The days melted together as Li poured himself into relentless cultivation. Each moment not spent training with his senior brother Zhang Wei was devoted to deepening his understanding of Qi and seeking to open his meridians.
The feeling he had been getting from the one meridian he opened earlier was intoxicating, pushing him to want to open all his meridians as soon as possible. The small room he called his quarters became a place of determination, where he cultivated and absorbed Qi relentlessly.
Li's focus now was on opening his second meridian, a task both exhausting and intricate. Night after night, he sat cross-legged in the dim glow of his chamber, channeling the swirling streams of energy from the atmosphere to within his body.
The stubborn barrier blocking the second meridian felt harder to break through than the first one, and each failed attempt sent feelings of discomfort through him.
But failure was not an option. His senior brother Zhang Wei had told him that it got more difficult to breakthrough subsequent meridians after the first one, with the last one being the most difficult to do. But he was determined to get through each and every one of them as soon as he could.
By the fifth day, Li's persistence paid off. A sudden surge of energy coursed through him as the barrier gave way, and his second meridian opened. The sensation was electrifying, filling him with renewed strength and clarity. He felt stronger, more awake and his senses became more sharpened. He had entered the third stage of Qi controlling realm.
Li allowed himself a brief moment of triumph before setting his sights on the next goal which is the third meridian.
But he knew he had to give it more time because he had not accumulated enough energy to be able to breakthrough. So he continued to diligently cultivate, soaking up the Qi as it flowed in his room.
Even while practicing the sword with his senior brother, Li would be subconsciously cultivating and soaking up qi energy. This was observed by Zhang Wei during a session of practice.
'Li, you have to take it slow. Do not be overwhelmed by your defeat to the point of having a talent burnout due to over cultivation' Zhang Wei advised him
'What is burnout? And is it possible to over cultivate? Li asked in surprise.
'Yes it is. Once you start soaking up surrounding Qi and you notice that you start having a full feeling, that means you have reached your limit at that time. If you continue after that, you will start feeling faint, and the faintness will continue till you finally faint if you continue. That is Qi burnout. Once you experience this, your Qi will drop to almost nothing. If you are unfortunate and it drops to zero, you will never be able to cultivate again'. Zhang Wei carefully explained
'Thank you senior brother' Li sighed, glad to be aware of this but weary that he had never experienced what was described by his elder brother, no matter how hard he cultivated. He had never had that full feeling.
'But senior brother Zhang Wei, I have never had a full feeling while cultivating before' he decided to open up to his senior.
'Really? how long do you cultivate daily? Zhang Wei asked
'When I'm not practicing swordplay, I am cultivating.' Li replied. Maybe I am not cultivating hard enough, he mused within.
'Wow!!!!!!. That's quite a lot. Anyway, just be careful to avoid burnout, like I told you. Zhang Wei advised Li, although he was internally awed by the fact that Li had never expressed being full of Qi. I wonder at his reservoir for Qi. it must be very large for someone so young to not feel full.
He continued practising the sword and also cultivating in order to open his third meridian.
As he progressed, his efforts did not go unnoticed. During one of their sparring sessions, Zhang Wei paused, his wooden sword lowered as he studied Li.
"There's something different about you," Zhang Wei said, narrowing his eyes.
Li's grip on his own sword tightened. "I've just been working harder.
Zhang Wei chuckled, though his expression remained curious. "Hard work, huh? Just don't push yourself too far. Even the strongest iron can break if it's overworked."
Li nodded but kept his true progress to himself. He had no intention of drawing unnecessary attention until he was ready.
Ten days later, in the quiet of another night, the breakthrough came. The third meridian opened with a surge so powerful that it left Li breathless. His body buzzed with newfound energy, and for the second time, he felt an undeniable shift in his capabilities. He felt stronger and all his senses more sharpened.
The next morning, as he practiced his sword forms in the training field, a disciple approached with a message.
"The Sect Master has summoned you," the disciple said, his tone a mix of curiosity and respect.
Li's heart skipped a beat. The Sect Master? Hmmmm, he hadn't seen master for a while now. Maybe master wanted to impact another lesson to him, he thought to himself as he hurriedly left the training field.
When Li entered the sect master's quarters, the atmosphere was as welcoming as ever. The Sect Master sat behind his desk as usual, his presence commanding yet calm. His piercing eyes seemed to see straight through Li, making the boy feel as though every secret he had ever held was laid bare.
"Li," the Sect Master said, 'I see you've blended in nicely'.
Li bowed low as he stepped forward. "Yes Master."
The Sect Master studied him for a moment, his gaze sharp. "You've been making remarkable progress."
'Any challenges? He asked
Li hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I've been training diligently, Master."
A faint smile touched the Sect Master's lips. "Indeed. But diligence alone does not explain how you've opened three meridians in just two weeks—a feat that takes most disciples no less than six months."
Li's eyes widened. He had told no one about his advancements. "I… I didn't realize anyone could tell."
The Sect Master nodded, his expression thoughtful. "The flow of Qi around you is different now. It's more fierce, and to someone on a realm higher than yours, it's clear as day. This progress of yours is commendable, but it will also draw attention—attention you may not be prepared to handle. I hear you've already been in a fight and even issued a challenge."
Li swallowed hard, the weight of his Master's words sinking in. "Yes master."
"Hmmmm. We need to cloak your growth from prying eyes. There is a cultivation technique," the Sect Master began, rising from his seat to the shelves surrounding his office and picking up a scroll from among several others.
"This is a cloaking cultivation technique. It will allow you to conceal your cultivation from others. Only those at least two major realms above you will be able to sense the truth."
'I will demonstrate it to you briefly. Pay close attention to get the practical feel of it. Then use this scroll to practice it after you breakthrough each level. The technique is in levels and I am only showing you the third level.' Sect master said.
Li's eyes lit up with both surprise and gratitude. "Thank you master"
The Sect Master moved gracefully to stand before him. "Watch closely. This requires precision and focus."
He began demonstrating the technique, his movements fluid and deliberate. "The key is to weave a veil of Qi around your core, masking your true cultivation. It must be seamless and unwavering."
Li absorbed every detail, his mind racing as he committed the movements to memory.
"Now, your turn," the Sect Master said, stepping aside.
Li took a deep breath, drawing his Qi inward and attempting to replicate the technique. At first, the energy wavered, unstable and inconsistent.
"Calm your mind," the Sect Master advised. "The Qi will follow your intention. Do not force it—guide it."
Adjusting his focus, Li smoothed the flow of energy, weaving it into a delicate veil that surrounded his core after the fifth trial.
The Sect Master nodded in approval. "Well done. Few can master this so quickly."
Li exhaled, a mix of relief and pride washing over him. "Thank you, Master."
The Sect Master's expression softened, though his gaze remained piercing. "You have great potential, Li. But potential must be tempered with discipline and wisdom. Do not let pride cloud your judgment."
"I understand master," Li said, bowing deeply.
As he left the sect master's quarters, Li felt very happy. Not only had he advanced to the third stage of the Qi Controlling Realm, but he was also on the verge of breaking through to the fourth. With the his Master's technique, he could keep his progress hidden, biding his time until he was ready to reveal his true strength.
That evening, as he sat in his quarters, the hum of Qi surrounding him felt more alive than ever. Li closed his eyes, and began to cultivate.