Chapter 19 Bottleneck
2 years later…
In the cold, dimly lit room of the abandoned Cold Palace, Li An moved gracefully, barely disturbing the silence as she traced the arcs and patterns of swordplay. Her small, yet incredibly skilled hands wielded a slender practice sword with confidence and precision that belied her age. She had reached an almost unnatural stillness and focus that she'd only recently begun to master under Seedee's instruction.
For the past two years, the cold palace had become home to Li An, Concubine Su, and her two loyal maidservants, Alu and Misha. Though the palace was desolate and often wrapped in an eerie quietness, it had also given them a rare kind of freedom from the chaotic politics of the imperial court. It was in this quiet exile that Li An had grown, not just physically, but in skills that few could dream of mastering in a lifetime. Yet, at seven years old, she had reached a pinnacle she hadn't foreseen—an impassable bottleneck in her heavenly body refining technique.
Despite her growth, there were certain limits even Seedee could not circumvent. One of these was her age. She had only recently discovered that the barrier blocking her from progressing was that she must be eight to enter the next stage. The knowledge frustrated her initially, but Li An did not dwell on it for long. Instead, she had turned to another path: the mastery of sword arts.
In her void space—a timeless realm she shared with Seedee—Li An delved into ancient techniques with the singular focus of one who could learn without any limitations of time. She could spend what felt like years perfecting each stance and refining each slash. In reality, only seconds would pass in the real world. Seedee, her peculiar and unseen companion, appeared as nothing more than a seed with a tiny sprout but possessed boundless wisdom and skill.
"Again," came Seedee's faint yet firm voice, somehow echoing within her mind rather than her ears.
Li An nodded, adjusting her grip on the practice sword. She had been working on a complex move known as the "Celestial Descent." The technique demanded agility, timing, and most importantly, a perfect balance of force and restraint. She breathed deeply, centering herself, and launched into the movement.
Her body twisted as she brought the sword down in a sweeping arc, one that mimicked the descent of a meteor falling from the heavens. She controlled the movement to a near-perfect degree, feeling the strain in her wrists and shoulders as she balanced speed with precision.
But it wasn't quite there yet.
"You're overreaching with your left arm," Seedee pointed out. "That imbalance will slow you down."
Li An took a breath, feeling the tension of her muscles relax slightly. She straightened up and looked at Seedee. "It's harder than it seems."
"It should be," Seedee replied, its voice mild. "This technique was crafted to challenge even the greatest warriors, and you are only seven." There was no sarcasm or condescension in his voice, only a matter-of-factness that Li An found oddly comforting. Seedee always expected greatness from her, but it was never harsh or disappointing.
"Let's try it again," she replied, her voice steady. She took her stance, her feet finding their positions in an almost reflexive manner.
Before she could move, Seedee interjected with a new instruction. "Close your eyes, Li An."
"Close my eyes?" She raised a brow, curious.
"Your body knows the stance, but your mind is still clouded by thought," Seedee said calmly. "Sword arts are about intent as much as they are about movement. If your mind wavers, even a fraction, you'll lose the balance required for mastery. Feel it, instead of thinking."
Li An took a moment to steady herself, then closed her eyes. She could feel the weight of the sword in her hands, the grounded connection of her feet against the void's cool, non-existent ground. She breathed in slowly, letting all thoughts slip away as she focused solely on the sensation of her body moving.
Then, in one smooth motion, she swept the sword down, her body aligning seamlessly with the flow of energy in her movements. It was like catching a breeze perfectly, her form a single entity with the blade she wielded. The "Celestial Descent" became more than a technique; it was a moment of harmony.
When she opened her eyes, she could sense that Seedee was pleased, even if it didn't say it outright.
"Better," it commented, the single word filled with an unspoken satisfaction.
Li An let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "It's… peaceful when I do it like that."
Seedee gave a slight nod. "Sword arts are as much about peace as they are about power. Remember that, Li An."
