31: The First Lesson
The next day, Master Wei led Li Mei to a secluded part of the forest, far from the village. The air here felt different, charged with an energy she couldn't quite explain. Tall trees with silver bark surrounded them, their leaves shimmering in the soft light as if they were alive with magic.
"This place," Master Wei said, "is sacred. It is where many ancient practitioners have come to hone their skills. Here, you will begin to learn the basics of energy manipulation. But first, you must empty your mind."
Li Mei nodded, feeling a strange calm wash over her. She had meditated before, but this felt different. The very air seemed to hum with a quiet power, urging her to let go of her thoughts.
Master Wei instructed her to kneel, placing her hands on the earth. "Feel the energy around you. Let it enter your body. Do not force it—simply allow it."
Li Mei closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. At first, there was only silence. Then, as she relaxed, she felt a faint warmth seep into her hands from the ground beneath her. It was subtle, but undeniable. The warmth spread through her arms, up her shoulders, and into her chest. She gasped, her heart quickening.
"This is the energy of the earth," Master Wei explained. "It is the foundation of all cultivation. By learning to connect with it, you can begin to harness the power of nature itself."
Li Mei concentrated, allowing the warmth to settle in her chest. Slowly, she reached out with her senses, feeling the energy all around her—flowing through the trees, the air, the ground. It was everywhere, and it was alive.
Her heart began to beat in sync with the pulse of the earth. She could feel the connection between herself and the world around her deepening. The mystical space—the water, the plants, the herbs—it was all part of this energy. She could feel its presence, guiding her.