The early morning light filled the vast training hall, casting a gentle warmth across the carved stone floors and illuminating the intricate designs of dragons and swords that adorned the walls. Liang Chen took a deep breath, steadying his mind and body, feeling a thrill of anticipation for the day's lesson. Today, Yan Shu would guide him through the first true step of cultivation: awakening and channeling Qi.
Yan Shu stood across from him, her expression as calm and unreadable as ever. She seemed untouched by the morning chill, her dark hair flowing down her back like a river of ink, her deep red robes lending her an air of serene authority. Her eyes, the color of storm clouds, regarded him with a mix of patience and unyielding expectation.
"Today, we will go beyond sensing Qi," she began, her voice low but carrying an unmistakable authority. "You must now learn to draw it into your body, to harness and guide it within yourself. This is not a skill to be taken lightly; if mishandled, Qi can do as much harm as good."
Liang Chen nodded, his heart pounding with excitement and a touch of apprehension. He'd felt the subtle flow of Qi around him before, during their previous training sessions, but he had yet to draw it into himself. The stories of cultivators who could command energy, who grew stronger with every breath, echoed in his mind.
"Sit," Yan Shu instructed, gesturing to the floor. "Close your eyes and clear your mind. Focus on your breath, and let go of everything else. Your only task is to become aware of the energy around you."
He obeyed, settling into a cross-legged position, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing. The hall fell silent, the only sound was his steady breaths. He concentrated, slowly releasing his thoughts, letting himself become absorbed by the present moment.
After a time, he felt it—a faint, barely perceptible hum in the air around him. Qi. It moved like threads of silk through the air, almost invisible yet undeniably present. He reached out, not with his hand but with his awareness, trying to coax it toward him.
"Do not rush," Yan Shu said softly, her voice a steady anchor. "Qi is not a tool to be grasped, but a flow to be embraced. Approach it with respect, as you would a master."
Her words helped him shift his focus, and instead of trying to pull the energy in, he let it come to him, welcoming it gently. Gradually, he felt the first wisp of Qi seep into his body, a tingling warmth spreading through his veins. It was faint, almost delicate, but undeniably there.
"Good," Yan Shu murmured. "Now guide it to your dantian, just below your navel. Picture it as a small flame, waiting to grow."
He focused, visualizing the energy collecting at his core, feeding a small, steady flame. The warmth increased, bringing with it a strange sense of clarity and strength. He could feel his body aligning with the Qi, becoming something more than flesh and blood.
"Enough," she finally said, and he opened his eyes, feeling a strange exhilaration mixed with exhaustion. "You have taken your first step. Qi is now within you, a part of you. From this day forward, it will grow stronger with each breath, with each cultivation session."
Liang Chen nodded, absorbing her words, feeling an unfamiliar energy lingering in his core, like an ember waiting to burst into flame. He looked at her with gratitude. "Thank you, Teacher Yan Shu."
"This is only the beginning," she replied, her gaze unwavering. "Qi is the foundation, but how you use it will determine your path as a cultivator. There are many directions one can take with cultivation, many professions."
He perked up, remembering her previous lesson on the various paths in cultivation. "The professions you mentioned—sword cultivation, alchemy, formation mastery, and talisman crafting—how do cultivators decide which path to follow?"
Yan Shu nodded, her eyes thoughtful as she observed him. "Each cultivator has strengths and inclinations that draw them to a particular path. For instance, sword cultivators, like myself, are drawn to combat, to honing their minds and bodies to perfection. Alchemists, however, are scholars at heart, students of nature and the mysteries of the world. They dedicate themselves to the art of refining herbs and minerals into elixirs, strengthening both their own path and the paths of others."
"Alchemy sounds powerful," Liang Chen murmured, thinking of the potential in a single pill that could enhance cultivation or save a life.
"It is," Yan Shu agreed, a faint smile touching her lips. "An alchemist can tip the balance of battles, can elevate or save lives with their knowledge. They are highly valued and respected. But," she added with a glint in her eye, "their journey is long and complex. It requires patience, focus, and precision."