The training continued, and with Seedee's guidance, Li An began to master a sequence of techniques, each more complex than the last. Her discipline was unmatched, her youthful energy blending seamlessly with a profound patience she had acquired over countless hours in the void space.
Occasionally, though, Li An found her thoughts drifting back to her family in the cold palace—Concubine Su and the two maidservants who had taken her in with open arms. They were the few people in the imperial palace she truly cared for. She had watched Concubine Su adapt to the harshness of their situation, teaching her that strength came in many forms. Concubine Su was always gentle, patient, and graceful, even as she endured the silent exile imposed upon them.
After a session of intense practice, Li An decided to rest and leave the void space, letting herself return to the tangible reality of the cold palace. She carefully placed her practice sword down, her fingers lingering on the hilt as she took in the dim room. The cold palace's silence was stark, but somehow, the memories and bonds she'd formed here made it feel warmer.
Concubine Su was sitting nearby, sewing under the candlelight, her posture as graceful as ever. She looked up, her gentle smile lighting her face as she saw Li An approach.
"How was your practice today, An'er?" she asked in her soft voice.
Li An sat beside her, leaning into her warmth. "I think I'm improving. I finally learned a new skill today."
Concubine Su chuckled. "I can't pretend to understand all these martial techniques, but you always seem so determined. Your hard work will pay off someday, I'm sure of it."
Concubine Su did not know how Li An learned her skills, but she did not want to pry further. The kid is a genius and she seems to be learning things in a somewhat mysterious manner.
Li An smiled, feeling an inexplicable pride in her foster mother's words. Concubine Su always knew just what to say to encourage her, as if she understood the depths of Li An's ambitions and the trials she faced, even if she didn't know every detail.
"I won't let you down," Li An said, her voice filled with a resolute sincerity. "One day, I'll become strong enough to protect you, no matter what happens."
Concubine Su's face softened, and she reached out, gently stroking Li An's hair. "You're already stronger than most, my dear An'er. But you don't have to carry the world on your shoulders. There's strength in kindness too. Remember that."
As Concubine Su's gentle hand rested on her head, Li An felt a warmth she seldom felt in her rigorous training. It was a reminder that her strength wasn't just for herself—it was for those she loved and cherished.
The days continued in this quiet rhythm. She practiced her sword techniques in secret within her void space. She would enter the void space, where Seedee guided her through ever more challenging forms and philosophies of the sword arts. She learned not just techniques, but a deeper understanding of intent, balance, and the nuanced flow between attack and defense. Seedee's wisdom stretched far beyond mere movements; it taught her how to embody the spirit of a sword—silent, unwavering, and resolute.
One evening, as she practiced with Seedee's guidance in the void space, Seedee introduced a new concept. "Today, we'll work on 'The Void Strike'—a technique that requires you to disappear within the moment, rendering your attack almost invisible."
Li An's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Invisible?"
"Not in the literal sense," Seedee clarified, "but invisible to intent. To perform it, you must make your strike so fluid that it feels as though it arises from nowhere and nothing."
Intrigued, Li An steadied herself, waiting for Seedee's instruction. She focused on clearing her mind, letting go of all expectations, all rigidity. Her breathing slowed, and she felt her surroundings fade, her awareness narrowing down to the blade in her hand and the stillness within her.
With a single breath, she moved, the sword gliding forward in a seamless strike. For a fleeting moment, even she could barely sense the movement she made—it was swift, fluid, and left no trace of intent.
When she opened her eyes, Seedee's silence seemed approving. "You've felt it now. Practice this, and one day, it will become second nature."
Li An felt a thrill at having glimpsed this elusive technique, a sense of pride swelling within her. She had long since lost count of how many hours she'd dedicated to her training, but in these moments, every effort felt worth it.
And yet, as she practiced, her thoughts would occasionally drift and begin to imagine the possible future ahead of her. She knew that mastering these techniques could offer her and those she loved protection in a world that often seemed cruel and treacherous. And perhaps one day, when she could finally progress beyond the bottleneck in her heavenly body refining technique, she would be strong… stronger than anyone else.