The morning air was brisk and carried the scent of dew and pine as Liang woke to the sound of Master Yuan stirring the campfire. Flames danced around a small kettle of tea, the flickering light casting long shadows across the rocky plateau.
"Get up," Yuan said, his voice as sharp as ever. "Your training begins before the sun reaches its peak."
Liang groaned, his body still sore from the previous day. But the faint chiming of the system in his mind spurred him on. He forced himself to sit up, rubbing his eyes as the familiar screen appeared.
Daily Quest: Cultivate for 1 Hour. Reward: +1% Progress.
Liang smirked faintly. The system really doesn't let me rest, does it?
After a quick meal of dried fruit and flatbread, Yuan led Liang to a nearby clearing. The area was ringed with towering trees, their roots weaving through the ground like veins. A small stream cut through the center, its water sparkling under the rising sun.
"Today, you'll begin refining your control over Qi," Yuan said, gesturing toward the stream. "Water is an excellent teacher. It flows where it's guided but resists force. You'll practice forming Qi threads and using them to manipulate the flow of the stream."
"Qi threads?" Liang asked, tilting his head.
Yuan raised a hand, and shimmering strands of light extended from his fingers. They snaked toward the stream, dipping into the water. With a flick of his wrist, the current shifted, creating a swirling vortex. He released the threads, and the water returned to its natural flow.
Liang's eyes widened. "That's incredible!"
Yuan snorted. "It's basic. You'll need to master this if you want to wield Qi effectively in battle."
Liang stepped forward, closing his eyes and reaching inward. He visualized the Qi within him, shaping it into thin strands that extended from his fingers. A faint, flickering thread emerged, wavering like a candle in the wind.
"Focus," Yuan said, his voice firm. "Your will must be steady. Imagine the thread as an extension of yourself."
Liang steadied his breathing, and the thread grew brighter. Slowly, he guided it toward the stream. As the Qi touched the water, the current resisted, and the thread snapped. Liang cursed under his breath.
"Again," Yuan said.
Hours passed as Liang repeated the exercise, each attempt leaving him more drained than the last. By midday, his fingers trembled from the strain, and his Qi reserves felt dangerously low.
"Rest," Yuan said finally, tossing him another vial of restorative elixir. "You're progressing faster than I expected."
Liang drank the elixir gratefully, his energy slowly returning. "Why is this so hard?" he muttered.
"Because control is harder than raw power," Yuan said. "A wild flame can burn bright, but it takes skill to forge steel with it. Strength without discipline is useless."
Liang nodded, the elder's words sinking in. He glanced at the stream, the water flowing serenely despite his repeated failures. I'll get it eventually, he thought, clenching his fists.
As they resumed training in the afternoon, the system chimed again.
Skill Unlocked: Basic Qi Manipulation.
Task Complete: Strengthen Qi Control. Progress +2%.
Liang grinned, the sense of accomplishment fueling him to keep going. This time, when he formed the Qi threads, they felt stronger, more stable. He guided them to the stream, and the water shifted slightly under his control.
Yuan's eyebrows rose, though his expression remained stoic. "Not bad. Keep practicing, and you'll refine the technique further."
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Liang had managed to create small ripples in the stream consistently. Exhausted but exhilarated, he collapsed onto the grass, his chest heaving.
That night, as Liang meditated by the campfire, the system presented a new screen.
Skill Progression: Qi Threads (15%).
**Potential Trait Detected: Elemental Affinity