The first rays of dawn barely peeked over the horizon when Lei Sheng forced himself out of bed. His body screamed in protest, every muscle aching from days of relentless training. His mind begged for a few more hours of rest, but the promise he had made to himself and to Jiao Lan kept him moving.
He staggered toward the riverbank, clutching his satchel tightly. The air was crisp, the world around him still shrouded in the quiet of early morning. As he arrived at his usual training spot, he dropped his satchel on the ground and began his warm-up exercises.
The Flowing Willow Stance came first, its gentle, swaying movements designed to align his body with the energy of the world around him. Normally, the exercise brought a sense of calm, but today, his limbs felt heavy and sluggish.
"Again," he muttered to himself, forcing his arms to mimic the flowing branches depicted in the scroll.
The warmth of Qi within him flickered faintly, but it felt distant, unresponsive.
"Why isn't it working?" Lei Sheng groaned, dropping his hands in frustration.
A familiar voice broke the silence. "Because you're pushing too hard, as usual."
He turned to see Jiao Lan approaching, a small basket of food in her hands.
"You're up early," Lei Sheng said, trying to mask his frustration.
"And you're overworking yourself," Jiao Lan replied, setting the basket down. "Have you even eaten today?"
Lei Sheng hesitated, avoiding her gaze.
"Thought so." She sighed, pulling out a steamed bun and handing it to him. "You can't train on an empty stomach. Your body isn't a machine, Lei Sheng. It needs fuel."
Taking the bun reluctantly, he mumbled, "I don't have time to rest. If I don't train, I'll fall behind."
Jiao Lan crossed her arms. "Falling behind who? This isn't a competition, Lei Sheng. Cultivation isn't just about pushing yourself harder every day. It's about balance. If you burn yourself out, you won't get anywhere."
Her words stung, but Lei Sheng knew she was right. He bit into the bun, the warmth of the food easing some of his tension.
---
The following days tested Lei Sheng's resolve. His routine had become a demanding cycle: waking before dawn, training until his muscles screamed for rest, then returning home to help his family with their daily chores. By the time the sun set, he was too exhausted to think, let alone practice.
One evening, as he sat by the riverbank with Jiao Lan, he let out a weary sigh.
"I don't know how much longer I can keep this up," he admitted.
Jiao Lan glanced at him, her expression softening. "You've already come so far, Lei Sheng. Don't lose sight of why you started this in the first place."
"I haven't," he said quietly. "But… it's harder than I thought it would be. The scroll doesn't just teach techniques. It demands discipline, patience, and sacrifice. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm strong enough to handle it."
Jiao Lan smiled faintly. "Strength isn't just about power, you know. It's about perseverance. The fact that you're still trying, even when it's hard, proves that you're stronger than you think."
Her words gave him a renewed sense of determination.
---
Lei Sheng's training sessions became more focused as he adjusted his approach, heeding Jiao Lan's advice. Instead of pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion, he allowed his body time to recover, balancing intense practice with periods of rest and reflection.
One morning, while practicing the River's Surge Palm, Lei Sheng felt a breakthrough.
His hands glowed faintly as he focused his Qi, the energy flowing more smoothly than ever before. He struck out at the air, his palm emitting a small burst of force that rustled the leaves on a nearby tree.
"I did it!" he exclaimed, turning to Jiao Lan, who was watching from the sidelines.
"Not bad," she said, clapping lightly. "See what happens when you're not half-dead from overtraining?"
Lei Sheng laughed, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
---
But even as his progress continued, the mental strain of cultivation weighed heavily on Lei Sheng. The scroll's teachings were cryptic, often leaving him frustrated as he tried to decipher their meaning.
One evening, he sat cross-legged in his room, the scroll spread out before him. The diagrams and instructions seemed to blur together, and his head throbbed with exhaustion.
"Why is this so difficult?" he muttered, rubbing his temples.
His father's voice called from the other room. "Lei Sheng! Time to help with the livestock!"
Lei Sheng groaned, rolling up the scroll and tucking it away. His family didn't know about his training, and he intended to keep it that way.
As he worked in the fields, he couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy. The gap between where he was and where he wanted to be felt insurmountable.
---
Later that night, as Lei Sheng sat by the riverbank, he stared at his reflection in the water. The moonlight illuminated his tired features, but there was a new sense of resolve in his eyes.
Jiao Lan joined him, her presence comforting.
"Still doubting yourself?" she asked.
He nodded. "I keep thinking about the scroll's warning: 'Power demands sacrifice.' What if I'm not willing to give enough?"
Jiao Lan placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then maybe you need to ask yourself what you're willing to sacrifice. Cultivation isn't just about gaining power. It's about understanding what that power is for. Why are you doing this, Lei Sheng?"
He looked at her, his gaze steady. "For the village. For the people I care about. To protect what matters most."
"Then you already have your answer," she said with a smile. "And as long as you keep that in mind, you'll find the strength to keep going."
---
Lei Sheng's perspective began to shift as he embraced the challenges of cultivation. He learned to view each setback as an opportunity for growth, each struggle as a step toward his goal.
One morning, as he practiced the Flowing Willow Stance, he felt a profound change. His movements were no longer forced or mechanical. They flowed naturally, as if his body and Qi were finally in harmony.
Jiao Lan watched him, her expression one of quiet pride.
"You're finally starting to get it," she said.
Lei Sheng opened his eyes, a faint glow of energy radiating from him. "I can feel it. My Qi… it's stronger now."
"That's because you've stopped fighting against yourself," Jiao Lan said. "You've learned to let go."
Lei Sheng nodded, a sense of peace settling over him. For the first time, he truly understood the scroll's teachings. Power wasn't something to be taken; it was something to be earned, through patience, discipline, and humility.
---
As the sun rose higher in the sky, Lei Sheng stood tall, his confidence renewed. The trials of discipline had tested him in ways he hadn't anticipated, but he had emerged stronger, both in body and spirit.
Looking out at the river, he made a silent vow to himself.
"I'll keep going," he whispered. "No matter how hard it gets, I'll keep walking this path."
Jiao Lan smiled beside him, her faith in him unwavering.
Together, they turned to face the challenges ahead, ready to embrace whatever the Jade Soul Path had in store.