Liang Chen followed Yan Shu through the vast cultivation hall, each of his steps careful, as if afraid his presence would shatter the dignified silence that permeated the place. His teacher walked with effortless grace, her red robes brushing the floor like ripples across a calm lake. He sensed the weight of her presence—an aura of power and experience far beyond his comprehension. He'd been told she was a red-talent cultivator, but even that label seemed inadequate to capture her aura.
"This will be your training hall," Yan Shu said, gesturing to the expansive space around them. The walls were lined with exquisite carvings, depicting ancient battles and symbols of profound wisdom. "As a disciple of the Divine Sword Sect, you'll undergo rigorous training here daily. I expect nothing short of complete dedication."
Liang Chen nodded, determined not to appear intimidated, though the air itself seemed to hum with energy. He was struck by the realization that his teacher wasn't just any cultivator—she was one of the senior elders of the Divine Sword Sect, one of the highest-ranking members in one of the three most powerful sects in the entire Qingyuan Realm.
"The foundation of all cultivation is Qi gathering," Yan Shu continued, her tone even and authoritative. "Your first task will be to sense and draw in the Qi around you, understanding its flow and aligning it with your own energy."
Liang Chen took a steadying breath, finding a place on the floor and sitting down cross-legged. He closed his eyes, focusing inward as Yan Shu instructed. Almost immediately, he felt the energy around him—like threads of silk, faint but present. He tried to reach out, to pull the energy in, but it slipped through his mental grasp.
"You're forcing it," Yan Shu observed, her voice cool but not unkind. "Qi is neither servant nor possession. It is a partner in cultivation. Treat it as such, or it will evade you."
He adjusted his approach, taking her words to heart, and this time he allowed his mind to soften, to approach the energy with a sense of respect. The difference was immediate; he felt a delicate wisp of Qi respond, as though it was acknowledging his effort.
"Good," Yan Shu said, and though her tone was measured, he could sense the approval hidden beneath it. "Patience is essential in all things. Especially in cultivation."
They spent hours in silence, with Liang Chen learning to tune into the flow of Qi, to invite it into his body without forcing it. The process was exhausting yet rewarding, as each successful attempt left him feeling more attuned to his surroundings, more aware of the world of energy that lay just beyond sight.
Finally, Yan Shu gestured for him to stop. "Stand up," she commanded. "It's time we test your physical condition as well."
Liang Chen rose, feeling a slight ache from his prolonged sitting but standing ready to follow her lead. Yan Shu moved to the center of the hall and gestured for him to take a stance.
"Strike at me," she ordered, her voice calm but expectant.
He blinked in surprise, caught off guard. "Uh…what?"
"Your cultivation will be worthless if your body is weak. Attack me with your full strength."
Unsure but unwilling to disappoint her, Liang Chen adjusted his stance, gathering himself. He lunged forward, aiming a direct punch at her, only to find himself stumbling as she shifted effortlessly, evading him with barely a movement.
"Too slow. And your form is lacking," she commented, her eyes sharp as she analyzed him. "Your mind hesitates, and your strikes lack intent. In a battle, intent is as important as strength."
He tried again, this time focusing on his intent to connect, to reach her. But Yan Shu continued to sidestep him, her movements fluid and calculated, as though he was a mere inconvenience rather than a threat.
"Cultivation is not just about strength or techniques. It's about understanding the flow of energy within yourself and within your surroundings," Yan Shu explained, dodging his next punch with ease. "A cultivator must be balanced in both body and mind."
Liang Chen gritted his teeth, a flare of frustration rising within him as he missed yet another strike. But rather than mock him, Yan Shu's gaze softened slightly, her tone becoming more instructional.
"Your instinct is to overpower," she observed, folding her hands behind her back. "But often, the greatest strength lies in adapting. Try again—this time, approach without force, without expectation. Let your actions follow the flow of Qi you've been practicing."
Taking a breath, he tried to let go of his frustration and focused inward, finding that faint flow of Qi again. He relaxed, allowing his body to move in alignment with it, and struck out with a calm focus rather than raw strength.
To his surprise, he managed to close the gap between them, and Yan Shu, though still easily avoiding his strike, nodded in approval.
"Better," she remarked. "You are beginning to understand."
For the next few hours, she continued to put him through exercises, instructing him to focus on his breathing, his balance, and his form. She was relentless but fair, correcting each mistake with patience, through her eyes held an expectation that pushed him to do better with each attempt.
By the time she called for a pause, Liang Chen was drenched in sweat, his muscles aching in ways he hadn't known they could. But despite the exhaustion, a sense of satisfaction settled over him. This was only the beginning, yet he could already feel himself improving under her guidance.
"You've done well for the first day," Yan Shu said, giving him a nod. "But know this: we are only scratching the surface. Cultivation is a path without end, and you must approach it with that in mind."
Liang Chen nodded, feeling his respect for her deepen with each word. Yan Shu was a figure of quiet power, a master cultivator who demanded excellence not through arrogance, but through discipline and example.
As he bowed in gratitude, Menghuang's voice echoed in his mind, dripping with amusement.
"How does it feel to be scolded by your future lover? Quite the romantic setting, isn't it?"
Liang Chen's face grew warm, and he fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Could you not?" he muttered under his breath.
"Just making sure you don't forget that little detail," the Dream Reincarnation System teased. "After all, with her level of skill and seniority, you'll need all the focus you can muster just to keep up with her."
Shaking his head, Liang Chen focused on Yan Shu, grateful that she couldn't hear the system's constant teasing. As they wrapped up the day's training, Yan Shu gave him one final instruction.
"Tomorrow, we'll begin with weapon training," she said. "You may have potential, but it is meaningless without control. Rest well—our work is only beginning."
As she turned to leave, Liang Chen felt a surge of resolve. This was his chance to learn, to grow, and to make his mark. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew he had to give it his all.
With the Divine Sword Sect's most senior elder as his guide, and the Dream Reincarnation System as his occasionally infuriating companion, Liang Chen felt a mix of anticipation and determination.
This journey was only beginning, but already, he could sense the weight and significance of what lay ahead.