Silent Flame Step. It's a movement technique, one that allows me to move as silently as a shadow while leaving behind traces of flame to disorient or mislead opponents."
Feng Mei's eyes widened in admiration. "That sounds incredible! Movement techniques are so difficult to master, but they're also incredibly effective in battle."
He nodded, feeling both excited and slightly nervous. "It's still in its early stages, but with enough practice, it could be a game-changer. I figured I'd work on it a bit today, along with Blazing Lotus Strike."
"Then let's practice together. I've been working on another variation of the Frost Moon Sword Technique called Glacial Flow, which slows down my opponent's movements by channeling frost qi into the air around me. If we train together, we can both improve."
They started by warming up with some basic exercises, channeling their qi in measured, controlled pulses to keep their flow steady. Soon, Feng Xiao began attempting Silent Flame Step. It was more challenging than he expected; every time he tried to gather fire qi around his feet to move, he left an unintended flash of light, giving away his position.
"Concentrate on suppressing the flame within," Feng Mei advised, watching him closely. "Think of it as a candle flame under glass—bright enough to give you warmth but not visible to the outside."
Feng Xiao followed her advice, picturing a small, enclosed flame that warmed his feet without emitting light. Slowly, he took a step forward. This time, his movements were almost silent, the faintest glow trailing behind him like a shadow.
Encouraged, he pushed himself further, each step becoming quieter, his presence harder to detect. As he moved, he realized how Silent Flame Step could be a powerful technique for ambushing or evading attacks, allowing him to move with speed and subtlety in the heat of battle.
After some time, Feng Mei began practicing Glacial Flow, channeling frost qi around herself. A faint mist formed in the air, and Feng Xiao could feel the chill radiating from her, slowing his movements even as he stood a few feet away.
"It's impressive," he said, shivering slightly as he tried to resist the cold qi. "It's like moving through water—everything becomes heavy and slow."
Feng Mei smiled, though her face showed signs of strain from maintaining the technique. "It takes a lot of control, but I'm getting better. I can't wait to use it in real combat."
They continued practicing for hours, perfecting their techniques, pushing each other to their limits. In the midst of their training, they fell into a natural rhythm, exchanging ideas, giving each other pointers, and sharing occasional laughter when they stumbled or made mistakes.
Just as they were about to take a break, a figure approached them. It was Elder Yuan, one of the senior members of the clan, known for his mastery in cultivation techniques.
"Ah, I see you two have been training diligently," Elder Yuan observed, his gaze sharp but kind. "Your progress has been impressive, but I wanted to remind you both of something crucial as you advance."
Feng Xiao and Feng Mei both straightened, eager to hear his advice.
"Many young cultivators focus too much on technique," Elder Yuan began. "They forget that true power comes not from techniques alone but from intent. The heart and mind of a cultivator are as important as the techniques they wield."
Feng Xiao thought about this, trying to grasp the elder's meaning. "So you mean… we need to focus on our intent when we use our techniques?"
"Exactly," Elder Yuan said with a nod. "When you attack, focus your intent fully on your goal. Visualize the outcome with clarity and conviction. Intent strengthens technique, and in the higher realms of cultivation, intent alone can have powerful effects."
The elder's words resonated deeply with Feng Xiao. He thought back to his recent battles and realized that his mind had often been scattered, his intent divided between multiple thoughts and strategies. If he could focus his mind entirely on his objective, perhaps his techniques would become even stronger.
"Thank you, Elder Yuan," Feng Xiao said, bowing respectfully. "Your advice means a lot."
Elder Yuan nodded. "Remember, cultivation is not just about power or skills. It's a journey of the mind and heart as much as the body. Now, go on. I look forward to seeing how you two grow."
As Elder Yuan left, Feng Xiao looked at Feng Mei, a new sense of purpose filling him. "Let's keep training, but this time, let's focus on our intent. Let's put everything we have into each technique."
She nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "Agreed. Let's see how much stronger we can become."
They resumed their training with a renewed sense of focus. Feng Xiao attempted Blazing Lotus Strike again, this time pouring his full intent into it. He visualized the fiery lotus, not just as a shape but as a burning extension of his will, a force that would shatter any obstacle in its path.
As he unleashed the technique, the lotus glowed brighter, its flames hotter and more intense. It shot forward with remarkable speed, crashing into a nearby rock with an explosion of fire and force. When the flames died down, he saw that the rock was cracked, split down the middle from the power of his intent.
Feng Mei, inspired by his success, channeled her intent into Glacial Flow, creating a field of frost qi around her that was stronger and more concentrated. The cold was sharper, her control more precise, and even Feng Xiao could feel its impact from where he stood.
They continued to train late into the afternoon, refining their techniques and honing their intent. By the end of the day, they were exhausted but exhilarated, feeling as if they had reached a new level in their cultivation journey.
As they sat together, watching the sun set over the mountains, Feng Mei turned to Feng Xiao, her expression soft.
"I never thought training could be this meaningful," she admitted. "For so long, I've been focused on becoming stronger, but today, I realized that cultivation is about more than that. It's about who we are, about the kind of people we want to become."
Feng Xiao nodded, feeling a similar sense of clarity. "Elder Yuan was right. Cultivation isn't just about techniques. It's about intent, about purpose. And if we can hold on to that, I believe we'll go far."
They sat in comfortable silence, the bond between them deepening as they shared this moment of growth and understanding. In that peaceful stillness, Feng Xiao felt a newfound confidence rising within him, a belief that with the right intent and the right allies, he could overcome any challenge that lay ahead.