Chapter 11: A New Dawn for the Fallen Cloud Sect
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The morning sun crept over the mountains, casting warm golden light on the Fallen Cloud Sect's tired grounds. Xu Tian sat cross-legged in his dormitory, the Advanced Cultivation Technique Manual spread before him. The intricate diagrams and dense text had kept him up late into the night, but exhaustion hadn't dulled the spark of determination in his eyes.
The manual was, to put it mildly, complicated. Techniques for controlling spiritual energy, methods for amplifying attacks, and ways to balance one's meridians—it was far beyond anything taught in the basic cultivation guides the sect provided.
Still, Xu Tian refused to be intimidated.
"Okay, let's try this again," he muttered, focusing on the first technique: The Ripple Flow Method.
[(Host is advised to proceed slowly. Attempting advanced techniques without foundational strength carries risks of qi deviation.)]
"Thanks for the reminder, Captain Obvious," Xu Tian grumbled.
He closed his eyes, visualizing the flow of spiritual energy as described in the manual. The energy within him was faint but present, like a weak stream trying to find its course. Using the Ripple Flow Method, he guided it along a prescribed path, circulating it through his meridians.
At first, nothing happened. Then, as he refined his control, he felt a faint pulse, like ripples spreading across a calm lake.
"Ha! I did it!"
[(Progress detected. Host has successfully initiated the Ripple Flow Method. Note: This is the most basic step. Do not get cocky.)]
"Why do you always ruin my moments?" Xu Tian sighed, but a grin tugged at his lips.
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By the time Xu Tian emerged from his dormitory, the sect was already buzzing. Disciples hurried between tasks, still riding the high of Elder Jian's visit and the temporary reprieve it had earned them.
At the dining hall, Xu Tian grabbed a tray of bland porridge and sat beside Guo Fan, who was wolfing down his meal with gusto.
"Morning, hero," Guo Fan said through a mouthful of food. "Saved the sect, mastered a flying rock, what's next? Taming dragons?"
Xu Tian snorted. "I'm more focused on taming my breakfast right now. Is it just me, or does this porridge taste worse every day?"
"Don't complain," Guo Fan said, grinning. "If Elder Jian had declared us worthless, we'd be eating dirt."
A voice interrupted them. "Xu Tian, mind if I join you?"
Xu Tian looked up to see Senior Sister Luo Ying standing with her tray.
"Uh, sure!" Xu Tian said, gesturing to the seat across from him.
Luo Ying, as always, carried herself with grace and authority. Her presence at their table immediately attracted curious stares from nearby disciples.
"I wanted to commend you on your performance yesterday," she said, her tone formal. "You handled yourself well under pressure."
Xu Tian scratched the back of his head. "Thanks, but it was mostly luck. And a little creative thinking."
"Luck favors the prepared," she replied, a faint smile gracing her lips.
[(Observation: Interaction with Senior Sister Luo Ying is favorable. Current impression: Positive. Recommend Host avoid saying anything idiotic.)]
Xu Tian's eye twitched. Yeah, I'll keep that in mind.
Training in the Courtyard
After breakfast, Xu Tian headed to one of the less frequented training courtyards. The events of the previous day had left him with a strange sense of purpose. If he was going to survive in this sect—and possibly thrive—he couldn't afford to slack off.
The courtyard was quiet, the morning mist lingering around the worn stone tiles. Xu Tian set the Advanced Cultivation Technique Manual on a nearby rock and began practicing the Ripple Flow Method again.
The flow of energy was slightly smoother this time, but maintaining the balance was a challenge. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he concentrated, his breathing steady but strained.
[(Host's progress is commendable. Consistent practice will yield significant improvements. Warning: Overexertion may lead to qi instability.)]
"Noted," Xu Tian muttered, pausing to wipe his face.
As he rested, he noticed a group of junior disciples watching him from a distance. Their whispers carried through the quiet courtyard.
"Isn't that the guy who saved the sect?"
"Yeah, but what's he doing out here alone?"
"He doesn't even look that strong..."
Xu Tian sighed. "Great. Fame and mockery, my two favorite things."
He decided to ignore them and focus on his practice.
As the day wore on, Xu Tian was startled by a voice behind him.
"You're working hard, Xu Tian."
He turned to see Sect Master Yu standing at the edge of the courtyard, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Sect Master!" Xu Tian scrambled to his feet, bowing hastily.
"At ease," Sect Master Yu said, smiling faintly. "I wanted to commend you for your quick thinking yesterday. Your performance may have been unconventional, but it left an impression on Elder Jian."
"Thank you, Sect Master," Xu Tian said, unsure of what else to say.
The Sect Master studied him for a moment. "I see potential in you, Xu Tian. It's rough and unpolished, but it's there. Keep working hard, and you may yet surprise us all."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Xu Tian feeling a mix of pride and bewilderment.
[(Motivational boost detected. Host's determination level has increased slightly. Note: Sect Master's expectations could be both an opportunity and a burden.)]
Xu Tian groaned. "Can't I just have one normal day?"
That evening, Xu Tian returned to the dormitory, exhausted but satisfied with his progress. He collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Maybe this cultivation thing isn't so bad after all," he murmured.
But as he drifted off to sleep, a nagging feeling crept into his mind. The shadowy figure from before was still out there, watching, waiting.
Far from the sect, the figure met with a cloaked individual in a dimly lit cave.
"The Fallen Cloud Sect has caught the Azure Blade Pavilion's attention," the figure said. "It seems their new recruit is more capable than expected."
The cloaked individual's voice was cold and sharp. "Then we'll need to act quickly. The sect cannot be allowed to rise again."
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To Be Continued...
With new challenges on the horizon and unseen enemies plotting in the shadows, Xu Tian's journey continues. Can the Cosmic Fool rise to the occasion, or will his newfound determination lead him into deeper trouble? Stay tuned for more comedy, chaos, and cultivation!