She then gestured to the ornate carvings on the far wall, depicting complex patterns and sigils woven in intricate designs. "Formation masters use Qi to create spiritual formations that enhance defenses, amplify attacks, or even create illusions. Their mastery lies in understanding and shaping the flow of Qi on a grand scale, often using the environment to their advantage. Formations can guard an entire sect or seal an enemy's power if crafted well."
Liang Chen studied the carvings with growing interest, imagining the possibilities. "And what about talisman drawers?"
Yan Shu's gaze flickered to the smaller, square symbols etched around the room's borders. "Talisman drawers are artists as much as cultivators, imbuing symbols with Qi to create talismans that can unleash power when activated. Talisman drawers are known for their steady hands and their ability to focus. Though often overlooked, they are versatile and valuable allies."
Her expression grew thoughtful as she added, "Each of these paths can complement one another. A cultivator might master the sword, but an understanding of formations can enhance their defenses, while knowledge of alchemy can fortify them in times of need. Few reach such mastery across multiple paths, but to those who do, the benefits are significant."
Liang Chen absorbed her words, realizing how much he had yet to learn. Each profession was a world in itself, with depths he hadn't fully understood before. But there was one thing he was certain of—he was drawn to the sword.
"I think… I want to follow the path of the sword, like you," he said, his voice filled with quiet determination.
Yan Shu studied him for a moment, her gaze unreadable, before she nodded. "Very well. The sword path is not for the faint of heart, but it is one that can reveal true strength. We will begin with the basics of sword cultivation—channeling Qi through the blade, and synchronizing your movements with its flow."
She unsheathed her own sword, its silver blade gleaming, and gestured for him to pick up the training sword by his side. "Stand, and mirror my stance."
Liang Chen obeyed, positioning himself as she demonstrated. His hands tightened around the hilt, feeling its weight and balance.
"The sword is not just a weapon; it is an extension of yourself. Treat it with respect, and it will respond," Yan Shu instructed, moving her sword with a graceful precision that spoke of years of discipline. "Channel your Qi through the blade, but do not force it. Let it flow as it did when you brought it into your body."
He took a breath, focusing his Qi, feeling for that small ember within. He visualized it moving through his arm and into the blade, following her example. The sword felt heavier, more alive in his hand, as though it was responding to his energy.
"Good," she said approvingly, though her tone remained cool and measured. "Now, strike."
He swung the sword, trying to match her form, but his movement lacked her fluidity. The blade sliced the air with a heavy, uncoordinated arc.
Yan Shu watched him intently. "Again. But this time, focus on balance, not force. A true strike carries intent and precision, not simply power."
He adjusted his stance, taking her advice to heart. Each strike felt slightly smoother, each movement more natural. The hall filled with the sound of their practice, his labored breathing contrasting with her calm and measured pace. She corrected his form with a subtle touch here and there, and her patience kept him pushing forward.
Finally, Yan Shu stepped back, signaling an end to the session. Liang Chen lowered his sword, his body aching yet exhilarated.
"You show promise," she said quietly. "But know that promise is only potential. Talent must be honed, shaped, and tested. If you continue with this determination, perhaps one day you will understand the true essence of the sword."
Liang Chen nodded, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Teacher Yan Shu."
As he straightened, he caught her gaze—an almost imperceptible glimmer of approval in her eyes. And for a moment, he felt a connection beyond just teacher and student, a shared understanding of the path they both walked.
"Rest well tonight," she said, her voice softening slightly. "Tomorrow, we will continue."
As she turned to leave, the Dream Reincarnation System's voice echoed in his mind, its usual teasing tone mixed with a hint of pride.
"Not bad, kid. You're finally starting to look like a cultivator. Just don't get too comfortable; this is only the beginning."
Liang Chen smirked, his exhaustion fading as he absorbed the day's lessons. He had taken the first steps on the path of sword cultivation, and with Yan Shu's guidance, he felt ready to face whatever trials lay ahead.
With newfound resolve, Liang Chen set his gaze forward, eager to see where this path would lead.