The first rays of sunlight pierced through the misty veil of Minghe Village as Lei Sheng stepped out of his family's modest home. The air was cool and crisp, filled with the faint scent of dew and earth. Slinging his satchel over his shoulder, he made his way toward the riverbank where he and Jiao Lan had begun their secret training sessions.
Every step felt purposeful now, every moment a chance to grow stronger. Lei Sheng couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The Jade Soul Path scroll had opened a door to a world he had only dreamed of, but its cryptic instructions were far from simple. The first steps in cultivation demanded not only physical effort but an immense amount of focus and patience—qualities Lei Sheng had not yet mastered.
As he approached the river, he found Jiao Lan already waiting for him. Her arms were crossed, and her piercing gaze fixed on him.
"You're late," she said, though there was a teasing lilt in her voice.
Lei Sheng grinned sheepishly. "The roosters were late today."
Jiao Lan rolled her eyes. "Excuses won't make you stronger. Let's get to work."
She pulled the scroll from her bag, carefully unrolling it to reveal the intricate diagrams and instructions. The first stage of the Jade Soul Path involved awakening the Qi—the life energy that flowed through all living things. This required channeling one's breath and thoughts into alignment, a process that sounded far simpler than it was.
"Start with your breathing," Jiao Lan instructed, pointing to one of the diagrams. "The scroll says you need to match the rhythm of your breath to the flow of the world around you. Focus on the sound of the river, the rustling leaves, the heartbeat of the earth."
Lei Sheng closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting the sounds of the forest wash over him. At first, his breaths were uneven, his mind too restless to settle. He thought of the scroll, of the bandits that had attacked the village weeks ago, of the power he hoped to achieve.
"You're overthinking," Jiao Lan said, her voice cutting through his thoughts. "Stop focusing on the end goal and just… be. Feel the moment."
He frowned but nodded, trying again. This time, he let go of his thoughts, allowing himself to drift in the rhythm of the river. Slowly, his breathing evened out, becoming deeper and more controlled.
For a moment, Lei Sheng felt a faint warmth deep within his chest, like a tiny ember sparking to life. His eyes snapped open. "I felt something!"
Jiao Lan smiled, her expression a mix of pride and relief. "Good. Now keep going. It'll take time, but that's a start."
---
The days that followed were grueling. Each morning, Lei Sheng and Jiao Lan met by the river to practice. The exercises grew more demanding as the scroll introduced new techniques, each one requiring a deeper connection to Qi.
One day, Lei Sheng stood barefoot on a patch of soft grass, his arms raised in a flowing motion as he followed the scroll's instructions. The technique, called Flowing Willow Stance, was meant to align his body with the natural energy around him.
"You're too stiff," Jiao Lan said, circling him with a critical eye. "The willow bends with the wind. You're moving like a tree trunk."
"I'm trying!" Lei Sheng grumbled, his arms trembling from the effort.
"Trying isn't enough," she shot back. "Feel the energy, don't force it. Let it guide you."
He took a deep breath, calming his frustration, and tried again. This time, he imagined himself as the willow tree in the diagram, swaying with the invisible currents of Qi. Slowly, his movements became smoother, his arms flowing like water.
"There," Jiao Lan said, her voice softer now. "That's it."
As Lei Sheng moved, he felt the warmth of Qi within him grow stronger, spreading through his limbs. It was faint, like the first rays of dawn, but it was there.
---
Progress was slow but steady. Weeks passed, and Lei Sheng's control over his Qi improved. He learned to focus it into his palms, creating a faint, flickering glow that lasted only moments before dissipating. Each time he succeeded, a thrill of accomplishment surged through him, but the scroll's warnings were never far from his mind.
One evening, after a particularly taxing session, Lei Sheng and Jiao Lan sat by the river, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of gold and crimson.
"Do you ever think about the cost?" Jiao Lan asked suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence.
Lei Sheng glanced at her, puzzled. "The cost of what?"
"Of power," she said, her gaze distant. "The scroll says there's always a price for walking this path. What if it's more than you're willing to pay?"
He hesitated, considering her words. The scroll's warning had lingered in his thoughts since the night he found it, but he had pushed it aside, choosing to focus on the promise of strength.
"I've thought about it," he admitted. "But… I can't stop now. If there's a price, I'll pay it. This power isn't just for me. It's for the village, for the people I care about."
Jiao Lan studied him for a long moment, then smiled faintly. "You're stubborn, Lei Sheng. But I guess that's what makes you… you."
---
One morning, Lei Sheng faced his first real test of his abilities. As he practiced near the river, he heard a panicked cry from the direction of the fields. Dropping everything, he ran toward the sound, his heart pounding.
He arrived to see a wild boar rampaging through the rice paddies, its tusks tearing through the crops as it charged wildly. Several villagers stood frozen in fear, unsure how to approach the beast.
"Stay back!" Lei Sheng called, stepping forward.
The boar turned its beady eyes on him, snorting and pawing at the ground. Lei Sheng's hands trembled, but he clenched them into fists, summoning the Qi he had been practicing to control.
The warmth within him flared to life, coursing through his veins like liquid fire. He shifted into the Flowing Willow Stance, his movements calm and deliberate.
As the boar charged, Lei Sheng dodged to the side, his reflexes sharper than ever. With a surge of energy, he struck out, his palm glowing faintly as it connected with the boar's flank. The beast let out a pained grunt and stumbled, its charge broken.
The villagers gasped in astonishment, murmuring among themselves. Lei Sheng felt a surge of pride but quickly refocused, keeping his stance steady.
The boar staggered to its feet, but it seemed wary now, its movements less aggressive. After a tense moment, it turned and bolted into the forest, leaving the villagers unharmed.
As the crowd gathered around him, praising his bravery, Lei Sheng felt both exhilaration and exhaustion. For the first time, he had used his newfound power to protect his village. But deep down, he knew this was only a small victory.
---
That night, Lei Sheng sat alone under the stars, the scroll resting on his lap. The thrill of his success was tempered by the weight of what lay ahead. The path of cultivation was long and fraught with danger, but he was determined to see it through.
"I'll get stronger," he whispered to himself, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains. "For the village, for Jiao Lan, for everyone. I'll become someone they can depend on."
With that promise burning in his heart, Lei Sheng closed his eyes, ready for whatever challenges the Jade Soul Path would bring next.